E2TG 2/14/2022 - Music City Monday and More - Tender Land Mix (Hope Alive Remix)

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WXNA-LP Nashville - the home of Greetings from Nashville and Ear to the Ground radio is launching their first ever Membership Drive, with a goal of having 500 New Members who give recurring donations to help the station grow and thrive.  

If you are able to consider giving, visit wxnafm.org.  You can't become a member at this time, please consider sharing this information with others who may be more able to. 

Tune in tomorrow for a new Edition (The 49th) of Ear to the Ground. 

Music City Monday shuffle after the jump!

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 1/10/2020 - Band of the Year - Featured Friday - Mr. Pepper Mix (Happy Remix)

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WELCOME TO E2TG V3.0

I guess call this the soft launch - trial run - pilot program for E2TG v3.0.  Today, we are introducing two new features.  First is the Featured Friday Playlist from Spotify.  It is a playlist of recent and current music that has our attention. The list will "refresh" every Friday (give or take), so place Follow the playlist or check in here. The embed will be posted every day in case you miss it.

Next, we have our listing of Recent, Current and Upcoming Releases (singles, EPs, and LPs).  This will be our primary means of spotlighting new releases. Expect some commentary to be added periodically.  Please note: this is a work-in-progress.  I went through e-mail submissions to compile this list then added some others that I learned about from other sources.  This listing will be posted daily and updated regularly.  So, if you don't see your release listed, please let me know and I will add. it.

The Shuffle has always and will always be a centerpiece of the E2TG experience. I am no longer using it has the primary means of featuring new releases. Tuesday-Friday will be akin to the old "Wild Wednesday" shuffle. New music received will be added to my phone and I will shuffle from all of the saved music.  Monday will continue to be shuffled from the Music City Monday Spotify Playlist. 

Whew!  Don't try to remember. Just enjoy.


INTRODUCING THE 2019 E2TG BAND OF THE YEAR!

As we prepare to rush headlong into the new frontier of 2020 and E2TG V3.0, we have one last piece of unfinished business from 2019.  Yesterday, we name Darrin Bradbury as our Artist of the Year. For a time, I had someone else in mind for that award, however, fortunately, that individual gave his band a name, and so made them eligible (according to my non-existent rules) for the Band of the Year honors. It is appropriate.

From the first time, I saw Ryan Sobb, I was blown away by his songwriting.  Smart, funny, deep, and unlike anything I had heard.  Eventually, he started playing with a band and putting some amazing songs into a high energy, power popish package. Over the course of 2019, the band has gotten better and better.  They are a tight unit, but still manage to feel slightly out of control and loose (in the best way possible).  They are a true power trio in the long and storied history of that combination.  Chase Ballenger and Preston Cochran make a wonderful rhythm section that give further grounding to Sobb's songs that didn't seem to need grounding.

When singer-songwriters form a band, sometimes, the intimacy of the songs can get lost, but that never seems to happen with this band. Credit goes to Ryan Sobb whose delivery keeps the song at the forefront, and to Ballenger and Cochran who find their groove within the context of the song.

Ryan Sobb released a single, and a split "live" album with one-time E2TG Artist of the Year Rayvon Pettis.  Word is that he has an EP coming in 2020.

And so, it is with great pleasure and high hopes, that I officially name, Ryan Sobb and The Dead Mall as E2TG's 2019 Band of the Year!

    Featured Friday Playlist

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Time is Now Mix

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I went to see Nashville Rep's production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson last night.  Really good!  Andrew Jackson was cast as a kind of emo rock star. The show was funny and engaging, and the music was great.  Very irreverent and kind of raunchy at times. Perfect.  It was also a great satire of populism and how it doesn't always work out like it seems like it might.


Well, it is Friday.  Another rainy, gloomy day in Nashville. It's been an odd week for me. Not sure why. I took Monday off. Haven't felt 100% most of the week.  Feeling better today.  But, it's Friday! And that means we get to delve into the Featured Friday shuffle - more songs from the "new music" playlist.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Friday Toast in a German Kitchen Mix

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I've said this before... but it comes back time and again.... the reason E2TG has endured for almost six and a half years is because I post just about every day, and I post even when I really don't feel much like posting.  I think it is my nation to constantly think about the what, why, and hows of whatever it is I am doing.  E2TG has definitely evolved over the years - although the basic premise is still the same. "Hey I heard some cool tunes on my way to work, let me tell you about them." 

I do think about what I can do to reach more people - not for my ego (okay - a little for my ego) but mostly to help spread the word about some of the lesser known music that I love. Over the years, I have seen people I wrote about begin to reach a larger audience and get more wide-spread recognition. When that happens, I am proud - not that I feel in any responsible for the success. I have always viewed the artists and bands I write about as a "family" of sorts. These are my people, and over the years there have been triumphs and stumbles, celebrations and mourning. Things have also grown which means my "family" is so large that I lose touch with people sometimes, but I always love hearing about what is up - even if it's not music related. I see people I have written about excelling in all areas of life, and I, too, people struggling. Just as I have excelled and struggled at times.

I am generally a pretty upbeat guy, but I do get down sometimes too.... and I have bouts of self-pity sometimes. 

My point is that I love what I do and I really have no desire to stop. It heartens me when people appreciate what I do and lets me know. It seems kind of petty to expect that, and I try to avoid expectations, but it is appreciated when it happens. And, E2TG has taken me places I could not even have imagined. So, even on days when I don't feel it as much as I would like, I keep on... and man oh man, the cool music I get to listen to really helps a ton!

It's Tuesday - let's see what is "trending"

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Kingfishers and Snipes Mix

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Taking a short break from discussing the current insanity from the current resident(s) of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue... to take on maybe an even more controversial topic....

Americana.  As you may know by now, here at E2TG, I don't care much about genres or classifications of music. But, I do recognize that for some artists who are finding their place in a still relatively new landscape of the music business, it can make a difference in trying to find the right representation or the right people to approach or whatever...

While similar issues may come up about rock or country or pop or whatever, I think that Americana is it's own "beast".  According to the Americana Music Association, Americana is not a genre. In fact, it can encompass several different genres like country, folk, blues, even bluegrass, soul, rock...

Still, some "Americana" radio stations treat it like a genre - telling artists they are "too (fill in the blank) to be Americana."  Sue and I did our AMA themed show last year called it, "It's Americana is we say it is".  It was tongue-in-cheek.  Look, the Americana Fest each September is a blast (basically Nashville's live music scene on steroids - with lots of industry parties and showcases and the like). From an outsiders perspective, the decision on what is or isn't Americana can seem pretty arbitrary. An artist may be "too blues" for Americana - but a more established (and arguably) blues artist can be honored by the association.  This is not to mention the pop bands who had a fiddle or other "roots" instrument to their lineup and are suddenly "Americana" (especially if they achieve some level of success or notoriety).  But, I am not cynical about it all... (maybe because I am not a musician  trying to find my place).  There is a ton of great music being made and put out into the world.  I'm gonna try to hear as much of it as I can, and I am going to not worry about things that really don't matter to me.  To my artist friends, keep being you, keep doing your thing. If you are accepted as "Americana", wonderful. If not, keep on moving and let it go.  

So ends my (likely) simplistic take on what is a big deal for some artists...

Today is Tuesday when we jump back into the "new music" playlist and see what's hot on E2TG.  I will leave it up to you to decide (or not) which, if any, of these are "Americana".  To me it's all great music.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Smells Like Steel Reserve Mix

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Well... if you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a country with a delusional lunatic in charge, you don't have to wonder anymore... For those who cannot look past their biases and party loyalty to see the current situation for the insanity it is... you, too, will be remembered.
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Well! The E2TG 6th Anniversary May Residency at The 5 Spot is just a day away!  If you are in Nashville, I hope you can make it out.

It Tuesday, and that means "Trending Tuesday" here at E2TG. We spin songs from our "New Music" playlist  Let's see what comes up today!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Don't Know Where I'm Going Mix

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Life goes on... even when living in insane times. Putting one foot in front of the other... moving forward even as the world seemingly spins out of control. It's what we do.

The utter disregard for the truth, the utter disregard for even a modicum of basic human decency, the way vile racism and xenophobia have moved out of the shadows and are not thrown about freely... it is all very disturbing.

As I have said, one of the more challenging aspects of this current situation is at once - recognizing that this IS NOT politics as usual - and all the while - fighting important political battles.  I will echo something I read - it is vitally important that the mainstream of the Republican Party stand in en masse against the most outrageous examples of what I have cited above. Until they do, it is too easy to confuse this with "politics as usual".  That being said, until that happens, all we can do is resist and persist. And, I believe that when this corrupt and evil regime fails (as all such regimes are ultimately fated to do), those who had the power to speak up and act against this evil and chose not to must be held accountable for their inaction.

Facts matter. White Nationalist have no business in the highest reaches of government.  Fascism is evil and must be resisted at all costs.
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I had an enjoyable weekend with my daughter.  We did manage to make it out to see BARK at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge in Madison, and we both had a great time and saw some familiar faces. I continued to be heartened by the way my community has embraced and accepted my daughter. Oh, and BARK were as wonderful as always.

Now, I jump into a new week, and I am feeling overwhelmed by the work I need to do.  As always, my desire to get out and see live music is at constant war with the need to stay home and get things done. I will continue to try to find the balance, and I will be grateful to live  in such a great city for music that I even have the opportunities to see incredible live music literally every single night of the week.

It's Monday, and we have some music to share which bears some connection to Nashville.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - The Good Life Mix

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Okay - we are back after an extended weekend to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., and to think about the fights which are still going on and progress made and miles yet to go...

Since we last were together, I got to take in Crackerboots with my daughter for my birthday.  Then Sunday night after his 3rd and Lindsley show was postponed, Darrin Bradbury and friends took over Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge.  It was a really great night of music with Jon Latham, Rayvon Pettis, Sally Jaye, Jeremy Ivey, and Mr. Bradbury himself.  Darrin's band included Laur Joamets who just 24 hours before had backed Sturgill Simpson on his incredible SNL performance (if you still have not seen that - go look that up NOW and then come back).  His guests included Margo Price.  It was all in all a typically stellar night of music in Nashville (well Madison).

Let's get to the shuffle - which is a little extended due to a (scheduled) detour I had to make on the way to work. This is a Trending Tuesday shuffle - heavily weighted to Nashville artists (past or present).

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Laurel Canyon '72 Mix

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Greetings from a snowy, chilly Nashville.  Last night was yet another one of those nights that reminds me why Nashville is such a cool place to be a music fan.  First off Brian Ritchey kicked off his residency at The 5 Spot. Sheriff Scott and the Deputies opened.  I am not sure why I am just now hearing or/hearing this band, but I am a fan now. Urban bluegrass is the term, I think. Really good stuff.   Brian Ritchey is a great songwriter, and he sounded great as always. Enjoyed hearing some of his newest songs.

Next, I headed to the American Legion for Buck n Stuff. American Roommates opened the show. I really dug their energy and sound.  Another new (for me) band.  As for Buck 'n' Stuff... well, I know it is early in the year, but at this point, I think they are front runners for Band of the Year.  Seriously - because they are a serious band.  Buck Owens covers (thus the "Buck") plus a few non-Buck Owens covers  (thus the 'n' Stuff).  All of these offered up in non-traditional arrangements.

Okay, so we are ready for our first Featured Friday Shuffle of 2017.

If you are in Nashville, it sounds like the roads are getting dicey.  Be careful out there.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Kay Pasa Mix

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According to my Facebook memories, the Blogger/Blogspot version of E2TG is 5 years old right about now. (For the first 6-7 months, the blog was hosted on the now defunct site Posterous).  Just thought I would mention that.

Embedding the "Earie" Awards in the shuffles has worked well for the most part. Expect some non-embedded "Earies" as we move forward.  Also, just to address it... sometimes, a "non-winner" may tend to stand out which is not my intention.  I have a very clear (if unstated) concept of the "Earies" and it does not necessarily have anything to do with the quality of the music. Basically, I don't include music that I don't like on E2TG.  That being said, I may be spreading the awards out more thinly going forward so... if your favorite band doesn't win one day, keep tuning in.

It is Tuesday and we have some "trending" music from our "New Music Playlist"...

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Little New York City Mix

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First things first... some housekeeping.  Yesterday in my haste to kick off the "Earies" and post the shuffle, I failed to talk about the awesome "Songs of Love and Protest Show" hosted by Matt Haeck at The Family Wash on Wednesday.  Featuring incredible performances by Haeck, Amy Speace, Wild Ponies, Jon Latham, Darrin Bradbury, Brian Wright, Zach Schmidt, Rayvon Pettis, and probably others that I am blanking on.  The event was a kickoff for an upcoming compilation album with proceedings going to Planned Parenthood and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Stay tuned for updates.

Second, if you missed it, I posted a review/debut of Josh Morris' new album Can't Wait 'Til Now earlier today.  Check it out HERE. And check out Josh Morris tomorrow night at The Country.  Also tomorrow, across the river, Mark Robinson will be bringing a full band set to Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge - a relatively new venue in Madison. As always there is a ton of other stuff going on so get out and see some live local music this weekend.

Spontaneously and randomly this morning, I came up with the idea of awarding some "Earie" awards embedded in the shuffle. Truth is, I have so many awards I want to give out this is the best way to cover a bunch and then I can fill in others.  So... let's begin with a Featured Friday Shuffle...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Satellites Fade Mix

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Well it is Tuesday or since it is Thanksgiving week, I like to think of it as Thursday.

Recorded a future Double Shot show last night that will air the first Saturday of December. It is going to be a good one.  This Saturday, we will be live playing songs dedicated to holiday travelers. Called "Highway and Bi-Way (or To Grandmother's House We Go).

Staying busy and trying to think about this years' Earie Awards without getting overwhelmed - it has been an amazing year for music (don't let anyone tell you different). 

Shuffling today from the "New Music" playlist for Trending Tuesday.  Let's go...

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Be Easy and Free Mix

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I need to be a little brief... my "new" phone came in, so the transition process has begun. The good news is that it will solve some of the issues I have been having.  It may just take a bit to get the music all squared away... deciding if I do a straight dump of everything or do some culling of older "remainders" from albums I featured a long time ago... Either way, the time consuming part will be rebuilding the playlists. Wish those were my biggest problems...

Tonight, the finale of the Crackerboots residency.  If you haven't made it out to this point, you would make an effort. You will not be disappointed. If you have made it out, I don't need to tell you...   Peter Cooper opens.  The late show features several bands including the always amazing Don Gallardo!

Wednesday, we get wild and free with some music from covering all sorts of genres, eras, geographic locations, and more...

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Kill You With Their Eyes Mix

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Well, here we are.... a bunch of things are happening... and stuff... whatever.. it is mid-week, and we get "wild" on Wednesday.  But what does that mean... this week, at least, it means we have some wildly good music to share... sit back.

Music City...um Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Sidewalk Used to End Mix

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Tonight, some of Nashville's best will gather at The 5 Spot in benefit for Megan Palmer.  It is part of the Rod Picott Residency and the event will be live streamed on Concert Window.

Almost simultaneously, some of the best songwriters around will be playing an amazing round at The Country.  Renee Wahl, Joe Nolan, Julie Christensen, and David Olney.  

Oh to have wings and a time machine... or at least a clone.

Okay... here's the deal... due to different circumstances, I have missed the last two Music City Monday posts, so I decided to call an audible and so, for the next two days, I will be spinning tunes from the Music City Monday playlist.  I tried to think of  clever name for this anomaly, but alas...

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - The Punk Will Always Be With Us Mix

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Happy Friday!  Sue and I had our first Radio DJ training at WXNA, and I got to see the studio of the first time.  When I know more about an on-air date, I will definitely be posting about that here. 

I am excited to announce that the line-up for the E2TG Anniversary Extravaganza has been set.  Look for the big reveal Monday morning (it may leaked sooner - so now would be a good time to double-check that you have "Liked" the Facebook Page.  It is going to be a good one, so go ahead and mark May 18 as "busy" on your calendar.

Tonight my plans include hanging out at The 5 Spot for the Tim Carroll Rock and Roll Happy Hour and then making my way to The Family Wash for the Mark Huff CD Release show with Jon Byrd opening up.  Good times...

Tomorrow is Record Store Day.  Make your plans accordingly....

Here are some of the songs we are featuring on E2TG....

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Wintry Mix Mix

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So... Nashville had a light layer of ice this morning followed by a dusting of snow.  To translate for those of you in colder climates: NASHVILLE WAS HIT BY A MAJOR WINTER STORM TODAY! EVERYONE PANIC NOW!!!!!

So, when I made to the office (where attendance is very light today), my phone decided to turn itself off and back on which means I lost the record of the shuffle. I was able to remember all of the songs - I think, but the order is screwed up... then again, you would never have known that if I had not told you... shoot, I wish there was a way to erase that, but I heard things on the internet cannot be truly erased... 

I am getting really excited for tomorrow night.  At the Family Wash - dual CD Release shows happening with two of my favorite people here in town.  Stone Cupid (Julie Christensen's band) is celebrating the release of The Cardinal and Amelia White is celebrating the release of her new album Home Sweet Hotel. Should be a great time!

On to the approximation of this morning's shuffle....

Saturday Shuffle - Getting Stuff Done Mix

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Hey, I needed to get some "stuff done" today, and I decided to shuffle some music while I got the "stuff done".  So, welcome to a rare Saturday shuffle.  Limited descriptions  - just a ton of cool tunes.

As I mentioned yesterday, E2TG's reigning Artist of the Year was selected by Nashville's Lightning 100 to be their Artist of the Week.  As part of that, he played a free show yesterday evening at Soulshine Pizza, and he played one of the best shows I have ever seen him put on. I could not have been more proud.

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - The Pills Ain't Working Mix

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I am back after an extended time away...  When I last posted, storms were on the horizon for Nashville and that appears to be the case today six days later. In fact, as I look out the window, the rain has started.

This is always an odd week.  Christmas is over, New Years Eve is still a few days away. There is a sense of winding down of the old year and anticipation of what is to come.  In my office, there are many people out this week.  The overall pace of life seems just a wee bit slower.  But, here at E2TG, we keep pushing to the end.  We have more "Earies" to hand out and more shuffles to be shared.

The "Connections" Award. 

The premise:  Although, I don't always explicitly state it, one of the central themes of Ear to the Ground has always been the thread of connectivity that runs throughout all music.  The Shuffle (which to me is more than random) can often serve to highlight those connections. When songs that seem to be incongruous are placed together, they can often serve to reveal previously unseen connections. These connections come in all different forms and can be difficult to explain.  Long time readers may recall a post I made a few years ago when I shuffled together the then new records by Imperial Rooster and Black Jake and the Carnies.  These two bands came from different regions of the U.S. and were not even aware of each others existence but I found connections.

The Award:  So for this award, I thought about artists/bands who have come into my consciousness who have no visible connection but who speak to me in very similar ways despite their obvious differences.

1.  Tim Lee 3/Bark - A long time favorite of #E2TG, I first encountered TL3 via Couch by Couchwest.  They are based in Knoxville and have roots in Jackson, MS. As I have gotten to know Tim and Susan Lee, I have discovered their deep connection to much of the music I listened to growing up.  To illustrate, I found out not too long ago, that Tim Lee produced or co-produced Will and the Bushmen's Gawk album which has been a favorite of mine for a long, long time.  In 2015, Tim and Susan celebrated their vinyl anniversary (33 1/3 years) with the release of a new Tim Lee 3 album (331/3) and the very first EP from Bark.  I was lucky enough to see both configurations live in 2015.  The music of both bands manages to sound both fresh and familiar to me.

2. Susan James - A couple of years ago, I got the opportunity to hear and write about Susan's then new album, Driving Toward the Sun.  Susan is based in Southern California. At the time, I saw where D.J. Bonebrake of X (one of my all-time favorite bands) had acted as emcee for a CD release show for an earlier album.   In 2015, Susan James released Sea Glass which marked a departure from the Americana feel of her previous two releases.  Sea Glass is a wonderful example of California pop music.  Several times on the album, the Paisley Underground sound is evoked very effectively.  It is an album I want to hear over and over. 

Just to put too fine a point on my premise, Tim and Susan Lee have some very deep and personal connections to the original Paisley Underground scene of the 1980s which is evoked so well on Susan James latest album.

On to the shuffle:  I am going to be shuffling from the "Featured  Music" playlist for the three days I am at work this week.  Trying to get through some of 2015's featured music to clear some room for the many new releases expected in early 2016.

Featured Friday Music Shuffle - Where the Blues Began Mix

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Well it's Friday and it is All Hallows Eve Eve and it is sunny today and did I mention it is Friday!

Last night I completed my punch card and made it to all five of the Campfire Propaganda residency shows. This week Megan Palmer  and Brian Wright were back, and Darrin Bradbury was out of town on tour. Great sets of music by Tim Easton, Brian Wright (who covered Darrin's "Blue Highways"), Megan Palmer, and then Nellie Clay played with a full (and awesome) band for her CD Release show.  She even brought up a horn section for the last two songs.

After that I decided to enjoy the crisp Autumn evening and made my way to Drifter's BBQ to watch Tim Carroll and Luella before heading home to do some preparation for a meeting this afternoon which should help me set a course to make 2016 the best year ever for #E2TG.

We have a featured Friday shuffle that is sure to provide a multitude of treats with a minimum of trickery.