Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Shame Mix

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I'm a bit pushed for time...  I was going to stay in last night, but after I got some things done for the Fall E2TG Residency, I decided to venture out to $2 Tuesday.

Joseph Bradshaw opened the show. He is a young Nashville based singer-songwriter, and I was very impressed with his songs.

Ohio based The Vindys were next making their Nashville debut.  Really good soulful music. 

Ben Stalets, also from Ohio, was next. Very entertaining and amusing performance - a great songs.

As always Derek Hoke brought it, backed by his regular rhythm section (Mark Robertson and Steve Latanation) and joined last night by Thayer Serrano on keyboard.

Hoke and Serrano were also part of the last act - called Magenta.  It was a thirty minute improv psyche jam that also featured Steven Cooper and Michael Zimmerman among others. A great ending to the night.

Today, Darrin Bradbury announced the release date for his first album on ANTI- Records - it is September 20.  He also released the title track - called Talking Dogs and Atom Bombs. I am so excited for Darrin and for the people who will experience his unique vision and voice. Of course, since you read E2TG, you have been in the know for years now.

Onward! We have a Wild Wednesday shuffle that features some new music and some not new music. Let's go!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - No Mystery Mix

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So - in reference to my long pre-shuffle post yesterday, music is what sustains me when the world gets me down. Music has saved my life. Music is not just important to me, it is vital to my existence.

On top of all of the other worldly problems, I am troubled by the devaluing of music by our culture. Technological advancements which should be (and in many cases are) a boon to the goal of getting music out to the people - has - like many parts of society - fallen into the hands of a few "power" players - who exploit the true creators to line their own pocket.

The people I know who make music - mostly do so because they have to - not in absence of other skills but it is a drive. A model has to be developed that adequately rewards the creators. The so-called music business is a microcosm for the rest of society. The gap between the haves and the have-nots.

I do not have a solution, but I think there is one out there. The question is - what will motivate those who are benefiting from the current system?

So, for most of us - who love music- the call is to act on whatever scale we are able. Go to shows, buy merch, buy music in a physical format - even if you mostly listen to electronic formats, if there is a tip jar for the band - use it. Share music!  Social media companies intentionally limit the reach of artists and others - to encourage "boosted" posts. It even happens to E2TG - once my Facebook page like count reached a certain level - fewer people saw my posts. I don't make a dime from E2TG, so it doesn't make sense for me to pay to boost my posts. The only way to combat this is from everyone to share posts. _ I don't just mean E2TG (although that would be nice), but also posts by your favorite bands.

It has been a rough week in many ways - my spirit is low and my temper has been short. I'm combating all that with music and creativity.

It is Wednesday, and that is the day, we do what I call the "Wild Wednesday" shuffle.  A shuffle derived from all the songs saved to my phone.  Let's see what happens!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - High Powered Powder 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)

If you have read The Drift, please consider writing a review on Amazon. If you haven't read it, you can get your own copy through Amazon or if you are in Nashville, you can get them from me.

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!)
E2TG September 2018  (coming soon!)


Well it's Friday, and the first work week of October is winding down.  Here in Nashville, we are still having summer-like temperatures even as the days get shorter.

Anyway, it is Friday, and we have a typically eclectic shuffle from our "New Music" playlist.

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 Thursday Morning Shuffle - Trouble By the Score Mix

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Always a good night, when I get to see two former E2TG Artists of the Year share a stage.  Darrin Bradbury and Jon Latham along with Nick Nace opened up their residency which will run every Wednesday for the rest of May.  Ryan Sobb opened the show.  It was my first time seeing this recent arrival in Nashville, and I was highly impressed.

Coincidentally, on this date in E2TG history 2017, Jon Latham was scheduled to play week 2 of our sixth anniversary residency, but he ended up in the ICU - so we made the night a benefit and raised some money.  That night both Nick and Darrin played.

It's Thursday, and time to delve back into the "New Music" playlist.  I'l running a little late today, so let's jump right in!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Blood on my Sleeve Mix

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Well, I have to say yesterday was much better than last Monday.  A week ago, I had spent 7.5 at the dentist office. Yesterday, I took in an afternoon baseball game, recorded a future Double Shot show, found out my proof copies of my first novel The Drift will arrive today, and I got my ticket in the mail for next week's Kris Kristofferson show at The Basement East.

Let's dive into the New Music playlist for what we like to call Trending Tuesday.  As usual, we have a crazy eclectic mix of music.  These are all relatively new releases or in a couple of cases recent to E2TG that we wanted to feature. 

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Wide-Eyed Fishing Mix

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In case you missed the last two posts, E2TG will be celebrating our first 7 years with a Residency every Thursday in June at The 5 Spot.  These EARLY shows kick off at 6:00pm, and we have stacked line-ups every week, so you will want to get there early.

Week 1:  Rayvon Pettis, The Big Dumb, and Clark Paterson
Week 2: The End Men, Ted Drozdowski's Psychedelic Circus, plus a special guest opener TBA

Onto Week 3!  I am stoked to get the opportunity to present two of my favorite bands and one of my favorite songwriters in one incredible night.  I am especially excited to be able to showcase the diversity of talent making music in this city.

Microwave Mountain: With raucous energy and rocking good vibes, Microwave Mountain are red hot right now.  On the heels of the 4/20 - release show for Sick Licks, Jamie Timm and company will be playing a pretty rare early show. You will not want to miss this.

The Coal Men:  Led by guitarist, songwriter, producer extraordinaire Dave Coleman, The Coal Men have been making music together since 1999.  Their latest album is called Pushed to the Side. They are definitely one of my favorite local bands - great songs and a great sound. Editors note: The Poster above erroneously lists "The Coal Men" has "The Coalmen" - I apologize for the error and will be fixing the graphic as soon as I am able.

Brian Milligram:  Opening the night will be one of my favorite songwriters here in town, and one that many of you may be seeing for the first time. Be sure to get their early - Milligram brings a punk spirit to his songs.  His sometimes caustic nature belies a tenderness that comes through his lyrics.


Tomorrow, we will reveal our guests for the 4th and final week.  Stay tuned!


On to our shuffle for this Thursday!

I'm not sure if I have ever been as excited about the line-up of artists in my "New Music" playlist as I am right now. So much new music from new artists and veteran performers - covering just about every genre and style of music imaginable.  Today's shuffle is a good cross-section of that diversity!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Bad Hombre Mix

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Time to reveal our guests for Week 2 of the E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency at The 5 Spot. This one will be held Thursday June 14, 2018. That's Flag Day, so if you bring a gently used flag, you can get in for just $5.00.  Otherwise, the admission is $5.00.

Ted Drozdowski has been a favorite of mine, since the first time I saw him leave the stage, use a wine glass as a slide, and generally take Hill Country blues into the stratosphere.  I once saw him walk off the stage at the old Family Wash, do the aforementioned wine glass trick, walk out the front door, come back in the side door and get back on stage will playing the whole time. He has a new configuration called Ted Drozdowski's Psychedelic Circus, and I am thrilled to have them for my show!

The End Men. If you have been following E2TG for awhile, you will recognize the name The End Men. Led by Matthew Hendershot and Livia Ranalli, Brooklyn, New York band The End Men have their own unique and rocking take on blues music. In late 2011, early 2012 - when Ear to the Ground was just an infant music blog, I was introduced to their music. Getting to know them and their music was a key factor in my continuing to press on through those early days. They were the E2TG Band of the Year in 2013 (the first Band of the Year that I selected myself). The End Men last played Nashville (I believe) was in September 2014 (at The Basement for the all-day post-Americana show that The Basement put on.  It is high time they came back! You do not want to miss this!

Opening the show is TBA! I've seen TBA several times, and every time it is a completely different experience. Kind of like Sour Du Jour.  Seriously, I can't tell you yet who the opener is going to be, but I guarantee it will be good!  Plan to get there early!

On to the Wild Wednesday Shuffle!  Remember, on Wednesday, our shuffle comes from all the songs I have stored on my phone. So, it can be new music, classics, from the E2TG archives etc.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Are You Having Fun Boys and Girls? Mix

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Reminder the Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown III kicks off tonight with a pre-party at Dee's.  Details and feature on Taylor Kropp (plus links to the first four parts of my preview and features on other artists can be found HERE.

Among the artists performing tonight at Dee's is Allen Thompson.  I went out (for the first time in over a week) last night for the last night of Allen's residency at The 5 Spot.  Maxwell Putnam opened -and as usual he was awesome.  Allen played with a ten piece band that he dubbed Lady Couch.  The band included Jack Silverman, Clint Maine, and Lilly Winwood, and the Nashville Horns. They played a loose, fun set of originals and choice covers. Pretty awesome for an early show (it would have been awesome regardless of the time).

Now, it is FRIDAY!  We have a very mixed bag of music to "Feature".  So sit back, as we take the week out in style.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Exotic Calls Mix

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A little over a year ago, I first began posting an occasional "political" commentary on E2TG. As I stated then, it was not something I wanted to do and that I did not really consider most of what I wrote as "political" (although it can be a fine line sometimes). As I intimated then, and still feel strongly today, there should be room at the table for people who hold a wide variety of political and social positions. At it's ideal and best, the United States (and our leaders) should be a shining example of lively debate and measured compromise.  Where we find ourselves now is embroiled and entrenched in hyper-partisanship and obstruction. Our elections are compromised in so many ways. The effects of Citizen's United (an Orwellian named law) are devastating to democracy and harmful to the republic. Voter suppression, gerrymandering, and unchecked foreign influences are the nails in the coffin.

I am cautiously hopeful about the mid-term elections, and I still cannot imagine that the current president will last his full term - but even if everything goes the way I want it to, we will still have miles to go...

I try not to let it get me down.  I do what I can, but the results are mostly not within my control. Life can still be a beautiful thing. Friendships and family and the beauty of the world. The mysteries of science and time and space surround us.

For me, music remains a source of strength. Songs that comfort, songs that excite, songs that motivate action, songs that inspire....

E2TG has provided me with an incredible opportunity to hear a ton of music that I might otherwise never hear, and to meet talented people who are pushing against long odds and seeming disinterest at times - to do what they feel compelled to do....

So, I push on - as I approach seven years of E2TG - offering my small contribution by putting music out there hopefully in an interesting way.

Let's shuffle the "New Music" playlist on this Trending Tuesday.

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Salvation with Horns Mix

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Guess what, I'm running short on time again. It's been a rough week at the old day job.

It was great seeing Patrick Kinsley and a Fistful of Dollars last night at Dee's.  Also great seeing Lynn Taylor and the Barflies  and also Daniel Walker. Just a  fun night of music. I realized that over the course of the evening I got to see and talk to at least seven people who have performed at an E2TG Anniversary Show over the last two years.  The 7th Anniversary shows are coming in June, and the E2TG elves are hard at work getting ready to make the announcements.

Tonight is the Buck N Stuff CD Release show at the American Legion in Inglewood. This will be one for the book!

On to the Trending Thursday Shuffle.... strap yourself in because this one promises to be a wild ride.

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - You'll Dance to Anything Mix

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Damn, I'm running short on time, but a couple of quick shout-outs.  First to Mark Huff for a fantastic set to celebrate the release of his new album Stars For Eyes at The 5 Spot.  Some of my favorite people played with him - Dave Coleman on guitar and Lisa Oliver Gray and Julie Chirstensen on back ground vocals. 

Ben de la Cour has a great CD release show after that at The Basement.  Chris Moyse opened with his great songs, Becky Warren rocked the house, and Ben de la Cour sounded fantastic as always with a pretty rare full-band set.  The most special moment was at the end of the set when his band left the stage and Ben sang "Uncle Boudreaux Went To Texas". The first time through a couple of people sang along with the chorus, the next a few more, and then it seemed like the whole audience was singing along.

So- it's Thursday - time for Trending Tuesday.  A quick technical note - I discovered some problems with a new music playlist.  There are some older songs included in that playlist. Not sure what happened. The last time I had to recreate playlist I must have added a few extra tracks. No worries, I think it''s fixed now, plus even though a couple of these songs are not "NEW" they are still songs and they are still good. Let's shuffle:

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Life's a Joke Mix

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Okay... I'm getting closer to making some big announcements about the upcoming June Residency at The 5 Spot to celebrate the 7th Anniversary of this blog. Just tying up some loose ends. Stay tuned! We have some great music lined up!

So, the last two times now that I added music to my memory card on my phone, my "New Music" playlist has been wiped out. It didn't happen before. In any event, I had to recreate the playlist - which means I might have added some older stuff or whatever... In any event, the playlist started at 553 tracks before today's post.

Let's shuffle!