Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Boys Like Me Mix

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If trudging through the work week is like climbing a mountain, then my question has to be is Wednesday really the day we get over the hump or is it just a day that finds us clinging desperately to the sheer face of a rocky cliff and wondering how the hell we are going to make it the rest of the way?  Food for thought... happy Wednesday!

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - I'm Not Down Mix

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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 - Talking inYour Sleep Mix

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I had a technical glitch which prevented me from going back to review the songs in this morning's shuffle, so I did the best I could from memory.  I realize that no one would know the difference, but I felt the need to be honest about that.  I think I came pretty close (possible some songs out of order)...

Friday Morning Music Shuffle - All for Show Mix

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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....

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Mambo and Lasso Santa Mix

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This is the last morning shuffle of the week, I am taking a few days off wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a joyous time...

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Like a Freebird Wheel Mix

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Today's subtitle is a tribute to the mind-blowing weekly party that goes down every single Wednesday night at Fran's Eastside Tavern in East Nashville, Tennessee. Tim Carroll and Darrin Bradbury have been doing this thing since July or so, and I've only missed a couple.  When it began, Darrin would play for an hour or so and then Tim would take over and then they would play together at the end of the evening. In time, drummer David Strayer began sitting in and then (when he returned from an extended time up North) Cameron Carrus joined in on the upright bass, and the Fran's Eastside Super High Band was formed. Now-a-days, Tim begins playing sometime before 8:30 (I don't think I've ever made it there before he began) and the band joins in as they arrive. Darrin plays (with Tim playing guitar).  Singer Luella Wood has been known to serenade us with a few songs each night, and at various times Trombones, additional guitars, and other assorted folks have joined in the party.  Special guests have been known to show up including singer/songwriter legend Dave Dondero and last night Nathan Kalish and the Lastcallers.  It's a seriously fun night and if you can handle the copious amounts of second-hand smoke, you should come on out if you are in the area. 

Last night's show ended the traditional "Freebird" and "Wagon Wheel" one-two punch which Darrin Bradbury managed to lyrically mash-up in the manner of our subtitle.

On to the shuffle:

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Tilt-a-Whirl Mix

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Well! The impromptu debut of Ear to the Ground Presents: at The Building last night was a huge success or at least a hell of a lot of fun with some awesome music. Thanks to Darrin Bradbury for doing all the leg work, and to The Western Shore, Sarah Potenza, Jon Latham, and Darrin and The Fran's Eastside Super High Band for bringing the awesome tunes.  Hopefully, this will be a semi-regular thing in 2015.

Let's jump into the shuffle... shall we?

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - The Drifting Mix

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I am thinking about starting a new weekly post or something promoting the #E2TG recommended  shows around Nashville each week.  I have not decided upon a format or anything, but if you have suggestions or events for consideration, hit me up.

In the meantime, get ready to kick off the last full week before Christmas with a pretty awesome show at The Building in East Nashville tonight.  It is Open Road Monday.  Doors open at 7:00 with music starting at 8:00.  The show features The Western Shore, Sarah Potenza, Darrin Bradbury and Jon Latham.  An open mic follows so bring you guitars and songs down and dig it. The BLDG is BYOB or you can cross the patio to Drifter's BBQ and bring something back. The Building is at 1008 #C Woodland Street right behind Drifter's. Come out for some Ear to the Ground recommended musical offerings..


"The Drifting" by The Torn Images

The opening track from the new album by California Indie Rock artist Briand Arabaca aided by some other California Indie rock musicians. Check it out.

"Harmless Sparks" by American Aquarium

I really dig this song off of the album Burn. Flicker. Die. It's been playing quite often on my music player. It may just be my favorite track on this album which is full of great songs.

"Runnin' Away" by Heather Powell

I'm about 90% sure this was a song that I already featured that got added back when I had my playlist delete incident. If so, you may have missed it or like me, you may be very happy to hear it again.  This is from Believe it to Life.  Her latest album, A Haze of Grays and Blues is due out in early 2015 on the True Groove label out of New York City.

"Car Cleveland" by John Lurie

I am a huge fan of director Jim Jarmusch.  This track comes from the Soundtrack of Jarmusch's 1984 film Stranger Than Paradise which stars John Lurie who also wrote the music for the film. 

"All I Do is Wonder" by D.C. Bloom

This may well be one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a long time. It is listed as Unreleased on his ReverbNation page.  If this is still the case, I hope it will end up on album soon.  In the meantime, head over to his Website and signup.

"Shores" by Lindsay Ellyn

Okay, New York, you better enjoy Lindsay while you have her because Nashville wants her back!  I have this feeling (and I am not the only one) that 2015 is going to be a big year for Lindsay.  She has new music coming out in the new year, and I've been lucky enough to have heard some of it performed live... get on board the Lindsay express early or else I will tell you that I told you so.  This one his from her Shores EP.

"It's Too Late to Live in Austin" by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik

Another song that has been coming up fairly often on my music player.  A great song that references a midnight show of James McMurtry and his band.  Another one from the awesome album, Punishing the Myth.

"Trim Your Tree" by Jimmy Butler

With a hat tip to David Horton (Popa Tunes) we offer up another highly suggestive and inappropriate Christmas song from days of yore. This song from the album, "I'm Gonna Lasso Santa Claus."  Mojo Nixon covered this song in the early 90s on his album Horny Holidays.

"Samson in New Orleans" by Leonard Cohen

And we close things out with a song from the latest album from Leonard Cohen - called Popular Problems. 

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