Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Horse and Carriage Mix

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Well... the state of the world and all has me a little down and anxious, and quite frankly pissed off.

And, as I always do, I seek out solace in music. 

Last night it was the final show of Bill Lloyd's 3 out of 4 week November residency. I was captivated as ever by his grasp of the nuances of what makes a great pop song. And his choices of covers were fun.  The audience was treated to a couple of songs by songwriting great Buddy Mondlock.

Tonight, I am making the drive down to Franklin for Music City Roots. 2014 E2TG Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury will be making his second appearance on that program.  If you can't get to Franklin you can listen and watch on-line.   Also on the bill is Cordovas - one of my favorite bands to see live.

By the way, Darrin's band will include Cameron Carrus on bass, Megan Palmer on fiddle, and Laur Joamets on guitar.

By the way, if I can make it back in time, Maynard and the Musties (who I have been playing quite a bit recently) are playing at Springwater tonight with Nashville Non Prophets (featuring members of St. Luke's Drifters), and singer-songwriter Steven Knudson.

The shuffle today - as we do on Wednesday's comes from a random shuffle of all of the songs saved to my phone currently.  We call it "Wild Wednesday" not just 'cause the results are often wild, but because the shuffle is like a wildcard - it can be anything.

Let's shuffle!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - True Believers Mix

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“Our opponents, the media and the whole world will soon see, as we begin to take further actions, that the powers of the president to protect our country are very substantial and will not be questioned,” said Stephen Miller, Mr Donald Trump’s senior policy director.

The above comments should be a cause for alarm to any rational thinking American citizen regardless of political affiliation. This is totalitarianism at work - and in the context of the information coming about Russia and the elections, it should be the impetus to speed up the process of impeachment (which seems at this point to be inevitable).  This kind of mentality which seems to inhabit the current administration runs counter to the guiding principles of this nation. 

On a more personal level, we are already seeing proposed changes which will cause great harm to millions of American's with disabilities. The disabled were among the many groups targeted by the Nazi party in Germany.  This is not a coincidence. 

Enough - for now.  

I attended the 9th Annual Love is Deaf show at Douglas Corner. It was my first to attend.  To me this was a quintessential Nashville event.  Couple perform a song - in many cases 1 partner is a non-musician and the other is a professional.  The performers and the audience contained some pretty incredible names. The performances ranged from funny, to touching, to gorgeous. I definitely intend to make this a valentine's day tradition. My Double Shot partner Sue Havlish made me proud - backed my Mark Robinson on bongos. Among the performers was Tommy Tutone of "867-5309" fame - who is a long time Nashville resident.  Also, Don Henry, Bobby Braddock's daughter, John Reed and Heather Lose, and many more... 

It is Wednesday and we have our usual "Wild Wednesday" shuffle which comes from a shuffle of all of the songs on my device. 

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Plead With You Mix

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Final tally - about 90 "Earies" 3 Band/Artists of the Year!

Okay! It is officially 2017 here at E2TG.

Last night - my first night out of 2017 was a good reminder of why I love living in Nashville. Amazing live music from 6pm - after 1am.  Seeing some of the most talented artists working in music - some performing, some just hanging out.  Jon Byrd always wonderful, saw some authentic country and western music at the American Legion, and ended the night seeing the super talented Jim Oblon along with guest Patrick Sweany and Little Joe from Sturgill Simpson's band tearing it up big time at The Family Wash!

Today, we have a Wild Wednesday Shuffle

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Ghost of Dylan Thomas Mix

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Well, I can't really say that it is good to be back from my week-long vacation, but it is good to be back to blogging.  I hope followers of my Facebook Page enjoyed the throwback posts throughout the week.

And...here we are in August.  Time... thinking about how fast it seems to go got me to thinking about the Stephen King short story.  And somehow, I just found out that this exists!


Anyway, it is Monday - when I shuffle songs connected to the Music City...

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - No Mercy Mix

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More senselessness.  More tragedy. More violence. More loss. Followed by more rhetoric. More words. More opportunities to answer darkness with light. More opportunities to unify.

These are my words which seem inadequate:  It needs to be about love.  Not worrying about who someone loves, but just about love.  There are many seemingly controversial issues wrapped up in everyone of these mass shootings, and these latest one more so than others.

My love to the LBGTQ community. My love to the millions of peaceful Muslim-Americans. Love to those filled with such hate. Love to those who live in fear. Love to those who are in pain.  Gun control, radicalized religions, terror, hate, intolerance...

My heart is hurting, but I cannot allow myself to give in to despair. There is beauty all around us. We move forward in love.  And as I have had to say far too many times since I began writing E2TG - MUSIC HEALS.    Love to all of you. Let's take care of one another today.
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Moving on... A big thanks to everyone who tuned in Saturday for the official debut of Double Shot with Joe and Sue.  If you missed it (or even if you caught it), we will be on every Saturday from 11-1pm Central Time on WXNA-LP Nashville (101.5 FM, wxnafm.org, or via the TuneIn app).  Our next show's theme will be "We've Got You Covered" - where we will be spinning cover tunes (or in some cases the original tune that was later covered).

Onward to Music City Monday!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Every Elvis Book Mix

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Welcome to the working week.  This weekend, Nashville celebrated the birth of a brand new community radio station as WXNA-LP went on the air at 101.5FM with a live stream going out via the web at WXNAfm.org and via the Tunein App.  All weekend long, the station previewed many of the great original programming, and as of this morning, the shows have begun to air.  If you haven't done so, check out the station.  It is awesome!  A huge shout out to the amazing folks who built the station from scratch. Salute!

The show I am co-hosting with Sue Havlish (Double Shot with Joe and Sue) had our preview yesterday, and it was a blast.  We take to the airwaves for our first regular show on Saturday June 11 at 11a,m. in the Central Time Zone. Our first theme will be A Tale of Two Nashvilles (Altman and ABC).

Last night, I took in the Guy Clark tribute at The Basement (original version), and it was a blast.  Reckless Johnny Wales, Carl Anderson, Darrin Bradbury plus hosts Todd Henkin and Charlie Treat and so many more did a great job.

It's Monday and that means we spin songs from the Music City Monday playlist... let's see what came up today.

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Marshall Tucker on My Stereo Mix

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Back at it on a Monday!   Had a good time Friday at The Country (after checking in with Tim Carroll and company at The 5 Spot) - Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau  + Saint Luke's Drifters.  Richie and company have a new album out now.  Saint Luke's Drifters are finishing up their new album.  If you get the chance to see either one or both of these bands, I highly recommend it.

Tonight: My recommendation is Matt Phillips and the Philharmonic from 7-9p.m. at Charlie Bob's on the eastside.   Here is the Facebook event, if you Facebook.

This is definitely prime season for new music - look for some awesome new albums coming up in the next few months - I think I got at least 5 albums to listen to and possibly review over the last four or five days.

Shuffle:

Music Monday Morning Shuffle - Runaway Locomotive Mix

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Ug... is it Monday already?  Okay... I have to be quick as I have some errands to run.

I hope everyone had a good Easter Sunday no matter what or how you celebrate or not...

Monday, as our new custom demands, is dedicated to artists who have some connection to Nashville, TN (aka Music City USA).

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Rosebud, Too Mix

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Quick recap, I continued to lay a little low - still dealing with a lingering cold, and working on song selection for the forthcoming "Double Shot with Joe and Sue" (still no confirmed start date).

Friday:  First, it was good to see a large and vibrant crowd for the weekly Tim Carroll Rock and Roll Happy Hour  (one of this town's best weekly events in my opinion).  I left there a little early and headed to Bobby's Idle Hour on Music Row for the Darkhorses of East Nashville - a collaborative round featuring the amazingly talented trio of Julie Christensen, Amelia White, and Sergio Webb.  Trading off songs and backing each other, produced several magical moments.  If they come through your town, do not miss it.


So, as I promised Friday, it seemed like a good time to shake things up here at E2TG - just a little bit.  Inspired by the success of Featured Friday, I have decided to have a "theme" playlist every for every day of the week.  The large #E2TG playlist had gotten very large and getting bigger. By having smaller playlist each day, it may provide more opportunities to feature different artists.  We shall see.

So, without much more ado, we begin this new chapter with the debut of Music City Monday - featuring music with connections to Nashville.  As you will see, this playlist features both current artists/albums and classics covering over half a century.  Non-Nashville artists: Do not be concerned, there will be many opportunities throughout the week for me to feature your music.

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - In My Room Mix

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Good morning. It was a cold one here in Nashville. 

I am back after a day off and still recovering from my 8 Day Birthday Week.  I had a total blast, and I am so grateful for everyone who helped me ring in the next 50 years of my life.  In all the tally was: 8 Nights, 7 different venues, between 25-30 acts (depends on how you count them), tons of friends seen, and a bunch of fun had.

Since I last reported:  Friday night, I visited one of my regular haunts and one of the best weekly events in Nashville - Tim Carroll's Rock and Roll Happy Hour at The 5 Spot.  Great time. I was beat after that and I had to call it a night early.

Saturday:  The Country on the west side. For the Zachariah Red CD Release show with Jon Latham opening with Neo Tundra Cowboy and Patrick Kinsley and a Fistful of Dollars also on the bill.  Great performances all around and a wonderful time to be had.

Sunday: Acme Feed and Seed to see Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau.  The band have never sounded better and the atmosphere was pure party - a great way to wrap up the week!

Whew!  With the birthday week over, I enjoyed a day off work, did a pilot/audition tape with Sue Havlish for WXNA (Nashville new community radio station).  Then, I made my way to The Basement East to catch Megan Palmer, Michaela Anne, and Darrin Bradbury for Week 3 of Darrin's residency!  I stuck around to hear Darrin and band kick off the David Bowie tribute in fine fashion.  The Basement East was jam packed and the music was kicking, but my 9 nights out caught up with me and I had to bail fairly early.

On to the chilly morning shuffle filled with some classic and newer tunes.

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Adventure and Fun Mix

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This crazy time of year... Here I am posting this on a Thursday evening.  Circumstances, blah, blah, blah... Any way, let's get to it...

Last night, I had a blast - another great show at The Basement (the original one).  "Earie" Award winners, Richie Owens and  the Farm Bureau put on another outstanding show that included a version of "Can't Be Satisfied" featuring Richie Owens on the lap steel.  Bassist John Reed and stand-up drummer Brian O'Hanlon were in fine form.  I also got to see Saint Luke's Drifters for the first time.  They called their sound Rockified Country. Songs ranged from high energy rockers that brought to my mind the Scorchers to some very honky-tonkish country songs. Vocal duties were shared and each singer brought something unique to the band's sound.  I really enjoyed myself, and I hope to hear much more.

So, by my rough count, there will be seven more regular E2TG posts before the end of the year - not counting any weekend or holiday bonus posts.  My plan is to hand out "Earies" each of those days with Wednesday December 30, being reserved for the 5th Annual Ear to the Ground Artist of the Year. Which I will for the first time dub, the "Golden Earier" Award.

But, I am getting ahead of myself.  We have some "Earies" to give away today.

Prologue:  I have been having a really good time handing out these awards.  Even though the categories are sometimes a bit silly, the sentiment behind them is very real.  I really want to write about and honor artists who have made a big impression on my in 2015 (and before in some cases). I could have just made a list or handed out awards without giving them names, but really, this is more fun isn't it?  I say all this to preface the fact that I have struggled a bit with what to call this next award.  Flippantly, I thought about the Six Degrees Award - as my having met these remarkable people has moved me up a few degrees of separation from some of the my all-time favorite artists (and some of the most famous in the world). But, really that name would only serve to diminish the extraordinary artists they are in their own right.

So - I hereby name this award the "Legends in Their Own Right" Award.  And I am going to just get to it before I overthink it and decide to change the name again....

1.  Reckless Johnny Wales -  The first time I encountered Reckless Johnny, I did not know who he was, but I suspected (correctly it turns out), that I was in the presence of someone remarkable. The next time, and when I finally got to meet him, I was standing on what can only be called Hallowed Ground - namely the Cash Cabin recording studios... if those walls could talk... and even though I did not hear the walls talk that night (although it would not surprise me if some who have been there have heard stranger things than that), I did get to hear some of Reckless Johnny's stories about meeting Johnny Cash and many others.  More importantly, as a result of that meeting, I received a copy of Reckless Johnny Wales' American Heart, and any doubts that I might have had (I didn't really) were tossed out the window.  The music on that album demonstrates that the remarkable storied life (lives?) can and were translated into some memorable music.  I have a full review in my plans for early 2016, so I will stop here for now.

2.  Bebe Buell - Speaking of a life filled with stories...  As perhaps one of the world's most famous groupies, Bebe Buell experienced first hand some of the defining moments of the rock and roll era. I will leave it to you to read more about her remarkable life, but for me the most important thing is happening now.  Throughout all of those interactions with rock and roll royalty, Bebe Buell was paying attention.  Having relocated to Nashville a few years ago, Buell is now focused on her own music pursuits. I first saw her performing Tom Petty songs with the amazing Long Players, and then I saw her own show at 3rd and Lindsay, and I was impressed by her music and her stage presence. That night and again at the end of October, I also saw that she is still the ultimate rock and roll fan - which is obviously when she talks about and dances to the music of the Blackfoot Gypsies.

3.  Julie Christensen (Stone Cupid) - Julie Christensen is another fairly recent transplant to our fair city.  Christensen's musical career includes being a part of one of the pioneering Country/Punk bands, The Divine Horsemen with her husband at the time, Chris Desjardins founder of the legendary Flesheaters - a band whose membership history reads like a role call of the very best of Los Angeles music of the late 70s to early 80s.   Later, Christensen spent several years as a featured background singer with Leonard Cohen.  She reunited Cohen for the now legendary I'm Your Man concert film and album.  Upon, relocating to Nashville (and even before), Julie Christensen began working with some of the finest writers and musicians this town has to offer.  Her band, now called Stone Cupid, features an incredible line-up.  Sergio Webb and Chris Tench are two of the finest guitar players in a city that has a few... and the rhythm section features Steve Latanation (Agent Orange) and Bones Hillman who was member of Midnight Oil throughout there was most successful years. (UPDATE: There is reason I do not usually post late, I totally forgot to mention Stone Cupid's new album The Cardinal which will officially be out early in 2016.  And I wanted to mention, that Stone Cupid played during the final week of the original Family Wash, and that show was one my favorite live shows of the year.)

On a personal note, having met them all, I am I find myself more interested in the people they are and the music they are making now than I am in their remarkable past.  But, to be honest, I will not walk away from a great story about some of the most important musical giants of our time...

To the shuffle (before it is Friday): (a regular shuffle - we'll hop back into the season music next week).

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Just Can't Win Mix

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After today, there are only nine work days left in 2015.  Which means no more than nine more days of the "Earies"  (unless I hit panic mode and start posting on weekends which is not out of the question).

So the next award...

I call this one the "Far From East Nashville" Award.

The premise:  I had a funny moment a while back when I was introduced as someone who writes an East Nashville music blog.  It was meant as a compliment, and I took it as such, but it did give me pause. When I started writing Ear to the Ground (on a lark and with no experience writing about music) back in May of 2011, some interesting things began to happen.  For whatever reason, when I wrote about Nashville bands and artists, I was generally ignored, but when I wrote about band's from elsewhere, it seemed more likely that my posts would be acknowledged, appreciated, and shared. This is not a criticism of Nashville musicians. My take was, honestly, that the folks in Nashville knew that I wasn't one of the "big players" when it came to music writing in Nashville. Meanwhile, folks from other places maybe didn't know that and so they gave me a chance.  I am forever grateful for the music and wonderful people I discovered and met during that period of Ear to the Ground, and my ear continues to be open to great music from any locale. But, in a very unintentional way, I have been able to meet and hear some of the amazing talents this town has to offer. Over the past year, in particular, I have noticed and maybe you have, too, that more and more Nashville artists (East or not) have been showing up in my posts. However, as I said, I still keep my ears open to wherever I am lead, and so this award goes out to International Artists who have been a big part of E2TG.

The Awards Go To:

1.  Start closest to home:  Brock Zeman has been on my radar for a while, but in 2015 he released, Pulling Your Sword from the Devil's Back.  I also was fortunate enough to see him three times this year. Once in an amazing round at The Bluebird Café, and later on subsequent nights at The Family Wash and The 5 Spot.  Shoot, I almost consider Brock and his musical partner Blair Hogan to be honorary Nashvillians.  Nevertheless, they are from Canada.

2.  Also from our neighbor to the north: Velodrones/Bosveld. Again, Velodrones which is Stopmo Turt Darren has been on our radar for a while.  In 2015, his project Bosveld released Veldbrand a very beautiful and unique collection of songs that combine several different and divergent music styles and wonderfully original way.

3.  From a bit further away, Jeremy Gluck.  You may recall back in the Spring or so, I think we had a Jeremy Gluck song in the shuffle for what seemed like weeks.  We were spinning tunes from Memory Deluxe: I Knew Buffalo Bill 2 which was actually release in 2014.  The album was a follow up to his 1987 album, I Knew Buffalo Bill - an album that featured Jeffery Lee Pierce of The Gun Club, Nikki Sudden, Epic Soundtracks, and others.   Gluck was in the band The Barracudas, and more recently has been working on a project called Plasticon (and some other projects). 

4.  Getting further away:  Artur U and  The New City Limits. From Helsinki, Finland.  Artur U and the New City Limits released their full length debut, Holiday from Eternity early this year. I fell in love with the high energy grooves. They are very closely connected to some of our friends at True Groove in Brooklyn.

5.  The farthest from East Nashville award:  The Transcendents.   From Christchurch, NZ.  I first connected with this band via their self-titled debut which was released late in 2014.  In 2015, they released two EPs, Lay Where You Collapse and Common Ground.  I really love the way this band creates unique and challenging soundscapes that still remain rooted in the kind of awesome pop music that I grew up listening to.

Congrats to the winners:

To the shuffle (I'm low on time!)

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Eyeballs on My Knees Mix

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Still kind of reeling from AMA Week (plus catching up on things like errands and laundry etc.).  About time to get out again, though.

In the shuffle...

Saturday Afternoon Music Shuffle (Live Blog Event) - Who Knows What May Happen Mix

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Welcome to Saturday, and a ultra rare Saturday shuffle - live blogging experiment.  Enjoy...

3:09p.m.   Hit Shuffle