Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Used to Fall Mix

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We are back and it is another Music City Monday - where we take a glance at some great Nashville-centered music from the past and the present.   As usual, we have a good mixed bag of goodies.  So, let's get right to it!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Don't Tell 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)

In Nashville (and I can only speak for Nashville), whether or not to go out to hear live music and if going out to hear live music, what to see if always a difficult choice. There are almost no nights that nothing is going on, and usually there are multiple things going on all at the same time.

Saturday, I made the choice to jump between venues, and I am really glad I did because even though I inevitably missed some things, what I did see was wonderful.

Starting with Mark Robinson celebrating his birthday with his band at The 5 Spot. I still hold to my previous statements that Mark Robinson puts on the best shows in Nashville. A great guitar player and bandleader, he is also a consummate entertainer and showman.

I left The 5 Spot a few minutes before the end of Mark Robinson's set and made my way to The Radio Cafe.  I caught the end of Megan Palmer's set with George Trouble (aka George Terry McDonald) sitting in, and then caught George Trouble's set with Palmer sitting in on a few songs. We are currently featuring two of George's recent albums. PLOW - released under George Trouble and Jawbone - released by his band The Zealots. It was great hearing some of these songs and some older ones (and some newer ones) live. It's always a pleasure to see Megan Palmer play.

From there, I headed to The Basement East. The event was a Drive By Truckers tribute which served as a benefit for Nuci's Space. I missed the first part of the show, but arrived in time to catch The Big Dumb playing some of the Truckers' greatest hits with some fabulous singers including Lilly Hiatt, Allen Thompson, DBT producer David Barbe, Chris Watts and more.  By now, you may realize that I am a huge fan of The Big Dumb, and they did not disappoint.  Javi Jones was solid on steel guitar and electric guitar.  The Singing Butcher, Tim George, was playing guitar and sang one song. Steven Nicholas Roberts, on bass, took things to the next level, and Paul Robert Sukowski killed it on drums and was obviously having the time of his life.  For me, the star of this part of the show was Griffin Winton.  His star has been on the rise with me since I heard his new album, but Saturday night - he just flat out became a rock star!

Sunday - after sleeping in AND taking a nap, I headed out to Dee's for a great night of music.

Connor Rand and Matthew Moon opened the show.  I had seen Connor before but I really dug what he was doing with Moon - with Rand on banjo and Moon on guitar and providing the percussion. Great songs and a great set.

Tom Schreck was next. It is always great to see Tom Schreck play.  He writes great songs and his knowledge of music is extensive. He did a couple of choice Bob Dylan covers including his last song which marked his public debut on the accordion.

Joe Nolan followed. It had been a little while since I saw Joe play live, so it was great to hear some of his new songs and some of his older songs, too.  I love his spoken word, "Serenade" that opened the set.

Last but least, Joe Goodkin - who we have featured on E2TG was in from Chicago. It was his visit that prompted the show.  It was great to meet him and his songs were powerful and moving.

All in all, a great weekend of music.


Onward to our Music City Monday shuffle!  Let's go!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Be Real Mix

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I am someone who, despite my strongly held political opinions, believes in the value of those who hold differing opinions. What we have lost in recent years is the concept of the loyal opposition. Still, I am not arrogant enough to believe that my opinions are 100% right, 100% of the time, or that those who have different opinions are 100% wrong, 100% of the time.

That being said, I am 100% sickened by the supposed adults personally, viciously, and childishly attacking the teenage survivors of a horrific school shooting. I am 100% disgusted (though not surprised) by the same people who refuse to bake a cake or issue a marriage license to two people who are in love just because they are the same gender, but who have no problem supporting a "president" who has done the things it is clear that the "president" has done.

I strongly believe we, as a nation, need to find our way back to a place where differences can be debated and compromises can be made, but I am increasingly unsure how we can get to such a place.

So, for now, I hope we can get rid of the clear and present danger in front of us (sooner rather than later) and undo the damage that has been done, and that in taking these steps we can find a path to what now seems an impossible destination.

The March for Our Lives across the country and around the world was inspiring. The vileness of some of those who criticized this movement was depressing.
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As usual, when life/the world/whatever gets me down, I turn to music to lift me up. It is Monday, so, I dig into the Music City Monday Spotify playlist to get a sample of just some of the incredible music that has come and is coming from this awesome, frustrating, wonderful city.

Let's shuffle!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Wearing a Big Smile Mix

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My weekend show recap is highlighted by a couple of new releases. 

Friday - after Tim Carroll's Rock 'n' Roll Happy Hour, I stuck around The 5 Spot for the CD Release show for Maxwell Putnam's new album Ode to a Tinhorn.  The line-up included a solo set from Alex of Little Bandit, Mark Fredson, a great solo set and a great full-band set from Putnam.  The night closed with a typically high-energy set from Justin and the Comics.

Sunday - I attended a party for the release of Stone Cupid's new album A Sad Clown.  An acoustic set with Julie Christensen, Sergio Webb, Chris Tench, and Parker Hawkins.  Love the new songs - which includes a cover of Darrin Bradbury's "Exile on Myrtle Beach".  The full band CD release show is set for April 9 at The Basement.

Another week, and it is time for a Music City Monday Shuffle.  From the ever-growing Music City Monday playlist on Spotify, we shuffle up this collection of music from past and current Nashville-based artists and bands.

If you want to peruse the playlist on your own, it is available HERE.

Now, let's shuffle: