Here's the OCD question of the week:

[mac56]

When alphabetizing a list of music artists, is Keb Mo' listed as "Keb Mo'" or "Mo', Keb"?

Believe it or not, I need to know the answer to this.

[redqueen]

1. Hmmmmmm...

He goes by Keb Mo?

Where would you file LL Cool J? Under L or J?

[mac56]

3. L, I think.

However, I have to try and anticipate how the announcers will try to look for him. If I had unlimited time, I'd pick one format and cross reference. But I don't.

So I guess it'll be Keb Mo' instead of Mo', Keb.

[redqueen]

5. I think that's probably best...

it's not a 'real' name, so that's where I'd look.

[swimmernsecretsea]

8. My preferred method is to treat the name as a singular handle

even with spacing, the name seems to act as a unit and if the artist is never referred to by a "last" or "surname" that confirms it. There can be exceptions, but I generally keep to a rule and stick to it. For instance, I wouldn't use "Dog, Snoop Doggy" as it sounds silly and I've never heard him referred to as "Mr. Dog." Think of it as a band name title, dropping the usual "The" as in "Beatles, The."

Why do it this way? It's going to be easier to do a search, and to locate items. You could do a partial search, such as "*chris" and locate Ludacris but why bother if you know the whole thing?

[Mutley]

2. I always file music by first name

just to avoid this sort of confusion

[mac56]

4. If it were just for me, I'd do that too.

However, I have to try and anticipate how our announcers will try to look for him.

[Mutley]

7. Oh

Probably under K then. I mean, if they look under M, it shouldn't be too hard for them to figure out that they should look under K...

[mac56]

9. They surprise me at times by not following the obvious solutions.

nm

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. Since I doubt "Mo'" is his full last name....

It'd be "Keb Mo'"

[progmom]

10. you could file him by his real name....

Kevin Moore...

My philosophy is this:

If it's an obvious stage name where they wouldn't ever expect to be called by their "last name" I file them by the first name.

Keb' Mo would be an example, as would Muddy Waters, Sun Ra, and Howlin' Wolf.

[progmom]

11. But.........

The way the music director at the radio station has solved this problem is by insisting that everyone be filed by their last name, whether it's an actual last name or not. So Keb' Mo is filed under M, Muddy Waters can be found with the Ws, etc... Makes me crazy.

[HuckleB]

13. So...

Manu Chao is filed under C (since it's single performer), but Mano Negra would be filed under M (since it's a group name)?

[HuckleB]

12. Depends on how you alphabetize the others.

If Johnny Cash is listed as Cash, Johnny, then you'd have to go with Mo, Keb, IMHO, since Mo is a shortened version of his real last name.

[mac56]

14. It's all making my head hurt.

Executive decision: it'll be "Keb Mo'".

After the inital task is finished (a quick'n'dirty song log), I'll go back and provide cross references.

[Double T]

15. Let Me Obsess On Your Question For A While And....

I'll get back to you.

[Strawman]

16. Oh that's nothing

Had a college roommate who used to put the money in his wallet in serial number order. He could probably advise you.

[Danmel]

17. My husband used to do it by issuing Federal Reserve bank

A for Boston, B for New York- they don't put that seal on the bills anymore so now he just does it by denomination. His whole family is anal- they are insane- his mother stacks her plates black white, black white. If it's ever black black white white, she can't sleep.

Nuts- the whole lot of them!

[merh]

18. Oh my - don't let them take you with them.

Sounds like you have had an interesting married life. :crazy: