We End the Month With America ‘In the Spotlight,’ Our ‘Great Beginnings’ EP, and Emmylou Harris & Mark Knopfler Live in Verona, Italy, On June 30, 2025

Good morning, workers! We’re back in the shops, stores, offices and streets on this fine Monday as we end the month with ‘Great Beginnings’ sandwiched in between America and the duo of Emmylou Harris and Mark Knopfler.

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

10:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of America

Ah, yes, America. One of those great folk-rock bands who could push the limits of their musical genre focus. They had their hits, of course, but their absolute best and most creative music was buried on their albums. A lot of people were surprised that I liked this band when I was young, but what the hell do they know. A great listen here.

1:00 p.m. Great Beginnings: Various Artists

One of our newer playlists with featuring songs with great openings from The Beatles, Elton John, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Yes, Chicago, The Who, Johnny Rivers, Electric Light Orchestra, The Kinks, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers Band, The Temptations, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, ZZ Top, Badfinger, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steely Dan, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Paul Simon, The Chambers Brothers, and more.

8:00 p.m. Emmylou Harris & Mark Knopfler Live at Arena Di Verona, Verona, Venito, Italy, June 3, 2006

Emmylou Harris always has a way to team up with people you’d never expect her to team up with, and the result is always mind blowing. Here’s another one, and it’s a great performance.

We’re back on the work week, but it doesn’t have to suck. No sir. We’ll get you through to the weekend with great music, no commercials, and no DJs who talk to damned much. Give us a try. The button is below.

On Sunday It’s ‘Ladies Day Out,’ Live Mudcrutch, and a Pink Floyd ‘Spotlight’ Feature to Close, June 29, 2025

Good morning, weekenders! It’s another eclectic music day in The Mermaid Lounge and we kick it off with the ladies large and in charge, followed by live Mudcrutch and then Pink Floyd to close out the programming!

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ladies Day Out: Various Artists

There’s no other Internet or airwave station that plays the ladies like us. Most give begrudgingly give them a venue once in a while, and then only a select few. Not here. We give you five solid hours from Linda Ronstadt, Norah Jones, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Valerie Carter, Carole King, Aretha Franklin, Irma Thomas, Ann Peebles, Dusty Springfield, Lulu, Petula Clark, Etta James, Carla Thomas, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Shirelles, Nina Simone, Phoebe Snow, Maria Muldaur, and more!

4:00 p.m. Mudcrutch Live at The Fonda Theater, Los Angeles, CA, June 20, 2016

Tom Petty’s “other” band. This is the band that he left Gainesville with, and the band which eventually morphed into The Heartbreakers. In 2008, he would revive the original band and they went on to become part of his legend. Today they’re live from The Fonda Theater.

8:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Pink Floyd

Tonight we close the programming with a little bit of the avante-garde, as Pink Floyd combines psychedelic and progressive rock to close out the evening.

We’re here 24/7 and we’re totally free. I know. In a capitalist-driven world that’s hard to believe, but it’s absolutely true. No. You cannot build custom lists, but I take the position that Spotify et al. are not actually ‘radio stations.’ Radio is not knowing what’s coming next. That’s what we’re all about, but we take that to the extreme. We don’t play the same 100 or even 1,000 songs over and over and over. We have a 27,000+ catalogue playing all day and all night. Check us out. The button is below.

On Saturday It’s The Traveling Wilburys, The Summer of Love Countdown, and Blind Faith Live in Santa Barbara, June 28, 2025

Good morning, weekenders! We’ve got a great lineup today as we get close to the edge of July. We start with the best supergroup on the planet, followed by some sixties stuff, including what was on the radio during the Summer of Love!

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

10:00 a.m. The Traveling Wilburys Bootleg Collection

Not only do we have every Wilbury song in this playlist, but we also have outtakes, alternate versions, and other surprises from the greatest supergroup on the planet. They started out as just five friends who loved to make music together, but it turned into so much more. For those who may not know who the members were: George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, and Jeff Lynne. Their drummer was the great Jim Keltner.

3:00 p.m. The Summer of Love Countdown: Various Artists

Let’s get something cleared up before we start: The Summer of Love was not in 1969. Many people get it wrong because Woodstock took place in 1969. The Summer of Love took place between June and October of 1967, and there was plenty of great stuff on the radio from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Association, The Rascals, Bobbie Gentry, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Spanky & Our Gang, The Hollies, Petula Clark, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Rivers, The Box Tops, Procol Harum, Scott McKenzie, The Grass Roots, Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, Paul Revere & The Raiders, and more!

8:00 p.m. Blind Faith Live at The Earl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara, CA, August 16, 1969

We close out the night with yet another supergroup called Blind Faith. Another short-lived, yet fantastic, sixties band featuring the legendary Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Rick Gretch.

Don’t forget! Before, in between, and after we give you our big, wide Open Stream. That’s on for 24 hours every day of the year, uninterrupted by commercial advertising or chatty DJs. It’s also totally free. The button is below.

On Friday, It’s Live Neil Young & Crazy Horse, the ‘Color My World’ EP, and a Desmond Dekker ‘Spotlight’, June 27, 2025

Here we are on the cusp of the weekend once again, and we’ve got a great lineup for you today that starts with some live music from Neil Young. Check out the blog for details.

Here’s your Friday musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Neil Young & Crazy Horse Live at Shorline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA, October 1, 1994

We open it up with some live Neil Young with his absolute favorite back-up band, Crazy Horse (ours too). This is an excellent show at the iconic Shorline.

1:00 p.m. Color My World: Various Artists

We move into songs that talk about colors up and down the spectrum. Spend the afternoon with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, James Taylor, Donovan, Booker T & The MGs, Electric Light Orchestra, Procol Harum, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, John Hiatt, J.D. Souther, The Who, Sam & Dave, Bob Dylan, Amy Winehouse, Badfinger, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Jefferson Airplane, The Hollies, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Cream, Marvin Gaye, Lucinda Williams, and more!

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Desmond Dekker & The Aces

In truth, there are probably several Dekker songs without the Aces, but the song that hooked me was Israelites. There have been many great Reggae artists, although none as popular as the late, great Bob Marley. Dekker is another of those greats, and he is often referred to as The King of Ska.

We head to the weekend in fine style. We’re on 24/7, we’re totally free, and we’re also commercial free. We’re about more than our programming. Before, in between, and after you’re treated to our big, wide Open Stream! The button is below.

On Thursday It’s The Sixties, New Live Flying Burrito Brothers, and The Beatles’ Songs About the Sun, June 26, 2025

Good morning, musicologists! We’re back with our usual great programming interspersed within our big, wide Open Stream. Read on for the details!

Here’s your musical lineup for today!

9:00 a.m. The Sixties Rotation, Volume Two: Various Artists

We kick it off with the best music from the best generation with The Beatles, The Hollies, The Mamas & Papas, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Buffalo Springfield, Sly & The Family Stone, Tommy James & The Shondells, The Rolling Stones, The Turtles, Three Dog Night, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Blind Faith, Linda Ronstadt, Chuck Berry, The Doors, Stevie Wonder, Vanilla Fudge, Bob Dylan, Steppenwolf, Jefferson Airplane, Cream, The Who, The Kinks, Diana Ross & The Supremes, and more!

On this fine day, The Flying Burrito Brothers shared the stage with The Doors, Led Zeppelin, and Santana. The late, great Gram Parsons was on board and the band brought it.

Tonight we close with Beatle songs with the sun mentioned in the title, lyrics, or both. We did a little bit of digging and we able to add a few more to the list! We never rest here.

Another fantastic day, and the temps have dropped all the way down to 70. We’re grateful for that, and we have several days of pleasant temps ahead. We hope you’ll join us. There’s no obligation, no charge, no interruptions. The button is below.

At Midweek We’ve Got An Open Stream Day All Day, On Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Good morning, musicologists. We take a break from the programming today to give you an all-day big, wide Open Stream. Who knows what The Music Mermaid will come up with?

We’ll be back tomorrow with our regularly-scheduled programming, including some brand new music and playlists! The button is below.

On Tuesday Bluesday We Head to Chicago, Then It’s Koko Taylor, and Rick Danko & Paul Butterfield, On June 24, 2025

We’ve got another Tuesday Bluesday on our hands today, and some great music on tap for the day. If you live in the northeast, stay cool, my friends. This one’s going to be ugly.

Here’s your Windy City lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Best of Chicago Blues: Various Artists

We hear the windy city blues artists today: Otis Rush, Willie Dixon, Albert King, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Koko Taylor, Lowell Fulson, Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy, Magic Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson, Son Seals, James Cotton, Paul Butterfield, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, Otis Spann, and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Koko Taylor

This afternoon we’ve got the Queen of The Blues, Koko Taylor, ‘In the Spotlight.’

8:00 p.m. Rick Danko & Paul Butterfield Live at The Blue Note, Boulder, CO, December 13, 1979

We close it out with Rick Danko of The Band performing live with the great Paul Butterfield at The Blue Note.

Nothing but the blues today for our programming, but before, in between and after, we give you our big, wide Open Stream of 27,000 songs. We’re on 24/7 and we’re totally free with no commercial interruption. The button is below.

On Monday, Monday It’s The Roches, the ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’ EP, and Dr. John Live at Ronnie Scott’s, June 23, 2025

Good morning, workers! We’re back to the work week once again. We’ve got an eclectic program today encompassing folk-rock, soul and R & B, and the N’Awlins style of Dr. John!

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

9:00 a.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of The Roches

The Roches were the quintesenntial female folk-rock band. Their star should have shone much brighter than it did. Today we make sure it shines bright as we start off with The Roches ‘In The Spotlight.’

1:00 p.m. A Little Bit O’ Soul: Various Artists

The soul and R & B greats get us through the afternoon, including Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ronettes, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, The Drifters, Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, Carla Thomas, James Brown, Etta James, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, Edwin Starr, Sam & Dave, The Staple Singers, Nina Simone, Irma Thomas, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Ann Peebles, Al Green, Fontella Bass, and more!

8:00 p.m. Dr. John at Ronnie Scott’s, London, UK, January 7-14, 1996

We close out with the unique sound of Dr. John during a residency at Ronnie Scott’s in London!

There’s nobody quite like Dr. John, the Nitecrawler with the unique Louisiana sound and vibe that spanned six decades. He is certainly a Mermaid Lounge favorite.

We’re on 24/7 and all that stuff. We’re free. We don’t run commercial advertising, and we have not one thing to sell you. We’re all about the music. The button is below.

We’re Folksy Today With Our Big EP, a Judy Collins ‘Spotlight,’ and Live Joni Mitchell and JT Tonight, Sunday, June 22, 2025

Good morning, folk music lovers! We’ve got a great lineup today that gives you hours of great folk music starting right off at 9:00 a.m. Read on for details!

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Folk Music From A-To-Z: Various Artists

From old to new to those who keep the genre alive, including Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, John Prine, Dave Van Ronk, Odetta, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, The Band, Eric Andersen, Tom Rush, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Lead Belly, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, Phil Ochs, Harry Chapin, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family, and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Judy Collins

This afternoon we hear from the folk maven whose career has spanned seven decades, including 36 studio albums and nine live albums.

8:00 p.m. Joni Mitchell & James Taylor Live at The Paris Theatre, London, UK, October 29, 1970

We close out the days programming with two musical greats when they were ‘a thing’ in a live performance from London.

We’re all about folk today, and we’re all about the music every day on a 24/7 basis at no charge and with no commercial interruption. See for yourselves. The button is below.

We Open The Weekend With ‘Ode To Morning,’ Then It’s a Nina Simone ‘Spotlight,’ And The Byrds Live in LA, On Saturday, June 21, 2025

Good morning, weekenders, and we welcome you! Today we open with songs praising the morning, followed by Nina Simone taking the ‘Spotlight’ and The Byrds live in L.A.

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ode To Morning: Various Artists

This is a beautiful morning here in the Boston area with music being provided by Yusuf/Cat Stevens, The Beatles, Neil Young, The Rascals, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, Gram Parsons, Taj Mahal, Harry Chapin, Linda Ronstadt, Dan Fogelberg, Three Dog Night, Ry Cooder, Tim Buckley, Muddy Waters, Jonathan Edwards, Bob Dylan, Badfinger, Townes Van Zandt, Pure Prairie League, Chris Hillman, and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Nina Simone

This afternoon we spend a little time with singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist, the late great Nina Simone!

8:00 p.m. The Byrds Live at The Ash Grove Music Club, Los Angeles, CA, August, 22, 1970

We close out the day’s programming with The Byrds, one of the most influential groups of the sixties and seventies, live from L.A.

We’ve arrived at the weekend, and listening to great music is the best way to spend some time enjoying it. We’ve got that covered here, and we’re on 24/7, we’re totally free, and we’re also free of commercial advertising. We’re an anti-capitalist music service. The button is below.