On Friday It’s Our ‘Train Tracks’ Playlist, Dion Live at The Bitter End, and an ELO ‘Spotlight’ Feature, September 5, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! We’ve got a great set of programs to close out the work week, and we begin with songs about trains!

Here’s your Finally Friday lineup:

10:00 a.m. Train Tracks: Various Artists

We start with songs about trains from Steve Winwood, Joni Mitchell, Guy Clark, Linda Ronstadt, The Clash, Pete Seeger, Laura Nyro, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, The Boogaloo Swamis, J.J. Cale, Elvis Presley, Mother Earth, Allen Toussaint, The Eagles, Lucinda Williams, and more!

Many of you know him merely as Dion of Runaround Sue fame, but Dion DiMucci is so much more than that. He has spent decades honing his craft and reinventing himself masterfully. This is just Dion and his guitar in a fantastic performance at The Bitter End.

8:00 p.m. Jeff Lynne’s ELO: In The Spotlight

Or we can simply call them Electric Light Orchestra, whichever you prefer. Either way, we close out the day’s programming with this great band ‘In the Spotlight.’

We’re here 24/7 playing the best music on the planet for free. Totally. No strings. No bullshit. Just hit the button below.

On Saturday, The Ladies Open It Up, Then It’s Live Hot Tuna, and a Badfinger ‘Spotlight’ Feature, August 30, 2025

Good morning, music lovers, and welcome to the weekend! We open up this morning with ‘Ladies Day Out,’ the biggest, most expansive EP of women’s music we feature!

Here’s your Saturday musical menagerie:

9:00 a.m. Ladies Day Out: Various Artists

We open it up with five hours of uninterrupted women’s music from Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, Emmylou Harris, Petula Clark, Laura Nyro, Cilla Black, Irma Thomas, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Carole King, Maria Muldaur, Lucinda Williams, Rosanne Cash, Eva Cassidy, Wendy Waldman, Shawn Colvin, The Ronettes, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Norah Jones, Phoebe Snow, Nicolette Larson, Susan Tedeschi, Sheryl Crow, Valerie Carter, Dolly Parton, Dusty Springfield, Ann Peebles, and more!

We’ve been unable to find a date on this one, but it matters not. This was a great performance from beginning to end from one of the bands that is certainly and without doubt a Mermaid Lounge favorite!

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

The story of Badfinger is certainly a tragic one, but their music was anything but tragic. They were a great band and stood out as, undoubtedly, the best signing for Apple Records. Tonight they are ‘In the Spotlight.’

I’m on the run, so I’m not giving you the big sell. All you need to do to find out for yourself that we play the best music on the planet is hit the button below!

On Friday It’s Live Burrito Brothers, Our Big New Orleans EP, and The Turtles ‘In the Spotlight’ Later, August 15, 2025

Good morning, musicologists. We woke up with the NOLA bug this morning, so we’re giving you our big New Orleans EP this afternoon!

Here’s your Finally Friday musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. The Flying Burrito Brothers Live at The Bottom Line, New York, NY, August 18, 1976

This is the iteration of the Burrito Brothers after both Gram Parsona and Chris Hillman left the band. This lineup includes Skip Battin, Gene Parsons, Gib Guilbeau, Joel Scott Hill, and “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow. To answer a question, no, Gene Parsons and Gram Parsons are not related in any way (either by blood or marriage). Gene Parsons is best known for his invention of the B-bender guitar and as the drummer for The Byrds.

1:00 p.m. Down in New Orleans: Various Artists

I love New Orleans on every level, but the music and the food stand out. This EP is a wide catch, not only delivering authentic Louisiana music, but also featuring the artists who were born and raised in New Orleans. You’ll hear BeauSoleil, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Buckwheat Zydeco, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Allen Fontenot, Aaron Neville, Lucinda Williams, Boozoo Chavis, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Louis Armstrong, Queen Ida & The Bon Temps Zydeco Band, The Daywalkers, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, La Touche, The Neville Brothers, Clifton Chenier, Chance Bushman, The Creole Zydeco Band, The (magnificent) Magnolia Sisters, and more!

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

Yeah, one of those sixties greats formed in 1965 that pumped out a bunch of hits in the late sixties. If Happy Together doesn’t make you sing loud while you’re driving with the windows down, there’s really something wrong with you. Tonight they’re ‘In the Spotlight.’

Once again, the standard closing: We’re here 24/7. We’re free of charge and with absolutely no commercial interruption. I’m the only DJ, and I don’t talk much. I’d rather play you music. The button is below.

On Friday, It’s a New Wings ‘Spotlight’ Feature, the ‘Paint It Black’ Playlist, and George Harrison & Eric Clapton Live in Nagoya, Japan, August 8, 2025

Good morning, musicologists and welcome to a great Friday of music programming starting off with something that should have been done long ago, a Wings ‘Spotlight’ feature!

Here’s your finally Friday lineup:

10:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Paul McCartney & Wings

Also just simply known as, Wings. Formed in London in 1971 by Sir Paul, who acknowledges that they were not The Beatles (nobody could ever be, frankly). However, they were a hell of a great rock band. Although members did come and go, Paul, Linda, and Denny Laine, formerly of the Moody Blues, were the constants until their breakup in 1981. They charted six number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

4:00 p.m. Paint It Black: Various Artists

Songs about the color black. Call it Open Stream with a Theme from The Rolling Stones, The Wallflowers, James Brown, Three Dog Night, The Beatles, Warren Zevon, The Band, Nina Simone, Curtis Mayfield, Lucinda Williams, John Lee Hooker, J.D. Souther, Jethro Tull, Guy Clark, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Tom Rush and more!

8:00 p.m. George Harrison & Eric Clapton Live at The Nagoya International Exhibit Hall, Nagoya, Japan, December 5, 1991

We close the Friday programming with a great concert featuring George Harrison and Eric Clapton live in Japan.

Once again, we’re here playing the best music on the planet for you all totally free of charge and free of commercial advertising. No lies. No strings. And then button is below.

At Midweek, the Ladies are Large and in Charge, The Stone Poneys are ‘In the Spotlight,’ and Steve Winwood is Live at Estival, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! We’ve got a great lineup today with five uninterrupted hours of women’s music, then its on to The Stone Poneys and Steve Winwood!

Here’s your midweek musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ladies Day Out: Various Artists

The ladies take over The Mermaid Lounge this morning with music from Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, Emmylou Harris, Petula Clark, Laura Nyro, Cilla Black, Irma Thomas, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Carole King, Maria Muldaur, Lucinda Williams, Rosanne Cash, Eva Cassidy, Wendy Waldman, Shawn Colvin, The Ronettes, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Norah Jones, Phoebe Snow, Nicolette Larson, Susan Tedeschi, Sheryl Crow, Valerie Carter, Dolly Parton, Dusty Springfield, Ann Peebles and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of The Stone Poneys

This afternoon we delve into very early Linda Ronstadt who left Tucson to join friends Bobby Kimmel and Kenny Edwards to seek musical fame and fortune in L.A. Thus, this great folk-rock band was born. It’s an excellent playlist.

8:00 p.m. Steve Winwood Live at The Estival Jazz Festival, Piazza della Riforma, Lugano, Switzerland, July 4, 2013

We close it out with a great performance from Steve Winwood, a legend, at the Estival Jazz Festival.

Yadda. Yadda. We’re here. We’re free. We’re on 24/7 with no commercial interruption. See for yourselves. The button is below!

On Sunday It’s Our Big, Wide Open Stream, and Closing With the ‘Color My World’ EP in the Evening, July 27, 2025

Good morning, weekenders! We’re on our big, wide Open Stream for the daylight hours today and we’re closing with our ‘Color My World’ EP in the evening!

Here’s where we’re at today:

9:00 a.m. Big, Wide Open Stream!

We are on our big, wide Open Stream today right up until the 8 o’clock evening hour playing you the best, most eclectic music on the planet from our 27,000 files!

8:00 p.m. Color My World: Various Artists

We move into our ‘Color My World’ multi-artist EP this evening with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, James Taylor, Donovan, Booker T & The MGs, Electric Light Orchestra, Procol Harum, Joni Mitchell, The Who, Amy Winehouse, Sam & Dave, Badfinger, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Jefferson Airplane, The Hollies, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Cream, Marvin Gaye, Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, J. D. Souther, Linda Ronstadt and more!

If you’re really interested in what we’re all about, there’s no better way to figure it out than by listening to our big, wide Open Stream followed by one of our most popular EP’s (it’s Open Stream with a Theme). The button is below.

On Friday, It’s Live Neil Young & Crazy Horse, the ‘Color My World’ EP, and a Desmond Dekker ‘Spotlight’, June 27, 2025

Here we are on the cusp of the weekend once again, and we’ve got a great lineup for you today that starts with some live music from Neil Young. Check out the blog for details.

Here’s your Friday musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Neil Young & Crazy Horse Live at Shorline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA, October 1, 1994

We open it up with some live Neil Young with his absolute favorite back-up band, Crazy Horse (ours too). This is an excellent show at the iconic Shorline.

1:00 p.m. Color My World: Various Artists

We move into songs that talk about colors up and down the spectrum. Spend the afternoon with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, James Taylor, Donovan, Booker T & The MGs, Electric Light Orchestra, Procol Harum, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, John Hiatt, J.D. Souther, The Who, Sam & Dave, Bob Dylan, Amy Winehouse, Badfinger, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Jefferson Airplane, The Hollies, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Cream, Marvin Gaye, Lucinda Williams, and more!

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Desmond Dekker & The Aces

In truth, there are probably several Dekker songs without the Aces, but the song that hooked me was Israelites. There have been many great Reggae artists, although none as popular as the late, great Bob Marley. Dekker is another of those greats, and he is often referred to as The King of Ska.

We head to the weekend in fine style. We’re on 24/7, we’re totally free, and we’re also commercial free. We’re about more than our programming. Before, in between, and after you’re treated to our big, wide Open Stream! The button is below.

Saturday Brings ‘The British Are Coming,’ CSN&Y ‘In The Spotlight,’ and Lucinda Williams Live in Texas, June 14, 2025

Welcome, weekenders! Welcome to The Mermaid Lounge and, if you’re out on the streets for ‘No Kings’ then we commend you. That is where I will be today as I leave The Music Mermaid large and in charge here.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

It’s time once again for 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, Them, Herman’s Hermits, The Rolling Stones, Badfinger, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Yardbirds, Traffic, Elton John, Lulu, Pink Floyd, Yes, The Animals, Spencer Davis Group, Cream, Donovan, The Searchers, and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

The second best supergroup on the planet will be here this afternoon to bring us their collection of great songs. (We’ll have the best supergroup featured on Monday.)

8:00 p.m. Lucinda Williams Live at The Moody Theater, Austin, TX, December 5, 1998

We close out the programming today with the great singer-songwriter, Lucinda Williams, recorded live for Austin City Limits!

We’re here all day today. There’s no rush. Get out on the streets and fight for our democracy. We’ll be here when you return. This is our time, and we must meet the moment. If you’re unable, the button is below.

We Head Down to Loosiana on Friday, Then It’s a Norah Jones ‘Spotlight,’ and Live Jefferson Airplane On June 6, 2025

Good morning, musicologists. It’s not just the food that’s great in New Orleans. The music is too! It’s on every street corner every day. It’s in the bars on Bourbon Street. Today, it’s in The Mermaid Lounge!

Here’s your Friday musical mayhem:

9:00 a.m. Down in New Orleans: Various Artists

Yes, we’re due for an upgrade here and we’ll be getting to that soon. However, it’s pretty fantastic right now as we give you authentic NOLA music along with music from rock and rollers who were born and raised there! You’ll hear BeauSoleil, Clifton Chenier, Allen Toussaint, Buckwheat Zydeco, Fats Domino, Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, Tony Joe White(and his girl Polk Salad Annie), Professor Longhair, Irma Thomas (The Soul Queen of New Orleans), Lucinda Williams, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chance Bushman, Boozoo Chavis, The Magnolia Sisters, and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Norah Jones

This afternoon we hear from Norah Jones, a Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter who has a famous father and sister as well in Ravi and Anoushka Shankar. Not everyone knows that little piece of musical trivia.

8:00 p.m. Jefferson Airplane Live at The Matrix Club, San Francisco, CA, February 1, 1968

We’re in the Wayback Machine this evening as we head to San Francisco for a live performance from one of the groundbreaking psychedelic music bands in history fronted by the legendary Grace Slick.

We keep rolling along here in The Lounge with our vast musical library of more than 27,000 songs. We don’t just play the same 100-song set over and over like other stations, and we have a serious committment to the women of music. They’re not just an afterthought here. See for yourselves. The button is below.

We’re at Midweek With the ‘Color My World’ EP, a Jesse Winchester ‘Spotlight,’ and ELO Live at Wembley, Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Good morning, music lovers, and welcome to midweek! We’ve got it going today, beginning with songs about colors, Jesse Winchester, and Jeff Lynne’s ELO!

Here’s your midweek music lineup:

9:00 a.m. Color My World: Various Artists

We open it up with songs about all the colors on the spectrum from James Taylor, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Booker T & The MGs, Electric Light Orchestra, Procol Harum, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, John Hiatt, J. D. Souther, The Who, Sam & Dave, Bob Dylan, Amy Winehouse, Badfinger, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Jefferson Airplane, The Hollies, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Cream, Marvin Gaye, Lucinda Williams and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Jesse Winchester

Bob Dylan once said that you cannot talk about the best songwriters in music without including Jesse Winchester on that list. He’s right. The first time I ever saw him live was when he opened for Emmylou Harris at Boston’s Music Hall. It was a great performance all the way around. I often dreamed of seeing him in a small venue, like Passim’s Coffee House in Cambridge, but never had the opportunity. We do have a live performance or two by him at other small venues. We’ll be sure to get those on soon.

8:00 a.m. Jeff Lynne’s ELO Live at Wembley Stadium, London, UK, June 24, 2017

We close out the programming with Jeff Lynne’s ELO, who took their final world tour last year and passed through Boston, live at Wembley Stadium.

We’ll be headed for the weekend once again after today, and that is always a good thing to look forward to in a time where there seems to be so little to look forward to. The great music we play is another good thing to look forward to. The button is below!