E2TG 4/13/2022 - Midweek Vibes - Toxic Mix (Nuke Remix)

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    Featured Friday Playlist

#2TG 8/27/2021 - Featured Friday - Ice Cream Phoenix Mix (Good Enough Remix)

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    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 8/13/2021 - Featured Friday the 13th - Speed Limit Mix (Ice Machine Remix)

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It is a new week - which means a new Featured Friday Playlist.  Please check it out and if so inclined give the Playlist a follow on Spotify.  

As always, if you discover an artist you like - please support them as you are able - buy music and merch, follow/like, share, and see them live when able. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 7/23/2021 - Featured Friday - Chabliss Mix (DOA Remix)

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Time got away from me this week - so I have a ton of e-mails I didn't get to yet, so the Playlist is on the short side, but it should balance out next week...Still - it is a great list! Enjoy!

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6/25/2021 - Featured Friday - Counting Roaches Mix (Wild Horses Remix)

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As I expected, after a week off, we have a 65 song 4+ hour Featured Friday Playlist - and it is jam-packed with great music.  So, strap in... I have something in mind to get us through the next week, but as usual, we will start with the first segment - this time 15 songs - down below the jump.

Usual disclaimers and stuff - follow the Playlist on Spotify.  If you hear music you like, support the artist in a meaningful way - off of Spotify (buy music and/or merch, spread the word, follow on social media and/or sign up for e-mail lists, see the band live if  they come to your town...)

On we go!

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 1/31/2020 - New Release Spotlight - All of Nothing at All Mix (Last Dance Remix)

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RELEASE DAY 1/31/2020

A ton of new releases today - on the last day of the first month of 2020.  You can check out the full list (and all recent and forthcoming releases) at the bottom of this post.

Some highlights:

Eric Brace and Last Train Home - Daytime Highs and Overnight Lows (LP)

We most recently featured Eric Brace and his excellent Riverland album with Peter Cooper and Thomm Jutz.  He has teamed back up with his old band to release their first album in a dozen years. A fine songwriter and a great sounding record. 

John Dennis - Mortal Flames (LP)

We have been featuring and anticipating this release for a couple of months now. I have been a fan for John Dennis for a couple years now, and I believe this is his finest album to date, and one that I am sure will be riding high on my favorites list for months to come. 

Emma Hill - How Could I Have Been So Wrong (EP)

A newcomer to E2TG - Emma Hill is a singer-songwriter from Alaska. This one comes to us via Broken Jukebox Media and Adam Dawson - so my expectations were high, and what I have heard so far has not disappointed. Hope to get a first impression post up soon for this. 

Ryan Sobb and the Dead Mall - Concrete Feelings (LP)

The first full-release from the 2019 E2TG Band of the Year. You can check out my "First Impression".  

 Kristen Englenz - "Rebound" (single)

We are about a month away from the release of Ingenue. I have been eagerly awaiting the album release for a while now. Fortunately, February is a short month. Kristen Englenz is an E2TG favorite and this is another album that I will be talking about for months to come. 

All of these releases and more can found on the brand new edition of the E2TG Featured Friday Playlist on Spotify.

    Featured Friday Playlist

2018 E2TG Earie Awards - # 1 - Recap January 2018

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For your holiday shopping: The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)


I took an unexpected day off yesterday to fight off a winter cold - hopefully sucessfully... And busy end of week and weekend ahead.   

Guess what!  It is time for the 2018 Earie Awards.  Looking back, I believe this is year 4 of the semi-prestigious awards.  For those new to the E2TG fold, The Earies (tagline: The Earies: they sound kind of odd, but they really aren't) began as a way to recap the great music featured on E2TG over the last year. I don't do Top Ten (or more or less) lists. I'm not opposed to the concept, but I know I would obsess forever about what to include and what to leave off. So, I opted for giving out a bunch of awards.

The award names are arbitrary and sometimes silly, but the sentiment behind them is sincere.  E2TG could not exist without the amazing music that comes my way every day.  The music I feature ends up being a fraction of that submitted, and those that become "E2TG favorites" are a fragment of that fragment.

This year, I am trying something new- out of necessity. As I have been receiving and featuring more and more music, it became harder for me to keep up with it all. One way, I dealt with that in 2018 is to create Spotify Playlists for each month highlighting some of the music featured that month.  See the bottom of this post for links to the Spotify Playlists. 

To kick things off, today's special "Earier" shuffle comes from the January 2018 E2TG playlist. Enjoy!

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.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Biloxi, Straitsville, Tuscany, and Vegas 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)

Among the albums being released today:  E2TG favorites Kevin Gordon and The Foresters each have excellent new album which are now out in the universe.  Kevin Gordon just released Tilt and Shine and The Foresters just released "The Barometric Pressure is On Our Side.  The artists and the music could not be more different - well, I guess they could technically be more different but you know what I mean - but to me they both represent artists who are at the top of their game and still climbing.

On a related note, I know this may sound judgmental, but I find it hard to take anyone seriously who says something to the effect that they don't make good music any more. I am hearing so much great music every day. It may not be on Top 40 radio but it is out there and it is not that hard to find.


Whew!  It's been a week!  Let's just do this shuffle thing so I can finish out my work week while I'm still alive.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Seasons Songs Mix

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Well Week 1 of the E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency is in the books!  Thanks to all who came out. Special thanks to The 5 Spot, Clark Paterson and his great band, Rayvon Pettis, and The Big Dumb.  Inspiring music and good times.

We turn our attention to Week 2 coming up next Thursday, June 14th!

One of the best songwriters in Nashville, Ben de la Cour - who's most recent album is The High Cost of Living Strange will be stopping by to open the on his way to begin a Canadian tour.  Long time E2TG favorites, The End Men will be making a rare Nashville appearance. I believe this will be there first Nashville appearance since playing the Post-Americana all-day thing at The Basement a few years back. I am so excited for some of my Nashville friends to see and meet my Brooklyn friends.  Ted Drozdowski has recently started playing shows under the Ted Drozdowki's Psychedelic Circus moniker. He is a blues man - steeped in the traditions and yet willing to use those traditions a jumping off point for his otherworldly experimentation.  He has been hard at work on a new album, and I hope we hear some of his new music Thursday.

It is CMA and Bonnaroo weekend which means the temperatures have soared into the 90s.  Stay hydrated no matter what you do.

It's time for our Featured Friday shuffle. Currently, this shuffle comes from the "New Music" playlist - the same one I use for Trending Tuesday and Trending Thursday. I'm thinking of creating a Featured Friday playlist - with the idea that I can chose to "Feature" music that isn't technically "New" - which I already do - but I always feel like I have to disclaim.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Foggy Breathing Mix

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Visited the East Room in East Nashville last night.  Saw Cory Taylor Cox for the first time.  Really liked his music. His song "Memphis Kids" (I think that was the title) was great!

Next up was E2TG fave Joanna Barbera. It has been a little while since I saw Joanna perform, and as as always been the case, I loved her music. In addition to her wonderful original songs (included one that was featured in an episode of the show Criminal Minds, she also did a cover of Tom Petty's "Breakdown" that was absolutely stunning and beautiful.

Next up was one of the greatest living songwriters (according to me and NPR), David Dondero. It is always a joy to see him, but perhaps even more so this time. This was the kind of angry folk music that we need more of.  He did an updated version of his song "Pity Party" which was written after Columbine. I didn't realize how much I needed to hear music and message delivered in this way*

One of E2TG's all time favorite artists, Darrin Bradbury closed the night with a set that included some of his newest songs and a couple of old favorites. Some time around four years ago, when I first heard Darrin's music, I wrote that he was one of the best pure songwriters around. Meaning, that once you strip away off the extras that make music awesome, you are left with just the song, and Darrin's songs are among the best. That initial assessment as only grown over time. I am excited to hear his upcoming album with all new songs.

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*What I realized listening to David Dondero last night is that I have been suppressing a lot of anger of late. I guess it's in my nature to try to offer a measured response to things, but when kids are being murdered in schools and our leaders do nothing (and/or make the situation worse) and when kids finally have enough and speak out and they are attacked and ridiculed and when we have leaders who openly support and elevate racist and xenophobic conspiracy theories and when a presidential candidate who mocked a man with disabilities becomes a president who strips away rights and protections for people with disabilities, then maybe the time for measured responses is past and maybe it is time for anger and for outrage.

Here's the deal, when this cancer which has attacked our nation us eradicated, then we can have a measured discussion about economic policies etc.  When this disease is defeated, we can deal with the issues within the opposition party. But, wiping out this infection HAS to be our top priority.
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Onward... it is Tuesday and let's check out what music is trending on E2TG

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Bright Castle Mix

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Woo hoo!  It's Friday!  And I have a three day weekend!   Don't be surprised if, despite my being off work, there is a Music City Monday shuffle on Monday.  Don't be surprised if there is not...

Had another fine reminder of Nashville's embarrassment  of riches when it comes to great musicians.  I attended the Joe Pisapia Love-In at The 5 Spot. When I first heard of Joe's music, it was in the 90s Nashville band, Joe Marc's Brother.  Joe's brother Marc was also in the band last night along with James Haggerty, Jim Hoke, Austin Hoke, Sam Smith, and Martin Lynds. They will be back at The 5 Spot next week, and I highly recommend it. As usual the show sounded great, thanks in large part to Eric - who was working his last night running sound at the East Nashville bar. He will be missed.

Let's get this weekend started with a Featured Friday shuffle...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Ignite Albania Mix

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Okay... so I had a long commute to a training class, and I am pressed for time... so I am going to have to be very brief with my descriptions (especially on artist I've written about before and recently).  It will be the same tomorrow....


Here goes...  Sorry to be so brief... more on all of these artist/albums later.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Feedback Downerzzz Mix

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Well, we've reached the end of another work week and another week of shuffles.  I haven't had a normal five day work week in almost a month, and I am going to be taking some time off at the end of January, first part of February - more on that later....

I've been thinking about E2TG quite a bit. It has been a part of my life for going on seven years. In the beginning, I stated a philosophy and even though much has changed in those seven years, I still try to stick as close to that philosophy.  I recognized early one that I could never "compete" with some of major music sites in terms of covering all the "hot" or "hip" or whatever music. So, I set my sights on featuring music you may not be reading about in those brand x blogs. What that has meant has changed somewhat but not entirely. In recent months, I have had the opportunity to feature some artists that would have never thought possible before.

What thrills me more than anything is the diversity of music that I am able to feature and write about. For me, that is more than a philosophy or modus operandi, it is an imperative. Since I first got interested in music, I have had an almost insatiable appetite for more and different music - always aware of the sometimes obscure thread that runs through it all.

With that being said (whatever it was I said), I have a wonderful and diverse set of songs that came up randomly in my shuffle of my new music playlist. Yesterday - there were only six songs in the shuffle - today, we have twelve.

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Big Backyard Mix

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So, one idea I'm trying out, is on days when I don't shuffle from my "New Music" playlist (for example: Music City Monday or Wild Wednesday). I am going to feature some of the new music that has come my way.

Since today is Wednesday - and that is the day, I shuffle from all of the tracks saved to my phone, I thought I would features the brand newest music - in fact in came through my inbox just 36 minutes ago.  How about a preview of "Scatter Me" by the new band TC(and sign)I  (I still can't figure out how to type an "ampersand" without it messing up my HTML code.  This is a new project featuring Terry Chambers and Collin Moulding of XTC! They have released an EP called Great Aspirations. This is the lead track:




Now - on to our shuffle:  It's Wild Wednesday, so let's get Wild!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Use Your Words Mix

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3 more shuffles left in 2017.  Feeling kind of ready to kick this year to the curb, but we have some business left to do.

I have a few more out of shuffle Earies to hand out. 

First, the "New Kid(s) in Town" award: we have a tie!  Congrats to WXNA and to Cafe Rooster Records.

WXNA - words cannot express how happy I am that this station started about a year and half ago. Not only because it has given me to incredible opportunity to have a show with Sue Havlish, but also because it is such a valuable to asset to the city of Nashville. The founders were all long-time DJ's at Vanderbilt's WRVU. When their bid to save that station fell short, they went to work and man did they work!  That work has paid off in spades. A couple of months ago, WXNA was voted Best Radio Station in Nashville by the readers of the Nashville Scene. To some, it may not be clear just how amazing an accomplishment this was. Nashville has a celebrated radio history. In terms of terms of  "alternative" music - WRLT Lightning 100 has been an institution for nearly 30 years. For WXNA to be voted best radio station in this town after just over one year of operation reflects the void that the station has filled in this community. As I have said, I am still flabbergasted to be able to play even a small part in this station.

Cafe Rooster Records - Not long after WXNA went on the air, Brian Wright, Sally Jaye, and Darrin Bradbury decided to create Cafe Rooster Records to release their records and other worthwhile releases. Their Americana Music Fest parties are already legendary (after just two years).  Their line-up includes releases by Brian Wright, Ladies Gun Club, Darrin Bradbury, and Jon Latham (his latest album, Lifers is one of the best of 2017.  They also released the incredible Strange Freedom: Songs of Love and Protest compilation. Cafe Rooster Session Vol. 2 was released a couple of months ago and features not only the aforementioned artists, but also some very special guests. In May, Cafe Rooster Records hosted one of the E2TG Residency Nights and put on an epic show that I will not soon forget.

I can't wait to see what the future holds for both of these Nashville treasures.

I would be remiss if I didn't give the "Co-Conspirator" award to Collins de la Cour. Collins was the first ever guest contributor to E2TG - contributing some insightful coverage of the Americana Music Fest back in September.  Look for more from Collins in 2018!

This is the time of the Earies when I start stressing out over who I may have accidentally omitted.

Anyway, after today, we have two more days of Earies and still a fair number of awards to hand out. Next week, the "Golden Earies" for Band(s) and/or Artist(s) of the Year for 2017.


Today's shuffle (as we do on Wednesdays) comes from all of the songs in my phone's memory.  Things can get wild - so let's shuffle:

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Lips are Moving Mix

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All right. It's Friday....  saw Will Kimbrough and Tommy Womack doing their Daddy (duo)  thing last night at The Family Wash.  Lisa Oliver Gray joined them for a couple of songs.  Always great to see the two of them.  There are working on the third DADDY record and it is open to pre-orders now - through Will Kimbrough's PayPal account.

I'm going to jump right into the Featured Friday shuffle...


"Funny Feeling" by Luxury Mane

We start things off with the last track we have to feature from Lux Runnin Out - the 2016 album by this band from St. Petersburg, Florida.  I look forward to what's next from this band.

"Gluten Farmer" by Discount Ravioli

It's becoming a regular Friday thing to have a Discount Ravioli track or two or four as part of every Friday's shuffle. This is (apparently) a sequel to the classic Circus Propaganda song, "Gluten Farm" What is a Gluten Farmer?  Check out Discount Ravioli's Baby Arm Sessions and find out.  

"I Know" by The Maxx

Next up, we have another track from Funk Box - the latest album by this long-running 70s-style funk/soul band from Atlanta. Adding some groove to my Friday commute.  

"id" by Ugggy

This is the opening track from Ugggy's May 2017 release,  STŒND ALŒN (uncollected thots), (the third of seven so far this year).  It is a fifteen second introduction to the release. 

"Stagger Lee" by Taj Mahal

or "Stack-o-Lee". The first of two tracks from the Labor of Love album released in conjunction with the Music Maker Relief Foundation. Taj Mahal originally recorded a version of this song (which dates from 1911) on his De Ole Folks at Home album in 1969.

"Warning Sign" by Black Needle Noise  with Kendra Frost

Next up, we have another track from Black Needle Noise - which features John Fryer of This Mortal Coil.  The most recent album, called Lost in Reflections features a number of collaborations included this one with Kendra Frost. 

"News Blackout" by Tim Easton

Next, we have another cut from Strange Freedom: Songs of Love and Protest which Cafe Rooster put out recently. This track was originally released on Easton's 2008 album Ammunition. The words seem pretty appropriate today. 

"Song for Brenda" by Taj Mahal with Cool John Ferguson

Next, we have an instrumental - and a cool one at that  - from Labor of Love featuring Taj Mahal and Cool John Ferguson.  Ferguson is a frequent collaborator with Taj Mahal (and others).  Taj Mahal has said that Cool John Ferguson is among the top five guitar players in the world.  He is also the Director of Creative Development at Music Make Relief Foundation.

"Nedobity" by The Foresters

And we close out the shuffle with a track from the latest album (House Stories) by E2TG faves, The Foresters. There is some crossover between Discount Ravioli and The Foresters.   Near as I can tell, "Nedobity" is a reference to something or someone or somewhere in Connecticut.  In other words, it's a Connecticut thing. Follow E2TG on Facebook and maybe someone from The Foresters camp will explain what it means or not. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - For Heather Mix

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Well, it sure is good to be back....

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Like many people, my uneasy mind is centered on the events that occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia over the weekend.  I am sickened and saddened by so much. The senseless violence, the hate, the tepid response of the President... so much.  Denouncing Nazis and White Supremacists should be something that most Americans can agree upon and unite around, but it appears that is not the case. So many on the Right echo the response of the President and deflect with false equivalency or blame Obama (apparently for daring to be black and President for eight years).  Are there hate groups that are not Nazi's and White Supremacists? Sure. But that is not the topic today. As I have been saying on a regular basis since January, the current administration has placed people who hold the same views as those who lead the protests in Virginia into positions of power within the government.  Those people support this current President and believe they have his tacit approval for their actions. They seem to be correct. While I am happy that some Republican leaders are opening critical of the President's initial response (for the record, I am aware that he made some sort of speech today, but I have not had a chance to hear or read his words), but until and unless they use their positions to deal with this existential threat to our country and way of life, they are complicit in what is happening.

I do not have many solutions today. Except, I know I must speak out against fascism in any way I can, that I must work to free myself from the power of hate and fear, and that I must try my best to be a force for good in the world.

As I often write, there are many complex issues facing this country and this world. For many of this issues there is room and indeed benefit from health debate and compromise... fighting and speaking out against fascism and white supremacy is not one of this issues. A lot of good people in Germany in the 1930s remained silent. They did not actively support Hitler and the Nazis, but in their unwillingness to speak up and fight against that evil, they were complicit. I will not be complicit with the dark forces at work in our nation today.

I offer music as the only thing I know to help right now... This is for Heather Heyer.  If we allow the Nazi's to win, here name will be just the first of many victims. We cannot and must not let that happen...
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I am glad to be back, and I really needed the break on many different levels.  In clearing my head, I have a vision for E2TG going forward that I will work very hard to make real. I have given much thought and I think it is important that E2TG be what is supposed to be.  My goal is simply to do my part to help connect music with music lovers. I do so primarily through the use of my morning shuffles. I will occasionally do other types of posts, but that is not primarily what I do. I need to keep my focus and keep finding new ways to do what I do better. More on this soon.

I was fortunate to get to spend one wonderful day in Athens, Georgia at Athens Popfest. I sure wish I could have stayed longer, but what a day!  I got to see E2TG faves, The Foresters tear things up in their festival set. The band and some friends (including members of Discount Ravioli - who I have also written about - and Atticus Floyd who I have also written about) got to join The Apples in stereo on stage at the Georgia Theater.  The video showed it for the wonderful moment it was.

I also got to see another band we have featured here - The Veldt for North Carolina. Live - the completely blew me away - maybe one of my favorite live performances of the year.

Well, it is Monday and I am now short on time - so let's get to the Music City Monday shuffle....

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - His Home is Hell Mix

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Before you ask, I did not watch the presidential address last night...  Let me ask... Did he say that he was going to remove white supremacists from his administration?  Did he say he had made a mistake in appointing an Attorney General with an abysmal civil rights record? Did he promise a full, independent investigation into Russia's tampering with the election and his campaign staff's communication with that country?  Did he reveal a healthcare plan that covers all Americans?  Did he denounce the recent racially and ethnically motivated violence and vandalism that are being carried out by people who believe they are acting on his behalf?    What's that... no?  Then, I am really not interested in what ever b.s. he spouted.
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Hey - shameless self-promotion time.  I am working to release a LONG, LONG overdue novel - sometime this year, and I just recorded a very short Intro - from the beginning of the novel.  Here it is.  More to come about The Drift...




Well - after a couple of nights staying in to work, my week of live music begins tonight.  Earie Award Winner (2015) D.L. Duncan begins his residency at The 5 Spot - early show.  Later, a bunch of my favorite songwriters (lots of Earie winners included) will be at The Country for a round.

Tomorrow night, I am so thrilled to be seeing John Doe at The Basement, and even more thrilled that 2015 Artist of the Year and 2016 Earie winner - Jon Latham will be opening the show!

Time for some Wild Wednesday tunes...

Extra Special Earie Shuffle - The Purge: Anchovy Mix

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Well it is 2017, but here at E2TG we still have some unfinished business to complete for 2016.  So, I'm taking advantage of a couple of days off to award my final group of Earie Awards.  Tomorrow, I may or may not have a few more, but I will definitely be awarding Band/Artist of the Year.  Remember, unlike last year, the Artist/Band of the Year may or may not have already received an Earie this year, so you will have to stay tuned.  Betting lines are open... void where prohibited.

I do want to take a second to once again thank every one who reads, reposts, shares, comments, "likes", and otherwise supports me in making E2TG happen.  I am encouraged by the fact that December, November, and October 2016 were the 1. 2. and 3. best months for page views in the entire 5 1/2 year history of this blog.  In fact, December 2016 blew every previous month out of the water. I am humbled and filled with gratitude, and I am looking for a new year of opportunities and great music.


First, a couple of non-shuffle "Earies" to give out:

1.  The "After I Died" award goes to Bashful Hips. This often enigmatic and unique artists released  the awesome "After I Died, I've Never Felt So Alive", I was fortunate to be able to make it to the CD release show earlier this year.  Bashful Hips also had the opportunity to play shows and tour with some of his favorite artist.  For my part, I am grateful to have his cool and original sounds in my shuffle.

2.  The "Treeline is Not a Limit" award goes to Tim McNary.  McNary is another of those artists (like Ben de le Cour and Josh Morris) who I wrote about back in the early days of the blog and then reconnected with in a very coincidental way.  His album, Above the Trees was one of my favorites of the year, and I always love seeing McNary live. He has a wonderful, rich voice that brings his song to life.


Now to the shuffle - since I didn't commute anywhere this morning, I listened to tunes while I tried to do some organizing around here....