E2TG 9/21/2020 - Music City Monday - Cluck Old Hen Mix (All My Sins Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

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

We roll into another week. We are in unbelievably difficult and strange times. Today, rather than vocalize my fears or hopes or shout into the void, I just want to offer the simple advice to seek out opportunities for kindness. It is easy to demonize people based solely upon what they post or which meme they share or which article on which they choose to comment.

Standing up for your beliefs is important, but I truly believe most people in the world are just trying to figure out how to get along from day to day. I may not agree with where they are in that journey or how they choose to express where they are in that journey. In fact, I may find it problematic, based upon flawed logic or incorrect facts... but, I do think I need to be careful not to assign the full weight of the problematic beliefs on one individual. 

I am not sure if I am making sense. Certainly, a large group of people supporting what I believe is evil and dangerous is a big problem. I guess it comes down to treating the large group one way and the individual members of that large group another. People are complex - so if I make generalized assumptions about the members of that large group, I may or may not be statistically accurate, but I do have to acknowledge that that assumption does not hold for 100% of the people in that group. It is possible to be a good person in many important ways and support something that I find to be bad. I may not be able to reconcile the two, but I do have to at least acknowledge that it is okay not to write off a friend or family member over a belief. 

Which is not to say that in the context of social media - it might be prudent to mute them or even "unfriend"  them for my own sanity. 

What was I saying, oh yeah, seek out opportunities to be kind... 

Today, we pick back up on our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs 9-13:

9. "Theme from Black Planet" by Adam McIntyre; Dashill Smith

Atlanta based guitarist Adam McIntyre returned from a visit to Prince's famed Paisley Park studio inspired. The result took about six weeks and is called Black Planet. This is the instrumental theme song to the album that explores funk, rock, and glam-rock in an original way. A great addition to the playlist.  

10. "Them" by EG Vines

A powerful and timely new single from Nashville based singer-songwriter EG Vines who has been a Nashville resident since 2009. He spent 10 years working for a Fortune 500 company before quitting to pursue music full-time. He has been writing and releasing singles this year in preparation for a 2021 full-length album which will follow-up his 2019 album Family Business.

11. "Fine" by Bonnie Whitmore

Bonnie Whitmore is a powerhouse Texas singer-songwriter. A lot of my singer-songwriter friends are high on her, and I was fortunate enough to catch her Americana showcase a few years back which blew me away.  When I saw she had a new single from her forthcoming album Last Will and Testament, I had to add it to the playlist. "Fine" was co-written with (fairly) new Nashville resident Jaimee Harris. 

12. "Unkind Lover" by Darwin

Next up, we have the new single from Santa Rose based dark pop artist Darwin. The track features David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets) on harmonica. The track features production and other sounds via Julian Shah-Tayler (aka The Singularity) who we featured a few week's back.  

13. "The Light" by Chrisy Mc Cullagh

We close this segment of music with a track from the recently release album by Irish multi-instrumentalist Chrisy Mc Cullagh. It is from his third album called The Sun That Does Not Set. I am really digging the sound of this album, and I really enjoyed this song. 

Tomorrow - our recap continues with 14-18...

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG - 3/2/2020 - Magnolia Roads Hoedown Update - Music City Monday - Airwaves Mix (Happiness Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

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


Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown V - April 25 (Hoedown Preparty April 24)

Super-excited for the Fifth Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown. This year will be an all-day affair at The 5 Spot on Saturday April 25, and a Hoedown Pre-party on Friday April 24 at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge.  There have been some changes since the last time I teased this event. Check out the posters below - lots of E2TG favorites in the line-up this year. I am going to be co-emceeing on Saturday. 

Much more to come!

Music City Monday Shuffle: 

Today's shuffle - down below, is our weekly Music City Monday Shuffle.  The idea for this shuffle sprung from the same place as my new radio show - Greetings from Nashville - which can be heard Thursday's at 6am on WXNA- Nashville. 

    Featured Friday Playlist
In case you missed it on Friday, we have a new Featured Friday Playlist up on Spotify.  Follow, listen, buy the music if you dig it. 

E2TG 2/24/2020 - Music City Monday - Seen It All Mix (Foreign Thing Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

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



We are back!  If you haven't had a chance to do so, please check out this week's Featured Friday Playlist on Spotify.  Thanks to everyone who has followed the Playlist so far.  Please give it a follow, if you are so inclined.


Also, be sure to check out the recent and upcoming releases at the bottom of every daily post. I have been a little slow getting additional information up, but there is a ton of great music being released.

The Featured Friday Playlist and the New Release Listing are my primary methods of highlighting new music. 

In the past, the daily shuffle was used for this purpose.  The morning shuffle has gone back to its original intent - an eclectic mix of old and new music - just a daily dose of what I listen to on my way to work each day.

    Featured Friday Playlist

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - My Ego Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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

 *Note: The video playlist at the bottom of the post attempts to closely approximate the shuffle I listened to on my way to work this morning. When a video for a song was not available, I substituted another song by the same artist. When I could not find any videos by an artist, I included a related video or did not include a video for that track. This blog may reference unreleased tracks, however, no unreleased music is ever included.

And we are back! Americana Fest 2019 is officially over. I had a blast. I don't have time for any sort of official recap, but suffice it to say, I didn't see everything I wanted to see, I missed some great events put on by great people, I overdid it and had to bail on some stuff for the sake on my self... But, I had the time of my life, got to meet some of my biggest musical heroes, caught up with out-of-town friends, watched by friends kick all sort of ass on stages big and small.

Despite my jokes throughout the week, I didn't pace myself and I crashed and burned by the end of the weekend, and you know what, next year, I will probably do the same thing.

On we go!

The E2TG 8th Anniversary is now only 9 days away!  

September 25 - Week 1: Ben Arthur + Conrad y Skordalia

October 2 - Week 2: Ryan Sobb + Don Gallardo

October 9 - Week 3: The Truehearts + Jason Erie

October 16 - Week 4:  Josh Gray  + Meghan Hayes

October 23 - Week 5: Microwave Mountain + The Big Dumb

Make your plans now!

On with the Music City Monday Shuffle!

Music City Monday Shuffle - 3rd Verse of Bastards of Young Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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


In case you missed it, we premiered a new song and music video this morning from Nashville band Ghost Town Remedy.  It's a fun video and a great song.  Check it out  HERE.

Anyway, it's good to be back. I was under the weather on Friday.  It's time for a Music City Monday Shuffle.  These are all artists who are or have been associated with Nashville.

Anyway, we have a good one, so let's get started!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Chocolate Milk and Cigarettes Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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

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 !


Back to the shuffle. We have another Music City Monday shuffle- which comes from our Music City Monday Playlist on Spotify. 

Let's get right to the shuffle!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Don't Tell Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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


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)

In Nashville (and I can only speak for Nashville), whether or not to go out to hear live music and if going out to hear live music, what to see if always a difficult choice. There are almost no nights that nothing is going on, and usually there are multiple things going on all at the same time.

Saturday, I made the choice to jump between venues, and I am really glad I did because even though I inevitably missed some things, what I did see was wonderful.

Starting with Mark Robinson celebrating his birthday with his band at The 5 Spot. I still hold to my previous statements that Mark Robinson puts on the best shows in Nashville. A great guitar player and bandleader, he is also a consummate entertainer and showman.

I left The 5 Spot a few minutes before the end of Mark Robinson's set and made my way to The Radio Cafe.  I caught the end of Megan Palmer's set with George Trouble (aka George Terry McDonald) sitting in, and then caught George Trouble's set with Palmer sitting in on a few songs. We are currently featuring two of George's recent albums. PLOW - released under George Trouble and Jawbone - released by his band The Zealots. It was great hearing some of these songs and some older ones (and some newer ones) live. It's always a pleasure to see Megan Palmer play.

From there, I headed to The Basement East. The event was a Drive By Truckers tribute which served as a benefit for Nuci's Space. I missed the first part of the show, but arrived in time to catch The Big Dumb playing some of the Truckers' greatest hits with some fabulous singers including Lilly Hiatt, Allen Thompson, DBT producer David Barbe, Chris Watts and more.  By now, you may realize that I am a huge fan of The Big Dumb, and they did not disappoint.  Javi Jones was solid on steel guitar and electric guitar.  The Singing Butcher, Tim George, was playing guitar and sang one song. Steven Nicholas Roberts, on bass, took things to the next level, and Paul Robert Sukowski killed it on drums and was obviously having the time of his life.  For me, the star of this part of the show was Griffin Winton.  His star has been on the rise with me since I heard his new album, but Saturday night - he just flat out became a rock star!

Sunday - after sleeping in AND taking a nap, I headed out to Dee's for a great night of music.

Connor Rand and Matthew Moon opened the show.  I had seen Connor before but I really dug what he was doing with Moon - with Rand on banjo and Moon on guitar and providing the percussion. Great songs and a great set.

Tom Schreck was next. It is always great to see Tom Schreck play.  He writes great songs and his knowledge of music is extensive. He did a couple of choice Bob Dylan covers including his last song which marked his public debut on the accordion.

Joe Nolan followed. It had been a little while since I saw Joe play live, so it was great to hear some of his new songs and some of his older songs, too.  I love his spoken word, "Serenade" that opened the set.

Last but least, Joe Goodkin - who we have featured on E2TG was in from Chicago. It was his visit that prompted the show.  It was great to meet him and his songs were powerful and moving.

All in all, a great weekend of music.


Onward to our Music City Monday shuffle!  Let's go!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Whose Head, How Cold? Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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


Well,  as we slide into another week, It's a good time to remind/make you aware of the E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency which will be held every Thursday in the month of June at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.    Here are the details:

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

Time to jump in to this week's first post.  It's Music City Monday - where we feature bands/artists who do or have called Nashville home.  As always, we have newer music, older music, and everywhere in between - exploring the width and depth of Nashville's vibrant music community through the years and decades...

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Trains Songs and More Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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


I'm a bit short on time.  Tonight is the CD Release Show for Julie Christensen and Stone Cupid's new album A Sad Clown.  At the Basement.  Renee Wahl is opening.  Recommended.

It's Monday, so we fire up our Music City Monday playlist and shuffle it up.  Here's what came up today.

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Wearing a Big Smile Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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


My weekend show recap is highlighted by a couple of new releases. 

Friday - after Tim Carroll's Rock 'n' Roll Happy Hour, I stuck around The 5 Spot for the CD Release show for Maxwell Putnam's new album Ode to a Tinhorn.  The line-up included a solo set from Alex of Little Bandit, Mark Fredson, a great solo set and a great full-band set from Putnam.  The night closed with a typically high-energy set from Justin and the Comics.

Sunday - I attended a party for the release of Stone Cupid's new album A Sad Clown.  An acoustic set with Julie Christensen, Sergio Webb, Chris Tench, and Parker Hawkins.  Love the new songs - which includes a cover of Darrin Bradbury's "Exile on Myrtle Beach".  The full band CD release show is set for April 9 at The Basement.

Another week, and it is time for a Music City Monday Shuffle.  From the ever-growing Music City Monday playlist on Spotify, we shuffle up this collection of music from past and current Nashville-based artists and bands.

If you want to peruse the playlist on your own, it is available HERE.

Now, let's shuffle: