Like most everyone else, I have been occupying my time during this forced stationary survival segment, doing various things that I’ve done before, but wishing I could do more.
I’ve had stretches in my life where I’ve been sick for months or laid off, so I had an idea what this would be like. I knew I would stay in my shorts or sweatpants all day and do some tasks. But I also knew I’d fill that vacuum, and time would pass much too quickly.
That’s why I’ve never had any plans to retire. That, and the fact that I’ll have to work ten years after I’m dead to pay back what I owe!
I would rather stay in motion.
You know. Newton’s first law.
So, during the past month, my downtime was initiated because I got sick, which led to a self-quarantine.
It lasted a few weeks, but I’m over that now.
No, I did not have the virus—as far as I know. I think it was a bad cold. I never had a fever.
I’m on the rebound now, and I have given some subconscious thinking as to how I can contribute to the isolated music scene.
With WHFR only playing Classical music and with my show on hiatus, I don’t have too many options to present music in a way that I feel might have an impact.
I am continuing my weekly Faves lists for songs and albums, so that won’t be changing.
I ran across a musician posting about how he was examining the new meaning his song lyrics seemed to be telling him, as he was singing them under these new life circumstances. (If I could remember who it was, I would tell you.)
I found that interesting because I was having similar feelings with music that I was listening to.
Eventually, I got an idea: I could do a “song of the day!”
Now, I’ve seen plenty of people posting a song of the day on Facebook, so it’s not a novel idea.
And, usually, a lot of the song picks weren’t novel either. Typically, the selection was some old overplayed selection that I’ve heard enough for two lifetimes!
I want to emphasize mostly, relatively newer music. Just like on my Monday night show, “Prime Time Theme Attic.” (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET when it returns. Here’s the link for when that day comes: http://rdo.fm/r/4qntu )
My whole life has pretty much been a quest to find “good” music.
Of course, that is a subjective term and open to interpretation.
April 11 was my ninth anniversary for my blog.
I have posted 1,620 entries in that span.
I have shown my work and my thoughts.
I feel comfortable that I have a pretty good ear for a quality song!
My approach for my show has always been to treat it like I’m the programmer for my own radio station. You know—Phil Radio aka “Theme Attic.”! That’s where the weekly lists come from. I have always liked music lists and countdowns!
But a two hour show is a very short time frame. There are plenty of songs that could make a longer faves list. I prefer bite sizes, so a Top Ten works for me.
But there are also songs, deep cuts if you will, that are fantastic and could survive repeated plays, but don’t “deserve” a lesser placing than the other Fave songs.
There’s another thing at play here and it involves how I handle the newest music I run across.
I am very methodical in my process. Sort of.
I use an mp3 player to listen to music that I want to work into a show. At the moment, I have about 450 albums on it.
Although I devote shows to seasonal New Music Showcases (about once a month) where I heavily try to play the latest music, it doesn’t drive my other show playlists which I try to construct much like an artist or a band constructs their album sequencing. New is important, but only to a certain point. Good and themes are the driving forces for me.
Sometimes it takes a while before I get around to playing someone’s new music on my show.
Sometimes it takes a while before someone’s song or album gets on my lists.
Besides all of the other new music I listen to on a daily basis, I am constantly listening to the music on my player. Over and over again.
If it’s not on my player, I don’t even consider the music for a show. It’s my system. However, the system is always in flux. When I play a song, it typically is removed unless I think it might make a Fave songs list. Or, I have flat out bonded with it.
I also have plenty of those on my player, too.
Typically, I work slowly and methodically, and always with the Philbys in mind.
Some of these songs have spoken to me, and they need an outlet.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the initial offering known as:
“The Most Awesomest Song of the Day!”
I like the flexibility of a song of the day!
I can offer brand new recommendations before I play them on my show!
I can spotlight youtube performances that I’m not allowed to play on my show!
And videos!
I don’t intend to say too much about the selections. Just a few short, sweet sentences.
I’m not even sure if I’ll do it everyday…but I might. I mean, I had an idea for an album review last week and I still haven’t gotten around to it.
But I can promise this: I will not force my selections. If something doesn’t hit me, I won’t post one.
Everything I do has always been about shining a spotlight on the artist and their music.
Now I will have the potential to shine 365 spotlights if I want to!
And I may even, occasionally, spotlight one of those overplayed songs I referred to earlier. I like most Classic Rock. But my thinking is: I don’t mind visiting the past, but I don’t want to live there!
This journey will begin with an older song.
A few days ago, Joe Peters of The Joedai Warriors, posted a song by Kevin Welch—a favorite artist of mine! His post made me think of “Life Down Here on Earth.”
There are so many great lines in this song including, “I killed a lot of time/That was my greatest sin/But I forgave myself and I’m alive again!” and the verse at the end, “There’s gonna be two dates on your tombstone/All your friends will read ’em/But all that’s gonna matter is that little dash between them!”
And it has The Fairfield Four on vocals!
The virus has changed almost everybody’s life all over the world. But many people continue to do wonderful things, and no matter whatever you do, it’s what you do during that little dash that still matters!
I hope you explore my daily picks with me and that I can take your mind away from what’s happening in the world today!
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If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!
