E2TG 6/8/2020 - Music City Monday - Stay Mix (Happening Now Mix)

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I like to think I was never racist. I like to think that I grew up sheltered from racial inequality, but that I over the years, my awareness has grown.  I think to think I have always known that systemic racism existed and that somehow, the world knew how I felt about that.

To be fair, I think on some abstract/conceptual level I did know, and that I tried to stand on the side of justice and equality.

But, what I am realizing is that I didn't understand systemic, institutionalized racism on any sort of gut level, and to be honest, I don't think I am there yet. But, I am listening and learning so that I can be an effective ally. It is up to me to learn. It is not up to anyone to teach me.

Social media is actually a great way to open a dialogue - you just have to push through the noise and try not to react the canned responses. Go behind and dig underneath the misleading narratives, the catch-phrases that may tend to elicit a visceral response. If someone posts an image or a meme or a post that says "Defund the Police" and your initial reaction is that that is too radical (I invite you to do some research into what that may mean and what it may look like in your own community).

If you post Black Lives Matter and someone (relative, classmate, ex co-worked) responds with "All Lives Matter' - fight the urge to defriend them or just to get in an argument. Take a breath and start a dialogue, but before you do that, make sure you understand why you are saying what you are and try to understand (not accept or agree with) but to understand their reaction.  You may have an uncle or classmate who is a "lost cause", but by engaging and having the conversation you may reach someone else... or you may just reach that uncle or classmate - who knows.

I believe that we are at a pivotal moment. I have been trying to learn, and I feel like there are something I understand better - and others where I still have work to do.

The problem that has exploded into the national consciousness did not begin with George Floyd or even with Rodney King. It is truly endemic in our society and so change will be difficult, but we can push forward and we can use this moment in time to change the direction.  I recognize that past efforts of "reform" have ended in failure and in shifting the problem around. And so, we must remain vigilant and we must push on.

That is where I stand today.




We continue the review of our Featured Friday Playlist with songs #7-11.  (Tomorrow songs 12-16)

7. "Mister Rat and Mister Flea" by David Olney

Many have wondered what the late David Olney would have to say about the COVID-19 pandemic. Well, we have this glimpse in a song from his archives about an earlier pandemic known as The Plague.

8. "Kite" by Megan Palmer

A brand new single from a Nashville favorite. Megan is a wonderful songwriter and a beautiful singer. This track was recorded with her husband Jason Quicksall with drums by Aaron Shafer-Haiss.

9. "Kids" by Anti-Corn League

Next up, we have a track from Love it Or Leave it by this garage, bedroom pop band from outside of Pittsburgh. They follow a diy aesthetic, and I have to say this track sounds fantastic. It is the right measure of noisy and catchy.

10. "Inside the Endless Om" by Johnny Irion (feat. Jeff Bridges, Mikael Jorgensen, Robert DeLeo, The Mother Hips)

Next, we up we have a really cool new release. This one came to us via our old friend Brad Lauretti (This Frontier Need Heroes). Johnny Irion is Lauretti's producer and he has assembled an incredible line-up in a song to honor the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Ravi Shakar.  Mikael Jorgensen is from Wilco, Robert DeLeo is from Stone Temple Pilots, and yes, Jeff Bridges is "The Dude".  The song was co-written by Irion and John Goodwin who wrote for the Jeff Bridges film "Crazy Heart".

11."Those Were the Days" by TJ Walker, Don Gallardo

We close today's recap with a new release from UK singer-songwriter TJ Walker who is joined here by E2TG favorite Don Gallardo. The song was written by the two when Walker visited Nashville and met Gallardo in a publisher's office. They wrote the song in the few hours before Walker had to board a plane home. Great song!

    Featured Friday Playlist

Music City Monday Shuffle - You Ain't Going Anywhere Mix

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Well.. back to the work week...  For me, listening to cool tunes and then writing about those tunes is a great way to begin my day. So, that is what I do. As regular readers know, Monday's we focus our attention on Music City USA (aka Nashville). The morning shuffle comes from a playlist of artists with some connection to Nashville.  They either live here, used to live here, spent a significant amount of time here etc.  Or else, I somehow thought they had a connection to Nashville when I created the playlist and now I can come up with a convoluted explanation of why they are included here to distract from the fact that I made a mistake.  I don't think we have any in the latter category today, but we shall see.  

Before we begin... posting may be a bit erratic the next couple of days due to some changes in my routine.  In case I do not get the opportunity, Wednesday night at 6:00pm, Amelia White's September Residency continues with special guests Megan Palmer!  and a short solo acoustic set by Don Gallardo!  Plus Ingrid Graudins will be sitting in with the band.  Be there or regret not being there!

To the shuffle!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - High and Heavy Mix

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Here it is! Announcing the #E2TG 5th Anniversary Extravaganza Wednesday May 18 9pm at The 5 Spot.  I am super stoked about this line-up!  Julie Christensen with Sergio Webb and Chris Tench (of STONE CUPID), ADRIAN + MEREDITH, BARK (Tim and Susan Bauer Lee of Tim Lee 3), PATRICK KINSLEY & a Fistful of Dollars, and special guest THE FORESTERS!  I hope many of you can join us that night.  The anniversary show will be right after the 3rd installment of the R.B. Morris May Residency (which you do not want to miss).

Okay - a quick recap of some recent show...  Friday: had a fun night at The 5 Spot for Tim Carroll Rock 'n' Roll Happy Hour and then moved to the Family Wash for the always amazing Jon Byrd opening for Mark Huff (for Huff's CD Release Show). Mark Huff sounded spectacular.

Yesterday, I got to help Lee (of "Earie" award winning Eight O'Five Jive celebrate her birthday, got to hang out with my friend, Too Much Country listening to the fine, fine music of Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray, and then headed over to The Basement East for the Merle Haggard tribute.  This tribute featured some awesome performances (including E2TG favorites like Jon Latham  and Jesse and Noah.  Pretty much everyone of the bill killed it.

Let's jump to Music City Monday shuffle...

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Marshall Tucker on My Stereo Mix

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Back at it on a Monday!   Had a good time Friday at The Country (after checking in with Tim Carroll and company at The 5 Spot) - Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau  + Saint Luke's Drifters.  Richie and company have a new album out now.  Saint Luke's Drifters are finishing up their new album.  If you get the chance to see either one or both of these bands, I highly recommend it.

Tonight: My recommendation is Matt Phillips and the Philharmonic from 7-9p.m. at Charlie Bob's on the eastside.   Here is the Facebook event, if you Facebook.

This is definitely prime season for new music - look for some awesome new albums coming up in the next few months - I think I got at least 5 albums to listen to and possibly review over the last four or five days.

Shuffle:

Music Monday Morning Shuffle - Runaway Locomotive Mix

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Ug... is it Monday already?  Okay... I have to be quick as I have some errands to run.

I hope everyone had a good Easter Sunday no matter what or how you celebrate or not...

Monday, as our new custom demands, is dedicated to artists who have some connection to Nashville, TN (aka Music City USA).

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - The Road Got Blurry Mix

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So, spring has arrived and here in Nashville that has meant a brief cold snap. I seem to be over whatever it was that kind of knocked me out at the end of last week... ready to take on a new week. According to Facebook, I have 12 events with 51 friends coming up this week.  Fortunately, I do get Friday off work...

I did manage to venture out into a misty rain last night for a fine night of music at The Basement. Despite some vocal duress, Jon Latham was amazing as always.  Throwing a new song (for me anyway) into the mix and inviting up Peyton Parker to sing on a couple of tunes.  Peyton Parker has been on the current season of The Voice.   Next up was Charlie Whitten, who I saw a few weeks back, I once again was struck by his awesome songwriting, gentle good humor, and his whistling (which especially impresses me because I cannot really whistle).  Closing the night was Caleb Caudle who recently released Carolina Ghost to widespread acclaim. A great ending to a great night of music at a pretty pack out Basement.

It's Monday - I'm in Music City... let's do Music City Monday....

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Rosebud, Too Mix

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Quick recap, I continued to lay a little low - still dealing with a lingering cold, and working on song selection for the forthcoming "Double Shot with Joe and Sue" (still no confirmed start date).

Friday:  First, it was good to see a large and vibrant crowd for the weekly Tim Carroll Rock and Roll Happy Hour  (one of this town's best weekly events in my opinion).  I left there a little early and headed to Bobby's Idle Hour on Music Row for the Darkhorses of East Nashville - a collaborative round featuring the amazingly talented trio of Julie Christensen, Amelia White, and Sergio Webb.  Trading off songs and backing each other, produced several magical moments.  If they come through your town, do not miss it.


So, as I promised Friday, it seemed like a good time to shake things up here at E2TG - just a little bit.  Inspired by the success of Featured Friday, I have decided to have a "theme" playlist every for every day of the week.  The large #E2TG playlist had gotten very large and getting bigger. By having smaller playlist each day, it may provide more opportunities to feature different artists.  We shall see.

So, without much more ado, we begin this new chapter with the debut of Music City Monday - featuring music with connections to Nashville.  As you will see, this playlist features both current artists/albums and classics covering over half a century.  Non-Nashville artists: Do not be concerned, there will be many opportunities throughout the week for me to feature your music.