PLAY caught up with Tom Gillam, Philly-based rocker extraordinaire, host of a weekly Americana-flavored open mic at Center City bar Whiskey Dix (421 North 7th St., 215-923-2192), and self-declared connoisseur of summertime cruising, top-down dashboard classics.

“I’m a music addict. I can make favorite music lists by any category, and by decade,” he says.

Gillam has several solo albums and a Best New/Emerging Artist nomination by the Americana Music Association under his belt, plays with his band Tractor Pull, and tours internationally with fellow singer-songwriter and guitarist Joseph Parsons. He’s currently recording tracks for both his next solo effort and with Four Way Street, a singer-songwriter collective that also features Parsons, Ben Arnold and Scott Bricklin.

As the music community knows, Gillam suffered three consecutive heart attacks back in March but, thankfully, survived to tell the tale. Since he is recovering, we we’re going to have the poor taste to call this mix “I Saw the Light: Top Ten Summer Tunes Tom Gillam Is Sure Glad He Is Still Around To Rock Out To,” but there’s just not enough room on the little stickers that go on each side of the cassette for all that.

You can catch Tom’s next appearance at Roots Rock Revival Night at Whiskey Dix Saloon June 17, check out his full schedule at www.tomgillam.com, and help push the dreaded MySpace Tom further out of his Top 8 at www.myspace.com/tomgillamstractorpull.
You’ve got to respect a man whose summer tune list manages Davey Jones and Brian Wilson in the same listening hour, and isn’t scared to admit he still considers Aerosmith, well, at all. Plug in the extension cord and drag the boom box out back and fire up the grill … summer’s coming and we’re feeling just fine ...

Statesboro Blues, Allman Brothers Band — This is probably my favorite song of all time, no matter what the category is. The rhythm, Duane Allman’s slide guitar, and the bluesy vocals of brother Gregg has been reverberating in my skull since the 9th grade. A true classic!

Good Feelin’ To Know, Poco — The ultimate “feel-good” song of all time. Richie Furay and company play and sing their hearts out on what should’ve been their breakthrough track. Another great memory of summertime in the 70s for me! With lyrics like “Colorado mountains, I see your distant sky, you’re bringing a tear of joy to my eyes” how can you go wrong? No matter what ANYONE says, these guys invented Americana.

April Fool, Rufus Wainwright — Something about a “sing-along” chorus just makes me think of summer. I’m blasting this while I write!

Sail On Sailor, Beach Boys — Forget about all that silly “surfin’” stuff. By the late 60s and early 70s, Brian Wilson was in full mental breakdown and we the listening public came out on the winning end. My friend turned me on to the album Holland during the summer between 9th and 10th grade, and it totally changed my opinion of these guys. Exquisite lead vocals by Blondie Chaplin, who now sings back up for the Stones.

Hey Summer, Where Ya Been?, Ben Folds Five — The Summer in this tune, I believe, refers to a person's name, and not a season. Still the groove and the words remind me of the times, years ago, when I used to hang out on the campus of Rowan University (back then it was called Glassboro State College). I met a lot of people from North Jersey who told me I talked funny.

I’m In, Radney Foster — Radney is a friend of mine who is originally from Texas, but now lives in Nashville. He writes hit songs for Keith Urban (Rainin’ on Sunday) and Sara Evans to name a few. This tune is taken from the album See What You Want to See, and I think it’s out of print. Regardless, it’s a pop masterpiece. Every time I hear the chorus lyric, “If I knew what I was doin’, I’d be doin’ it right now” I get a little tear in my eye. This is one of my wife’s favorite songs, along with all my tunes.

Back In The Saddle, Aerosmith — As a matter of fact, any tune from their first five LPs -- or cds -- will do just fine. This stuff makes me think of Wildwood, N.J. in the early 80s -- and everything that went with it. If you were there, you know what I'm talking about (wink, wink). Far be it for me to begrudge anyone from making a living, but these guys should’ve broken up after Draw The Line. I still get chills from this one! “I’m BAAAACK!!!”

In A Big Country, Big Country — OK, OK, so I liked New Wave in the 80s. I’ll bet you did too, but you just won’t admit it. At least it says “country” in the title.

Indian Summer, Joe Walsh — Most people equate Walsh with his more humorous stuff (Life’s Been Good, etc.), but it's his more thoughtful songs that really get me. This one in particular, with its warm, cloudy day images and lyrics that suggest a time when things were just a bit more simple -- perfect for a rainy day. Great “slide guitar” solo.

Sunny Girlfriend, The Monkees — From the first LP I ever owned, Monkees Headquarters. My brother and I played this on my sister’s record player (remember those?) till the grooves were totally worn out. Mike Nesmith turns in a stellar performance, as do the rest of the band, doing what their critics said they couldn’t do: play their own instruments! Then again, being 7 or 8 years old I could care less about what the critics said, they were the fuckin’ Monkees!