Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Late Night Drunk Dialogues Mix

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First of all, let me state for the record... "Alternative facts" is  just an Orwell way to say "Outright Lies".  That's not political. That's just truth.

Second of all, my despair of recent times was helped along by the news streaming in from all over the world of the women (and men) marching in unity for the rights of all,

I try to keep E2TG a politics-free zone, but I am watching and I will speak-up when necessary. In my opinion, we are experiencing the greatest threat to our democracy I have seen in my lifetime (or at least since I have been aware of such things).  I am staunchly what I am, but I am not one that believes that "my side" has a monopoly on the truth or has all the answers.  I feel the place we are now goes beyond "Right vs. Left" "Conservative vs. Liberal" "Democrat vs. Republican".  History will judge, and I feel that in standing against fascism and hate and fear and xenophobia and racism and sexism and homophobia that I am standing on the right side of history.

Now, back to our normal programming.  It is Monday and we have a fine line-up of great Nashville-based music spanning the last 30+ years.   Let's go!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Put it Back Mix

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It's Monday again... less than two weeks until Christmas, and less than three weeks left in 2016.

This weekend, the 11th Annual Get Behind the Mule - Tom Waits Tribute and Benefit was Saturday at The 5 Spot.  Great music, great time. I even got to emcee some. Lots of highlights.  Julie Christensen and company, Furious Primates, The Coal Men (who joined forces with Carpetbaggers 615, Tommy Womack, David Olney, Sarah Potenza, and so many more.

Sunday night:  Don Gallardo opened for SHEL. As you may know, Don Gallardo is one of my favorite Nashville artists, and he had a killed band with him.  SHEL - who I seem to see about once a year - brought stellar musicianship and a great stage presence for a really fun set of music.

Let's jump into the Music City Monday shuffle. Still having some technical issues with my bluetooth on my phone, but I powered through as best I could...  A few double shots.

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Snow Day Mix

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A rare snow day off work, but the shuffle must go on....

Had a blast last night before the winter weather descended... a night at The Family Wash for a pair of CD Release shows by two of my favorite East Nashvillians.  Amelia White and The Blue Souvenirs (tonight featuring Sergio Webb, Justin Amaral, Megan Palmer, and Ron Eoff). Amelia's new album is called Home Sweet Hotel.  Stone Cupid (Julie Christensen, Sergio Webb, Chris Tench, Bones Hillman, and Steve Latanation). Stone Cupid's new album is called The Cardinal.  Amelia and band were wonderful as always, and Julie and Stone Cupid rocked the house.

To the shuffle:

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Celestial Beer Mix

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Hopefully, Lemmy is having a celestial beer somewhere... RIP

DISCLAIMER:  For one of the first times (if not the first times) in E2TG history, I actually composed part of this post in advance.  Over the long holiday weekend, I took time to go over the "Earies" and tried to figure out a game plan for my last three posts of the year (two "Earies" and Artist of the Year).  When I figured out what I wanted to do for today's final "Earie" before the AofTY, I knew it was going to be time consuming and so I wrote the next bit in advance.

FURTHER DISCLAIMER:  Both yesterday's and today's shuffles produced head smacking moments of remembering artist deserving of "Earies".  I can only beg forgiveness for any and all omissions.  Despite how it may appear, I do most of #E2TG posts by the seat of my pants. *I know shocking* and to boot, I often have a very disorganized mind.  It's part of my charm...   Anyway, let's jump right into the last "Earie" before the "Golden Earie"....

(this next bit was written on Sunday and editing since then)

Now, we have reached the penultimate E2TG 2015 Award.  Tomorrow, I will unveil the 2015 Artist of the Year.  As I frequently write and say, I find it very fortuitous that through a series of unfortunate events that I would have never volunarily chosen to end up in the place I am at the moment I arrived.  Arrived without travelling… sure, but it has been a journey.  Finding myself smack in the middle of the East Nashville music community in the middle part of the second decade of the 21st Century, I am keenly aware of what a moment I am experiencing.  You might think I would be jaded or disillusioned by now, and you would be partially correct.  I have been jaded and disillusioned many times, and certainly if you look for them or focus on them, there are plenty of reasons to be jaded and disillusioned by the state of music.  But, there are causes for hope.  The obvious examples that people will mention - Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson… sure but it goes way deeper and way beyond that.  The level of excellence here is incredible. Songwriters, guitar players, bassists, drummers, pedal steel players, photographers, music writers, bookers…. the list goes on,  

Now, do not get me wrong East Nashville (or maybe more precisely the other side of Nashville) is not a perfect situation.  I have made off-hand (kind of) joking comments about the Nashville Conundrum - referring to the sheer volume of incredible volume of awesome live music and the impossible choices this creates.  Choices between two or more shows going on at the same time, choices between going out or staying in to get my own work done or to rest and recover. For a music fan, it is an excellent problem to have - for musicians - not always.  It is, I think, a pretty well known fact that some of our community’s best spend a significant amount of time on the road because that is where there is money to be made.  Nashville/East Nashville is home base and the spirit of collaboration and community keeps them coming back, but shows that would be events in another city are easily overlooked or passed over here in Nashville.   

I do not propose or make any claim to a solution to the monetary issues facing the musicians these days. It seems to me to be a complicated equation. The amount of artistic freedom and autonomy made possible by advancements in technology vs. the increasing difficulty of getting music fans to spend money on independent music.  Honestly, it can be discouraging even for someone not directly impacted by it.  But, for me it just drives me harder to spread the word about music of substance that needs to be heard more widely and supported.

All that wordiness to say, I am giving the final “Earie” before Artist of the Year to the community of artists who have become a part of my life over the last year and a half.  I am going to call out a few people by name, and ommissions are inevitable.  In a hypothetic sense, this last “Earie” will be represented by a giant sized “Ear” right smack dab in the middle of 5 Points. You know, that weird intersection of 11th and Woodlawn and those other streets.  

1.  Aaron Lee Tasjan -  I had to single out Aaron Lee for reasons which should become obvious if they are are not already. I had heard about Aaron Lee Tasjan before I actually heard him. The first time I heard him play guitar was on the same day that I met Darrin Bradbury.  He was backing up Tim Easton at The 5 Spot.  Later, he did a residency at that bar, and I finally got to hear him do his own songs.  To say, I was blown away would be an understatement.  In fact, I think it took me some time to fully grasp how amazing he was as a songwriter.  His mixture of humor, cultural references, and emotional resonance is incomparable. Over time, I learned more about his history and got to meet him and found him to be a really nice guy. The other thing he is - which to me typifies this community, is generous. In 2015, as he began to garner more and more (well deserved) attention, ALT (as he is known) seemed to work even harder at lifting up his fellow musicians and writers.  His album, In the Blazes, was one of my most highly anticipated releases and yet it still managed to surprise me.  It is a rock and roll record, it is a alt-folk record, it is a alt-country record - it shows off his abilities as a songwriter and as a guitarist.

2.  Tim Easton - the mentor and a driving force behind the Campfire Propaganda movement.  His experience and wisdom has helped to push these younger songwriters forward, and their influence seems to have revitalized this long-time East Nashville presence.  The celebrate his 100th published song, Easton began posting a song a day for 100 days.  He is at the tail end of this marathon project.  

3.  Zach Schmidt - One of the brightest lights in the East Nashville community. Schmidt has an album in the can that will be released in 2016.  He has all the attributes of a classic male country music star, and his songs manage to deftly walk the line between tradition and innovation.  Watch for Zach Schmidt in 2016.

4.  Nellie Marie Clay - Originally from Oklahoma, Clay made her way to Nashville after spending a few years in the far reaches of Alaska. Like Zach Schmidt, she brings a new energy to traditional sounding roots music.  Her distinctive drawl and the twanginess of her music made her a force to be reckoned with. Her new album I Never Did What I Shoulda Done is excellent,

5.  Megan Palmer - Besides being a go to side musician for the likes of Darrin Bradbury, Tim Easton and others, Palmer is an excellent songwriter in her own right.  Her performace of one her best songs, “Knife Twister” backed by an all-star backing chorus that included Julie Christensen, Nellie Marie Clay and others was a highlight of the year.  She has a new album ready to go in 2016.  It will be worth your while to check it out.

6. Brian Wright - Probably a half dozen of my favorite musical moments of 2015 involve Brian Wright.  A powerhouse guitar player, an unequaled songwriter, and a supporter of his fellow musicians.  If you ever get the chance to see Brian Wright live - in any configuration, do not miss out!

7. Carl Anderson - Anderson came to Nashville by way of Charlottesville, VA.  His album, Risk of Loss, is one of the best of 2015.  Such amazing songs.

8.   Other songwriters:  Andrew Leheay, Lilly Hiatt, Tim Carroll, Tommy Womack, Kiely Schlessinger, Luella Wood, Bob Lewis, Allen Thompson, Russell Thompson, Amelia White, Adrian+Meredith Krygowski, Dave Coleman, Ariel Bui, Yosi Mesbah and so many more.  Covering music that can be described as country, alt-country, folk-country, not country, roots rock, alt-folk, rock, blues-rock, jam band….etc.  I tend to shy away from putting labels on music (though I understand that for artists it is a necessity sometimes). I think of it as excellent music.  Traditionally, Nashville has been known as a town of songwriters, and even though the quality of writing on “the Row” can be called into the question - that tradition lives on around campfires, on porches, and in clubs around the city but concentrated in East Nashville. (And by reference, I include some of the amazing writers who have already won “Earie” Awards)

9. The musicians - once you have a song, the next step is to bring that song to life. And, although that can be done by just the writer and an acoustic guitar, when the song is developed and augemented by the help of some of the best musicians in the world, the results can be amazing.  Many of the writers I mentioned are also amazing musicians who frequently back up other writers  (Brian Wright, Megan Palmer, and ALT stand out).  When you go out and hear music in Nashville, one thing you begin to notice is some of the same faces showing up again and again playing behind a very diverse mix of musical styles. Justin Amaral, Aaron Shafer-Haiss, Steve Ebe, Raun Shultz, David Strayer, Daniel Seymour, Cameron Carrus,  Adam Kurtz,  and many many more. Some of the above named front their own projects and some do not, but they are all part of the lifeblood that makes this new Music City what it is.

10.  The non-musicians - Musicians and songwriters are the reason this scene exists but it would not run if it were for the photographers, managers, bookers, writers, publicists. and behind the scenes folks. I want to call out Stacie Huckaba, Mary Sack, Terry Rickards, Sue Havlish, Karen Leipziger (who is also a songwriter and musician as I recently learned), John McCollum. Skip Anderson, Heather Lose, Randy Fox, and many more.

11.  Bands - I should probably mentioned some of the amazing bands who call Nashville home. Covering an incredible diverse range of syles and sounds,  Year of October, Dogs of Oz, Turbo Fruits, Blackfoot Gypsies, Humming House, Benchmarks, Fendrick and Peck, and many more.

2016 is going to be an amazing year, and the “Earies” will be back for their second season.  But, I’m not quite done with 2015.  The Artist of the Year for 2015 will be revealed tomorrow.  Stay tuned.

back to live posting
Now for the penultimate regularly scheduled shuffle of 2015!

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Sharpest Marble Mix

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First off - ICYMI because I posted so late yesterday.  Here is the link to yesterday's shuffle and "Earie" Awards...

Today's "Earie" Award category is either called, "The Hall of Fame Part II" Award or the "E2TG Survivor Series" Award or something.  Over the 4 1/2 year history of E2TG, I have been fortunate to get to know and write about a ton of really awesome and talented artists.  As most people reading this know, making music and trying to be heard in 2015 is a challenging proposition. It is easy to get burned out or for more lucrative opportunities to take precedence.  This award is meant to recognize long time favorites of this blog who are still out there doing their thing and making vital and interesting music.

1.  Killing Kuddles - from Atlanta - Elwood "Killing" Kuddles first caught my attention a few years ago with his blending of punk and folk or folk and punk - which I hereby dub.. "Polk" (because "Funk" means something else).  In 2015, Kuddles released the Sinking Ship EP which pushed his signature sound forward.  I love his slightly twisted humor and the way his music makes me happy.  Very happily, I made a Black Friday purchase that included a Killing Kuddles t-shirt, stickers, patches, and buttons. 

2.  The Danbury Lie - originating from Connecticut, I think he's kind of a citizen of the world now.  The Danbury Lie holds the distinction of being the third most tagged band in E2TG history.  Like so many Connecticut artists, he is extremely prolific.  In 2015 alone, he released Scattered Moments of Connection, Choose Your Delusion, Shallow Cuts (kind of a Greatest Hits collection), and the DVD (with accompanying soundtrack) called Whispers to Oblivion.  And he is already at work on a new project schedule for early next year.  His music is unique and amazing. It is an interesting mix of experimental metal, out there folk, and something harder to define.  Whispers to Oblivion is a chronicle of his cross-country drive over the summer.  It is an amazing video which manages to give the viewer insight into The Danbury Lie's world.  I would recommend it even if I didn't make a voice-only cameo appearance.

3. Pony Boy - When I first came into contact with the music of Marchelle Bradanini - aka Pony Boy - she was in Los Angeles, and I was very impressed by both her songs and her incredible voice. Since then, she has partially relocated to East Nashville (she lives 1/2 time here and in L.A.), and she has begun to received some well deserved attention. Pony Boy released Blue Gold this year, and I have seen it mentioned on some best of lists already.  And now, she has an "Earie".

Our last featured Friday shuffle of 2015 is on deck....

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - The Whole Thing in the Middle Mix

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14 Years... I have read some really powerful things today about THAT day. What I remember is some sense of unity... if nothing else, for a moment or moments, many of us were united... if in nothing else, then in fear and confusion and uncertainty. In degrees and over time, that unity has mostly dissipated... into conspiracy theories and feelings about the events that followed about the need for security vs. the importance of freedom. I was at work, and getting my news in fits and starts on a slow internet connection and the radio. 

What I remember... I was taking part in an drama workshop put on by the Parks Department.  Of the course of the workshop, we learned acting techniques, but our main goal was to create an original production which would then perform.  If I recall correctly, the second class was on September 11, 2001. The class was held as scheduled, though I remember thinking it might be cancelled, and we spent much of that class talking about what had happened. It was a pretty diverse group of people and there were a variety of different feelings being expressed, and of course, the day ended up greatly shaping the production we created.  Our production included adaptions of Brecht's The Good Person of Szechwan and Beckett's Waiting for Godot - as well as some other elements - all subtly adapted to speak to the events of 9/11/2001.

I don't know what THE lesson of that day is supposed to be... maybe it's still too soon, or maybe there is not one lesson.  For me, today at least, I am going to try to remember how fragile life can be and make the most of every moment and treat people with as much kindness as I can.  I will probably fall short of that... I probably already have... but I am going to keep trying. 

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - More Sand in the Glass Mix

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A new month is upon us!  September should be a pretty crazy month around these parts.  Buckle up!  We start the month with some old favorites and several bands/artists making their first ever #E2TG appearances.  I am pressed for time so I will keep my witty repartee to the bare minimum.

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Champagne Eyes Mix

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The mid-week point has been reached... A fun night at The 5 Spot last night for $2 Tuesday.  Got to meet and hear  Angela Easterling.  Her new album, Common Law Wife - which we have featured a few songs from - is one of the best I've heard this year.  She has a very unique and beautiful sound.  Joe Nolan played a full-band set.  It was the first time I saw him with a drummer, and it sounded great!  Host Derek Hoke played a short set backed by Paul Niehaus on pedal steel, Steve Latanation on drums, and Mark Robertson (of the Legendary Shack Shakers) on upright bass.  Then, Carl Anderson played a long set of his wonderful songs.  Not a bad $2 show...

Tonight, Brian Wright opens up the last week of the Joe Fletcher residency at The 5 Spot.  I had to miss the first two weeks, but I will not miss this one.  Two of East Nashville's finest writers.

Onto the shuffle:

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Comes in Torrents/Sink or Swim Mix

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Welcome to the week... it looks like this is going to be a short week for me, so expect some inconsistent Morning Shuffles... check back periodically and I know I will be back as soon as possible.

First, I had a great time at The Tomato Art Fest in East Nashville on Saturday.  Saw some great music and got to hang out with a bunch of great friends.  Sorry to everyone I missed.

In the shuffle we have some cool tunes... so let us not delay...

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Look Into Stone Mix

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Well here we are at the mid-point of another work week... time marches on... doesn't it?

We have another outstanding shuffle featuring classic tunes and some new and newish music... JUMP!