It goes without saying that the late J.J. Cale was one of the most influential songwriters of our time. Over a career that spanned more than a dozen albums of his own, beginning with Naturally in 1972, Cale cultivated a quiet anonymity, doing few interviews, rarely performing live, and keeping his... read more →
Nov
12
Nov
05
Germany Will Reach 33% Renewable Electricity This Year. On July 25, 2015, Germany obtained 78% of its electricity from renewable sources. That was a new record, albeit for a single day. Up until now, the European leader has not produced more than 27% green energy in a year. According to a... read more →
Nov
04
This week we've dug up a show from May of 2010 that promises to take you on an eclectic and exciting musical journey. On the show, our hosts Nick & Helen Forster welcomed Grace Potter & The Nocturnals to eTown for their first visit. At the time Grace and her band were emerging as one of... read more →
Oct
27
via TreeHugger - Pululahua in Ecuador is the only inhabited and cultivated volcano in the world. While Pululhua Volcano – not far from Ecuador’s capital city, Quito – hasn’t erupted in 2,500 years, it left behind a doozy of a legacy: A giant caldera full of fertile soil and a wealth... read more →
Oct
19
via Energy.Gov You can lower your water heating costs by using and wasting less hot water in your home. To conserve hot water, you can fix leaks, install low-flow fixtures, and purchase an energy-efficient dishwasher and clothes washer. FIX LEAKS You can significantly reduce hot water use by simply repairing... read more →
Oct
07
Since eTown's inception all the way back in 1991, we have been lucky to have some amazing musicians grace the eTown stage. More often than not when we are digging into the eTown archive we come across a show that is just too good or too unique to not share with... read more →
Oct
05
via Life Hacker Nobody likes to waste food. Thankfully, you can make your food last longer just by storing properly. Here are 10 tips, in 60-second video form, keep your food fresh. https://youtu.be/n0A5X38kbk4 Keep bananas fresh longer by wrapping the stems in plastic wrap: The reason is pretty straightforward: bananas... read more →
Oct
02
via Greatist Ah, childhood meals: Flinging peas at your sister, hiding more peas under the mashed potatoes, and being scolded by an adult for avoiding the consumption of said peas — “Clean your plate! There are starving kids in Africa.” At a young age, we learned to feel guilty for... read more →
Sep
24
We were digging through the eTown Archive today and came across this wonderfully unique taping from November of 2011 featuring the talented British singer-songwriter, instrumentalist and producer Imogen Heap (who was making her eTown debut) as well as long-time friend of eTown Gregory Alan Isakov. After giving the show a listen, we decided... read more →
Sep
24
via Scott Keyes at Think Progress The number of American cities that run entirely on renewable energy is growing. Last week, the city of Aspen, Colorado declared it had become the third municipality to receive all of its power from renewable sources. Aspen’s energy portfolio now primarily consists of wind... read more →
Sep
23
At the end of every summer, eTown’s hometown of Boulder, Colorado becomes home to a big radio shindig for music industry and radio executives to gather, see some great live music and discuss the state of the industry. Every year when the FMQB Triple A Conference rolls around, it’s a... read more →
Sep
17
For this week's Throwback Thursday we are throwing it back to one of the most memorable (and rockin') eTown tapings we have had in recent memory. Back in August of 2011, we welcomed blues and R&B supergroup, Tedeschi Trucks Band to the show. While both Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi have made... read more →
Sep
17
via Jennifer Runyon, Chief Editor at RenewableEnergyWorld.com The historic carbon-cutting plan could be just enough to spur states to build more wind and solar capacity — but they have to act fast. In early August, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final rules for its much-anticipated Clean... read more →
Sep
10
by Elaine Waxman Reposted from the Urban Institute To quote my favorite business journalist, Marketplace’s Kai Ryssdal: “First, let’s do the numbers.” Today, the USDA released the 2014 estimates of the number of food insecure individuals in the United States. Despite some recent signs of economic improvement, the data show there... read more →
Sep
04
In celebration of Red Rocks 75th Anniversary we have dug into the eTown Archives and unearthed recordings from our very first 'eTown on the Rocks' show at Red Rocks from back on September 1, 2003. Featuring performances from the always entertaining Barenaked Ladies from Toronto, Canada, the Grammy-award winning Gospel group... read more →
Sep
04
eTown Archive – 9.1.2003 – Yonder Mountain, Michelle Shocked & Keller Williams – eTown at Red Rocks!
To celebrate Labor Day this year we have decided to dig up some recordings from the eTown Archive of shows that we're taped on Labor Day. Our 2nd release comes from Part 1 of eTown's 1st show at Red Rocks that featured bluegrass darlings Yonder Mountain String Band, the talented (and wild)... read more →
Sep
04
Grassroots sobriety clubs are sprouting up nationwide, making substance-free partying more fun than ever, alongside passionate, engaged music lovers. Check out some clean and sober music fan organizations: The Wharfrats - Clean and sober fans of the Grateful Dead and offshoots. The Phellowship - Clean and sober fans of Phish. The... read more →
Sep
03
via MindBodyGreen - Author: Hannah Sentenac Life can feel frustrating. Maddening. Insanity-inducing, even. At times, happiness and contentment may seem achievable only in your wildest dreams. But the best part about being human is the capacity for self-empowerment. You have the ability to change your state of mind and in turn, your entire... read more →
Sep
02
As Colorado psyches up for Phish’s 3 night run at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park this Labor Day Weekend, we thought we’d dig up some Mike and Page (Phish) recordings from the eTown Archives! Kick back, relax and enjoy some heady jams—we’ll see you Page side! Mike Gordon & Leo Kottke... read more →
Aug
28
Brett Dennen has been a long-time friend of eTown ever since his first visit to the show all the way back in 2006. We always love bringing him back as he is not only a crowd favorite but is also one of our favorite performers to have on the show.... read more →
Aug
17
via Medium - Author: Andrea Sanders of Be Zero I’ve found that producing less trash does more than just help the environment. It has simplified what I buy, led to healthier eating habits, and saved me money. Zero waste living may seem overwhelming at first, but by slowly integrating these three simple... read more →
Aug
14
“I’ve got too much month, and not enough money.” When I heard G. Love (one of this week’s musical guests) singing this line back at the taping for this week’s episode, it really got me thinking. How many people feel like that on a daily basis? In the song, G.... read more →
Aug
12
After graduating from college with a degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Zach Balle established a successful career in real estate and found himself living the high life. One fateful night at a friend’s over-the-top birthday party in Las Vegas, Zach found himself surrounded by so much extreme wealth and excess... read more →
Aug
12
In case you haven't already seen Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats' performance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last week, do yourself a favor and check it out right now! CLICK HERE TO WATCH After watching them bring those house down (they received a standing ovation!) we felt like looking back on... read more →
Aug
05
After graduating college, Erin Dinan spent some time abroad volunteering in Africa. When she returned, she knew she wanted to do something to make the world a better place, but she wasn’t sure how. Shortly after moving to New York City to pursue a career in photography, Erin’s mother was... read more →
Jul
29
In the Summer of 2013, The Black Forest Fire tore across Central Colorado, it as the most destructive fire in the state’s history, destroying many thousands of acres of land and displacing more than five hundred families. Though Racquel Garcia and her family were spared that misfortune, two families in... read more →
Jul
24
Not to blatantly reference Al Gore’s controversial and debated film, An Inconvenient Truth, but I couldn’t think of a better word to use other than “Inconvenient.” They pretty much nailed the descriptor when they chose that word to use in the film’s title. I’ve been thinking about this quite a... read more →
Jul
16
We were digging into the eTown Archive today and stumbled upon this incredible show from 1994 featuring legendary artists Joan Baez and Pops Staples! Hear a couple selections from the show right here! https://soundcloud.com/etown-3/sets/etown-archive-9-16-1994-joan
Jul
15
Somehow I can still remember it like it was yesterday. I was a highly opinionated teenager, but still maintained an open mind when it came to music. I was into the early alternative groups like R.E.M. and The Smiths, darker stuff like Joy Division, and (since I went to a... read more →
Jul
08
I love to learn new things. Try to learn something new everyday. Sometimes its something totally simple, like grasping the basic principles behind having an urban garden (you should see our kale and summer lettuce!); other times it can be challenging, like learning the lyrics to a song in just... read more →
Jul
01
Hey, first, wishing you all a safe, fun and relaxing Fourth of July extended weekend. I hope whatever you plan to do, or not do, over these next few days nourishes your soul and recharges your batteries. And to those of you who must work over the weekend, you have... read more →
Jun
23
Just got back from Telluride, went to attend the bluegrass festival. I saw SO many wonderful old friends while I was there, from my days living in that mountain town in the 70’s and 80’s as well as various pals within my current musical community: For example, Hot Rize (in the photo L... read more →
Jun
20
In 2010, former Marines Will McNulty and Jake Wood were living on opposite sides of the country deciding what to do with their civilian lives. When a devastating earthquake struck Haiti that winter, Will and Jake traveled to Haiti with a team of medics, doctors, and military veterans, treating 3,000... read more →
Jun
20
In the mid 1990’s while her sons were in elementary school, Ruth Libby became aware that schoolteachers often pay for classroom supplies for their students out of their own pockets. Around the same time, Ruth read an article about a local project providing teachers with recycled materials, and she was... read more →
Jun
09
Hi! Helen here. Hey trivia question: Did you know eTown is a nonprofit organization? Here at eTown we work hard everyday to further our mission (“to educate, entertain and inspire a diverse audience through music and conversation to create a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable world”). Folks often ask us... read more →
Jun
05
This week, we are digging into the archives and reviving a great show that was taped a couple of years ago with artists Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott. Of course you know Tim not only from his own songwriting and recording career, but also for his long musical friendship with... read more →
May
29
Back in the early 80’s, when I was a young boy in Tennessee, music was a commodity that was much more difficult to obtain and share than it is these days. There was no such thing as the Internet. There were no iPods, mp3’s – no Spotify, no Pandora. MTV... read more →
May
15
It’s one of those places worthy of a pilgrimage if you’ve never been. When I was very young, I used to sit in my grandmother’s attic apartment and listen to my brother’s cassette tape of U2’s live concert that was recorded there. I remember later seeing that same concert on... read more →
Apr
29
A little bit can go a long way. Many times so much further than “a lot.” An old friend that was my first Afro-Cuban drumming teacher back in the 90’s taught me that, and it has stuck with me ever since. I’m reminded of that lesson time and time again... read more →
Apr
23
The cool thing about eTown is that if you hang around in this solar-powered musical clubhouse for long enough, you’ll see some artists come back to visit a few times. They get paired with different folks, and musical magic happens. Every time, it feels like family, and that is such... read more →
Apr
09
It’s been a while since eTown has hit the road for a taping far away from our solar-powered musical clubhouse – eTown Hall. In some ways we’ve grown accustomed over the last couple of years to having everything right where we need it. It’s pretty cool to have a facility... read more →
Mar
31
Hi all! Our spring themed blogs continue (third one in a row now . . what does this tell us? We’ve definitely collectively got seasonal change on the brain here in eTown). Check out this photo I took last week while out for a walk around the neighborhood. Wild .... read more →
Mar
13
eTown just got back from Anaheim where we were the featured event on Saturday night at the Natural Products Expo. Our show, which was a benefit for the non-profit organization Just Label It, raised over $100k for the effort to pass mandatory GMO labeling laws. Our guests included Ziggy Marley... read more →
Mar
11
This week we take a second look at a broadcast/podcast we originally aired last year. It was a pairing that turned out to be a gem, and we thought it might be nice to let it roll through our fingers once more. While both of this week’s artist’s origins are... read more →
Mar
03
Sigh. It’s snowing. Again. Check out these photos from my backyard: This has been one heck of a winter so far for many parts of the country, Colorado being one of them. Not many people know this, but March generally is, on average, the biggest snowfall month for our great... read more →
Feb
24
What a week at eTown Hall! In one seven day period, we hosted multiple Grammy winner, Steve Earle, 84 year-old legend David Amram (French horn jazz master, composer and Beat Generation music director), Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Jorma Kaukonen along with Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, the Fairview... read more →
Feb
18
This week we have two great artists on deck that we think you’ll both enjoy. We are dipping into the musical pools from the two “T” states to bring you a Nashvillian and Austinite. Their stories and pathways are vastly different, but they fit perfectly together in this week’s broadcast/podcast... read more →
Feb
11
We’ve got another great encore broadcast/podcast for you this week, featuring two musical acts that most certainly have never been in the same room before the taping. First up is singer/songwriter Lucy Rose. For Lucy it was a week of firsts. It was her first visit to eTown, and the... read more →
Feb
05
My grandparents in Tennessee (on the Littlefield side) had a gold velvet couch and recliner in their living room. Since both of my parents worked, I usually rode the school bus to a stop that was close to my grandparents house, and would walk to their house afterschool to hang... read more →
Jan
28
As a kid, I can remember it very clearly. My brother and I spent quite a bit of time staying with our grandparents, who lived only a few miles away from my parent’s house. We’d hang out in the attic apartment in the house, where there were two beds, a... read more →