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.

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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!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Burdens Mix

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Here we go...

There are obviously many great music venues in Nashville, but consistently, my absolute favorite hang in The 5 Spot.  Last night is a pretty good example of why I feel that way.

It was Week #4 of the June Don Gallardo residency at The 5 Spot.  Jon Byrd played with his full band and it was amazing as expected.  Don Gallardo brought his full-band and I swear he seems to get better every time I see him (degrees of awesome - I would say).

The late show at The 5 Spot kicked off with new Nashville resident Sammy Brue (if you have not heard his songs - do so right away), followed by Joshua Black Wilkins - consistently one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Ron Gallo (who I will come back to), and the last act I saw before exhaustion got the better of me, John and Rob from Deer Tick (and Diamond Rugs). A pretty extraordinary night.

So, I had not heard of Ron Gallo which is  band and the bandleader. They are recent (I think) transplants from Philadelphia.  I (along with the rest of crowd at The 5 Spot) was blown away. The band is a trio (amazing how many of my favorite bands throughout the years are trios).  If you are among the people who think that Rock 'n' Roll is dead, I urge you to check out this band and have your faith restored.  I do not count myself among that particular crowd, but the energetic, loud raucous performance sure did affirm my faith.

Quick note:  There is a ton of things going on this weekend.  I feel like if I begin to name some, I will leave out something unintentionally, however, there are a few things I want to highlight.  Of course, Tim Carroll returns to his weekly home at the aforementioned 5 Spot for his Rock 'n' Roll Happy Hour,  Charleyville is a non-profit agency that provides free or discounted music lessons, instruments etc. There is a three day benefit at the American Legion Post 82 in East Nashville that began last night and continues through Saturday.  Details/Event Page HERE.  Adeem the Artist is playing tomorrow afternoon at Two Old Hippies in the Gulch (right after Double Shot with Joe and Sue).  A couple of years ago, I saw a singer-songwriter named Kyle Adem at a New Faces night at The Basement.  I enjoyed his set.  Adeem the Artist's lastest album is called Kyle Adem is Dead - which reflects the fact that sometimes there is much behind a change of name.  I mentioned Daphne Willis at Nashville Pride. If you are making it out to the festival - make sure you check out her set and all of the great music.  I previously mentioned Mark Robinson at the brand new Radio Cafe.  And a ton more Saturday night. Get out and see some music.

Friday - it is time for Featured Friday....

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Celestial Beer Mix

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Hopefully, Lemmy is having a celestial beer somewhere... RIP

DISCLAIMER:  For one of the first times (if not the first times) in E2TG history, I actually composed part of this post in advance.  Over the long holiday weekend, I took time to go over the "Earies" and tried to figure out a game plan for my last three posts of the year (two "Earies" and Artist of the Year).  When I figured out what I wanted to do for today's final "Earie" before the AofTY, I knew it was going to be time consuming and so I wrote the next bit in advance.

FURTHER DISCLAIMER:  Both yesterday's and today's shuffles produced head smacking moments of remembering artist deserving of "Earies".  I can only beg forgiveness for any and all omissions.  Despite how it may appear, I do most of #E2TG posts by the seat of my pants. *I know shocking* and to boot, I often have a very disorganized mind.  It's part of my charm...   Anyway, let's jump right into the last "Earie" before the "Golden Earie"....

(this next bit was written on Sunday and editing since then)

Now, we have reached the penultimate E2TG 2015 Award.  Tomorrow, I will unveil the 2015 Artist of the Year.  As I frequently write and say, I find it very fortuitous that through a series of unfortunate events that I would have never volunarily chosen to end up in the place I am at the moment I arrived.  Arrived without travelling… sure, but it has been a journey.  Finding myself smack in the middle of the East Nashville music community in the middle part of the second decade of the 21st Century, I am keenly aware of what a moment I am experiencing.  You might think I would be jaded or disillusioned by now, and you would be partially correct.  I have been jaded and disillusioned many times, and certainly if you look for them or focus on them, there are plenty of reasons to be jaded and disillusioned by the state of music.  But, there are causes for hope.  The obvious examples that people will mention - Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson… sure but it goes way deeper and way beyond that.  The level of excellence here is incredible. Songwriters, guitar players, bassists, drummers, pedal steel players, photographers, music writers, bookers…. the list goes on,  

Now, do not get me wrong East Nashville (or maybe more precisely the other side of Nashville) is not a perfect situation.  I have made off-hand (kind of) joking comments about the Nashville Conundrum - referring to the sheer volume of incredible volume of awesome live music and the impossible choices this creates.  Choices between two or more shows going on at the same time, choices between going out or staying in to get my own work done or to rest and recover. For a music fan, it is an excellent problem to have - for musicians - not always.  It is, I think, a pretty well known fact that some of our community’s best spend a significant amount of time on the road because that is where there is money to be made.  Nashville/East Nashville is home base and the spirit of collaboration and community keeps them coming back, but shows that would be events in another city are easily overlooked or passed over here in Nashville.   

I do not propose or make any claim to a solution to the monetary issues facing the musicians these days. It seems to me to be a complicated equation. The amount of artistic freedom and autonomy made possible by advancements in technology vs. the increasing difficulty of getting music fans to spend money on independent music.  Honestly, it can be discouraging even for someone not directly impacted by it.  But, for me it just drives me harder to spread the word about music of substance that needs to be heard more widely and supported.

All that wordiness to say, I am giving the final “Earie” before Artist of the Year to the community of artists who have become a part of my life over the last year and a half.  I am going to call out a few people by name, and ommissions are inevitable.  In a hypothetic sense, this last “Earie” will be represented by a giant sized “Ear” right smack dab in the middle of 5 Points. You know, that weird intersection of 11th and Woodlawn and those other streets.  

1.  Aaron Lee Tasjan -  I had to single out Aaron Lee for reasons which should become obvious if they are are not already. I had heard about Aaron Lee Tasjan before I actually heard him. The first time I heard him play guitar was on the same day that I met Darrin Bradbury.  He was backing up Tim Easton at The 5 Spot.  Later, he did a residency at that bar, and I finally got to hear him do his own songs.  To say, I was blown away would be an understatement.  In fact, I think it took me some time to fully grasp how amazing he was as a songwriter.  His mixture of humor, cultural references, and emotional resonance is incomparable. Over time, I learned more about his history and got to meet him and found him to be a really nice guy. The other thing he is - which to me typifies this community, is generous. In 2015, as he began to garner more and more (well deserved) attention, ALT (as he is known) seemed to work even harder at lifting up his fellow musicians and writers.  His album, In the Blazes, was one of my most highly anticipated releases and yet it still managed to surprise me.  It is a rock and roll record, it is a alt-folk record, it is a alt-country record - it shows off his abilities as a songwriter and as a guitarist.

2.  Tim Easton - the mentor and a driving force behind the Campfire Propaganda movement.  His experience and wisdom has helped to push these younger songwriters forward, and their influence seems to have revitalized this long-time East Nashville presence.  The celebrate his 100th published song, Easton began posting a song a day for 100 days.  He is at the tail end of this marathon project.  

3.  Zach Schmidt - One of the brightest lights in the East Nashville community. Schmidt has an album in the can that will be released in 2016.  He has all the attributes of a classic male country music star, and his songs manage to deftly walk the line between tradition and innovation.  Watch for Zach Schmidt in 2016.

4.  Nellie Marie Clay - Originally from Oklahoma, Clay made her way to Nashville after spending a few years in the far reaches of Alaska. Like Zach Schmidt, she brings a new energy to traditional sounding roots music.  Her distinctive drawl and the twanginess of her music made her a force to be reckoned with. Her new album I Never Did What I Shoulda Done is excellent,

5.  Megan Palmer - Besides being a go to side musician for the likes of Darrin Bradbury, Tim Easton and others, Palmer is an excellent songwriter in her own right.  Her performace of one her best songs, “Knife Twister” backed by an all-star backing chorus that included Julie Christensen, Nellie Marie Clay and others was a highlight of the year.  She has a new album ready to go in 2016.  It will be worth your while to check it out.

6. Brian Wright - Probably a half dozen of my favorite musical moments of 2015 involve Brian Wright.  A powerhouse guitar player, an unequaled songwriter, and a supporter of his fellow musicians.  If you ever get the chance to see Brian Wright live - in any configuration, do not miss out!

7. Carl Anderson - Anderson came to Nashville by way of Charlottesville, VA.  His album, Risk of Loss, is one of the best of 2015.  Such amazing songs.

8.   Other songwriters:  Andrew Leheay, Lilly Hiatt, Tim Carroll, Tommy Womack, Kiely Schlessinger, Luella Wood, Bob Lewis, Allen Thompson, Russell Thompson, Amelia White, Adrian+Meredith Krygowski, Dave Coleman, Ariel Bui, Yosi Mesbah and so many more.  Covering music that can be described as country, alt-country, folk-country, not country, roots rock, alt-folk, rock, blues-rock, jam band….etc.  I tend to shy away from putting labels on music (though I understand that for artists it is a necessity sometimes). I think of it as excellent music.  Traditionally, Nashville has been known as a town of songwriters, and even though the quality of writing on “the Row” can be called into the question - that tradition lives on around campfires, on porches, and in clubs around the city but concentrated in East Nashville. (And by reference, I include some of the amazing writers who have already won “Earie” Awards)

9. The musicians - once you have a song, the next step is to bring that song to life. And, although that can be done by just the writer and an acoustic guitar, when the song is developed and augemented by the help of some of the best musicians in the world, the results can be amazing.  Many of the writers I mentioned are also amazing musicians who frequently back up other writers  (Brian Wright, Megan Palmer, and ALT stand out).  When you go out and hear music in Nashville, one thing you begin to notice is some of the same faces showing up again and again playing behind a very diverse mix of musical styles. Justin Amaral, Aaron Shafer-Haiss, Steve Ebe, Raun Shultz, David Strayer, Daniel Seymour, Cameron Carrus,  Adam Kurtz,  and many many more. Some of the above named front their own projects and some do not, but they are all part of the lifeblood that makes this new Music City what it is.

10.  The non-musicians - Musicians and songwriters are the reason this scene exists but it would not run if it were for the photographers, managers, bookers, writers, publicists. and behind the scenes folks. I want to call out Stacie Huckaba, Mary Sack, Terry Rickards, Sue Havlish, Karen Leipziger (who is also a songwriter and musician as I recently learned), John McCollum. Skip Anderson, Heather Lose, Randy Fox, and many more.

11.  Bands - I should probably mentioned some of the amazing bands who call Nashville home. Covering an incredible diverse range of syles and sounds,  Year of October, Dogs of Oz, Turbo Fruits, Blackfoot Gypsies, Humming House, Benchmarks, Fendrick and Peck, and many more.

2016 is going to be an amazing year, and the “Earies” will be back for their second season.  But, I’m not quite done with 2015.  The Artist of the Year for 2015 will be revealed tomorrow.  Stay tuned.

back to live posting
Now for the penultimate regularly scheduled shuffle of 2015!

Featured Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Talk, Talk, Talk Mix

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Well, it is time for the last shuffle before the long Thanksgiving weekend.  I hope if you are travelling that you have safe travels, I hope you find a place of gratitude, I hope you remember those for whom the holidays are a painful or difficult time.  I hope you do all the things you want to do.  For my Canadian friends, you can like, #tbt tomorrow to Canadian Thanksgiving or whatever...

We have one more awesome featured music shuffle to see this work week off in style.

Wedneday Morning Music Shuffle - Mountains, Rivers, and The Sea Mix

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Been busy this week with writing and getting ready to write. There is a pretty good chance that I won't have time to post a shuffle tomorrow or Friday, but if I can I will.  In any event, expect some other kinds of posts to even things out. I am finally going to be getting out and about a bit tonight - at least that is the plan.  And by the way, that "Nashville dilemma" that I have written about is still very much a thing.  I'm already double booked on some live shows almost two months out. What a great problem to have.

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - The Whole Thing in the Middle Mix

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14 Years... I have read some really powerful things today about THAT day. What I remember is some sense of unity... if nothing else, for a moment or moments, many of us were united... if in nothing else, then in fear and confusion and uncertainty. In degrees and over time, that unity has mostly dissipated... into conspiracy theories and feelings about the events that followed about the need for security vs. the importance of freedom. I was at work, and getting my news in fits and starts on a slow internet connection and the radio. 

What I remember... I was taking part in an drama workshop put on by the Parks Department.  Of the course of the workshop, we learned acting techniques, but our main goal was to create an original production which would then perform.  If I recall correctly, the second class was on September 11, 2001. The class was held as scheduled, though I remember thinking it might be cancelled, and we spent much of that class talking about what had happened. It was a pretty diverse group of people and there were a variety of different feelings being expressed, and of course, the day ended up greatly shaping the production we created.  Our production included adaptions of Brecht's The Good Person of Szechwan and Beckett's Waiting for Godot - as well as some other elements - all subtly adapted to speak to the events of 9/11/2001.

I don't know what THE lesson of that day is supposed to be... maybe it's still too soon, or maybe there is not one lesson.  For me, today at least, I am going to try to remember how fragile life can be and make the most of every moment and treat people with as much kindness as I can.  I will probably fall short of that... I probably already have... but I am going to keep trying. 

Feature Friday Music Shuffle - Swim to Japan Mix

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Here we are at the end of the work week! 

I had such a massively fun time last night at The Basement East.  Two shows, six full band sets, seeing and hanging out with some of my favorite people.  Music-wise: Nancy Terzian and the Leg Men, Stone Cupid featuring Julie Christensen rocked the early show.  Lauren Farrah, Raelyn Nelson Band, Darrin Bradbury leading Hot Garbage (which included Margo Price on Drums and Andrew Leahey on Guitar), and Brian Wright closed the night with four very different but all incredible sets.

Onward, we have our second installment of the newly repurposed Featured Friday... enjoy!

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Noisey Mix

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Well... let's just jump into today's shuffle!

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Paper in My Pocket Mix

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Last night was week 3 of 4 of the Kevn Kinney Residency at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.  Each show has been unique and each show has been wonderful.   Last night, Kinney was joined by Lydia Lunch (in what may or may not have been Ms. Lunch's first Nashville appearance - she wasn't sure). The combination/collaborations of Kinney's songs with Lunch's spoken word/poetry was different and brilliant. They were accompanied by Audley Freed on guitar and James Haggerty on upright bass. Definitely a one of a kind event.

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Five Cent Deposit Mix

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One of the reasons I love Nashville, is the fact extraordinary musical moments can feel down right ordinary.  For instance being at cool little dive bar on the East side for an early show that just happens to feature Kevn Kinney (drivin' and cryin') playing with a band he introduced as Sun Tangled Angel Revival (S.T.A.R.) which is a project he started in 2002.  The band just happened to feature Sadler Vaden (currently in Jason Isbell's band), Bryan Howard (of Cracker), and current drivin' and cryin' drummer, Dave V. Johnson. The band sounded great, and then a little more than half way through the hour and a half show, Audley Freed (Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow etc.) took the stage and there was some amazing guitar magic. Freed and Vaden together was simply out of this world.

After hanging out a bit at The 5 Spot for a little while, drive across the river for the Patrick Kinsley and a Fistful of Dollars album release show.  I hope by now you've read my review of For a Thousand Miles and grabbed your copy.  A singer-songwriter named James Roquemore opened the night, and I really like his songs and sound.  Look for some music from him coming soon to the shuffle.  Anthony Adams and the Nite Owls were up next and they brought the party to the party, they were followed by Kinsley and his band who sounded great, and the show was capped by local band Furious Primates - who I finally heard for the first time, and who I now consider myself a fan. 

Well... I've run on at the mouth a bit, so let's get to this morning's shuffle....

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Boom Boom Chi Boom Boom Mix

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As I stumble, unwillingly and unwittingly into another work week, I am grateful for a pretty sweet music shuffle to get things rolling...  In this shuffle are some classics, some obscure stuff, and some pretty new stuff.  It is all worth your attention.

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - I Said That Mix

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It's Monday and man it sure is hot here in Nashville...  you know what else is hot? Today's shuffle!  Hot off the presses...  The #E2TG shuffle at it's best - widely and wildly divergent styles and themes of music congregate on my music player on a weekday morning...  enjoy!

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Why Do You Care? Mix

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I'm back after a day off.  Still tons going on.  Check out my review of the re-release of the self-titled only album by Haynes Boys.

Also - at press time, my review of Friday night's Matthew Sweet show at City Winery Nashville is on the front page of NoDepression.com.

On to the mid-week shuffle:

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - I Was Never There Mix

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I am reasonable certain that late teens early 20s me did not give a whole lot of thought to what I would be doing 25-30 years later. I'm pretty sure, though, that that kid would be surprised to find out that I was going to ride a bus to Franklin, Tennessee to watch Webb Wilder, Bill Lloyd, Warner Hodges, and Government Cheese, and that I would be able to drink free beer on that bus. Not to mention that the whole show was going to be broadcast to the whole world over something called the Internet.  I'm not even sure what part of that would be most surprising... Nevertheless, that is what I will be doing - riding the Blackstone Bus to Music City Roots to see some true living legends who I have been listening to and watching for over half my life. It's gonna be good.  http://musiccityroots.com/  - Tune in at 7:00pm Central Time and click the Watch Live button.

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - R-E-A-C-T Mix

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"There's a splinter in your eye..."    Todays shuffle has it all (or it has a bunch of it, or at least some of it....):  Old and new friends of E2TG, heroes, legends! Crossing stylistic boundaries without any hesitation! Crossing decades of music like we have a freaking time machine!  This is what we do at Ear to the Ground!     Look, my viral infection is lingering, yesterday's 60 degree high is in free-fall, it is a sucky rainy day that is supposed to give way to all kinds of frozen junk which this Southern city is ill equipped to handle, and so I am just trying to maintain the kind of enthusiasm this eclectic and fine mix of music deserves.  Sorry for any unnecessary hyperbole or manic-ness of the above introduction....

Dale Watson and the Lonestars with Rosie Flores – Exit/In Nashville 1/9/2015

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It’s been a particularly interesting week to live in Nashville and be someone who writes about music.  This week, a mashup of six top Country songs went viral.  The songs were virtually identical besides not being very good. It was concrete proof of what many of us know already that mainstream (so called) Country music is in a pitiful state. So, maybe it is fitting that I ended my week at the legendary Exit/In for the opening night of the Baddest of the Bad Tour which included the return of Dale Watson to the same Music City that over 20 years ago told him he was "Too Country for Country."