E2TG 1/26/2022 - Over 60 - Here With Me Mix (Hot Mapco Girls Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

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

About two years ago, I did a major revamping of E2TG.  That was around the time the Featured Friday Playlist started.  One of the ideas I had in mind was to periodically post "Beach Notes*" (short, stream-of-consciousness reflections of nights out hearing live music.  Not concert reviews but just observations on what actually happened on-stage and off.  

Of course, shortly after having this idea, COVID hit and going out stopped for a long time and the idea got pushed aside.  When I started going out again, I kind of forgot about the idea, but last night brought it back for me.  So, without further ado....

Beach Notes 1/25/2022

Darrin Bradbury's Home for Wayward Songwriters  Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge 6pm

In life, there are often the plans we make and what actually happens and those two things can sometimes be world's apart from one another. 

The plan: sets by E2TG favorite (and recently engaged) Nick Nace and E2TG favorite Jason Erie (who will be releasing the first single from his new album on Friday) followed by a longer solo set by Darrin himself.  6-8pm followed by a late show featuring Kenny Vaughan's Slo Beats. 

What actually happened:  Nick and Jason played great sets featuring some brand new music from their forthcoming albums.   Some time before, Darrin went on, he was told tha Slo Beats had to cancel last minute - so as eight o'clock approached, Darrin kept playing. The extra time meant, we got to hear some old favorites.  

Once Darrin finished his long set, he asked Coralee who was in the audience to play a couple of songs, so we were treated to that surprise. Then, we heard more music from Nick and Jason including some favorites including Jason's song about his sister and Nick's song about Kris Kristofferson.  Followed by a rousing second set from Darrin that included old gems like "Van Rock", "Let's Get Stoned and Go to the Zoo", "Bob" and "Kayla of Colorado"(which I will be playing on  the radio tomorrow).  Plus covers like Tangled Up in Blue and The Cape. 

The whole night, which included an unfortunate incident with an unruly bar patron, was reminiscent of some of the old days at Fran's Eastside back in 2014/2015.  I don't think I had heard Darrin do The Cape since those days. So, the two hour show turned into a four hour show, and my plans for after got scrapped, but all in all, it was a Beach Note worthy night.  Oh, I am shared a secret with Darrin and Jason. 

*Beach Notes - the name comes from Darrin's explanation of his song "Exile on Myrtle Beach" and that is all I am going to say.  

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Nocturnal Emissions from the 29th Century Mix (Velvet Fog Remix)

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.



Got those rainy day, mid-week, stayed out too late blues...   But, not really blues, but it is mid-week and rainy, and I did stay out too late...   Another fine edition of $2 Tuesday - great hangs, cool music, and $2 Yazoos for $2 admission.  Jack Silverman was dazzling with his jazzy, improvisational guitar sounds as he opened the night of music, Kristen Englenz made her $2 Tuesday debut to close out the night - with a killer band. In between was host Derek Hoke and Cara Louise from St. Louis. Plus DJ Tim Hibbs spinning Halloween themed songs.

Onward, it is Wednesday and that is day, we get wild and just throw open the shuffle to whatever songs are on my phone. Let's go!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Misdiagnosis Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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



Having been sick for the past several days, I finally felt well enough to venture out last night, and I made it to three different venues and saw some amazing music. 

First stop was The Bowery Vault. I'm not sure how this was the first time I have visited this lovely venue. It is a vintage clothing store with a comfortable sitting area a  nice stage area - complete with a curtain!  Daphne Martin from Connecticut was passing through town - she is on tour with violinist Kieran Ledwidge. Wonderful music - featuring the guitarist who played on Martin's new album (who just happened to be in town, Andrew Sovine). 

After that, I headed over to The Crying Wolf - for a show in their on-going SongNest series - hosted by Anana Kaye and Irakli Gabriel who performed with Brett Stewart and Rosemary Fosse. Their guests included Erica Blinn, Ryan Sobb, and Tommy Womack.  Talk about a heap of talent packed into one hour and a half show! 

Finally, I headed to The 5 Spot to end my evening at $2 Tuesday - sadly, I didn't make it time to see Chris Moyse - one of my favorite songwriters, but I did get to catch Derek Hoke and his incredible band tear it up.   And I stayed for War Child - an East Nashville  supergroup of sorts who really rocked the house.

Happy to report that after all that I am still feeling spry today... 

Let's get right into our Wild Wednesday shuffle - which lives up to the name. 

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - The Nothing Party Mix

Tweet #E2TG


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


My two cents... actual value may vary... End Citizen's United (doublespeak if I've ever heard doublespeak - and I have).   Vote against any candidate who accepts money from the NRA or the gun lobby. Pass and enforce common-sense gun control.  Increase funding for our children. More teachers, more counselors.  Begin to have conversations about the role of guns in our society. The change in culture will take time and it will not be easy.

If you want to offer "thoughts and prayers" for the victims and their families, that is fine, but add some thoughts and prayers for effective and meaningful change in law and attitudes.

These are just ideas. What we are (and are not) doing is clearly not working. Shouting at each other on social media every time there is a mass shooting is clearly not working.   Protecting the lives of our children should not be partisan or divisive issue. How we go about doing that may be, but surely there is common ground.

I don't know... I'm once again heartbroken and numb and angry and frustrated. I've read that 80% of Americans - across party lines - support some kind of reform of gun laws. But our lawmakers ignore the 80% in favor of large donors who represent the gun lobby. That's why I think electoral reform - beginning with an end to Citizen's United is the place to start. Corporations are not people. People are people.  People are fallible, flawed entities, but in the end, I think most people want to keep our children safe. Corporations, by definition, only want to increase the profits of the corporation. That is their purpose.

Okay I'm done....
******************************************************************************

It's Thursday - Let's see what's "Trending" at E2TG. As I left for work, I hit shuffle on the "New Music" playlist of my phone's music player. Here is what happened next...

Wild Thursday Morning Shuffle - Going Nowhere Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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

As we continue to ease into 2018 with a few days of "Wildcard" shuffles, I am excited about some of the new (and new to me) music that I will be bringing you all in this new year. Some of that new music may be leaking out in the next couple of shuffles. Stay tuned.

I was thinking this morning how our perception of temperature is kind of relative. I mean, at the beginning of fall/end of summer, the first time temperatures fall into the 50s, many of us reach for jackets. Meanwhile, at the end of winter/start of spring, when it gets up to the 50s, people can usually be seen in short sleeves and even shorts.  Anyway, right now, I would love to be putting on short sleeves or even shorts, but it is pretty darn cold.

Sending warm thoughts to everyone dealing with the snow storms. No snow in Nashville to speak of. Windchill was  below zero on my walk in though, and these are the tunes that kept me warm....

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Stuff Dreams are Made Of Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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


Last night, I got a good and much needed dose of rock and roll- checking out Snakehips and Smoky White Devils at The 5 Spot.

Tonight is the long awaited CD release show for Rayvon Pettis' Dying Light album.  I am pretty sure I wrote about this album last year, and I got to hear a preview several months back.  I am so excited for people to hear this album.

So, I have one Earie to give out before we get to the shuffle. Over the course of this year,  I have found myself reading about what my friends are up to and saying, "Man, they are killing it!" And yes this happens a lot with musical performers but as often it has been people in other fields (closely or loosely or completely connected to music) (music is kind of a big part of my life).  So, I have several winners of the "Killing It"* award.  This is not an exhaustive list, but all of these folks are infinitely deserving.

1. Hayden Coleman (and not just because I accidentally tagged him in yesterday's post) - I have featured Hayden's own music several times in the past. He is a hip-hop producer and a rapper - who has been immersed in that world for much of his life. In 2017, Coleman has been busy as a producer, co-writer, and guest performer.   Most notably (perhaps) on Morgan Bosman's cool track "Runaway". Check out the video where Hayden can be seen running...




2.  Lindsy Davis - I met Lindsy - as I did so many people - through Darrin Bradbury.  You may recall she drew the cover image for Bradbury's The Story of Bob" album.  You member the devilishly handsome man on the cover. That, though, is just the tip of her talents. She is an extraordinary visual artist, this year she ventured into tattoo artistry. For me, she is inspiring in the way she has carved out a niche for herself in this town and continues to chip away and grow that niche.

3. Stacie Huckeba - To be honest, Stacie used to kind of scare me, but that was probably more about me than her. I know that Stacie has had a difficult year, but through that, she has managed to continue to kick ass as a photographer, writer, advocate, and just generally all around awesome person. She is up for East Nashvillian of the Year - which I think she richly deserves, but I don't get to vote on that one (as far as I know), but I get all the votes on the Earies.

4. Chad Cochran - I had been aware of Chad's photography - mostly his art photography of incredible landscapes - for a couple of years. I think I followed him on Instagram before I ever met him.  He still produces some of the most visually stunning landscape photographs I have ever seen, but in 2017 (and before) he has been killing it with his photos of musical performers - both on and off stage.

All of these folks motivate me to do more, and I am happy to know them.

*I know some people hate the phrase "killing it" (and to be honest, my use is somewhat ironic but I mean it with the utmost respect and admiration)


Okay - on we  go to the shuffle and perhaps a few more  Earies...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Time is Money or Time is Honey Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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



I just wrote and erased a really long, convoluted rant about something that I really couldn't articulate well. Suffice it to say, human beings are complicated creatures and interactions between humans can be even more complicated.

That and this: the best music is that music that moves you and inspires you and energizes you and motivates you and brings some semblance of joy to your life. I know what music does that for me, and if another kind of music does that for someone else, than who am I to criticize that.  Granted, I have been known to dog certain artists or styles of music, but I think I was wrong. I may actively hate a certain artist or style of music. I may sound fake or boring or meaningless to me, and that is fine. But if that music means something to someone, if it moves them, inspires them....


Anyway, it is Tuesday (second to the last day of my work week). Time to see what is "Trending" on E2TG

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Bruised Orange Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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


Kind of a gloomy day in Nashville, and Daylight Savings Time is approaching which means it will get darker earlier. 

The world is pretty dark, too, to be honest, but music is my light, and we have some good stuff today to fight the darkness.

Here's today's shuffle of our "new music" playlist.  "new" as defined by me to fit my intention for this playlist.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Want to be a Cube Baby Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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


On my mind...  A couple of white supremacist rallys are schedule tomorrow in Shelbyville and Murfreesboro.  Just so I am clear, the only "fine people" are those who oppose these people with out reservation or qualification...  This people represent evil and the worst in humanity. No if's, and's or but's.  To my friends who are planning to go to oppose them in person - be safe and have a plan.

To those who choose to spend the day celebrating love and diversity - be intentional. (that's my challenge to myself).

To be clear, you are okay to have opinions about other groups (AntiFa or whomever), however, 1. make sure you base your opinion on facts and 2. leave those opinions out of our condemnation of the white supremacists.
*****************************************************************************

#WXNARocktoberfest is tomorrow!  Due to predicted chilly temps, the live music will be happening in The Basement (all-ages) and the WXNA DJ sets will be in Grimey's.  Make a day of it in the most musical building in Nashville.

I worked on adding some new music to my phone which means my "New Music" playlist is now over 400 again....  really pleased with today's shuffle... let's jump to it!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Trippin' Balls Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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


Man - music sure is good for the soul.  After getting into a bit of a funk earlier in the week, I have gone out to hear live music the last two nights and I feel so much better.  Last night, I headed out to Dee's in Madison. Allen Thompson has been hosting a semi-weekly residency there for a few weeks - but this was the first time I was able to make it out, and I am glad I did.  2015 E2TG Artist of the Year, Jon Latham played solo and as he tends to do - he kind of sort of ruled hard.

Allen Thompson and his band were up next... I was reminded of how much I love hearing Allen Thompson sing - whether it is a cover or an original, I know of few singers who throw so much of themselves into a song.

The crowd was filled with lots of my favorite people from the Nashville music community and some of them joined Allen and his band - including Todd Snider, Aaron Lee Tasjan, and Rorey Carroll (and Jon Latham).

Anyway, it is Thursday and for now, we are still working our way through the "New Music" playlist.  The playlist had been down below 400 songs for a day or so, but I added some new music last night and it is up over 400 again. 

Today's shuffle is a good one...

Updated: Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Bad Decisions Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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


Okay, I'm back after an extra long weekend.  I finally got my phone situation somewhat resolved. Today's shuffle came from the phone.  I'm still learning the ins and outs of the new music player - and there are some things I don't like... somehow, in the rush to make everything bigger and better and shinier, I think simple apps sometimes get screwed up. I just want a music player and to be able to create playlists.  But, I'll get used to it and probably won't remember what it was I didn't like or what it was the old player had.

Anyway, I had to recreate the "New Music" playlist. I think I pared it down a little (dropped some much older tracks which had been hanging around).   I may have accidentally added some things that didn't belong.  (it sounded like something I added recently). ...

Enough - let's get to music. It's the only thing that makes sense anymore...

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Pants in Space Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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


Okay - false alarm. I'm still on my old phone for at least one more day.  I did get my new phone, and I'm excited about it, but it was not quite ready to go this morning. My old phone is not doing well, but hopefully it will last long enough....

I'm just going to jump right into the Featured Friday shuffle - we have all sorts of things today: a bamboo harvester, a wolf, space pants, pistols, an inflatable duck, and a row boat and more...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Trick of the Light Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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


Well - the Great American Eclipse is over... From my vantage point, we had quite a bit of cloud cover. It broke enough to see several points of the waning sun, but we missed seeing the totality. I feel fortunate, though, that I had read something about being attuned to everything going on... so for the two minutes of totality, I noticed the decrease in temperature, I was amazed by the "sunset" effect, and the sounds of cicadas.

Kind of appropriately, I went to the Basement East last night for a tribute to Darkness on the Edge of Town and other Springsteen songs. I have mixed feelings, overall, about tribute shows in general. I think sometimes that there are too many of them, and that I, personally, would rather see original artists doing their own songs.  But, I do recognize the economics for venues like The Basement East, and the unfortunate reality that more people attend these type of shows than original music shows. I do also understand from talking to my friends who do these shows that there is a tremendous lift from finding common musical ground with other artists and in collaborating with musicians that you may not otherwise get to work with.

All that being said, the tribute shows I have seen at The Basement East have all been top-notch and loads of fun, and last night's show was one of the best.  For starters, the band sounded amazing. Of all the shows like this I have seen, there were probably more singers I was not familiar with vs. those I knew. But, I really didn't care so much because everyone nailed their songs and the songs were the stars.  Shout out to Andrew Leahey, Scott McMahan, Lilly Hiatt, Becky Warren, Mary Bragg, and Jon Latham (who stole the show - as he often does).

I could of bits of unsolicited advise from me...  make sure you clearly introduce each performer. I know I am a bit of an anomaly, but when I see someone at these shows, and I enjoy their performance, I want to know more about what their own music is like.  At the recent John Prine tribute, Jerry Pentecost not only introduced each artist but also plugged their latest album.

That reminds of another bit of unsolicited advice for artists in general:  if you have a new (or fairly recent) release or project - and you have a Facebook Page - that project should be front and center on your page. Cover photo, pinned post etc.  I don't know how often I will be writing about a song in my shuffle - and think - what's the name of the album or when is it going to be/was it released - only to go to the artist/band page and have to scroll down several posts to find the information. As I said, I am an anomaly - most casual listeners will not work that hard.

All righty then - enough with advice... it's all offered with love and admiration for the incredible talent that I am fortunate to  experience daily. - It is Tuesday and time for our Trending Tuesday shuffle - new and newish music...

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - The Ends or the Means Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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


Okay.... it's been a pretty intense week.  I don't know what the future holds... I am deeply disturbed by the ugly truths that have been exposed this week. And by the mind-blowing chasm that seems to grow wider every day. As I have said before, it is a chasm not only of ideals and values, but of perception of reality.

I don't know.... I do know that there are beautiful people in the world, and I am fortunate that circumstances have brought me into contact with some of those people. I know that I am profoundly fortunate.  And, I am profoundly grateful for everyone who reads E2TG.

As you might have heard, there is a rare event happening Monday across the US, and Nashville is one of the largest if not the largest city in the path of totality.   My favorite radio station, WXNA, has not failed to notice this event, and on Monday from 11-3pm WEclipseNA hosted by DJ Nekos will provide the soundtrack to the Eclipse.

If you need some Eclipse pre-gaming, tune in Saturday to Double Shot with me and Sue - we will be one for an extra hour 11-2pm with the theme (believe it or not coincidentally) of Night and Day. You might here some Eclipse songs, too.

It is Friday, and we shuffle up the "New Music" playlist for our Featured Friday shuffle.... join me in 3...2...1....

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Sour Worms Mix

Tweet #E2TG

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

As a microcosm of what life is... the last few days have been filled with moments of pure joy while simultaneous grieving for friends and friends of friends who are suffering through unspeakable loss and pain and suffering.  My hearts go out those who are facing some devastating and difficult times. My heart also goes out to those who are experiencing joy and moments of triumph. Life is and will always be filled with both.

I have been trying to ride my current good mood to getting some stuff done that I have put off for too long during some periods of less than good news.  This often puts me at odds with myself - in that when I am in a good mood, I tend to want to get out and see people.  Overall, this is a most excellent "problem" to have and much better than the days when I don't want to do anything at all.

Americana Fest just announced their full line-up.  As it tends to be, the week is kind of like typical Nashville on steroids. Every year, though, the steroids seem to be just a little bit stronger.  The list is a wonderful sampling of friends and heroes, and heroes who have become friends.... It's all less than two months away.

It is Tuesday, and on Tuesday we shuffle out of our "New Music" playlist... and we call it Trending Tuesday - because... well just because...