Category: In The Spotlight

At Midweek We Head for Motor City, Then It’s Booker T. & The MGs and New Marvin Gaye, Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Good morning, lovers of the ‘Motown sound’! We open up with a trip to Motor City this morning, then we move on to a Booker T. Spotlight feature and Marvin Gaye’s number one hits this evening!

Here’s your midweek lineup:

9:00 a.m. M is For Motown: Various Artists

We head for Motor City to hear Barrett Strong, Eddie Kendricks, Edwin Starr, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Jackson Five, Kim Weston, Jr. Walker & The All Stars, Marvin Gaye, Martha & The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Four Tops, The Isley Brothers, The Temptations, The Contours, Rare Earth, Mary Wells, Tammi Terrell, Diana Ross & The Supremes and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Booker T. & The MG’s

Surely one of the finest bands of the sixties. Before they hit the big time, they were the House Band for Stax Records, another soul and R&B powerhouse.

8:00 p.m. Marvin Gaye: The Number Ones NEW!

Known as the Prince of Soul, Marvin Gaye was instrumental in shaping the Motown sound of the sixties. It’s only fitting that we close out the programming with a collection of his number one hits.

What could be better than Motown and Stax on the same day? We’re on 24/7 at no charge to you, and we do not play the same playlist over and over every single day. We leave all those details to The Music Mermaid and, as you know if you listen, she has impeccable taste in music.

M is for Motown!

On Tuesday Bluesday It’s Music From the Windy City, a Buddy Guy Spotlight and Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, August 13, 2024

Good morning, bluesologists! We’ve got quite the lineup today as we pay homage to one of the greatest bluesmen of all time who just announced his retirement at the age of 88.

Here’s your Tuesday Bluesday lineup:

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

This morning we head to the Windy City to hear Otis Rush, Willie Dixon, Albert King, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Bo Diddly, 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 Buddy Guy

Buddy Guy has announced his “retirement” at the age of 88. Now, it doesn’t mean he’ll never play music again. Depends on how he feels. It just means he can’t guarantee it. Old bluesmen never really go away.

8:00 p.m. John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers Live at The BBC, London, UK, 1965-1967

We close out the programming today with some John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers recorded live at BBC Studios in London between 1965 and 1967.

Yeah, it’s another Tuesday Bluesday and we’re cooking here in The Mermaid Lounge. Join us. Before, in between and after we’ve got our big, wide Open Stream and we play the best music on the planet. For free. The button’s below.

Celebrate Buddy Guy!

Country Sunday Brings The Flying Burrito Brothers, the ‘Are You Ready For The Country’ EP & Poco, August 11, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We’re making it a country kind of Sunday with our big EP in between The Flying Burrito Brothers and the great little band called Poco, one of the first legit country-rock bands.

Here’s your Sunday Funday musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Flying Burrito Brothers Live at The Palomino Club, No. Hollywood, CA, June 8, 1969

We open with a band in the forefront of the country-rock genre; this version with both Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman.

1:00 p.m. Are You Ready For The Country: Various Artists

This afternoon, we’ve got country and country-rock filling up the airwaves with The Eagles, Asleep at The Wheel, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, The Byrds, Emmylou Harris, Neil Young, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Dolly Parton, Poco, Linda Ronstadt, Alison Krauss & Union Station, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Jerry Jeff Walker, Johnny Cash, Gram Parsons, John Prine, Tom Rush, Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt, Rosanne Cash, Carlene Carter, Kris Kristofferson, The Desert Rose Band and more!

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Poco NEW!

This evening we debut a Spotlight featuring one of the very first legitimate country-rock bands on the music scene. Poco was born in 1968 out of the ashes left behind by the breakup of Buffalo Springfield. This is another long-standing item we can finally check off the list.

We’re here 24/7 at no charge to the listening public. No lie. If that’s not enough, we also do not run any commercial advertising. That’s because we’re not in it for the money. We’re in it for the music.

A Little Bit Country.
A Little Bit Rock n’ Roll.

The British Own The Programming With Our Big EP, a John Lennon Spotlight, and Live Stones, Saturday, August 10, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! Today our programming comes from across the pond, as they say, with our ‘British Are Coming’ EP, a Lennon Spotlight and The Stones live in Toronto!

Here’s today’s musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. The British Are Coming: Various Artists

We kick it off with our big, bad British Invasion and beyond EP. You’ll hear The Beatles, The Who, Dave Mason, Electric Light Orchestra, Petula Clark, The Zombies, The Hollies, Dusty Springfield, Small Faces, Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Kinks, The Dave Clark Five, The Bee Gees (no disco, please), the Moody Blues, Them, Herman’s Hermits, The Rolling Stones, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Badfinger, The Yardbirds, Traffic, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Yes, The Animals, Spencer-Davis Group, Cream, Donovan, The Searchers and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of John Lennon

Today we begin a bit of solo Beatle stuff with our John Lennon Spotlight feature which covers his time with his mates, the Plastic Ono Band, and his solo career.

8:00 p.m. The Rolling Stones Live at Palais Royale, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, August 16, 2002

We close out the British programming today with The Rolling Stones live in Canada.

Yes, it’s officially Saturday and here we all are. In Boston, it’s a heavy rain day as we are visited by the remnants of Hurricane Debby. But it matters not. Because inside, it’s dry and the music is amazing. Just hit the button below.

Just Push Play!

Friday Brings Spotlights From Norah Jones and Randy Newman, Then It’s Three Great Texas Singer-Songwriters Together at The Bluebird Cafe, August 9, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We’re up and ready to go here today with some pretty eclectic programming from five great singer-songwriters, and it starts out with our newest Spotlight featuring Norah Jones.

Here’s your musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Norah Jones NEW!

We have knocked off another big one on our to-do list with the addition of this new Spotlight featuring singer-songwriter Norah Jones.

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Randy Newman

Another great singer-songwriter is In the Spotlight this afternoon in Randy Newman.

8:00 p.m. Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark & Steve Earle Live at The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville, TN, September 3, 1995

Back in 1995, Guy Clark’s wife Suzanna wanted to raise money for the Interfaith Dental Clinic, which cared for the oral health of uninsured, low-income working people and their children, and this gathering of three of the greatest singer-songwriters on the planet.

Here we are again on the cusp of another weekend, and we are focused on singer-songwriters today. Join us. We’re on 24/7 and we’re totally free. See for yourself. The button is below.

It’s Singer-Songwriters Day!

We Spend Thursday ‘Under The Influence’, Then It’s Bob Marley & The Wailers and Closing With CSNY, August 8, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! Musical artists agree that “love” is probably the most sung about topic in the world, but drink and drugs can’t be far behind! We managed to locate five hours of music on the topic.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Under The Influence: Various Artists

Spend some mind-bending time with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Byrds, Arlo Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Little Feat, The Rolling Stones, Small Faces, Jimi Hendrix, Steely Dan, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Talking Heads, Neil Young, The Beatles, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Foreigner, Jonathan Edwards, John Lee Hooker, Donovan and more!

4:00 p.m. Bob Marley & The Wailers Live at The Beacon Theater, New York, NY, May 1, 1976

The Legend and his mates live at the iconic Beacon Theater in New York.

7:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

We close out the program with our second favorite supergroup behind the Traveling Wilburys, and that’s CSNY (or sometimes, CSN and sometimes Y, depending up on how you look at it). Bands are like families. Sometimes they grind on each others’ nerves, but despite their sometimes contentions relationship, this band poured out a ton of great music.

We’re on the mark 24/7 with some of the best music on the planet. Best of all, we’re totally free and do not clog up the gears with commercial advertising.

Just Push Play. Seriously.

At Midweek It’s Travelin’ Fever, a McCartney Spotlight and Live Little Feat On Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! Today we’ve got the midweek peak with our multi-artist ‘Travelin’ Fever’ EP, a Macca Spotlight feature (without his Beatle mates), and some vintage live Little Feat!

Here’s your midweek lineup:

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

We hit the road today with Canned Heat, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Box Tops, Arlo Guthrie, The Allman Brothers Band, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, The Doors, Tom Rush, The Byrds, Little Feat, The Band, Willie Nelson, Edwin Starr, The Traveling Wilburys, Del Shannon, Janis Joplin and more! (By the way, I’m trying to cut down on the name dropping in these posts.)

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Paul McCartney

Today we have Macca without his Beatle mates as we explore his music with Wings and as a solo artist. He’ll be back with The Beatles soon!

8:00 p.m. Little Feat Live at Ebbets Field, Denver, CO, July 20, 1973

Tonight we’ve got a concert from one of the best damned live bands on the planet with the Lowell George version of Little Feat. (Yes, the ONLY version of Little Feat for me.)

We’re on 24/7 at no cost with great programming and our big, wide Open Stream. All you’ve got to do is hit the button below. We’re not kidding. See for yourself.

Midweek Music!

Come Spend Monday With Hot Tuna, Laura Nyro, and Some Villains, Scumbags and Lowlives, August 5, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We’re back to the work week today and we’ve got a lineup fit for a Monday, including a brand new Hot Tuna Spotlight feature.

Here’s your Monday, Monday musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Hot Tuna NEW!

This great blues-rock band was formed back in 1969 by ex-Jefferson Airplane members Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen and is ready to tour again in 2024. Although many members come and go and the lineup is fluid, the two anchors remain the constant. They are one of our favorite bands here in The Mermaid Lounge.

3:00 p.m. Villains, Scumbags and Lowlives: Various Artists

Bad humans have always been a topic for musicians. Today you’ll hear Queen, Jethro Tull, Lesley Gore, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Shawn Colvin, Linda Ronstadt, Foo Fighters, The Eagles, Warren Zevon, Foreigner, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Supertramp, Jim Croce, Jimi Hendrix and more!

8:00 p.m. Laura Nyro Live at Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY, March 31, 1976

Laura Nyro’s songs have put many singers on the map, but there’s nothing like hearing her sing them herself.

We’re here 24/7 and we’re totally free. Best of all, we do not air any commercial advertising. We’re all about the music.

Monday, Monday

It’s Sunday Funday With Roy Orbison, Our ‘In Your Dreams’ EP, and Live Music From The Heartbreakers, August 4, 2024

Welcome to the Mermaid Lounge as we enjoy another day of rest with The Big O, streaming and dreaming, and live TPATH to close the programming later.

We’re streaming and dreaming all afternoon!

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

10:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Roy Orbison

We start it off with a true rock n’ roll pioneer and a man with an amazing set of pipes who was alternately know as The Big O and The Caruso of Rock. He was also a Wilbury, and that is no small feat. Today we put Roy Orbison In the Spotlight.

2:00 p.m. In Your Dreams: Various Artists

This afternoon we’re streaming about dreaming with The Everly Brothers, The Moody Blues, Van Morrison, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Monkees, The Mamas & The Papas, Linda Ronstadt, Randy Newman, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffett, Widespread Panic, Jackson Browne, Mudcrutch, Aretha Franklin, Patsy Cline, Harry Chapin, Roy Orbison, Townes Van Zandt, Electric Prunes, Dusty Springfield, Melissa Etheridge, John Prine, Tom Rush, Electric Light Orchestra and more!

8:00 p.m. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live at The Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, August 3, 1999

We close out the programming tonight with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers live from Minnesota on The Echo Tour.

Kick off your shoes. Take off our socks and toss them in the dirty laundry pile. Then, chill out here with us in The Mermaid Lounge! The button’s below.

We’re Streaming & Dreaming!

On Saturday We Spend Time With The Founders, Elvis Presley and Fats Domino as We Get Back, August 3, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! Today we spend some program time with the founders of rock n’ roll; the inspiration for those whose music inspired the station. We wouldn’t be here without them.

Here’s your musical history lesson:

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

Take a trip back in time with the artists who inspired our artists, the founders of rock n’ roll. You’ll hear Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Big Mama Thornton, Big Joe Turner, Hank Williams, Bill Haley & The Comets, Ray Charles, The Drifters, Roy Orbison, Robert Johnson, Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters and more!

4:00 p.m. Elvis Presley Live at Bloch Arena, Pearl Harbor, HI, March 25, 1961 NEW!

These are tough to come by, but we found an Elvis benefit concert for the USS Arizona, and jumped at the chance to get it. We have it for you this afternoon.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Fats Domino

Was anybody playing rock n’ roll before Fats Domino? I’m not actually sure, but I do know he was playing music that nobody had ever heard before. The man is one of the stalwarts of rock n’ roll, and tonight we put him In the Spotlight.

We’re here 24/7 with music that nobody else is playing anywhere. What’s even better is that we’re totally free and never run commercial advertising. We’re definitely not in it for the money. Just hit the button below and see for yourself!

The Founders!