E2TG 3/01/2021 - Music City Monday and More - Signals Mix (Big Sleep Remix)

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Time marches on (pun intended and sorry about that).  It is March which means we are rapidly approaching the one year anniversary of the Nashville tornado and the lockdowns. All of that seems so long ago now - like a lifetime ago. I am happy to see Nashville's COVID statistics improving and the vaccine rollout starting to pick-up steam. There still seems to be a lot of confusion, inequities, and inconsistencies.. but at least progress is being made. I worry about subsequent spikes as precautions are laxed, but I hope that concern ends up being unfounded. 

There is still much division and uncertainty and strife in the world, but I feel more hopeful now. I also have to acknowledge that I am exhausted. But, I know the need to remain active and diligent continues. I also know that the fact that it is a choice for me is a function of privilege. 

All that is on my mind on a kind of dreary first day of March. 

Our Featured Friday Playlist Recap continues on with songs 11-16:

11. "Annie" by Becca Mancari

The first single from the forthcoming EP (Juniata - March 19) by this Nashville based singer-songwriter. 

12. "Sin City" by The Barefoot Movement

A nifty cover of the Gram Parsons/Chris Hillman song by the Nashville band that is quickly becoming an E2TG favorite.

13. "Anchor" by John Keathley

Next up, we have the fantastic new single from this Nashville based singer-songwriter. The track was produced by our old friend Josh Waters of the Rock and Roll Basement.  

14. "Witchpunkrockstar - Heavy Mental Mix" by My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult

Abruptly, up next we have a track from the newly released compilation of previously unreleased remixes from the gothic rock legends. The Chicago band began in 1987. These remixes are by band member Buzz McCoy. 

15. "Hold You Tonight" by Stephen Flatt

Next up, we have the lead single from the forthcoming (April 16) debut album (Cumberland Bones) from Nashville based singer-songwriter and great-nephew of Lester Flatt. A really wonderful song. 

16. "Numb" by NT 

And we close with the debut single from this Bay area artist with diverse influences and fresh vision of quality modern pop music.  A great way to close out this segment of music. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Let's Get Happy 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.


Still counting down to the E2TG Residency

September 25 - Week 1: Ben Arthur + Conrad y Skordalia

October 2 - Week 2: Ryan Sobb + Don Gallardo

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


Well, it's Americana Music Association Festival and Conference week in Nashville. I like to say that AMA week is like any other week in Nashville but on steroids. Or maybe, I need to be on steroids to make it through the week. But seriously, one fun thing is seeing friends from all over the world. 

The festival has grown just in the last few years - adding tons of venues and official/unofficial events to the mix. 

Americana represents part of what we play here on E2TG. The thing about Americana is that it is not really a genre. Practically speaking, Americana is whatever the Americana Music Association says it is. But, seriously, it is music of various genres which draws influence/inspiration from American roots based music (country, folk, blues, bluegrass etc.).  

Anyway, there are several wonderful events that I want to catch and some great artists making rare Nashville appearances. 

Meanwhile, it is Monday, and I am thrilled to bring back Music City Monday - after a few weeks off .It is my (usually) weekly celebration of the music of Music City - from those who lived or have lived here. We put it all together in a huge, ever growing playlist, hit shuffle, and let nature take its course. 

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - See Ruby Falls Mix

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


Wow! It's December..... It's about time to dive into the 2018 Earie Awards!  Is this the third annual Earier Awards?  I think that's right - maybe fourth annual - who knows... As always, it will different than prior years and I'll be making it all up as I go along...

But first, we missed last Music City Monday - so let's do this.  As always, this shuffle comes from my epic (and ever growing) Music City Monday Spotify Playlist   - The playlist is new and classic albums and songs from artist and bands who have or have had some connection to Nashville.  As you might imagine, it is a diverse combination of all kinds of music from musical friends, musical heroes, and the like. 

Let's shuffle!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Hard Feelings 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)

If you have read The Drift, please consider writing a review on Amazon. If you haven't read it, you can get your own copy through Amazon or if you are in Nashville, you can get them from me.

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!)
E2TG September 2018  (coming soon!)

SAVE THE DATE!!!!!  Thursday, November 15, 2018 - We have a pretty cool event in the works.  More to come! I can tell you this isn't really an E2TG event.  It is connected to my novel, The Drift, and we have some super cool guests lined up.  Announcement soon!


Every single day.... every single day for the last almost two years... there is some atrocity, some outrage.... Remember when candidate Trump mocked a reporter with disabilities and it didn't negatively affect his campaign?  Remember when Trump called Mexican immigrants "criminals, drug dealers, and rapists" and his crowds cheered?  Remember when president-elect Trump appointed White Nationalists to high level positions in his administration?  Those of us who called these atrocities out for what they were - were labeled as having "Trump Derangement Syndrome".  Make no mistake, what is happening today is not a coincidence or an accident. The neo-Nazis and White Supremacists and White Nationalists and anti-Semites are being emboldened and encouraged by the White House - and nothing is being done about it. I know that there are reasonable, good people in the Republican Party - at least I have always believed that - but failure of the Republican led Congress to provide checks and balances to the madness that is occurring (EVERY SINGLE DAY) is causing me to doubt this. And I'm not talking about the Flake and Collins and other so-called moderates - who make statements that seem reasonable but then fail to back those statements with any meaningful action.

The fact is, we are a nation without a moral leader. The fact is 60-70 percent of the country does not have a leader and all. And the 29-39 percent who think they have a leader - are lied to daily and are either too willfully ignorant or too blind to see it.  Even if a Blue Wave happens on November 6, our nation is in deep trouble.  If it doesn't happen, I don't know what will happen next, but it will not be good.

My heart goes out to the victims in Kentucky and in Pittsburgh. To those who live in feat because of the color of their skin or because of their religion (or religious or ethnic heritage), or because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We are in dangerous and unprecedented times. Choose acts of love today. Resist, persist, vote, get others who care about all people to vote...

In the midst of all this, I am in the middle of a move - set for Wednesday and I am listening to music as I pack and prepare. Music is a balm for me. Let's do this Music City Monday shuffle.

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Nothing Wrong with Nashville Mix

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

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!)


I appropriated a Todd Snider lyric for today's subtitle - even though I had a different Todd Snider song in the today's Music City Monday Shuffle.  Today's shuffle is a nice reminder of why Nashville is the best place to live for this music fan.   Time is short - so I'm going to get right to it!