Last week, an important date passed that I want to recognize: I just had a twelfth Anniversary for philmaq.com!
Yes, that’s right!
Its been twelve years since, after many years of some immediate family members suggesting that I put my rambling, sometimes cohesive, thoughts into the world.
I remember staring at a blank digital page before I started typing my first digital words and thinking, “How do I put those thoughts into some kind of shape?”
Well, I toughed it out through that first post, and felt pretty good about it…until I felt I should do a second one!
Eventually, it became easier, as I developed a consistent pattern that emphasizes mostly new music, while respecting the legacy music that contributes to the artists making their new music.
I also like working a timeframe that is consistent, but is my own creation, so I am not trapped by the constraints of time.
Anyway, it works for me.
My continuing effort–the same it has pretty much been my whole life, is to keep bringing attention to music and artists that deserve attention, but are not getting it.
Before I became a DJ, I campaigned, in the same way, with my friends about my new musical “discoveries.”
Apparently, using my microphone and website to recognize artists and their works of art has been appreciated by many!
Recently, I told someone that I’m like the promoter you never hired!
Yeah, it’s a big self pat on the back for me, but I feel it’s somewhat accurate.
In the next sentence, though, I’m not saying I’m anything special.
However, I’m still the same music obsessed person I’ve always been!
As time continues to pass, I am happy to reflect upon the growing number of artists that have thanked me in their liner notes.
That is amazing to me, and I consider it to be the highest compliment that a musician can bestow upon me in my position as a DJ!
In fact, a couple of things happened in the past couple of weeks that triggered my memory in this area.
Sultans of String were awarded two Junos (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys)!!
They have appeared twice live in the studio on my show as well as once for a phone interview!
The album cover for “Subcontinental Drift,” my Philby Album of the Year for 2016 is on the left in the banner!
So, it took awhile for the rest of the world to catch up, but Sultans of String acknowledged me early on!
Congratulations to them for their Juno award winning album, “Sanctuary!”
Another artist, Mike Ward: Psychosongs, has just released a new album, “Love Never Rests” (the cover is on the bottom on the right in the banner!), that gave me a shout out!
I am a huge liner notes reader, and it never gets old to stumble upon one’s name in the notes!
It’s an album from a singer/songwriter who continuously hones his craft and raises his own bar for each new release!
Here are some other artists that have mentioned me!:
I’ve been playing Joanie Leeds for almost as long as I’ve been a DJ!
Joanie won a Grammy in 2021 (announced by Dua Lipa!) for her all female album, “All the Ladies!”
I received my acknowledgment in her album, “Bandwagon!” (The cover of the album is second from the left in the banner!), which was released in 2013!
Joanie‘s song “Falling,” was my 2013 (Pre Philbys!) Best Song winner!
She has begun working on a follow up to “Ladies,” and I can’t wait to hear it!
At the end of 2021, Tom Curless released an album called “Person of Interest!”
Performing in several bands–all of them rockin’!, Tom is a multiple Philby Award winner and gave me a “Thank You!” in the liner notes!
It was unexpected and much appreciated!
And finally (for this moment), Nora Jane Struthers won my 2015 Album of the Year with her “Wake” album!
I got an acknowledgment in her 2017 release, “Champion!” (The album cover is in the upper left corner of the banner!)
She has a large catalog filled with excellent songs and albums!
Looking at this short, but supremely talented, list of artists, I am pleased for yet more reasons:
Sultans of String-World Music (Primarily Canada plus several other countries)
Joanie Leeds-Kindie Music (New York)
Mike Ward: Psychosongs-Folk Music (Michigan)
Tom Curless-Rock Music (Michigan)
Nora Jane Struthers-Americana (Nashville)
It is a list I’m very proud of!
There’s a variety of music as well as artists both local as well as from other countries!
It makes me happy just looking at it!
There’s major award winners!
And the door is still open for the other artists to receive the same!
I don’t normally “beat my own drum” when it comes to these wonderful thoughts that I’ve been lucky enough to be included in, but I see the musicians giving me a “Thank You,” as their own award to me!
Since I feel that I am in the trenches with the artists on their musical journey, I consider that mention to be a high honor!
I try to tag as many artists as I can for my shows, and it’s touching to receive it back!
If I have neglected others that have thanked me in a release, I blame it to a faulty memory.
Please remind me and I’ll do a follow up!
As I’ve said, each one is precious and meaningful to me, and I hope there is more in mine, and our, futures!
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My name is Phil Maq.
My radio show, “Theme Attic,” is heard on Wednesdays from 12PM-4PM ET.
The show can be heard on WHFR 89.3 FM in the Dearborn-Detroit area of Michigan, or it can be streamed with this link: https://www.whfr.fm/streamer/!
I have plenty of musical areas to explore:
A list that you might find interesting is my list for “The Most Awesomest Songs of the Day”:https://philmaq.com/most-awesomest-songs/!
If you’d like to know what I think are even better than awesome songs, have a look at “The Greatest Songs Ever Recorded”:https://philmaq.com/the-greatest-songs-ever-recorded/! Occasionally, an “awesome song” crosses over to become a “Greatest Song!”
Here’s a link for my weekly list of Fave Songs:
https://philmaq.com/phils-lists/phils-faves-songs!
Here’s a link for my weekly Fave Album lists:
philmaq.com/phils-lists/phils-faves-albums
My somewhat unusual Hall of Fame can be explored here: https://philmaq.com/hall-of-fame/!
Lastly, but most importantly, is my Philby Awards link! A Philby is my annual award for outstanding musical achievement! https://philmaq.com/philbys/!
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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!
