I have been thinking lately about the Will Kimbrough song, "Less Polite" (see right below). Generally, I do believe in civil discourse about political differences. But honestly, lately, it is getting difficult. Don't get me wrong I am willing to have serious and civil discourse with anybody - across the political spectrum - as long as the starting point of that discourse is about how to get rid of this evil and un-American budding dictatorship. I am frankly disgusted and appalled that more people on the right - of which I know there are some basically decent people do not stand up to this assault on our way of life.
Jumping back into the daily grind after an enjoyable weekend with my daughter and another fun recording for a future Double Shot show...
A quick reality check: Right now in America (2017), Customs agents are stopping domestic travelers and demanding papers. Among the high profile people detained under the guidance from the Republican administration: a noted children's author, an American Olympic medalist, the son of Muhammad Ali, and (chillingly) a note historian who specializes in studies of the Holocaust. This is not the America I have known my whole life.
The Republican administration (which has placed white nationalists in positions of power) has made up three different "terrorist" attacks to justify a travel ban. And, they have remained silent to real terror attacks by white nationalists on people of color across the country.
Okay - to music... First of all, because I don't get to say this every day - check out The Voice on NBC tonight to see and hear my friend and Earie award winner Taylor Alexander!
Reminder! Details coming very soon, but #E2TG will be taking over The 5 Spot every single Wednesday in May (there are 5 of them). It's all to celebrate the 6th Anniversary of this blog. I cannot wait to tell you who you will be seeing and hearing, but it's going to be great!
On Monday, we shuffle up songs from our Music City playlist - featuring songs with Nashville connections....
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.
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....
So, I was thinking - I tend to do that quite a bit... These days so many of us are angry or scared or outraged or appalled or depressed or otherwise distressed... basically anyone who cares about: people with disabilities, the education of our children, healthcare, the environment, people of color, people who look different, the LGBT (etc.) community, the free press, this country, the world... is likely feeling any one or more or all of those emotions just about every day.
And we are - and we are spurned to actions - however much or little we are able to do... but in the midst of calling our leaders and signing petitions and writing letters and protesting and creating art and writing about things we normally don't write about... take the time to love. Love everyone. Love generously, love without limits, love yourselves...
It is okay to be afraid. Fear is not the problem. Acting based upon fear is the problem. So if you are afraid - try taking some action of love - however small. It helps. (This self-reminder is a public service announcement from me)...
I had a blast at the final edition of Brian Langlinais' residency at The 5 Spot. Brian is awesome and he put together a killer band. Adrian + Meredith and Fifth and Main provided support. The Gumbo and King Cake were incredible. The company was great.
Tonight, it is the 10th Anniversary of Jon Byrd's album, Byrd's Auto Parts at The Family Wash. Should be a blast. Jon Byrd "Doesn't Rock Ever" but he does what he does better than anyone else.
It is Thursday - we continue our "Theme Thursday" series. Songs loosely connected to an unstated central theme (even if the connection is all in my head). Let's go!
Today what is on my mind is intellectual curiosity. I have heard this term used quite a bit recently, and often in the context of the current President lacking this quality. So, I wondered what does this mean...
"The intellectually curious person has a deep and persistent desire to know. She asks and seeks answers to the “why” questions. And she doesn’t stop asking at a surface level, but instead asks probing questions in order to peel back layers of explanation to get at the foundational ideas concerning a particular issue." from Psychology Today April 2014
So, I think this means (in simplistic terms): I observe something or get some information, and I first ask is this information/observation true. And if it turns out to be true or accurate, then I begin asking "why"and I keep asking "why" until I get to the core issue/ truth.
So, how does this relate to our current administration. "Immigrants and refugees commit a disproportionate number of crimes" - maybe this was said by someone or maybe I noticed when I read a news article about a crime - it often seems like the perpetrator is a non-citizen. Okay - what next. An intellectually curious person would first try to get data and facts to support this statement or observation and then (IF) proven would begin asking "Why" questions and continue until reaching a core issue that can be addressed in a meaningful way.
As for someone lacking intellectual curiosity... well, I think we can all see what would happen next...
Tonight - Brian Langlinais wraps up his month-long residency at The 5 Spot. It will be a party and believe me Cajun's know how to party. E2TG faves Adrian + Meredith open plus Fifth and Main (from Detroit) will perform followed by Langlinais and Earl 6. Not to mention a promise of Cajun food!
Let's jump right into the Wild Wednesday shuffle- true to its name - we cover a lot of musical ground today...
Alrighty then, I am back after a long weekend. As usual, I got a lot done and feel like I could have done more. Saturday night, I took in Jon Latham, Josh Morris, and Sean Quinn at The Country. Excellent music, and good times.
Sunday, it was Stone Cupid (trio with Julie Christensen, Chris Tench, and Sergio Webb) at Studio 62 on Main Street in East Nashville. Always good to see and hear them play.
Meanwhile, the surreal disaster that is our current administration in the US continues to defy... well fill in the blank.. common sense, decency, legality, reality. A "campaign"rally - a month after inauguration... filled with at least 13 factually questionable statements... including an allusion to an attack "last night" against Sweden which never happened.
Here's the deal, writing this blog, I have inadvertently posted things that turned out to be incorrect. I once (based upon a wikipedia article) stated that a noted producer co-wrote a song. When I was corrected, by the writer of said song, I immediate edited my post to include the correct information (while leaving the incorrect information struck out) and I apologize for the error.
In contrast, when this administration is called out on misstatements, they double down, the shift blame, or they respond in some bizarre fashion that leaves their followers to believe the lie to be the truth. (i.e. many supporters of the current administration still believe the "media" is covering up an attack on Sweden).
Oh and let's not forget the non-stop attacks on the free press - who dare to ask "hard questions" and challenge untruths.
Okay, okay. I'm done for now. The above views are my own and should not be associated with any artists featured on my page.
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Before we leap ahead into the Shuffle... I would like to present a video from The Suitcase Junket. I first saw The Suitcase Junket - a uniquely talented one-man band - a couple of years ago at The 5 Spot. He has a brand new album - his label debut coming soon, and today, we have a video from that album for the song, "The Next Act". Check it out below, and keep listening to E2TG for more from the album which is called, Pile Driver.
Today is Tuesday and we have our "Trending Tuesday" shuffle forthcoming....after the jump...
"I know politics bore you, but I feel like a hypocrite talking to you and your racist friend." - TMBG
I'll try to keep this brief... (try being the operative word). To my mind, there are two different battles being fought right now.
1. A (mainly) partisan battle over policies which many of us feel are bad policies. Policies that target the most vulnerable of our citizens, that threaten our environment, and that diminish public safety of all Americans. These are battles that we would be fighting regardless of who was in the White House.
2. The second battle is, I believe, a fight against an unstable man who heads up the Executive Branch of government and who is surrounded by white nationalists and bigots of every shape and size. It is a battle over the increasingly likely possibility that Russia successful influenced the results of the presidential election in the US, and that the current administration was an active participant in that process, and that decisions are being made by the current administration which give the appearance of being influenced that interference.
These two battles are both important. And, it is easy to get distracted by one and forget about the other. It is also possible that one is being used as a distraction to provide cover for the other.
These are, I believe, trying times. And, even beyond this current administration, there are deeply disturbing trends (some of which I alluded to yesterday). We are nation divided not only by principles and values and beliefs, but also, by our perception of the world around us.
Today, I don't have any answers. To those on the front lines of these battles - #Persist #Resist!
Last night, I recorded next weeks Double Shot show and then made the decision to go out to Springwater to see Earie winners Brian Milligram and Jon Worthy perform, and to see Jeremiah Tall - who I had written about some time ago, and to see a band I was not familiar with Cullen Wade and the Waters. I'm glad I went out. Jeremiah Tall - who performs as a one-man band with a suitcase for a kick drum - was excellent. Brian Milligram - performing live for the first time in a few months (and playing as a three piece) was as good as I remember - throwing a Woody Guthrie song and an anarchist punk cover into his set - which included some of my favorites from Dead Letters. I am now a fan of Cullen Wade and The Waters - two of whose members are from Louisiana. They are on my radar and I can't wait to hear more. Jon Worthy went on last, and there were not many of us left when we played - which is a shame, but it happens. I loved hearing him play some of my favorite songs of the two albums we have featured on E2TG.
SHOW ALERT: Tomorrow night is a E2TG recommended show at The Country (located one block over from Springwater). Sean Quinn and the Tremblers (whose new album we reviewed yesterday), Earie Award winner Josh Morris, and 2015 Artist of the Year (and 2016 Earie Winner) Jon Latham. This should be a wonderful show.
Let's jump into the shuffle - Featured Friday style!
