Update (2026): Looking back at this playlist made me smile because it perfectly captures the way I still listen to music today. Whether it’s on my phone, Spotify, or CDs, I love hitting shuffle and letting folk, blues, bluegrass, Americana, jazz, new age, and even progressive rock all share the same playlist. If there were ever proof that my musical tastes are eclectic, this is it.
The Eclectic Motnimg Playlist Begins..
So the iPod was set on shuffle this morning as I set out to work on a stairway hall that I am getting se to paint and this is the resultant playlist – I think this eclectic morning playlist should be in the dictionary beside the word eclectic. What do you think?
1 Pineapple Heart – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
2. Blue Drops of Rain – Corey Stevens
3. Six Feet Under the Ground – Michael Cleveland
These first three selections set the tone for a wonderfully eclectic morning. A little progressive acoustic jazz from Béla Fleck, some contemporary blues from Corey Stevens, and bluegrass fiddle virtuosity from Michael Cleveland. Not many playlists would jump between those genres so effortlessly!
4 Mango Story – David Wilcox
5. Lydia – Dave Fields
6. Wind Me Up – The Contribution
Next came a funny story song from David Wilcox’s East Nashville Hardware, a blues number from Dave Field, and a tune from the jam band The Contribution. That’s one of the things I love about listening on shuffle—you never know what’s coming next.
7. Every Day – Tinsley Ellis
8. Should’ve Learned By Now – Roger Creager
9. In My Eyes – Charlie Roth
hen it was back to the blues with Tinsley Ellis from Fire It Up, followed by some Texas Country from Roger Creager and a terrific Americana song from Charlie Roth. Three completely different styles, yet they somehow fit together.
10. Caribou Dreams – Peter Kater and R Carlos Nakai
11. Sixteen Tons – Leon Russell
12. Be So Blue – Trent Somner and the New Row Mob
The next stop was a beautiful instrumental from Peter Kater and R. Carlos Nakai, followed by Leon Russell putting his unmistakable stamp on “Sixteen Tons.” The set finished with a rarely-heard Americana tune from Trent Somner and the New Row Mob.
To wrap things up, the shuffle served up folk legend Frank Hamilton—who not only knew Woody Guthrie but performed with him—followed by some relaxing music from Steven Halpern and finally one of my favorite Americana songwriters, Paul Thorn.
13. Do Re Mi – Frank Hamilton
14 Harmonic Convergence – Steven Halpern
15.Fabio & Liubeace – Paul Thorn
The Video
So let’s end this playlist and get back to work — how about another one from Paul Thorn – “Honky Tonk Neanderthal” performed on “The Tom & Bob Show”!!!
