E2TG 4/12/2022 - Back on Track - Vessels Mix (As Time Goes By Remix)

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Today's Ear to the Ground radio show is up on the archive at wxnafm.org.  HERE is the direct link to the show..

Today's playlist:

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

6:02am Racing In Circles by Dillon Vanders on Wildfires (1297162 Records DK)

6:05am Got to Give the Devil His Due by Jon Chi on Got to Give the Devil His Due – Single (Jon Chi)

6:10am War on Mother Nature by Rebecca Jenkins & Podsongs on War on Mother Nature – Single (The Independent Record Company)

6:14am Adam Blues by Jamey Foxton on Adam Blues – Single (Jamey Foxton)

6:17am Window Watching by Strange Neighbors on Window Watching – Single (TuneDoor)

6:20am Only Ones by Art d’Ecco on After the Head Rush (Paper Bag Records)

6:23am Archbishop Beardmouth at the ChemOlympics (Radio Edit) by Telefís on Archbishop Beardmouth at the ChemOlympics EP (Dimple Discs)

6:29am Big Black Sequioa by The Chaw on Big Black Sequioa – Single (747252 Records DK)

6:32am Shinigami by Voice of Addiction on Shinigami – Single (Voice of Addition)

6:36am Imagine (feat. Warren Haynes) by Saint Disruption on Imagine (feat. Warren Haynes) – Single (Root Doctor Media)

6:44am All My Senses by Mark Stewart + Mike Watt + KK Null on VS (On U Sounds)

6:49am Human Diamond by Indifferentmonkey on Human Diamond – Single (Dazyrecords)

6:55am Antfarm in Ur Head by Melancholic Zombie on Chapter I : Zombify (2012​-​2021) (juhosaarimusic)

6:57am Stora rummet by Kungens Män on Stora rummet – Single (Kungens Ljud & Bild)

Today's random shuffle is after the jump:

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Colorful Recipes Mix

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Well, I'm back after being a little under the weather yesterday.

Happy Birthday to the 2014 E2TG Artist of the Year, and the most tagged artist in E2TG history - Darrin Bradbury!

Only 7 more shuffles and 7 more days of the 2017 Earies.  After next Friday, I will be out for the rest of the year, but you can expect the Golden Earie Awards to drop during the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.

Meanwhile, we have another batch of Earie awards that are burning a hole in my pocket (small award or big pocket?).   As always, no nominees - my categories are arbitrary and sometimes silly but the awards are heartfelt.

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Have a Nice Flight Mix

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Much on my mind, as we muddle through this post-fact, post-truth, post-decorum, post-civility, post-shared humanity, post-(you-name-it) world. Look, corrupt politicians are  nothing new. But, it does seem like in the past, there was at least some effort to conceal that corruption and often when it was exposed, it had real consequences. Nowadays, it seems like corruption is worn like a badge of honor, and it is at best denied or at worst accepted.

Also thinking about social media and Facebook in particular.  People tend to use this platform in many different ways. I still contend that all technology is neutral, that is only through man's use of the technology that it becomes good or evil. That being said, I have friends who use Facebook solely to share political posts, those who use it (almost) exclusively to promote their music, those who post humorous posts, those who post pictures of children, grandchildren, or pets, etc.  I think all of those are fine. There is, though, one phenomenon that I just don't get....   There are some people who feel th need to chime in and comment on things that really don't have any thing to do with them. I'll give a hypothetical example:  A friend posts something on my wall that is basically on inside joke or a reference that makes sense to only a small group of people.  Some people will jump in and make irrelevant comments. Another example, a celebrity passes away, and people are posting remembrances of that person and what they and/or their work meant to them. There is always that person who feels the need to add either by comment or post, "Eh, I never was a fan" or "I don't know who that is but...."  I guess it's a pet peeve of mine, but if a post doesn't directly address you or you have nothing meaningful to add, then just let it go.

To be honest, the only time I have "un-friended" AND blocked someone was for this very thing.  They were a friend who I had not really interacted with at all for several years. Someone important to me made a heartfelt post about something and this person (who did not know the original poster at all) jumped in and made a totally insensitive comment basically discounting the original poster's experience. Since I was the only link between the original poster and the person making the comment, I felt responsible for their behavior and so I deleted them as a friend and blocked them.

There is something maybe important in all my ranting, but I'm not sure what it is... something about how divided we are as a nation and the amount of incivility that exists in that divide....

Well, it's Monday when we jump in with our Music City Monday shuffle - songs with some connection to Nashville, Tennessee....

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - Take Me to Los Angeles Mix

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My heart is overflowing....  Last night's Friends of Jon Latham show at The 5 Spot was better than I ever could have imagined.  Overall, we raised over $600 to help with Jon's expenses. The spirit was lively and joyful and filled with love - just like Jon.  The music was top-notch.  Thanks to Kristen Englenz, Nick Nace, Darrin Bradbury, Matt Benjamin, and Sean Quinn and the Tremblers. Thanks to everyone who came out.  I still would have preferred to have Jon up their playing, but this was the next best thing.

If you could not make it out or didn't have cash to donate, there is a GoFundMe account set up.  Give and share freely...

Next, I gear up for next week's show featuring David Olney (Band) + Sergio Webb (Band). I am super excited for this show.

Being about to be a part of something like last night is just another reason that I so grateful that I started doing E2TG six years ago. It is Thursday, and this month, I am using Thursdays to highlight some of the music I have featured or presented in some way over the last six years.  Some of these bands are no longer active, some I have lost touch with, but they are all a part of the E2TG Story. Enjoy....

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Swimming to Normal Mix

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Look.  Illness doesn't have a political affiliation.  It doesn't care if you are a Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green, Libertarian, Communist, Democratic Socialist, Anarchist, Capitalist, or whatever.  We are living pretty deep into the 21st Century now. Medicine has advanced greatly.  Our healthcare system has been broken for a long time. There are legitimately many different approaches to tackling this important and complex issue. (And yes, I would hope the majority of Americans recognize that it is a complex and complicated issue).  By any standards, in my opinion, the bill passed by the House of Representatives should be taken as an affront to the American people. The people who voted for this legislation (some without having read it) and who celebrated its passage - need to be held accountable when they are up for reelection. I wish I had more faith in the electorate to do that.  This bill is bad for everyone except the most wealthy.  Everyone else, should be outraged. We can do better, we must do better.  #Resist #Persist.
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It is Friday, and it is time we dig into our "New Music" playlist and see what the shuffle brings up... it's a gray, rainy day here in Nashville. I hope the sun is shining wherever you are.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Mumblin' Mix

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Running very late.... busy, busy, busy... This will be brief, but here are some cool tunes for the day!  Hopefully, I'll have a bit more time for commentary tomorrow.

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Word of Advice Mix

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Okay. I am back after an unexpectedly long weekend.  Fresh on the heals of the failed GOP Tax Cut for the Wealth (under the guise of a healthcare bill)...  as we celebrate, we must keep pushing forward. My (naive?) hope is that Democrats can seize this opportunity to work with reasonable Republicans to improve the ACA. I hold out hope (naive?) that a single-payer system is still a possibility at some point. Meanwhile, we must keep up the pressure to demand an independent investigation into the ties of the current administration to Russia.

I have tried very hard not to lose real relationships over political differences - even vast ones. But, I have to admit, it disturbs me greatly to see people still posting misleading and debunked memes about President Obama and his family. He was President - his record will speak for itself. I don't particularly care if you like him or not. How about telling me what it is you like about the current President? His many, many trips to his privately owned resorts at taxpayer expense? His administration repeatedly misleading the American people?  His broken promises?
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Warning: "I love Nashville for live music" blurb upcoming:  On a Sunday night (last night), for $5.00 (or $7.00), a decent crowd (which included some really awesome people) gathered to see some songwriters make music.  Beginning with Joshua Black Wilkins (solo) playing songs from his forthcoming album Rogue, followed by Sally Jaye (backed by Anna Joy Harris on fiddle), followed by Jon Latham with a (loud) full-band set that included a powerhouse cover of Springsteen's "Darkness on the Edge of Town", and ending with Zach Schmidt (with a full-band that included 2/3 of Buck 'n' Stuff) playing some old and new songs included the live debut of his new electric guitar.   The quality of the songwriting and playing was remarkable.  This was a nifty cross-section of the incredible pool of talent existing in Music City these days.  And a good example of why I cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be at this point in my life.

Hey - we got some more "Music City" connected songs - so let's move on...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Kryptonite Mix

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Pressed for time....


Here is the Trending Tuesday shuffle.

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Don't Go Downtown Mix

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Honestly, right now, I don't even know where to focus my outrage and frustration and utter disbelief that our nation has reached the point it has...  #Resist #Persist  - Take a breath when necessary. Refocus. Keep going. Still waiting for the GOP leadership to step up... waiting... waiting...

So... I am back after a extra long weekend. Took Friday off to run errands and rest up. Other than Double Shot on Saturday, I most hung after after Friday night.  Plans for E2TG's 6th Anniversary month at The 5 Spot are coming together. More details very soon.

On to the shuffle for a Monday morning.  As we always do, we focus on tracks with a Music City connection.  Let's go!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Got a Lot

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Whew! I've almost made it through my first five day work week since before Christmas...  and next week, I am off on Monday!

Last night I circumnavigated the city to take in the constant variety of great music...  beginning with Luella and Brian Ritchey at The 5 Spot for week 2 of Brian's residency.  Then, across the river to The Country for Conrad y Skordalia opening for Maynard and the Musties.  Then back across the river to the American Legion in Inglewood to catch the end of Stationwagon  (a great band that features Charlie Whitten, Brett Resnick, and Pete Lindberg).  And, then the triumphant return of Buck 'N' Stuff for the second week of their residency.

It is Friday - when we feature songs from the New Music playlist...   We have some good one from future, recent, and kind of recent releases...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Make it Through Mix

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A windy morning here in Nashville...  This evening,  I will be recording a Double Shot show which will air this coming Saturday - the theme: "Play a Train Song"....

After that, it is the first $2.00 Tuesday and Earie Award winners Adrian + Meredith are on the bill.  Lots of other good stuff happening.  Amelia White and Sergio Webb at The Family Wash 8:30-9:00 (which I will try to catch if I can get from Madison soon enough).

We have a Trending Tuesday Shuffle - let's go!

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 Music Shuffle - Too Far Gone Mix

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Friday is upon us...

It has been a pretty crazy, stressful kind of week, so I cannot say  that I unhappy that it is almost over...

Last night was fun, though - although traffic was horrible.  I set off for Douglas Corner with a GPS estimated arrival time of 6:04p.m.  After I got stopped by a train that came to a complete stop.  After an unsuccessful attempt to find some way around (the train was blocking several main roads), I ended up back where I started, but the train had finally cleared. I finally arrived around 6:25p.m. or so and fortunately, the music had just started.  It was a songwriter's round that included Mike Cullison and a singer-songwriter named Arielle - who impressed me highly.

I left there and headed to The 5 Spot to catch the last 45 minutes or so of Paul Burch's residency show.  His outstanding band included Fats Kaplin and two bass players.

Finally, I ended my jaunt at The Family Wash for an incredible performance by Annie McCue. McCue is from Australia but surely has an honorary East Nashville membership card. 

Got to hang with some awesome folks at each of those shows.

As I was writing this, I got the official word, that yours truly and Sue Havlish will be the hosts of an hour long radio show on the brand new low power community radio station WXNA. The show (Double Shot with Joe and Sue) will be every Friday from 2:00 to 3:00p.m.  As soon as the launch date is announced, I will let you know.

Friday means, that I hit shuffle from the "Featured Friday" playlist- so without much more ado - let's get to it!

Featured Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - At the Crack of Noon Mix

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Rolling on toward Thanksgiving.   Keep an eye out for the 1st Annual E2TG Awards - 2015 - which I calling "The Earies". (Tagline: "The Earies, it sounds strange but it's really not"). 

About "The Earies":  I will begin announcing the awards around the first of December and continue on and off throughout the month.  There will not be nominees - because no matter how much people say that it was an honor to be nominated... well, you know.  Also, we will have recipients and not "winners".  This is for two reasons, 1. Calling someone a winner may imply that others are "losers".  2. The recipients may think there is some sort of cash reward, which there is not.  Nor are there actual awards.  It is an honorary honor.

The awards will culminate with the naming of the 5th Annual Ear to the Ground Artist of the Year.

There will not be fan voting, sorry.  Although we had fun in 2011 and 2012 running Readers Polls, I decided at the end of 2012 to suspend the practice. 

Bribes will be accepted and the awards will probably go to the highest bidder. 

Anyone caught taking the awards too seriously, will be severely teased.

All the awards are not all that serious, what I am serious about is taking another opportunity to recognize some of the great music that came my way in 2015.

In other news, after Thanksgiving, pending my getting in a bunch of seasonal music, I am thinking of having a once-a-week shuffle from a playlist filled with such songs. I am debating what to call the playlist.  Christmas is too specific as their may be songs that have nothing to do with Christ's birth.  Holiday Playlist will probably piss off people - since apparently Holiday is a nasty word or something.  I may just call it the Red Cup Playlist.  We shall see.

We have another featured music shuffle today - featuring some favorites (old and new) and some artists hitting the shuffle for the first time.

Featured Friday Music Shuffle - Laser Moonbeams Mix

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So, last night was week 4 out of 5 of the Campfire Propaganda residency at The 5 Spot.  Megan Palmer and Brian Wright were away, but great performances by guests Russell Thompson and Emma Berkey plus  Darrin Bradbury, Nellie Clay, and Tim Easton.  Love this town.  Next week, Nellie Clay will be having her album release show - same time and place. 

Featured Friday Music Shuffle - Sweethearts Gone Mix

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Okay... this has to be a fast one.  I walked over to the Southern Festival of Books during my lunch break (when I usually write and post the blog) to see Julie Christensen and part of Stone Cupid (Chris Tench and Sergio Webb). They killed it as usual.

Last night - quickly - some highlights: Week 2 Campfire Propaganda Residency... guests Ariel Buie and Actual Wolf.  Megan Palmer - on keyboard playing a new song and a John Moreland song. Nellie Clay with Actual Wolf, Tim Easton as usual, Brian Wright - fighting jet lag and killing it (with Aaron Lee Tasjan for a couple of songs), Darrin Bradbury and Megan Palmer - Darrin leading his own more of meditation...

Coverfest at Basement East!!!  Major props to Terry Rickards for putting this together.  Everyone was great, and I don't have time for a full report, but I will just say Los Colognes doing Bob Dylan's Infidels album in its entirety and nailing it and Allen Thompson Band as The Eagles were my absolute favorites (it was all good). The Eagles segment was so much fun!

Also, ICYMI - #E2TG posted the new single from Zachariah Red this morning. 
Check it out here.

Shuffle....

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle- Tray Tables Up Mix

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Well, it is FRIDAY!  Not only that, but I have a three day weekend ahead of me.  Some prelims before we get to the Featured Friday Shuffle...

Last night was another absolutely astonishing night of music at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.  First, it was week one of David Olney's September Residency. As always, the songs were fantastic and the band was tight.  Besides his usual band (Justin Amaral drums, Daniel Seymour bass, and Sergio Webb guitar), Olney was joined by Ward Stout (who played other stringed type instruments).  The highlight for me was when Olney played is signature song, "Deeper Well" and wrapped the song around a mind-blowing mashup of Bo Diddley and "Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

The late show at the Spot began with Reno Bo who was joined on guitar by Sadler Vaden (Jason Isbell's guitar player).  Then, Jesse Lafser played a spirited set that impressed me greatly.  The night ended with a magical jam that features Cordovas and featured Joe Firstman (who was at one time the band leader on Last Call with Carson Daly), Audley Freed (Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow), Steve Gorman (Black Crowes), and the always amazing Brian Wright.  Late in the set, Firstman turned over his bass to guest Pat Sansone (Wilco). The band performed an absolutely killer version of Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer", and then Firstman called up another guest, Jewel who joined the band for John Prine's "Angel from Montgomery".  An awe-inspiring end to a great night of music.

Other news, Nashville singer-songwriter Kevin Gordon released his new album, Long Gone Time today.  You should buy this album, but if you need convincing, you can check out my review which is up on No Depression.

Finally, an update on WXNA, the new low-power community radio station being created here in Nashville.  There are just 4 days left to donate and be a part of making this thing a reality.  Details below:





Well, I've run on a bit haven't I... we still have a shuffle to present....

Featured Friday Music Shuffle - Young Enough Mix

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

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

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

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Man Can Be Mix

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It was great to see three great local artist with their awesome bands last night at The Basement (Classic not New).  Andrew Leahey, Mac Leaphart, and Sara Syms. Fun night!

Jumping right into the shuffle...

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Pain in the Butt Mix

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Let's jump right into the shuffle... some music for a  rainy Thursday morning here in Nashville....