E2TG 1/19/2022 - Don't They Know - Lethargy Mix (Tennessee Remix)

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Running late - so sorry no explanations - just enjoy the video playlist and check out the Featured Friday Playlist if you haven't already. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 7/23/2020 - Whatever - Obsolete Mix (Drug for That Remix)

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Today, we wrap up our recap of this week's jam-packed and highly diverse Featured Friday Playlist - just in time for a new list - which will premiere tomorrow! Now songs 28-33

28. "Underwater with You" by The Spiritual Leaders

First up today, we have the latest single from the Irish three-piece rock band from their Albania Away EP.  A great start to this final segment from this week's list.

29. "Lone Sleeper"  by Inner Skin

Next up, we have a new single from the Italian rock band Inner Skin. Great stuff.

30. "Side by Side" by Sienne

Next up, we have the latest single from the Liverpool band. This is the third single from a so-far untitled debut EP.  The band's first single premiered at a Liverpool vs. Manchester United match in January. 

31. "Say the Word" by The Allergies; Andy Cooper; Marietta Smith

The list takes a decidedly funky turn with the latest single from Bristol band The Allergies - who collaborate with Andy Cooper (Ugly Duckling) and Marietta Smith (Smith and the Honey Badgers). A great summertime song. 

32. "This Side of Luv" by KEYS

Another summery tune - this time out of Cardiff, Wales. The latest single - from a collection of songs recorded to four track tape during lockdown. 

33. "Secrets & Lies" by Raz & Afla

Some political dance music closes out this week's playlist from the London-based duo of Raz & Afla. Music to keep you moving and thinking. 

I have been very pleased with how this week's list has played out - some old friends and hopefully some new friends.  Tomorrow - a whole new list. Stay tuned.

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 1/31/2020 - New Release Spotlight - All of Nothing at All Mix (Last Dance Remix)

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RELEASE DAY 1/31/2020

A ton of new releases today - on the last day of the first month of 2020.  You can check out the full list (and all recent and forthcoming releases) at the bottom of this post.

Some highlights:

Eric Brace and Last Train Home - Daytime Highs and Overnight Lows (LP)

We most recently featured Eric Brace and his excellent Riverland album with Peter Cooper and Thomm Jutz.  He has teamed back up with his old band to release their first album in a dozen years. A fine songwriter and a great sounding record. 

John Dennis - Mortal Flames (LP)

We have been featuring and anticipating this release for a couple of months now. I have been a fan for John Dennis for a couple years now, and I believe this is his finest album to date, and one that I am sure will be riding high on my favorites list for months to come. 

Emma Hill - How Could I Have Been So Wrong (EP)

A newcomer to E2TG - Emma Hill is a singer-songwriter from Alaska. This one comes to us via Broken Jukebox Media and Adam Dawson - so my expectations were high, and what I have heard so far has not disappointed. Hope to get a first impression post up soon for this. 

Ryan Sobb and the Dead Mall - Concrete Feelings (LP)

The first full-release from the 2019 E2TG Band of the Year. You can check out my "First Impression".  

 Kristen Englenz - "Rebound" (single)

We are about a month away from the release of Ingenue. I have been eagerly awaiting the album release for a while now. Fortunately, February is a short month. Kristen Englenz is an E2TG favorite and this is another album that I will be talking about for months to come. 

All of these releases and more can found on the brand new edition of the E2TG Featured Friday Playlist on Spotify.

    Featured Friday Playlist

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - My Kind of Town Mix

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  *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.

The E2TG 8th Anniversary is underway - Next Show October 2!

September 25 - Week 1: Ben Arthur + Conrad y Skordalia (SUCCESS!)

October 2 - Week 2: Ryan Sobb + Don Gallardo (Album Release Show)  
(TONIGHT!!!!!!)

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

In about six hours Ryan Sobb and his band will be taking The 5 Spot stage to kick off Week 2 of the E2TG 8th Anniversary Residency.  Don Gallardo and How Far West will be up after that with their album release show.  So excited!

Now, here is a "Wild Wednesday" shuffle!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - On the Village Green Mix

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  *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.

Wild Wednesday is here!  On Monday, we feature Nashville music- past and present.  On Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, we feature new music - mostly music submitted to us for featuring.  Wednesday, all bets are off. These are just cool tunes and sounds that have somehow made there way onto my phone memory card.  There may be some new music, but there will also be... well, show not tell - let's shuffle!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Law and Order Mix

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


Well, I still have a couple more posts (one done and one not done) to go to finish off 2018, but it is 2019 and I am back to work.  So... here is our first shuffle of 2019. It is Wednesday - so let's get wild! It's been a little while since we did a Wild Wednesday shuffle - which is where we shuffle all the songs in my phone.

I have a huge collection of music to add to the mix to begin 2019. This is music accumulated from late November until now that I didn't get a chance to upload in December. I'll hopefully be getting that done tonight.

For now, let's shuffle!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - That's Tru Life Mix

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Somehow this topsy-turvy weather of late seems to be right in sync with the topsy-turvy state of this nation, and both of them are making me sick....

But, I press on...

It is Wednesday - mid-week, and this is the day, we at E2TG set aside to get "wild". Wild is in quotation marks because.. well, we basically do what we do every day just drawing on songs from a larger pool - namely every song saved to my phone's memory.  The results are predictably unpredictable.

Let's just jump right to it!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Had to Start Somewhere Mix

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A cold commute this morning. It think it was around ten degrees with windchill below zero. Music did it's best to keep me warm.  Yesterday, I took advantage of my time off and added over 100 songs to my phone including a bunch of new music.  The New Music playlist is up to about 450 songs now.

But, today is Wednesday, and on Wednesday - we get "wild" by shuffling up all the songs in my phone memory and seeing what comes up.  Here is what came up today:

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Horse and Carriage Mix

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Well... the state of the world and all has me a little down and anxious, and quite frankly pissed off.

And, as I always do, I seek out solace in music. 

Last night it was the final show of Bill Lloyd's 3 out of 4 week November residency. I was captivated as ever by his grasp of the nuances of what makes a great pop song. And his choices of covers were fun.  The audience was treated to a couple of songs by songwriting great Buddy Mondlock.

Tonight, I am making the drive down to Franklin for Music City Roots. 2014 E2TG Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury will be making his second appearance on that program.  If you can't get to Franklin you can listen and watch on-line.   Also on the bill is Cordovas - one of my favorite bands to see live.

By the way, Darrin's band will include Cameron Carrus on bass, Megan Palmer on fiddle, and Laur Joamets on guitar.

By the way, if I can make it back in time, Maynard and the Musties (who I have been playing quite a bit recently) are playing at Springwater tonight with Nashville Non Prophets (featuring members of St. Luke's Drifters), and singer-songwriter Steven Knudson.

The shuffle today - as we do on Wednesday's comes from a random shuffle of all of the songs saved to my phone currently.  We call it "Wild Wednesday" not just 'cause the results are often wild, but because the shuffle is like a wildcard - it can be anything.

Let's shuffle!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle -We Shall Be Free Mix

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Can you believe May is almost over?  I say almost because we have two bits of unfinished business to get to before we can put it in the books...

Last before first, we have the grand finale of the E2TG Residency at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.  This month has been amazing, and I hope you will come out to help us close this thing out in style.  FuzzQueen are opening the night.  I am so psyched to see them...  Later, it is Amelia White and her Blue Souvenirs featuring Sergio Webb, Parker Hawkins, Megan Carchman, and Dave Coleman!  I will be reading some more of my fiction/poetry, and I have some beer koozies that need a good home.  Come hang with us!

First, though, we have one final shuffle for the month of May.  It is Wednesday so we shuffle up all the songs on my phone.  We have a good mix of old and new music. Let's get to it!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Enough About Me Mix

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Is this the beginning of the end? Watching history unfold... waiting. Stay alert. President Pence will not be a good thing either... Resistance is NOT futile.
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TONIGHT! E2TG Sixth Anniversary Residency at The 5 Spot: Week 3- David Olney (Band) + Sergio Webb (Band) 6pm $5.00  Be there!

Also, a reminder, Pledge Week for WXNA continues.  Today, there are several opportunities to have your pledge matched.  All donations receive a #TeamWXNA Sticker (limited edition - only for Spring Pledge Drive donations).  A $60 donation will get you a WXNA bandanna! (That is just $5.00 per month if you make a recurring pledge).  wxnafm.org


It is Wednesday, and on Wednesday things get "Wild' here at E2TG....

Here is this morning's shuffle of the all of the songs stored in my phone's memory.

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - Pass the Wine Mix

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I need to keep things brief. I need to run an errand.  On my mind today is healthcare. First of all, the ACA or Obamacare. Do I think it is really, really wonderful? No. I would prefer single-payer. BUT, it is a vast improvement over what we had before, and there was simply not the political will to go further. It was a remarkable achievement that this bill even passed.  Meanwhile, the GOP had seven years to work with President Obama to make the bill better. Instead, they spend their time on meaningless votes to repeal the law. They had seven years to come up with a plan of their own, and now, they have scrambled to come with something and what they came up with will have devastating consequences. Look, healthcare is complicated. I think everyone except the current President has long understood that, and I do not have all of the answers. I do know that when the most vulnerable members of our society are suffering while insurance executives are making exorbitant profits and salaries and using some of that money to influence elected officials to maintain their advantages, them we have a broken system.  And I know that in the meantime, any plan that increases the burden on the poorest and most needy while increasing the profits of the richest and most greedy is contemptible.

It is Topical Tuesday.  I think I have explained this thing enough - but i will just clarify once more that these songs connection to my "topic" is strictly the product of my weird way of thinking. I  do realize that many of these songs are not at all about anything that would fit my topic.  Again, it's just a weird mental trick - title, possible interpretation - unifying theme.  Got it? Good.

Tonight - Smoky White Devils with the Mark Robinson Band at The 5 Spot early.  After that - the choices are myriad and there is much to recommend.

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Rails on Rails Mix

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Very short on time... last night was great. The finale of the October Crackerboots residency - with Peter Cooper opening accompanied by Tom Jutz. I love Peter Cooper's songs so much, plus he closed with "Boulder to Birmingham" by Emmylou Harris and Bill Danoff, which I love.

Great show for the late show - loved The Battlefield - who I last and first saw three years ago at a New Faces night at The Basement. They from L.A., and I really dig their music.  And course, Don Gallardo.  His songs!  Man!  Adam Kurtz was on pedal steel - which serves as a transition...

Tonight, among what I am sure are a ton of worth things - including some that I would really like to see, Zach Schmidt will be celebrating the release of his new album, The Day We Lost the War. There will be special guest galore - and it's free (BYOB) at imogene + willie. 7pm. SHARP! Oh yeah, the transition... Adam Kurtz will be playing this show, too.

Let's throw it back... minimal commentary due to time constraints...

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 - Like No One Else Mix

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Well, I am back after an extended weekend - some much needed time with my daughter.

Let's see... so Lady Gaga is keeping it real by playing a "dive bar" tour which tonight will be my favorite joint - The 5 Spot. And by keeping it real, I mean shutting the place down for two nights, barricading streets, buses, trucks, (and from what I hear) a ton of gear to play two songs tonight.  Cool, cool..

Anyway, I will be across the river at The Basement for the fourth ever show by Buck N Stuff.  Regular readers will recall that Buck N Stuff is THE best Buck Owens tribute band that I have ever seen.  Okay, they are the only Buck Owens tribute band I have ever seen, but I'd be willing to bet that if I had seen others, they would still be the best. Breathing new life into Buck's great songs, it is sure to be a wild, fun, totally awesome experience. 8:30pm.  My prediction: Buck N Stuff will melt faces, reassemble faces from the melted remains, and then melt faces once again.

Now, it is Wednesday and we are about to get "Wild"

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Gabba Gabba Hey! Mix

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And so it begins... you know, if my Americana 2016 experience ended last night, I think I would be pretty darn satisfied...

I decided not to risk getting shut out of the venue, so I drove straight from work to the Pub at The Basement East and hung out with friends and listened to Terry Rickards and Darrin Bradbury play music by East Nashville musicians.  Then, we joined the line to get into The Basement East.   Caught part of a set by a talented group of students from Nashville School for the Arts.

Later, Chuck Mead led a pretty amazing band with special guests through set that included Mead singing The Who's "Can't Explain", Sarah Gayle Meech singing Blondie's "Heart of Glass", and a cover of a song by The Pogues - plus Patrick Sweany... plus, plus... And that was the "opening act"!

So, I knew that Aaron Lee Tasjan and Friends was going to be epic... I mean, it's ALT and last year's set was epic so...   2014 E2TG Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury kicked things off with a rocking rendition of his classic "Life is Hard (The Ballad of Jack Kerouac, Lenny Bruce, and Daffy Duck)"... Zach Schmidt - one of my favorites - was up next with one of my favorite songs of his, "Company Man", 2015 E2TG Artist of the Year Jon Latham did his song, "Waitressing Sucks" and there were suddenly a bunch of new Jon Latham fans in the house. Brian Wright did a face-meltingly good performance of "Glory Hallelujah" - I mean...  Brian Wright always blows me away, but this was next level good.  He and Aaron Lee have been playing together quite a bit and it really shows because they were incredibly tight throughout the set.  ALT did "Made in America" and "Ready to Die" which were both amazing. There was more, but I'm running short on time... Then, Jon Latham returned to the stage with the great Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites, Dan Baird and Homemade Sin, The Bluefields) and my mind was blown.  I could have just gone home right then and have been satisfied... but I didn't.

Lee Ann Womack was next with an incredible band and a bunch of friends... like Waylon Payne, Brent Cobb, Jim Lauderdale, Buddy Miller, Amanda Shires, Jason Isbell (who sang Todd Snider's "Play a Train Song"), Patty Griffin, and more.

Kind of sort of as we speak, Darrin Bradbury is joining Margo Price, Aaron Lee Tasjan and others for an NPR segment at The Country Music Hall of Fame.  I don't know if you can even imagine how it feels to have watch the ascension of Darrin Bradbury over the last two plus years. I am beyond proud of him and glad to know him.  I am at work and not able to be at the Hall of Fame, but I will be there when he takes the stage at The City Winery for his official showcase performance before James McMurtry takes the stage.  Other recommendations for tonight: Allen Thompson Band at ACME Feed and Seed at 11pm and Tim Easton at The 5 Spot at midnight.  My night will be begin at The 5 Spot for Amelia White's Residency show with guest Renee Wahl and the Sworn Secrets and an appearance by Jon Byrd. It will be nice to be back in the friendly comfines of The 5 Spot.

Let's get to the shuffle while I still have a few minutes to write... It is Wild Wednesday - let's get Wild!

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Old Time Feeling Mix

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I need to report on last night's music.  Scott Miller at The 5 Spot was so far beyond amazing.  He was accompanied by Bryn Davies on upright bass.  Miller was a member of the Knoxville band, The V-Roys.  He (fairly) recently moved to Virginia to help tend to his parents and their cattle. His songs are moving and rocking and touching. His stage presence is humorous.  Bryn Davies is brilliant!

After that I walked over to The Basement East for the second in a series of Ryan Adams album tributes by some East Nashville artists.  It was a really entertaining show.  Once again, Jon Latham lead the band (which included Andrew Leheay, Rob Crowell (Deertick) and others) and introduced the guest (Allen Thompson, Peyton Parker, Sean Quinn, Carolina Story, Brian Ritchey, and many more).  Plus some cool folks did some non-album R.A. songs before the album part of the show including the always awesome Don Gallardo.  Thanks to a particular drummer friend for the ride back to my car.


Just before I headed to work this morning, I received word that a friend, who I have known for almost my entire life, had passed away.  This was heavy on my mind as I drove and walked to work and listened to the following songs... It is throwback Thursday.

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - It Matters Mix

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So, I told you.  Didn't I? David Olney is simply the best.  The first week of his residency at The 5 Spot is in the books.  Backed by a solid band (Justin Amaral, Daniel Seymour, and Ward Stout) - Olney played some of my favorite songs of his - "Wait Here For the Cops", "When the Deal Goes Down", and "Slim Slammy". He also threw in some songs from a couple of albums he has in the works. In addition, he did his cover of The Bee Gees, "New York Mining Disater 1941", and then surprised and delighted all with a cover of John Prine's "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" which was transformative.  If you missed it, he will be back next Wednesday.  Then in two weeks, you have one chance to catch Scott Miller before Olney returns for the last two Wednesdays of August.

Tonight is the Andrew Leahey and the Homestead celebrate the release of their record on Thirty Tigers with guest Darrin Bradbury and Bill Eberle.  Doors at 8:30 - Darrin takes the stage at 9:00pm.

It is time to throw things back on a Thursday... Dig in...

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - A Poet, A Pawn, and a King Mix

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Week 3 of the Rod Picott residency at The 5 Spot in East Nashville was last night.  Brian Ritchie (solo and not the guy from Violent Femmes) opened.  Really loved his songs and his voice.   Over the course of this residency, I have gone from being a casual fan of Mr. Picott (who I first saw at Americana in (I think) 2012) to being a huge fan.  He was backed by Tim Blankenship on drums, Duane Blevins on bass, and Sergio Webb on guitar.  As he tends to do, Sergio Webb worked some kind of voodoo magic with his instrument that blows me away every time.  Rod Picott's songs are wonderful.

A highlight for tonight is the CD Release for Don Gallardo's Hickory album which has been out overseas for some time but is finally getting released stateside.  An amazing line-up with Caleb Caudle, Matt Haeck, and Lani Ford opening. No cover with door prizes by sponsor Good People Brewing Co.

You know, I have been getting so much music sent my way recently (and I am not AT ALL complaining) that I was seriously thinking about suspending Throwback Thursday in favor of adding another "featured music" day (name not determined)... but then today's shuffle came up... and I'm like, nah, it's all good.

Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Heavy Metal Drummer Mix

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Good morning - er afternoon.  After two days of Non-Shuffles, I turned the Shuffle mode back on and came up with some songs to get us through the last day of the work week...

Pre-Shuffle:  We started things off with another track from the fantastic self-titled EP by The Foresters - a track called "Alone".  Next, we had a fun little triad of songs which featured two more songs from The Lucky Jukebox Brigade's album Pretty Well Damned.  In between, "Taffy" and "Carnivultures", we had Sinatra's version of Gershwin's classic Someone to Watch Over Me.  It was really cool how well those three songs worked together.  We closed out the pre-shuffle with a track from Odd Man Out, the Killing Kuddles' album we reviewed on Wednesday. 




Coming up after the JUMP, we have a shuffle which includes two cover songs and an Arrested Development reference...