E2TG 8/23/2021 - Music City Monday and More - Queen of Nothing Mix (Destiny Remix)

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Technical difficulties means I am running late... 

Featured Friday Playlist recap (part 2 - the story continues) (songs 14-19):

14. "The Ballad of The Peshwari Naan" by The Pocket Gods

First up, we have a release from UK cult indie band - which is their tribute to BBC DJ John Peel - who briefly championed the band before his untimely death.  The prolific band has released 67 albums and over 40 singles and EPs since their inception.

15. "You Can't Save Everyone" by Owls & Aliens

Next up, we have the latest single from this 5 piece band from rural Oregon. 

16. "Bend Your Strings" by Pablo Infernal

Next up, we have the latest single from this band that formed in Zurich, Switzerland made up of musicians from Albania, Brazil, and Italy. 

17. "Wicked Woman" by Blacktop Mojo

Next up, we have the lead track from the self-titled 4th album by this five piece band from Texas. 

18. "Burden" by Somber Distortion

Next up we have the debut single from this solo project of Joni Kyynäräinen from Finland. 

19. "Home" by Iris Marlowe 

And, we close this segment of music with the latest single from this country/folk singer-songwriter from Chicago.  

 

         

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/08/2021 - Music City Monday - Salvation Mix (Even the Radio Remix)

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 Rushing headlong into another week of music. The third episode of the new Ear to the Ground radio show will be on the air tomorrow morning at 6am and the the 44th show of my other radio show - Greetings from Nashville will be up Thursday at the same time. The latter show will be a special for Women's History Month and International Women's Day which is today. 

Meanwhile, below - we have our weekly Music City Monday Shuffle and we continue our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist - which you can stream below. (If you are on Spotify and so inclined - give us a "Follow"). 

We resume our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs numbered 11-16:

11. "Mixed Signals" by Jack Silverman

Starting things off today is the first single from the forthcoming new album by East Nashville guitar guru Jack Silverman. I have been fortunate enough to see Silverman live a few times, and I can tell you even for a non-guitarist - he is impressive. I always love great instrumental music. 

12. "NO NAME" by Young Robot

I came across this Nashville band on Instagram, and I was curious. This is their latest single, and I was suitably impressed. Cool stuff. 

13. "Every Night I Burn Another Honky Tonk Down" by Dallas Moore

Next up, we have the lead single from The Rain - which is due out in April from this Outlaw singer-songwriter. It follows his 2019 release and was recorded during a time when he hoped to be playing over 300 shows for the tenth year in a row. This song is a celebration of live music which hits at a good time. 

14. "Pay Grade" by Carl Anderson

The last couple of songs we have featured from Charlottesville, VA native and East Nashville favorite Carl Anderson  have been covers. This is a track from"Taking Off & Landing - his new EP of original material. Great stuff. 

15. "Sail on, My Friend" by Todd Snider

We could not let new Todd Snider music pass without mention. This first taste from his new album is a tribute to those he (and we) have lost. It is lovely and touching in a way that only Todd Snider can do. The first time, I met Todd Snider - he insisted that we had met before - and I didn't argue. Sue and I used his cover of "Enjoy Yourself" as our Outro song for four years on Double Shot. Honestly, without him (and folks like Mac Hill, Mike Grimes, and other pioneers) the East Nashville community that took me in during my darkest days would likely not have existed. 

16. "Melt Lock- Count- down" by Kettleflower

And we close  with the lead single from the new EP from Kettleflower - which a project that features long time E2TG favorite Patrick Rickelton (aka Prattle, On Rick). 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 2/12/2021 - Featured Friday - Je Ne Said Pas Mix (You Healed Me Remix)

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Kind of a short Playlist this week, but that is good because it's kind of a busy time here. 

We will call it short but sweet.  The first segment of songs will be featured below the jump.  Check out the whole playlist and if you like some of what you hear, give us a follow.

 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 12/18/2020 - Featured Friday - Digital Daze Mix (Computer of Love Remix)

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And, I am back.  Just in time for another Featured Friday Playlist.  This one covers two weeks and is extra long as a result.  Things look pretty slow for next week with Christmas - so I may take two weeks to recap this one. In any event, I am starting with the sixteen songs - below the jump.  Be sure to check out the Playlist and Follow it on Spotify.  We are fortunate to have a good number of followers. I try to make each week's Playlist as diverse as possible with an emphasis on independent artists.  A reminder - the order of the Playlist while not entirely random (and not entirely planned either) is not a ranking - just an order. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 12/4/2020 - Featured Friday - Dumb it Down Mix (Delightfully Devilish Remix)

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Well, well, well - a combination of a several post-Thanksgiving releases and my catching up on my inbox means we have our biggest Featured Friday Playlist ever: 55 songs and nearly 3 1/2 hours of music.  That means I have my work cut out for me recapping, but I will do it. Maybe expect fewer words per song... maybe... I am typically not good at fewer words...

The recap begins below the jump with the first 15 songs!

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 4/06/2020 - Music City Monday - Stutter Mix (Perfect World Remix)

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I just want to say that I hope you are all doing as well as you can be. I know many of us are far from okay. Some of us are struggling while simultaneously feeling guilty for struggling as we recognize that there are many who have it far worse than we do.  I just want to say all of that okay.

If you missed it Friday, below you can check out the current Featured Friday Playlist and below you can check out today's Music City Monday Shuffle...

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/20/2020 - Featured Friday - Live Til We Die Mix (Ain't Going Down Remix)

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Today, Bandcamp is waiving their profit sharing so that artists will receive 100% of all purchases. Consider purchasing music or merch from your favorite artists. Bandcamp was a huge source of music in the early days of E2TG - before I began getting submissions from publicists, and I still regularly get music via that site. I know that many musicians are deeply affected my this health crisis, and every little bit helps.  I understand that Bandcamp's site is being ovewhelmed right now, which is wonderful. Keep trying.

    Featured Friday Playlist

I feel like one of my jobs is to keep the music going, so here is the brand new Featured Friday Playlist. Enjoy and support these and all artists.

Featured Friday Shuffle

Since I am not commuting, I decided to shuffle and listen to the whole Featured Friday Playlist this morning. Maybe I will start doing that every Friday...

"Isabella" by The Blam Blams (from single)

Delighted that their is a new single from Nashville's The Blam Blams. I am very excited about what they are bringing to the Nashville music scene. 

"Rely on Me" by Jon Magnusson (from Live in Studio Silverraven)

Our old friend from Sweden has been releasing these live versions of his songs of late. Here is the latest.

"Code Blue - Remix" by I Ya Toyah, Grendel (from Code Blue Reloaded - Remix Version)

"Live Till We Die" by Chris Moyse (from Bitter Ballads & Cynical Prayers)

One of my favorite local songwriters just released his new album.  It has been highly anticipated and I am glad it is out in the world. 

"Throw it Back" by Trez (from single)

Latest single from Nashville based hip-hop artist. Produced by long-time E2TG favorite Hayden "THC" Coleman. 

"Ain't Going Down" by Strange Majik (from 20/20)

The new album from long-time E2TG favorite Strange Majik is out now. Check it out. He is on bandcamp so consider making that purchase.

"When I Was a Writer" by Matt Wilson and His Orchestra

"Lose Me Head" by Gina Sicilia (from single)

I am blown away by what I have been hearing from the forthcoming new album by Nashville based singer and songwriter Gina Sicilia. Check out her latest single. 

"Best I Can" by Carl Anderson (from Best I Can EP)

Another local favorite who has been releasing some new music of late. Check out Carl Anderson's latest EP today.

"Blood" by KID BE KID (from Lovely Genders EP)

"Steady on Your Knees" by False Heads (from It's All There but You're Dreaming)

False Heads is a high-energy UK band that we featured several years ago. They have been on a steady ascent ever since. Check out this new music from them. They were supposed to make their first trip to the US for SXSW. Maybe when they do come a Nashville stop might be possible.

"Songs I Wrote" by Sha Davis (from Songs I Wrote When You Left)

"Dead Flour" by Toni Sauna, Marek Pedziwiatr, Wildcookie (from Dead Flour EP)

"Who Knows How Long This Will Last" by Dan Tedesco (by Who Knows How Long This Will Last EP)

Digging this - from this Iowa based singer-songwriter. Lovely music. 

"Springsteen on the Radio" by Foley and the Fire (from single)

Nifty new single from this UK band made up of veteran musicians with an impressive list of credits. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

I decided not to do the video playlist today.  The whole point of the video playlist is to provide a way to stream the music in the shuffle. You can do that via the Spotify playlist - above. Enjoy!

Recent:

2/01 - Glenn Jones - Ready for the Good Times (LP)

2/02 - Karabas Barabas - Degenerate National Anthem (LP)
2/04 - Mayflower Madame - "Vultures" (single)
2/05 - Joseph Mooradian  - "We all Work Too Much"/"Dash My Dreams" (single)

2/07 -  Palm Ghosts -  Wide Awake and Waiting (EP)
2/07 - Emily Zuzik - "Trouble" (single)
2/07 - Chicago Farmer - Flyover Country (LP)
2/07 - Surrija - "Barcelona" (single)
2/07 - The Flyin' A's - No Holds Barred (LP)
2/07 - Christopher Paul Stelling - Best of Luck (LP)
2/07 - HMS Morris - "Babanod" (single)
2/07 - Tiny Fighter- "Strangest Thing" (single)
2/07 - Wynnm - "Fire on the Moon" (single)
2/07 - The Golden Cage Society - Mira (Mini EP)
2/07 - Alienbaby Collective - "Degenerate Moon" (single)
2/07 - Eric and the Anti-Vaxxers - Timeshare Girlfriend (EP)
2/07 - Sammy Brue - "Teenage Mayhem" and "Crash Test Kid" (singles)
2/07 - Lucille - "Kerikeri" (single)

2/07 - Jon Magnusson  - Always a Rebel (Live in Studio Silverräven) (single)

2/07 - Thomas Passon - "Über" (single)

2/07 - BisonBison - "Hover" (single)

2/07 - BisonBison - Hover (LP)

2/13 - Little Triggers - "Bang" (single)

2/14 - Grant Peeples - Bad Wife (LP)
2/14 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)
2/14 - Johanna Kuvaja - "Back for Good" (single)
2/14 - Sarah Reynolds - "I Need Love" (single)
2/14 - Afterimage - "Six Seconds" (single)
2/14 - Kalee Smyth - "Bring Our Love Down" (single)

2/14 - Harry Stafford - "She Just Blew Me Away" (single)

2/14 - Kid Be Kid - "Blood" (single)

2/14 - Chris Maxwell - New Store No. 2 (LP)

2/18 - David J - "I Only Hear Silence Now" (single)

2/19 - Paisley Fields - "Ride Me Cowboy" (single)

2/19 - Tom Cridland - "The Laws of Success" (single)

2/21 - Sarah Morris - All Mine (LP)
2/21 - Kindergarten - Iphigenia (Reissue) (LP)
2/21 -  Hot Club of L.A.- Cinema Swing (LP)
2/21 - MUUK - Balbuceo (LP)
2/21 - Aaron Beckum - Songs from a Triangle Room (EP)
2/21 - Every 13 Days - Étant Donnés (Reissue) (LP)
2/21 - Seablight - High-Rise Mannequins (EP)
2/21 - Various Artists -Typical Girls Vol. 5 (LP)
2/21 - 12xPretty - 12xPretty (LP)
2/21 - Arkane Skye - "Don't Ask Me Out" (single)

2/21 - Easy - "Crystal Waves" (single)

2/21 - Blue Lucas - "Train Station" (single)

2/21 - Stumbleine - "Supermodels" (single)

2/21 - Jesse Blake Rundle - "The Death of a Soldier" (single)
2/21 - Whitney Shay - Stand Up! (LP)

2/21 - 100 Mile House - "Test the Timber" (single)

2/22 - Charlotte Eagle Sings - Embracing the Old Ways (LP)

2/24 - Jon Magnusson - "Set Me on Fire (Live Silverraven Sessions) (single)

2/28 - Kristen Englenz - Ingenue (LP)
2/28 - Brett Ryan Stewart - "All or None" (single)

2/28 - Close Lobsters - Post Neo Anti... (LP)
2/28 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)

2/28 - Scenius - "Glass Rain" (single)

2/28 - Jeffrey James - East London (EP)

2/28 - Charmless i - "Long Time Coming" (single)

2/28 - Gallary 47 - "I Wish I Was" (single)

2/28 - Xirita - "Don't Go" (single)

2/28 - Son of David - "Carry On" (single)

2/28 - Harry Stafford - "Painted Ocean" (single)
2/28 - Strange Majik - "World On Fire" (single)

2/28 - MUUK - Balbuceo (LP)

2/29 - Jimmy Who and the Night Creatures - Tinker's Blues (EP)

3/04 - Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion - Chameleon (LP)

3/04 - Iron Mike Norton - "Help Me Make It Through the Night" (single)

3/06 - Surrija - "Sylvette" (single)

3/06 - Dean Fields - While the Baby Was Sleeping (LP)
3/06 - Broads and Milly Hirst - Ollust (LP)
3/06 - The Mastersons - No Time for Love Songs (LP)
3/06 - Ghostwood Development Project (Feat. Kool Keith) - "Gulley" (single)

3/06 - The Mystery Plan - Ballad of JC Quinn (LP)

3/06 - Brian Wright and the Sneakups - "Patrick's Crossing" (single)

3/06 - Jonny Polonsky - Kingdom of Sleep (LP)

3/06 - Tiny Fighter - "Perfect Game" (single)

3/06 - African Head Charge - Drumming is a Language (LP)

3/06 - African Head Charge - Songs of Praise - reissue (LP)

3/06 - African Head Charge - Churchical Chant Of The Iyabinghi (LP)
3/09 - Marco Bonvicini - "Colors" (single)

3/09 - Terry Presume - I Got Nothing to Lose (EP)

3/13 - The Flatmates - The Flatmates (LP)

3/13 - Kleenex Girl Wonder - Ponyoak (20th Anniversary Edition) + BLP (demos and out-takes) (LP)
3/13 - Sandwick - Reconstruct (LP)
3/13 - Foley and the Fire - "Springsteen on the Radio" (single)
3/13 - Kalee Smyth - The Ceiling (EP)

3/13 - Sha Davis - Songs I Wrote When You Left (EP)

3/13 - The Losing Touch - "Through the Night" (single)

3/13 - Gerry Gareau - Feet Off The Brakes (EP)

3/13 - Ayla Brook and the Sound Men - Desolation Sounds (LP)

3/13 - The Academy of Sun - "The Parts That Need Replacing" (single)

3/13 - Sunday Morning - Consequences of Love (EP)
3/13 - Rosemary Fossee - "Tu me manques" (single)

3/18 - Marco Bonvicini - Colors (EP)

Today!:

3/20 - Matt Wilson and His Orchestra - When I Was a Writer (LP)
3/20 - Chris Moyse - Bitter Ballads and Cynical Prayers (LP)

3/20 - Samuel Boller - Kingdom of the Sun (LP)
3/20 - The Blam Blams - "Isabella" (single)
3/20 - Jon Hassell - Vernal Equinox (reissue) (LP)

3/20 - Kid Be Kid - Lovely Genders (EP)

3/20 - Toni Sauna - Dead Flour (single)

3/20 - Ender Bender - "Star Killer" (single)

3/20 -  Strange Majik - 20/20 (LP)

3/20 - I YA TOYAH - Code Blue: Reloaded (LP)

Upcoming:

3/27 - Mayflower Madame - Prepared for a Nightmare (LP)

3/27 - The 81s - 2 Things and 118 Others (LP)

3/27 - Mayflower Madame - "Swallow" (single)

3/27 - Alienbaby Collective - F I S H B O W L / T E R R E S T R I A L (Double EP)
3/27 - Mairena - "Weird All the Time" (single)
3/27 - Lucille - Come on,Fly (LP)

3/27 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "Money" (single)

3/27 - Ben Reel - The Nashville Calling (LP)

3/27 - 100 Mile House - Love and Leave You (LP)

3/27 - Watermelon Slim - Traveling Man (Double Live LP)

3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP)

3/?? - Harry Stafford - Gothic Urban Blues (LP)
4/01? - Ten Penny Gypsy - Fugitive Heart (LP)

4/02 - I Am A Rocketship - "My Nature" (single)

4/03 - Chip and the Charge Ups - Lightning in Our Veins (LP)

4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP)

4/03 - Stumbleine - Sink Into the Ether (LP)

4/03 - Neutrals - Rent Your House (EP)

4/09 - Ellison - "Sing" (single)

4/10 - Eliza Gilkyson - 2020 (LP)
4/10 - Dan Montgomery - Smoke and Mirrors (a phonographic memory) (LP)
4/10 - Pokey LaFarge - Rock Bottom Rhapsody (LP)

4/10 - The Dream Syndicate - The Universal Inside (LP)

4/13 - Pilotcan - No More Shan Goodbye (LP)
4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)

4/16 - Destijl - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (LP)

4/17 - Aimee Stevens - "Hell is a Teenaged Girl" (single)

4/24 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "I'm Gonna Break Your Heart" (single)
4/24 - Ben Bostick - Among the Faceless Crowd (LP)

4/24 - Kyle Lalone - Somewhere In Between (EP)

4/?? - I Am A Rocketship - Ghost Stories (LP)

5/01 - BOAT - Tread Lightly (LP)

5/01 - Laura Cortese and the Dance Card - Bitter Better (LP)

5/08 - Brian Wright and the Sneak-Ups - Lapse of Luxury

5/20 - Town Meeting - Make Things Better (LP)

5/31 - Debra Power - That's How I Roll (LP)

6/05 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "None of Your Business" (single)

6/12 - Sammy Brue - Crash Test Kid (LP)

7/03 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - None of Your Business (EP)

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Om Airwaves Mix

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And, we are back!  It's another Monday and time for another Music City Monday shuffle - celebrating the music of Nashville and the people who have and do make it.

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 - Bad Decisions Mix

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I attended the J.R. Wyatt CD Release show last night.  J.R. sounded amazing. I have been a fan of his since I saw him perform a solo set at Logue's Black Raven (RIP).  He writes amazing songs, has a great voice, and last night he was backed by an awesome band (who all played on his new album, Staying Gold which is out now).  Expect to hear more about this album very soon....

E2TG Artist of the Year  Jon Latham went on right before J.R. playing his first full-band show one year after completing the mastering on his album Real Bad News.  He has had an incredible year. Having seen him perform many times and having been impressed many time, I feel like last night was Jon's star turn (or something like that).  Yes, his band was extraordinary - filled with great musicians and songwriters and friends (Aaron Lee Tasjan, Eli Rhodes, Sean Quinn, and Raun Shultz). and they were every bit as good as one could have expected. Still, it was Jon Latham's stage and he owned it completely.  It is truly heartening and inspirational to see the growth of his confidence and stage presence in the almost two years since I was first introduced to his music. Yeah, I'm one of those, "I knew him before..." people, and I say that with pride and joy!


Time for a Music City Monday shuffle:

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - High and Heavy Mix

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Here it is! Announcing the #E2TG 5th Anniversary Extravaganza Wednesday May 18 9pm at The 5 Spot.  I am super stoked about this line-up!  Julie Christensen with Sergio Webb and Chris Tench (of STONE CUPID), ADRIAN + MEREDITH, BARK (Tim and Susan Bauer Lee of Tim Lee 3), PATRICK KINSLEY & a Fistful of Dollars, and special guest THE FORESTERS!  I hope many of you can join us that night.  The anniversary show will be right after the 3rd installment of the R.B. Morris May Residency (which you do not want to miss).

Okay - a quick recap of some recent show...  Friday: had a fun night at The 5 Spot for Tim Carroll Rock 'n' Roll Happy Hour and then moved to the Family Wash for the always amazing Jon Byrd opening for Mark Huff (for Huff's CD Release Show). Mark Huff sounded spectacular.

Yesterday, I got to help Lee (of "Earie" award winning Eight O'Five Jive celebrate her birthday, got to hang out with my friend, Too Much Country listening to the fine, fine music of Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray, and then headed over to The Basement East for the Merle Haggard tribute.  This tribute featured some awesome performances (including E2TG favorites like Jon Latham  and Jesse and Noah.  Pretty much everyone of the bill killed it.

Let's jump to Music City Monday shuffle...

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Shoot Right Through You Mix

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Kind of a dreary, post-time change Monday in Nashville - although the sun was out this morning enough to blind me as I drove in to work.

It's a another Music City Monday - time to feature songs some how, some way connected to Nashville, Tennessee. 

Darrin Bradbury is playing tonight at the fairly recently reopened 12th and Porter...  Busy week of music coming up... more later...

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Still a Human Being Mix

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Got to make this quick - I'm running late.  Saturday is another one of those impossible choices (musically-speaking in Nashville):  The Foobar is holding a multi-act afternoon show that features: Jeff Shepherd, Year of October, Susie Oleson, and Adrian + Meredith, and more!  Intersecting with the Adrian+Meredith part of the show will be some other awesome options:  David Olney returns to Bobby's Idle Hour, Jon Latham opens for The Whistles and The Bells at The Basement.  Aaron Lee Tasjan returns to Nashville for a full band show - and his band include the also recently returned Brian Wright at Soulshine Pizza, and then later on Zach Schmidt + Patrick Kinsley & A Fistful of Dollars open for Cataline Crime at The 5 Spot.  And probably tons of other cool stuff...  get out and do something... you cannot go wrong with any of these selections...

Tonight: Tim Carroll Happy Hour 6-8:30 at The 5 Spot, and later on Kevin Gordon and his band are at The Family Wash.  If you have tickets, Those Darlins are playing their final show (a sell out) at The Basement East.

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - The Pills Ain't Working Mix

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I am back after an extended time away...  When I last posted, storms were on the horizon for Nashville and that appears to be the case today six days later. In fact, as I look out the window, the rain has started.

This is always an odd week.  Christmas is over, New Years Eve is still a few days away. There is a sense of winding down of the old year and anticipation of what is to come.  In my office, there are many people out this week.  The overall pace of life seems just a wee bit slower.  But, here at E2TG, we keep pushing to the end.  We have more "Earies" to hand out and more shuffles to be shared.

The "Connections" Award. 

The premise:  Although, I don't always explicitly state it, one of the central themes of Ear to the Ground has always been the thread of connectivity that runs throughout all music.  The Shuffle (which to me is more than random) can often serve to highlight those connections. When songs that seem to be incongruous are placed together, they can often serve to reveal previously unseen connections. These connections come in all different forms and can be difficult to explain.  Long time readers may recall a post I made a few years ago when I shuffled together the then new records by Imperial Rooster and Black Jake and the Carnies.  These two bands came from different regions of the U.S. and were not even aware of each others existence but I found connections.

The Award:  So for this award, I thought about artists/bands who have come into my consciousness who have no visible connection but who speak to me in very similar ways despite their obvious differences.

1.  Tim Lee 3/Bark - A long time favorite of #E2TG, I first encountered TL3 via Couch by Couchwest.  They are based in Knoxville and have roots in Jackson, MS. As I have gotten to know Tim and Susan Lee, I have discovered their deep connection to much of the music I listened to growing up.  To illustrate, I found out not too long ago, that Tim Lee produced or co-produced Will and the Bushmen's Gawk album which has been a favorite of mine for a long, long time.  In 2015, Tim and Susan celebrated their vinyl anniversary (33 1/3 years) with the release of a new Tim Lee 3 album (331/3) and the very first EP from Bark.  I was lucky enough to see both configurations live in 2015.  The music of both bands manages to sound both fresh and familiar to me.

2. Susan James - A couple of years ago, I got the opportunity to hear and write about Susan's then new album, Driving Toward the Sun.  Susan is based in Southern California. At the time, I saw where D.J. Bonebrake of X (one of my all-time favorite bands) had acted as emcee for a CD release show for an earlier album.   In 2015, Susan James released Sea Glass which marked a departure from the Americana feel of her previous two releases.  Sea Glass is a wonderful example of California pop music.  Several times on the album, the Paisley Underground sound is evoked very effectively.  It is an album I want to hear over and over. 

Just to put too fine a point on my premise, Tim and Susan Lee have some very deep and personal connections to the original Paisley Underground scene of the 1980s which is evoked so well on Susan James latest album.

On to the shuffle:  I am going to be shuffling from the "Featured  Music" playlist for the three days I am at work this week.  Trying to get through some of 2015's featured music to clear some room for the many new releases expected in early 2016.

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - The Rainbow Didn't Bring Me No Luck Mix

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Welcome back... No shuffle yesterday because I was off work for Veteran's Day.  Lot's to recap...

Tuesday night, I attended the weekly $2 Tuesday show at The 5 Spot.  As it always is, it was a great time at a great price.  Included: a second opportunity to see Brock Zeman and Blair Hogan - who killed it.  Bob Lewis with great band that included my old friend Joe Bidewell plus Lemuel Hayes and Issac Anthony.  Plus Derek Hoke's always awesome set, and the late night spot was rocked hard by new Nashvillian K. Phillips whose band included by friend Steven Cooper.

Since, I was off I got to hang out in the studio and observe the making of Darrin Bradbury's next album.  A lot of people are going to be surprised by his turn toward gangsta rap, but I never question an artistic genius.

Last night, a great night of songwriters at Mad Donna's featuring the always awesome Kiely Schlesinger who was backed by Drew Kohl - who did a killer version of Springsteen's "Atlantic City", Violet Delancey who was backed by a great band that included Andrew Leahey on guitar, and Lindsay Ellyn who was awesome as always backed by Raun Schultz and Buddy Woodward and for the first time by fiddle player - Holly Parks. 

In the midst of all that, I wrote a review of the (still fairly new) Sara Syms album, Way Back Home.  The title track (coincidently) showed up in the shuffle today, so I will post the links when I get to that song...

On to the shuffle

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - White Light Had It Mix

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Exciting day yesterday as the #E2TG Facebook Page barreled over 400 Likes on our way to 500!  Welcome all the new "likers".  To get in on the party, click the clink above and give us a "Like".

Let's get  to today's shuffle....

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Critical of Comedy Mix

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Went out for the first time since Americana last week. Visited Twin Kegs II which is located just 4 minutes from where I live. I don't know what I had never been there before. Neat place.  Saw some great songwriters including the brother of someone from the show Nashville, and a tremendous young writer from Sydney who was celebrating the release of her new album, Love and Lovely Lies . Her name is Imogen Clark. 

We have another fine shuffle with some of those odd connections that seems to happen all the time when you closely follow music and the people who make it.

Featured Friday Music Shuffle - Young Enough Mix

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Guess what? We've reached the end of another work week!  Here's to the weekend! 

Last night, I had the great pleasure of experiencing the second ever Aqua Velvet - Exotic Sounds in Country Music show.  It was pretty fantastic.  For a more detailed account. Check out my review over at No Depression.

Since it is Friday, we have a featured Friday Shuffle to take us all into the weekend... sit back and enjoy the "show"....

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Upon My Liars Chair Mix

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Visit Our Events Page Ear to the Ground Events!

I hope you have had a chance to check out the Ear to the Ground Events Page (link above).  I made some updates last night around 9:00p.m. Central Time.  I will try to make updates throughout the week, but I'm not able to constantly update.  If you have an upcoming event, either invite me on Facebook or send me the information.

We have a short but sweet shuffle today... 5 of the 6 songs have a Nashville connection (6 of 6 if you get really loose and creative in making connections)... read on....

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Circular Mix

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Well...well...well... we've reached the mid-point of this work week. 

Last night's Kevn Kinney/Peter Case show at The Basement East was every bit as awesome as I expected.  Case opened with "Walk in the Woods" - the song that first introduced me to his classic self-titled debut solo album and Kinney followed that with the title track from his equally classic solo debut, MacDougal Blues. For the next couple of hours, they traded songs and stories...