Category: Americana

On Tuesday It’s the Louisiana Blues, a Joanne Shaw Taylor ‘Spotlight,’ & Tedeschi Trucks Live at Red Rocks, July 29, 2025

Good morning and welcome to Tuesday Bluesday! We’ve got five hours of Louisiana blues, a new ‘Spotlight’ featuring Joanne Shaw Taylor, and Tedeschi Trucks!

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

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

We start the day in Louisiana with Ray Charles, Lillian Glinn, Slim Harpo, Roy Brown, Fats Domino, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Rodney Harris, Roosevelt Sykes, Shirley & Lee, Papa Lightfoot, Guitar Slim, Annie Laurie, Fats Matthews, Big Joe Turner, Big Boy Myles, Little Walter, Mary Butler, Erline Harris, Marcia Ball, Dave Bartholomew, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Professor Longhair, The Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Joanne Shaw Taylor NEW!

From Louisiana blues to British blues-rock with Joanne Shaw Taylor, who was discovered by Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics when she was just 16 years old. Since then, she’s been a repeat winner at the British Blues Awards. Today she’s ‘In The Spotlight’ here.

8:00 p.m. Tedeschi Trucks Band Live at Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, CO, August 30, 2012

The blues-rock vibes continue with a great performance by the Tedeschi Trucks Band at Red Rocks, the premier blues-rock band on the planet.

We’re here 24/7 at no charge and without commercial interruption. We play the best music on the planet. See for yourselves. All you have to do is hit the button below.

It’s Tuesday Bluesday!

Midweek Brings ‘Folk Music From A-To-Z’, a Don McLean ‘Spotlight,’ and Live Peter, Paul & Mary, On Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Good morning, folk music lovers. We’ve got a folksy midweek music excursion starting with out big folk music EP, followed by Don McLean, and Peter, Paul & Mary live at Newport!

Here’s your midweek musical lineup:

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

We kick it off with the genre that birthed the protest song. It was folk, not rock, although rock adopted the practice. You’ll hear John Prine, Dave Van Ronk, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul & Mary, Odetta, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, Arlo Guthrie, Eric Andersen, Bonnie Raitt, The Band, Tom Rush, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Lead Belly, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, Phil Ochs, Harry Chapin, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family, and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Don McLean

The man who is best known for the anthem American Pie was so much more than that. Over his career, he released more than 40 gold and platinum records. He’s ‘In the Spotlight’ this afternoon.

8:00 p.m. Peter, Paul & Mary Live at The Newport Folk Festival, Freebody Park, Newport, RI, 1963-1965 NEW!

We close out the programming with a collection of PPM’s live performances at the legendary Newport Folk Festival.

It’s a folksy day here in The Mermaid Lounge, and that’s always a treat. The genre goes in and out of style, but never goes away and we’re thankful for that. Remember that before, in between and after, we give you our big, wide Open Stream! The button is below!

Just Push Play!

On Tuesday Bluesday It’s ‘Ladies Sing The Blues,’ Live Howlin’ Wolf, and a Jimmy Reed ‘Spotlight’ Feature, On July 15, 2025

Good morning, bluesologists! We open it up with the ladies of the blues large and in charge, then it’s live Howlin’ Wolf, and a Jimmy Reed ‘Spotlight’ feature!

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ladies Sing The Blues: Various Artists

Music from long ago combined with current abounds here with Billie Holiday, Big Mama Thornton, Ruth Brown, Nina Simone, Janis Joplin, Koko Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Christine McVie, Marcia Ball, Ellen McIlwaine, Susan Tedeschi, Irma Thomas, Tracy Nelson, Etta James, Linda Ronstadt, Sippie Wallace, Bessie Smith, Shawn Murphy, Angela Strehli, Aretha Franklin, The Blues Broads, and more!

4:00 p.m. Howlin’ Wolf Live at Alice’s Revisited, Chicago, IL, January 26, 1972

This is rarity here, and we’re on the hunt for more live Howlin’ Wolf, but today we have him live from Alice’s Revisited in Chicago.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Jimmy Reed

The son of a sharecropper, Jimmy Reed’s amazing guitar style made the blues accessible to a wide audience.

Remember, before, in between, and after we give you our big, wide Open Stream. We’re on 24/7, 365 days a year at no charge to our listening public. Give it a try. The button is below!

Ladies Sing The Blues!

It’s All About Country With Our EP, Then the Marshall Tucker Band, and Live Townes Van Zandt on Saturday, July 5, 2025

When we say ‘country’ here in The Mermaid Lounge we mean real country (Cash, Nelson, Walker, Williams, Parton, Cline et al.) and the legends of country-rock. So, that’s where we are today.

Here’s your Saturday musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Are You Ready for The Country: Various Artists

You’ll hear The Eagles, Asleep At the Wheel, Hank Williams, The Byrds, Patsy Cline, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Dolly Parton, Poco, Linda Ronstadt, Alison Krauss & Union Station, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Jerry Jeff Walker, New Riders of The Purple Sage, Carlene Carter, Rosanne Cash, The Desert Rose Band, Kris Kristofferson, Gram Parsons, Tom Rush, John Prine, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, The Highwaymen and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The Marshall Tucker Band

I liked these guys from the very first time I ever heard them, and I saw them live a few times over the years. We’ll hear from them this afternoon.

8:00 p.m. Townes Van Zandt Live at The Jester Lounge, Houston, TX, Sometime in 1966

Another of those events where we can’t find a definite date, but it is believe that this is one of the first times Townes Van Zandt was recorded live at a commercial establishment. The man was a mess of a human being (not in a bad way, but in an unfortunate way), but that didn’t stop him from being a songwriting genius who inspired those who came after him (just ask Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, and Nanci Griffith).

And that’s where we are today on July 5. We hope you’ll give us a listen. There’s no need to sign up for anything or provide any information. Just use the button below.

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On Independence Day, ‘We Dissent’ Mightily For Several Hours, Then It’s The Grateful Dead Live in Boston, July 4, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! We have little to celebrate today, so we are playing the best protests songs for more than four hours. The list has been culled from hours of research and organization, and it is our newest EP. We follow that with Live Dead!

Here’s your Independence Day lineup:

10:00 a.m. We Dissent: Various Artists

We kick it off with our newest EP as we dissent where we are in history for more than four hours, and the playlist will be growing soon. You will hear the music of The Who, The Beatles, Tracy Chapman, Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs, Billie Holiday, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Peter, Paul & Mary, Pete Seeger, Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, The Doors, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield, The Temptations, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley & The Wailers, and more!

6:00 p.m. LIVE DEAD: The Grateful Dead Live at The Music Hall, Boston, MA, June 9, 1976

We’ll close out the programming this evening with a great episode of LIVE DEAD as we give you the band live from Boston’s Music Hall.

Before, in between, and after we give you our big, wide Open Stream. We’re anti-capitalist, and we’re serious about keeping it that way. We run no commercial advertising, we don’t require a ‘subscription’ and we don’t ask for your personal information. See for yourselves. The button is below.

We Dissent!

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.

OPEN STREAM!

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.

Folk Music Rules!

Monday, Monday Brings ‘Three-Part Harmonies,’ a Jefferson Airplane ‘Spotlight,’ and Live Brandi Carlile On June 16, 2025

Good morning, musicologists and welcome back to the work week! We’ve got a great lineup for you today including our ‘Three-Part Harmonies’ EP, which has not been given enough attention lately!

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Three-Part Harmonies: Various Artists

Some bands are masters, like The Beatles, CSNY, The Mamas & Papas, and Three-Dog Night. Others might surprise you, like The Marshall Tucker Band, The Who, T. Rex, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Buffalo Springfield, The Zombies, The Doobie Brothers, The Band, The Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Allman Brothers Band, Queen, Jefferson Airplane, and more! We’ve got ’em all for you.

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Jefferson Airplane

This afternoon, we’re in The Wayback Machine for a trip to psychedelic heaven with one of the most influential bands of the sixties, led by the great Grace Slick.

8:00 p.m. Brandi Carlile Live at Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA, November 19, 2010

We close it out tonight with Brandi Carlile along with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra live at Benaroya Hall.

It’s another Monday, and we have to deal with it…along with another work week. We’re on 247 for your listening pleasure, so we’re here to fit your schedule. We’re totally free and we’re also free of commercial interruption. The button is below.

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We’re at Midweek With Songs About Water, Live Ry Cooder, and Larkin Poe ‘In The Spotlight’, On Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! We’re at the midweek point, and that means tomorrow we’ll be on the downslide to the weekend once again! We’ve got a fine lineup today starting with our ‘Water, Water Everywhere’ EP. It’s Open Stream with a theme!

Here’s your midweek lineup:

9:00 a.m. Water, Water Everywhere: Various Artists

We’ve got a bunch of artists today talking about the earth’s most plentiful element, including Paul McCartney, Deep Purple, Joe Cocker, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Otis Redding, The Doobie Brothers, Valerie Carter, Bob Dylan, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Van Morrison, The Beach Boys, Al Green, Loggins & Messina, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Linda Ronstadt, Spirit, Bonnie Raitt, The Grass Roots, Carole King, Tom Rush, Donovan, America, Johnny Rivers and more!

4:00 p.m. Ry Cooder Live at The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA, July 7, 1974

This afternoon it’s the legendary Ry Cooder, Linda Ronstadt’s favorite guitarist and an amazing songwriter, singing and playing for us from The Record Plant.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Larkin Poe

We close out the midweek programming with a great roots rock sister act which started out in Georgia but is now based in Nashville. If you haven’t been paying attention, now is your chance!

We’re here 24/7; not just when we have programming, and we play the best music on the planet without commercial interruption and without those noisy DJ’s who like to talk through the beginning and ends of songs. See for yourselves. The button is below!

Midweek Madness!

Today We Ride ‘The Psychedelic Express’, Get a New Phil Ochs ‘Spotlight’, and Some Live James Brown, On May Day, 2025

Welcome to May Day, 2025! We’ve got some great stuff today as we continue to build our protest and social justice music content. We give you a Phil Ochs ‘Spotlight’ today along with a free tip on ‘The Psychedelic Express’ and some live James Brown this evening.

Here’s your May Day lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Psychedelic Express: Various Artists

This morning we take a trip on ‘The Psychedelic Express’ along with Vanilla Fudge, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Chambers Brothers, The Beatles, The Electric Prunes, The Animals, Blues Image, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Donovan, The Byrds, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Jimi Hendrix, Traffic, Cream, Dr. John, Procol Harum, The Who, Canned Heat, Yes, Electric Light Orchestra, Tommy James & The Shondells, Mudcrutch, Blind Faith, The Grateful Dead, Big Brother & The Holding Company, Velvet Underground and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Phil Ochs NEW!

Phil Ochs is the stuff of legends, blessed with great songwriting chops and sardonic humor along with a passion for social justice. He was one of the most prolific musical social activists of his generation. Today we put him ‘In the Spotlight’ and you can read more about him here in The Guardian.

8:00 p.m. We close out May Day with a live performance from James Brown, the hardest working man in show business, from the House of Blues in Las Vegas.

We’re on 24/7 and we do not require a subscription. We also do not track. We do not play commercial advertising and we don’t buy music from Amazon. Ever. We’re all about the music and how we source it. The button is below.

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