Marc Phillips
Marc Phillips (born c. 1955; died January 21, 2021) was a musician and songwriter, and co-owner of Airwave Recording Studios.
Phillips played piano, trumpet and french horn growing up in Jasper. He also sang in his church and school choirs. He took classes in music theory and appreciation in high school and continued his studies in classical guitar at Jefferson State Community College and voice at Birmingham-Southern College.
Phillips joined the band Hotel as a vocalist and keyboard player. He wrote many of the songs on their MCA albums, Hotel and Half Moon Silver. In 1981 he and Tommy Calton put together the band that became, at Phillips' suggestion, Split the Dark. In 1988, after the demise of Split the Dark, Phillips joined Randy Hunter and Lee Bargeron in the band Boardgames.
In 1989 Phillips and Joel Bouchillon founded Airwave Recording Studios. His production work has included pieces for Alabama's Sesquicentennial, a ballet ("Seasons") commissioned by the Birmingham Ballet Company, and several award-winning advertising campaigns for United Way, South Central Bell, and Toys for Tots. He has also written many songs recorded by national artists, such as "Hold On To The Night", recorded by James Ingram and by Dan Hill. In 2003 Phillips released a solo album of Christian music called Color Me His.
Phillips was diagnosed with throat cancer. In order to help pay for his medical expenses, morning radio-show hosts Rick and Bubba organized PhillipsFest at the Alabama Theatre on March 10, 2005. Local bands Brother Cane, Telluride and Locust Fork Band came together with Rick and Bubba's Mr Lucky to raise around $50,000.
Phillips occasionally played keyboards for Black Jacket Symphony, and was in the bands Groove Daddy and Six Shot Revival. In later life, Phillips served as music minister at The Church at Brook Hills, producing an album of praise music performed by church members. Later he worked as youth worship leader at Double Oak Community Church in Mt Laurel, and music and worship leader at Gracepoint Church in Pelham.
Phillips died of complications from COVID-19 in January 2021.
Discography
- Hotel (1979) Hotel. MCA
- Hotel (1980) Half-Moon Silver. MCA
- Split the Dark (1985) Keep it to Yourself (EP). RSVP
- Phillips, Marc (2003) Color Me His.
- Phillips, Marc (2009) Sounds Like Christmas.
Publications
- Phillips, Marc (2012) Pouring It Out On Me. Crest Publishers
References
- Stroud, Laurie (December 2003) "Marc Phillips & Kevin Derryberry, Music with a Message." Birmingham Christian Family. (PDF)
- Colurso, Mary (May 5, 2009) "Damon Johnson, Marc Phillips, J. Willoughby join for Black Jacket Symphony." The Birmingham News
- Wake, Matt (October 22, 2012) "Seven things to know about Six Shot Revival." The Huntsville Times
- Colurso, Mary (December 30, 2013) "Prep for BBVA Compass Bowl with 'redneck rock' by Blackjack Billy, Dreamland rib-eating contest." The Birmingham News
- Colurso, Mary (January 21, 2021) "Birmingham musician Marc Phillips has died after battling COVID-19." The Birmingham News