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Before the days of internet broadcasting and
ReverbCentral.com, we Bay Area types had Phil Dirt all
to ourselves, and yet, even then, Dirt's show was the
World Wide source for surf music. I would (and still
do) tune in every Saturday night, not just for the
vintage surf, but for the vast collection of emerging
artists who were continuing the surf music tradition.
The late 80s and early 90's were a very exciting time
for surf, and Phil Dirt was right there- it would have
been be so easy for him to just play "oldies", but he
embraced and gave encouragement to new bands. People
often point to "Pulp Fiction" as a turning point for
the revival, but there was already in place a vast
nework of reverb junkies who were ready (and patiently
waiting) to help spread the word about the sound.
In '92 when I finally got my band together, I sent our
little demo cassette to PD. I gave him a call at the
station and practically the first words out of his
mouth were, "Come on down and play at the station."
What? Really? It gave such a boost to the other band
members who were clearly wondering if an instrumental
band would be worth the effort or get any notoriety,
to have one of our first gigs to be a radio broadcast.
As he got to know us, he would write liner notes,
makes suggestions about obscure tunes "which really
should be covered by someone, hint hint" and continue
to host us at KFJC. 13 years later, Phil still shows
that kind of enthusiasm for our music, and for anybody
who seeks to add creatively to the genre.
Surf's Up on KFJC has not just been a radio show, but
has co-sponsored the Surf Battles, the benefit CDs,
the Surf Coasters, and live mics in "The Pit" by
hundreds(?) of bands from around the world. I don't
know if I have this fact exactly correct, but I have
heard that that surf music related efforts accounts
for more than 50% of all KFJC fundraising, though it
"just" a two hour weekly show.
This sounds like a eulogy, and it may be for "Phil
Dirt", but over these years I have gotten to know the
man behind the DJ, and his varied interests, about
which he is just as passionate as his love for surf
music, and know that he has to have time to pursue
them. So, in agreement with Rick, if Phil says it is
time for him to move on, let's just say thanks for all
the great music you have exposed us to. I will miss
your show.
Thanks,
Ferenc
Pollo Del Mar
--- holyreveb <> wrote:
> All great things come to end at some point in our
> lives and this is
> one of those events. Because of Phil's influence on
> the radio to me
> and some friends we started a surf band. I'll never
> forget being
> handed a beer coaster with the words "Do you want to
> play on my radio
> show, Phil Dirt" I wish Phil the best and hope that
> some day he
> comes back out of Surf radio retirement.
>
> Rick Escobar
> The Woodies (RIP)
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