Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Mad As Hell Mix

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More Earie "Fun" facts/Info/FAQ (not that anyone has asked questions):

As determined, by me, last year, receiving an Earie during the month of December does not disqualify an artist or band from winning a "Golden Earier" (i.e. Artist or Band of the Year).

Also, I feel an impulse to "save" certain awards until later in the month - for dramatic effect or something, but given the fact that I do this all haphazardly and that I have a very distracted mind, I am choosing to just go ahead and award things as I think about them. (except for the aforementioned "Golden" Earies.

Now, to avoid being any more self-referential, I will move on and award some Earies:

The next category is the "Keep Nashville Cool and Interesting and Original and/or Funny and/or Wild and/or (fill in the blank with a word or phrase that means something good) -  Band" Award goes to... and we have a three way tie!

Microwave Mountain - I had been hearing about this band last year, and I finally got to see them in January during the Buck n Stuff Residency at the Legion. I was happy to jump on the bandwagon. Their debut album can now be streamed on Spotify - so go do that! 

Buck n Stuff - Speaking of... When you look at the credits of the band members - this COUNTRY MUSIC band is most definitely a "SUPERGROUP"  Drummer guy has been playing for the solo tour of one of the members of a legendary group from the American South which is named after an airplane (I think).  Bass Guy - can be found playing bass with tons of cool folks including  on a regular basis as part of the band for an iconic early weekend weekly event at a noted East Nashville venue with a number in it's name, and the Main Guy - is part of band named for a lyric of a song by a band that formed after the disillusion of another band that had an album that gave its name to a magazine.   They may have a live album coming soon that I may or may not have heard already.

The Big Dumb - Sometimes you pick a name quickly without thought and it sticks. That's what happened with Ear to the Ground. I was fortunate enough to witness the birth of The Big Dumb - kind of. I was at a show by a band called The Cult of Javi Jones when mid-set, they decided that they wanted a different name - and decided on The Big Dumb. I don't know if that name had been discussed before hand, but for the sake of the legend, I am going to assume it had not. I just recently got to see them again, and I was completely blown away. The Big Dumb are the backing band for Rayvon Pettis who is having his CD release show tomorrow night at Dee's, and that is a cool thing,  but if you get the chance, see these guys doing their own thing!


Next, the "Best Damn DJ Partner in the Whole World, Like, Ever" Award goes to... Sue Havlish! It was a close vote, but really no contest. Double Shot with Joe and Sue on WXNA has been the most incredible experience, and it is Sue who makes it so much fun to do. We are approaching our 80th show together, and we haven't yet run out of theme or stopped having a blast.  Thanks Sue!


On to the WILD WEDNESDAY SHUFFLE!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - A T.V. Remote and Coffee That's Been Laced Mix

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Hey! Running short on time... so let's jump right into the Wild Wednesday Shuffle...

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Wish That I Could Hate You Mix

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My oft repeated phrase is "Music Heals".  I say it because I believe it to be true.  Last night, still feeling sad about the death of my first best friend, I headed down to The Family Wash. There, surrounded by friends, I took one of those once-in-a-lifetime nights of music that seem to happen around  this town on a frequent basis.

Nathan Bell - a singer-songwriter who I first saw earlier this year at The Bluebird Cafe played first.  His songs are soooo good. He was joined by Annie Mosher on several songs and then by legendary Nashville songwriter Don Henry on one song.

After that, the always mind-blowing Sergio Webb made a rare appearance as a front man and an even rarer appearance leading a full-band.  The Cremonatones - a one-off super-group featured Julie Christensen, Dave Coleman, Parker Hawkins, and Fran Breen.  The set opened with a rocking cover of Lou Reed's "New Sensation" - a song I had heard Webb do solo at Bobby's Idle Hour - and continued through a set of songs including several written with John Hadley and David Olney.  It was one of those magical nights of insanely good music and an audience of some of the best musicians in the world.  It was just what I needed.

A ton a great music upcoming.  I wanted to highlight Richie Owens and The Farm Bureau making a rare appearance at my favorite venue - The 5 Spot on Saturday at 6:00pm.

We have a Featured Friday Shuffle...

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - An Angel's Kiss in Spring Mix

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Another month has begun... we celebrate with a randomly generated shuffle of music...

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Just Like My Mama Said Mix

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To be sure, I see a bunch of great live music here in Nashville, and I probably miss at least as many if not more than I get to see.

Last night was one of those great shows that I did get to see, and it was a show that made me really happy that I live in Nashville. It was the Aaron Lee Tasjan Release Show for In the Blazes at The Basement (the original one) last night.  Zach Schmidt opened the show back by Adam Kurtz on pedal steel.  Zach Schmidt looks like a Country music star should look, and he has the songs and voice to back up the look. He is the real deal, and he easily kick the ass of any one of those "bro-country" posers, but he is probably too nice a guy to do that.

Aaron Lee Tasjan is a one of a kind artist, and he seems destined to as hugely famous as he deserves to be.  Seeing him live under any circumstances and in any configuration (band or solo) is always a must-see event.  When he assembles the kind of band he did last night, the show is one for the ages.  Backed by drummer Aaron Shafer-Haiss, legendary bassist Keith Christopher, the always amazing Brian Wright and Jon Latham on guitars, and on two songs backed by vocal powerhouses Sally Jaye and Sarah Potenza - Tasjan's incredible songs were delivered with precision and power.

In short, the night was a demonstration of what I love about this city.  Great songwriters, talented players, mutual admiration, and incredible music.  The Basement was packed out and everywhere I looked were awesome songwriters and players taking it in.

In the Blazes is hands down one of the best records of the year, and you should definitely check it out.

We have a shuffle to put out....

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Traveling Mix

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A busy week for music in Nashville.  Tonight it's a Tim Easton live recording at The Building in East Nashville with Megan Palmer plus Darrin Bradbury and Tim Carroll.  Tomorrow - way too many choices, but it's the usual Wednesday night joint a Fran's with Darrin Bradbury and Tim Carroll.  Thursday, a Happy Hour of great Roots Guitarist including Ear to the Ground favorite Mark Robinson, plus Ritchie Owens and the Farm Bureau, Ted Drozdowski's Scissormen, and Nick Kane formerly of The Mavericks at The Five Spot.  After that another E2TG alum, Pony Boy plays as part of a 5 Spot favorites show and the fun continues...

Right now, we have a shuffle to put on...