We Begin the Week With ‘Ode To Morning’, Then Onto a John Hartford ‘Spotlight’, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at The Vic in Chicago On April 21, 2025

We kick off yet another work week with our ‘Ode To Morning’ EP, a brand new ‘Spotlight’ featuring the late, great John Hartford, and The Heartbreakers live at The Vic.

Here’s your Monday, Monday lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ode To Morning: Various Artists

Yesterday, we had songs about the night. Today it’s songs about the morning with Cat Stevens, Hoyt Axton, The Beatles, Neil Young, The Rascals, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, James Taylor, Gram Parsons, Simon & Garfunkel, Taj Mahal, Harry Chapin, Linda Ronstadt, Dan Fogelberg, Three Dog Night, Ry Cooder, Tim Buckley, Muddy Waters, Jonathan Edwards, Bob Dylan, Badfinger, Townes Van Zandt, Pure Prairie League, Chris Hillman and more!

John Hartford’s biggest hit was Gentle On My Mind, for which he scored three Grammies. The song was also listed in “BMI’s Top 100 Songs of the Century.” Hartford was a folk, country and bluegrass composer and musician who mastered both the fiddle and banjo and frequently switched between those and the guitar during his live performances. Like John Prine, he was also known for his witty lyrics and unique vocal style, and he had an extensive knowledge of Mississippi River folklore. He also invented his very own tap dance and frequently clogged on a piece of plywood as he sang and played. He was truly a minstrel and entertainer.

8:00 p.m. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live at The Victoria, Chicago, IL, April 19, 2003

In 2003, The Heartbreakers played five nights at The Vic. Tonight we bring you their final performance of that residency.

We’ve got some great music for you today, including a ‘Spotlight’ we’ve been meaning to add for quite some time. We finally give the late, great John Hartford his due. We hope you’ll tune us in. We’re on 247 and we’re totally free all the time. The button is below.

We’re at Midweek With The Sixties, Donovan, and The Grateful Dead Live in St. Louis, Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Good morning, musicologists, and welcome to The Lounge. We’re full-on sixties today and we’re ready to rumble!

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Sixties Rotation, Volume 2: Various Artists

We kick off a sixties day of programming with The Beatles, The Mamas & The Papas, The Hollies, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Buffalo Springfield, Sly & The Family Stone, Tommy James & The Shondells, The Turtles, Three Dog Night, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Blind Faith, Linda Ronstadt, Chuck Berry, The Doors, Stevie Wonder, Vanilla Fudge, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Steppenwolf and more!

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

This afternoon we spend some time with our Scottish friend who made such great music during the sixties, a wild eclectic collection of pop, folk, jazz, psychedelic rock and world music.

8:00 p.m. The Grateful Dead Live at Washington University, St. Louis, MO, April 17, 1969

We close out the sixties programming with another classic Grateful Dead live performance.

We’re here and we’re staying here for the duration. We’re on 24/7 without any interruption in service, and without any commercial interruption. The button is below. Join the fun! Share the fun with your friends. They’ll love you for it.

On Thursday It’s Our ‘Ode To Morning’, a Carly Simon ‘Spotlight’, and Jackson Browne & Warren Zevon, March 20, 2025

Good morning, musicologists, and welcome to Thursday. We have some great programming today interspersed in our big, wide Open Stream. Read on for details!

Here’s your Thursday musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ode To Morning: Various Artists

Yesterday it was songs about night; today morning. You’ll hear The Beatles, Cat Stevens, Hoyt Axton, The Rascals, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, James Taylor, Gram Parsons, Simon & Garfunkel, Taj Mahal, Harry Chapin, Linda Ronstadt, Dan Fogelberg, Three Dog Night, Ry Cooder, Tim Buckley, Muddy Waters, Jonathan Edwards, Bob Dylan, Badfinger, Townes Van Zandt, Chris Hillman and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Carly Simon

Simon is a singer, songwriter and musician who rose to fame during the seventies with 13 Top 40 hits, including Anticipation, The Right Thing To Do, You’re So Vain, and Nobody Does It Better. Today she’s in our ‘Spotlight.’

8:00 p.m. Jackson Browne & Warren Zevon ‘In Session’ at VPRO Studios, Hilversum, Holland, December 8, 1976

We close out the programming with a live acoustic set with two of the absolute best singer-songwriters on the planet. Give a listen.

We’re here again today as we are every day, attempting a bit of silver lining through the clouds we now face as a matter of course. We’re totally free, and we’re not cutting our essential services. We’re in this for the long haul. The button is below.

On Sunday It’s Our House EP, a ZZ Top ‘Spotlight’ and The Jerry Garcia Band Live at Roseland Ballroom, March 2, 2025

Welcome, weekenders! Today we’ve got a pretty eclectic lineup for you that includes our House EP, then some electric blues-rock from ZZ Top and a live performance by The Jerry Garcia Band.

Here’s your Sunday Funday lineup:

9:00 a.m. The #BecomeUngovernable House EP: Various Artists

The music that inspired the station includes Barry McGuire, The Temptations, Edwin Starr, Peter Tosh, The Beatles, T. Rex, The Who, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Dylan, Country Joe & The Fish, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Joan Baez, CSNY, Pink Floyd, The Animals, Ten Years After, The Plastic Ono Band, Sam Cooke, The Rolling Stones, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Hendrix, Three Dog Night, Jimmy Cliff, Richie Havens, Marvin Gaye, The Association, Phil Ochs, Tom Rush, The Band and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of ZZ Top

ZZ Top started up in 1969 and stood the test of time until Dusty Hill’s untimely death in 2021. We’ve got them ‘In the Spotlight’ this afternoon.

8:00 p.m. The Jerry Garcia Band Live at The Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY

We close out the day’s programming (but not the music) with a performance by the Jerry Garcia Band at the iconic Roseland Ballroom and Dance Hall in New York.

It’s a day to kick back and relax. The Orange Fascist Blob is golfing, so the mayhem has abated until tomorrow. Great time to retool and relax with some great music. Tomorrow the lunacy returns. Let’s get through this together. Music helps. And we’re beholding to no billionaires here. We’re totally free and anti-capitalist. The button is below.

Friday It’s ‘What’s In a Name,’ Hot Tuna ‘In The Spotlight’ and Steely Dan Live From Cincinnati, February 28, 2025

We end the month of February with songs about people, some real and some not, Hot Tuna ‘In the Spotlight’ and Steely Dan live in Cincinnati.

Here’s your Friday lineup:

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

We start out with songs about people, some real and some imagined from Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Them, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Jimi Hendrix Experience, 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 Hot Tuna

From out of the ashes of Jefferson Airplane’s demise came one of the greatest blues-rock bands of all time. They’re still out there. While some of the people in the band have changed over the years, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady have always been at the helm.

8:00 p.m. Steely Dan Live at The National City Pavillion, Cincinnati, OH, July 13, 2008

Speaking of great, along with The Heartbreakers, this band helped anchor the seventies. Tonight we close the festivities with a live performance from Cincinnati.

We’re here 24/7 and we’re totally free. We’re on the cusp of the weekend and there’s no better way to get through the final day of the work week than with us. The button is below.

At Midweek It’s ‘Ode To Morning’, a Ry Cooder ‘Spotlight’, and Live Bob Dylan in ’63, Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! At midweek, we open the show with our ‘Ode To Morning’ EP, then it’s the great Ry Cooder ‘In the Spotlight’ and Dylan live at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, vintage 1963!

Here’s your midweek lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ode To Morning: Various Artists

It’s Open Stream with a theme with Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Hoyt Axton, The Beatles, Neil Young, The Rascals, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, James Taylor, Gram Parsons, Simon & Garfunkel, Taj Mahal, Harry Chapin, Linda Ronstadt, Dan Fogelberg, Three Dog Night, Ry Cooder, Tim Buckley, Muddy Waters, Jonathan Edwards, Bob Dylan, Badfinger, Townes Van Zandt, Chris Hillman and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Ry Cooder

We put the ‘Spotlight’ on a literal musical genius today, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has collaborated with many creative artists over his long career. This is the guy Linda Ronstadt says was the best guitarist she’s ever worked with.

8:00 p.m. Bob Dylan Live at Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, May 10, 1963

We jump in the Wayback Machine again tonight for vintage, early Dylan at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. I was only nine years old when this concert took place.

Another day of fascism in America awaits us; we the people have got to change this picture. In the meantime, you can fortify yourself with some great music here. We’re anti-capitalist; we don’t charge you one penny. We’re free 24/7. We don’t track you or break into your personal files with juvenile dumbass hackers. The button is below.

On Friday It’s ‘Repeat After Me’, An All-Star Cast in Concert, and a Randy Newman ‘Spotlight’, February 7, 2025

Good morning, musicologists. I make my 71st trip around the sun today and I chose stuff I wanted to hear. I confess. However, I’m sure you’ll like it too!

Here’s your Friday lineup:

10:00 a.m. Repeat After Me: Volume One

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. So, Linda Ronstadt covers Martha & The Vandellas; The Heartbreakers cover J.J. Cale; Joan Baez covers The Band; Three Dog Night covers Laura Nyro; Emmylou Harris covers The Beatles; and The Beatles cover Barrett Strong. You get the picture. This is one of my favorite playlists. So is Volume Two which will air tomorrow and, hopefully, an new Volume Three which I hope to have ready for Sunday or Monday. Enjoy.

3:00 p.m. Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Shawn Colvin, Bruce Hornsby, and David Lindley Live at Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, CO, September 12, 1999

I had the absolute pleasure of attending this show when it came through Great Woods back in the day. It was a beautiful night in the open air with an all-star cast that did not disappoint. See for yourselves.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Randy Newman

A class act singer-songwriter with a wry sense of humor. Randy Newman is an American institution who has put many a singer on the map. Tonight we hear him sing his own songs.

Once again, we’re here 24/7 at no cost to you. None. No lie. We also refuse to run commercial advertising or to employ overly chatty DJs. We’re all about the music. Check it all out. The button is below.

Saturday Brings Our House EP, Live Hot Tuna, and The Byrds, February 1, 2025

Good morning, weekenders! Welcome to a new month here in The Mermaid Lounge with our House EP chock full of great music, some live Hot Tuna and The Byrds ‘in the Spotlight’.

Here’s your Saturday lineup:

9:00 a.m. The #BecomeUngovernable House EP: Various Artists

We start out with our big House EP including Barry McGuire, The Temptations, Edwin Starr, Peter Tosh, The Beatles, T. Rex, The Who, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Dylan, Country Joe & The Fish, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Joan Baez, Bob Marley & The Wailers, CSNY, Pink Floyd, The Animals, Ten Years After, Sam Cooke, The Rolling Stones, Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, Three Dog Night, Jimmy Cliff, Richie Havens, Marvin Gaye, The Association, Phil Ochs, Tom Rush, The Band and more!

4:00 p.m. Hot Tuna Live at The Ridgefield Theater, Ridgefield, CT, January 7, 2014

This is one fine band born of the decline of The Jefferson Airplane and helmed by Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen for all these years.

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

Formed in L.A. in 1964, the band has gone through a long history of personnel changes, save for Roger McGuinn, who has been there from the start. His presence made them a consistently great band.

Some of you have started your weekend foray today. I’ve got one more day in retail hell. But The Music Mermaid is fully in charge and, as you know, she has impeccable taste in music. The button is below.

On Friday, It’s ‘Ode To Morning’, a CCR ‘Spotlight’ and Live Stephen Stills and Manassas, January 24, 2025

Good morning, music lovers! We’re on the cusp of the weekend once again with great music to help get us there, starting off with five hours of songs about morning!

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Ode To Morning: Various Artists

Yesterday we started with songs about the night. Today it’s songs about morning from Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Hoyt Axton, The Beatles, Neil Young, The Rascals, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, James Taylor, Gram Parsons, Simon & Garfunkel, Taj Mahal, Harry Chapin, Linda Ronstadt, Dan Fogelberg, Three Dog Night, Ry Cooder, Tim Buckley, Muddy Waters, Jonathan Edwards, Bob Dylan, Badfinger, Townes Van Zandt and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: Creedence Clearwater Revival

One of the finest bands of the sixties and seventies drops by this afternoon with it’s great born on the bayou sound.

8:00 p.m. Stephen Stills & Manassas Live at The Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Netherlands, March 22, 1972

Another great supergroup formed by Stephen Stills in 1971 after the ugly breakup of CSNY that was primarily used as a vehicle for his own music. Joining Stills was Chris Hillman, Al Perkins and Byron Berline. Several members of Stills’ touring band joined in on the first recording session as well.

We’re nearly there, folks, and we’ve got great music to get us across the finish line. We’re totally free 24/7 with no commercial interruption. Join us (no hidden requirements; we promise). The button is below.

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Monday Brings Three Dog Night, Our ‘What’s In a Name’ EP, Plus Dylan & The Heartbreakers, January 20, 2025

Good morning, musicologists. On our national day of disgrace, we urge you to turn off the inauguration and do anything else. You can spend your day here instead.

Here’s your Monday, Monday musical lineup:

This has been on my to-do list for ages and I’m finally happily delivering. These guys were a veritable hit machine with 21 Top 40 singles between 1969 and 1975; three went to number one. They are certainly on our list of favorite seventies artists.

2:00 p.m. What’s In a Name: Various Artists

This one comes back from hiatus today as we bring you songs about people, some real and some imaginary. You’ll hear from Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Them, Janis Joplin, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, 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, James Taylor, Tony Joe White and more!

8:00 p.m. Bob Dylan with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live at The Cal Expo Amphitheater, Sacramento, CA, June 12, 1986

What could be better than this combination? This was Dylan’s True Confessions Tour. Bob Dylan asked his manager, “Can we find a band that’s cool?” I think he pretty much delivered. It began a musical friendship between Dylan and Petty that would eventually result in The Traveling Wilburys.

We’re here, and we’re happy we’re not in D.C. where ugly returns to our nation today. Here in The Lounge, it’s all about freedom, peace and unity. No ugly here. Just great music. The button is below.