Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Rails on Rails Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Very short on time... last night was great. The finale of the October Crackerboots residency - with Peter Cooper opening accompanied by Tom Jutz. I love Peter Cooper's songs so much, plus he closed with "Boulder to Birmingham" by Emmylou Harris and Bill Danoff, which I love.

Great show for the late show - loved The Battlefield - who I last and first saw three years ago at a New Faces night at The Basement. They from L.A., and I really dig their music.  And course, Don Gallardo.  His songs!  Man!  Adam Kurtz was on pedal steel - which serves as a transition...

Tonight, among what I am sure are a ton of worth things - including some that I would really like to see, Zach Schmidt will be celebrating the release of his new album, The Day We Lost the War. There will be special guest galore - and it's free (BYOB) at imogene + willie. 7pm. SHARP! Oh yeah, the transition... Adam Kurtz will be playing this show, too.

Let's throw it back... minimal commentary due to time constraints...

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Salvation and Sin Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Happy Thursday... sending good thoughts to everyone in the path of Hurricane Matthew. And especially thinking about those who have lost life and property in the Caribbean.

Congratulations to WXNA-LP Nashville for finishing second to Lightning 100 in the Nashville Scene Readers Poll for Best Radio Station.  A remarkable achievement for a low power station that has only been on the air for 4 month.  Super proud to play a small part in the station, but props go out to our super hard working and dedicated Board and our fearless leader Heather Lose. This achievement is a testament to the impact the station has already had on the community.

Well, the Buck N Stuff show was the epic throw down that I expected. My favorite moment was the Buck Owens cover that they performed. #BuckNStuff are the absolute best. They announced last night that they will be playing The 5 Spot for New Years Eve.  Make your plans now.  2017 is sure to be the Year of Buck N Stuff.

It is Thursday when we throw things back, and I think we have a really awesome shuffle today... shall we?

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Ride Sally Ride Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Okay! I have a lot of ground to cover, and I am really, really tired... so let's get to it!

Last night, I spent almost exactly seven hours at The 5 Spot listening to live music, and what a night it was.  David Olney wrapped up his August Residency in fine fashion.  Drawing from his immense catalog of songs, Olney - backed by a great band (Daniel Seymour, Justin Amaral, and Ward Stout) - was fiery, passionate, and powerful.  Great moments: his song, "Titanic" (told from the point of view of the iceberg flowed into a Dylan Thomas poem.  "Deeper Well" flowed into "Kubla Khan" and then "Who Do You Love?" (Bo Diddly) before finding its way back home.

Later, The Burning Peppermints, from Birmingham, Alabama tore up the stage with a high energy, high volume sonic assault.  Next, Jon Latham reminded once again why I named him Artist of the Year for 2015. Playing a mixture of old and new songs, Latham goes to some higher plane when he performs, and he takes the audience with him.  If you think this is hyperbole, then you have never seen Jon Latham perform.  Following Jon Latham is not easy, but Don Gallardo and How Far West came armed with incredible songs and the ability to play them very well. It is always a treat to see Gallardo play. Last night was no exception.  The night ended in the early hours of this morning with Stuffy Shmitt and an awesome band that included Sergio Webb on guitar. Shmitt moved to Nashville from New York a while back, and this was my first opportunity to see him live.  It was a wonderful set of music - quirky lyrics, solid music, humor, courageousness. I hope to see him play again really soon!

Tonight:  Well, tonight. First of all there is a ton of amazing live music going on tonight (and every night) in Nashville. I could probably write a daily blog just on the live music scene, and I still couldn't cover everything.  Tonight alone, I can off the top of my head think of five or six shows that I could attend - everything from a huge free downtown outdoor festival to a more intimate house show.  Where I will be: Starting at 6:00p.m., Mark Robinson begins his month-long Showband Residency with a stacked deck of incredible guitar players - Richie Owens, Ted Drozdowski, and Nick Kane sharing a stage with Mark Robinson is a sight I cannot wait to see. In about 5 and 1/2 hours (as I am writing this), I will be able to experience it. Nashville is known as guitar town and this quartet of players are the cream of the crop.

After that show, a bunch of us will be headed to The Basement East for an star-studded tribute/benefit for Louisiana flood victims. Proceeds from the show which features folks like Kevin Gordon, Will Kimbrough, Grimey, members of Better Than Ezra, and certain Red Dirt Girl will go to the Better Than Ezra Foundation and go toward supplies for victims of the devastating floods.  Great music will also be happening at The 5 Spot and The Basement - both those shows featuring artists I love. Oh for a cloning machine or a time machine...

One last thing before we get to the Throwback Shuffle... and certainly not the least!!!!!!!

I am so happy to announce the upcoming release (September 9) of the long awaited Darrin Bradbury album, Elmwood Park: A Slightly Melodic Audiobook  presented by Cafe Rooster Records.  Here is the best news, as of this morning. you can pre-order the album and receive new recordings of two classic Darrin Bradbury tunes: "Life is Hard" and "True Love".  If you pre-order, the rest of the album will magically appear in your inbox on September 9.  The album was recorded at Eastside Manor Studios and produced by Gabe Masterson. It features an impressive list of players adding their musical magic to Bradbury's funny, tragic, sad, and uplifting songs.  Musicians include, Laur Joamets (Sturgill Simpson's band), Tim Easton, Brian Wright, Megan Palmer, Jay Rutherford (Los Colognes), and many more.   If you want to pre-order (and yes, you do want to pre-order), you can do so via the embedded widget thingy below. And then, after the jump, you can read about today's shuffle...

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Some Sign of Pursuit Mix

Tweet #E2TG


Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

It was one of those early shows at The 5 Spot in East Nashville where you could have put together one hell of an all-star band just from the people in attendance. But, truth be told, there was no need for that because David Olney was on the stage, and he was, as I have come to expect, out of this world. Where else could you hear The Bee Gees and Samuel Taylor Coleridge in the same set? Backed by Ward Stout, Justin Amaral, and Daniel Seymour, it was captivating and amazing.  Olney has one more Wednesday to go in his month long residency, and I highly recommend your attendence next week if at all possible.

The week rolls on, and suddenly, we find ourselves at Thursday.  This week we throw things back with an interesting collection of songs... check it out...

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - It Matters Mix

Tweet #E2TG


Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

So, I told you.  Didn't I? David Olney is simply the best.  The first week of his residency at The 5 Spot is in the books.  Backed by a solid band (Justin Amaral, Daniel Seymour, and Ward Stout) - Olney played some of my favorite songs of his - "Wait Here For the Cops", "When the Deal Goes Down", and "Slim Slammy". He also threw in some songs from a couple of albums he has in the works. In addition, he did his cover of The Bee Gees, "New York Mining Disater 1941", and then surprised and delighted all with a cover of John Prine's "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" which was transformative.  If you missed it, he will be back next Wednesday.  Then in two weeks, you have one chance to catch Scott Miller before Olney returns for the last two Wednesdays of August.

Tonight is the Andrew Leahey and the Homestead celebrate the release of their record on Thirty Tigers with guest Darrin Bradbury and Bill Eberle.  Doors at 8:30 - Darrin takes the stage at 9:00pm.

It is time to throw things back on a Thursday... Dig in...

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - The Horses are on the Track Mix

Tweet #E2TG


Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


Well, Nashville has had more than its share of rain the past few days.  I got a pretty good soaking walking back to my car yesterday.

Another incredible residency show started last night at The 5 Spot. Rod Picott began his month-long series with Jon Byrd opening.  Both singer-songwriters were backed by an incredible band: Sergio Webb, Tim Blankenship, and Duane Blevins.  A really amazing show for $5 that could get you home before 9:00pm.  I would love to see Nashville/East Nashville showing a lot more support for these early shows.

Anyway, I didn't make it home before 9:00pm, because I hung around for the late show which was the monthly Songs Not Silence benefit for Thistle Farms (which is an incredible organization), and which featured a lot of awesome music.  I was happy to get to see Nellie Clay perform before she heads out on a series of out-of-town gigs.  Also good to get to see Megan Palmer play before she takes some time off to take care of some medical issues.  By the way, today is Megan's birthday! So, Happy Birthday Megan!

Well, this short work week has been kind of weird, but it is Thursday and so we push forward with some throwback tunes and noise and stuff...

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - The Last Night of the Fair Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


We have arrived at Thursday.  For the daily "theme" today, I decided upon the term, "Throwback Thursday"... honestly, I'm surprised no one has come up with this sooner.... I even came up with a hashtag (#tbt) for it.  Clever aren't I?

I think the concept is pretty self-explanatory.  I hope to show that music in the past was extremely diverse and varied - in spite of what "Classic Rock" stations may lead you to believe....

without ado....

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Baby Out of Jail Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


Well, here we are.  Another late posting.  Tomorrow likely will be, too.  Let's jump to it. Plus by stupid bluetooth earphones have bitten the dust.  Replacements are on their way.

We've been doing the "Earies" for about a week now.  I hope everyone is enjoying themselves.  I am coming up with winners faster than I am coming up with Award names.... but it's all good.  I just hope I don't forget anyone, but I probably will...

Today's award is the "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" Award.

The premise:  I have known for some time that Nashville is the home to some amazing blues players and music, but that fact came into sharp focus for me this year.  The other thing that came into sharp focus for me is that "The Blues" is not a narrow genre of music and it is very much alive and well in this middle year of the second decade of the new millennium.  This award is meant to recognize some of the best of the blues and it so happens both of this years winners come from Nashville, and they both bring their own unique twist to the genre.

The Award goes to Ted Drozdowski's Scissormen  and Eight O'Five Jive.

Ted Drozdowski is a journalist and scholar of the Blues and an amazing guitar player.  With his trio, he brings Mississippi to Nashville and rolls into a sweet psychedelic coating while telling stories and blowing minds.  Love and Life was one of the best albums of the year and one of the best albums Ted Drozdowski has made.  An electrifying live act (no stage can contain Ted and no utensils or glassware are safe from being used as a guitar slide.


Eight O'Five Jive play upbeat, swinging jump blues that evokes an earlier era while remaining firmly rooted in the present.  Their album, Too Many Men, was smart and sexy and a whole lot of fun.  They won a couple of awards at this years Nashville Independent Music Awards including Best Blues Artist, and now they can add an "Earie" to their award cabinet,






On to the shuffle:

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Weird-O Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Let's face it.  The world is a scary place, however, the antidote for the very natural fear is always love. Music heals.  Even, as it was Friday, a musical event was a target... music still has the power to heal.  Above all, I invite and encourage everyone - regardless of ideologies or political leanings to avoid knee-jerk reactions (which are almost always based upon fear of some kind) and take a breath and wait for facts to become clear.

Here at E2TG, our job is to bring you music from the sublime to the silly to the serious.  Think of our little playlist as a respite from whatever it is that you need a respite from.....

Friday night began with a visit to one of my favorite weekly events - I dare say it is one of Nashville's hidden gems (hidden in plain sight).  Tim Carroll has been playing a weekly Rock and Roll Happy Hour at The 5 Spot for a long time.  What you get: a casual and fun atmosphere, great music from Tim and his band along with Luella, No Cover (Tips welcome and encouraged), and 1/2 priced drinks from 6-8.  The music usually goes from 6-8:30 and the band does not take a break.  It is a superb way to start your Friday night plans.

After that - this week, I headed to the Basement East to see Sam Outlaw open for an ultra rare reunion of Bare Jr.  Sam Outlaw was awesome (and he was joined by a long time #E2TG favorite Shelly Colvin).  Bare Jr. quite simply rocked the house. Delivering their entire album, Boo-Tay - they closed the night with an epic mash-up of The Cars' "My Best Friend's Girl" and The Who's "Baba O'Riley".  It was loud and raucous and man was it fun.

Sunday Night found me back at "The Beast" for another edition of East Nashville Songwriter's Club. This time with Sally Jaye, Zach Schmidt, and the one and only David Olney.  It was an awesome evening of music. 

Then, I headed over to The Building - possibly for the last time before that great space closes.  Kira Hooks, Tom Schreck, and Yosi Mesbah offered up prime examples of the diversity of talent in this very vibrant local music scene.

On to our shuffle:

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Blues in King Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

As June turns into July...  another cool night of music in East Nashville - this time at The Building.  Ariel Bui, Emma Berkey, Todd Henkin (all local) and Alexandra Scott from New Orleans did a outstanding round, Dylan Lee Johnston did a short set, and #E2TG Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury closed out the evening. 

Speaking of Bradbury, my show alert of the week is for Thursday night at The 5 Spot. Darrin will be opening for Austin Lucas starting around 9:00.  Should be a fine night, and I am off work Friday so....

I got to take in a couple of shows last week and talk some to Julie Christensen, and I wanted to send out a reminder/alert to her Pre-Order campaign for her new album with her incredible band Stone Cupid.  Here is the link.  You can Pre-Order the album and there are some fine options for merchandise and exclusives. Julie has a long, rich history with many of the best artists of the modern era, and I had the great pleasure to see her and her band play an amazing set at one of the final nights of the original Family Wash.  If you are in Nashville, her next band show is coming up at the end of this month, and I will have more details later.

Now to our first shuffle of this new month...

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Lost Cause Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!     

A great week of live music continued last night: the count: Darrin Bradbury with Aaron Lee Tasjan and Cameron Carrus backing him up, Carl Anderson, and Holy Sheboygan (an awesome band from Wisconsin) all at Foobar.  Then, Tim Carroll and Luella Wood  and a solo Darrin Bradbury set at Fran's Eastside.

Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Get up and Do Something Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

So... I'm having trouble thinking of  a profound intro to this shuffle...  So... it is Friday! The weekend is upon us.  Get up and Do Something!  I snatched that song from the Soul Asylum song in today's shuffle.  Good advise, that I need to take myself sometimes...

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - The Pause That Refreshes Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!   

Had a good time hanging out at The Basement and watching Darrin Bradbury with Tim Carroll and Cameron Carrus wow the crowd...

To the shuffle...

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Freaked Out for Another Day Mix

Tweet #E2TG

I have a major announcement.... truth is that even if I did have a major announcement, I would probably wait until tomorrow to make it... Truth is, though, as the weather is heating up so is the music scene here in Nashville (and probably in your city, too).  Tons of great shows are coming, so get out to your local venues and festivals and whatnot and support real music made by real people.

Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Barefoot on the Dancefloor Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Traversed snow and ice and cold to witness the birth of a new East Nashville musical happening at the Mad Donna's Loft... a super-serious, super-cool songwriting thing (the name is still being bandied about), but who needs a name when you have Joe Fletcher, Brian Wright, and Darrin Bradbury playing their awesome songs to a small but dedicated audience of super-serious music fans (including some other great musicians).  Here's to many more of these happenings and much better weather for them.  Hats off to the awesome Terry Rickards for making this thing happen...

Since I traversed the snow last night, I kind of had to do it this morning... guilty conscience if I said I couldn't make it to work... but I had an awesome sound track for this slippery and frigid journey...

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Bone In Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Cold, cold morning.  Sidewalks and some roads still icy. 

Got a pretty interesting shuffle on tap... let's get to it.

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - I'm Not Down Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Every other Sunday Night, an amazing cultural exchange program takes place in Nashville.  The East Side Invasion at Bobby's Idle Hour features some of East Nashville's best songwriters holding court at the legendary Music Row watering hole.  Curated and hosted by performing songwriter Lindsay Ellyn, the typical evening includes two songwriter rounds, a set from a featured artist, and a show closer by Darrin Bradbury. The night is a casual, laid-back affair that happens to include some of the best songwriters Nashville (East or West) has to offer. Plus, I'm usually home before eleven to get ready to face Monday morning.  Come on out sometime. The next East Side Invasion is February 8.

In the shuffle today, we have some great songs by some of my heroes, another awesome track from a new Alt-Rock band that we have been featuring, plus something completely different... let's dig in!

Friday Morning Music Shuffle - All for Show Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Note to myself: just because it is not 4 degrees, the 20s are still pretty cold.

I wonder if I am the only person who upon encountering an unpleasant odor while out walking, thinks that I need to push the "inside air" button...

Ah, ignore me. It Friday - the end of the first full week of work in what seems like forever.

We close out the week a shuffle that includes a couple of recent tunes mixed in with some songs that I have loved for a long time....

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Sunflower/Locomotive Mix

Tweet #E2TG

I am not a morning person.  It seems important to say that because I post a daily Morning Shuffle which features music I listen to between 6:45 a.m. (or so) and 7:15 a.m. (or so).  I just wanted you to know that I don't do a morning shuffle because I am a morning person, but rather by current necessity, I have to be up and about by this time, and being a non-morning person, I need a soundtrack of cool music to keep me moving....  This is my soundtrack for Monday morning January 5, 2015.

Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Please to Meet You... Mix

Tweet #E2TG

2015.  A new year, a new start... it's seems right to begin again with an introduction. My name is Joe, and I write this music blog called Ear to the Ground.  In this particular corner of the internet, I hope to introduce you to music you've not yet heard.  Some of it is brand new, some of it is very old... I decide what does into the playlist to be shuffled and the magical mystery shuffle function decides the mix.  Anything can happen.  We some awesome things in store for you, dear reader, in the coming year, but I won't tell you what they are in case we don't do them.  You never know... life is funny that way...

Well, the year isn't getting any younger, so let's dive in....