Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Waves of Freedom 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)

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 have been fortunate enough to meet and come to know many powerful, amazing women in my life. In particular (in the context of E2TG), I know a ton of incredible women who are somehow connected to the world of music.

Over the last couple of years, as the #MeToo movement has built steam, I have been dismayed to learn how many of them have their own #MeToo stories. These are stories about sexual assault and about misogyny (both overt and less overt). and I have even come to recognize behaviors I have demonstrated which run counter to my stated and intended beliefs and values.

When a woman tells us what her experience has been, we need to believe her and listen. Believing women is not as I've heard some men say, a repudiation of due process, it is a demand for fair and honest due process which has been denied to so many for so long.

 From my very personal experience, those being truthful are the ones who demand investigations, demand evidence be judged, and who demand justice. Those who have something to hide - push for a rush to judgement based upon emotion and preconceived ideas. 


Well, it's Thursday, and as we do every week, we close out the week with two days of shuffling up tunes from our "New Music" playlist.   Let's shuffle!

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Runnin' and Tryin' Mix

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Last night's Music City Roots: On the Road was a total East Nashville experience. Held at The Basement East - with special guest host Derek Hoke, and featuring four of the best artists/bands in on that side of the Cumberland River.

Little Bandit opened the show. Led by Alex Caress, Little Bandit has quickly become one of my favorite bands. I was admittedly late to the party, but I'm happy to be here. Alex's voice and the wit and heart in his songs shines. My friend, Jamie Timm (of Microwave Mountain) joined on guitar and sounded fantastic.

Next up was Elise Davis. This was, I believe, my first time seeing Davis (at least outside of a tribute show), and I was impressed by her songs and her voice. I definitely want to hear more.

Next up was E2TG Artist of Eternity - Darrin Bradbury making his third appearance as a guest (fourth overall appearance - he did an original and hilarious take on the Vietti Chili song his first time there) used the occasion to give MCR listeners/viewers a peek into his loud music past. With an awesome band - Laur Joamets on guitar, Cameron Carrus on bass, and Matty Apples on drums - Bradbury played a solid mix of older and newer songs with an a markedly rock approach. Songs like "Exile on Myrtle Beach" and "New Ownership Blues" were given new arrangements which made me think of Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue era.

Finally, Allen Thompson closed out the night with a very large band  (I think I counted twelve people on stage) including a horn section and backup singers. It was a rollicking set that garnered a standing ovation.

Everyone joined ATB on stage for the jam of the Stones "You Can't Always Get What You Want".

All in all a wonderful night of music. There was decent crowd which I can't help thinking would have been bigger but for the fact that half of East Nashville is in Austin for SXSW.

Tonight, I'm heading to The 5 Spot for Tim Carroll's weekly throw-down and then sticking around for Maxwell Putnam's CD release show for his new album Ode to a Tinhorn with guests Justin and the Cosmics (who we played earlier in the week) and Mark Fredson.

By the way, I don't do a whole lot of cross promotion, but in case any E2TG readers don't know, I co-host a weekly two-hour radio show called Double Shot with Joe and Sue (me being Joe and my dear friend Sue Havlish being Sue) on WXNA - Nashville's Community Radio Station. It's on 101.5FM in Nashville and can be streamed world-wide at wxnafm.org or via the TuneIn app. Double Shot hits at 11am Central Time (currently Daylight Savings Time)  on Saturday.

Well... it is Friday and let's see what we have to feature today!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Things U Do Mix

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Well, it's mid-week, and it's a rainy day in Nashville.  I had a good time last night. I checked out a showcase at The Basement with an incredible songwriter - Angie Aparo. He was playing with a full band. Great songs, a great voice, and some very original arrangements.

After that, I ended up at $2 Tuesday again.  Saw greats sets from Ayleen O, Wade Sapp, and Trisha Ivy plus an extended late set from host Derek Hoke and his always amazing band that this week included pedal steel great Paul Niehaus.

Well it is Wednesday, and on Wednesday - we shuffle from all of the songs in my phone's memory. We call it Wild Wednesday - because it like a wild card - you can expect anything: new music, classic tunes, E2TG favorites from blogs posts gone by, and other tunes that made their way through various routes on my phone memory card.

The results.... well, let's just say that you are unlikely to find this combination of songs/artists anywhere but E2TG.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Repeat Me Mix

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Alright. Well, I'm back with a regular shuffle... songs listened to and written about on the same day.

By the way, I added a bunch of music to my New Music playlist.  Last week, it was down to just below 400 songs, now it is over 500 again. We have a pretty eclectic shuffle today - including a few "first listens"

Let's go ahead and shuffle!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Mother Earth Mix

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I feel like the week is just starting and now it is over. :-)

I still have a ton of submissions to dig through, but I already have a large "New Music Playlist". So, let's knock some songs off that list.

Just some housecleaning/reminders:  Most days, the shuffle comes from MP3s of songs I have saved on my phone. It's what I listen to on my way to work.  (Monday - I used a special Music City-centric Spotify playlist.

Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday are dedicated to featuring songs from my "New Music" playlist. These are almost always music that was sent to me through various channels (directly from artists, through publicists, etc).

I do not often do album reviews (I would love to, but time ends up being an issue).  By featuring music like I do through shuffles - it gives me a chance to write about albums in-depth over time. It's kind of my thing.

I do, on occasion, do video and song premiers - when opportunities and time allows.

I'm not super picky about submission methods. I accept CDs and/or downloadable links/files. MP3 (320) would be my preference for electronic submissions.  The problem I have with WAVs is that either have to convert them to MP3 or I don't have complete meta data, and I end up with files I can't identify.

I am located in Nashville, Tennessee - and in recent years, there is a definite Nashville leaning but I welcome submissions from anywhere, and I try to be as diverse as possible - so I have no limits on genres or styles. Over the years, I have covered about every genre I know of and a few I didn't even know about. And I love hearing new things.

Here you will find a fair amount of "Americanaish" music - roots-influenced, blues, folk, country. But, you will also hear punk, metal, experimental, hip-hop, shoegaze, shitgaze, power pop, rock (of various flavors), electronic music, instrumental music (of various flavors), and more.

I believe in connections - both obvious and obscure.  I tend to focus on more under-the-radar type artists. Lately, I have had the good fortune to get some new music from higher-profile artists (at least in my limited realm).

Oh, and I create a YouTube playlist to match each day's shuffle.  The purpose is not specifically to showcase music videos, but it provides a simple for readers to stream the music they are reading about.  I used to be able to embed the Video Playlist directly into my post, but You Tube "improved" that feature away, so now I provide a link.

When I cannot find a video for the specific song featured, I try to substitute a relevant video by the same artist.  When possible, if a video for the song is not found, but I can find a link to stream the song being featured, I will include that in my post (like I did today) 

That's enough... let's shuffle!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Big Drum, Small Axe Mix

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Well, yesterday was a holiday.  I was going to try to post something, but I ended up spending a large portion of my day at the eye doctor.  Then, I went into work today (and listened to the shuffle below while traversing the snowy roads of Nashville with people who do and do not know how to drive in snowy conditions.  Then, around eleven, pretty much everyone decided to go home, so I slipped and slid down the hill to my car and made my way home where I am writing this post.

Anyway, it's extremely cold, and I am sipping on a hot beverage.

I have to give a huge shout out to everyone who made it out Saturday for my birthday bash.  Special thanks to those who bought me beer and to those who unexpectedly brought me presents, and extra special thanks to Conrad y Skordalia, Danny Henry, and Nelson, Zimmerman, and Quinn for providing great music.

Onward and upward - as they say...  By the way, several songs in this shuffle are brand new and/or not yet released, so I could not find the videos for the exact song in some cases. I have tried to post a video to represent each song, and where possible, I have provided link or embeds for the song featured. In a couple of cases, you will have to wait until release to hear some of the songs.  In any case, let's go!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Hairy Eggs Mix

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As we move forward into the 2017 Earie Awards, a few words to those who are new here or otherwise unclear:

1. While my categories are sometimes tongue-in-cheek, my admiration for the music and artists is genuine and true.

2.  I don't do lists (Top Ten or otherwise).

3.  Any rules or criteria are coincidental and subject to change at my whim.

4. I live in constant dread that I will leave someone out unintentionally, and I probably will. It's okay though - as far as I know no one has gotten a gig or recording contract based upon having won an "Earie".

5. It's really all in fun and just another opportunity for me to express appreciation for the awesome music and people who have come into my life thanks for E2TG.

Finally (not specifically Earier related), spread love as often as you can in any way that you can. The world can use all the love we can muster.

Onward to the shuffle (and more Earies):

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Gonna Be Okay Mix

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Well... here we are. It is December!  The 3rd Annual Earie Awards will kick off next week.

Two years ago, I awarded the very first "Earie" Award to Darrin Bradbury. He is about to enter the studio to work on a new album of all new songs. I am excited to hear the results.


A great night of live music in Nashville. I checked out WoodMackFleet (formerly Carpetbaggers 615) at The 5 Spot followed by the one and only Stuffy Schmitt.  After that, I headed across the river to Springwater to see Connor Rand and Matthew Moon performing as Acquired Tastes followed by a rare full band show my Tom Schreck Escapes.  Great seeing some awesome people at both shows.

Well, we have some cool songs fired up in the shuffle, so let's hit it!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Keep My Whiskey To Myself Mix

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Well, I'm back after an extended holiday weekend!  I hope everyone is well. The year is winding down. After today, just two more shuffles before December!

The 2017 Earie Awards are coming up soon.  For those new to E2TG, the Earie's are the annual awards that I started a couple of years ago.  It's kind of like the Grammy's or the Emmy's or Oscar's except, I make up categories as I go along and basically give awards to whomever I want (and then stress out over forgetting someone which I inevitably do).

I have been fortunate enough to have been introduced to so much awesome music this year, and I'm feeling unprepared for the Earie's but I will power through.  Each year, the Earie's culminate in the awarding of the Golden Earie awards (Band(s) and/or Artist(s) of the Year - which is a tradition that goes back to the beginning of E2TG).  "The Earie's - they sound kind of strange, but they're really not"

Let's dive right into the shuffle.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Leave the Rest Mix

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Another reminder to donate to WXNA during this week's Fall Pledge Drive!  If you donate at least $72.00 (that's just $6 a month as a recurring payment), you get a spiffy WXNA coffee mug, and more importantly, you get the satisfaction of knowing you helped keep Nashville's Best Radio Station on the air! 

Well, the sun is shining and my mood is much improved. I'm not sure if it's the sun or the fact that I got some things done last night (or both). 

Anyway, it is Tuesday, and we have a shuffle into what is trending at WXNA . Between adding some new music to the playlist and cleaning up some of the previously played songs that never got deleted, the list stands at 415 songs. 

Mondo Monday Morning Shuffle - Terrified Humming Mix

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Hey! It is Fall Pledge Drive time at WXNA. As you may know, this is the non-profit, listener-supported community radio station that hosts the weekly show I co-host called Double Shot with Joe and Sue.  Beyond that, the station has had a tremendous positive impact on the Nashville community (as evidenced by Nashville Scene readers recently naming us Best Radio Station in Nashville).  If you're a WXNA listener, please consider donating during this drive. wxnafm.org or 615-933-9962 #LoveWXNA

Another week is here and we have some songs to feature from the New Music playlist which I am still tweaking from my recent switch over to a new music player.

Let's shuffle:

Mondo Monday Music Shuffle - Trampoline Mix

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Another week... the last full week of October. A rainy, gloomy day in Nashville with cooler weather in the forecast.  I've been running behind all day, but I got a few minutes to write this.

Looks like a busy week for live music in Nashville... including Saturday at Grimey's Rocktoberfest to benefit WXNA.  Details to follow. 

Here we go with our Monday shuffle - for now, we are shuffling from the "New Music" playlist... trying to get through as many of those songs as we can before the end of the year.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Friday Toast in a German Kitchen Mix

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I've said this before... but it comes back time and again.... the reason E2TG has endured for almost six and a half years is because I post just about every day, and I post even when I really don't feel much like posting.  I think it is my nation to constantly think about the what, why, and hows of whatever it is I am doing.  E2TG has definitely evolved over the years - although the basic premise is still the same. "Hey I heard some cool tunes on my way to work, let me tell you about them." 

I do think about what I can do to reach more people - not for my ego (okay - a little for my ego) but mostly to help spread the word about some of the lesser known music that I love. Over the years, I have seen people I wrote about begin to reach a larger audience and get more wide-spread recognition. When that happens, I am proud - not that I feel in any responsible for the success. I have always viewed the artists and bands I write about as a "family" of sorts. These are my people, and over the years there have been triumphs and stumbles, celebrations and mourning. Things have also grown which means my "family" is so large that I lose touch with people sometimes, but I always love hearing about what is up - even if it's not music related. I see people I have written about excelling in all areas of life, and I, too, people struggling. Just as I have excelled and struggled at times.

I am generally a pretty upbeat guy, but I do get down sometimes too.... and I have bouts of self-pity sometimes. 

My point is that I love what I do and I really have no desire to stop. It heartens me when people appreciate what I do and lets me know. It seems kind of petty to expect that, and I try to avoid expectations, but it is appreciated when it happens. And, E2TG has taken me places I could not even have imagined. So, even on days when I don't feel it as much as I would like, I keep on... and man oh man, the cool music I get to listen to really helps a ton!

It's Tuesday - let's see what is "trending"

Updated: Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Bad Decisions Mix

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Okay, I'm back after an extra long weekend.  I finally got my phone situation somewhat resolved. Today's shuffle came from the phone.  I'm still learning the ins and outs of the new music player - and there are some things I don't like... somehow, in the rush to make everything bigger and better and shinier, I think simple apps sometimes get screwed up. I just want a music player and to be able to create playlists.  But, I'll get used to it and probably won't remember what it was I didn't like or what it was the old player had.

Anyway, I had to recreate the "New Music" playlist. I think I pared it down a little (dropped some much older tracks which had been hanging around).   I may have accidentally added some things that didn't belong.  (it sounded like something I added recently). ...

Enough - let's get to music. It's the only thing that makes sense anymore...