Phil Maq

Welcome to the 2020 Pandemic Philbys!

For the forseeable future, the Countdown of Philby Hot 100 Songs of 2020 will take a blog format.

I am presuming it will eventually change and I will then switch to radio.

But since nothing is the same right now, I have no idea when or if that will happen.

I will reveal one song per day.

If by some chance I miss a day, I will reveal two the next time I post, to avoid having a slow process get even slower.

I’m not planning to tag anyone with my daily reveal.

I have decided to change how often I do a partial update to every 10 songs for now.

One last reminder: If a song by an artist isn’t on my weekly Phil’s Faves Songs List, it will NOT appear on the Philby year end list

I suggest that you “like” my Facebook page, Phil Maq, to stay up to date along the way.

And I’m still accepting submissions.

I will have this information after every Philby post.

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This is the fourth year that the amazing Samantha Fish has made my year end Philby list!

She makes it this year with a remake of a classic Irma Thomas R&B track, “Hurt’s All Gone,” from the Philby Award winning album “Chills and Fever,” an album she recorded in Southeast Michigan!

“Hurts All Gone” is a track that Detroit’s own Dirtbombs recorded.

Talented drummer Kenny Tudrick has been in Samantha‘s band for a number of years!

He’s also the talented drummer of The Dirtbombs!

Hmmmmmmmmmmm. I wonder if there’s a connection.

Ya think?!

Congratulations Samantha Fish!!!

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Here’s a section on submissions:

The album selections are made from a sliding four year pool of music.

This year that pool is 2017-2020.

The song selections are usually from the same range, too, but I’m a little more open to almost anything, since over time, there have been plenty of older songs that have found new life years after they’ve been recorded, even ending up on hit movie soundtracks.

Needless to say, this year is going to be unlike any year.

However, I have arrived at the realization that there will be issues every year no matter what I plan.

One of the reasons that I use a multiple year submission scale is that just getting music out to the world is sometimes difficult for an artist.

A lot of them are not really wired for self promotion.

Making music is totally different than drumming up interest in it, especially for independent musicians.

Yes, there are promoters that can help with that. And nothing against promoters because they have a role to play. But they cost money, and the artist already had to pay to record the music, and may not be prepared for the process of promoting it.

After looking at how some other independent awards are handled, I figured a four year window allows me enough time to serendipitously run across someone’s music.

I have told this story several times, but I try very hard to listen to everything that is submitted.

Although I work on my list, starting literally on January 1st, using a four year sliding window, I carry over what would qualify from the prior years.

Up to this point of the year, I just reached my largest batch of albums.

So, it’s basically a little over the number I used last year.

But let’s talk about this year, which is absolutely the weirdest year ever!

I haven’t even done a show for months!

I haven’t any idea how this will affect either list.

However, I will come up with something that makes sense.

And as large as my working list is, I know I have room for more.

I can never have enough!

Therefore, I am accepting entries for Philby consideration!

So, if you’ve made some music dating back as far as 2017, I will accept that music for consideration.

If you have something older than 2016, send that, too, but identify the release date. I’m always looking for GREAT music.

For the Philbys, I’m looking for full albums.

However, if you only have a single, I’ll accept that, too. Don’t forget that I also have a Philby Hot Songs list, and more artists are releasing singles these days.

But please don’t send me an incomplete album if you have one.

So, please don’t edit for me.

I hate that and I might not even check out the item. I don’t know why anyone would only send selected songs instead of their whole work of art for consideration.

Please don’t send me links to listen to music. That’s not how I listen to music.  And I probably won’t listen to it if you send me a link to stream it. Either send me the album to download or request my mailing address to send a physical copy.

Every year I say that if your item came out later than May, it may not end up on this year’s list. So it’s possible that submissions entered now may only be considered for 2021. (It sounds so good to think of 2020 being finished!)

However, this year will be totally different than other years. I have not received any where near the amount of releases that I normally do.

It might be an excellent year to send a submission.

I will accept any genre of music. I like a variety of styles, even on the same album!

So, please e-mail your mp3s, and please make sure it is an mp3 only, to phil@philmaq.com.

If you want a physical address or have other questions, please e-mail me at the same address. Because selections will be considered for more than a single year, there isn’t an expiration date at the present.

If you want someone who will actually listen to your music, I am that person.

If you want some recognition for working hard and baring your soul, that might be me, too. I can’t make any promises, but I will listen to your music.

If you are reading this and are not a musician but know someone who is, please forward this to them.

Good luck to all who participate!
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My weekly radio show “Prime Time Theme Attic,” can be heard Mondays, 8P-10P ET when it returns.

It almost always includes a weekly countdown of my favorite albums or songs  and some shows feature two countdowns!

If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!

#Philbys #PhilbyAwards