Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Laugh Until I Fart Mix

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For your holiday shopping: The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

We are nearing the end of the week, the end of November, and really, the end of the year. Regular readers will know that E2TG spends a good portion of December handing out our anuual "Earie Awards". I feel a little overwhelmed this year - first of all because the end of this year really sneaked up on me, and second because we have featured more new music this year than ever before. But, I have a plan in mind - so stay tuned. I am also thinking ahead to some possible big changes for the new year to come.

Meanwhile, it is Thursday and time to see what is trending for today at E2TG. Let's shuffle!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - To the Bone Mix

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Words No Music A Reading coming Thursday, November 15, 2018 6:30pm Radio Cafe Nashville. No Cover, tips accepted and books will be for sale. We have an incredible line-up featuring David Olney,  Rod Picott, Luke Powers, Rebecca Weiner Tompkins, and yours truly. All but me are incredible musicians and songwriters, but for this show - they will let their words speak for them without music.  I will be reading from The Drift plus some selections from a forthcoming book.   FACEBOOK EVENT HERE!

All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed nine - January - September 2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

JUST ADDED!  August and September 2018 Playlists!

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 (NEW!)
E2TG September 2018  (NEW!)
E2TG October 2018  (coming soon!)


I'm back. I was off work yesterday for Veteran's Day.  So, we are back with a Trending Tuesday shuffle of our "New Music" playlist.  Today's shuffle is heavily weighted with singer-songwriters - with some "not singer-songwriters" rounding out the shuffle.  To me that is what is fun about the random shuffle - the same mix of songs/artists/albums can produce such wildly different shuffles. Another day, we might have virtually no singer-songwriter type songs - and instead the shuffle may be more electronic/experimental/punk oriented.  Well... let's see about today's shuffle!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Waves of Freedom Mix

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All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed seven - January - July2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 (coming soon!)

I have been fortunate enough to meet and come to know many powerful, amazing women in my life. In particular (in the context of E2TG), I know a ton of incredible women who are somehow connected to the world of music.

Over the last couple of years, as the #MeToo movement has built steam, I have been dismayed to learn how many of them have their own #MeToo stories. These are stories about sexual assault and about misogyny (both overt and less overt). and I have even come to recognize behaviors I have demonstrated which run counter to my stated and intended beliefs and values.

When a woman tells us what her experience has been, we need to believe her and listen. Believing women is not as I've heard some men say, a repudiation of due process, it is a demand for fair and honest due process which has been denied to so many for so long.

 From my very personal experience, those being truthful are the ones who demand investigations, demand evidence be judged, and who demand justice. Those who have something to hide - push for a rush to judgement based upon emotion and preconceived ideas. 


Well, it's Thursday, and as we do every week, we close out the week with two days of shuffling up tunes from our "New Music" playlist.   Let's shuffle!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Nineteen Thirty-Two Mix

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All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed seven - January - July2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 (coming soon!)

A few years ago, it was a big thing for me to hit several different venues in one night. I even saw it as a point of pride one night when I hit four venues in one night (or was it five?). Please understand, I don't mean to put down anyone who does that - or even myself - I was trying to see as much music as I could and see as many friends play as I could in one night - and it was fun and a bit exhilarating. I would like, however, to explain why I no longer do this very often - a big reason I stopped actively doing that is that my approach was to figure out approximately when my friend or friends were going on and time my arrivals and departures accordingly.  In doing this, I rarely saw an entire set and more importantly, I rarely saw any "new to me" music. 

A couple of years ago, I went to see a friend play - I got there when the show started and I think I stayed until the end. And I "discovered" a couple of "new to me" artists that night who have become favorites. One of those is Josh Gray. I remember being immediately impressed by his songs. When he he did a cover of the Dead Milkmen song, "Punk Rock Girl" - the deal was sealed and I was a fan. I know it may seem silly to listen to an original songwriter - who writes wonderful songs - and then to say that the clincher was a cover, but to me, it was an indication that his musical roots ran deeper than the typical singer-songwriter genre. I have been fortunate enough to see him perform live a number of times since, and he never fails to impress.  Gray released an EP in 2015, and he is preparing to embark on making his first full-length album now, and he has started a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the project. He has a ton of great incentives, and he seems to be off to a strong start.

If you feel so moved, check out his campaign. HERE 


We have only five songs in the shuffle today. My drive was not any shorter than usual, but there were several longish songs included. Today's shuffle has a couple of "first listens".  Check it out!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Wimpy Whine Mix

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All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed seven - January - July2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 (coming soon!)


Well, I guess Americana Fest is officially and unofficially underway.  Had a blast last night, emceeing a show at Radio Cafe with the always delightful Amelia White and her Blue Souvenirs (Sergio Webb, Parker Hawkins, and Justin Amaral - plus Dave Coleman sitting in for a few songs, Mark Huff - who I think is sounding the best I have ever heard him lately. His great band including the twin guitar attack for Dave Coleman and Braden Land. I've been a fan of Dave Coleman for years. I've only recently "discovered" Braden Land - but I have been impressed.  I don't know and didn't catch the name of Huff's rhythm section, but they were great.

In addition, the show featured two U.K. up and comers. Robbie Kavanagh and Demi Marriner. who were both wonderful. They have several dates during Americana Fest, and I'm hoping to catch them again.  This show met two of my criteria for my hopes for AMA 2018 - I heard new music, and I saw some out of town friends. I am grateful beyond words for Amelia White and Mark Huff for letting me be a part of this event.

After that show, I headed to The Basement East to join the Better Together show already in progress.  This was my fourth year in a row attending this event - which somehow manages to top itself. Even though I missed several things/people I would have loved to have seen, the time I was there was worthwhile.  I got to hang with some out of town friends, meet some people - including Amilia K. Spicer whose music we have featured here. And Great Music - as usual - Chuck Mead and his Grassy Knoll Boys - stretch the definition of Americana to its breaking point - backing guests like Drivin' n Cryin' doing The Clash, Steve Poltz doing "Sympathy for the Devil", Allen Thompson doing "Get Up, Stand Up", and Mead himself doing "Peace Love & Understanding".  But the musical highlight was Aaron Lee Tasjan - looking fabulous by the way - doing a solid rendition of Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman". The crowd was initially stunned but then totally into it. 

Whiskey Wolves of the West closed the night with lots of guests and more great music.  Plus, the guy who plays Blaze Foley in the new movie did a couple of great songs backed by the one and only Charlie Sexton.

More to come.  By the way, this will likely be the last shuffle of the week, I am taking the rest of the week off for AMA, but look for some special posts. Tomorrow, I will tell you all about some of the great stuff going on this weekend - specifically we have some details about the all day party going on at Dee's Saturday - by our friends at Magnolia Road.

Meanwhile, we have a "Wild Wednesday" shuffle - so let's get wild!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - River Runs Dry Mix

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All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed three - January - May 2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018 NEW


First of all, sending all love and light to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin and all who loved her. Her legacy and her music will live on forever.
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It's funny, I call Wednesday's "Wild" here at E2TG, but to be honest - many of our shuffles can get pretty wild - with gears shifting so fast as to cause whiplash. It's part of my concerted effort to keep E2TG from being just one thing. I love music, and I have very diverse tastes and ever more diverse curiosity. So, I am constantly seeking out all kinds of music, and I tend to judge how well I am doing by the variety of submissions I receive.

Society tends to like to put people and music and whatever into rigid boxes - I respect people, artists, bands, whatever that constantly defy expectations.

Anyway, judge for yourself, how well I am doing... here's today's Trending Thursday Shuffle!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Salty Truth and Funk Mix

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All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed three - January - March 2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 (NEW!)


In case you missed it, Friday, we premiered a new song, "Gloria" by Nashville singer-songwriter Benjamin Jason Douglas from his album First World Blues which is being released this coming Friday.  Check it out HERE !


Last night, I kind of bounced around a little.  I got to see Jon Latham, Don Gallardo, Darrin Bradbury, Ryan Sobb, and others at a tribute to Big Star, Replacements, and R.E.M at Basement East.  Some takeaways, I really dug William Matheny and his band's opening set of originals (they also - along with Robbie Crowell - provided the backing band for the rest of the night.  Don Gallardo and Jon Latham are awesome always.  I love all Darrin Bradbury's but punk rock Darrin Bradbury is tops in my book. Ryan Sobb is someone to watch. I left Basement East a little early and headed to Dee's for Madison Guild Monday in time to catch a young singer-songwriter I recently met.  Bobby Corbin has a great voice and writes really good songs.  Check him out if you see him around town.

Time for a Trending Tuesday shuffle - let's just get right to it!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Biloxi, Straitsville, Tuscany, and Vegas Mix

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All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

Among the albums being released today:  E2TG favorites Kevin Gordon and The Foresters each have excellent new album which are now out in the universe.  Kevin Gordon just released Tilt and Shine and The Foresters just released "The Barometric Pressure is On Our Side.  The artists and the music could not be more different - well, I guess they could technically be more different but you know what I mean - but to me they both represent artists who are at the top of their game and still climbing.

On a related note, I know this may sound judgmental, but I find it hard to take anyone seriously who says something to the effect that they don't make good music any more. I am hearing so much great music every day. It may not be on Top 40 radio but it is out there and it is not that hard to find.


Whew!  It's been a week!  Let's just do this shuffle thing so I can finish out my work week while I'm still alive.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Rodeo Performer Mix

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“Do you want to do something?” Richard asks me as we walk out of the
cafeteria into the declining day.

“What do you have in mind?”

“Nothing, really. I just don’t want this moment to end.”

“Me either. But, moments always end. The important thing is to find
more moments. That’s one of the most important things I’ve learned.”

(From The Drift - now on sale!) 

To be honest, I don't know a whole lot about what live music is like in other cities... just what I have heard. I know that Nashville is a great city for lovers of live music - of all variety.  I know that musicians don't generally make as much (or often very much) money here as they do in other cities. The number of live music events going on every single night is staggering, and there are always difficult/impossible choices to be made. As a music fan, you sometimes have to make really difficult decisions about what shows to see or if you need to make a much needed night off from going out.

All of that to say, I made my way to The 5 Spot last night for the release show of Justin and the Cosmics PERF record. The album was recorded at Ardent Studio in Memphis.  It was a wonderful night of weirdness and music and mayhem. So many memorable moments. From the emcee Square Bill "singing" Prince covers to Scott Collins guitars. Guests like Chris Crofton - in from Los Angeles and riffing on "New Nashville", Thayer Sarrano was captivating, Kim Collins did a intense a cappella song that ended with her being carried from the stage, The Smoking Flowers did an old song by Justin Collins, Robyn Hitchcock with a band that included Pat Sansone (Wilco, Autumn Leaves) (who produced PERF - by the way) did a short set that included some Velvet Underground, John Lennon, and a Soft Boys song written by Hitchcock, Ben Burr read some awesome poetry.  But the clear stars of the show were Justin Collins and his band The Cosmics who played a long set of songs from the album, classics from their back catalog, and some choice (and rare for them) covers - including "Police on my Back".  It was the most fun I've had since the last time I saw Justin and the Cosmics play.

Tonight, I am looking forward to Chuck Prophet at The Basement East.


Meanwhile, the humidity is now falling from the sky in copious amounts, and we have our "Featured Friday" shuffle. Let's go.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Head Upon My Pillow Mix

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Thanks to everyone who came out last night to the E2TG Residency at The 5 Spot.  And a BIG thanks to Ben de la Cour, The End Men, and Ted Drozdowski's Psychedelic Circus - you all killed it!

Next show is Thursday June 21:

E2TG prides itself on being musically diverse and inclusive, and I think next week's E2TG Residency show will showcase that very well.

Brian Milligram is going to open the show with a solo set. Brian is a tremendous songwriter and great person. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and he doesn't pull punches.

The Coal Men have been part of the Nashville music community for several years, and to me they are at the top of their game. Their most recent album Pushed to the Side is a favorite of mine.  Dave Coleman is a respected producer and sideman - in addition to leading this fine band. I most recently saw him backing up Mark Huff.

A year or so ago, everyone started telling me I needed to see and hear Microwave Mountain. I kept missing opportunities to see them, but finally the stars aligned, and I saw them open for Buck n Stuff during their 2017 Residency at The American Legion, and I was suitably blown away. Their latest release Sick Licks is out now. Don't miss this opportunity to see them before the sun goes down.

Why don't you do ahead and clear your schedule and make your plans now to get to The 5 Spot by six o'clock. With this jammed packed line-up, we will get started right away, and you do not want to miss a moment.

It is finally Friday, and we have a Featured Friday playlist to take us all into the weekend.  Enjoy!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Trouble in This Town Mix

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TONIGHT!   I hope everyone in and around Nashville will join me at The 5 Spot at 6:00pm tonight!  We have a ton of  great music, I will be reading a short section from my novel, The Drift.  Come help send Ben de la Cour off on his Canadian tour. Come help welcome, Brooklyn's The End Men back to Nashville. Come help wish Ted Drozdowski a continued Happy Birthday week!  Nashville weather is unpredictable... it might be raining tonight, it might be hotter than hell and humid as all get out.  But, the weather will be perfect inside The 5 Spot!

Today, we jump back into the "New Music" playlist...  Let's dive right in!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Foghorn Mushroom Mix

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Just two days away!

Week 2 June 14: The End Men, Ted Drozdowski's Psychedelic Circus, Ben de la Cour

Here is a little taste of the wacky awesomeness that you can expect this Thursday!  

Later this month!

Week 3 June 21:  Brian Milligram, Microwave Mountain, The Coal Men

Week 4 June 28: Joanna Barbera, Bee Taylor, Eli Cook

Seven years in, and E2TG is still about keeping an ear out for what is out there.... today's "Trending Tuesday" shuffle has FIVE (5) first listens.  Let's jump right in!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Worry, Worry, Super Scurry Mix

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My novel, The Drift is out now!  Paperback or Kindle (Buy the paperback and get a Kindle version for just $.99)

E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency is coming in June to The 5 Spot!

Week 1 June 7:  Clark Paterson, The Big Dumb, Rayvon Pettis

Week 2 June 14: The End Men, Ted Drozdowski's Psychedelic Circus, Ben de la Cour

Week 3 June 21:  Brian Milligram, Microwave Mountain, The Coal Men

Week 4 June 28: Joanna Barbera, Bee Taylor, Eli Cook

As you may be aware, for the past two years, I have been fortunate enough to co-host a radio show (Double Shot with Joe and Sue) along with my good friend Sue Havlish on WXNA-LP Nashville. This experience has been one of the most wonderful of my life. 

WXNA went on the air just under two years ago. It is a low-power, all-volunteer community, non-profit radio station, and it has taken this city by storm. I am so proud to be a part of it. It is time for the Spring Pledge Drive.  WXNA is People Powered Radio and relies on the generous support of the community to keep things going.  You investment (small or large) pays off everyday - by helping the station to keep on providing a home for independently programmed shows covering a variety of musical genres and topics of interest and benefit to the community.  The drive runs through Saturday at midnight. You can donate at wxnafm.org or by calling 615-933-WXNA (9962). 

Well it is Wednesday - time for some Wildness E2TG Style.  Wednesday is the day we shuffle up all the songs which are current saved into my phone's memory.  As usual it is a mix bagged of past and current music spanning the globe and the decades.

Let's shuffle!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Rarest Flower Mix

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Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

My novel, The Drift is out now!  Paperback or Kindle (Buy the paperback and get a Kindle version for just $.99)

E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency is coming in June to The 5 Spot!

Week 1:  Clark Paterson, The Big Dumb, Rayvon Pettis

Week 2: The End Men, Ted Drozdowski's Psychedelic Circus, Ben de la Cour

Week 3:  Brian Milligram, Microwave Mountain, The Coal Men

Week 4: Joanna Barbera, Bee Taylor, Eli Cook

Today, We dive back into our New Music playlist.   We have a couple of first listens. It is a pretty eclectic set of songs, so sit back and enjoy the ride!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Nylon Kisses Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

My novel, The Drift is out now!  Paperback or Kindle (Buy the paperback and get a Kindle version for just $.99)

E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency is coming in June to The 5 Spot!

Week 1:  Clark Paterson, The Big Dumb, Rayvon Pettis
Week 2: The End Men, Ted Drozdowski's Psychedelic Circus, Ben de la Cour
Week 3:  Brian Milligram, Microwave Mountain, The Coal Men
Week 4: Joanna Barbera, Bee Taylor, Eli Cook

Last night, I caught the Bruce Springsteen tribute at The Basement East. A suburb band performed Born in the USA and a ton of other songs.  Singers included Charles Esten (Nashville, Whose Line is It Anyway?), Smooth Hound Smith, J. Marco, Andrew Leheay, Bill Eberle, and many more).  Jon Latham closed the show and as per usual brought down the house.  Fun show!

Tonight is night three of the Darrin Bradbury, Jon Latham, and Nick Nace residency at The 5 Spot.  The first two weeks were awesome, and I expect nothing less than awesome tonight.  It's an early show so you have plenty of time to catch other shows after or get home if you need to call it a night early.

It is Wednesday - and that is the day when we shuffle through all the songs on my phone memory. Anything can happen and usually does... let's go!