WHEN WE PLAYED
When We Played started out simply as a song about growing up and playing music in the eighties, but over time it has evolved into something so much bigger than just a song you might hear on Youtube. It is not only a reflection on a way of life from way back when, but a way, my way of staying young inside forever.
A LIFE FULL OF
We all travel through this thing called life, on different roads that lead us to love, heartache, pain and redemption. From childhood innocence to adult cynicism, we grow as we traverse through heart attack towns and wide open spaces in search of some meaning to our existence. It is in this journey I find there is no real destination.
MUSIC & MEMORIES
The destination is the journey, and mine began in a not-so-small town in the the Midwest, a stones throw from everywhere I thought I wanted to be. I have friends and family, old and new, some living, some have passed on. The one thing they all have in common is the fact they make life what it is for me. They are my music & my memories.
Reviews
"God Bless Baseball is wonderful. It really expresses an emotional tie to baseball and Topps, which is at the heart of the brand. I thought it was great, great, great!!!! You are talented."
— M. Eisner, Former CEO Disney
“Phil has such an incredible gift and talent for words. He is an incredible lyricist. He is humble and kind and it was a pleasure and honor to work with him.”
— M. Chadburn, Singer/Songwriter
“I just wanted to say…WOW! Never Grow Up is a truly wonderful song. Heartfelt and elusively charming. I absolutely love it!"
— M. Kunkle, Author
"When We Played is a GREAT tune! Totally relate-able. "
— Smash, St. Louis Legendary DJ.
"Your song, When We Played is such a GREAT JAM! Very Proud of you man! "
— T.Terbrock, DJ, KSHE
"Damn Phil is a there anything you don’t remember when you write your songs? Thanks for the journey back in time. As always you hit it out of the park!"
— S. Depping
"There are different times in our lives, inevitable things occur, good and bad...and McClary writes about those things in heartfelt, honest ways that only someone who has truly lived through those things could write about. The first tune, 5 AM is perhaps the most honest song I have heard in years about aging and the stress of the daily grind."
— L. Trace
"The first time I saw Phil perform was circa-1980 something, loved his sound then and I am loving it now. A wonderfully bizarre, dark & funny songwriter with a lot of heart and one helluva booming voice"
— A. Simpson
"The Shirt is as much a spilling of his soul as it is a middle-aged mans realization that life is what it is. It's dark, it's rough around the edges and beautiful to listen to while sipping on a cold, adult beverage...clearly like this singer/songwriter intended."
— D. Demongelo
"Phil is part Harry Chapin, Neil Finn and Guy Clark ....boom...that is a wonderful mix to drink down. He pours his heart and soul into every tune. "
— H. Taft
" I Love "Life Is Extraordinary"!! Brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it! You're one hell of a story teller! Love your raspy yet smooth voice! I forgot how good you are! Brilliant! Sounds to me like a song that could and should be on the radio."
— C. Assorti
"You are talented brother!!! (Technically insane (kidding), but extremely talented!!!)"
— M. Beyer, CEO of Fast Eddies Billiards & Sportsbars
PHILLIP MCCLARY - SINGER/SONGWRITER
It’s been more days than I would care to count that I put my guitar away and waded out into the world searching for a more "economically sustainable entrepreneurial endeavor". In that search I have experienced the ups and downs of this so-called "better" life. I have been blessed to have what I consider a great deal of success in the past 7 years, however I have also tasted the flip-side...and trust me when I say, a warm adult beverage taste better than that side of life. In the midst of my pursuit, unexpected life events have occurred...things I never truly saw coming.
Two steps forward, three steps back...hit a wall, get back up and do it all again became my montra for two years as I did my best to help my family endure through their own personal life struggles. In the end I found what was always there from the beginning...God and hope. That hope lead me to take a new direction as I have become heavily involved with helping others in the field of education, as a mentor ...and then-some. It is more rewarding then any job I have ever done for the almighty dollar...well, let me clarify that...playing music can be just as rewarding.
I have closed many chapters in my life and returned to the place I feel I belong, both creatively, mentally, spiritually and hopefully physically soon as well. With my first real album in many years, Out Of The Garage is a reflective, yet clear-eyed album for some dark times, where I reflect upon the changes in both my personal life, my family, my friends and the town I once called home. I have stripped these songs down to just the bare necessities. I hope you enjoy them and I hope you will join me out on the road for an acoustic show, or perhaps invite me into your home for a private “Home Concert:” Till we meet again, keep on keeping on.
"He is part Harry Chapin, Neil Finn and Guy Clark ....boom...that is a wonderful mix to drink down. He pours his heart and soul into every tune."
PHIL'S "HOUSE CONCERT"
Phil's "House Concert" is more than just him showing up to play a few songs in your living room or backyard. A Phillip McClary "House Concert" gives you the opportunity to bring all the friends and family that you cherish together in one place, and then share an awesomely entertaining, intimately powerful, unique evening with them. So gather your friends and family in your living room, family room, deck, or backyard, for some great live music, add in some food and drinks, and prepare to have a one-of-a-kind evening.
How the heck can I host one of these house concerts? It's super-duper easy, and a fun and a great way to support this fan driven singer/songwriter from the highly over taxed state of Illinois. Check out some tips below on how to host Phil for a concert in your home!
My house is not big. Can I still host a concert?
You most definitely can. You do not need to have a big house to be a host. Any space in which you feel comfortable hosting a group of your friends is perfect for a house concert.
How many people do I need to attend to have a House Concert?
The beauty of a house concert is that it is purposely more intimate and focuses on quality over quantity. Think of it more like a dinner party or potluck with live music. Any number you feel comfortable with is good for Phil.
How much does it cost to host a House Concert?
A flat fee of $400 is charged to host a "House Concert". If you are located outside of the Metro-East area additional travel and/or lodging expenses may occur. Email phillipemcclary@gmail.com or call 618-340-9587 for more info.
What is the order of events for a "House Concert" evening?
The order is pretty laid back. It's usually great to give folks 1 hour to arrive, get comfortable, and chat it up before getting into music. The music typically last approximately 2 hours. Please note, there is a break in the middle to allow people to stretch and throw back some cold ones. Spontaneity is what makes a Phil "House Concert" a unique music-listening experience!
Ok, this officially sounds like fun! What's next?
BOOK A HOUSE CONCERT TODAY!KISS MY GLASS - 2 MINUTES OF FAME
They say every person has their two minutes of fame. In 2008 I got mine, well sort of. I wrote a little diddy called Kiss My Glass that kind of took on a life of it's own. It first aired on KMOX thanks to a DJ by the name of Mark Reardon who heard it and played it a number of times. From there I was contacted by Cornbread from WIL radio where it was also played numerous times and then subsequently I would be interviewed on air about it. (later I would have 3 more songs on WIL) Then came television...both channel 2, 5 and channel 11 ran with my song and story. Below is an interview I did with Heidi Glaus from KSDK. I actually taped it off my tv, so audio and video is not the best, my apologies, but I wanted to share. After this aired on the local St Louis television and radio stations the song got national airtime, thanks to CNN's, Wolf Blitzer & Fox News where the song and story continued to be shown. Even the BBC radio airwaves did a story on my song and the selling of AB to Inbev. While it wasn't all positive, it did do what I intended it to do...get my name and the song out there. As time has moved on the links to a bunch of the stories have disappeared....however, here are some random links to the story and the song that are still out there.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2008/08/20088151442062735.html
Interview with Barnaby Phillips on Aljazeera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGPJzqi23cY
Interview with toasted rav
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/jul/14/fooddrinks.useconomy1
Story on the Guardian Newspaper Website
https://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/14/busch.reax/index.html
Story on CNN
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0807/14/sitroom.02.html
Abbi Tatton & Wolf Blitzer discuss Kiss My Glass on CNN’s the Situation Room
SEND A SINGING PHILEGRAM
Looking for an awesome way to surprise, delight (or completely horrify and embarrass) a friend, ex-girlfriend, ex-boyfriend, family member, loved one or secrete crush? Try a Singing Philegram...sure Birthday greetings are classic, but Singing Philegram's work for a variety of occasions: retirements, weddings, office parties, graduations, wakes, engagements, break-ups — anytime you want to surprise someone with a totally unique experience!
I started performing singing telegrams at Benedictine College a million years ago and I perform all genres, from country, to folk, to rock and beyond. Contact me today with your singing philegram request and I’ll help you select the perfect unannounced philegram song to make your day — and perhaps even your recipient’s day!
Each Singing Philegram is custom created to meet your desired effect, thus cost can vary. Prices start at just $129 and can rise depending on prep time, additional props and location...and the risk of me being tossed out on my a#$# or physically assaulted!
SEND A SINGING PHILEGRAM NOW!
THE COMET SESSIONS
I loved the first car I ever had. It was a 1973, Mercury Comet GT. The engine, a 302 V8 was too big for the car itself...but my friends and I did not mind. We could be cruising down Main Street in the "Vomit" doing 45 mph one second, then the next second I would throw the pedal to the floor and smoke and spin those tires...it was the perfect car for a 17 year old wanna be.
Years later I find myself in my recording studio, writing and recording new tunes with the same kind of attitude I had way back then when I was behind the wheel of that awesome machine. With Gods help, someday I'll get myself back behind the wheel of that car, and listen to my own songs on the radio
Thus, the name of my 2019/2020 recording sessions.