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!

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.

You know the drill: We’re here 24/7. We’re free. We don’t run commercial advertising. We don’t require a subscription. All we require is that you hit the button below.

We’ve Got ‘Travelin’ Fever,’ New Live Bob Marley & The Wailers, and Nanci Griffith ‘In the Spotlight’ on Saturday, August 9, 2025

Good morning, musicologists, and welcome to my last day of work today. Once again, The Music Mermaid will be in full control of our programming and she’s on it.

Here’s your Saturday musical lineup:

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

We’re starting the programming with songs about hitting the road from Canned Heat, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Steve Miller Band, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Dan Fogelberg, 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!

We’ve acquired some new live Wailers music. This will be the first of a few new shows we’ll be airing as we move into the fall/winter months. Enjoy.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Nanci Griffith

Nanci Griffith is a great singer-songwriter who just passed from this earth in 2021. Throughout her long and productive career she managed to keep one foot in country music, and the other in folk.

We’re back for another day, and we’ve got another great array of programs. Before, in between, and after, we give you our big, wide Open Stream of 27,000 songs. We’re about to add some more this weekend! See for yourselves. The button is below.

On Monday, ‘We Dissent,’ We Have Emmylou & Friends Live for a Good Cause, and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles ‘In the Spotlight’ Later, August 4, 2025

Good morning, musicologists, and welcome to another work week. We kick it off in style with a fantastic programming lineup. Read on for details!

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

9:00 a.m. We Dissent: Various Artists New Songs Added!

Protest music is powerful, and we’ve got a great collection here. In the era of Trump’s regime, we will be amping up our protest music roots. We’ve added a couple of great songs to the end of this list. We nearly forgot the great Beach Boys tune, Student Demonstration Time. It was something nobody expected from the boys of summer. We’ve also added a song a lot of people do not know exists called, Old Man Trump, which was written by Woody Guthrie about The Orange Scourge’s racist slumlord father. Back in the day Woody lived in one of his dumps. Woody never got to record the song himself, but it was evetually released by folk singer Ryan Harvey with help from Ani DiFranco and Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine. We’ve added that song today.

Other artists you’ll hear are The Beatles, Pete Seeger, Barry McGuire, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter Gabriel, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Tracy Chapman, and more!

We have a fantastic recording here of great acoustic music from Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, John Prine, Patty Griffin, Steve Earle, and Bruce Cockburn. We know this was the first show, so we believe it was held at Stanford University in December 1999. They were held around the world into 2000, including Washington, D.C., Glasgow, London, Stockholm, and Oslo. We’re trying to get a better handle on the specifics, but there’s no need to hold up airing this for the details.

8:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

We close it out with a band that was instrumental in establishing the Motown brand back in the day.

We’re ready for a new work week, and we’re playing the best music on the planet totally free of charge and free of commercial interruption. See for yourselves. The button is below.

Today We’ve Got Our ‘Folk Music From A-To-Z’ EP, a New Marcia Griffiths ‘Spotlight’ Feature, and Laura Nyro Live at Carnegie Hall, On Friday, May 23, 2025

Good morning, musicologists and welcome to Friday. We’re on the cusp of the weekend, and we’ve got some great music here today, including a new ‘Spotlight’ from a reggae legend!

Here’s your week’s end musical lineup:

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

This is one of our favorite EP’s with music from the folk legends as well as the artists who keep the genre alive, including John Prine, Dave Van Ronk, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul & Mary, Odetta, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, The Band, Eric Andersen, Tom Rush, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Lead Belly, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, Bob Dylan, Harry Chapin, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family and more!

Today we introduce a brand new ‘Spotlight’ featuring a six-decade legend in Reggae music. Marcia Griffiths has been on the scene not only as a solo artist for decades, but also as a fierce collaborator with other reggae artists. She was a member of the I-Threes (who also have a ‘Spotlight’ here) along with Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt. Together, they were Bob Marley’s back-up singers and one of the most influential Reggae acts in the genre. Today she’s in our ‘Spotlight.’

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

Speaking of music legends, here’s another. Her compositions put many, many artists on the map and on the charts, but there is nothing like hearing her sing them herself. Tonight you can!

Once again, allow me to remind you all. We’re on 24/7 and we’re completely free. No strings. No surprises. No credit card required, nor is there a required subscription. We’re anti-capitalist, anti-fascist, and all about the music. The button is below!

Saturday It’s Our Big Folk Music EP, Live Heartbreakers in N.C., and a Doris Troy ‘Spotlight’ Feature, March 22, 2025

Good morning, Weekenders! We’ve made it to Saturday and we’ve got ‘Folk Music From A-To-Z’, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers live in North Carolina, and a Doris Troy ‘Spotlight’.

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

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

Today we begin with the musical genre responsible for the protest song, quite appropriate in these trying times. You’ll hear both the legends of the genre and those who keep it alive, like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Dave Van Ronk, John Prine, Peter, Paul & Mary, Odetta, Cat Stevens, The Beatles, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt, The Band, Eric Andersen, Tom Rush, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Led Belly, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family and more!

We’ve added a brand new Heartbreakers live performance to our collection and it debuts today!

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Doris Troy

Doris Troy is known here for her 1963 hit, Just One Look. She was a one-hit wonder; some immensely talented musicians seem to fall through the cracks. However, she eventually moved to England and signed with Apple Records and enjoyed considerable success there. She was known affectionately as Mama Soul. Today, we put her ‘In the Spotlight’ where she belongs.

Before, in between and after our programmed music, we give you our big, wide Open Stream totally free of charge. No strings. No hidden agenda. No tracking. See for yourselves. The button is below.

On Friday It’s Folk Music With Our EP, a New Eric Andersen ‘Spotlight’, and The McGarrigle Sisters, February 21, 2025

Good morning, folk music lovers! That’s the prevailing programming today with our big folk music EP, a long-planned Eric Andersen ‘Spotlight’ and some rare stuff from Kate & Anna McGarrigle!

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

One of our favorite genres here in The Lounge…the genre that essentially birthed the protest song and social justice awareness. You’ll hear Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, John Prine, Dave Van Ronk, Peter, Paul & Mary, Odetta, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Arlo Guthrie, The Beatles, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, The Band, Eric Andersen, Tom Rush, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Lead Belly, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Richie Havens, Simon & Garfunkel, Phil Ochs, Harry Chapin, The Carter Family, Townes Van Zandt and more!

A veteran of the Greenwich Village folk scene, singer-songwriter Eric Andersen has had his songs recorded by Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, The Grateful Dead, Rick Nelson and so many others. Today, we’ll hear him sing them himself.

8:00 p.m. Tell My Sister: The Unreleased Recordings, Kate & Anna McGarrigle

Tonight a real treat as we hear some rare music from Kate & Anna McGarrigle, the folk singer-songwriter duo who also provided many songs for others to record, including the aforementioned Linda Ronstadt.

We’ve got a great day of music lined up after a day off to pull some new music together. We hope you enjoyed your Open Stream day. We remind you that Open Stream covers most of the hours of our programming, and we’re totally free 24/7 with no commercial interruption. The button is below.

We Keep It On Folk Today With Our Multi-Artist EP, a Nanci Griffith Spotlight, and Live Joan Baez, Thursday, May 30, 2024

Good morning, music lovers. We’re focusing on the folk side of music today with our ‘Folk Music From A-To-Z’ EP, along with Nanci Griffith and Joan Baez.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

Folk music has a place in history beyond just being a music genre; it represents the birth of the protest song. This EP is as big as you can get, crossing generations. You’ll hear John Prine, Dave Van Ronk, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul & Mary, Odetta, Cat Stevens, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Beatles, Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, The Band, Eric Andersen, Tom Rush, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Lead Belly, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, Phil Ochs, James Taylor, The Carter Family, Neil Young, Townes Van Zandt and more!

4:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of Nanci Griffith

Nanci Griffith was a singer-songwriter and guitarist who had one foot firmly planted in folk and the other planted in country. It was a beautiful crossover combination.

Yes, that’s simply what it is. No venues listed; no dates which someone like me finds disturbing because I’m ridiculous about that stuff. But it’s the music that really counts. Here we have a collection of songs recorded long ago that reflect Joan Baez’s 1962 live performances. We have a 1963 collection we’ll air a bit down the road.

It’s Sunday and The Ladies Own the Morning, Followed by The I-Threes and Some ‘Live’ ELO, April 28, 2024

Good morning, musicologists and welcome to another Sunday in The Mermaid Lounge where the music is free and the living is easy. The ladies rule the morning and early afternoon.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

The ladies are back to rule The Lounge this morning with 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, Sheryl Crow, Susan Tedeschi, Dusty Springfield, Valerie Carter, Dolly Parton and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The I-Threes

Without a doubt the most influential all-woman Reggae band is In The Spotlight this afternoon. The I-Threes are Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths, and Judy Mowatt.

8:00 p.m. The Electric Light Orchestra Live at The Paris Theatre, London, UK, April 19, 1973

Jeff Lynne’s ELO (not what they were called back in the day; but it is now) is here to close out the programming for today with a great live show at The Paris Theatre. They are on the road now for their farewell tour, and blow through Boston in September.

Join us on this fine, sunny Sunday (at least it is here for the moment) as we play the best music on the planet 24/7, free of charge and free from commercial advertising.

We End the Month with Our ‘In Your Dreams’ EP, The Beach Boys’ AOW, and ‘Live’ Jackson Browne, Thursday, August 31, 2023

We end the month in fine style as we dream of fall in New England. We’ve got our ‘In Your Dreams’ EP to start things off.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. In Your Dreams: Various Artists

Dreaming is a popular topic among songwriters as you will see when you pull up a comfy chair and listen to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Aerosmith, Crowded House, the Moody Blues, Van Morrison, The Eurythmics, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Nanci Griffith, the Electric Prunes, Fleetwod Mac, Roy Orbison, Linda Ronstadt, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Mamas & The Papas, Jimmy Buffett, the Alan Parsons Project, the Allman Brothers Band, Supertramp, Randy Newman, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Widespread Panic, The Youngbloods, Jimmy Ruffin, Jackson Browne, Mudcrutch, Patsy Cline, Joe Walsh, Bruce Springsteen, k.d. lang, Dusty Springfield and more!

4:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys

Tune in to this great progressive rock album before it goes away. Saturday will be our final airing, time TBD.

7:00 p.m. Jackson Browne Live at The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, PA, August 15, 1973

A live performance from Jackson Browne early in his career with good friend David Lindley in tow at a great little coffee house that hosted some of the best of this generation.

Before, in between and after we give you our big, wide Open Stream courtesy of the venerable Music Mermaid. She has impeccable taste in music, as you no doubt know.

Today It’s Our ‘Folk Music From A-To-Z’ EP, the Final Airing of The Kinks’ AOW and We Introduce Ray Davies as Our Featured Singer-Songwriter, August 19, 2023

Good morning, folk music lovers! We are back with our big, bad EP that delivers all things folk, from the early pioneers of the genre to those who pay it homage as part of their musical repertoire.

Here’s Saturday’s musical lineup:

Today we take you back to Woody Guthrie and bring you through the great folk renaissance of the sixties and seventies. You’ll hear John Prine, Dave Van Ronk, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul & Mary, Odetta, Cat Stevens, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Beatles, Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, The Band, Eric Andersen, Tom Rush, Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Lead Belly, Tim Hardin, The Kingston Trio, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, Jackson Browne, Guy Clark, James Taylor, Phil Ochs, Harry Chapin, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family and more!

5:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Give The People What They Want by The Kinks FINAL AIRING!

Today we bid a fond farewell to The Kinks’ Album of The Week…on a day when we introduce the guiding force of the Kinks as our featured singer-songwriter! Tomorrow, we’ll have a brand new album in place.

Tonight we introduce The Kinks’ guiding force as our new singer-songwriter. Ray Davies was the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and primary songwriter for this great British Invasion band. It’s only fitting that he’s featured this week.