E2TG 7/13/2021 - Something Goes Here - Night Tennis Mix (Superficial Remix)

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Featured Friday Playlist recap (part 3) (songs 17-23):

17. "More of You" by Boyracer

First up today, we have a track from Assuaged - the 14th studio album from the UK indie pop band that formed in 1990.

18. "One Thing I Know" by Arkells 

Next up, we have the first taste of the upcoming Blink Once album - the sixth from this Canadian band. 

19. "Into the Light" by Stellan Wahlstrom Drift Band

Next up, a single from the Swedish rock/power pop band - which was recorded live to tape in the studio in Stockholm. 

20. "Alive" by Gavin Murphy Songs

Next up, we have the latest single from this Irish pop/rock artist. 

21. "They're Cutting up Betty's Dress Tonight" by Leo Crandall

Next up, we have the title track from the new album from this Syracuse based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. 

22. "Dimmi di no" by Gionathan

Next up - a summery single from this Italian artist. 

23. "Say I Do" by Jax Anderson

And, we close this segment with part of a double single release from this Detroit based singer-songwriter.  A great way to close out this part of the Playlist. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 5/20/2021 - Hugs and Beer - Separate Mix (This Ain't Love Remix)

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A bit short on time, I was out last night - seeing people and checking out Mark Robinson Band with John Jackson - which was next level good  and the Brian Wright and the Sneak-Ups with guest Jon Latham.  I realized that both played as part of my 2017 E2TG Residency.  It was such a wonderful and needed night. 

Time to wrap up this week's Featured Friday Playlist.  And we really did save some of the best for last...

35. "Dreaming with Alice - Verse 1" by Mark Fry

This is a reissue of 1971 - sought after psych-folk album which came out just last week on Now-Again Reserve Records.  Tremendous. I didn't know anything about this album or about Mark Fry but I am captivating. Fry was just 19 when this was originally recorded. 

36. "Alive" by Dope Sagittarius

37. "Until When" by Jaffa Road

New single from this Toronto based Jewish roots band.  It is the lead single from an album due out in the fall. 

38. "Shooting Star" by Løwenørn

A new project from our old friend Sverre of Supercrashingstar.  Supercrashingstar has a new album out - which we will feature in the new Playlist premiering tomorrow. 

39. "Sad Girls Club" by I M U R

40. "Accountability" by DeLila Black

Great new punk country single from the UK - with BJ Cole on lap steel guitar. 

41. "Fierce and Delicate Things" by Shay Martin Lovette

And why not close out the playlist with one of the strongest songs on the list. Scatter & Gather is the new album from this North Carolina based singer-songwriter.  Fantastic songs and great sounding music. A wonderful way to close out the week's playlist. 

 

         

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 8/4/2020 - Keep on Keeping On - Transparent Girls Mix (Close to Nature Remix)

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Right now, today, this week, I am just pushing forward... that is it.  It is taking all my energy not to loe hope, but I can't afford to lose hope.  So, I push forward and try to find joy when I can. 

I have no idea how any of this will end - so I stay in most of the time, wear a mask - to protect others - when I go out, I watch as many, many people attend large gatherings without masks - and travel and visit without limitations...

I see a President who can barely put together a coherent sentence and who lies almost as often has he speaks, and I see a large number of people who praise him and believe every word he says - even if what he says changes from moment to moment. 

I am not someone who is a political junkie.  I try to be as knowledgeable as I can about what is going on, but I don't live and breathe by the back and forth of Washington or even State Capitol goings on. I long for the time when weeks could go by without the latest "breaking news" dominating everything. 

I am staying busy with music - as much as I can.  So, let me tell you what is on my mind today when it comes to that. 

Today, we have five more songs to feature from this week's playlist:

13. "Ugly Freedom - Toka Remix" by Vee VV

Vee VV formed in 1981 in Blackpool from the ashes of Factory Records band Tunnelvision.  Toka formed Bosh Records in 1998. Vee VV specialize in infectious post-punk, Toka is an esteemed DJ and producer.  This is a powerhouse track, and a great addition to the playlist.

14."Hunger" by Inhaler Collective

Inhaler Collective is a soul/jazz/pop outfit from Liverpool and London who have some great sounds. This is the title track from their new release.

15. "Gusta" by Herb Barclay Project

Herb Barclay is a DJ, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who blurs genre lines. This track as some great Latin/op sounds. 

16. "Breaking Free" by Leon Gill

Next up, we have a track from Master of None - a solo album from UK musician and songwriter - Leon Gill. 

17. "Live Your Dreams" by Painkillers

We close this segment of the playlist with a track from Italian punk band Painkillers. A great way to close out  this segment of music. 

Tomorrow, we will be back with the next 5 songs. Below the jump, we have today''s morning shuffle.  

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - I Know Better Mix

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I had the chance to catch Martin Scorsese's new film Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story last night at the Belcourt - Nashville being one of 10 or 11 cities hosting this one-night only big screen showing.  The film debuts on Netflix today. I highly recommend it even if you are casual Bob Dylan fan. It is a remarkable bit of film making and some magical moments captured from the Rolling Thunder Revue tour.  I won't say any more, and I recommend against reading too much about the film before you see it.

I will say that members of the theater audience applauded several times following live performances and also laughed out loud on more than one occasion.

Today, I have an opportunity to cover a show at City Winery and to write a review. It has been a minute since I have done a formal live review - so look for that soon.


On to another "Wild Wednesday" shuffle. I think this one lives up to the name...

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Dixie Boo Mix

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In a bit of a reflective mood.  Which I say just to indicate that in the words that follow, I am addressing my self and my tendencies - not anyone else.  One thing that E2TG has helped me with is a sense of insecurity about forming original and even unique opinions about music. I remember when I was young and first getting into music - in a major way - I would hear a band I had never heard before and really like what I heard, but then I would feel a need to get reassurance from someone else that it was really "good" music. I don't think I am totally unique in this and I don't think writing E2TG has 100% "cured" me of this tendency (it is still nice to have an opinion validated by someone whose opinion I trust), but I think it has improved things.  The bottom line, as far as I am concerned, is that my opinion (and yours for that matter) is not contingent on what anyone else thinks. I guess that is why I am not a fan of trashing a band or artist just because I don't like them.

An extreme example:  When Jon Landau famously declared, "I saw rock and roll's future and its name is Bruce Springsteen," (ignoring for a moment the influence the statement had on Springsteen's early popularity) he was stating an opinion. And certainly, some people have a keener ability to spot talent and potential, but it was an opinion nonetheless. What if Springsteen's first album had flopped and he had given up music and disappeared into obscurity. If that had happened, Landau's quote would have been forgotten and perhaps rightfully be seen as a mistake. BUT - it would not change the feeling that spurred the statement in the first place. I have seen bands that struck a chord with me  (maybe not the future of rock n roll - but a great show) whose careers by some measure would sooner or later fizzle.  That does not mean that the feeling I initially experienced was wrong.

In terms of E2TG, I always write about music that I like or love. Always. Over the years, I some of the people whose music I love - have thrived in music (as much as any artist  can thrive these days) while others have (seemingly) mostly given up music to pursue other opportunities (and everywhere in between those two extremes).  One reason, I don't really look back but rather keep moving forward is that knowing the outcome shouldn't and for me doesn't  affect the veracity of my initial impression. I have written about bands or singer-songwriters whose music moved me deeply and who I believed should be known by a wider audience. I trust that initial feeling to be true - regardless of where that band/artist ended up.   (This is not say that my opinions may not change over time - there is music I loved in college that I don't really want to listen to now, however, that change is not in any way a reflection or result of the relative success or lack therein of the band).   (I will leave the moral/ethical questions about what to do or not do when an artist ends up being a serial killer or whatever - for another discussion).

I have to move on.  After catching Jon Byrd and Paul Niehaus at their weekly show at Dee's, I made the decision to go to $2 - where other than Derek Hoke - the line-up was mostly artists I didn't know (or at least configurations I didn't know).  Surrounding an extended set from Derek Hoke (with Paul Niehaus again and his usual band of Mark Robertson and Steve Latanation)  I saw two singer-songwriters named Mike. Mike Frazier from Virginia did a solo set and Mike Lynch - relatively new to town did a set backed by Mark Robertson (again) and I drummer whose name I missed). Great sets by both Mikes.  The late night slot was MASS - a relatively new project (drum and keyboards) featuring Jimmy Matt Rowland (who I most recently saw playing with Brian Wright) and Jon Radford - who it seems I keep running into - playing in many great combos. MASS was incredible - loungey instrumentals (but that description is lacking). 

On to the shuffle!  Wild Wednesday gets wilder!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Me in the Corner Mix

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Well, it is Friday! Finally!  We are in the midst of a horrible heat wave here in Nashville. And between that and life and world things, I am zapped.  But, hey it is Friday, and I still have music...

On Friday, we feature songs from our New Music playlist.  Let's jump in!

Manic Monday Music Shuffle - Dadaism Mix

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Welcome to Monday, the beginning of the last week of the month of June - which means it is the beginning of the last week of the first half of the year.

Program alert: I will be traveling a bit this week - so there is a good chance that there will be no posts on a couple of days this week - which makes our quest to feature as many of our "new music" playlist songs as we can while we can.

Let's get to it!

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - Battle To Be Won Mix

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You know, the world is a great big wonderful, awful, beautiful, ugly, complicated, simple, tranquil, frenetic place. Most days, I am glad to be alive and experiencing it - as a person who matches many of the qualities I just ascribed to the world.  That's all.
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I am still getting goosebumps thinking about last night's Week 3 of the E2TG Residency. Thanks to everyone who made it out - we had a great crowd.  Sergio Webb was wonderful, David Olney was the towering and entertaining performer as always.  When Sergio joined David Olney on stage for the first time in almost a year and a half, the results were magical!  What a way to celebrate six years of Ear to the Ground!

Oh! And a big thanks to Adeem the Artist for some shout-outs that helped the E2TG Facebook Page reach 1,000 "Likes"!

Next week, the residency continues...  And we have a good one for you!  The fine human beings from Cafe Rooster Records will joining us!  That is Sally Jaye, Brian Wright, Darrin Bradbury, and the rapidly healing Jon Latham!  Plus special guest Rorey Carroll!  May 24, The 5 Spot, $5, 6pm!

Thursdays we pick a topic and shuffle up songs that fit that topic.  For our 6th Anniversary, I created a large playlist of artists who have been featured on E2TG over the years. Here is today's shuffle....

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Smells Like Steel Reserve Mix

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Well... if you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a country with a delusional lunatic in charge, you don't have to wonder anymore... For those who cannot look past their biases and party loyalty to see the current situation for the insanity it is... you, too, will be remembered.
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Well! The E2TG 6th Anniversary May Residency at The 5 Spot is just a day away!  If you are in Nashville, I hope you can make it out.

It Tuesday, and that means "Trending Tuesday" here at E2TG. We spin songs from our "New Music" playlist  Let's see what comes up today!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Walt and Manute Mix

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Well, E2TG doesn't have Kid Rock, Ted Nugent, or Sarah Palin, but we do have a hell of an impressive line-up for our May Residency at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.  May will mark the 6 Year Anniversary of the beginning of Ear to the Ground. That fact blows my mind. The decision to start writing the blog was something that evolved over time - from posting my morning shuffle on social media and as a result beginning to connect with people through the power of music. The actual decision to start the blog was (as I recall) pretty spur the moment, and to be honest, the name just popped into my head.  There are, as I have alluded to, other music sites and blogs that use the Ear to the Ground name - it is a good name. I think I came first, but whatever.  Over the last couple of years, I have been really pushing the #E2TG brand.

Anyway, the first four events have been created on Facebook.  The event for the fifth and final show is coming soon. I excited to announce it.  If you've been to The 5 Spot since Wednesday or if you go this weekend, you can get a sneak peek at the Week 5 line-up.

All of the shows will be fantastic, plus as an added bonus (sarcasm only slightly intended), I am going to start each show by reading some short selections of my fiction - including my novel The Drift which will be self-published soon.

Here are the announced shows so far.  I hope you can make to some or all of these.

Week 1  May 3 - Mark Robinson Band
Week 2 May 10 - Jon Latham (Full Band) with special guests
Week 3 May 17 - David Olney (Band) plus special guest opener Sergio Webb (Band)
Week 4 May 24 - Cafe Rooster Records Night (Sally Jaye, Brian Wright, Darrin Bradbury, and Jon Latham)
Week 5 May 31 - TBA  (a long time East Nashville favorite plus a special out of town guest with long time ties to E2TG).

Well, I don't know about you, but for me this has been a long arduous week, and today is FRIDAY!  Tomorrow is Record Store Day.  I am going to be hanging with my daughter, so I'm not sure what, if anything, I will be able to participate in, but there is a ton going on around Nashville and everywhere else.  In Nashville, my favorite radio station will have a presence at several of the venues. I remember when RSD in Nashville was only Grimey's and even then was not that big a deal.  It seems to get bigger every year, and the number of record stores in Nashville seems to get growing every month.  If you go, remember to pace yourself and stay hydrated.

On to our Featured Friday Shuffle:

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Mumblin' Mix

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Running very late.... busy, busy, busy... This will be brief, but here are some cool tunes for the day!  Hopefully, I'll have a bit more time for commentary tomorrow.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Milky Way Mix

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Here we go... It is Friday...  and yes, a white supremacist is still holding a position of power in the White House - along with unqualified family members of President. This is somehow okay to people who believed this president would "drain the swamp".  If any swamp was drained, it was replaced with a cesspool.  Just saying.
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Ah, but music.  Last night - one of the most rewarding and well-done shows of the year (and in a while).  Richie Owens celebrated 25 years of his band Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau.  The show opened with a reunion Owens' 1980s band The Movement. They sounded wonderful and really seemed to be having a great time.  It definitely took me back to my 30 somewhat years.

Next, the history of The Farm Bureau was told beginning with the original line-up and then past and present members entered and exited the stage playing music from every era of the band, the most recent line-up performed a few songs and then everybody returned for one of the bands signature songs that has spanned the band's history. Throughout Richie Owens narrated the shifting tides and times. Just about perfect.   The Farm Bureau will be playing Muddy Roots this fall, but otherwise, Richie will be devoting his musical time to Smokey White Devils and an acoustic project that I can't remember the name of.  So, in some ways this was a farewell show for now at least.

After I left that show at The 5 Spot, I headed down Main Street to The Family Wash in time to catch Megan Palmer with Jonathan Beam and Paul Niehaus - sounding amazing, followed by Russell Thompson with Sergio Webb plus David Conrad and Rebecca Weiner-Tompkins  (of Conrad y Skordalia), and ending with Sergio Webb backed by David and Rebecca.

The bad storms spared Nashville, and so here we are...


Show alert:  Tomorrow night - April 1 is the CD Release and Art Show for the latest album by Nashville legend David Olney.  Brock Zeman (who produced the album) will open and be joined by his regular sideman Blair Hogan.   You really want to be at this show - whether you know it or not.


It's Friday, and that means a Featured Friday Shuffle...

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Keep On Goin' Mix

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First of all, I need to offer all the kind words and encouragements for my recent run of commentary. Believe me when I say this is something I would rather not do. But, I feel it is something I must do.  I have tried my best to distinguish partisan differences which will always exist and always be up for debate from the far more serious threat to our nation and our way of life. The problem, as I see it, is that the more outrageous the words and actions of the current administration get and the more deafening the silence from many of the leaders of the Republican Party (save for a few brave voices), the more difficult it is to do. It is hard to unwind abuses of power, overt racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and other forms of bigotry from the policies that arise out of those evils. More to the point, when party leaders look past or ignore fascist words and actions for the sake of their agenda - it is hard to not harden your heart to that agenda - which may or may not reflect those despicable characteristics.  We are watching and we are speaking out. Customs agents asking passengers on a domestic airline to "show their papers".  State leaders voting to effectively make political dissent illegal, Executive branch officials asking the intelligence community to discredit the free press and to produce intelligence reports that support their agenda.  An administration that has made up three non-existent terrorist attacks and yet calls America's major media organizations "enemies of the people" and purveyors of "Fake News" which seems to be defined as any news that does not support the agenda of that administration.

So, yeah, I don't see myself stopping writing these relatively brief commentaries any time soon - although I really wish my reasons for doing it would go away and soon.

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I had such a good time last night at the 10th Anniversary celebration for Jon Byrd's album Byrd's Auto Parts. The show - at the Family Wash - featured many of the players on that album.  The second set featured guest spots from David Raines, Amelia White, and Kevin Gordon. The night was a reminder of how great a music town we have in Nashville.

All right - well it is Friday and right now it is about 78 degrees on February 24 in Nashville. On Friday, we go back to our "New Music" playlist and we hit shuffle and see what happens. Here is what happened when I did that this morning....

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Demon Gold Mix

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#E2TG6 Coming May 2017 - Details soon!


Greetings from a rainy Tuesday.  Last night, I attended the premiere (I think) edition of Madison Guild Mondays at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge.  Last night was hosted by none other than 2014 E2TG Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury.  Songwriters featured included: Zach Schmidt, Adam Kurtz (of Buck N Stuff fame), Tim Easton, Don Gallardo, Matt Haeck, Steven Knudson, Javi Jones, Jon Latham and more. Darrin closed the night joined by Laur Joamets on guitar.


I will probably be ranting more tomorrow about the insanity in which we find ourselves. Until then: #Resist!

It is Tuesday and time to shuffle up some songs from the "New Music" playlist. Enjoy! (by the way, I could not find many of the exact songs on YouTube - so enjoy a mix of other songs by the artists featured)...

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Grand Coulee Dam Mix

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Okay... so I feel like I am limping (battered and bloody) into the weekend, but it is Friday...

Friday is the day when we randomly shuffle songs from our Featured Friday playlist which is a playlist of songs we want to feature. 

Did I mention it's Friday?  And that we have some songs to feature? I did? Good! I think that cover it.  Shuffle after the jump

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Almost Died Mix

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Let's see...  I attended the final show of the Jason Ringenberg residency at The 5 Spot. Jason's guests were Kristi Rose and Fats Kaplin. Fats Kaplin is a wonder, Kristi Rose sings like an angel, and Jason is Jason!  The night included: Fats, Kristi, and Jason covering a Gun Club song.   And even though, I didn't win the Farmer Jason eggs, Jason did play my request, "Don't Go Back to Rockville" - which I first heard him sing in November 1985 when he joined R.E.M. on the stage of Vanderbilt Memorial Gym. Plus I got an XL Farmer Jason t-shirt!  I did have a brain-fart moment and told Jason that The Sluggers played a Gun Club song when they opened for the Scorchers at Cat's Record. His reaction told me I was mistaken, and after giving some thought and digging into brain cells I thought had been lost years ago, I remember that it was Flipper that they covered.  Don't ask me why I mistook Gun Club for Flipper except they were both bands that I loved and who had achieved legendary status just a relatively few short years after they formed.

After that, a bunch of folks migrated over to The Family Wash for a J.J. Cale tribute night put together by Pete Finney. An amazing band backed an all-star cast of guests including: Jon Byrd, Kevin Gordon, Mac Gayden, Jonell Mosser, Dave Coleman, Bill Lloyd, Nikki G, Jack Pearson, Pat Bergeson, and Rick Schell. Plus a couple of songs by the awesome East Nashvill band Los Colognes.

A big crowd full of really awesome people at both events on the eastside.

Meanwhile, Darrin Bradbury was representing East Nashville,well, in the deep, deep south of Nashville (Franklin), where he did the recurring Vietti Chili promo and totally owned the moment.  You can see it HERE.  Darrin comes in at the 37 minute mark.  Great news is that Darrin will be doing a full set a MCR in June!  I will be on the bus for that!


On to the shuffle which I think speaks for itself:

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Nine Monkey Years Mix

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Let me preface what is likely to be another gushing  paragraph or so about what an amazing time it is to be a music fan in Nashville with the following:  I write a bunch about Nashville's live music scene because that is where I am and it is what I am experiencing. I do know that there are some amazing pockets of awesome musical stuff happening all over the world. Through writing this blog, I have been fortunate enough to "discover" tons of great music from all over and get a peak into some of these pockets of creativity and collaboration.   In that spirit one of my goals for E2TG in 2016 is to forge some partnerships with other writers so that this site can dig deeper into more of the great music happening.  Truth be told, I cannot even adequately cover Nashville's music so I would like to also forge some partnerships here in town.  I will be posting more as I move forward, but if you read this and have some ideas or interest, please contact me at e2tgmusic@gmail.com.  Be sure to put E2TG2016 as part of the subject line to make sure I see it.

For the last three weeks, iconic Nashville musician/singer/songwriter Jason Ringenberg (Jason and the Scorchers, Farmer Jason) has been doing a residency every Wednesday at The 5 Spot.  For me this has been a fantastic combination of the music I listened to in my musical formative years and one of my favorite haunts of this later phase of my life. The music has been fantastic, the guests have been spectacular, and there have been wonderful surprises every week. Last night, Jason was joined by Tommy Womack - one of the best this town has to offer. Tommy Womack played some music from his forthcoming new album, some of his timeless classics, and a pretty darn cool Jason and the Scorchers cover.  Jason played a great mix of songs from his long history, an awesome Tommy Womack cover, and then the two of them played some songs they wrote together. 

If you've missed the first three week, you have one more opportunity to catch Jason at The 5 Spot. Next week, he will be joined by Fats Kaplin and Kristi Rose for what should be a wonderful finale.

Forward to the shuffle...

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - I Forget What Eight Was For Mix

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Ah, Thursday!

Last night was the opening night of the Jason Ringenberg residency at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.  Ringenberg is the Jason from Jason and the Scorchers (the seminal Nashville band beginning in the early 1980s).  He is also the Jason from Farmer Jason (host of a PBS kids show and creator of albums for children).  His special guest for week 1 was Webb Wilder (another quintessential figure on the 80s Nashville music scene).

Playing to a pretty packed house, Ringenberg and Wilder really seemed to be enjoying themselves. Jason opened with "Halcyon Times" - the title track from a Scorchers album before turning the stage over to Webb Wilder who moved through a set that encompassed his long career. Including, classic Webb Wilder songs like "How Long Can She Last" and "Human Cannonball". 

Ringenberg's set included several classic Scorcher's songs as well as songs from his solo albums, and a cover of "Trail of Tears" by the great Georgia band, Guadalcanal Diary. 

Wilder then joined Ringenberg to close out the night by each singing a song by the other.  Jason sang, "Sitting Pretty" from 1991's Doo Dad and Webb sang "Shop it Around" from the first full-length Scorchers album Lost and Found.  They then performed a Farmer Jason song before closing the evening with a really awesome version of Buddy Holly's "Rave On".

Tonight, I am going to check out Joey Kneiser and his band at The East Room.  His new album, The Wildness is getting rave reviews.

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Now You See the Light Mix

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By the way, the #E2TG Facebook Page is approaching 500 "Likes".  I would love to reach that milestone by the end of the year.  If you have not done so, give us a "Like".  Limited time offer: We will waive the normal $0.00 Annual Fee!

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Sending Birthday wishes to 2014 Ear to the Ground Artist of the Year, Darrin Bradbury who just wrapped up his first ever West Coast tour. 

The 2015 "Earie" Awards roll onward. 

TODAY'S AWARD:  The "Middle-Aged America" Award The Premise: No premise - just an inside joke.

The Award goes to:  Drew Kohl and Taylor Alexander
Young America was a band from Georgia that had a long run. They released an EP early in 2015 shortly before deciding that with two members in Georgia and two in Nashville, it was no longer viable to continue as a group.  The award goes to the two members of Young America who are now living in Nashville.  Time flies when you are having fun, thus my joke about Middle-Aged America...

Drew Kohl:  Drew is a super talented singer, songwriter, and player.  He released Sweetheart, an EP filled with songs that explore different aspects of the theme of Love, earlier in the year, and he has been touring and playing throughout the year, sharpening his sound.  His trademark is his high-lonesome bluegrass inspired songs which often feature mind blowing sustained vocal notes.

Taylor Alexander:  Taylor has been recording his solo album which is due in 2016.  He is a regular performer on Lower Broadway, and he often backs up other musicians.  He and fellow "Earie" award winner, Lindsay Ellyn frequently perform as a duo (which I have dubbed: #Tindsay - which Taylor hates so let's make that hashtag trend!).  He has an impressive repertoire of classic country tunes and his own compositions have a classic country feel to them.

Congrats, Taylor and Drew!  The "Earies" march on for the rest of December culminating in the naming of the 2015 #E2TG Artist of the Year.


By the way, before we jump into the shuffle, I had the great opportunity to head out to the Stone Fox in West Nashville last night to see Chris Scruggs and the Stone Fox 5 play some amazing classic country music.  They will be there every Sunday throughout December and most of January.  Highly recommended.

Shuffle:

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Champagne Eyes Mix

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The mid-week point has been reached... A fun night at The 5 Spot last night for $2 Tuesday.  Got to meet and hear  Angela Easterling.  Her new album, Common Law Wife - which we have featured a few songs from - is one of the best I've heard this year.  She has a very unique and beautiful sound.  Joe Nolan played a full-band set.  It was the first time I saw him with a drummer, and it sounded great!  Host Derek Hoke played a short set backed by Paul Niehaus on pedal steel, Steve Latanation on drums, and Mark Robertson (of the Legendary Shack Shakers) on upright bass.  Then, Carl Anderson played a long set of his wonderful songs.  Not a bad $2 show...

Tonight, Brian Wright opens up the last week of the Joe Fletcher residency at The 5 Spot.  I had to miss the first two weeks, but I will not miss this one.  Two of East Nashville's finest writers.

Onto the shuffle: