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Well... here we are... on the precipice... of what, I don't know... this does feel like a tipping point. The only thing I have left to say is if you are reading this and you are registered and eligible to vote and the polls are still open in your area and if you haven't vote - do so. A lot of "Ifs" and an awkward sentence but you get my point.
I think I always have some anxiety on election day, but I have never felt like this in my life. The stakes are high. I have voted. I don't plan on watching continuing coverage. I will likely check in, and otherwise keep myself busy or distracted.
The thing is - I don't know what the path forward looks like - regardless of the outcome. I do think one path is much more hopeful than the other - but no matter what - we have a long, difficult journey ahead.
One last thing I have to say... in the past, I have understood the perspective of people who say - both sides are the same. I may not agree, but I do understand. Over, at least, the last nearly 30 years, the vote for President has been a vote for Center Right vs. Center Left. All that being said, I do not understand those who are saying that today. I think the choice today is as stark and definite as it can be - and not because Joe Biden is a far left candidate but because the other choice is fascism and dictatorship.
So, vote if you haven't. If you have, well then I wish you peace and serenity to the extent possible, and if you have any tips for coping with the stress of it all - please let me know.
Meanwhile, the best thing I can do is to do what I do everyday and that is talk about the music that I am listening to today.
Let's get back to our recap of this week's Playlist... Songs 15-19...
15. "Am I Dreaming" by EG Vines
This is the second song by Nashville singer-songwriter EG Vines that we have featured, and I can honestly say that I am a big fan of his music now. The only reason I wasn't before is that I hadn't heard it. There is appropriately enough a dream-like quality to this song - which is nonetheless firmly rooted in everyday life. It is a remarkable song with a verse perfect for today.
16. "Nothing's Sweeter Than Loving You" by Andy Kahrs
Next up, we have another Nashville singer-songwriter. This is our first listen to Andy Kahrs. This song has a sweet southern soul vibe to it - and Kahrs vocals fit like a glove. I like this song a lot, and I look forward to hearing more.
17. "Alabama Gone" by Jackson Capps
Our third Nashville singer-songwriter in a row. This is the second single we have covered by Jackson Capps. This one has a bluegrass feel to it. Just a flat out good modern country song. A great addition to my playlist.
18. "Close Enough for Government Work" by Mike Stinson (feat. Johnny Irion)
This is a perfect song to show up on the blog on Election Day. Singer-songwriter Mike Stinson has ties to Houston and Los Angeles. He wrote the song "The Late Great Golden State" which Dwight Yoakam covered on his 2003 album Population Me. Stinson wrote this song while in quarantine in Massachusetts. It is a direct response to the President's handling of the pandemic and uses Trump's own words. Stinson worked with Johnny Irion who we have mostly recently heard about for his work with This Frontier Needs Heroes. We also Featured Irion's own music earlier - his tribute to Ravi Shankar - that featured Jeff Bridges.
19. "When the Devil Knows Your Name" by Ben Arthur
And we close out this segment of music with another track from Ben Arthur's new Collision album. Over the years that we have been covering Ben Arthur's music, one thing that has been crystal clear is his dedication to the craft of songwriting - most obvious in his Songcraft Presents program. What I am seeing with this release is more evidence that his study and practice at his craft has paid off. The songs here are top-notched.
Featured Friday Playlist
