E2TG 7/7/2020 - Thoughts on Progress - Wind Swept Mix (Leave Remix)

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Look, I hate when people use "political correctness" is a derogatory way. In general, this seems to be done when someone is called out for being a bigot of some kind.


But, there are some things which are bothering me... I hesitate to write this, but I feel like I have something to say, and I hope my words are taken in the spirit in which they are offered.  So called Cancel Culture is getting a lot of attention these days. This is taking place a variety of levels for a variety of reasons. Now, my concerns are in the area of growth, change, and progress.

I consider myself a progressive. I believe we are moving toward a better, more enlightened future. Sometimes the progress is revolutionary and fast and sometimes it is painfully slow. And, in my view, on principal, there are people who oppose this progress.  My job, as I see it, is to be a force for that change and that includes growing and changing myself.

So, what I have observed of late, is actions and works that happened in a past time being judged by today's standards. Now, I do believe right and wrong are fixed, but our cultures understanding of those fixed points is evolving.  For example, the television show Soap, in the late 1970s was considered progressive in the ideas it discussed - albeit in a farcical manner.  But, let's take Billy Crystal's character Jodie. One of the earliest depictions of an openly gay man on television. But, Jodie was played by a straight man and he - as I recall - displayed many stereotypical characteristics. These issues would be problematic if presented today. But, in context, they were part of the cultural shift that has led to the extent that LBGT+ individuals are represented in the media and in our culture. Under Cancel Culture, as I have seen it used, would Soap be "cancelled"?  I wonder.

Another issue, individuals are being cancelled for actions they took in the past - an insensitive or offensive tweet or picture. While, I think it is appropriate to call such actions out - but I wonder - where in this process there is room for people to change and grow and repent (used here in a general or secular sense). Sometimes, it seems like - "nope sorry, you did something stupid or offensive in your teens or early twenties - game over". 

None of that, in my view, is how progress works and this trend is - I fear dangerous to the progressive movement.

Just some thoughts...  I have more, but I am out of time...


Today, we recap the next four songs in our Featured Friday Playlist (songs 9-12)

9. "Holy Hangover" by Ghost Town Remedy

Our prolific friends, Ghost Town Remedy are back with a rocking and catchy track - their latest single. Digging the direction(s) this band is going.

10. "Bop, Hop & Roll" by The Vignatis

Next up, we have a track from Red White & Blue: Gyspybilly, Vol. 4 - the new album from L.A. based duo The Vignatis. Playing a delightful potpurri of unique musical styles.  The band manages to create something new out of fragments of other things. Which I think is the definition of rock and roll (and for that matter American music in general) or at least it should be. Groovy stuff!

11. "Keep Moving Along" by Jon Worthy (feat. Cody Fedeler)

Next up, we have a new single from E2TG favorite Jon Worthy - here teamed with Cody Fedeler. A wonderful song.

12. "Oh, Sedona - Take 4, Acoustic" by Michael McArthur

We featured Michael McArthur's cover of "Purple Rain" last week - I think. With the release of his new EP (the first of two in the coming months) - I thought we would feature one of his own compositions. This is the title track from the EP, and I am wondering why I am just now discovering his music. 

Tomorrow - four more songs...

    Featured Friday Playlist

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Wimpy Whine 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 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!)


Well, I guess Americana Fest is officially and unofficially underway.  Had a blast last night, emceeing a show at Radio Cafe with the always delightful Amelia White and her Blue Souvenirs (Sergio Webb, Parker Hawkins, and Justin Amaral - plus Dave Coleman sitting in for a few songs, Mark Huff - who I think is sounding the best I have ever heard him lately. His great band including the twin guitar attack for Dave Coleman and Braden Land. I've been a fan of Dave Coleman for years. I've only recently "discovered" Braden Land - but I have been impressed.  I don't know and didn't catch the name of Huff's rhythm section, but they were great.

In addition, the show featured two U.K. up and comers. Robbie Kavanagh and Demi Marriner. who were both wonderful. They have several dates during Americana Fest, and I'm hoping to catch them again.  This show met two of my criteria for my hopes for AMA 2018 - I heard new music, and I saw some out of town friends. I am grateful beyond words for Amelia White and Mark Huff for letting me be a part of this event.

After that show, I headed to The Basement East to join the Better Together show already in progress.  This was my fourth year in a row attending this event - which somehow manages to top itself. Even though I missed several things/people I would have loved to have seen, the time I was there was worthwhile.  I got to hang with some out of town friends, meet some people - including Amilia K. Spicer whose music we have featured here. And Great Music - as usual - Chuck Mead and his Grassy Knoll Boys - stretch the definition of Americana to its breaking point - backing guests like Drivin' n Cryin' doing The Clash, Steve Poltz doing "Sympathy for the Devil", Allen Thompson doing "Get Up, Stand Up", and Mead himself doing "Peace Love & Understanding".  But the musical highlight was Aaron Lee Tasjan - looking fabulous by the way - doing a solid rendition of Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman". The crowd was initially stunned but then totally into it. 

Whiskey Wolves of the West closed the night with lots of guests and more great music.  Plus, the guy who plays Blaze Foley in the new movie did a couple of great songs backed by the one and only Charlie Sexton.

More to come.  By the way, this will likely be the last shuffle of the week, I am taking the rest of the week off for AMA, but look for some special posts. Tomorrow, I will tell you all about some of the great stuff going on this weekend - specifically we have some details about the all day party going on at Dee's Saturday - by our friends at Magnolia Road.

Meanwhile, we have a "Wild Wednesday" shuffle - so let's get wild!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Places and People Mix

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I'm a little pressed for time - so let's jump right into the shuffle.  On Wednesday, we shuffle all the songs I currently have stored on my phone. This can be... well - let's just shuffle! You'll see...

Theme Thursday Morning Shuffle - Save the World Mix

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Warning: Long rant ahead...

Some facts (real facts not alternate facts):  I am the parent of a child with disabilities who has benefited from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  The IDEA (in case you do not know - which I did not until it become relevant to me) is a complex (and wonderful) federal law. To keep it simple, one of the things that the law requires is that all students with disabilities (physical, intellectual...) be provided the opportunity to learn in the least restrictive environment - which means kids with disabilities cannot simply be locked away out of sight in a basement - as they often were before this law was enacted.

Now, this President who openly mocked an individual with disabilities while campaigning (and don't even try to throw the ridiculous spin at me that tries to say he did not) has nominated for Secretary of Education someone who openly opposes many of the provisions of the IDEA and who during her confirmation hearing appeared to not even know what the IDEA was.

Furthermore, this President's nominee for Attorney General in testimony before Congress in 2000, while seeming to praise the "intent" of the law, bemoaned the fact that the law requires school systems to give students with disabilities "special treatment".  This "special treatment" is actually what the law intends. Qualifying students with special needs have a Individualized Education Program (IEP) which is developed by a team that includes educators, specialists, and parents. The idea, to put it simply, is that "special" plans/programs are needed to assure all students are given the best opportunity available.  Honestly, in a perfect world, every student should have some sort of IEP - because all kids learn differently... but that is another topic.

Just to clarify, to comments from the AG nominee should be alarming to any parent of a child with disabilities because they point to possible interpretations or modifications of the law which would undermine the intent of the law and set our education system back to some very dark times for the children who benefit from the IDEA.

This is just one, more personal, reason that I am breaking from my usual non-political comment policy. This is not political. The IDEA has long held wide-spread bi-partisan support (although the fight for full funding is another issue).

RANT OVER!

I had a good time at the opening night of Brian Langlinais' Residency at The 5 Spot. Lynn Taylor and The Bar Flies opened the night.  Really good music from a couple of Louisiana natives.  After that, I was physically pretty wiped out and had to retreat home which means I, regretfully, missed a show at The Basement which included 2016 E2TG Artist of the Year Brian Wright. From all accounts, I missed a great one - which I already knew...

Now, let's get to the music.   It is Thursday and we return to our relatively new Theme Thursday shuffle. Contrary to what I said last week, I have decided to keep going with our (unstated) January theme.  I still have songs in that playlist and it seems to be more relevant every day, Disclaimers continue... some songs are included only for their title (as it COULD be interpreted) and some for their subject matter. The interpretations are mine alone, and the inclusion of any song/artist is not intended to suggest that they or their songs have anything to do with my theme.
One more tidbit of information, I created this playlist solely out of the songs already on my phone at the time it was created.

Theme Thursday Morning Shuffle - Straight to Hell Mix

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Hey all, I am short on time so my comments will be brief.  But, I am unveiling a new feature today.  Theme Thursday. Each Thursday I will shuffle songs especially selected for a theme which will change monthly.  I am not going to reveal the theme and I do need to say that in some cases the content of the songs fits the theme and sometimes it is just the title phrase which may or may not be interpreted as intended in the song. I don't know how else to explain that. Basically, in some cases, I selected the song for the theme based solely upon a possible interpretation of the title (which may or may not be the intended interpretation).  In any event, if you figure out the theme - please know that any songs inclusion does not imply the artists intent or agreement with my theme topic). Whew!  It will all be clear as we go on, or it will not.

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Stagger Lee Mix

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And just like that, it is Thursday. Last night, an excellent early show at The 5 Spot. With local band, Harpooner. Why oh why am I just "discovering" this band now?  They were awesome. Followed by the always amazing Allen Thompson Band with lots of special guests.  A really fine early evening of music.  Later, I was at WXNA for the Pledge Drive - hanging out with Kon for Freaking Out the Squares.  Austin from Sound, Mind, and Proxy was hanging out, too.  Remember, if you love what WXNA has done for Nashville over the past six months, now is a good time to show your appreciation by making a one-time or recurring donation to keep us going.  615-933-9962 or on-line at WXNAFM.ORG.

Tonight, E2TG Artist of the Year 2015, Jon Latham will be opening up for Bobby Bare Jr.. Harrison Whitford is also on the bill. This is at The Basement East.  Get there!

Okay, it is Thursday when we normally throw it back.  I still haven't gotten around to creating a throwback playlist, so today, I am shuffling songs from the built-in Recently Added playlist.  Throwing back to the days before I had playlists at E2TG.  I have to keep it short and to the point today.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Fist City Mix

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Shout out to my twin daughters who turn 21 years old today.  ♥♥♥♥

It is Tuesday or as we say here at E2TG - Trending Tuesday.

I have a little extra time so I thought I would explain each day's "theme"...

Music City Monday - songs with some connection to Nashville.  Artists who live in or have lived in Nashville, albums recorded in Nashville, maybe songs about Nashville, plus artists that I mistakenly thought lived in or had lived in Nashville.  Plus songs added to the playlist in error.

Trending Tuesday - kind of an esoteric playlist... mostly new (or fairly recent music)... includes music sent to me plus (fairly) recent and notable releases plus songs connected to some notable (fairly) recent events.

Wild Wednesday - all of the above (and below) plus songs that don't really fit on any other playlist.

Throwback Thursday - songs of a certain vintage. Usually at least ten years old, plus occasionally and accidentally a recent song by a long running artist that I mistakenly think is an old song.

Featured Friday - mostly music which was sent to me.  Since I don't do many album reviews - this is my way of making sure I write something about most of the music that I receive and love.   Newer music from artists who I consider long-running "friends of E2TG", ends up on this list.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Shut up and Give Me a Train Mix

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And we are back after a long holiday weekend!  Working hard to prepare for the launch of Double Shot with Joe and Sue on WXNA Nashville which we can now announce will officially begin on Saturday June 11 and every Saturday from 11a.m. - 1p.m. (Central Time). If you are in Nashville, you can tune us in on your radio at 101.5, elsewhere it will stream live at WXNAFM.org, and via the TuneIn App on your favorite device.  The Station will go live on Saturday June 4 at 10:15a.m. with previews of all the amazing shows, and the regular schedule kicks off Monday June 6.

Tonight, an all-star Nashville cast will be recreating Ryan Adam's legendary Heartbreaker album in its entirety at The Basement East (a short distance from where the album was recorded).  A ton of cool people on in on this. Doors at 7:30, Music at 8.   Here is the Event Page.  Get your tickets and come out!

We jump into the Trending Tuesday topic with a wide-ranging set of songs that have some kind of mini-themes built into it.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Deluge of Words Mix

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THANKS!!!! To all the bands, the guests, The 5 Spot, and all the kind words from near and far!  The 5 Year Anniversary Extravaganza was a smash hit (as far as I am concerned). Let's do it again some time soon! (not a 5 Year Anniversary Extravaganza but you know what I mean!)

A recap:  First of all, I had the great pleasure of meeting and having dinner with The Foresters and their parental entourage. Really awesome folks!  Then, I made it back to the 5 Spot for Will Kimbrough with a full band who was incredible as always and somehow better than ever. Will was followed by the one and only RB Morris - poet, songwriter, musician, and bandleader - called the unofficial poet laureate of Tennessee.  I seriously implore you if you have not made any of the first three shows of his residency, do not miss the final week!

Then, it was time for the Extravaganza to begin (why oh why did I not call it an Anniversary Bash?)..

I had the pleasure of welcoming the aforementioned The Foresters to the stage for their debut Nashville performance (not counting the recording they did at Third Man Records earlier in the day and the live stream they did after that from their Airbnb.  They were amazing, and I think they won over some new fans in Nashville.

Next up was Julie Christensen, Sergio Webb, and Chris Tench who rocked the house with lots of guitars. Julie's legendary voice was in fine form. They performed songs from The Cardinal and some new music, too.  The full Stone Cupid band will be playing next Wednesday at The High Watt - you do not want to miss that one!

Then, Maritime Laws were put into effect has Patrick Kinsley and a Fistful of Dollars rocked the house with some new arrangements of old songs and some new music.

BARK (the duo featuring Tim and Susan Bauer Lee of Tim Lee 3) brought their massive two piece wall of sound in a high-energy performance that exceeded my high expectations.

And finally, Adrian + Meredith closed out the night with a powerhouse full-band performance (doing a lot of songs from their highly anticipated upcoming album).  Their band propelled by Adrian's incredible songs and Meredith's awesome fiddle work featured Paul Niehaus on pedal steel and a guest appearance by the awesome Nashville Horns.

The performances were all top-notch, I loved seeing so many good friends... the between song music was a shuffle (what else) of a special Spotify playlist that I created featuring music from the first 5 years of E2TG.  I heard such favorites as Jon Latham, Joe Nolan, and Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray (who were all in attendance), plus Marla Mase, Black Jake and the Carnies, Lost Romance, Artur U and the New City Limits, Strange Majik, and more...

Let's get back to the business of posting - as the next 5 years starts now!

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....

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Alright, Alright Mix

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Good day, hepcats!  Had a blast seeing Matt Phillips and The Philharmonic out at Charlie Bob's last night.  The band sounded fantastic and it was great hearing how much Matt's sound has evolved since I saw him last year at Music City Roots (which was awesome, too by the way).  I hope he makes it back to Nashville for a more extended visit. 

Lots on the horizon, trying to keep all those juggles balled... no wait, that is not it...

It's Tuesday!  Time to find out what we have "Trending" on E2TG.