E2TG 3/25/2020 - Still Trying - Armageddon Mix (Fanatics Remix)

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Moving tentatively forward... trying to find a path. I believe we will come through this, but I am certain we will be changed. I think about events in my lifetime. I think about 9-11 and that did permanently change us. But, for those of us not directly impacted by the attacks themselves, for many of us, our daily lives didn't change that much, and in that respect it is different.

I think about Nashville still reeling from the March 3 tornado and then to have this on top of it. What will East Nashville look like when this is over. I think about my many friends directly and profoundly affected by this - what will their lives look like on the other side. When the venues reopen - and it is declared all safe (not my Trump but by doctors and scientists) - will we still be cautious in our interactions. I keep saying that I can't wait to be able to hug all my friends but that first time -what will it be like.

There are great sites for getting up-to-date and accurate information. Don't rely on social media posts or even mainstream news - which at best may be dated and incomplete. Check with the health department in your area.

E2TG is a music blog, and although, I like to use this space to share my thoughts and feelings, they are just that, thoughts and feelings.

Anything that seems like advice, take with a grain of salt. But, do find people you can talk to and share your fears and frustrations.  We may be physically separated but you are not alone.

We have a song premiere tomorrow morning that I am very excited about. And, we have some cool new music on the way for Friday. I have updated the Recent and Upcoming Release listing, and I added a bunch of new music to my phone. None of the stuff came up in today's shuffle, but they will come up.

    Featured Friday Playlist

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Feel Good Radio 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)

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!)


There have so been so many times... but there was a turning point when it went from being political to being personal and moral. I know what that point was for me.  For me it was when then candidate Trump mocked a reporter with disabilities and lost not one bit of support. More to the point, it was when people who know me and who know my daughter continued to support this candidate. It felt to me like he was mocking my daughter and some of my friends and family were cheering him on. That was the turning point for me, and it has only gotten worse and worse and worse, and it is every single day. And, I am getting tired of it. Tired of seeing people who I know - who I know have different political beliefs - demonstrating their utter lack of humanity. I honestly don't know how we come back from this place, but I want the bleeding to stop. I am going to Vote in November - like my life depends on it.  If you feel the way I do, I hope you will, too.

Time to dive back into the "New Music" playlist.  We have a bunch of new stuff and a fairly wide range of music.  Let's go!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Krokodil and Lions 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)

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!)


In the seven plus years that I have written E2TG, there have been more than a few days that I didn't really feel like writing.  Days when the world and/or life was getting me down. The reason E2TG persists when other blogs go dark, is that I write anyway. The reason I write even when I don't really feel like it, is because of the music. I turn to music when I am down and out, and it always helps.

There is a lot in the world that has me down lately - both in the wide-world and closer to home. Bullies.  That's what gets me down. I am sick and tired of bullies, and I am sick and tired of having a bully in the White House. I just a clip where an 18 year old woman asked a Republican candidate for Governor (don't remember what state - it doesn't matter) a legitimate question about climate change. He called her "young and naive" and refused to answer the question. Whatever else that man is, he is a bully. This week, I found out that the 17 year old son of a high school friend of mine - who had been bullied for years - died tragically in an incident either directly or indirectly caused by bullies.

Since I was younger, music has been an escape and a refuge for me. One of the reasons, I don't put down forms of music that aren't my thing - even if I may think they are lame - is that I know that any kind of music can be that refuge to someone who needs it.  I just choose to write about the music I dig and the music that helps me get through the days when I don't want to write about music.

Here's today's shuffle. It's Wednesday and as we do on Wednesdays, we shuffle up all the songs saved to my phone - so we get some new tracks, some older tracks, and who knows what all. It's often a wild ride, so we call it Wild Wednesday.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Black Blue and Gold 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)

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!)

I am grateful to have been asked to emcee this awesome event TONIGHT at the Radio Cafe in East Nashville.  Amelia White, Mark Huff - both backed by great bands, plus a couple of red hot UK singer-songwriters. All that and you get to hear my witty repartee. The Radio Cafe is a casual, laid back, comfortable room. Doors open at 7:00 and the cover is just $5.00. 

My Americana week got off to a great start. First Sue and I recorded a future Double Shot - with the incredible Mark Robinson behind the boards. Next, I headed to Dee's for Madison Guild Monday hosted by Nick Nace.  Jaimee Harris opened the night - with great songs and a great voice, Mercy Bell was next, followed by Nace, Chris Moyse, VOLK, and special surprise guest Darrin Bradbury.  It was a wonderful night of great music and hanging with great friends. Jaimee Harris and Mercy Bell were "new to me" (I am pretty sure), and a got to see a couple of out of town friends - so my plan for Americana is going peachy so far...

Today is also the 17th Anniversary of the attacks on New York and Washington. My over -riding memory of that day was the feeling of fear and uncertainty. Waiting for/dreading what was going to happen next. I'm convinced that this nation has been suffering from PTSD since 9/11/2001.

It is Tuesday - and we have a sweet shuffle from our "New Music" playlist. Let's go!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - I Feel Off 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)

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!)


Well Americana Madness is coming next week!  For those not in the know, Americana is not really a musical genre - rather it is a way of marketing music that is a development of one of several types of roots music that originated in the United States. At least, that is my take on it.  If a group tells me they are "Americana" - I don't think I know anymore about the band's sound or influences - except that they might have influences of country, folk, blues, bluegrass, and/or soul (or some combination of those).

As for the Americana Music Festival - it is a fairly diverse music festival (it is also a conference with many workshops and panels) - I mean you likely won't hear hip-hop or speed metal (but you might hear bands who include those genres in their background/influences). The festival itself has grown exponentially over the last several years.  It has come to incorporate almost all of the major music venues in town, and it has spawned many unofficial and official parties and events featuring many musicians - including many who are regularly featured on E2TG. With this growth, it has become impossible to see everyone one may want  to see, and problematic to navigate between venues to catch as many faves a possible.  The other day, I posted on Facebook that my goals were to see as many out of town friends and possible and to hear as much "new to me music" as possible.  Fortunately, in attempting to meet these goals, I will also get to hang with some of my favorite local people and hear some of my already favorite acts.

Thinking about all of this has made me think about "success" - First of all, I think the concept of a successful musician/artist is different for everyone, however, in thinking about this from a "fan" perspective - at E2TG - my goal has always been to listen to and talk about music that is meaningful to me. I want my friends and favorite bands to find success (however they define that), but that success is never really the focus of what I am doing. I mean this not to diminish the hard work and sacrifice of those who have achieve some measure of mainstream "success" - rather it is meant to acknowledge the hard work and sacrifice of those for whom such success has been more elusive, but who still produce meaningful and wonderful art.

All of that to say, American Fest will - as always - feature artists who are at every marker on the imaginary continuum of success. My personal advice to anyone attending AMA week - is to not limit yourself to artists who have heard of. Do some research and try to see some artists that are new to you.

Finally, Americana week is basically like a "normal" week of live music in Nashville  - on steroids.


It's shuffle time - as we close out the last two days of the week - delving into the "New Music" playlist.

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Wonder Mix

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

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)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed three - January - May 2018.  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 NEW

By  the way, it is time to vote.  Not talking political elections - although you should be informed, register, and vote every chance you get.  But, I am talking about The Best of Nashville 2018 Poll going on now at The Nashville Scene. Voting goes on through September 6.  Here's what you do:  Go HERE and followed the instructions.  You have to vote in at least 25 categories for your vote to count.  No need to "Submit" at the end, and you can leave the site and go back anytime to vote in more categories.

Here are a few suggestions:  The big one!  Last year, WXNA was voted Best Radio Station in Nashville - after just over one year on the air.  We would love to have your vote again this year.

Best DJ - I humble submit that you consider Joe and Sue of Double Shot (but truthfully any of the great WXNA DJs are deserving).

Best Blog - Hey you got to vote in 25 Categories - you might as well throw some love our way by voting for Ear to the Ground E2TG for Best Blog.


The week rolls on. We've reach the midway mark, and that means it is time to get "Wild" with our usually unusual "Wild Wednesday" shuffle. This shuffle comes from the collection of all the music currently saved to my phone.  It can and often does include new music, classic tunes, weird obscurities, and more of the usual nonsense (as my friend Paul Glavin of WXNA's Eargasm likes to say).

Let's shuffle!

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - Cape on the Floor Mix

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It's been a few days since I added any commentary to the current state of things in this country and in the world. Honestly, I am overwhelmed and exhausted by it all - but I am fighting to stay alert. In some ways, I see hope in the mounting investigation over Russia, but beyond and president or administration, I am deeply concerned about the ever-widening divide in this country.  I am also concerned about the potentially lasting damage being done to the environment, to basic human rights, to our country's reputation, and on and on. #Resist #Persist
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Well, it's a wrap!  Thanks again to everyone who came out last night for the finale of the E2TG Residency at The 5 Spot.  FuzzQueen rocked as expected and won over some new fans in Nashville and Amelia White was awesome with kick ass band - The Blue Souvenirs.

And thanks to everyone who came out, played, and/or played a part in making this month really special and something I will never forget.

Onward and Upward...  a couple of notes:  Sunday June 4 marks the One Year Anniversary of the beginning of broadcasting at WXNA.  They are celebrating at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge from 3-8.  Everyone is invited - and you should come - this is YOUR community radio station.

Monday June 5 is the Jon Latham benefit at The Basement East - a pretty killed lineup will help raise some more money for Jon Latham who - as you may know - had some major health issues earlier in the month.

On Thursday's we shuffle songs around a topic.  Earlier this year, the topic was centered around the times in which we live.  For the 6th Anniversary, I began a new theme around a playlist of artists we have played/written about over the entire six years.  We will continue that for a while... Today's shuffle includes songs that span the years and diverse music styles we have featured.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Java Time Mix

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Feeling very grateful and filled up with life right now.  The feeling probably won't last, but I'm digging it.

After work yesterday, I had the incredible opportunity to spend some time with Reckless Johnny Wales and get a early listen to his forthcoming album. First of all, the album is fantastic and I can't wait until the world gets to hear it.  Second of all, Reckless Johnny is a larger than life figure and also a very wonderful man.  He has some amazing stories and a very unique perspective on the "New Nashville".  I even got to give him a copy of The Foresters' CD.

Next, I headed to a run-through in preparation for my very first music video appearance which is scheduled to be shot on Sunday.  Details to come.

Next, I headed to The Family Wash to catch some of Bill Lloyd's CD Release show.  I was able to catch the end of the acoustic set and the beginning of the electric set.  It was as awesome as you would expect a Bill Lloyd show to be.  He is a power pop songwriter of the highest caliber.

Whew!  This weekend is the aforementioned video shoot, and Sue and I will have our 15 Minutes of Fame as we preview Double Shot with Joe and Sue at WXNA.  That will air at 2pm Sunday but really stay dialed in to WXNA all weekend (starting at 10:15a.m. Saturday) and then forever after that!

It is Friday, and we play "featured" music on Friday.  Enjoy!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - An Affliction Mix

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Some days are like running up a down escalator that is moving faster than you could possibly ever run...  but you keep on running because... well you do... and eventually the escalator slows down or stops or maybe even starts moving up... wait, do escalators ever do that?  What as I talking about...

Eh...

Trending Tuesday Shuffle up coming....