It’s Ry Cooder, The Grateful Dead and Our ‘Here Comes The Night’ EP Ringing in the Weekend on Saturday, April 20, 2024

Good morning, lovers of 4/20 and music alike! We’ve got some great stuff on tap for you today including a night-time airing of our ‘Here Comes The Night’ EP.

Here’s Saturday’s musical mayhem!

10:00 a.m. Ry Cooder Live at The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA, July 7, 1974

Certainly one of the most respected members of the rock music community, Ry Cooder has made some fantastic music over the years. Linda Ronstadt has always said he’s the best guitarist on the planet. He’s another one of our favorites here in The Lounge because he refuses to be defined by any one genre. Give a listen.

3:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of The Grateful Dead

I’m one of those anomalies in Grateful Dead lore. I prefer their studio work to their live work, although I have great respect for what they do on stage. Today we’ve got their studio work In the Spotlight.

8:00 p.m. Here Comes the Night: Various Artists

We close out the programming with several hours of music about the night in the title, lyrics or both. Open Stream with a Theme is the way we look at it. You’ll hear from Warren Zevon, The J. Geils Band, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Them, The Beatles, Van Morrison, Patti Smith, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, The Kinks, the Electric Prunes, Phoebe Snow, Joe Walsh, The Eagles, The Ronettes, John Cougar Mellencamp, The doors, Poco, Emmylou Harris, Don McLean, The Animals, Steve Winwood, The Traveling Wilburys, Sam Cooke, Bonnie Raitt and more!

We’re here 24/7, like even when you wake up in the middle of the night and join the global universe. We’re totally free, no surprises and not just for a test run, but for good. And we do not play commercial advertising. What’s not to love here?

The “Court & Spark” Finale, A Trip to Laurel Canyon, and ‘Live’ Heartbreakers on Saturday, March 16, 2024

Good morning, weekenders! We have made it to Saturday once again, and we’ve got some great stuff on tap, including The Heartbreakers 30th Anniversary Tour from Gainsville.

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Album of The Week: Court & Spark by Joni Mitchell FINAL AIRING!

Today we give you the final airing of this unbelievably amazing album, one of the best albums of all time, as we continue on the 50th anniversary roundup.

12:00 p.m. Music From Laurel Canyon: Various Artists

We’ve got an update on tap for this great playlist that covers two generations of musicians who lived and made music together in Laurel Canyon. It was the cross-fertilization of styles that helped usher in country-rock. You’ll hear The Byrds, The Mamas & The Papas, The Doors, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, The Monkees, CSNY, Manassas, John Mayall, The Eagles, J.D. Souther, Harry Nilsson, Canned Heat, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, James Taylor, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band and more!

8:00 p.m. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live From the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, FL, September 21, 2006

The photo on this post is from an earlier timeframe, but the energy The Heartbreakers brought to their live performances never changed over their amazing 40-year run. This would be the band’s 30th Anniversary Tour from their hometown, and it was a beauty.

Wake up and tune us in. We’re on 24/7; not just when we have programming. We’re continually circulating 27,000 songs daily. You never know what’s coming next, and that’s what we really like about radio. Those were the days. We didn’t have custom playlists, Spotify, or whatever else pay-for-play hell is out there. We had our transistor radios and endless summer days waiting for the next song to cue up.

Sunday Brings The Rolling Stones’ AOW, Our EP About The Night, and The Mamas & The Papas, February 18, 2024

Good morning on this not-quite-as-simple Sunday as we offer three bits of programming for the first time on a Sunday! The shape of things to come? Well, we have a lot of music.

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

Another on our list of albums turning 50 years old this year, it’s the 12th studio album by the Rolling Stones and their final with Mick Taylor as guitarist. He would soon be replaced by Ron Wood. The album combines traditional blues and rock and roll sound with elements of funk and reggae. It went to number one in the U.S. and number two in the UK.

2:00 p.m. Here Comes The Night: Various Artists

We’re back with songs about the night in the title, lyrics or both with Warren Zevon, The J. Geils Band, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Them, The Beatles, Patti Smith, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, The Kinks, Electric Prunes, Phoebe Snow, Joe Walsh, The Eagles, The Ronettes, John Cougar Mellencamp, The Doors, Poco, Emmylou Harris, Neil Diamond, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, Don McLean, Steve Winwood, The Traveling Wilburys, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Cliff, Bonnie Raitt and more!

8:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Mamas & The Papas

We’ve been remiss and have allowed too much time to lapse before spinning this one. In spite of the fact that this band only recorded together from 1965 through 1968, they were a defining force in the music of the sixties and a mainstay of the Laurel Canyon scene. They made some of the best music of their generation.

Saturday Brings ‘The Female Species’ EP, Emmylou Harris, and Jimmy Reed as Our Singer-Songwriter, December 30, 2023

Good morning, weekenders! It’s yet another gloomy, rainy day here in the Boston area with no real snow in sight. Ho. Hum. But, the good new is that the music is outstanding as we close out 2023 and head into a new year this weekend!

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

Not songs by women (although some certainly are), but songs about women, ladies, chicks, girls…you get the idea here. You’ll hear Tom Petty & The Hearbreakers, Talking Heads, Jackson Browne, The Boogaloo Swamis, John Mayall, Hot Tuna, The Eagles, Elvis Presley, Electric Light Orchestra, Fleetwood Mac, Percy Sledge, The Beatles, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, America, Roy Orbison, Billy Joel, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, Linda Ronstadt and more!

4:00 p.m.  Album of The Week: Evangeline by Emmylou Harris FINAL AIRING!

We bid farewell to Evangeline today, one of the most underrated of Emmylou Harris’ albums. Seems that albums that are collections of just plain great songs isn’t enough these days. There must be a theme, or a message or…whatever. It’s music, man.

An unlikely ‘superstar’ of the blues world, singer-songwriter Jimmy Reed made the blues accessible to all. His unique voice and guitar style made him a favorite of blues fans and non-blues fans alike. Give a listen.

Friday Brings Our Big Folk Music EP, Henley & Frey’s Swan Song, and ‘Live’ Emmylou Harris, December 22, 2023

Good morning, musicologists! Are we in the Christmas spirit yet? We’ll make your day better with our big folk music EP, the final airing of Don Henley & Glen Frey and Emmylou Harris bring up the rear.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

Yes, citizens, the music that helped spread social justice and consciousness. You’ll hear Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Joan Baez, 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, 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, Harry Chapin, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family, Neil Young and many more!

4:00 p.m.  Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Don Henley & Glen Frey FINAL AIRING!

We bid a fond farewell to Don Henley and Glen Frey today, the musical songwriting genius behind The Eagles.

8:00 p.m.  Emmylou Harris & The Desert Rose Band Live at Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley, CA, August 8, 1986

Emmylou Harris has traveled the world both assembling great bands and joining others. This time she’s on stage with Byrds founding member Chris Hillman and his Desert Rose Band.

We’re getting closer to both the weekend and the Christmas holiday! What better way to take the edge off than with great music. Hell, here we are. Give yourself a Christmas gift. It won’t cost you a penny.

Today We’re Riding On ‘The Psychedelic Express’, Listening to Our AOW and Some Driving Songs, December 21, 2023

Good morning, musicologists! We’re closing in on Christmas 2023 here and making plans for our 2024 roll-out. We hope you’ll continue listening over the holidays!

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m.  The Psychedelic Express: Various Artists

Truly one of our favorite genres here in The Mermaid Lounge. It was a wondrous time in music that even those who came after continued to emulate, as you will see by songs from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, among others. In addition, you’ll hear The Beatles (who, as always, led the way here) Vanilla Fudge, The Chambers Brothers, Electric Prunes, The Animals, Jefferson Airplane, Blues Image, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Byrds, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Donovan, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Traffic, Cream, Dr. John, Procol Harum, Fleetwood Mac, The Who, Canned Heat, Yes, Electric Light Orchestra, Tommy James & The Shondells, Mudcrutch, Blind Faith, Grateful Dead, Velvet Underground, Big Brother & The Holding Company and more!

4:00 p.m.  Album of The Week: Two Sides To Every Woman by Carlene Carter

We’re winding down on this great selection, so get on it! Our final airing will be sometime on Saturday.

7:00 p.m.  Drivin’ Songs: Various Artists

Another multi-artist playlist (a short one, this time) featuring songs not only about driving, but also songs that give you lead-foot while driving. This time, you’ll hear Golden Earring, The Eagles, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Beatles, Little Feat, Rare Earth, Bruce Springsteen, The Allman Brothers Band, Bob Dylan, The Pretenders and more!

We know this is not a time when most people relax. Everyone’s out playing Capitalism. But when you get the chance to kick your shoes off and sit back, we’re the place to be.

On Wednesday It’s Our ‘Ladies Day Out’ EP, Don Henley & Glen Frey, and ‘Live’ Bonnie Raitt Later, December 20, 2023

We are here at midweek and The Music Mermaid is getting things ready here in The Lounge to help get you through the midweek doldrums.

Here’s your midweek lineup:

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

Know any other radio station that plays five uninterrupted hours of women’s music? I didn’t think so. Today you’ll hear 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 Crowe, Susan Tedeschi, Valerie Carter, Dusty Springfield, Dolly Parton and more!

4:00 p.m.  Singer-Songwriter Series: The Music of Don Henley & Glen Frey

The songwriting duo that made magic for The Eagles is back for a second spin this afternoon.

8:00 p.m.  Bonnie Raitt, The Wonderland Tape, Recorded Live at Vara Studios, Hilversun, The Netherlands, August 5, 1977

Some great, early ‘live’ Bonnie Raitt here from The Netherlands.

We’re at midweek. From here on out, we’re on the downslide to the Christmas holiday weekend! We’ll help you get there with some great music as we gear up for a brand new year!

It’s Simply Sunday Here and Maria Muldaur Owns Our AOW and ‘Travelin’ Fever’ is the EP, Then It’s Open Stream on December 3, 2023

Good morning, weekenders! We’ve got another simple Sunday on tap here in The Mermaid Lounge with light programming and plenty of wide Open Stream.

Here’s your musical lineup:

Maria Muldaur is undoubtedly one of the most underappreciated singers of her generation, hanging out with her peers Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt, among others. They knew who to tap for background and harmony vocals, and vice versa. On this release, she works with some of the best, including Bonnie Raitt, John Sebastian (founder of The Lovin’ Spoonful), Taj Mahal, and fellow blues singers Angela Strehli and Tracy Nelson.

3:00 p.m. Travelin’ Fever: Various Artists

We’re back on the road with some of our musical friends, including Canned Heat, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, the Steve Miller Band, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Dan Fogelberg, Bruce Springsteen, Linda Ronstadt, Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney & Wings, The Doors, The Eagles, Little Feat, The Band, Willie Nelson, Edwin Starr, Janis Joplin, Guy Clark, The Byrds, Joan Baez, Asleep at The Wheel, The Traveling Wilburys, Mudcrutch, Loggins & Messina, Buffalo Springfield, Tom Rush, The Guess Who, Ray Charles, the Marshall Tucker Band, The Beatles, Bob Dylan and more!

It’s Simply Sunday With Our AOW and the ‘Here Comes The Night’ EP, November 12, 2023

Good morning, children, and welcome to Sunday in The Mermaid Lounge where the programming is light and the open stream is the norm.

Here’s your Sunday lineup:

Yes, we are Elvis lovers here in The Mermaid Lounge. He is one of our forefathers; one of the artists that people like The Beatles, Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, and so many others that we play invoke as their inspiration. There were others to be sure, like Fats Domino, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Big Mama Thornton (the original Hound Dog hit was hers), but today we focus on Elvis because he did the one thing the others needed to complete the cycle: He made that music accessible to everyone and helped usher in rock n’ roll. This is Elvis’ debut album, released March 23, 1956. This is our favorite time frame for Elvis music, and today he owns our Album of The Week.

3:00 p.m. Here Comes The Night: Various Artists

Today it’s our ode to the night time. The dark hours. You’ll hear Warren Zevon, the J. Geils Band, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Them, The Beatles, Van Morrison, Patti Smith, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, The Kinks, the Electric Prunes, Phoebe Snow, Joe Walsh, The Eagles, The Ronettes, John Cougar Mellencamp, The Doors, Emmylou Harris, Poco, Neil Diamond, The Animals, The Band, the Rolling Stones, Don McLean, Steve Winwood, Cat Stevens, The Traveling Wilburys, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Cliff, Bonnie Raitt and more!

It’s The ‘Music From Laurel Canyon’ EP, The Final Airing of Our AOW, and Dr. John is Our New Singer-Songwriter, November 11, 2023

Good morning, weekenders, and welcome! We’ve got a great Saturday lineup for you today here in The Mermaid Lounge, starting with the sounds of Laurel Canyon!

Here’s today’s music:

9:00 a.m. Music From Laurel Canyon: Various Artists

The sounds of the British Invasion rocked the U.S., and across the pond, the sounds of Laurel Canyon were making themselves known. It’s called cross-pollination. You’ll hear The Byrds, The Mamas & The Papas, Buffalo Springfield, The Beach Boys, The Doors, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, The Monkees, CSNY, Manassas, John Mayall, The Eagles, J.D. Souther, Harry Nilsson, Canned Heat, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, James Taylor, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, The Souther, Hillman, Furay Band and more!

4:00 p.m. Album of The Week: The Bee Gees 1st by The Bee Gees FINAL AIRING!

It’s the final airing our album selection by The Bee Gees. Tomorrow we’ll have something new for you right here!

Malcolm John Rebennack Jr., also known as Dr. John or The Nitetripper, was a musical treasure whose style combined New Orleans blues, jazz, funk, and R&B. He was active in the business, both as a respected session man and as a solo artist, from the 1950’s right up until his death in 2019. He was originally inspired after seeing another New Orleans fixture, Professor Longhair, live in concert. Tonight, we introduce the late, great Dr. John as our featured singer-songwriter.