Music Connection
 |
 | This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (August 2012) |
 Cover for March 1985, featuring Madonna | |
| Editor | Joseph Maltese (Senior Editor) |
|---|---|
| Categories | Music magazine |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Publisher | E. Eric Bettelli |
| Total circulation (2011) | 75,000[1] |
| First issue | November 10, 1977 |
| Company | Music Connection Inc. |
| Country | United States |
| Based in | Glendale, California |
| Language | English |
| Website | www |
| ISSN | 1091-9791 |
Music Connection is a United States–based monthly music trade magazine that began publication in 1977.[2] The magazine caters to career-minded musicians, songwriters, recording artists, and assorted music industry supporting personnel. Initially, the magazine focused solely on the Southern California music scene, but has since expanded to a national distribution. The publication and its website provide information about the music business, including directories of contact information for professionals and free classifieds for musicians. Music Connection also publishes reviews of unsigned and independent live performers and recording artists.[3][4] Several acclaimed artists achieved their first music magazine cover status from Music Connection including Guns N' Roses, Madonna, Jane's Addiction, Alanis Morissette, The White Stripes, and Adele.[5][6][7]
Beginnings
[edit] |
Music Connection[8] magazine was founded in 1977 in Los Angeles, California, by J. Michael Dolan,[9] an unsigned singer-songwriter who worked as a background engineer and projectionist at various film and TV studios. Looking for songwriting opportunities but finding limited resources, Dolan conceived the idea of a weekly music publication, featuring articles and reviews comparable to those in Cashbox and Billboard, alongside free classifieds inspired by The Recycler. He invited Eric Bettelli to join the company as its first Vice President of Advertising. The publication eventually gained recognition among industry executives and musicians, who referred to it as “the musician’s bible.” Subsequently, Michael launched Songwriter Connection magazine, which became part of the Music Connection suite of products and services. In 2010, after 33 years as CEO, Michael sold his shares of Music Connection Inc. to Eric Bettelli, who is now serves as the sole publisher, with senior editor Mark Nardone promoted to Associate Publisher/Senior Editor.
Online
[edit]Music Connection has maintained an online presence since 1997. The digital edition has an archive dating back to January 2008. The company launched the AMP Network in 2007.[5]
Annual Top Artist lists
[edit]At the end of each year, Music Connection publishes a "Hot 100 Live Unsigned Artists and Bands" list of live performers, and a "Top 25 New Music Critiques" list of unsigned recording artists. Artists who have appeared on the Hot 100 list include Holy Ghost!, Sara Bareilles, and Steel Panther.[5][10][11][12]
National Directories
[edit]Music Connection publishes a series of annually updated directories containing music industry contact information. The directories cover areas such as music attorneys, record label A&R representatives, music schools, vocal coaches, mastering studios, film/TV music supervisors, music publishers, producers, engineers, managers, booking agents, guitar and bass instructors, recording studios, indie record labels, marketers and promoters, publicists, rehearsal studios, gear rental/cartage/tech services, duplicators and replicators, and merchandise manufacturers.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "Music Connection - Magazine Advertising Costs". Gaebler. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
- ^ "Music Connection Magazine Selects House Band Wines for 2011 Holiday Gift Giving Guide". House Band Wines. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
- ^ "Artists & Bands Who Are Serious!". LA Music Connect. Archived from the original on January 16, 2012.
- ^ "Music Connection Magazine". Tyler Stenson Blog. January 6, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
- ^ a b c "MUSICIANS AT HEART » Blog Archive » Q & A with Music Connection". Blog.lafamos.com. February 22, 1999. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
- ^ "J. Michael Dolan". Archived from the original on February 15, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- ^ "Music Connection". Afka.net. Archived from the original on June 18, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
- ^ "Home Page". Music Connection Magazine. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- ^ "J. Michael Dolan |". Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- ^ http://www.neon-entertainment.com/media/promo/reviews/mann/mchot1002004.pdf[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Three MI Alumni Bands listed on Music Connection's "2010 Hot 100 Live Unsigned Artists & Bands" List | Jan 24, 2011 | Success Story at Musicians Institute". Archived from the original on April 15, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
- ^ "news | Katie Named Music Connection Top 100 Live Unsigned Artist Of The Year!". Katie Garibaldi. November 23, 2009. Archived from the original on December 10, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Warner Bros Records. March 19, 1958. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Eric Bettelli Interview NAMM Oral History Library (2017)