E2TG 1/31/2020 - New Release Spotlight - All of Nothing at All Mix (Last Dance Remix)

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RELEASE DAY 1/31/2020

A ton of new releases today - on the last day of the first month of 2020.  You can check out the full list (and all recent and forthcoming releases) at the bottom of this post.

Some highlights:

Eric Brace and Last Train Home - Daytime Highs and Overnight Lows (LP)

We most recently featured Eric Brace and his excellent Riverland album with Peter Cooper and Thomm Jutz.  He has teamed back up with his old band to release their first album in a dozen years. A fine songwriter and a great sounding record. 

John Dennis - Mortal Flames (LP)

We have been featuring and anticipating this release for a couple of months now. I have been a fan for John Dennis for a couple years now, and I believe this is his finest album to date, and one that I am sure will be riding high on my favorites list for months to come. 

Emma Hill - How Could I Have Been So Wrong (EP)

A newcomer to E2TG - Emma Hill is a singer-songwriter from Alaska. This one comes to us via Broken Jukebox Media and Adam Dawson - so my expectations were high, and what I have heard so far has not disappointed. Hope to get a first impression post up soon for this. 

Ryan Sobb and the Dead Mall - Concrete Feelings (LP)

The first full-release from the 2019 E2TG Band of the Year. You can check out my "First Impression".  

 Kristen Englenz - "Rebound" (single)

We are about a month away from the release of Ingenue. I have been eagerly awaiting the album release for a while now. Fortunately, February is a short month. Kristen Englenz is an E2TG favorite and this is another album that I will be talking about for months to come. 

All of these releases and more can found on the brand new edition of the E2TG Featured Friday Playlist on Spotify.

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 2019 Recap - Part 4 - No Roses Mix (Theresa Remix)

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Our recap of 2019 rolls on.  E2TG has always been primarily about presenting artists that you might miss out on if you only read or follow some of the more mainstream music blogs and sites. My decision to make this a focus of E2TG came from a point in my life when I felt like I had gotten out of touch with new music.  I wasn't really interested in a lot of the music that certain outlets (which I had previously followed) were writing about. A few things happened that made me realize that there was a ton of great music that seemed just out of reach. 

Over the years, as E2TG has grown and become a little more known (at least in certain circles), I have been fortunate to connect with some great publicists who send me a wide variety of great music. Some of which ends up being by some well-known artists, but I still try to dig through my direct artist  submissions to find a hidden gem or two or three. 

What I am trying to say is that I am quite proud of the quantity and quality of the music I have been able to present this year.  I think the Spotify playlist I created reflects this.  As I mentioned, I have been removing songs as I include them in these recaps - just so that each shuffle is unique and so that we can get to as many of the 160 or so artists we featured this year.  I hope you enjoy this recap.

On we go!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Humankind Mix (Not My War Remix)

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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.

Okay - This will be my last shuffle until next Tuesday.  Big doings this weekend, and Monday is a holiday from work.  So, let's go!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Went Away for the Holiday Mix (Harmando Remix)

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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.

Moving on.  We've reached the mid-point of the week.  On Wednesday, we get wild at #E2TG - meaning we shuffle up all the songs I have collected over the years. It can be new songs and older songs, songs from albums we are now or have previously featured on E2TG, songs from my personal collection and odds and ends downloaded and saved over the years. Sometimes, songs come up and I have no idea when or how I added them.  It makes for a fun - wild mix of music - so sit back and enjoy.  (Note: a few songs were not available for the video playlist - so substitute songs by the same artists were added).

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Food Court Blues Mix (Drilla Hole Remix)

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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


Moving on through the week!  Happy Halloween and happy Thursday!   Let's jump right into the shuffle!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Good Old Days Mix (Big City Twist Remix)

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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.

The E2TG 8th Anniversary Residency is almost over!

September 25 - Week 1: Ben Arthur + Conrad y Skordalia (SUCCESS!)

October 2 - Week 2: Ryan Sobb + Don Gallardo (Album Release Show)  
(SUCCESS!)
October 9 - Week 3: The Truehearts + Jason Erie (SUCCESS!)

October 16 - Week 4:  Josh Gray  + Meghan Hayes (SUCESS!)

October 23 - Week 5: Microwave Mountain + The Big Dumb (Six Days Away!)


Huge thanks to everyone who came out last night, to Josh Gray and Meghan Hayes and their incredible bands, and to The 5 Spot.  We have one more week of the E2TG Residency to go.  Next Wednesday, we will have The Big Dumb and Microwave Mountain!  It's going to be an epic night!

I am a bit short on time, so let's dive into the Trending Thursday shuffle!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Standing In For Joe 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



But first, Americana Fest is approaching like a runaway train. The Festival keeps getting bigger and bigger. Now there are official showcases starting on Tuesday.  Lots of free parties, impromptu shows, unofficial events,

For readers not in the Americana world, Americana is kind of a catchall term for a variety of differing musical styles and genres all tightly or loosely connected to American roots music. Think country, folk, blues, soul, bluegrass, and rootsy sounding rock and roll.  From what I understand, the event started as more of a business conference with a few night time showcases, but the showcases now dominate the week  (it also used to be more of a long weekend event, but it is practically a week long event now). For sure, there is still a conference for folks still interested in that.

Anyway, enough about that - let's get to this Friday shuffle!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - I Know Better Mix

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I had the chance to catch Martin Scorsese's new film Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story last night at the Belcourt - Nashville being one of 10 or 11 cities hosting this one-night only big screen showing.  The film debuts on Netflix today. I highly recommend it even if you are casual Bob Dylan fan. It is a remarkable bit of film making and some magical moments captured from the Rolling Thunder Revue tour.  I won't say any more, and I recommend against reading too much about the film before you see it.

I will say that members of the theater audience applauded several times following live performances and also laughed out loud on more than one occasion.

Today, I have an opportunity to cover a show at City Winery and to write a review. It has been a minute since I have done a formal live review - so look for that soon.


On to another "Wild Wednesday" shuffle. I think this one lives up to the name...

Manic Monday Music Shuffle - Dadaism Mix

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Welcome to Monday, the beginning of the last week of the month of June - which means it is the beginning of the last week of the first half of the year.

Program alert: I will be traveling a bit this week - so there is a good chance that there will be no posts on a couple of days this week - which makes our quest to feature as many of our "new music" playlist songs as we can while we can.

Let's get to it!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Spaghetti Mix

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Okey dokey, I'm back after a long holiday weekend.  Had a good time at Field Day 2017 - with WXNA competing against teams from The Nashville Scene, Fort Houston, Duke's, Third Man Records, and the Belcourt. It was a a true Nashville experience - with Pete Finney playing the National Anthem on pedal steel and Jack White showing up to support the Third Man team and everyone pretending to be blase about it. ;-)

Tomorrow night is the grand finale of the E2TG Residency!!  FuzzQueen opens, to be followed by Amelia White and The Blue Souvenirs!  Looking forward to this show! Doors at 5:30, $5 cover, 21+ only!

It is Tuesday - which means we have our "Trending" shuffle today.  Several Nashville artists to make up for not having a Music City Monday post!

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - Hole in my Heart Mix

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First of all, I want to thank everyone who made it out last night for the first week of our month-long residency at The 5 Spot - celebrating six years of E2TG.  Those who were there were treated to powerhouse set from Mark Robinson Band.

If you didn't make (or even if you did), we will be back every Wednesday in May with a great line-up each week.  I'll take a one day break from promoting....

So, it is Thursday, and of late, that has meant Topical Thursday.   As I mentioned, for now at least, I am shifting gears for Topical Thursday.  Since it is our anniversary month, I dug back into my archives and created a playlist of artists we have featured or at least posted about on E2TG. For clarity, there are artists/bands that either were specially featured or at least artists that I likely only got to hear because of E2TG.  The playlist - as this month begins is about 450 songs strong (I picked one some each artist/band). To be honest, some of these artists may not even remember or know that they were part of the E2TG story, but they were nonetheless.

Feature Friday Morning Shuffle - Crumbs Mix

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First all thanks for the support and kind words following my "rant" yesterday.  I am going to keep my off-topic portion of the blog post short and sweet.

There is a white supremacist in the White House who has been given unprecedented power over domestic and international affairs. - Yes I have posted this before, but I will continue to say it until it is not the case.

Today is Friday and we shuffle up some tunes from the "New Music" playlist which includes mostly music sent to or given to me by artists, publicists etc. These are all somewhat "new" releases, but I don't really have a set time period to when I take albums/songs off this playlist.  Anyway, it is a good one, so let's jump in.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Weya Heya Mix

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Hello.  It is Tuesday.  Here at E2TG, we have a thing called Trending Tuesday. It's kind of like the "Trending Topics" thing on Facebook and Twitter, but there are no Kardashians or Real Housewives of Madison or anything like that.  Basically, we have a playlist called "New Music" which is generally made up of  fairly recent songs/albums (some more recent than others) on which we have
decided to highlight.  It's fun.  Come along!

Theme Thursday Morning Shuffle - No Surrender Mix

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Well here we are at Thursday again, and the second ever edition of "Theme Thursday". In case you missed last week's post, here is the low-down:  Each month, I am going to create a playlist with songs that somewhat loosely or tightly fit a specific (but again loosely defined theme). I am not going to reveal the theme - I will leave it to you, my dear reader, to extrapolate the theme. By the way, in some cases the theme of the song is what makes it fit the topic - sometimes it is the title (perhaps interpreted differently than the song suggests - for example if the theme were "Condiments", I might pick a song called "In a Pickle" even though the song is not about a Kosher Dill.) (The theme this month is not "Condiments" just to clear). Also, the inclusion of any song/artist does not intend to suggest that they hold any viewpoint which may be suggested by the theme.

Now that I have over-explained, in typical E2TG fashion, let's get to the music shuffle!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Laurel Canyon '72 Mix

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Greetings from a snowy, chilly Nashville.  Last night was yet another one of those nights that reminds me why Nashville is such a cool place to be a music fan.  First off Brian Ritchey kicked off his residency at The 5 Spot. Sheriff Scott and the Deputies opened.  I am not sure why I am just now hearing or/hearing this band, but I am a fan now. Urban bluegrass is the term, I think. Really good stuff.   Brian Ritchey is a great songwriter, and he sounded great as always. Enjoyed hearing some of his newest songs.

Next, I headed to the American Legion for Buck n Stuff. American Roommates opened the show. I really dug their energy and sound.  Another new (for me) band.  As for Buck 'n' Stuff... well, I know it is early in the year, but at this point, I think they are front runners for Band of the Year.  Seriously - because they are a serious band.  Buck Owens covers (thus the "Buck") plus a few non-Buck Owens covers  (thus the 'n' Stuff).  All of these offered up in non-traditional arrangements.

Okay, so we are ready for our first Featured Friday Shuffle of 2017.

If you are in Nashville, it sounds like the roads are getting dicey.  Be careful out there.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - May Be Strong Mix

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Man there is a lot of ugliness coming to the surface in the world today... but maybe, just maybe, it has to be sucked out in order to be expelled. One can hope. And I do... hope that is. In the mean time, I mostly stick to writing about music. I hope that is okay with you...  

Had a good time recording a Double Shot show last night which will air on Saturday October 22.  Meanwhile, our next live show is coming up with coming Saturday - the 15th.  This is on the mighty WXNALP- Nashville.

We've arrived at Tuesday.  We shuffle some tunes from our "New Music" playlist - these are mostly songs that I acquired either directly from the artist or from a publicist. Some are brand new, some are a bit older.  Once again, a pretty cool mixture of music... dig...

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Jump Back Down Mix

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Well, yesterday I wrote about the finale of Mark Robinson's Showband and Rhythm Revue Residency at The 5 Spot.  Well, the show certainly lived up to my expectations (and then some!).  Master levels musicianship, world-class vocalists, and Mark Robinson - who is a consummate bandleader.  Such a fun night.

Well, this week has kind of flown by in a hurry... it is Friday and time for Featured Friday on E2TG.

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Skinny Jeans and Bad Hair Mix

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Okay... here we go. The good thing about starting you work week on Wednesday is that you suddenly find yourself at Thursday!  First things first.

Really enjoyed night one of Amelia White's September Residency at The 5 Spot.  Jesse and Noah opened with some new songs, some old songs, and a nifty Donovan cover. Amelia White and the Blue Souvenirs were awesome as always - Parker Hawkins, Fran Breen, Paul Neihaus, and Dave Coleman. We really are spoiled here in Nashville by all the great players. Amelia debuted some new songs in addition to playing some of my favorites. She threw in an awesome cover of "Silver Wings" - a song by the late Merle Haggard that I was introduced to by The Knitters.

Tonight, Mark Robinson's September Residency at The 5 Spot continues.  The band will include Rick Schell and Daniel Seymour, and the special guests will be Mark Huff and Webb Wilder!  Seriously, do not miss this show if at all possible!

Since, I missed Trending Tuesday, and since I have an overabundance of "new music", I am going to forgo Throwback Thursday for this week only and present a rare Trending Thursday shuffle... enjoy!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Thin Ice Mix

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Ugh...  a summer cold got to me yesterday, but I am back at it today...

For the record, this is not a "gym" and there are no pokey's or man's or whatever here... we just have some cool tunes.  No app needed... just enjoy.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Six Pack and a Bottle of Gin Mix

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Well, the weather has moderated somewhat in Nashville, and it was a very nice night to hang out on the patio at Drifter's in East Nashville and hear Tim Carroll and Luella play some cool tunes.  Tim, Luella, and the band (Toby Caldwell and Cameron Carrus) will be at The 5 Spot tonight for Tim's weekly Rock 'n' Roll Happy Hour show (no cover (mind the tip jar) and cheap drinks). It is always one of my picks of the week, and this week in particular they will have the incredible Reeves Gabrels sitting in on guitar.  Reeves played with David Bowie for several years, and he is currently the guitarist for The Cure who have been touring the US. I have seen him play with Tim and band before and he is awesome.  Unfortunately, I cannot make it, but I do highly recommend it if you are able.

Before I went to Drifter's I caught some of the last week of Don Gallardo's month-long residency at The 5 Spot. His guest was Carey Ott, who was amazing.  Don Gallardo and How Far West are simply one of my favorite bands around.   Don Gallardo will be having his CD Release show in July at The Family Wash.  More details will follow.

I should also mention that the radio show I co-host with Sue Havlish (Double Shot with Joe and Sue) will be on the air tomorrow morning at 11 (central time). Our theme this week, is "One Hit Wonders" and includes some folks that I bet you do not think about as one hit wonders (and some you may).

On Monday which is July 4, The East Nashvillian will be hosting Independence Day - a benefit for WXNA-LP (where Double Shot airs).  The benefit will be held at The Family Wash in East Nashville and will run from Noon - 11:00pm.  There is a $5 suggested donation, and music will be provided by various WXNA DJs - while others of us will be hanging out.  Come spend the or an hour or so with us.  Sue and I will be there at least from 12-2 (and I will likely be there most of the day).  More info at the Facebook Event Page (HERE)

For the first time in over a week, I made time to add some new tunes to the playlists and a couple of those new tunes came up today.  It is Featured Friday - for this first day of July.