Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Demagogue Mix

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Time is short, so I am going to get right to it.  It is Tuesday - let's check out our Trending Tuesday shuffle!  Sorry to have to be so short-winded today.

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - White Riot Mix

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Happy International Clash Day!




My favorite radio station WXNA has several Clash-themed shows today.  Plus, tonight at Grimey's WXNA DJs will be spinning Clash and Clash-related tunes, and there will be a special performance by Nashville's favorite Clash tribute band - Tommy Gun - featuring Tommy Womack!


Meanwhile, Nashville legend Jason Ringenberg celebrates the release of his new album at The 5 Spot - kicking off a month-long residency.   Later, Amelia White - celebrates the release of her new album at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge with Sally Jaye and guest Will Kimbrough.


The volume of great new music coming out already this still fairly new year has been staggering.  Just the music I have to feature is incredible. So, let's dive into the Trending Thursday Shuffle!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Not Dead Mix

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Rolling on, we come to another Trending Tuesday Shuffle - from our new music playlist.

We have another good, eclectic shuffle.... so, let's get to it!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - One Setback at a Time

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I'm back. I had a training away from my office which made it impossible to get the shuffle posted yesterday.  So, we are back with our Trending Thursday. 

We have our usual mixed bag of music and mayhem.  Let's shuffle!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Sue was a Charmer Mix

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Sometimes I have random thoughts about society and life and I think, gee, I wish I had a place to share these thoughts besides as  Facebook Status Updates. Then, I remember, hey! I have a blog that I post to every day.  That being said, please feel free to skip my self-indulgent rambling ahead.

*START SELF-INDULGENT RAMBLING*

Lately, there is something I have been pondering. Namely, why so many people seem to devote so much energy to music, movies, books, art, celebrities that they don't like. (For this purpose, I am excluding criticism of current government leaders - however, there is possible still some relevance). I have seen instances were an article appears about a particular band or artist or whatever, and rather heated debate ensues between those who like said artist and those who despise said artist. What is interesting to me is not the debate or posts themselves but the amount of thought and attention that goes into the comments of those who don't like... nee hate... the said artist. Like they offer detailed explanations that demonstrate a deep familiarity with the said artists work. And it seems clear that they devote a significant amount of time, energy, and head-space to the despised artist's work. And, they seem invested in trying to convince fans of said artist that they are "wrong." 

Don't get me wrong, I encourage anyone to listen to music before  dismissing an artist or album whole cloth, but I just can't understand. There are certainly bands and artists that I really do not like. I gave a listen and decided it just wasn't my thing. I don't feel compelled to "straighten out" people who actually like them. I have neither the time, energy, or inclination to dissect and analyze all the reasons I don't like their music. I get if a professional journalist is tasked with this, but as an amateur and more importantly, as a music fan, I don't understand it. There is more good music being produced than I can possibly take in (and arguably I spend more time than the average person listening to new music). If I spend time on the bands I hate, I would have even less time for the bands I love.

And yes, I do recognize the irony of using time and blog-space to even write about this. 

*END SELF-INDULGENT RAMBLING*


Speaking of new music!  I loaded even more new music into my phone last night - including a couple I am really excited to feature coming up soon.

Today is Thursday and it is time to dive back into the "2019 Trending Playlist" of the newest of the new arrivals at E2TG,

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Out in the Rain 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)

If you have read The Drift, please consider writing a review on Amazon. If you haven't read it, you can get your own copy through Amazon or if you are in Nashville, you can get them from me.

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!)
E2TG September 2018  (coming soon!)

SAVE THE DATE!!!!!  Thursday, November 15, 2018 - We have a pretty cool event in the works.  More to come!


Another work week is upon us...

The world seems pretty sucky right now.  Votes are being suppressed and stolen, the free press is under attack, the government is trying to erase trans people.  For god's sake if any of these things bother you, VOTE!  Early voting is going on or starting soon in most places. VOTE early, vote on November 6. VOTE.  If you have the ability, convince other like-minded people to vote, offer to take someone to the polling place.  I am hopeful of a Blue Wave, but fearful that something will stand in the way...  If it doesn't happen, I am truly afraid for what will happen to this nation.

I have been saying for almost two years, I am not someone who wants to get political.  I believe that differing political opinions should be celebrated. I don't believe that what is happening now is political. Children in cages, white supremacists being emboldened, the rule of law being trashed, reporters being targeted and murdered.... These are not things that either conservatives or progressives should support.

God, I need some music now!  Here's a nifty shuffle of artists connected to Nashville, Tennessee.

E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency Preview Shuffle - Month of Thursdays Mix Pt.2

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The Ear to the Ground Residency at The 5 Spot continues tomorrow night and every Thursday in June. 

This week:

Come on out!  I am so excited about this line-up.  Ben de la Cour is an amazing songwriter.  The End Men are flat out one of my all-time favorite bands and I am so excited to have them in Nashville for the night!  Ted Drozdowski has a 40 year career as a journalist.  He is currently a senior editor at Premier Guitar magazine. A brilliant man and gifted musician - he knows the blues better than anyone I know.  He brings a unique vision to his version of psychedelic blues music - with a brand new power trio - he calls Ted Drozdowski's Psychedelic Circus.

I have created a special playlist - to highlight some of the great music still to come this month.  Here is a taste.

E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency Preview Shuffle - Month of Thursdays Mix

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TOMORROW!  The E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency kicks off at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.

The show starts at 6:00pm.  The music should get underway no later than 6:15pm (since we have a ton of great music on tap).  Clark Paterson will kick things off with a full-band set. Followed by Rayvon Pettis and The Big Dumb (including a set of The Big Dumb doing their own music).

I decided to create a Spotify playlist to showcase some of the great music we have in store of you in June. I was listening to some of it last night, and we have some pretty amazing artists and music in store (if I do say so myself).

For the month of June, I will be forgoing our usual "Wild Wednesday" shuffle to feature a very special E2TG Residency Shuffle... Let's get started!

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - An Artist Man Mix

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I need to start by saying cancer sucks... I hate it!  Rest in Peace to Grant Hart (Husker Du).  Along with The Replacements and Minutemen, Husker Du were part of the holy trinity of great American post-punk bands on the 1980s.

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Whew... I am somehow still functioning (at least as good as I normally function).  So far this week, I've seen somewhere close to 15 hours of live music (with 7-8 more on tap tonight), worked my regular schedule, posted my normal blog posts, recorded a radio show, run into a ton of good friends, strategically managed to drink quite a bit for a fraction of the cost ;-), posted on Instagram for the radio station, danced at 1:00am at The Family Wash, and even got to sleep - just a little.

Last night, I saw the amazing Bonnie Whitmore, K. Phillips (who co-wrote the Erica Blinn song we premiered last week), and the always enchanting Amelia White.

Tonight: As if the case almost every day/night this week, there is a ton of amazing music.  I plan to start my evening at The 5 Spot.  E2TG Favorite Mark Robinson Band.  This is Mark's fifth year running of holding down the Thursday early slot at The 5 Spot. This year, in addition to hi stellar band, he will be joined by Dave Coleman (who I saw playing with Amelia White last night), and one of my favorite local songwriters Kevin Gordon (according to my Facebook memories, two years ago, I was attending the City Winery CD Release show for Gordon for his most recent album).

Speaking of City Winery, their lineup tonight includes, Robyn Hitchcock, Dave Alvin, Tony Joe White and more.

If all goes as planned, my evening will end with North Mississippi All-Stars and Blackfoot Gypsies at The Beast.

Meanwhile, I have Shuffle to present.  It somehow is Thursday, and that means today's shuffle comes from the special E2TG Topical playlist... featuring songs from across the six year history of this blog.

Let's shuffle!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Weakness and Strength Mix

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I didn't post the link yesterday, but if you are on Facebook - here is the Event page for the #E2TG 5 Year Anniversary show...  Actually, it is the event page whether or not you are on Facebook... but anyway...

We have a great Trending Tuesday shuffle...  let's dive in....

Music City Monday Shuffle - Locked Horns with Legba Mix

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Good morning - I am back after an extended weekend.

As I reported Thursday morning, Thursday night was one of those impossible choice Nashville nights.  I ended up following musicians from gig to gig because I figured that was one way, I could be sure to catch as much as I could without being late for something else.

Thursday Night Recap (since this is my first post since then):

Started out at The Basement East for the inaugural edition of Lightning 100's Thunderground.  $3.00 cover, $2.50 PBR pints and tons of cool music.  Enjoyed hanging with some fine folks and hearing Don Gallardo and How Far West - who sounded so damn good.  Becca Mancari was next, and I really dug her music.  There was more awesome music on tap there - including Steelism, but I followed Adam Kurtz over to the American Legion Post 82 for the 3rd ever performance of Buck 'N' Stuff (the premiere Buck Owen's tribute band!).  First up at the Legion was Matt Campbell - Troubadour who was backed by the farmer and Adele from The Farmer and Adele. Buck 'N' Stuff did not disappoint - there were flying beer bottles and lots and lots of Buck Owens' covers.  After Buck 'N' Stuff wrapped up their set, I followed Buck 'N' Stuff bass player Cameron Carrus to The 5 Spot spot - to wrap up my night with an awesome set from Luella. Luella was backed by Tim Carroll, Toby Caldwell, and Cameron. 

I spent the weekend with my daughter, and so I missed the reportedly (and expectedly) excellent Darrin Bradbury, Joey Kneiser, and Austin Lucas show.

Ah.. why cry over missed shows...   Onward and upward!

My daughter and I had a an enjoyable afternoon yesterday at Sugar. A Bakery in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee listening to Lindsay Ellyn and Taylor Alexander backed by the Jess Perkins.  They play just about every Sunday and mix up classic country covers with their own original music.  Great music, great food, and a great atmosphere. Leiper's Fork is located south of Nashville near Franklin.  The drive is gorgeous.

It is Monday - where we feature songs associated with or connected to Music City USA.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Till Your Well Runs Dry Mix

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Hey ho!  It's Trendy  Trending Tuesday at E2TG.  This will have to be a quick one.  Lots of music and not much time.

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Wintry Mix Mix

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So... Nashville had a light layer of ice this morning followed by a dusting of snow.  To translate for those of you in colder climates: NASHVILLE WAS HIT BY A MAJOR WINTER STORM TODAY! EVERYONE PANIC NOW!!!!!

So, when I made to the office (where attendance is very light today), my phone decided to turn itself off and back on which means I lost the record of the shuffle. I was able to remember all of the songs - I think, but the order is screwed up... then again, you would never have known that if I had not told you... shoot, I wish there was a way to erase that, but I heard things on the internet cannot be truly erased... 

I am getting really excited for tomorrow night.  At the Family Wash - dual CD Release shows happening with two of my favorite people here in town.  Stone Cupid (Julie Christensen's band) is celebrating the release of The Cardinal and Amelia White is celebrating the release of her new album Home Sweet Hotel. Should be a great time!

On to the approximation of this morning's shuffle....

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Sharpest Marble Mix

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First off - ICYMI because I posted so late yesterday.  Here is the link to yesterday's shuffle and "Earie" Awards...

Today's "Earie" Award category is either called, "The Hall of Fame Part II" Award or the "E2TG Survivor Series" Award or something.  Over the 4 1/2 year history of E2TG, I have been fortunate to get to know and write about a ton of really awesome and talented artists.  As most people reading this know, making music and trying to be heard in 2015 is a challenging proposition. It is easy to get burned out or for more lucrative opportunities to take precedence.  This award is meant to recognize long time favorites of this blog who are still out there doing their thing and making vital and interesting music.

1.  Killing Kuddles - from Atlanta - Elwood "Killing" Kuddles first caught my attention a few years ago with his blending of punk and folk or folk and punk - which I hereby dub.. "Polk" (because "Funk" means something else).  In 2015, Kuddles released the Sinking Ship EP which pushed his signature sound forward.  I love his slightly twisted humor and the way his music makes me happy.  Very happily, I made a Black Friday purchase that included a Killing Kuddles t-shirt, stickers, patches, and buttons. 

2.  The Danbury Lie - originating from Connecticut, I think he's kind of a citizen of the world now.  The Danbury Lie holds the distinction of being the third most tagged band in E2TG history.  Like so many Connecticut artists, he is extremely prolific.  In 2015 alone, he released Scattered Moments of Connection, Choose Your Delusion, Shallow Cuts (kind of a Greatest Hits collection), and the DVD (with accompanying soundtrack) called Whispers to Oblivion.  And he is already at work on a new project schedule for early next year.  His music is unique and amazing. It is an interesting mix of experimental metal, out there folk, and something harder to define.  Whispers to Oblivion is a chronicle of his cross-country drive over the summer.  It is an amazing video which manages to give the viewer insight into The Danbury Lie's world.  I would recommend it even if I didn't make a voice-only cameo appearance.

3. Pony Boy - When I first came into contact with the music of Marchelle Bradanini - aka Pony Boy - she was in Los Angeles, and I was very impressed by both her songs and her incredible voice. Since then, she has partially relocated to East Nashville (she lives 1/2 time here and in L.A.), and she has begun to received some well deserved attention. Pony Boy released Blue Gold this year, and I have seen it mentioned on some best of lists already.  And now, she has an "Earie".

Our last featured Friday shuffle of 2015 is on deck....

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - The Joy and the Crap Mix

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Well... It's Friday!  By my estimates, there are eleven work days left in 2015.  I am going to have to huddle up with the awards committee* over the weekend to take stock of where things stand.  I know I will leave somebody important out, so expect some adjunct awards early in 2016.
*I am the awards committee, by the way....

Now to today's "Earie"Award.

The Award:  the "There Going to Put Me in the Movies" Award aka the "Act Naturally" Award aka the "Buck Owens" Award....

The premise: No premise really, just a way to connect two awesome songwriters/musicians so that I can give them both an award for being awesome.

The Awards go to:

1.  Joe Nolan -  Joe recently signed a new publishing agreement with Creative Songwriters Music which is hopefully mean we will be hearing some of his great songs in movies and television shows soon. In addition, Joe Nolan is by the best definition I know, a true modern day renaissance man.  In addition to his extensive journalistic work  - among other things he is the arts editor for the Nashville Scene, a regular blogger, etc. etc. etc.  He was recently awarded a commission by the Metro (Nashville) Arts Commission to create a song based upon a piece of public art, and he has an on-going Nashville Public Radio series about Nashville's many "Pikes".  Makes me proud to be a "Joe".




2.  Andrew Adkins - Andrew has an excellent track record of having songs used in movies and trailers.  Most recently, one of his songs was used in the trailer for Colin Hanks' film about Tower Records, All Things Must Pass.  This was cool to me for two reason, 1. Tower Records played an important role in my musical development - particularly in the early 90s.  2. Colin Hanks was in Orange County and he's Tom Hanks' son.   In addition, Adkins has kept busy making music under a variety of names before consolidating it all under his own name.  Semi-coincidently, he just released the first single from his forthcoming album, Glass Castles (which will be released the day after my birthday).  The single is called, "May the Stars Fall At Your Door" and it marks a bit of a departure from the kind of music Andrew Adkins has been doing.






On to the shuffle:

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Zombies of Death Mix

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E2TG moves into the mid-week.  The rain has stopped for now, and I actually think I saw a patch of blue sky for a second, but it's gone now...

We have a nifty shuffle that features some friends, a cover, a variety of styles of music, and a classic track from 1979.  Boom!

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Personality Crisis Mix

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Time is very short, but today was a good shuffle so, I will just post quickly.



"Gimme More" by Broken Guru

Another cool tune from Broke Down Halo.  

"Junior's Blues" by Ted Drozdowski's Scissormen

An older Scissormen song that is currently available on a Noisetrade release called Stink Eye.  It's a song about Junior Kimbrough.

"Personality Crisis" (1973 Demo) by New York Dolls

A demo of one of my favorite songs by the proto-punk icons.

"Safe Corridor" by Cruising

Some really cool new surf punk. From an EP also called Cruising.  I don't know much else. 

"A Chicken With It's Head Cut Off" by The Magnetic Fields

Sometimes I feel this way... from 69 Love Songs by Edward Sharpe and the Magnet...  wait no, wrong band... ;-)

"The Garden" by Elephant Revival

Randomness produces some interesting patterns.  We have our second Elephant Revival song in as many days.  I do like this band a bunch.

"I'm So Good That I Don't Have to Brag" by Shel Silverstein

And we close with a really funny song from the guy who wrote "The Giving Tree."  This time around, he is talking about how he is so good that he doesn't have to brag.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Palindromatic Mix

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Pardon my English, but screw 1,000 posts.  1001 is where it is at... plus it is a palindrome.

So, last night was the first of five weeks of  Campfire Propaganda's residency at The 5 Spot in East Nashville. It was a wonderful celebration of songs and songwriters.  Tim Easton, who is always wonderful, the awesome Megan Palmer, guests from Oklahoma - John Calvin Abney and Levi Parham), Nellie Clay, and Darrin Bradbury.  For the rest of the Thursday's in October 6p.m. to 8p.m. The 5 Spot is the place to be...

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Every Dollar in the US Mint Mix

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Heritage Blues Orchestra with Special Guest Keb Mo

 

 

Took in a great show last night at the historic Franklin Theatre in Downtown Franklin, TN.  The show marked the first ever Nashville area appearance of the Heritage Blues Orchestra from New York City. Their music incorporated traditional Blues tunes with some jazz-inspired arrangements to create a very diverse and fun night of music.  The guitar work of Junior Mack was outstanding, the vocals were out of this world.  Special Guest Keb Mo was incredible.

 

 

To close out the week, we have pretty cool Featured Friday shuffle that is a good mix that includes songs sent to me by some of the most consistently awesome publicists from whom I get music along with some awesome songs from of the immensely talented friends I've made on this journey of music and life.

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - My Dark Sense of Humor Mix

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How goes it? A bit overcast here in Nashville with some cooler temps on the way...

Tonight is week 2 of David Olney's month-long residency at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.  Interested to see what he has up his sleeves this week after last weeks excellent start.

Let's jump into the shuffle---