Tag: Townes Van Zandt

Thursday Brings The Pioneers of Rock n’Roll, an Elton John ‘Spotlight’ and Live Townes Van Zandt, February 13, 2025

Here we go, folks, headed for the weekend. We celebrate ‘The Founders’, give EJ a ‘Spotlight’ feature and live Townes Van Zandt!

Here’s your Thursday lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Founders: Various Artists

The artists that forged the birth of Rock n’ Roll are with us today, including Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Big Mama Thornton, Big Joe Turner, Hank Williams, Bill Haley & His Comets, Ray Charles, The Drifters, Roy Orbison, Robert Johnson, Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Elton John

I sat up and took notice as soon as I heard Your Song, to this day one of the most incredible songs ever recorded. His career has stood the test of time.

8:00 p.m. Townes Van Zandt Live at The Old Quarter, Houston, TX, July 20, 1973

Many say that Townes Van Zandt is the only songwriter who can be mentioned in the same breath as Bob Dylan. I don’t get into those discussions. There have been many great songwriters. Townes Van Zandt is truly one of the greats.

Here we are once again as fascism knocks on our door louder every day. Tune us in, folks, for a break but, please, continue to fight and organize. Do not sit this one out. We’re on 24/7 and we’re totally free. We do not carry advertising. We do not support the oligarchy.

The Founders.

Saturday Brings A Folk Music Extravaganza With Our Big EP, Then Jesse Winchester and Tim Hardin, January 25, 2025

Good morning, folk music lovers! The genre that birthed the protest song takes over the programming today, starting with our ‘Folk Music From A-To-Z’ EP!

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

We start the day with our big folk EP that includes music from John Prine, Dave Van Ronk, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul & Mary, Odetta, Yusuf/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, Harry Chapin, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, The Carter Family and more!

4:00 p.m. Jesse Winchester Live at The Bijou Cafe, Philadelphia, PA, May 26, 1972

The first time I saw Jesse Winchester live, he opened for Emmylou Harris at Boston’s Music Hall. I was hooked. Today we’ve got him live from Philly.

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

Tim Hardin’s heroin addiction kept him from achieving the star level he could have had. He died in 1980 at the age of 39 from an overdose. Singer Bobby Darin had a hit with If I Were A Carpenter, but it was Hardin who wrote it. He also wrote Rod Stewart’s hit, Reason to Believe. His music lives on.

We’re here around the clock playing some of the greatest music on the planet at no charge to you and with absolutely no commercial interruption. Ever. The button is below.

Folk Music From A-To-Z

Sunday Brings Our ‘Travelin’ Fever’ EP, Live Townes Van Zandt, and a Karla Bonoff ‘Spotlight’ Feature, December 8, 2024

Good morning, music lovers! Life on the road and traveling are certainly two popular topics in music and we’ve got a great playlist today, followed by Townes Van Zandt live in London and closing with Karla Bonoff.

Here’s today’s musical lineup:

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

We’re on the road with Canned Heat, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Steve Miller Band, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Dan Fogelberg, Bruce Springsteen, Linda Ronstadt, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Paul McCartney & Wings, The Eagles, 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!

4:00 p.m. Townes Van Zandt Live at Union Chapel, London, UK, April 29, 1994

The late, great singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt is in The Lounge this afternoon, possibly the only artist to approach the songwriting ability of Bob Dylan. Indeed, the discussion of whom is better continues. However, I say that we don’t have to continually pit one artist against the other. I love them both.

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Karla Bonoff

Speaking of singer-songwriters, we close out the evening with a ‘Spotlight’ feature with the great Karla Bonoff.

Before, in between and after our programming, we give you our big, wide Open Stream of incredible music. We don’t charge you. We don’t track you. We don’t ask you for information. The button is below.

The Button.

Midweek Brings ‘Are You Ready for The Country’, Live Poco, and An Eagles ‘Spotlight’, Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Good morning, music lovers. Today is kind of a country day as we bring our big country and country-rock EP, live Poco (one of the very first country-rock bands) and an Eagles ‘Spotlight’ feature.

Here’s your musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. Are You Ready For The Country: Various Artists

Today you’ll hear Hank Williams, The Eagles, Asleep at The Wheel, The Byrds, Patsy Cline, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Johnny Cash, The Marshall Tucker Band, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Rosanne Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Gram Parsons, Tom Rush, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Jeff Walker, Carlene Carter, The Desert Rose Band and more!

4:00 p.m. Poco Live at Fairleigh-Dickerson University, Teaneck, NJ, November 2, 1973

Without a doubt, Poco was one of the very first country-rock bands on the planet. Today we’ve got them live from Fairleigh-Dickerson University and broadcast on KBFH, New Jersey.

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

One of those other pioneering bands, who eventually morphed into a great rock band. But here in The Mermaid Lounge, our favorite time with the Eagles were their early country-rock years.

We’re here 24/7 and we’re totally free. No strings. No lies. No bait-and-switch. We’re all about the music. The button is below.

Just Push Play.

Monday We’ve Got a Couple of Live Performances From Van Morrison and The Doors Sandwiched Around a Townes Van Zandt Spotlight, October 14, 2024

Good morning, music lovers and welcome back to the work week. We’ve got some great music on tap for today mixed in with the great big wide Open Stream! And by the way, Happy Indigenous People’s Day because Christopher Columbus was a real piece of shit.

Here’s your Monday musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. Van Morrison Live at The Masonic Auditorium, San Francisco, CA, December 18, 1993

I will admit that I find Van Morrison a bit caustic as a human being, but the man is a legend and his shows are a virtual spiritual experience.

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Townes Van Zandt

Townes Van Zandt is the only songwriter that I’ve ever heard anyone come close to putting on a pedastal next to Bob Dylan. Some of the songs he has written, such as Pancho & Lefty, are considered masterpieces of American songwriting, and with good reason.

8:00 p.m. The Doors Live at The Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, June 6, 1970

We close out the programming with the Lizard King and his band.

Don’t know what it’s like there, but it’s pretty rainy and gloomy here in the Boston area today. Good day to hunker down with some good music as my vacation comes to a close and I return to hardware hell tomorrow. By the way, the button is below.

Monday, Monday.

Today Brings Our ‘In Your Dreams’ EP, and Live Shows From The Highwaymen and Emmylou Harris, September 5, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! If you like dreaming and real country music, then this is your day, folks. We start streaming and dreaming at 9:00 a.m. then we have to great live country shows.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

We start things off with songs about dreams and dreaming with The Everly Brothers, the Moody Blues, Van Morrison, the Flying Burrito Brothers, The Monkees, The Mamas & The Papas, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Linda Ronstadt, Randy Newman, The Monkees, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffett, Widespread Panic, Jackson Browne, Mudcrutch, Aretha Franklin, Patsy Cline, Harry Chapin, Roy Orbison, Townes Van Zandt, the Electric Prunes, Dusty Springfield, John Prine, Tom Rush, Melissa Etheridge, Electric Light Orchestra and more!

4:00 p.m. The Highwaymen Live at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY, March 14, 1990

This alliance brought the first bona fide country music supergroup (but not the last; we have them next week). Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash were pioneers of the outlaw country music genre, and today we have them live at the Nassau Coliseum.

8:00 p.m. Emmylou Harris & The Nash Ramblers Live at The Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN, September 28, 1990

This one is known as The Lost Concert, and it took place about a year before their concert that literally saved the original home of The Grand Ole Opry, The Ryman. Emmylou Harris has been an outlaw in her own right, assembling some of the best backup bands in the country music industry and challenging the norms. This great show was finally unearthed by Rhino Records and released in 2021.

It’s a great day for country music lovers, so just hit the button below and you’re in! It’s as simple as that. See for yourself!

Streaming & Dreaming!

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.

8:00 p.m. Townes Van Zandt Live at The Whole Coffeehouse, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, September 6, 1973 NEW!

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

We’re here 24/7 and it is officially the weekend! Best of all, we’re totally free and we don’t air any commercial advertising. Just a few lame station id’s from yours truly. The button is below.

What’s In a Name?

Country Sunday Brings The Flying Burrito Brothers, the ‘Are You Ready For The Country’ EP & Poco, August 11, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We’re making it a country kind of Sunday with our big EP in between The Flying Burrito Brothers and the great little band called Poco, one of the first legit country-rock bands.

Here’s your Sunday Funday musical lineup:

9:00 a.m. The Flying Burrito Brothers Live at The Palomino Club, No. Hollywood, CA, June 8, 1969

We open with a band in the forefront of the country-rock genre; this version with both Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman.

1:00 p.m. Are You Ready For The Country: Various Artists

This afternoon, we’ve got country and country-rock filling up the airwaves with The Eagles, Asleep at The Wheel, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, The Byrds, Emmylou Harris, Neil Young, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Dolly Parton, Poco, Linda Ronstadt, Alison Krauss & Union Station, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Jerry Jeff Walker, Johnny Cash, Gram Parsons, John Prine, Tom Rush, Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt, Rosanne Cash, Carlene Carter, Kris Kristofferson, The Desert Rose Band and more!

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Poco NEW!

This evening we debut a Spotlight featuring one of the very first legitimate country-rock bands on the music scene. Poco was born in 1968 out of the ashes left behind by the breakup of Buffalo Springfield. This is another long-standing item we can finally check off the list.

We’re here 24/7 at no charge to the listening public. No lie. If that’s not enough, we also do not run any commercial advertising. That’s because we’re not in it for the money. We’re in it for the music.

A Little Bit Country.
A Little Bit Rock n’ Roll.

Friday Brings Spotlights From Norah Jones and Randy Newman, Then It’s Three Great Texas Singer-Songwriters Together at The Bluebird Cafe, August 9, 2024

Good morning, musicologists! We’re up and ready to go here today with some pretty eclectic programming from five great singer-songwriters, and it starts out with our newest Spotlight featuring Norah Jones.

Here’s your musical lineup:

10:00 a.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Norah Jones NEW!

We have knocked off another big one on our to-do list with the addition of this new Spotlight featuring singer-songwriter Norah Jones.

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Randy Newman

Another great singer-songwriter is In the Spotlight this afternoon in Randy Newman.

8:00 p.m. Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark & Steve Earle Live at The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville, TN, September 3, 1995

Back in 1995, Guy Clark’s wife Suzanna wanted to raise money for the Interfaith Dental Clinic, which cared for the oral health of uninsured, low-income working people and their children, and this gathering of three of the greatest singer-songwriters on the planet.

Here we are again on the cusp of another weekend, and we are focused on singer-songwriters today. Join us. We’re on 24/7 and we’re totally free. See for yourself. The button is below.

It’s Singer-Songwriters Day!

On Thursday It’s Our ‘Ode To Morning’ EP, America In The Spotlight and a Tribute to Bluesman John Mayall, July 25, 2024

Good morning, musicologists. Today we celebrate the life and music of the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall. But first, it’s our ‘Ode to Morning’ EP and America.

Here’s your musical lineup:

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

Yesterday we started out with songs about the night; today we do the opposite with Cat Stevens, Hoyt Axton, The Beatles, Neil Young, The Rascals, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, James Taylor, Gram Parsons, Simon & Garfunkel, Taj Mahal, Dan Fogelberg, Linda Ronstadt, Harry Chapin, Three Dog Night, Ry Cooder, Tim Buckley, Muddy Waters, Jonathan Edwards, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Badfinger, Chris Hillman and more!

4:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of America UPDATED!

Many people in my life think it’s “weird” that I like America, but they were one of the finest folk-rock bands of the seventies and definite hit makers. Underrated is a word I’d use for them. They made some madly innovative music during their tour. Today they’re In the Spotlight.

8:00 p.m. John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers Live in 1967, Somewhere in London

This is one of those collections of never-before-heard live songs by the master and his mates. The songs were recorded by a Dutch fan in a series of five London clubs during 1967. This was a very interesting iteration of The Bluesbreakers, a band that gave many blues stars their start. It included Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, later to become two different version of Fleetwood Mac.Today we pay tribute to the Godfather of British Blues.

Here we are heading toward the weekend once again. Hope springs eternal. Get yourself in on some great music. All you need is the button below.

RIP, John Mayall