On Friday It’s The Newport Folk Festival With Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Johnny Cash and Richard & Mimi Farina, May 9, 2025

Good morning, folk music lovers! We’ve got a different arrangement today here in The Lounge. There is no available compilation from the Newport Folk Festivals, so we’re working on that for our next Festival Week. In the meantime, we’ve got a fantastic lineup today!

Here’s your Friday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Joni Mitchell Live at The Newport Folk Festival, Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI, July 19, 1969

We start out the day with the legend herself, Joni Mitchell, and her full performance from the 1969 festival.

12:00 p.m. Bob Dylan Live at The Newport Folk Festival, Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI, 1963-1965

Dylan is up next and this is a compilation of his appearances during the years 1963, 1964, and 1965. Of course, 1965 was the year he raised the hackles of many folk purists by having the audacity to appear on stage with an electric guitar! Enter the folk-rock genre.

4:00 p.m. Richard & Mimi Farina Live at The Newport Folk Festival, Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI, July 25, 1965

Richard and Mimi Farina made their start in the clubs of Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, and became stalwarts of the folk music scene before Richard’s untimely death at the age of 29.

8:00 p.m. Johnny Cash Live at The Newport Folk Festival, Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI, July 16, 1964

We close the festivities with the great Johnny Cash on stage at Newport from 1964, a great way to end the day’s programming.

Remember, festival week extends through Sunday. We still have some great programming in store for you all, so be sure to stick around! You won’t be disappointed. We’re on 24/7. We’re totally free. We do not run any commercial advertising. And we play the best damned music on the planet. The button is below.

On Friday It’s ‘Money, Honey’, a Tracy Nelson ‘Spotlight’ Feature, and The Highwaymen Live, April 11, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! Today we’ve got plenty of wide Open Stream for you with our playlist about money (honey), music from Tracy Nelson, and a country supergroup!

Here’s your Friday lineup:

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

We start out this morning with songs about money from The Beatles, Randy Newman, Van Morrison, The Kinks, Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits, The Byrds, Rosanne Cash, Tom Rush, Allen Toussaint, Gerry Rafferty & Steelers Wheel, The Wallflowers, Jerry Jeff Walker, Laura Nyro, The Wallflowers, Willie Nelson and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Tracy Nelson

She’s a little bit country. She’s a little bit blues. She’s even got that country blues vibe. She’s also pretty fantastic.

8:00 p.m. The Highwaymen Live at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY, March 14, 1990

We close out the programming today with the authentic outlaw country music supergroup of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.

We’re here and we’re always free of charge. We also don’t run commercial advertising because we’re not interested in selling you anything. No lie. The button is below.

On Monday It’s ‘The Founders’, a Gordon Lightfoot ‘Spotlight’ and Traffic Live at The Fillmore East, March 17, 2025

Good morning, working class! We’re here on another Monday to brighten your day with some great music, starting off with the folks who helped deliver rock n’ roll!

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

We start off by paying tribute to the founding artists of rock n’ roll, including 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 & His Comets, Ray Charles, The Drifters, Roy Orbison, Robert Johnson, Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Gordon Lightfoot

Our friend from the north drops by this afternoon. He is one of the 20th century’s most respected songwriters and is a national hero in Canada. His songs have been covered by many artists over the years, but it’s always great to hear him sing them.

8:00 p.m. Traffic Live at The Fillmore East, New York, NY, November 18, 1970

We close out the day’s programming with a great performance by Steve Winwood and Traffic live at The Fillmore East.

And so we begin another week. The weekend always seems to blow by so quickly and the week drags on and on, particularly in these trying times. But we’re here to try to make it just a bit more tolerable. The button is below.

Thursday Brings The Pioneers of Rock n’Roll, an Elton John ‘Spotlight’ and Live Townes Van Zandt, February 13, 2025

Here we go, folks, headed for the weekend. We celebrate ‘The Founders’, give EJ a ‘Spotlight’ feature and live Townes Van Zandt!

Here’s your Thursday lineup:

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

The artists that forged the birth of Rock n’ Roll are with us today, including 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 & His Comets, Ray Charles, The Drifters, Roy Orbison, Robert Johnson, Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters and more!

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

I sat up and took notice as soon as I heard Your Song, to this day one of the most incredible songs ever recorded. His career has stood the test of time.

8:00 p.m. Townes Van Zandt Live at The Old Quarter, Houston, TX, July 20, 1973

Many say that Townes Van Zandt is the only songwriter who can be mentioned in the same breath as Bob Dylan. I don’t get into those discussions. There have been many great songwriters. Townes Van Zandt is truly one of the greats.

Here we are once again as fascism knocks on our door louder every day. Tune us in, folks, for a break but, please, continue to fight and organize. Do not sit this one out. We’re on 24/7 and we’re totally free. We do not carry advertising. We do not support the oligarchy.

Saturday is a Country Day With Our Big EP, Kris Kristofferson, and Live Flying Burrito Brothers, February 8, 2025

Good morning, Weekenders! Saturday has rolled around and we are all about country today. No, this is not Beyonce’s kind of country. Ours comes from the real Nashville country artists, the outlaws who broke the mold, and those who the forged country-rock genre.

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

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

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, Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Carlene Carter, Rosanne Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Gram Parsons, John Prine, Tom Rush, Townes Van Zandt, The Highwaymen and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Kris Kristofferson

We lost a great one here. Kristofferson was one of the outlaws, a brilliant singer-songwriter who broke out of the constraints of the traditional Nashville sound, but kept it real country.

8:00 p.m. The Flying Burrito Brothers Live at The Palomino, W. Hollywood, CA, June 8 1969

We get into the Wayback Machine for this one as we explore some of the great country-rock sounds that were born in Laurel Canyon.

As usual, we’re on 24/7. We’re free. We don’t do a lot of talking. There’s never any commercial interruptions. The button is below.

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.

It’s a Country Kind of Day With Our Big EP, Live Flying Burrito Brothers, and Willie Nelson on Saturday, December 14, 2024

Good morning, musicologists and welcome to The Mermaid Lounge where we spend the day with some ‘real’ country musicians and the pioneers of country-rock!

Here’s your Saturday musical lineup:

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

We’re back with our real country EP (none of those bad pop bands with fiddles) of the traditional pioneers and those who pioneered the marriage of country and rock. 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, Carlene Carter, Rosanne Cash, The Desert Rose Band, Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, Tom Rush, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, The Highwaymen and more!

4:00 p.m. The Flying Burrito Brothers Live at My Father’s Place, Roslyn, NY, November 28, 1976

Gram Parsons, a country-rock pioneer who passed from this world far too soon, and The Burrito Brothers are live from My Father’s Place this afternoon.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Willie Nelson

We close out the day’s programming with a Willie Nelson ‘Spotlight’ feature.

We’re on 24/7 and we play the best music on the planet completely free of charge and free of commercial advertising. See for yourselves. The button is below.

Midweek Brings ‘Are You Ready for The Country’, Live Poco, and An Eagles ‘Spotlight’, Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Good morning, music lovers. Today is kind of a country day as we bring our big country and country-rock EP, live Poco (one of the very first country-rock bands) and an Eagles ‘Spotlight’ feature.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

Today you’ll hear Hank Williams, The Eagles, Asleep at The Wheel, The Byrds, Patsy Cline, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Johnny Cash, The Marshall Tucker Band, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Rosanne Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Gram Parsons, Tom Rush, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Jeff Walker, Carlene Carter, The Desert Rose Band and more!

4:00 p.m. Poco Live at Fairleigh-Dickerson University, Teaneck, NJ, November 2, 1973

Without a doubt, Poco was one of the very first country-rock bands on the planet. Today we’ve got them live from Fairleigh-Dickerson University and broadcast on KBFH, New Jersey.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The Eagles

One of those other pioneering bands, who eventually morphed into a great rock band. But here in The Mermaid Lounge, our favorite time with the Eagles were their early country-rock years.

We’re here 24/7 and we’re totally free. No strings. No lies. No bait-and-switch. We’re all about the music. The button is below.

It’s the ‘Are You Ready For The Country’ EP, and ‘Live’ Jackson Browne and Gov’t Mule on Saturday, October 12, 2024

Welcome, weekenders! Here we sit on a very early Saturday morning giving you the lowdown on today’s musical feast which includes our big country EP to start it off!

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

No. We do not play Jason Aldean. But we do play real country and the artists who fused country with rock, like 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, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, Kris Kristofferson, The Highwaymen, Gram Parsons, Tom Rush, The Flying Burrito Brothers, John Prine and more!

4:00 p.m. Jackson Browne Live at The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, PA, August 15, 1973

October 9 wasn’t just John Lennon’s birthday. It was Jackson Browne’s 76th birthday as well. Today, we celebrate a singer-songwriter legend.

8:00 p.m. Gov’t Mule Live at Leverkeusener Jazztage, The Forum, Leverkusen, Germany, November 7, 2017

We close it out with Gov’t Mule in a live performance filmed for Germany’s Rockpalast television show.

Another weekend is upon us, and next week my vacation will be over and I’ll be back in hardware hell. But we remain a constant. The Music Mermaid will take over and deliver music free on a 24/7 basis with no commercial advertising. The button is below.

Songs About Water, A Zombies Spotlight Feature and Dylan & Cash ‘in Session’ Dominate Sunday, September 15, 2024

Good morning, musicologists, and welcome to Sunday in The Lounge. Today we’ve got songs about water, a new Spotlight featuring The Zombies and Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash ‘in session’ in Nashville, vintage 1969.

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

10:00 a.m. Water, Water Everywhere: Various Artists

And it is everywhere, comprising 71% of the elements on earth. You’ll hear from Paul McCartney, Deep Purple, Joe Cocker, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Otis Redding, The Doobie Brothers, Valerie Carter, Bob Dylan, Al Green, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Loggins & Messina, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Linda Ronstadt, Spirit, The Grass Roots, The Beach Boys, Lindisfarne, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Carole King, Tom Rush, Donovan, America, Johnny Rivers and more!

The Zombies are certainly one of the best of the British Invasion bands, and this Spotlight feature is long overdue. We’ve also got some live shows coming up in the future.

8:00 p.m. Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash “In Session” at Columbia Studios, Nashville, TN, February 17 & 18, 1969

This is a great ‘in session’ performance by two masters during the recording of Dylan’s Nashville Skyline album, one of my personal Dylan favorites. Although The Girl From The North Country was the only cut to make the album, it was a great collaboration.

Yeah, it’s Sunday Funday and we’ve got our usual great daily lineup sprinkled among all the big, wide Open Stream we offer every single day. And best of all, we’re free of charge and totally free of commercial interruption.