Tag: In The Spotlight

It’s Tuesday Bluesday and It’s Windy City Blues, Live Freddie King, and a Delbert McClinton ‘Spotlight’, January 14, 2025

Good morning, bluesologists! Here we are again on another Tuesday Bluesday and we’re cooking with blues from the Windy City, Freddie King and Delbert McClinton!

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

We’re cooking the Chicago blues today with 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. Freddie King Live at The Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA, September 3, 1970

Freddie King drops by The Lounge this afternoon with a great performance from the fabled Fillmore!

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

One of the greatest electric bluesmen ever closes out our programming tonight with music that covers nearly six decades in the business.

We start the festivities at 9:00 a.m. as usual and we’re all blues programming all day. Before, in between and after we have our big, wide Open Stream that may or may not be blues. It all depends on what The Music Mermaid pulls out of her hat. The button is below.

Tuesday Bluesday!

Monday’s Back With Our ‘Friends of Mine’ EP, a Curtis Mayfield ‘Spotlight’ and Live Warren Zevon, January 13, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! We’re back to another Monday, but the music is just fine here in The Mermaid Lounge. Great way to start the week with an EP that’s been on a short hiatus!

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Friends of Mine: Various Artists

We start it up with Open Stream With a Theme about friends, both good and bad, with The Guess Who, Willie Nelson, War, The Beach Boys, Linda Ronstadt, Todd Rundgren, Amy Winehouse, The Doors, Simon & Garfunkel, John Brine, Joan Baez, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Beatles, The Byrds, Carole King, Steppenwolf, Paul McCartney, Jackson Browne, Lou Reed, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Loggins & Messina, Free, Leon Russell, Talking Heads, Robert Johnson, Argent and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Curtis Mayfield

An extraordinary singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer known as the “Gentle Genius.” Mayfield is recognized as one of the most influential and socially-conscious African American musicians in popular music, first known to the public as the leader of The Impressions during the civil rights movement.

8:00 p.m. Warren Zevon Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK, January 25, 1988

We close out the Monday programming with a live performance by the late, great Warren Zevon at Hammersmith Odeon in London.

One more time: We’re totally free of charge (no strings) and completely free of commercial advertising. We’re not here to make money. We’re here to play the greatest music on the planet. The button is below.

The Button.

We Bring On the Soul With Otis Redding, Our ‘M is For Motown’ EP, and Nina Simone on Sunday, January 12, 2025

Good morning, Weekenders! We’re making it a soulful Sunday today with a great programming that features a new live performance by Nina Simone, vintage 1963!

Here’s your Sunday funday lineup:

10:00 a.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Otis Redding

Known as The Big O, Otis Redding would not live to see how popular and influential he would become to the music world. He died in a plane crash in 1967 just after writing and recording Sittin’ On The Dock of The Bay. The song was released in January 1968 and would become the first posthumous number-one record on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B charts. You can read all about Otis Redding here.

1:00 p.m. M is For Motown: Various Artists

We break into the Motown vault with Barrett Strong, Eddie Kendricks, Eddie Holland, 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!

8:00 p.m. Nina Simone Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY, April 12, 1963 NEW!

Singer, songwriter, pianist and activist, Nina Simone is a gem. We love her here in The Mermaid Lounge. Tonight we have a great live performance from Carnegie Hall that we’ve never aired before. Enjoy!

It’s a soulful Sunday here in the Mermaid Lounge. Tune us in. We’re totally free of charge and free of commercial interruption. See for yourselves. The button is below.

Soulful Sunday!

Our Big Country EP, The Lovin’ Spoonful and The Byrds Are All On the Docket for Saturday, January 11, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! We’ve got a great lineup for you Weekenders today starting with our big country and country-rock EP, then it’s The Lovin’ Spoonful and The Byrds bringing up the rear!

Here are the details, Weekenders:

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

We only play real country here when we play country; none of that Jason Aldean crap. 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, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Jeff Walker, New Riders of The Purple Sage, Carlene Carter, Rosanne Cash, The Desert Rose Band, Kris Kristofferson, Gram Parsons, Tom Rush, The Highwaymen and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The Lovin’ Spoonful

John Sebastian and his mates were one find band back in the day, one that helped define the San Francisco sound.

8:00 p.m. The Byrds Live at The Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA, February 8, 1969

Another of our favorite bands here, with a changing lineup with the exception of stalwart Roger McGuinn, the band’s leader. Joining him for this performance were Gene Parsons (drums), Clarence White (guitar) and John York (bass). Enjoy!

Well, Weekenders, it begins today. I have one more day in hardware hell, but The Music Mermaid is always on duty and will take care of you until evening. The button is below.

The Button. Just Push Play.

On Friday It’s Paul Revere & The Raiders, Our ‘All Fired Up’ Playlist and Van Morrison Live in NY, January 10, 2025

Good morning, music lovers and welcome to Friday. We’re on the cusp of the weekend and we have some great music for you today starting off with something new!

Here’s your musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Paul Revere & The Raiders NEW!

Yeah, baby a great little band and a hit machine. Formed in 1958, the had amazing chart success in the sixties and seventies, charting 12 Top 30 hits between 1966 and 1969. This is long overdue.

2:00 p.m. All Fired Up: Various Artists

Open Stream with a theme this afternoon with Basia, Electric Light Orchestra, The Rolling Stones, Steve Winwood, The Doors, Hank Williams, Three Dog Night, Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan, Ann Peebles, Patti Smith, Jimmy Cliff, Bruce Springsteen, Warren Zevon, The Move, Stevie Ray Vaughan and more. It’s almost an EP, but not quite.

8:00 p.m. Van Morrison Live at The Bottom Line, New York, NY, November 1, 1978

We close it out with a great performance by Van “The Man” Morrison at The Bottom Line. I’m not particularly fond of the man. He can be annoyingly self-absorbed, but he is a brilliant artist. We make some allowances.

One more day and you will be on your official weekend. Mine doesn’t start until Sunday but, hey, that’s the retail life isn’t it? I refuse to work Sunday retail, so Sunday and Monday are my weekend days. Get on it, folks. The button is below.

All Fired Up!

It’s The British Invasion and Beyond on Thursday, along with Simon & Garfunkel, and Clapton & Winwood, January 9, 2025

Good morning, musicologists and welcome to Thursday. We head for the weekend with music from across the pond, Simon & Garfunkel ‘Spotlight’ and live Clapton & Winwood.

Here’s Thursday’s lineup:

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

We kick it off with music from across the pond with 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, The Moody Blues, Rod Stewart, George Harrison, Them, Herman’s Hermits, The Rolling Stones, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Badfinger, The Yardbirds, Elton John, The Yardbirds, Lulu, Pink Floyd, Yes, The Animals, The Spencer Davis Group, Donovan, Cream and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Simon & Garfunkel

One of the greatest duos of all time actually met and started out while in grammar school. Over their long career they sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Today they are ‘In the Spotlight’.

8:00 p.m. Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood Live at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, February 25-28, 2008

Two musical legends join forces for one great concert stint at Madison Square Garden. We’ve got it for you tonight.

Here we are again headed for the weekend. Thankfully, I might add. We’ll get you there in fine form. Just see for yourself. It’s free and effortless. The button is below. Just use it.

The Magic Button.

Today It’s Our ‘On the Map’ Playlist, Guy Clark ‘In the Spotlight’ and Live Little Feat on Monday, January 6, 2025

Good morning, music lovers. Yes. It’s Monday all over again and the Orange Blob’s election is certified today, but the music is here to get you through.

Here’s your Monday musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. On The Map: Various Artists

Yesterday we had songs about life on the road; today it’s destinations. You’ll hear The Beatles, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Little Feat, America, The Beach Boys, Ray Charles, the Grateful Dead, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Johnny Rivers, Arlo Guthrie, Scott McKenzie, The Association, Fats Domino, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Rush, Glen Campbell, James Taylor, Paul Simon and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Guy Clark

This guy was one of the best singer-songwriters on the planet, and I was exposed to his music quite by chance. My friends and I were out for a romp in Cambridge, Massachusetts on a very cold and snowy winter night and were looking for a place to land and get warm. We stopped at Passim’s Coffee House, paid the cover fee and watched one of the most amazing shows I’ve ever seen in my life. After that night, country rock was king and the fiddle was my new favorite instrument.

8:00 p.m. Little Feat Live From Neon Park, Various Locations Between December 12-20, 1995 NEW!

This is our very first live performance by Little Feat without the great Lowell George. Yes, they have kept the Feat’s spirit alive, but there will never be another Lowell George. The “Neon Park” is not real. It’s named after the artist who has created Little Feat’s album covers for decades. The music was recorded at Roseland Theater in Portland, The Fillmore in San Francisco, and The House of Blues in Los Angeles during their 1995 tour.

Before, in between and after our programmed selections we give you our big, wide Open Stream which continues to grow. We’re 100% free with no commercial advertising and no big-mouthed DJs. The button is below. See for yourselves.

The Button.

Sunday It’s Leon Russell, Our ‘Travelin’ Fever’ EP and Live Allman Brothers Band On December 5, 2025

Good morning once again, Weekenders and welcome to The Mermaid Lounge where we start the day off with a Leon Russell ‘Spotlight’ feature and move on from there!

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

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

The man’s career spanned 60 years and multiple genres, including rock n’ roll, country, bluegrass, gospel, rhythm n’ blues. Southern rock, blues rock, surf and the Tulsa sound. Today we put him in our ‘Spotlight’.

1:00 p.m. Travelin’ Fever: Various Artists

It’s Open Stream with a Theme starting early afternoon with Canned Heat, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Steve Miller Band, Bonnie Raitt, Dan Fogelberg, Bruce Springsteen, Linda Ronstadt, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Paul McCartney & Wings, The Eagles, 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.

8:00 p.m. The Allman Brothers Band Live at Macon City Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, February 11, 1972

The Brothers air it out tonight from the Macon City Auditorium as only they can.

Blah. Blah. Blah. I’d give you my usual closing, but you’ve heard it all before. No charge. No interruption. No commercial advertising. Only music. The button is below. Just do it.

The Button.

On Saturday It’s ‘The Female Species’ EP, Live Jackson Browne and The Marshall Tucker Band, December 4, 2025

Good morning, Weekenders! Today we give you songs about women, some vintage live Jackson Browne and a Marshall Tucker Band ‘Spotlight’ feature!

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Female Species: Various Artists

We start out with songs about women, girls, chicks, dames…you get the picture. There are many from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Talking Heads, Jackson Browne, John Mayall, Hot Tuna, The Eagles, Elvis Presley, Electric Light Orlchestra, Fleetwood Mac, Percy Sledge, The Beatles, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac (the original Mac), America, Roy Orbison, Billy Joel, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, Linda Ronstadt and more!

4:00 p.m. Jackson Browne Live at Atwood Hall, Clark University, Worcester, MA, March 13, 1974 NEW!

We’ve got some great live Jackson Browne this afternoon, a show I actually attended back in the day. I had no idea it had been recorded and found it quite by accident searching for something else. We have it for you today.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Marshall Tucker Band

Found in South Carolina in 1972, I consider this band the best of the post-Allman Brothers Southern rock bands. Charlie Daniels doesn’t get airplay here. He was a racist asshole and a homophobe. I don’t much like Skynyrd’s attitude either. Interestingly, the band’s name came from a blind piano tuner whose name was found on a key to their original rehearsal space. Today, we have them ‘In the Spotlight’.

We’re here 24/7 with absolutely no commercial interruption and no chatty DJ’s who like to hear themselves talk so much that they talk through the beginning and the end of songs. We leave that to others. See for yourselves. The button is below.

The Button of Happiness.

Thursday It’s Our House EP, an Alison Krauss ‘Spotlight’ Feature, and Live Jimi Hendrix, On January 2, 2025

Good morning, musicologists and welcome to day two of uncertainty in the world, but not here in The Mermaid Lounge where we have our usual eclectic collection on tap!

Here’s Thursday’s musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. The #BecomeUngovernable House Playlist: Various Artists

We start out with our House EP with music from Barry McGuire, The Temptations, Edwin Starr, Peter Tosh, The Beatles, T. Rex, The Who, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Dylan, Country Joe & The Fish, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Joan Baez, CSNY, Pink Floyd, The Animals, Ten Years After, Sam Cooke, The Rolling Stones, Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, Three Dog Night, Jimmy Cliff, Richie Havens, Marvin Gaye, The Association, Phil Ochs, Tom Rush, The Band and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Alison Krauss

An American treasure with a beautiful voice. She’s also a mean fiddle player. We give you her music from her time with Union Station, her unlikely pairing with Robert Plant, and as a solo artist.

8:00 p.m. Jimi Hendrix Live at The Berkeley Community Center, Berkeley, CA, May 30, 1970

We close with a live Hendrix performance in Berkeley, just four months before his death.

We’re here 24/7 and we play music 365 days a year at no cost to you, our listeners. There’s no commercial advertising and no chatty DJ’s to break the mood. The button is below. See for yourselves.

Just Push Play.