Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Hiding In Time Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed seven - January - July2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 (coming soon!)


I was trying to write my thoughts about yesterday, but I was having trouble verbalizing...

I believe women (and men) who say they were sexually assaulted. Do false accusations happen? Absolutely. Do those false accusations cause me to disbelieve the next victim who comes forward? Absolutely not. Should someone be convicted and jailed based solely on the word of a victim. Of course not.  Should the matter be investigated? Absolutely.

Should someone be handed a lifetime appointment with accusations hanging over them without an investigation? Absolutely not.

The most disturbing thing of all is seeing the fundamental lack of basic humanity on display in Congress and in my Facebook feed. It is one thing to support the nomination and entirely another to shame and attack the woman who made the accusation. Those who support the nominee and believe him to be innocent should be the ones screaming the loudest for an investigation - but they are not.

Bottom line, the behavior of the nominee in yesterday's hearing should be disqualifying regardless of the veracity of the claims against him. 

And the other thing... I am a huge proponent of laughter and humor as an antidote for stressful times, and I have had some humorous thoughts pop into my head over this current stress. But, I have chosen not to post these jokes - even jokes I think of as harmless or with no bad intention. For the record, "spin the bottle" and writing notes to ask a classmate if they like you or not - have nothing at all to do with sexual assault or rape. NOTHING.

Bottom line, to anyone reading this who has been a victim of sexual abuse or rape, I stand with you. I hear you. I believe you.

Okay - I still believe music heals so let's get to the music.....

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Boomerang Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed six - January - June 2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018 NEW!

I have added a Playlist for JUNE 2018 - with 61 songs that highlight some of the music featured on E2TG. 

Well, it's Tuesday, and time to dig back into our New Music playlist. We have a first listen plus some music we have been featuring for a while.

Let's shuffle!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Little Things People Do Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

"If I can just get though this work week, without getting killed or caught..."  (with apologies to Guy Clark.)

Last night, a great night of music at The 5 Spot.  I saw Mike Cullison and his relatively new band The Lucky Dogs. Mike is a great songwriter - we have featured his music here at E2TG. The Lucky Dogs are a great band featuring Michael Ross, Bobby Kent, and more. Great selection of covers and original tunes - including a few written with Mark Robinson. 

After that, I hung around for part of the 2nd ever Pizza Collective showcase. The Pizza Collective is a group of songwriters who meet once a week, eat pizza, and bring in a new song to play for the group. I loved what I heard, and wish I could have stuck around for the rest, but I was way too tired.  Did get to see J.R. Wyatt, Becca Richardson, a great cello player named Zan Berry.  I look forward to catching more of their shows.

I need to tell you about an event coming up Saturday - also at The 5 Spot.  After The Fats Kaplin Gang, stick around for Spoons of Diamond.  It is a tribute to Neil Diamond - feat. the one and only Black Diamond (Nashville's own Neil Diamond impersonator). More importantly, this is a fundraiser - organized by Jason - an employee of The 5 Spot.  I'll let him tell you about it:

"Neil Diamond was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease this year.
Liftware.com is a company that has developed “smart spoons”
that allow people with Parkinson's Disease, Cerebral Palsy and, many other disabilities, the independence of feeding themselves with more confidence.
These spoons, with accessories, cost around $300-$350, depending on the particular disability and, spoon handle needed. They're not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or, majority of private insurance. 
The funds raised will be used to purchase more of these “smart spoons.”
If this device will improve your quality of life, you should have one, no matter your ability to afford one. As someone with Cerebral Palsy, I know firsthand that life with a disability comes with added struggles and, expenses. Also, as a guy who is so completely comfortable with having CP that I go by the nickname of “Shakes,” I can say that the first time to use this spoon was a life changing moment. I can't imagine how it would affect someone who isn't as comfortable with their own disability! Therefore, I find people who would benefit from this technology and,
simply give them one, with accessories.
After all, there's already enough “red tape” and “hoops to jump through” in today's world...and, who doesn't enjoy a nice bowl of soup?
Your friend,
Shakes
gofundme.com/shakes37206"
Shakes gave my daughter, whose diagnoses includes CP, one of the "smart spoons".   This should be a great night for a great cause.

Now, we jump back into the "New Music" playlist.  I am now way, way behind in adding new music to the list, but there is still a ton of music already added. Let's shuffle!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Wriggle and Bounce Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

The world is sometimes (and lately more often than not) a maddening, depressing, frustrating, painful, troublesome, messed-up ball of confusion. But, today is my daughters' birthdays and they are a light in this sometimes dark world.  And music makes me happy or makes me think or makes me cry or makes me move or sometimes all of those at once. 

Let's get right into our shuffle. It is Thursday, so we are going to find out what the shuffle function says is "trending" around here:

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Sleeping in Different Time Zones Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Sending a big THANK YOU for another E2TG Anniversary Residency in the books!

Special thanks to The 5 Spot and Bob Lewis for being gracious hosts.

For all the bands/artists who played and played wonderfully:

Clark Paterson
Rayvon Pettis
The Big Dumb
Ben de la Cour
The End Men
Ted Drozdowski's Psychedelic Circus
Brian Milligram
Darrin Bradbury
The Coal Men
Shane Tutmarc
Joanna Barbera
Eli Cook 
Bee Taylor

I am extremely proud of this line-up and I appreciate all of you!

Finally, thanks to everyone who came out to one, two, three, or all four shows.  It means a lot. In Nashville, we have the very mixed blessing of having many, many great music shows virtually every single night of the week. There are always "impossible" choices to be made, and it is also easy, even as a music super fan, to get burned out on going to shows. All that to say, it makes me appreciate those who did make it out even more.

Onward and upward, now that I'm not promoting the shows, I can remind you that my novel The Drift is still for sale.  You can get it on Amazon.com. I currently have 8 copies available for sale. I keep them in my car, so if you see me out and about and want one, just let me know.

Now, let's close out June with one final shuffle from the "New Music" playlist!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Nylon Kisses Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

My novel, The Drift is out now!  Paperback or Kindle (Buy the paperback and get a Kindle version for just $.99)

E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency is coming in June to The 5 Spot!

Week 1:  Clark Paterson, The Big Dumb, Rayvon Pettis
Week 2: The End Men, Ted Drozdowski's Psychedelic Circus, Ben de la Cour
Week 3:  Brian Milligram, Microwave Mountain, The Coal Men
Week 4: Joanna Barbera, Bee Taylor, Eli Cook

Last night, I caught the Bruce Springsteen tribute at The Basement East. A suburb band performed Born in the USA and a ton of other songs.  Singers included Charles Esten (Nashville, Whose Line is It Anyway?), Smooth Hound Smith, J. Marco, Andrew Leheay, Bill Eberle, and many more).  Jon Latham closed the show and as per usual brought down the house.  Fun show!

Tonight is night three of the Darrin Bradbury, Jon Latham, and Nick Nace residency at The 5 Spot.  The first two weeks were awesome, and I expect nothing less than awesome tonight.  It's an early show so you have plenty of time to catch other shows after or get home if you need to call it a night early.

It is Wednesday - and that is the day when we shuffle through all the songs on my phone memory. Anything can happen and usually does... let's go!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Exotic Calls Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


A little over a year ago, I first began posting an occasional "political" commentary on E2TG. As I stated then, it was not something I wanted to do and that I did not really consider most of what I wrote as "political" (although it can be a fine line sometimes). As I intimated then, and still feel strongly today, there should be room at the table for people who hold a wide variety of political and social positions. At it's ideal and best, the United States (and our leaders) should be a shining example of lively debate and measured compromise.  Where we find ourselves now is embroiled and entrenched in hyper-partisanship and obstruction. Our elections are compromised in so many ways. The effects of Citizen's United (an Orwellian named law) are devastating to democracy and harmful to the republic. Voter suppression, gerrymandering, and unchecked foreign influences are the nails in the coffin.

I am cautiously hopeful about the mid-term elections, and I still cannot imagine that the current president will last his full term - but even if everything goes the way I want it to, we will still have miles to go...

I try not to let it get me down.  I do what I can, but the results are mostly not within my control. Life can still be a beautiful thing. Friendships and family and the beauty of the world. The mysteries of science and time and space surround us.

For me, music remains a source of strength. Songs that comfort, songs that excite, songs that motivate action, songs that inspire....

E2TG has provided me with an incredible opportunity to hear a ton of music that I might otherwise never hear, and to meet talented people who are pushing against long odds and seeming disinterest at times - to do what they feel compelled to do....

So, I push on - as I approach seven years of E2TG - offering my small contribution by putting music out there hopefully in an interesting way.

Let's shuffle the "New Music" playlist on this Trending Tuesday.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Hey Hey Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


Reminded again how inspired I am by people with bold creative ideas - not only in music but in other forms of art. People who have a vision of something - regardless of their experience with that thing - and who pursue that vision with all of their heart. I think one of my weaknesses is self-doubt combined with a tendency to put too much stock in naysayers - people who tell you why you shouldn't or cant' do something.

My goal is to follow my visions no matter what. I'd rather fail spectacularly while attempting something big than succeed mildly while settling for something small. 

Just some thoughts on a Friday. 

Now, time to see what's our Featured Friday playlist shuffled up!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Heart Beating Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


I won't take up too much time with this, but I continue to flabbergasted that anyone - regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum can look at the current administration and think, "This is going well".  The sheer number of resignations, firings, indictments, guilty pleas... And it has been just over a year. I really does blow my mind that some 30% of Americans still think this is going well.... *sigh*

Meanwhile, it is Thursday in Nashville, and we had snow flurries this morning after several days of warm weather.

Got back out last night for the first time since Sunday... Timothy George (aka The Singing Butcher) was awesome.  Followed by the always entertaining Nelson, Zimmerman, Quinn trio. The set included a cover of "I'd Rather Go Blind" which coincidentally was in a shuffle earlier this week by Low Society. Plus, Jon Latham joined them for an Al Green song. There were other classic tunes plus a couple of choice Sean Quinn and the Tremblers' songs. Fun time hanging with friends and singing and dancing.

I broke down and bought a ticket to see Kris Kristofferson  in May at the Basement East with Ben Haggard - Merle's son. This is a bucket list kind of thing for me.  Both shows sold out pretty quickly.

Well, a technical note, my New Music Playlist died last night. I was adding some songs to my phone and when I added them to the New Music playlist, I found that the playlist just had the 70+ new songs.  So, I worked late last night adding albums back to the playlist. I don't know if I got them all, but I ended up with over 500 songs in the shuffle.

So, let's hit shuffle on that newly rebuilt playlist and see where it takes us...

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Tupelo Carolina Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


Yesterday, I posted a show alert for Erica Blinn, Andrew Leahey, and Liz Brasher at The 5 Spot.  Well, I went to that show last night, and it was fantastic. Saw so many good friends.

Liz Brasher is a force of nature. This was my first time seeing her, and she was amazing.
Erica Blinn is a powerhouse performer. Her set included a duet with Andrew Leahey on "Stop Dragging My Heart Around".
Andrew Leahey was backed by Jon Latham and the rest of his regular band (which also included Leahey).  This set included a cover of the Echo and the Bunnymen song "Lips Like Sugar" which took me back to my college days.

Tonight, I am checking out Music City Roots on the Road as they hit 3rd and Lindsley with a lineup that includes DADDY (Will Kimbrough and Tommy Womack), Kevin Gordon, Lillie Mae, and Katie Pruitt. Should be a fantastic show.

Back to our New Music playlist for Trending Tuesday. By the way, according to Facebook's on this date, it seems like two years ago was my first ever "Trending Tuesday" post.  Anyway, only four songs in the shuffle today (one was over 13 minutes longs). So, let's shuffle.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Diamond Feast Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook! 


Another week bites the dust... it's been a challenging one, to be sure.

I'm very excited about all of the awesome new music that has come my way, and I am cooking up some exciting things. Keep coming back!

I do need to let you know that posting will be sporadic at best over the next two weeks.  I will try to dart on with some updates just to keep things interesting. In the meantime, I hope you will check out my past posts for any you may have missed.  Thanks in advance for your patience.

Now, let's get to today's "Featured Friday" shuffle of songs from the "New Music" playlist. 

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Almost Summer Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook! 


Okay, after a couple of days of long lists and short words, things go back to normal today.

Today is Thursday, and we have a shuffle taken from the "New Music" playlist which started the day at over 470 tracks. 

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Fair Trade Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook! 


Once again, Jon Latham proves that rock n roll is alive and well.  His powerhouse set at the CD release show for Lifers included special guests Lilly Hiatt, Darrin Bradbury, and Josh Morris. A Fugazi cover embedded in "Kimberly Met Billy", and a cover of "Greetings from Nashville" (a Jason and the Scorchers gem written by the late Tim Krekel. The latter was special to me as a link from my Nashville music fan past to present (and because it rocked). Latham's band: Andrew Leahey and Sean Quinn (guitars), Cory Nichols (bass), and Raun Schultz (drums) have developed into one of the tightest and best bands in town - which in this town is saying a mouthful.

Josh Morris (who has co-produced both of Latham's albums) opened with a set from his band The Greenfields followed by Sean Quinn and the Tremblers.  Both those bands play very different versions of what I think of as power pop. Catchy tunes with depth and substance.

Those who braved the frigid temps were treated to a wonderful night of music.

Okay - time to dive into the recently expanded New Music playlist with our Trending Thursday Shuffle. There were a couple of longer songs so just six tracks in the shuffle today.