E2TG 3/6/2020 - Featured Friday - Power to the People Mix (Evermore Remix)

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Shelter From the Storm:

Last night's show at Dee's in Madison was so beautiful. I believe a ton of money was raised, the music was so impressively Nashville, a huge turn out. For me, it was my first time reconnecting my community since Tuesday morning's storm - and so many of them were there. It seemed like I couldn't turn around or turn a corner without seeing someone new. It is one thing to see a Facebook post saying someone was okay, but it was something else to see those people in the flesh and to hug them.

I honestly don't have much to say about the music - everything I heard was phenomenal and I know I probably missed more than I saw - there were so many people to hug and talk to. It was appropriate that Jon Latham acted as emcee. Not many have his ability to engage a crowd and not many can appreciate the significance of each of the musical guests.

Big thanks to Brian Wright, Sally Jaye, and Cafe Rooster Records for making this happen. Thanks to everyone for all of the hugs and kindness. And thanks to Dee's and their staff for being awesome.

I think it is important to say - even those of us who were minimally or only indirectly affected by the devastation are dealing with shock and loss. I am reminded of something I heard about the circles of grief.  Basically (and simplified), it would be in appropriate for me to unburden my feelings about this tragedy with someone who suffered a significant and tangible loss due to the storm, but it is not only okay but important for me to talk to someone who was affected in the same way or less than I was affected.  I don't know if I explained that well, but what I am trying to say is that I have no doubt that this disaster has affected me, and it is unhealthy for me to feel guilty for having those feelings.

    Featured Friday Playlist

It is time to unveil this week's E2TG Featured Friday playlist:

• The much anticipated first song from Brian Wright and the Sneakups forthcoming Lapse of Luxury album - "Patrick's Crossing" is a great song. 
• New music from Nashville's Mary Bragg

• Our first taste of Candlelight Blue by Zografi Music. We have featured Paul Zografi's music before - for this new release he enlists the help of some musician friends to present his songs. Long time E2TG favorites Drew Kohl and Kiely Connell are among the talented players

• The new single from long-time E2TG favorite Strange Majik (aka David from The Dead Exs - for really long-time E2TG readers)
• A track from the newly released album from another long-time E2TG favorite Dean Fields

• More new music from local favorites: Kristen Englenz, Caleb Caudle, and Sad Baxter

• New E2TG submissions from Iron Mike Norton, 100 Mile House, Broads (with Millie Hirst). The Mystery Plan, Tiny Fighter, and African Head Charge.

Check it out below:

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.

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Take the Elevator Mix

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Today what is on my mind is intellectual curiosity. I have heard this term used quite a bit recently, and often in the context of the current President lacking this quality. So, I wondered what does this mean...

"The intellectually curious person has a deep and persistent desire to know. She asks and seeks answers to the “why” questions. And she doesn’t stop asking at a surface level, but instead asks probing questions in order to peel back layers of explanation to get at the foundational ideas concerning a particular issue." from Psychology Today April 2014

So, I think this means (in simplistic terms): I observe something or get some information, and I first ask is this information/observation true.  And if it turns out to be true or accurate, then I begin asking "why"and I keep asking "why" until I get to the core issue/ truth.

So, how does this relate to our current administration.  "Immigrants and refugees commit a disproportionate number of crimes" - maybe this was said by someone or maybe I noticed when I read a news article about a crime - it often seems like the perpetrator is a non-citizen. Okay - what next.  An intellectually curious person would first try to get data and facts to support this statement or observation and then (IF) proven would begin asking "Why" questions and continue until reaching a core issue that can be addressed in a meaningful way.

As for someone lacking intellectual curiosity... well, I think we can all see what would happen next...

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Tonight - Brian Langlinais wraps up his month-long residency at The 5 Spot. It will be a party and believe me Cajun's know how to party.  E2TG faves Adrian + Meredith open plus Fifth and Main (from Detroit) will perform followed by Langlinais and Earl 6. Not to mention a promise of Cajun food!

Let's jump right into the Wild Wednesday shuffle- true to its name - we cover a lot of musical ground today...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Dream Mix

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To be honest, my heart is still hurting from the senselessness of the shooting in Orlando. As the story continues to unfold, the bottom line is that 49 innocent people lost their lives and that hate and fear seem to have been the motivating factor(s) behind the attack. This world makes it hard to be an optimist, but I still believe that the only answer to hate and fear is love (not more hate and fear). Which does not mean that I am or should be (as a human being) free from either of those emotions.  What I hope is that love (and not hate or fear) will the be the thing that guides my actions.
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We have music...  It is Tuesday which means we shuffle songs from the Trending Tuesday playlist...

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Honk if You Feel Fine Mix

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TGIF!  As the temperature cranks up, so does the musical fun.  First of all, it was great to see Darrin Bradbury playing with Megan Palmer as part of the Don Gallardo residency at The 5 Spot yesterday. Second of all, Don Gallardo!!!!  Man oh man!  He is so good.  He still has a few more weeks left in residency, and I high recommend you get yourself down there.  I understand that next week he has the red hot band The Cordovas lead by Joe Firstman.  The Cordovas were recently added to the lineup for the Americana Music Association Festival in September, but you can see them next Thursday without a wristband.

I had a great time hanging out with friends last night and a few of us migrated over to Drifters to see Tim Carroll and Luella along backed by Cameron Carrus and Toby Caldwell.

My point is that this was first class, grade A musical talent all within a couple of blocks in East Nashville on a pleasant Thursday evening.  Sometimes, I think we, here, take what we have for granted, and I was grateful for the opportunity last night to really appreciate what we have.

A final notice (from this forum), that Double Shot with Joe and Sue on WXNA-LP Nashville debuts tomorrow morning at 11am Central. This is my new radio show with the amazing Sue Havlish.  Speaking for myself, I am beyond humbled to get this opportunity to join this incredible radio station that has already reshaped the Nashville airwaves.  You can tune in at 101.5FM if you are in the immediate Nashville area.  Everyone else, can listen via wxnafm.org or via the TuneIn App.

On Friday, we play some featured music...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Just Glad to Be Working Mix

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The weather is heating up in Nashville - temperatures are predicted to be hovering near 100 this weekend. I have no point to this, I just realized I rarely give weather updates on E2TG.

It really bothers me when people say there is no good music these days, because I am struggling to keep up with all of the great music which shows up in my inbox on pretty much a daily basis. If you aren't hearing great new music, it is because you aren't trying hard enough.

Here is a sampling of some great (fairly) recent music which you should give a listen....  We call Tuesdays, Trending Tuesday because Trending starts with a 'T' and is a word that the internet seems to like...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Branches on the Pines Mix

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For info on what's happening in Nashville - check out Fighting the Nashville Blues.


Hey ho!  I am a little short on time, but I will get through what I can.  Me and Sue recorded our first
pre-recorded show of Double Shot with Joe and Sue.  Our show will be broadcast every Saturday from 11am to 1pm starting... (soon!).  Every other week we will be doing the show live, the other week will be pre-recorded.    In the central Nashville area you can tune in to 101.5 FM.  Outside of Nashville or if you are not near a radio, you can listen to WXNAFM.ORG.  I will be updating here and on Facebook when the first show date is announced.

Today, we have a Trending Tuesday shuffle... let's get to it....

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - It's Too Late Mix

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MAY 18. The 5 Spot. 9pm. $5. Be there!

Hey - welcome to Tuesday.  E2TG turns 5 this month, and I am going to reflect on this milestone throughout the month.

Other than the incredible people I have met as a result of writing this blog, my next favorite thing has been all of the music from all over the world that has come to my ears. Music, I might otherwise never have had the opportunity to hear. Not only that, but I am fortunate enough to get to write about and try to help spread the news about this great music.

Let's jump right into the Trending Tuesday shuffle which contains some music that fits that last description.