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Getting settled into this new year...
Saturday night: Got to see some "Earie"award winners perform: First Josh Morris at The Country, then Renee Wahl and The Sworn Secrets at The Family Wash and finally Tommy Womack, also at The Family Wash.
Well, it's my first full work week of the new year, and thus our first Music City Monday in a about three weeks. Let's do it!
Monday, January 9, 2017
Friday, January 6, 2017
Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Laurel Canyon '72 Mix
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Greetings from a snowy, chilly Nashville. Last night was yet another one of those nights that reminds me why Nashville is such a cool place to be a music fan. First off Brian Ritchey kicked off his residency at The 5 Spot. Sheriff Scott and the Deputies opened. I am not sure why I am just now hearing or/hearing this band, but I am a fan now. Urban bluegrass is the term, I think. Really good stuff. Brian Ritchey is a great songwriter, and he sounded great as always. Enjoyed hearing some of his newest songs.
Next, I headed to the American Legion for Buck n Stuff. American Roommates opened the show. I really dug their energy and sound. Another new (for me) band. As for Buck 'n' Stuff... well, I know it is early in the year, but at this point, I think they are front runners for Band of the Year. Seriously - because they are a serious band. Buck Owens covers (thus the "Buck") plus a few non-Buck Owens covers (thus the 'n' Stuff). All of these offered up in non-traditional arrangements.
Okay, so we are ready for our first Featured Friday Shuffle of 2017.
If you are in Nashville, it sounds like the roads are getting dicey. Be careful out there.
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
Greetings from a snowy, chilly Nashville. Last night was yet another one of those nights that reminds me why Nashville is such a cool place to be a music fan. First off Brian Ritchey kicked off his residency at The 5 Spot. Sheriff Scott and the Deputies opened. I am not sure why I am just now hearing or/hearing this band, but I am a fan now. Urban bluegrass is the term, I think. Really good stuff. Brian Ritchey is a great songwriter, and he sounded great as always. Enjoyed hearing some of his newest songs.
Next, I headed to the American Legion for Buck n Stuff. American Roommates opened the show. I really dug their energy and sound. Another new (for me) band. As for Buck 'n' Stuff... well, I know it is early in the year, but at this point, I think they are front runners for Band of the Year. Seriously - because they are a serious band. Buck Owens covers (thus the "Buck") plus a few non-Buck Owens covers (thus the 'n' Stuff). All of these offered up in non-traditional arrangements.
Okay, so we are ready for our first Featured Friday Shuffle of 2017.
If you are in Nashville, it sounds like the roads are getting dicey. Be careful out there.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Something Thursday Morning Shuffle - Romping Mix
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Tonight: Brian Ritchey residency kicks off down at The 5 Spot, and then later, Future Band of the Year Buck 'n' Stuff kick off their residency (and live album recording!) down at the American Legion. Plus, there is a chance of snow... but it's looking remote right now...
Alright, I still haven't created a Throwback Playlist for Throwback Thursday - so this is Something Thursday. The shuffle today comes from the built-in Recently Added playlist which contains the 900 most recently added songs on my phone.
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
Tonight: Brian Ritchey residency kicks off down at The 5 Spot, and then later, Future Band of the Year Buck 'n' Stuff kick off their residency (and live album recording!) down at the American Legion. Plus, there is a chance of snow... but it's looking remote right now...
Alright, I still haven't created a Throwback Playlist for Throwback Thursday - so this is Something Thursday. The shuffle today comes from the built-in Recently Added playlist which contains the 900 most recently added songs on my phone.
Let's jump to it!
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Plead With You Mix
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Final tally - about 90 "Earies" 3 Band/Artists of the Year!
Okay! It is officially 2017 here at E2TG.
Last night - my first night out of 2017 was a good reminder of why I love living in Nashville. Amazing live music from 6pm - after 1am. Seeing some of the most talented artists working in music - some performing, some just hanging out. Jon Byrd always wonderful, saw some authentic country and western music at the American Legion, and ended the night seeing the super talented Jim Oblon along with guest Patrick Sweany and Little Joe from Sturgill Simpson's band tearing it up big time at The Family Wash!
Today, we have a Wild Wednesday Shuffle
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
Final tally - about 90 "Earies" 3 Band/Artists of the Year!
Okay! It is officially 2017 here at E2TG.
Last night - my first night out of 2017 was a good reminder of why I love living in Nashville. Amazing live music from 6pm - after 1am. Seeing some of the most talented artists working in music - some performing, some just hanging out. Jon Byrd always wonderful, saw some authentic country and western music at the American Legion, and ended the night seeing the super talented Jim Oblon along with guest Patrick Sweany and Little Joe from Sturgill Simpson's band tearing it up big time at The Family Wash!
Today, we have a Wild Wednesday Shuffle
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
E2TG 2016 Band/Artist(s) of the Year
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First of all thanks again and congratulations to all of the 2016 "Earies" and because of who I am - apologies for all of the unintentional omissions that I will think about later today or tomorrow....
If you have Spotify, I have created an 800+ Playlist featuring the "Earie" Winners. If that link doesn't work, I will share it on Facebook later. Also, just a reminder - following or saving or "downloading" an album on Spotify is not a substitute for buying the damn album - also I wish Spotify would pay the artists more.. There!
Since we have a bunch of new readers, I will share a history of the award (if you've heard/read this you may skip this next few paragraphs):
Although this is only the second year of the "Earie" Awards, the Band/Artist of the Year Award goes back to the very beginning of E2TG. In the beginning was the Band of the Week designation. Basically, in those early days, I often had to go out and find bands to write about - often it was someone who followed me on Twitter. I was knew that recurring features was a thing with blogging so I started naming a "Band of the Week" (at that time they were almost all bands and not solo acts).
When I reached the end of 2011, I had named 30+ Bands of the Week, and on a lark, I thought it would be a hoot to have a Readers Poll to name Band of the Year. This was supposed to be ironic in a way because I really didn't have many readers back then - you know who you are if you were among them).
Well, the poll was a ton of fun. Don Ryan finished third, Ubiquity Machine (my friend and OG reader Howard's band) were second, and a band from the UK called The Mobbs rallied late to take the title.
Well, the Band of Year poll was so much fun that I decided to start having a Band of the Month poll. Eventually, the Band of the Week designation gave way to the "Featured Artists" designation. The Band of the Month Poll went well at first. And at the end of 2012, all of my Bands of the Month plus some Wildcards competing for Band of the Year. That year, Skeletons in the Piano (from Upstate New York) took the prize.
Eventually, I grew tired of the polls - I realized some bands cared too much about polls and some didn't care enough... blah, blah, blah... anyway, music should not be about competition, I don't think. So, when the end of 2013 rolled around, I decided that E2TG was no longer a democracy and I made the unilateral decision to award The Band of the Year distinction to The End Men - who were and are one of my favorite bands ever. Like many of us, 2016 presented some challenges, but they are vowing more ROCK in 2017!
My world kind of imploded in 2014 and my life and the direction of E2TG was forever altered. In the midst of that chaos, I was introduced to the music and person of one Darrin Bradbury. In 2014, I probably saw him play an average to 2-3 times every week, and to be honest, the was not much doubt in my mind from early in the year that if E2TG survived the chaos that Darrin would be my Artist of the Year. We did survive and he won the award, and it is a decision I have never once regretted.
In 2015, I watched the rise of Jon Latham culminating in the release of Real Bad News. It became clear early one that he was front-runner for Artist of the Year (Darrin lobbied hard for him), and his star-making guest slot at the AMA kickoff in September 2015 sealed the deal, If you have been paying attention in 2016, you will understand that naming Jon Latham Artist of the Year made me look downright prophetic. If you don't know yet, stayed tuned for "Lifers" which is set for release early in this new year...
Which brings us to 2016. 2016 brought amazing opportunities, personal challenges, and a shit-ton of great music. So much incredible music - both exploding out of East Nashville and from all over the world, that I could not even keep up. To be honest, I have had a hard time picking an "ARTIST OF THE YEAR" and it not from worthy candidates but contrarily it is from so many worthy candidates... so after the jump... see what I have decided....
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
First of all thanks again and congratulations to all of the 2016 "Earies" and because of who I am - apologies for all of the unintentional omissions that I will think about later today or tomorrow....
If you have Spotify, I have created an 800+ Playlist featuring the "Earie" Winners. If that link doesn't work, I will share it on Facebook later. Also, just a reminder - following or saving or "downloading" an album on Spotify is not a substitute for buying the damn album - also I wish Spotify would pay the artists more.. There!
Since we have a bunch of new readers, I will share a history of the award (if you've heard/read this you may skip this next few paragraphs):
Although this is only the second year of the "Earie" Awards, the Band/Artist of the Year Award goes back to the very beginning of E2TG. In the beginning was the Band of the Week designation. Basically, in those early days, I often had to go out and find bands to write about - often it was someone who followed me on Twitter. I was knew that recurring features was a thing with blogging so I started naming a "Band of the Week" (at that time they were almost all bands and not solo acts).
When I reached the end of 2011, I had named 30+ Bands of the Week, and on a lark, I thought it would be a hoot to have a Readers Poll to name Band of the Year. This was supposed to be ironic in a way because I really didn't have many readers back then - you know who you are if you were among them).
Well, the poll was a ton of fun. Don Ryan finished third, Ubiquity Machine (my friend and OG reader Howard's band) were second, and a band from the UK called The Mobbs rallied late to take the title.
Well, the Band of Year poll was so much fun that I decided to start having a Band of the Month poll. Eventually, the Band of the Week designation gave way to the "Featured Artists" designation. The Band of the Month Poll went well at first. And at the end of 2012, all of my Bands of the Month plus some Wildcards competing for Band of the Year. That year, Skeletons in the Piano (from Upstate New York) took the prize.
Eventually, I grew tired of the polls - I realized some bands cared too much about polls and some didn't care enough... blah, blah, blah... anyway, music should not be about competition, I don't think. So, when the end of 2013 rolled around, I decided that E2TG was no longer a democracy and I made the unilateral decision to award The Band of the Year distinction to The End Men - who were and are one of my favorite bands ever. Like many of us, 2016 presented some challenges, but they are vowing more ROCK in 2017!
My world kind of imploded in 2014 and my life and the direction of E2TG was forever altered. In the midst of that chaos, I was introduced to the music and person of one Darrin Bradbury. In 2014, I probably saw him play an average to 2-3 times every week, and to be honest, the was not much doubt in my mind from early in the year that if E2TG survived the chaos that Darrin would be my Artist of the Year. We did survive and he won the award, and it is a decision I have never once regretted.
In 2015, I watched the rise of Jon Latham culminating in the release of Real Bad News. It became clear early one that he was front-runner for Artist of the Year (Darrin lobbied hard for him), and his star-making guest slot at the AMA kickoff in September 2015 sealed the deal, If you have been paying attention in 2016, you will understand that naming Jon Latham Artist of the Year made me look downright prophetic. If you don't know yet, stayed tuned for "Lifers" which is set for release early in this new year...
Which brings us to 2016. 2016 brought amazing opportunities, personal challenges, and a shit-ton of great music. So much incredible music - both exploding out of East Nashville and from all over the world, that I could not even keep up. To be honest, I have had a hard time picking an "ARTIST OF THE YEAR" and it not from worthy candidates but contrarily it is from so many worthy candidates... so after the jump... see what I have decided....
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,,,
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
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,,,
Monday, January 2, 2017
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....
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
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....
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