E2TG 1/10/2022 - Music City Monday - Montgomery Mix (G Minor Remix)

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    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/29/2021 - Music City Monday - Walking Wounded Mix (Better Now Remix)

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We are back after a much needed week off... 

A lot going on in the world, in our nation, and locally.  I think there are issues that are way too big for any person or administration or party to solve. I think there is a lot of evil in the world - evil in this case being defined as greed, selfishness, a lack of compassion, a lack of empathy.  I see it infecting and infesting many elements in our society and I think we can all fall victim to it from time to time, but I think it is especially insidious in certain situations. 

I also know that there are many kind, generous, compassionate and empathetic people in the world. I think ultimately, the solution has to come from those people coming together, putting aside petty differences and standing up for goodness.  

It will come when we embrace the things that unite us and try not to focus on the things that divide us. I have no idea how or if this is going to happen but I know that unless it does - the evil will continue to win. 

Please note, I use evil not in a religious or even supernatural sense - but rather as I defined it above. I also don't think anyone is all good or all evil - but I think the insidious nature of evil can be hard to resist. 

And, it cannot always been one side compromising and there will be points over which we cannot compromise - but if that is the case - let's move on to another point - while tabling the point where no agreement can be reached. I believe that while revolutionary change may be the most preferred and worth fighting for in some instances - incremental change is better than no change at all. 

Anyway, let's get on to the music for today... 

 

We pick up where we left off - a week ago Friday - a continue our recap of the Featured Friday Playlist with songs 12-17:

12. "El Camino" by Stephen Flatt

The album Cumberland Bones is due out April 16.  Today, we have the second single we have featured from Nashville singer-songwriter (and great nephew of Lester Flatt).  Really great tune. 

13. "Tumbling" by DL Rossi

Also due April 16 is Lonesome Kind by singer-songwriter DL Rossi. The album was recorded in Nashville where Rossi lived before returning to his native Michigan to help with an ailing family member.  

14. "Black Rose" by Shannon McNally; Buddy Miller

Next up, we have Shannon McNally and Buddy Miller doing a Waylon Jennings classic from McNally's forthcoming (May 28) album The Waylon Sessions. I feel like that last sentence says enough to highly recommend this listen. 

15. "America" by Sylvan Paul

Next up, we have the title track from the debut EP from NYC artist Sylvan Paul.  The song is unfortunately as timely as it was when it was written in 2018 - especially in the week of recent gun violence. 

16. "Crocodile" by Arrows to Fire

Next up, our second track to feature from this US/French collaboration (co-produced by Tim Palmer) and this is straight up one of the funnest songs we have featured in a while. 

17. "It's Ok Not to Be Ok" by The Rude Awakening

And we close with a timely message for these times from this UK synthpop act. Some cool music and good words to take us out of this segment of music.
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 9/21/2020 - Music City Monday - Cluck Old Hen Mix (All My Sins Remix)

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We roll into another week. We are in unbelievably difficult and strange times. Today, rather than vocalize my fears or hopes or shout into the void, I just want to offer the simple advice to seek out opportunities for kindness. It is easy to demonize people based solely upon what they post or which meme they share or which article on which they choose to comment.

Standing up for your beliefs is important, but I truly believe most people in the world are just trying to figure out how to get along from day to day. I may not agree with where they are in that journey or how they choose to express where they are in that journey. In fact, I may find it problematic, based upon flawed logic or incorrect facts... but, I do think I need to be careful not to assign the full weight of the problematic beliefs on one individual. 

I am not sure if I am making sense. Certainly, a large group of people supporting what I believe is evil and dangerous is a big problem. I guess it comes down to treating the large group one way and the individual members of that large group another. People are complex - so if I make generalized assumptions about the members of that large group, I may or may not be statistically accurate, but I do have to acknowledge that that assumption does not hold for 100% of the people in that group. It is possible to be a good person in many important ways and support something that I find to be bad. I may not be able to reconcile the two, but I do have to at least acknowledge that it is okay not to write off a friend or family member over a belief. 

Which is not to say that in the context of social media - it might be prudent to mute them or even "unfriend"  them for my own sanity. 

What was I saying, oh yeah, seek out opportunities to be kind... 

Today, we pick back up on our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs 9-13:

9. "Theme from Black Planet" by Adam McIntyre; Dashill Smith

Atlanta based guitarist Adam McIntyre returned from a visit to Prince's famed Paisley Park studio inspired. The result took about six weeks and is called Black Planet. This is the instrumental theme song to the album that explores funk, rock, and glam-rock in an original way. A great addition to the playlist.  

10. "Them" by EG Vines

A powerful and timely new single from Nashville based singer-songwriter EG Vines who has been a Nashville resident since 2009. He spent 10 years working for a Fortune 500 company before quitting to pursue music full-time. He has been writing and releasing singles this year in preparation for a 2021 full-length album which will follow-up his 2019 album Family Business.

11. "Fine" by Bonnie Whitmore

Bonnie Whitmore is a powerhouse Texas singer-songwriter. A lot of my singer-songwriter friends are high on her, and I was fortunate enough to catch her Americana showcase a few years back which blew me away.  When I saw she had a new single from her forthcoming album Last Will and Testament, I had to add it to the playlist. "Fine" was co-written with (fairly) new Nashville resident Jaimee Harris. 

12. "Unkind Lover" by Darwin

Next up, we have the new single from Santa Rose based dark pop artist Darwin. The track features David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets) on harmonica. The track features production and other sounds via Julian Shah-Tayler (aka The Singularity) who we featured a few week's back.  

13. "The Light" by Chrisy Mc Cullagh

We close this segment of music with a track from the recently release album by Irish multi-instrumentalist Chrisy Mc Cullagh. It is from his third album called The Sun That Does Not Set. I am really digging the sound of this album, and I really enjoyed this song. 

Tomorrow - our recap continues with 14-18...

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 4/27/2020 - Music City Monday - Dark Glasses Mix (Cold Remix)

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Time marches on... we are now into the final week of April, and although so the decision to start reopening some things is happening in some areas, we are still a long way off from many music related functions from opening, and that is assuming that we do not have a resurgence in cases.

I know many people and small businesses are suffering. For those us who are faring relatively well, the need can be overwhelming.  My best advice is to support the venues and artists that mean the most to you and do so in a way that makes sense for your situation. I have tried (emphasis on tried) to match my giving to the money I would have been spending if I was able to out. Everyone's situation is different, and so there is no wrong answer here.

Mostly, what I want my readers to hear - is that regardless of the orders and openings in your area, it is important to be safe and to still stay home as much as you can.  No matter which models or philosophies that you chose to believe, it is clear that we are not at the end of this pandemic, and the possibility exists for a comeback. At a minimum follow the guidelines of health officials regarding masks and social distancing. We are all restless and eager to get back to "normal", but to rush this will only delay things and will likely cost people their health and their lives.

Meanwhile, I am going to do my part to feature some new and not so new music here from the comfort of my home.

Time for another Music City Monday!

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 1/20/2020 - Goodbye to a Legend - Music City Monday Mini Shuffle - Pop Tart Mix (Newark Remix)

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I have been sitting here staring at my computer trying to think about what I wanted to say about David Olney...

In case you have missed the news, David Olney passed away on Saturday - on stage at the 30A festival. By all accounts, it was a graceful and peaceful exit befitting the man himself. 

It has hard to imagine how my life worked out that I had the true blessing that my orbit crossed with such a legend.  I owe that almost entirely to Mary Sack - his long-time manager and my friend. I send my love and thoughts to Mary and of course to David's family and many friends and fans. 

David Olney came to Nashville in the early 1970s - as part of the wave of songwriters influenced and inspired by the burgeoning "Outlaw" movement. Whatever you think of "Outlaw"country in the modern sense of the term, the original outlaws were all about carving their own path outside of the control of the Music Row establishment. The Exit/In was a center and West Nashville was their stomping grounds. Among this group, Olney quickly gained respect and admiration for his songwriting prowess. 

In the 1980s, Olney was best known as a a rocker and leader of The X-Rays. That group signed to Rounder Records and made a  notable appearance on Austin City Limits (which is available on YouTube).  After the X-Rays ended, Olney began a storied solo career that would last the rest of his life.  I know the term is overused, but David Olney really was the total package. Obviously a great songwriter, he was also a consummate entertainer, a poet, an actor, and so much more 

Although, I was aware of David Olney for some time, I first began seeing him on a regular basis about five years ago. His live shows were always spectacles. He surrounded himself with great musicians: Daniel Seymout, Justin Amaral, Sergio Webb, and Ward Stout. But, at the heart of his performances was the man himself. At one larger than life and down to earth. 

There are many who are better qualified to write his biography, but I wanted my readers who didn't know him to have some sense of who he was. 

Some of the highlights of my interactions with David Olney:  

In 2017, he agreed to appear as part of the first ever E2TG Residency. Thanks to Mary Sack, this show marked his reunion with the great guitarist Sergio Webb - after about a year and half of not performing together. I had the pleasure to introduce him. I have no idea what I said, but from the pictures I used big hand gestures. 

A year later, David took part in a reading event that I help to put together. He read some of his sonnets which were incredible and a haiku or two. He and Rod Picott both expressed that they were initially uncomfortable standing on stage without a guitar in hand, but I think they both enjoyed,  Leading up to that show, David said that I had one of the "great names in Rock n Roll", which is something I will never forget. 

A humorous moment was the time that David went to Bobby's Idle Hour for a show that was scheduled at The Family Wash.  He made it on time and played a hell of show - as always. Both those venues are gone and now so is David.  

I remember running into David a few years back at the Southern Festival of Books - this was right after he survived a frightening fall down the stairs at his home. He was in a neck brace, and all he could talk about was how bad he felt that he had to drop out of a show that was scheduled for that night. 

As is often the case when things like this happen, I thought I would have many more opportunities to interact with David Olney in this world. I take solace in knowing that his legacy will live on in the artists whose work he inspired and the people whose lives he touched. 

Last night, I went out to the John Dennis CD Release Show, and John - who didn't know David personally - did a great job acknowledging his passing. Anana Kaye and Irakli Gabriel opened the show by playing some songs they had been writing with David Olney. It was a beautiful moment. John Dennis' own set - playing his album in its entirety - likewise brought up heavy feelings. 

I do have to acknowledge that losing David Olney about a month after losing my father has had an effect on me. My father's passing was far less sudden and so in some ways, it has been harder to access my feelings. Somehow, the sudden loss of someone I didn't know well but whose spirit and art touched my life, has allowed me access a lot of feelings about my father's passing. Yet another gift from this great man who is gone too soon, but who is also very much still with us.

E2TG 1/13/2020 - Music City Monday and More - Side of The Road Mix (Side of the Road Remix)

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I hope everyone had a good weekend. We are back, and today mark's the return of Music City Monday.  To refresh your memory. This is a massive, every expanding playlist of new and not-so-new songs by artists with a connection to Nashville (and occasionally artist who I thought had a connection to Nashville but didn't - oops!).  The Shuffle is below.

Some notes about this new incarnation of E2TG: 

1. Show listings: I have attempted, in the past, to compile a gig guide/concert calendar, whatever, and found it was too daunting a task.  Typically, I highlight upcoming events that are on my mind. If you want an event featured, please e-mail me at e2tgmusic@gmail.com and I will do what I can. Provide as much information as you can (Who, what, when, where, how much, what time etc.) and a graphic if you have one.

2. Featured Friday: A Spotify Playlist that refreshes every week - updates usually on Friday. Please follow. Basically, a compilation of new and recently released music that has caught my attention.

3. Release listing: This is a non-comprehensive list of recent, current, and upcoming releases (singles, EPs, and LPs).  If your release is not listed (even I have know you very well) e-mail me at e2tgmusic@gmail.com with the name and release date. If you have a preferred link - send me that. 
I compiled the list from recent e-mails and then have been adding releases as they occur to me. I plan to add links (if available) soon. Eventually, I will start rotating off the older "recent" releases, but right now, I am catching up from the end of the year. I also will likely started adding some sort of commentary/mini-review (but not really)/information about some of the releases.


Events of Note: 

Tonight, Madison Guild Monday at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge will be hosted by Maynard and the Musties and featuring Javi Jones (of The Big Dumb), Steve Knudson, Val Levine, Paisley Fields, Luella, and more.

Tomorrow night is my birthday, and I will celebrating at The 5 Spot.  The early show is week two of the India Ramey Residency with Tim Easton, Wild Ponies, and a Special Surprise Guest.  $2 Tuesday follows with Anana Kaye, Derek Hoke and ? (but it is always a wonderful lineup). Come hang with me if you are in town.

Album cover of Bob Lewis' End of an Error

    Featured Friday Playlist

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Help Us Now Mix

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And so, another week begins....

Music City Monday is always a favorite day of the week for me.  It is a great combination of new and older music that is all (somehow) connected to Music City USA (aka Nashville, Tennessee)

Let's just jump right in!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Drunk and Unknown Mix

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As promised, I am going to kick into a higher gear in telling you about the Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown IV - coming at the end of this month.

The show runs two consecutive nights at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.  I am thrilled to be a part of this and to work with the awesome Magnolia Roads! 

Both nights are a benefit for the Ben Eyestone Fund at the Musician's Health Alliance. There are some incredible silent auction items.

I will you to the Facebook event for all the details. 

Today, I wanted to focus in on Friday night April 26 (right after Tim Carroll Rock n Roll Happy Hour)

The lineup for the first night includes FunkyJenn and the Fringe Benefits, Don Gallardo and How Far West, Chris Wilson and The Heresy, and The Truehearts!

Tomorrow, we will focus on Saturday April 27 - which will begin at 6:00pm and go until late. The night two headliner is the one and only Lady Couch!

Event details HERE.

Now, it is Monday and we have another top-notch Music City Monday shuffle.  Let's hit it!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Get Loud Mix

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So, my event calendar never really got off the ground, fortunately, Jared over at Fighting the Nashville Blues - has you covered.  Here are his previews for the week ahead.


So, I am still kind of reeling from the E2TG Anniversary Extravaganza.  Such a good time. I hope to bring you more shows in the future.  It was fun to introduce friends to other friends' music in a live setting.

My daughter and I had a great weekend.  We took in Luella and Tim Carroll down at Phat Bites in Donelson on Saturday morning, and then Saturday night spend some time with The Foresters and Mia Green in at an Airbnb in East Nashville and heard tunes by the aforementioned.  The Foresters should be headed back to Connecticut as I write this, and I wish them all safe travels. They had the opportunity to play Puckett's Grocery in Leiper's Fork yesterday.

Time for some Music City Monday sounds...

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle- Choking on These Vowel Sounds Mix

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MAY 18th. The 5 Spot in East Nashville. 9pm. E2TG Anniversary Extravaganza. BE THERE!

It's Monday... blech... I have a rough week at work so if posts get spotty that is why, but I will do my best.  Just over one week until the 5th Anniversary Party. I hope you will come if you can.

My music play sorts by first name (it does recognize "The" by the way). Anyway, all of the songs today were from the letters A-D purely by chance. I  did have to double check at one point to make sure the shuffle mode was really set... 

Dig!

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Whispered Diamonds Up Shit Creek Mix

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We are back and ready to finish off 2015 in style. I hope everyone who celebrates it had a good Thanksgiving.

After fighting off a cold for several days, I ended up pretty knocked out by Friday. I'm on meds and making a recovering. Expect my live music updates to be few and far between the first part of the week, but I will be healthy for some fun stuff coming up at the end of the week.  More on that.

On a related note, between the cold and getting ready to and going out of town, I am WAY behind on e-mails and checking out music that has been submitted.  Please be patient, but feel free to shoot me a follow-up e-mail/message.

We have a pretty awesome 8 song shuffle.

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Zombies of Death Mix

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E2TG moves into the mid-week.  The rain has stopped for now, and I actually think I saw a patch of blue sky for a second, but it's gone now...

We have a nifty shuffle that features some friends, a cover, a variety of styles of music, and a classic track from 1979.  Boom!

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Call of the Wild Mix

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Well.... we made it to mid-week.  Last night was a blast.  I walked down from work to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum for the CD Release Show for the Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats (the 2 CD Set accompanies the exhibit currently running).  Bill Lloyd and the phenomenal Long Players served as the core band and were joined by an all-star lineup that included some of the players on the original recordings (like Al Kooper) as well as family members like John Carter Cash, Jamie Hartford, Britt Ronstadt.  Charlie Daniels, Michael Nesmith (Monkees), Julie Christensen, Kathy Mattea, Radney Foster, Jason Ringenberg and many more made for a memorable event.  A brief rain delay did not seem to chase to many people away.

After that show, I headed to the Hi Watt to catch Heathen Sons (who were really good) - they are competing in Music City Mayhem for a slot playing Live on the Green so check them out and give them a vote if you can.  Benchmarks were next.  Formerly known as Todd Farrell and the Dirty Birds, Benchmarks just recently released a new EP which we will be presenting soon.  The band had not played together in a few months, but they really sounded good to me, and as always, the songs were excellent.  Todd Farrell pulled double duty, joining headliners Two Cow Garage on guitar.  It was the last night of a month long tour for the long running Ohio band, and they did not hold back - offering a full-frontal assault of their unique brand of rock and roll.

Now, to this mornings shuffle....