E2TG 1/25/2022 - Today Goes On - Hangman Woman Mix (Wake Up Remix)

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Today's Ear to the Ground radio show is up on the archive at wxnafm.org.  Here is the LINK. 

And the playlist:

6:00am Sonny Boy by Owsley on Owsley (Giant)

6:01am Heart’s Not in It / Down to the Well by Julie Christensen on 11 from Kevin: Songs of Kevin Gordon (Wirebird / JTMMusic)

6:09am Pokeweed Gospel by Brad Fielder on The Bigtone Leftovers – Single (Brad Fielder)

6:15am Enigma by Abie Toiber on Enigma – Single (TOCA75)

6:17am Väsy by Bad Sauna on POTSLOJO (All That Plazz)

6:23am Don’t Stop Lovin’ Me by Eliza Gilkyson on Songs from the River Wind (Eliza Gilkyson)

6:29am Kick It by Livingmore on Kick It – Single (Livingmore LLC)

6:31am Wish for You by Allison Moorer on Wish for You – Single (Autotelic Records)

6:34am Love Will Tell Us Apart by Amythyst Kiah on Single (Rounder Records)

6:37am Swimming Through the Aisles by Roman Angelos on Music for Underwater Supermarkets (Happy Robots Records)

6:43am Mercy Train by Your Friends’ Choir of Eternal Fire on Unloved – EP (1686866 Records DK)

6:45am Hey DJ by The Split Squad on Another Cinderella (Red Chuck Records)

6:49am Monster by The Magnettes on Monster – Single (K51 Music)

6:51am Tell Me by DL Rossi on Tell Me – Single (DL Rossi)

6:57am Wavelength by Tone Ranger on Follow the Sun – EP (Animalia Music)

Today's Shuffle is below the jump....

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 7/16/2021 - Featured Friday - Artvertisement Mix (Carninal Shapes Remix)

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It is Friday, and we have a ton of new and recent releases in our brand new Featured Friday Playlist.  Thanks to all who are following along.  Just a reminder, every Friday, we post a new playlist and we spend the time in between recapping the music.

Of note:  E2TG favorite Jon Byrd has released Me & Paul his new EP with pedal steel master Paul Niehaus. 

This week also brings the title track from the forthcoming new album from Darrin Bradbury.  If you don't know Darrin Bradbury - welcome to E2TG - we are happy to have you here. 

Here is the mind-blowing new video via ANTI- Records 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Tapout Mix

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  *Note: The video playlist at the bottom of the post attempts to closely approximate the shuffle I listened to on my way to work this morning. When a video for a song was not available, I substituted another song by the same artist. When I could not find any videos by an artist, I included a related video or did not include a video for that track. This blog may reference unreleased tracks, however, no unreleased music is ever included.

The E2TG 8th Anniversary is now only ONE WEEK away!  

September 25 - Week 1: Ben Arthur + Conrad y Skordalia

October 2 - Week 2: Ryan Sobb + Don Gallardo

October 9 - Week 3: The Truehearts + Jason Erie

October 16 - Week 4:  Josh Gray  + Meghan Hayes

October 23 - Week 5: Microwave Mountain + The Big Dumb

I got a bunch of new music added last night,  After a couple weeks off, I have brought back Wild Wednesday in the traditional sense.  Actually, Wild Wednesday as it exists now is pretty much classic E2TG - a shuffle of all the music on my phone (new, old, etc.).  Let's get on it!

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - Hambones and Spider Queens Mix

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About 2/3 of the way through American Aquarium's set at The Basement East last night, I had a thought. I was thinking about all the people (many of them people about my age or older or younger) who say things like "Music these days sucks." or something and then they will usually compare some classic band from an earlier era to some disposable pop star of the moment (as if there have not always been disposable pop stars).  My thought, my message to those people, is turn off top 40 radio and go out and see live music. I know I am very spoiled by living in Nashville, but I also know that there is great music (crossing all genres and styles) being made every night and every day all around world.   Cordovas opened for American Aquarium, and as I have come to expect from that band, they totally destroyed.  Seriously, Cordovas are a band I will never get tired of seeing live.

American Aquarium leader B.J. Barham has gone through some major changes in the last two and half years (which is about the time I first really got into the band).  Among those changes was the departure of his entire band.  He has a newly formed band, and they were incredible last night.  Most of the band comes from Texas (Barham is a North Carolina native) and also includes Nashville's own Adam Kurtz (Buck n Stuff) on pedal steel.  I may be bias, being a big Buck n Stuff fan, but I think Kurtz was one of the stars of the night.  As of Barham, he seemed energized and he seemed to be enjoying himself - bouncing around the stage and engaging with the band and the audience.  He speaks hard truths with love, and explores his own life with honesty. 

This show came after taking in the early show at The 5 Spot - which local Sarah Clanton and a band that included the bass player from The Barefoot Movement.  Clanton plays the cello and I had just recently been turned on to her by my DJ partner Sue.   After Clanton's set, Heather Mae from D.C. took the stage. She injected some much needed positive energy into my soul. I am a fan, now. Turns out she knows my friends in FuzzQueen - proving just how small the music world is, Tom Goss closed that early show, and I dug his music, too. 

I hate that I missed Benchmarks at The 5 Spot - as it turned out, I probably could have seen most of their set....  also last night E2TG 2015 Artist of the Year Jon Latham made his debut on Music City Roots with his killer band.  I am looking forward to catching the video of this.

Anyway, from my point of view, the state of music is just fine - the business/money side of it may be a different story, but that is a topic for another time.

Today, we jump back into our exploration of E2TG history.  E2TG began in May 2011.  A vast majority of my posts are the monring shuffles like this one.  The basic premise is, "Hey, I heard some cool music this morning on my way to work, let me tell you about."  So, let me....

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Dog on my Lap Mix

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The world and this country and many of my fellow humans having getting me down of late. I am trying to remember to find the beauty, to dance in the rain, to fight for the oppressed, to worry less about my own needs and wants, to be kind to strangers and friends alike, to bring light in whatever ways I am able, to find gratitude because I am a really lucky guy, to stop comparing myself to others, to stop worrying about what "they" have, to push myself to make the most of my good fortunes (and their are many), to be a better friend, a better family member, a better citizen, to remember that the best advice I've ever gotten sometimes took me years to fully absorb, to accept my own faults and limitations so that I better accept those in others.  

Okay - we continue shuffling from the New Music playlist... it's still wild enough for me!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Peep Peep Mix

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Okay, okay! I'm back after a couple days off due to work related stuff....

First of all, I have to give a huge THANK YOU! to Cafe Rooster Records and everyone who came out Wednesday night.  I could not have asked for the night to be any better.  Sure was a humbling experience to know I had anything to do with what went down.  What went down was: Darrin Bradbury with Megan Palmer.  Sally Jaye - backed by Brian Wright, Jon Latham and more.  Jon Latham with Sean Quinn, Rorey Carroll, and Brian Wright - back by Jon Latham and Aaron Lee Tasjan!  Everyone was amazing and Brian Wright was other-worldly good.

We do have one more week to go of the E2TG Residency!  May 31 - it is going to Amelia White and the Blue Souvenirs (Sergio Webb, Dave Coleman, Parker Hawkins, Megan Carchman) with special guests Fuzzqueen from Washington D.C. - Fuzzqueen features former members of Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray who we have featured before.

I have your Featured Friday shuffle - as we go into a long holiday weekend.

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - I'm Wide Awake Mix

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Today I'm mostly gonna let my Topical Thursday playlist speak for me.  I will say that the world and history and many Americans are watching.  We are seeing those who are in positions to do something about the corruption and nepotism and dishonesty and... - and who are doing nothing.  Meanwhile, many, many people who are not in positions of power are actively resisting.

Last night, another really excellent night of music at The 5 Spot. Beginning with a full-band set from Adrian + Meredith followed by TV Mike and the Scarecrows (who were fabulous), Quinn Deveaux (who is now local - after leaving LA) also wonderful, and ending with the triumphant return of Buck n Stuff. I even got a shout-out from the stage before they did their version of "A-11", This will likely be the last time I see this band for a while - as 2/3 of the band are headed to Europe next week.  The American Legion recordings are being worked on - so maybe some Buck n Stuff recordings are out on the horizon somewhere.

Well... Nashville is staring down the barrel of some potentially bad storms this afternoon and evening.  But...

Tonight at The 5 Spot. Richie Owens and The Farm Bureau are celebrating 25 years of great music with appearances from the many members over those years.  As an added bonus, The Movement are said to be reuniting to open the show.  The last - and only time I saw The Movement live was Labor Day Weekend 1985, when my friends Boyd and Ron along with a younger guy named Greg drove from Cookeville to Cat's Records on West End (there is a bank or something there now) to see The Movement, Tim Krekel and the Sluggers, and Jason and the Scorchers.  I sure hope the weather cooperates and that I am not huddled in an interior space.

After that show, the Family Wash is to be my destination to see Russell Thompson, Megan Palmer, and Sergio Webb.

Okay - time to move on to the Topical Thursday shuffle.  Usual disclaimers... I have a topic in mind, but I'm not explaining it.  The songs may only fit due to an alternate interpretation of the title, or some loose connection in my mind, or they may explicitly fit the topic.  In all cases, I am not implying in any way the artists/writers/performers share any particular view point.

Also, I think there may be some repeats from previous Thursday shuffles - I refreshed the playlist and may have added some songs back - whatever- they are all good songs and they all still fit the topic. Other than that - enjoy.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Looking at Their Phones Mix

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So yesterday, as I worked, I would look out the window and sea picture perfect day while I watched the temperature on my phone rise through the seventies into the low 80s. It was the first day of Spring, and it felt like it.  I hustled home and changed into shorts, grabbed a beer, and sat out on my back deck reveling in the sun and just right temperatures. And the the clouds began to roll in, and in less than a hour it was storming.  I guess that is Spring, too.

You know, like a lot of people, I have been doing a lot of thinking about the state of the world and this country, and our government. Sometimes, as I react to some new revelation, some new affront to decency, some new outrage... I find myself questioning if I am overreacting. Or perhaps more to the point, I find myself wondering if I am reacting to the right things. As I have said before, I NEVER intended, E2TG to be a forum for my political beliefs. I have always and still believe that this country is made great not by a uniformity of opinions and tenets and beliefs, but by the differences. I believe it is possible that not every belief or philosophy of mine is 100 percent correct 100 percent of the time.  Or that the "other side" is 100 percent wrong 100 percent of the time.

So, in the past two months, I have struggled to differentiate the "normal" political issues (some of which are very important) and this new "not normal" world in which we find ourselves. It is a difficult thing to do because the two are often intertwined. The current administration's ties to Russia and white supremacists - their outright lies and attacks on the press... these and more should transcend (D) vs. (R) or virtually any other artificial division.

I don't have a neat wrap up... these are just some things that have been on my mind. ****************************************************************************

On Tuesday - we shuffle up our "New Music" playlist - that is filled with (fairly) recent (including not yet released) music that has come to me by variety of mediums and people. It is today's glimpse at what is "Trending" on E2TG.

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - Tell Me Lies Mix

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So.... the chief lawyer for the country is not only a racist, ableist, transphobe, and homophobe, but he is also apparently a liar/perjurer and possibly a traitor.  Nope, nothing to see here...

and then there is this... (with a straight face)

1. The failure of the Yemen raid is Obama's fault.
2. The failure of the Yemen raid is the military's fault.
3  The success of the Yemen raid is Trump's accomplishment.

********************************************************************
I had a rare opportunity to see six different Earie award winners perform last night - beginning at The 5 Spot with D.L. Duncan - beginning his month-long residency.  He was joined by the incredible blues keyboard player, Al Hill.

Next, I headed to The Country for the inaugural Writer Crush Wednesday which featured rounds from Tom Schreck and Connor Rand, Andrew Adkins and Joe Nolan, and Lindsay Ellyn (who created the event) and Taylor Alexander.  Really fun night.

Tonight, I am hyped to see John Doe at The Basement with Jon Latham opening.


I am changing my title of Thursday's posts to Topical Thursday.  Just because.  My topic (or theme if you will) continues into this new month, and I added a bunch of songs to the mix.

Disclaimers:  The topic is not revealed. The connection of the songs is tenuous and times and not explained.  It may not be the actual content of the song that fits it into the theme - it may just be a possible interpretation of the title.  And as always, the views expressed or implied do not necessarily reflect those of any of the artists.

Let's Go!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Right Below the Shoulder Mix

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I have been thinking lately about the Will Kimbrough song, "Less Polite" (see right below).  Generally, I do believe in civil discourse about political differences. But honestly, lately, it is getting difficult. Don't get me wrong I am willing to have serious and civil discourse with anybody - across the political spectrum - as long as the starting point of that discourse is about how to get rid of this evil and un-American budding dictatorship.  I am frankly disgusted and appalled that more people on the right - of which I know there are some basically decent people do not stand up to this assault on our way of life.

********************************************************************************

Meanwhile, it is the final day of February 2017.  And it is a Tuesday when we present "Trending" tracks from our "New Music" playlist.  Shall we?

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Laurel Canyon '72 Mix

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Greetings from a snowy, chilly Nashville.  Last night was yet another one of those nights that reminds me why Nashville is such a cool place to be a music fan.  First off Brian Ritchey kicked off his residency at The 5 Spot. Sheriff Scott and the Deputies opened.  I am not sure why I am just now hearing or/hearing this band, but I am a fan now. Urban bluegrass is the term, I think. Really good stuff.   Brian Ritchey is a great songwriter, and he sounded great as always. Enjoyed hearing some of his newest songs.

Next, I headed to the American Legion for Buck n Stuff. American Roommates opened the show. I really dug their energy and sound.  Another new (for me) band.  As for Buck 'n' Stuff... well, I know it is early in the year, but at this point, I think they are front runners for Band of the Year.  Seriously - because they are a serious band.  Buck Owens covers (thus the "Buck") plus a few non-Buck Owens covers  (thus the 'n' Stuff).  All of these offered up in non-traditional arrangements.

Okay, so we are ready for our first Featured Friday Shuffle of 2017.

If you are in Nashville, it sounds like the roads are getting dicey.  Be careful out there.

Extra Special Earie Shuffle - The Purge: Anchovy Mix

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Well it is 2017, but here at E2TG we still have some unfinished business to complete for 2016.  So, I'm taking advantage of a couple of days off to award my final group of Earie Awards.  Tomorrow, I may or may not have a few more, but I will definitely be awarding Band/Artist of the Year.  Remember, unlike last year, the Artist/Band of the Year may or may not have already received an Earie this year, so you will have to stay tuned.  Betting lines are open... void where prohibited.

I do want to take a second to once again thank every one who reads, reposts, shares, comments, "likes", and otherwise supports me in making E2TG happen.  I am encouraged by the fact that December, November, and October 2016 were the 1. 2. and 3. best months for page views in the entire 5 1/2 year history of this blog.  In fact, December 2016 blew every previous month out of the water. I am humbled and filled with gratitude, and I am looking for a new year of opportunities and great music.


First, a couple of non-shuffle "Earies" to give out:

1.  The "After I Died" award goes to Bashful Hips. This often enigmatic and unique artists released  the awesome "After I Died, I've Never Felt So Alive", I was fortunate to be able to make it to the CD release show earlier this year.  Bashful Hips also had the opportunity to play shows and tour with some of his favorite artist.  For my part, I am grateful to have his cool and original sounds in my shuffle.

2.  The "Treeline is Not a Limit" award goes to Tim McNary.  McNary is another of those artists (like Ben de le Cour and Josh Morris) who I wrote about back in the early days of the blog and then reconnected with in a very coincidental way.  His album, Above the Trees was one of my favorites of the year, and I always love seeing McNary live. He has a wonderful, rich voice that brings his song to life.


Now to the shuffle - since I didn't commute anywhere this morning, I listened to tunes while I tried to do some organizing around here....

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - When the Darkness Takes Control Mix

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Hey ho!  It is the last day of my work week.  I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving or if you are outside the US I hope you have a great Thursday.

Since it is Thanksgiving time, I want to take second to say that I am extremely thankful for you - my constant reader, and I am thankful for all of the blessings that my obsession with all things music-related have brought into my life. I can truly say that the course of my life has been altered because I decided to start writing Ear to the Ground in May 2011. It is just about inconceivable for me to try to imagine my life without the people I have met directly or indirectly because of E2TG. So Thank You all!

Let's take this week out in style and get wild on a Wednesday!  Shuffling from the entire list of music on my phone.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Static Mix

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Time keeps marching on... I took a couple of concrete steps toward my little getaway I am planning for next week.

Prerecorded another "Double Shot" show last night - it is a good one and will air on November 5.

Slowly but surely getting over the bug I had over the weekend.

Last week, I stacked up all of the new CDs that I have received in 2016 for E2TG, it's a big stack and I've received two more since then, plus it doesn't include all of the music I received on download.  It's getting really close to the end of the year, and the 2nd Annual "Earie" Awards... there I said it. I definitely have some pondering and relistening to do.

It is Tuesday, and that is when we see what the old shuffle function says is "Trending" on E2TG.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Jump Back Down Mix

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Well, yesterday I wrote about the finale of Mark Robinson's Showband and Rhythm Revue Residency at The 5 Spot.  Well, the show certainly lived up to my expectations (and then some!).  Master levels musicianship, world-class vocalists, and Mark Robinson - who is a consummate bandleader.  Such a fun night.

Well, this week has kind of flown by in a hurry... it is Friday and time for Featured Friday on E2TG.

Trending Tuesday Morning (and Afternoon) Shuffle - 5 Long Years Mix

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Reporting in late with a shuffle that began this morning and stretched into this afternoon.

First, some reminders.  Tomorrow do not miss Amelia White with special guests Megan Palmer and Don Gallardo - The 5 Spot at six pm.  Thursday: Mark Robinson Showband with Davis Raines and Tiffany Huggins Grant - same place and same time.  Some alternative suggestions for Thursday:  If you are down Franklin way, be sure to check in to the Legendary Kimbro's Picking Parlor to see a superb line-up with Ben de la Cour and Marvin Etzioni (The Mandolin Man, Lone Justice).   If you are not at Mark Robinson's show or down in Franklin at Kimbro's, I hope it because you at the O.G. Basement to see Beau James and J.R. Wyatt.  Later on, you can head (or stay) at The 5 Spot for Sara Syms, Bird and Bear, and a new band debuting called Bell Dive. Alternatively, you can head over to Phat Bites in Hip Donelson and check out Furious Primates and others for a show that had to be moved due to the surprising and sad news of the abrupt closing of FooBar. Friday: After Tim Carroll Rock and Roll Happy Hour - head up down Main Street to The Family Wash for a triple bill that features E2TG favorites BARK along with Ned Hill of Ned Van Go, and Alvin Youngblood Hart's Muscle Theory.  Whew!  Is the weekend yet?

Let's get to that shuffle....

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Always Carry a Purse Mix

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A few things on my mind:

1. My mind has been on my parent's home state of Louisiana and the devastating flooding which has affected several different parts of the state. One of my cousins had to be rescued from her home and essentially lost everything.  One story out of many.

2.  Reflecting on my post yesterday about seeing so many good friends and how their dreams are coming true, and realizing that in the midst of all this, there are people who are struggling to hold on to their dreams (or struggling just to get by and survive)... which got me thinking of the unprecedented growth that Nashville has seen over the past few years, and that while some people have thrived and benefited from that growth, others have suffered.  No answers to any of it, just thoughts.

3.  On a completely different note, Facebook told me that one year ago today, the E2TG Facebook Page hit 300 likes.  Today, the count stands at 834 and countig. I am humbled and mystified and grateful for all of the support.

4.  I feel like I need to acknowledge that there is another (at least one) music blog/website whatever that uses Ear to the Ground has their name.  From what I can tell, we started at about the same and apparently, just coincidentally came up with the same name.  It isn't really that big a deal yet, but as I look to expand and grow my site, I see the need to address it.  As you have probably noticed, I have been heavily emphasizing the "E2TG" designation.  This will likely continue and eventually the E2TG title may replace "Ear to the Ground" on-line and in print.   This blog will always be "Ear to the Ground" as long as it continues.  And for the record, if you are talking about "E2TG", it is pronounced, "Ear to the Ground". :-)

5.  Three events tonight that I want to highlight. I do not think I can physically do all three but not saying it is not possible...  1. Scott Miller (6-8) at The 5 Spot.   2. Steve Poltz with special guest Megan Palmer!!!! at City Winery. (7-?)  3.  The star-studded tribute to Ryan Adam's Cold Roses album at The Basement East. (8-?)

Todays Wild Wednesday shuffle contains several songs from new and newish releases (and future releases).  Plus some of the usual "Wild Wednesday Wackiness".

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Wild One Mix

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I have been so inspired of late, watching friends having their dreams come true in so many ways....  The Americana Music Association announced their final group of artists for next months festival, and I was so happy to see some good friends on the list (many of them making their debuts as official showcase artists). Several people who may have read about on E2TG are on the list including the most recent two Artist of the Year!

Seeing the Foresters and others from the Dord Music Group - absolutely killing it at Athens PopFest and getting an amazing opportunity to play alongside their heroes from the Elephant 6 collective.

See friends releasing new albums and getting the opportunities to play "big" shows...

It moves me to do more with the opportunities I have been given.

Hey ho! Let's go! Tuesday - what's "trending" at E2TG?  Find out!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Fist City Mix

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Shout out to my twin daughters who turn 21 years old today.  ♥♥♥♥

It is Tuesday or as we say here at E2TG - Trending Tuesday.

I have a little extra time so I thought I would explain each day's "theme"...

Music City Monday - songs with some connection to Nashville.  Artists who live in or have lived in Nashville, albums recorded in Nashville, maybe songs about Nashville, plus artists that I mistakenly thought lived in or had lived in Nashville.  Plus songs added to the playlist in error.

Trending Tuesday - kind of an esoteric playlist... mostly new (or fairly recent music)... includes music sent to me plus (fairly) recent and notable releases plus songs connected to some notable (fairly) recent events.

Wild Wednesday - all of the above (and below) plus songs that don't really fit on any other playlist.

Throwback Thursday - songs of a certain vintage. Usually at least ten years old, plus occasionally and accidentally a recent song by a long running artist that I mistakenly think is an old song.

Featured Friday - mostly music which was sent to me.  Since I don't do many album reviews - this is my way of making sure I write something about most of the music that I receive and love.   Newer music from artists who I consider long-running "friends of E2TG", ends up on this list.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - This One Last Hope Mix

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These are hard times. These are tense times. These are scary times. These are sad times. These are disheartening time.  The issues are systemic and complicated and cannot and should not be reduced to memes. But that is what we do.  This is not a political blog or a social issues blog. This is a music blog, but I am a human being writing this and I notice things.  I do not propose solutions to all of the world's ills. But I do have a modest proposal..

STOP! RIGHT NOW!  Stop treating everything as an either/or, black/white, pro/con issue. My opinion is that very few things in this world work this way.  There is a philosophy that I used to be a proponent of (and sometimes still am) that our choices are either love or fear. In other words, in any given situation we can choose to react out of love or react out of fear. Honestly, I think as a way for me to evaluate my own reactions, it is a good philosophy. The problem is when I start using that to evaluate another persons motives is where I get into trouble. It's where I fall into that either/or trap.

I don't think either side is exempt from falling into this trap and it cuts across just about every issue. Guns, abortion, gay rights, police shootings, terrorism, even silly things like the Beatles vs. the Stones.   This idea that if I concede even a small minor point that I am now an enemy of a cause I consider myself a supporter of... It is how "Gee, maybe we might want to consider looking into how this thing is being done" is interpreted "so, you want to scrap the whole way of doing things?"

Or more pointedly, "There is a systemic problem of how some law officers interact with people of color." is heard as "So, you hate all cops?"

On social media, this attitude just creates fruitless and frustrating flame wars.  In life, it has deadly consequences as we have seen over the last couple of days.  So, I think we all need to STOP.  It is possible to support the good work that law enforcement officers do on a daily basis AND to demand that when one or some of those officers do wrong that they not be given a pass.  And to realize/admit that those bad apples are more than just aberrations (even if they may be in the minority), to realize that there are systemic and societal issues of race that we need to have honest conversations about. But, we cannot have those vital conversations if we approach it from a position of protecting our view of either/or.  Being willing to listen and to try to understand another viewpoint is not the same as agreeing with or giving into that viewpoint. But, it does, I think, demand a willingness to concede small points while standing firm on others.

I have no idea if any of what I have said makes any sense. I am frustrated and sad and scared and disheartened. I just feel like in our discourse we need to find some small point of agreement and build from that.  Sadly, I do not think this happens very often in our world.

But, this is a music blog.  I love music, and I believe that love is ultimately the answer to everything.  Love with hard work, love with compromise, love with actions, love with heart-felt disagreements, love in all of it's complicated versions and varieties.  As I said, I love music - so for today, I will share the love by sharing some music. Some of it you may like, some of it you may not, but I send it all out with love.

Speak powerfully against hate and fear, but speak powerfully out of love. Combat hate and fear with love not with more hate or fear.

So... music!