Category: In The Spotlight

On Monday It’s Live Pretenders, a Hot Tuna ‘Spotlight’ Feature, and The Return of Our ‘Friends of Mine’ EP, October 27, 2025

Good morning, working class! We’re back to the work week with style with new live Pretenders, a Hot Tuna ‘Spotlight’ and an evening airing of the ‘Friends of Mine’ EP!

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

10:00 a.m. The Pretenders Live at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, UK, July 15, 2009 NEW!

We’ve got a new-to-the-station live performance by one of my favorite bands of the eighties (and there were not many) to open up the festivities! Chrissie Hynde is a legend.

3:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Hot Tuna

Another fine band here born of the ashes of Jefferson Airplane. There have been many personnel changes over the years, but Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady have been the anchors from the beginning.

6:00 p.m. Friends of Mine: Various Artists

This EP has been on a hiatus since about March or April, but it’s back for an evening airing. It’s like Open Stream with a Theme with The Guess Who, War, Willie Nelson, The Beach Boys, Linda Ronstadt, Todd Rundgren, Amy Winehouse, The Doors, Simon & Garfunkel, John Prine, Talking Heads, Joan Baez, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Beatles, The Byrds, Carole King, Steppenwolf, Paul McCartney, Jackson Browne, Lou Reed, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Free, Leon Russell, Robert Johnson, Argent, and more!

We begin yet another week! We’ll be here as always playing the best music on the planet for free. Just hit that button below!

Friends of Mine!

On Sunday It’s Our Folk Music EP, a New Delaney & Bonnie ‘Spotlight,’ and Joan Baez Live at Newport, October 26, 2025

Good morning, musicologists! We’re running behind schedule this morning because I overslept! We’re using fewer words today, but we’ve got some massive folk music sandwiched around some brand new Delaney & Bonnie music!

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

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

We kick it off with five hours of folk music from Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Arlo Guthrie, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Lead Belly, Tim Hardin, The Beatles, The Band, Eric Andersen, Richie Havens, Phil Ochs, Townes Van Zandt, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Rush, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Delaney & Bonnie & Friends NEW!

A singer-songwriter duo who fronted a great ensemble that included, at various times, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Leon Russell, Bobby Whitlock, Dave Mason, Rita Coolidge, and King Curtis. Finally, we’ve got them in our sights.

8:00 p.m. Joan Baez Live at The Newport Folk Festival, Freebody Park, Newport, RI, July 26 & 27, 1968

We hit the Wayback Machine for this fine performance from the legendary Joan Baez at an iconic festival to close out the programming.

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The Button!

Welcome Weekenders! Saturday It’s The Sixties, Live Bonnie Raitt, and a Moody Blues ‘Spotlight,’ On October 25, 2025

Good morning, weekenders and welcome to The Mermaid Lounge where the music never stops! We’ve got a great lineup for you today starting off with music from The Sixties!

Here’s your weekend warrior lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Original Sixties Rotation: Various Artists

This is the very first playlist we ever made with The Beatles, Sonny & Cher, Joe Cocker, Little Eva, Simon & Garfunkel, The Everly Brothers, The Searchers, Dusty Springfield, The Drifters, The Dave Clark Five, Johnny Rivers, Bob Dylan, The Animals, Petula Clark, The Rolling Stones, Procol Harum, The Turtles, Del Shannon, The Temptations, James Brown, Fontella Bass, Blues Image, Booker T and the MGs, The Four Tops, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Left Banke, Fats Domino, and more!

4:00 p.m. Bonnie Raitt Live at SWR Television Studios, Baden, Germany, June 24, 1992

We’ve got a great performance by Bonnie recorded live for the German TV show Ohne Filter Extra.

8:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of The Moody Blues

The Moodies started out as an R & B band with the release of their hit Go Now, but then embraced the psychedelic music era, eventually pioneering art rock and progressive rock, releasing one of the first ‘concept albums’ in rock history.

It’s another weekend, and we’re here 24/7. I have one more day of work in retail hell, but The Music Mermaid is here to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Just hit the button below!

Welcome Weekenders!

It is Saturday, and Today We Repeat ‘We Dissent’ in Honor of No Kings Day, Then It’s The Fillmore’s Final Days, and a Neil Young ‘Spotlight’ Feature, October 18, 2025

Good morning, democracy and music lovers! This is one of those rare moments when we must all band together for the common good. Today we repeat our ‘We Dissent’ EP in honor of ‘No Kings Day’ across America.

Here’s your No Kings lineup:

9:00 a.m. We Dissent: Various Artists

Music has always played a key role in activism, and we are proud to repeat this playlist on this day, something we rarely do in the same month. It’s a history of protest in America in song from Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, The Who, The Beatles, Tracy Chapman, Phil Ochs, Billie Holiday, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Peter, Paul & Mary, Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Barry McGuire, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley & The Wailers, CSNY, and so many more!

4:00 p.m. The Fillmore: The Final Days

As the Fillmore closed its doors, these folks rocked the hall: Hot Tuna, Cold Blood, The Elvin Bishop Group, New Rides of The Purple Sage, Tower of Power, The Grateful Dead, Boz Scaggs, Santana, it’s a Beautiful Day and more!

8:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Neil Young

We close the day with a fantastic Neil Young ‘Spotlight’ feature covering the full expanse of his career.

We’re here. We’re free. And we love freedom in general. Tune us in. The button is below.

WE DISSENT!

On Thursday It’s the Pioneers of Rock & Roll, a Townes Van Zandt ‘Spotlight,’ and The Everly Brothers, October 16, 2025

Good morning, musicologists and lovers of rock & roll! We start off with ‘The Founders’ EP, those who pioneered the evolution of rock & roll, then it’s on to Townes Van Zandt and The Everly Brothers, a duo that exerted considerable influence over The Beatles and others.

Here’s your Thursday lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Founders: Various Artists

We kick it off with those who pioneered the art of rock & roll, including Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Big Mama Thornton, Big Joe Turner, Hank Williams, Bill Haley & His Comets, Ray Charles, The Drifters, Roy Orbison, Robert Johnson, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Townes Van Zandt

We spend some of the afternoon with a singer-songwriter who is the only one to be mentioned in the same breath as a guy named Bob Dylan, including by Dylan himself. His compositions are considered masterpieces of American songwriting.

8:00 p.m. The Everly Brothers Live at Royal Albert Hall, London, UK, September 22, 1983 NEW!

Billed as ‘The Reunion Concert,’ this would be the first time the dynamic duo played together in over a decade. It would be a reunion that would endure until their deaths. The Everly Brothers exerted considerable influence over The Beatles and many others who came after them, including a guy named Tom Petty.

We’re here 24/7 and, before, in between and after our programming, we deliver the best music on the planet as The Music Mermaid is responsible for rotating more than 27,000 individual files. Just hit that button below to see for yourselves.

The Founders!

On Tuesday Bluesday It’s ‘Louisiana Blues,’ the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and Live Janis Joplin, October 14, 2025

Good morning, bluesologists, and welcome to Tuesday Bluesday, one of our busiest days of the week. Hell, there’s plenty of room for everyone here in The Mermaid Lounge.

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

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

I’ve been to New Orleans many times in my life, and there are two things that make the trip worthwhile: The food and the music. You’ll hear 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 Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s Lost Elektra Sessions NEW!

This ‘find’ are the unreleased recordings for the band’s 1964 debut album. Nobody can say why they were shelved. The playlist includes early versions of some of their classic songs, and some songs that only a few people heard prior to this release. These songs were recorded prior to keyboardist Mark Naftalin joined the group. Enjoy.

8:00 p.m. Janis Joplin & The Kozmic Blues Band Live at The Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Netherlands, April 11, 1969

We get into the Wayback Machine for this one, as we close out the evening with Janis and her blues band.

Before, in between, and after you’re always treated to our big, wide Open Stream. We’re totally free. We don’t run any commercial advertising. We don’t have DJs who talk aimlessly. We’re all about the music. Just hit the button below.

Tuesday Bluesday!

It’s Monday With ‘Money Honey,’ Live Emmylou Harris, and Queen ‘In The Spotlight’ on October 13, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! Sorry about missing the blog yesterday, but we had a family brunch scheduled and I was doing a lot of cooking. Nevertheless, we are back to normal today with a great lineup!

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

10:00 a.m. Money, Honey: Various Artists

We kick it off with songs about money from The Beatles, The Guess Who, Van Morrison, Warren Zevon, Tom Waits, J.J. Cale, Slim Harpo, Rosanne Cash, Albert King, The Wallflowers, Jerry Jeff Walker, The Traveling Wilburys, Willie Nelson, Laura Nyro, Tom Rush, and more!

4:00 p.m. Emmylou Harris & The Hot Band Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK, February 23, 1976 NEW!

We got our hands on a great bootleg here recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon in London when James Burton was part of what we consider the best band Emmylou Harris ever played with.

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

We close it out with a band I have a love-hate relationship with, but there is more of the former. I much prefer Queen’s early efforts, but that is the case with many bands for me.

We’re here 24/7 and, before, in between and after our scheduled programs, we give you our big, wide Open Stream at the discretion of The Music Mermaid. She has impeccable taste in music, as you listeners well know. Just hit the button below.

The Button.

Saturday It’s the ‘Travelin’ Fever’ EP, a Steely Dan ‘Spotlight,’ and the Psychedelic Beatles, on October 11, 2025

Good morning, weekenders! We kick it off with songs about life on the road, then move into a Steely Dan ‘Spotlight’ feature, and the Beatles in psychedelic mode close it out!

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Travelin’ Fever: Various Artists

Songs about life on the road with Canned Heat, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Steve Miller Band, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Dan Fogelberg, Bruce Springsteen, Linda Ronstadt, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The Eagles, Paul McCartney & Wings, Little Feat, The Band, Willie Nelson, Edwin Starr, Janis Joplin, Guy Clark, The Byrds, Asleep at The Wheel, Mudcrutch, The Traveling Wilburys, Tom Rush, Buffalo Springfield, The Guess Who, and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Steely Dan

The Dan stops by this afternoon to remind us why they are one of the damned best bands on the planet, and helped me get through the 70s and 80s and some pretty bad musical times.

8:00 p.m. The Psychedelic Beatles

Here’s yet another musical genre The Beatles, the best band in all the world, embraced and made their own. We close out the programming in style with the musical era many people consider their best.

We’re here 24/7. We’re free. We do not run commercial advertising. We don’t emply DJs who don’t know how to shut up. We also don’t require a subscription or your credit card. What’s not to love? All you need to do is hit the button below.

The Psychedelic Beatles!

Friday Brings Volume Two of ‘All About Blue,’ Live John Fogerty, and a John Lennon ‘Spotlight’ Feature, October 10, 2025

Good morning, musicologists! We’ve got a great Friday on tap, including a celebration of John Lennon’s life and music in honor of his birthday (yesterday).

Here’s your Finally Friday musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. All About Blue Too: Various Artists

I confess that blue is my favorite color, and that’s why this two-volume set of playlists exist. This one features The Rolling Stones, Robert Johnson, Jackson Browne, Laura Nyro, Shawn Colvin, Doc Watson, Phoebe Snow, Van Morrison, Marvin Gaye, The Association, John Lee Hooker, Electric Light Orchestra, The Kinks, Guy Clark, Little Feat, Linda Ronstadt, George Harrison, Buddy Guy and more!

4:00 p.m. John Fogerty Live at DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C., November 8, 2013 NEW!

Brand new live music from the heart and soul of Creedence Clearwater Revival is an afternoon treat!

8:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of John Lennon

We close out the programming celebrating the life and music of one of the greatest of all time from the greatest band of all time. We also include his work with Plastic Ono Band and his solo work.

We’re on the cusp of the weekend, folks. We’re here 24/7. We’re free. We do not run commercial advertising. We don’t track you or ask you for personal information. We’re all about the music. Just hit the button below.

Happy Birthday, John!

It’s Tuesday Bluesday With a James Cotton ‘Spotlight,’ ‘The Best of British Blues,’ and Live Muddy Waters, on October 7, 2025

Good morning, bluesologists! Today’s EP starts at 1:00 p.m. as we switch it up by opening with a James Cotton ‘Spotlight’ feature. We close with some live Muddy at The Fillmore.

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

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

A great blues harp player, singer and songwriter who made his start by playing for Howlin’ Wolf. We give you the full spectrum of his musical career in this ‘Spotlight’ feature.

1:00 p.m. The Best of British Blues: Various Artists

We go through the afternoon hours with The Animals, Chicken Shack, Cream, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Peter Green’s Splinter Group, Foghat, The Jeff Beck Group, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, The Rolling Stones, Christine McVie, Long John Baldry, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Savoy Brown, The Spencer Davis Group, Ten Years After, Them, The Yardbirds, Dr. Feelgood, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Martin Harley, Robin Trower, Elles Bailer, The Kris Barras Band, Kyla Brox, Dom Martin, and more!

8:00 p.m. Muddy Waters Live at The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA, November 4-6, 1966

We close it out with a live performance by Muddy Waters at the The Fillmore West.

It’s another Tuesday Bluesday and it’s busy, as usual. But there’s room for everyone, including you. So, just hit the button below and see for yourself!

It’s Tuesday Bluesday!