E2TG 2/27/2020 - Random Notes - This Bad Mix (Rodeoin' Remix)

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Random Note from Across the Universe:

Today's Greetings from Nashville is streaming at wxnafm.org.  Here is the direct link to the show.

Tomorrow is New Release Friday.  I am very excited that Kristen Englenz's new album Ingenue is being released! 

Also, be on the look out, we will be premiering a new single and video from Brett Ryan Stewart.

As usual, lots of great live music in Nashville tonight. I wish I could do it all.  It is the last night of the Nick Nace Residency at Tennessee Brew Works. The last night of the Anana Kaye and Irakli Gabriel Residency at Bowery Vault, and the first (second?) ever show by Dirt Reynolds (Chris Watts, Ryan Dishen, Jason Paradise, Drew Kohl) at The 5 Spot with Matt Woods and 2018 E2TG Band of the Year The Big Dumb!

    Featured Friday Playlist
It is the last day to check out this current Featured Friday Playlist.  A newly minted list will be up tomorrow!

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - Super Mercado Mix

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An enjoyable evening of music last night.  Headed over to the west side to catch Conrad Y Skordalia, Sergio Webb, and Maynard and the Musties.   All wonderful - with many shared players.

It's Thursday.... we continue to dive into the E2TG archives for old and new songs from the six year history of E2TG.  As I have said, I went through my entire music collection and selected one song for each artist that I consider a part of the history of E2TG (i.e. I featured, presented, whatever). Let's just dive in...

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Happiest Corpse Mix

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Okay... still busy, busy, but I will really need to refocus my attention on somethings.

As the days and weeks go by in this new American regime, it is frightening to see people (myself included) falling into the illusion that what is happening is somehow normal or "politics as usual",  A foreign government meddling in and (at least) attempting to influence the results of a US Presidential Election is not normal.  A US President who tries to discredit the press is not normal. A US President who uses his position to boost the profits of his business while refusing to release his tax returns is not normal.  An Administration that repeated lies and then doubles down when the lies are exposed is not normal.  A President who gets his information from fringe websites and conspiracy driven television shows is not normal. White supremacists in the White House is not normal.

I just needed to say that...
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Last night, I got to visit the Cafe Rooster compound and get a listen to what I think will be one of the best albums of the year  (Rayvon Pettis') new album produced by Matt Haeck.  Surrounded by the some of the best of Nashville music, I was blown away by the songs and musicianship and production of this record.  Stay tuned!

Speaking of Cafe Rooster Records, I am absolutely thrilled to announce that E2TG is teaming with Cafe Rooster for the 4th Week of the E2TG May Residency on May 24 at The 5 Spot.  Listen to this lineup:  Sally Jaye, Brian Wright, Darrin Bradbury, and Jon Latham.  $5 and you will be home by nine o'clock!

Speaking of the May Residency, I cannot believe that the kickoff show is just two weeks away!  Wow!  Mark Robinson Band will kick things off on May 3. If you've never seen Mark Robinson Band live, you are in for a treat, if you haven't seen this band recently, you are in for a treat, if you've seen them recently, then you already know you are in for a treat.  Either way, do not miss this one!

Today is Wednesday... Always a very weird mix of songs... today not being an exception to that rule....

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Any Day Now Mix

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So, I have a serious question... with mounting evidence of collusion with the Russians to alter the results of the U.S. Presidential Elections and  the clear indications of officials lying about it, is there not anything that can be done to minimize the damage this administration can do before this matter is fully investigated and adjudicated? I'm thinking about long-term things like the Supreme Court nomination....
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Man - allergies or whatever really laid me low last night.  (knock on wood), I am feeling better today.

Today is Wednesday - the day we shuffle up ALL of the songs stored in the memory on my phone. I call it Wild Wednesday.  Today we have some recent releases and some older releases.

Let's see where this shuffle takes us.

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Don't Know Where I'm Going Mix

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Life goes on... even when living in insane times. Putting one foot in front of the other... moving forward even as the world seemingly spins out of control. It's what we do.

The utter disregard for the truth, the utter disregard for even a modicum of basic human decency, the way vile racism and xenophobia have moved out of the shadows and are not thrown about freely... it is all very disturbing.

As I have said, one of the more challenging aspects of this current situation is at once - recognizing that this IS NOT politics as usual - and all the while - fighting important political battles.  I will echo something I read - it is vitally important that the mainstream of the Republican Party stand in en masse against the most outrageous examples of what I have cited above. Until they do, it is too easy to confuse this with "politics as usual".  That being said, until that happens, all we can do is resist and persist. And, I believe that when this corrupt and evil regime fails (as all such regimes are ultimately fated to do), those who had the power to speak up and act against this evil and chose not to must be held accountable for their inaction.

Facts matter. White Nationalist have no business in the highest reaches of government.  Fascism is evil and must be resisted at all costs.
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I had an enjoyable weekend with my daughter.  We did manage to make it out to see BARK at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge in Madison, and we both had a great time and saw some familiar faces. I continued to be heartened by the way my community has embraced and accepted my daughter. Oh, and BARK were as wonderful as always.

Now, I jump into a new week, and I am feeling overwhelmed by the work I need to do.  As always, my desire to get out and see live music is at constant war with the need to stay home and get things done. I will continue to try to find the balance, and I will be grateful to live  in such a great city for music that I even have the opportunities to see incredible live music literally every single night of the week.

It's Monday, and we have some music to share which bears some connection to Nashville.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Yesterday's Just a Song Mix

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All right. I am not backing down from talking about this corrupt and dangerous administration.But, I am taking a brief timeout.  I had a kind of crappy day yesterday, and I just don't have it in me today to be freshly outraged. To all who resist, keep fighting, and I will rejoin you very soon.  I just need a respite into music for a bit to recharge my batteries.
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Last night, "Earie" Award Winner Taylor Alexander's blind audition for The Voice was aired.  He absolutely blew it out of the water with a surprise country cover of Cher's "Believe" that captured everyone's attention.  He is going to be on Adam's team this season.  Here is the video which has been viewed over 200,000 times.  Super proud of Taylor!

On Tuesdays, we spin music from our "New Music" playlist that consists of music generally released in the past year up to and including tracks from not-yet-released albums.   Let's see what the shuffle has in store for us today....

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - hokum Mix

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These are unprecedented times in America.

This is not about ideological differences or political parties.... it is about:

Concentration of power into the hands of a small group of extremists, demonizing "others", attempts to silence the press, attacks on the arts and academia, creating chaos, disregard for checks and balances, immediate suppression of any voices of dissent,  creating a shadow government outside of the bounds of the law. Be vigilant, resist.

Today is Tuesday, and we have music that is "trending" on E2TG (aka music from our curated "New Music" playlist...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - The Good Life Mix

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Okay - we are back after an extended weekend to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., and to think about the fights which are still going on and progress made and miles yet to go...

Since we last were together, I got to take in Crackerboots with my daughter for my birthday.  Then Sunday night after his 3rd and Lindsley show was postponed, Darrin Bradbury and friends took over Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge.  It was a really great night of music with Jon Latham, Rayvon Pettis, Sally Jaye, Jeremy Ivey, and Mr. Bradbury himself.  Darrin's band included Laur Joamets who just 24 hours before had backed Sturgill Simpson on his incredible SNL performance (if you still have not seen that - go look that up NOW and then come back).  His guests included Margo Price.  It was all in all a typically stellar night of music in Nashville (well Madison).

Let's get to the shuffle - which is a little extended due to a (scheduled) detour I had to make on the way to work. This is a Trending Tuesday shuffle - heavily weighted to Nashville artists (past or present).

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.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Factory of Fantasies Mix

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Okay... so the bluetooth issue is getting annoying.  Last night, I cleared some cache thing that seemed to help, but no, this morning bluetooth kept shutting down again. Open to suggestions.

Anyway, I did power through for our Trending Tuesday shuffle - on a cold raining morning in Nashville....

Cheers!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Put it Back Mix

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It's Monday again... less than two weeks until Christmas, and less than three weeks left in 2016.

This weekend, the 11th Annual Get Behind the Mule - Tom Waits Tribute and Benefit was Saturday at The 5 Spot.  Great music, great time. I even got to emcee some. Lots of highlights.  Julie Christensen and company, Furious Primates, The Coal Men (who joined forces with Carpetbaggers 615, Tommy Womack, David Olney, Sarah Potenza, and so many more.

Sunday night:  Don Gallardo opened for SHEL. As you may know, Don Gallardo is one of my favorite Nashville artists, and he had a killed band with him.  SHEL - who I seem to see about once a year - brought stellar musicianship and a great stage presence for a really fun set of music.

Let's jump into the Music City Monday shuffle. Still having some technical issues with my bluetooth on my phone, but I powered through as best I could...  A few double shots.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Little New York City Mix

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First things first... some housekeeping.  Yesterday in my haste to kick off the "Earies" and post the shuffle, I failed to talk about the awesome "Songs of Love and Protest Show" hosted by Matt Haeck at The Family Wash on Wednesday.  Featuring incredible performances by Haeck, Amy Speace, Wild Ponies, Jon Latham, Darrin Bradbury, Brian Wright, Zach Schmidt, Rayvon Pettis, and probably others that I am blanking on.  The event was a kickoff for an upcoming compilation album with proceedings going to Planned Parenthood and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Stay tuned for updates.

Second, if you missed it, I posted a review/debut of Josh Morris' new album Can't Wait 'Til Now earlier today.  Check it out HERE. And check out Josh Morris tomorrow night at The Country.  Also tomorrow, across the river, Mark Robinson will be bringing a full band set to Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge - a relatively new venue in Madison. As always there is a ton of other stuff going on so get out and see some live local music this weekend.

Spontaneously and randomly this morning, I came up with the idea of awarding some "Earie" awards embedded in the shuffle. Truth is, I have so many awards I want to give out this is the best way to cover a bunch and then I can fill in others.  So... let's begin with a Featured Friday Shuffle...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - The Sprinklers Wept Mix

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Well, it is election day here in the US.  I say, go vote.  E2TG will remain a safe space from politics today.  Not because this election is not important.  I think it is. Not because I am apolitical. I'm not.  I just think right now, there is enough political "stuff" around - if you are seeking that out, I think you will find it.  I believe in love and I believe in music. And if you think by saying "I believe in love" that I am being "political" then you may have identified the problem....  Be good to each other. Not just today.

We have some music from our newly reconstituted "New Music" playlist. Let's do this!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - A Hole in the Heart Mix

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Well... it hasn't been an easy week, but it is Friday and cooler temperatures have descended upon our fair Music City.  Look for the Athens of the South Festival coming up tomorrow in East Park with great music and art and stuff.  Darrin Bradbury, Adrian + Meredith and more will be there.

A bunch of other things that I can't remember right now.  Get out and see some music, enjoy the weather, be good to each other.. I think that is enough for right now.