E2TG 1/24/2022 - Music City Monday - There She Goes Mix (Heart B 4 Remix)

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I was unexpectedly out on Friday, but I did manage to post a new Featured Friday Playlist.  Please check it out, and tune in to Ear to the Ground radio tomorrow morning to hear some of those songs. 

Today, we shuffle up our Music City Monday playlist with a collection of songs by Nashville artists past and present. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 4/16/2021 - Featured Friday - Raise a Banner Mix (Lead Balloon Remix)

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A huge Playlist of new and recent music this week... as always several genres and from all over the world.  Check it out on Spotify (and follow if so inclined) and/or follow along here as we recap the playlist down below and through the next week. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 4/2/2021 - Featured Friday - Peggy Mix (Sharp Remix)

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Time for another Featured Friday Playlist.  This is a fairly large list - thanks to taking a week off... But, we have a ton of great music spread throughout the whole playlist - so please check out the full list on Spotify (below) and give us a follow if you are so inclined. 

It is also Bandcamp Friday - so be sure to support your favorite independent artists by buying music and merch from them - Bandcamp is waiving all revenue sharing - so your money goes directly to the artists you love. 

We have a bunch of music to get to and time is short - so let's dive right in...

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/19/2021 - Featured Friday - Can't Dance Mix (Undead Remix)

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So, here is the brand new Featured Friday Playlist - jam packed with returning E2TG favorites, long-anticipated album releases and as usual lots of new (to us) artists. 

Reminder, I am taking next week off - so E2TG will return on March 29 when we will pick up the recap at song #12 (but I'm getting ahead of myself - songs 1-11 are below... 

As usual, you can check out the whole playlist on Spotify and if you dig the Playlist give us a follow.  If you dig any of the music, find a way to support the artists: by music and merch, follow and share them on social media, when it is safe, go to shows... 
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Say it With Flowers Mix

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Hey!  I'm back!  I almost forgot how to do one of these shuffles...

We have an exciting week coming up - culminating in a really awesome video premiere on Friday. So stay tuned. 

To kick things off, we have a spectacular Music City Monday - all songs with some connection to Nashville (aka Music City USA).

Let's get right to it!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Bible Tells Me So 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)

If you have read The Drift, please consider writing a review on Amazon. If you haven't read it, you can get your own copy through Amazon or if you are in Nashville, you can get them from me.

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!)


I will say once again, different beliefs are NOT the problem.  We are a country, which by our nature, has historically been a beacon to people with differing ideas and beliefs.

In my life, I have experienced several Presidents whose policies and agendas have clashed with what I believe is best or right. What all of those Presidents have done is at least give lip service to the idea they are representing all of us. They have spoken to all of us and presented this case and announced their decisions. Sometimes, I have liked or accepted their explanation and something I have hated it. Sometimes both with the same President.  My own political beliefs have developed and changed over time.

What I have witnessed these last two years is something different. Something horrifying. A president who speaks only to his base and considers other citizens to be the enemy. A president who speaks and tweets like a cheap radio talk show host. Who share conspiracy theories and who lies constantly and seemingly with immunity.  A president, in short, who acts like an asshole. And the result is that it has emboldened assholes to behave like assholes even more so than typical. I experienced this - again - this weekend. I knew the man was trouble when he talked in with his confederate flag hat. Sure enough, he acted like an asshole. Throwing insults and taunts, and when he was called on his behavior, he pouted like a little child. Like his president.


I am dismayed and discouraged, but for now, I still believe that light will overcome the darkness, and I still believe that there is more good than evil in this world.  I just hope good will get up off it's ass and do something - and do something soon.


Music is still my balm. And, it's Monday, so we have our usual Music City Monday shuffle to get the week off on the right foot.

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Blame it on Midnight 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!)


Whew!  It feels like the calm before the Americana storm.  This is Americana Fest week in Nashville. I got to bed early last night - for likely the last time this week. I am working on keeping a positive attitude.  The things that don't matter: 1. missing something 2. somebody thinking I'm not going to the "cool" events 3.  Trying to outdo other people or myself with endurance. 

Things that matter:  1.  Seeing as many out of town friends (including those I've never met in person)  2. Discovering "new to me" music.  3.  Supporting friends - when I'm able. 4. Having a good time 5. Not making myself sick (like last year).

Announcement:  I will helping to host an event coming up tomorrow night at The Radio Cafe featuring E2TG favorites Amelia White and Mark Huff - plus a couple of up and coming UK artists. Doors at 7 - music at 7:30 - $5.00 cover.


What better way to start the week in Nashville that is just like any other week in Nashville - except more intense - than with a "Music City Monday" shuffle. Covering music both new and old by a cross-section of the talented folks who have and/or do call Nashville home.

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Dressed up Like Marilyn Manson Mix

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Just a reminder, that you can still get your very own copy of my debut novel, The Drift.  It is available via Amazon for just $9.99 (and it is PRIME eligible). It is also available in a Kindle edition.  If you buy the paperback, you can get buy the Kindle Edition for just $0.99. 

If you are in the Nashville area, I, right now, have eight unsold copies in my car.  If you see me out and about (once I get over this cold I have) and you want a copy, let me know. I accept cash, Paypal, and Venmo.

If you are outside of Nashville and want to buy from me (and/or get  an autographed copy), just shoot me a message. I will need to charge shipping.

Well, it's the beginning of another month of shuffle here at E2TG, and it is Monday.  We have been doing Music City Monday for a while, but it has been within the last couple of months that I created the "Music City Monday" playlist on Spotify - just to feature a wider variety of great Nashville music of today and yesterday.   Here's today's shuffle:

Music City Monday Morning Shuflle - Straggled By Love Mix

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The crazy weather continues (not just in Nashville, I know).  We had temps in the 80's at the end of last week, rain all day Saturday, cooler weather Sunday, and cold weather with a few snow flurries this morning.  Temps are supposed to be up into the 70's later in the week. I say this not to give a weather report, but to say, the change in weather has really had an effect on the state of how I feel - so I laid pretty low most of the weekend - except to help celebrate my radio DJ partner - Sue's birthday on Sunday. It was a wonderful time with wonderful people at a wonderful place (Dee's). 

Now, it is time for Music City Monday shuffle.  This is the only of my shuffles that comes from a Spotify playlist.  It is a huge playlist (ever-expanding) of current and former Nashville area artists and bands. It is an eclectic mix of older music and newer music - crossing musical boundaries.

Let's shuffle!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Protection of the People Mix

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I'm on what I believe is my longest run of live music nights since my birthday a couple of years ago. I have gone out the last five nights (and six of the last seven) and seen some incredible music and hung with some awesome people.

I last reported on Thursday night's Music City Roots.  So, let me pick things up on Friday:

Pylon Reenactment Society at the Basement was even better than the high expectations I had. A couple of local bands opened - Dancers and Lylas. Both were wonderful. Pylon Reenactment Society brought the energy and the fun and the audience which was mixed between people my age or older and younger folks responded. The joy from both sides of the stage was palpable.

Saturday started at The 5 Spot where David Olney once again proved why he is one of the most respected songwriters in Nashville (and elsewhere).  To a good crowd which included several music luminaries, Olney stormed through a two hour set that included a nifty cover of Buddy Holly's "Everyday".

After that, I headed back to the Basement for Jon Latham's birthday show. I arrived in time to catch the end of Darrin Bradbury's set. I also saw great sets from Little Bandit (Alex Caress solo) and Brian Wright.  Then Jon's band (less Sean Quinn who was out of town) took the stage and as per their usual - rocked the house.  The set included a Fugazi cover embedded into "Kimberly Met Billy" and ended with a cover of Tom Petty's "Even the Losers" during which Latham invited people onto the stage (which included yours truly).  A wonderful night - celebrating a wonderful man.

Last night, I headed to The 5 Spot again.  Early show featured awesome sets from Bill Eberle, Becky Warren, and Jen Starsinic -three of Nashville's finest. 

The late show featured Chad Mason, Evan Jenkins, and the return of Hugh Mitchell (a long time favorite of mine who is back in Nashville).  Great music and great hangs with awesome people.

To be honest, I am exhausted right now, but it has been fun beyond measure.

On to our Music City Monday Shuffle!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - One Helluva Hangover Mix

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Okay - well, two weeks ago, I started a new thing for Music City Monday - the shuffle is based upon a ever expanding Spotify playlist of Nashville artists past and present - trying to cover as much of the diversity of Music City's music  as I can.  Last week, I was off work - so today marks the 2nd edition of Music City Monday 2.0.  In case you want to peruse the playlist at your leisure, it is currently at 740 songs (over 44 hours of music), and it is still growing.  Anyway, here is the LINK.

I need to add an editorial comment:  I honestly wish that Spotify paid creators more for their work, and I hope that happens some time. In the meantime, I do think it is a good vehicle for hearing a ton of music and for creating playlist like this one.  However, my wish is that if you hear music you love, and you are able, go buy it.  Saving or even "downloading" an album on Spotify does not in any way equal buying the album. I think when you look at the profits that Spotify is making off the blood sweat and tears of the artists and songwriters and others who make the music, it is clearly an untenable situation.

As always, E2TG is about the music, so this shuffle like any other I post is about the music.

In any event, I think today's shuffle is a pretty nice cross-section of Nashville's music, and I look forward to bring you more in the weeks and months to come. 

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - Super Mercado Mix

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An enjoyable evening of music last night.  Headed over to the west side to catch Conrad Y Skordalia, Sergio Webb, and Maynard and the Musties.   All wonderful - with many shared players.

It's Thursday.... we continue to dive into the E2TG archives for old and new songs from the six year history of E2TG.  As I have said, I went through my entire music collection and selected one song for each artist that I consider a part of the history of E2TG (i.e. I featured, presented, whatever). Let's just dive in...

Earie Tuesday Shuffle - The Penultimate Mix

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Look, I'm as ready as any of you to put 2016 behind me, but I have a little unfinished business.  Besides, all of the great music put out and discovered was one of the best parts of an otherwise crappy year.  So, I have the final batch of "Earie" Awards to hand out, and then later today, I will unveil the Band/Artist of the Year Award for 2016.

First off, one outside the shuffle.

The "Rockified Country" Award goes to Saint Luke's Drifters. I first met Mitch Laney of the band at a Richie Owens show a while back.  Then, I saw his band play a show with Richie.  Their sound reminds me at times of Jason and the Scorchers or the early Georgia Satellites when Dan Baird was a part of that band. But, they have some really unique qualities. I think they do country music better and more purely than either of those bands. And, when they rock, they bring it. Their live shows always yield awesome covers to go along with their original songs - like ones on their 2016 release Trials and Tribulations.  The album was mixed by Eric Ambel (who by the way I got to briefly meet during Americana Fest this year).

Now let's do the final shuffle of 2016 for real, ya'll,,,