We Celebrate Soul Today With Our Big ‘M Is For Motown’ EP, Then Spotlight Features From The Four Tops and Ann Peebles, On Sunday, October 13, 2024

Good morning, soul and R&B lovers and welcome to another day in The Lounge. Today, we get into the music that made America dance!

Here’s your soul music madness:

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

We celebrate the sound of soul 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, Tammy Terrell, Diana Ross & The Supremes and more!

Another long-suffering project off the list with this one, and it’s about time. The Four Tops was was of the most commercially-successful quartets of the sixties and helped to establish Motown’s position in the music world.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Ann Peebles

You know who got me onto Ann Peebles? Believe it or not, Tom Petty. I first heard her music listening to his Buried Treasure show on Sirius XM. She is best remembered for her string of albums and hits from the seventies. Who knew? Not me. But I sure do now.

It’s Sunday, and that’s a day of rest. No matter what the raging capitalist world wants you to believe. You do not have to go out and spend money on Sunday. You can take a day off and spend it with us (not your money; your time). The button is below.

It’s Our ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’ EP, Live Otis Redding and the Spotlight on The Queen of Soul, Wednesday, September 25, 2025

Good morning, soul music lovers and welcome to midweek. We’re soulful all day today with our big soul and R & B EP, the Big O live from the Whiskey and The Queen of Soul.

Here’s your midweek lineup:

9:00 a.m. A Little Bit O’ Soul: Various Artists

We start off a day of soul programming with ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul.’ You’ll hear Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ronettes, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Jimmy Ruffin, The Drifters, Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, Carla Thomas, James Brown, The Shirelles, Etta James, Curtis Mayfield, Sam & Dave, The Staple Singers, Nina Simone, LaVern Baker, The Supremes, Sam Cooke, Fontella Bass, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Irma Thomas, The Box Tops, Ann Peebles, Al Green and more!

We’ve got some new Otis Redding live music from the historic Whiskey A Go Go at 4:00 p.m this afternoon.

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

We close it out today with the undisputed Queen of Soul In the Spotlight!

It’s officially hump day. We’re over the hump today and heading for the weekend tomorrow, so take heart. We’ve got great soul and R & B to get you through the day. Just use the button below!

It’s Motown Music, a Doris Troy Spotlight Feature and Live James Taylor, on Saturday, September 14, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! We’ve got our ‘M is For Motown’ multi-artist EP, a Spotlight featuring Doris Troy and some live James Taylor later.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

We start with five hours of music from the Motor City 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, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Mary Wells, Tammi Terrell and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Doris Troy

Known to her fans as “Mama Soul,” singer-songwriter Doris Troy’s only top ten hit was Just One Look, recorded in ten minutes and released in 1963. She faded from the American conscience and found herself in England, signed by The Beatles to Apple Records and releasing an album co-produced by George Harrison. She fared much better in the UK than she did here, and that’s a shame. Doris Troy was truly one of the many talented who fall through the cracks. Today we have her In the Spotlight.

8:00 p.m. James Taylor Live at The Beacon Theater, New York, NY, May 30, 1998

We close out the evening’s programming with Sweet Baby James Taylor live from The Beacon in New York.

Here we are, weekenders! We’re hanging in The Lounge until my work day begins, when The Music Mermaid comes on board and guides us through until later today. You will not be disappointed. Better still, we’re free of charge and free from commercial advertising.

On Thursday It’s ‘Folk Music From A-To-Z’, a Visit From The Soul Men and The Stones Live in Saitama, Japan, August 29, 2024

Good morning, music lovers and welcome to another day in The Mermaid Lounge as we get closer to the weekend! We’ve got a great lineup for you today.

FILE – In this Dec. 1975 file photo, musicians Roger McGuinn, Joni Mitchell, Richie Havens, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan perform the finale of the The Rolling Thunder Revue, a tour headed by Dylan. (AP Photo, File)

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

We kick the day off with a bit of Americana with the pioneers and revivalists of the craft like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Lead Belly, The Kingston Trio, John Prine, Dave Van Ronk, Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt, Odetta, Peter, Paul & Mary, The Beatles, Cat Stevens, Tom Rush, The Band, Eric Andersen, Judy Collins, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Nanci Griffith, Jesse Winchester, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Lead Belly, Tim Hardin, Simon & Garfunkel, Richie Havens, James Taylor, Phil Ochs, Harry Chapin, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family, Neil Young and more!

4:00 p.m. The Soul Men: Various Artists

We get a visit from some the Soul Men this afternoon, including Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Al Green, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Fats Domino, Jackie Wilson and more!

8:00 p.m. The Rolling Stones Live at The Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan, April 2, 2006

We close the programming with The Stones live in Saitama, Japan.

We’re here 24/7 at no charge to you because we’re all about the music; not about the money. And we’re not kidding. See for yourself. No strings. No bait-and-switch. Nada. The button’s below.

Welcome Weekenders! It’s ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’, an Al Green Spotlight, and Live Norah Jones on Saturday, August 24, 2024

Good morning, Weekenders! We’ve got a soulful day all lined up for you before we head into Norah Jones territory later, our first ‘live’ Norah Jones feature ever, but it won’t be the last.

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

9:00 a.m. A Little Bit O’ Soul: Various Artists

Actually a lot of soul here with Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ronettes, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Jimmy Ruffin, The Drifters, Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, Carla Thomas, James Brown, The Shirelles, Etta James, Curtis Mayfield, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Nina Simone, Sam & Dave, The Staple Singers, LaVern Baker, Diana Ross & The Supremes and more! Five hours of uninterrupted soul and R&B!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Al Green

We bring the Reverend Al into The Mermaid Lounge this afternoon for his particular brand of soul, some of the most soulful stuff you’ll ever hear.

We’ve got Norah Jones, that purveyor of soulful jazz, closing out our programming for the evening.

The Weekend Begins With ‘What’s In a Name’, Then It’s Maria Muldaur and Townes Van Zandt on Saturday, August 17, 2024

Good morning, musicologists and name droppers! We’ve got a great day of music in store starting with our ‘What’s In a Name’ multi-artist EP!

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

9:00 a.m. What’s In A Name: Various Artists

Have we got name droppers for you today! Some of the folks they sing about are real. Some are not. Do you know the difference? You’ll hear Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Them, Janis Joplin, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Jimi Hendrix, Donovan, Steve Winwood, Bonnie Raitt, Shawn Colvin, Carly Simon, Warren Zevon, Laura Nyro, Bobbie Gentry, The Kinks, Three Dog Night, The Association, Joni Mitchell, Badfinger, Linda Ronstadt, Steely Dan, Chi Coltrane, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, James Taylor, Tony Joe White and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Maria Muldaur

Maria Muldaur’s career began during the great sixties folk music revival, but she didn’t stop there as her musical style encompasses folk, blues, early jazz, gospel, country and R&B. Give a listen.

We close with a brand new live show from one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time without question.

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.

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.

The Day Opens and Closes With Country, With Five Hours of Soul and R&B in Between, Friday, July 26, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! Today we open and close the programming with country music, but in between we’ve got our big, bad soul EP!

Here’s your country-soul programming:

We open with something that has been on the list for a very long time; an Alison Krauss Spotlight featuring her solo work along with her days with Union Station and her collaboration with Robert Plant.

1:00 p.m. A Little Bit O’ Soul: Various Artists

We break for the afternoon and spend time with the titans of soul, including Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ronettes, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Jimmy Ruffin, Carla Thomas, The Drifters, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, The Shirelles, Etta James, Curtis Mayfield, Sam & Dave, The Staple Singers, Nina Simone, Lavern Baker, The Supremes, Sam Cooke, Edwin Starr, Fontella Bass, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Irma Thomas, Percy Sledge and more!

8:00 p.m. The Unbroken Circle: The Music of Rosanne Cash & Carlene Carter

The Johnny Cash-June Carter connection ran deeper than marriage. They were married to music as well. Tonight we give you the music of stepsisters Rosanne Cash and Carlene Carter.

It’s a Motown Kind of Sunday With Our ‘M is For Motown’ EP, Stevie Wonder and The Supremes on July 14, 2024

Good morning, Motown maniacs! We’ve got a full magilla Motown Sunday going on today with our programming. But before, in between, and after, it remains our big, wide Open Stream!

Here’s your Motown musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Stevie Wonder

We open not with our EP, but with a Stevie Wonder Spotlight feature. He is one of the foundational artists of Motown, scoring his first smash hit at the age of thirteen with Fingertips Pt. 2. He also went on the Ed Sullivan show playing harmonica and singing the song, with another future sensation, Marvin Gaye, playing drums.

12:00 p.m. M is For Motown: Various Artists

At noon, we launch into the Motown sound 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. In The Spotlight: The Music of Diana Ross & The Supremes

Known as the Primettes in the early sixties, this band would morph into Diana Ross & The Supremes and help establish Motown as a musical force in American popular music.

Here we are on another Sunday in The Mermaid Lounge. It’s far too hot to venture outside, so we will bask in the comfort of the cave that is our studio here and play some great music all day and all night long at absolutely no cost to you. And, I might add, with no commercial interruption. Enjoy it with us. The button’s below.

We’re at Midweek With ‘A Little Bit O’Soul’, Live Bob Marley and Ry Cooder In the Spotlight, Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Good morning, musicologists. We’re at midweek and we’ve got our ‘A Little Bit O’ Soul’ EP, The Wailers at The Record Plant and a brand new Spotlight featuring Ry Cooder.

UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1970: Photo of Ry Cooder Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Here’s your midweek musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. A Little Bit O’ Soul: Various Artists

This is the big kahuna of soul with Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Ronettes, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Jimmy Ruffin, The Drifters, Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, Carla Thomas, James Brown, The Shirelles, Etta James, Curtis Mayfield, Sam & Dave, The Staple Singers, Nina Simone, LaVern Baker, The Supremes, Sam Cooke, Edwin Starr, Fontella Bass, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Irma Thomas, The Box Tops, Jr Walker & The All Stars, Percy Sledge, Al Green and more.

4:00 p.m. Bob Marley & The Wailers Live at The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA, October 13, 1973

The Legend and his bandmates take over The Record Plant for a great performance.

Truly one of the most incredible artists of our time. To this day, Linda Ronstadt calls Ry Cooder the best guitarist she’s ever worked with. He is a master of the slide guitar, and is one of the most sought-after studio musicians. He is also known for his collaborations with a variety of artists from a variety of musical backgrounds, like Taj Mahal, The Chieftains, and Ali Farka Toure. Ry Cooder has earned his place In The Spotlight.