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Michael Dion

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Michael Dion
Also known asMike Dion
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Record producer, Record executive
Years active1980s, late 90s to present
LabelsABC
ITI Records
Mobile Fidelity
Phonodisc
Springboard
Valley Vue Records
WebsiteITI Music Live

Michael Dion is a record producer in jazz music and the owner of the California-based record label, ITI Records. He also was the owner of Startup Marketing and has had directorial and managerial positions with record labels such as ABC Records, Mobile Fidelity and Valley Vue Records. He is also an author of several books.

Background

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In the music business, Dion has worked for Texas-based wholesaler, Music Distributors Inc.. He was the founder of Startup Marketing, a San Diego music label representation and distribution firm. It was later acquired by Paulstarr.[1] Some of the record labels he worked for were Springboard and Phonodisc. He also worked for ABC Records in various roles and was also director of field operations for the firm. In 1979, he began working for Mobile Fidelity as its Western regional sales manager.[2] Working for the well-known audiophile record label,[3] which was based in Chatsworth, California, he was promoted to the position of national sales director in early 1980.[4] In December that year, it was announced that he was made director of its international sales and marketing.[5] Towards the end of 1981 he had been promoted to the position of vice-president of international sales.[6] In April 1985, he became vice-president of Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, replacing Mark Wexler who relocated to the East Coast.[7]

He also held the upper executive position of vice-president and general manager of a small Californian record label Valley Vue Records,[8][9][10] which was founded by Hillery Johnson.[11][12]

ITI Records

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In the early 1980s, he founded ITI Records, a Jazz record label. He also expressed interest in releasing other genres. One of them was classical.[13]

In 1998, Dion had a break from the industry having been recalled to military service as a result of the Bosnian and Middle East wars. After he retired from military service, returned to the music industry and his record label ITI records became active again.[14][15]

Production

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It was announced in the October 8, 1983 issue of Cashbox Michael Dion and Michael Grantham had formed a production company to produce jazz and classical artists. The name of the company was In The Interest Productions.[16] Some of the albums he has produced are Blackberry Winter by Mike Campbell & Tom Garvin,[17] Blue Sud by Marc Devine and Art Johnson.[18] He was the executive producer for Cozzetti & Gemmill's album Soft Flower in Spring which was released in 1983.[19]

By the time his record label ITI records had 15 albums in its catalogue, he arranged a deal for a different genre, Dance! The act was Zone Patrol and the labels first venture into that genre.[20]

Acts produced (selective)

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Film
Act Label Release Year Role Notes #
Heard Ranier Ferguson Heard Ranier Ferguson ITI Records JL 003 1983 Producer
Mike Campbell & Tom Garvin Blackberry Winter ITI Records JL 009 1984 Executive producer [21][22]
Cozzetti & Gemmill Soft Flower in Spring ITI Records JL 018 1984 Executive producer [23][24]
Seventh Avenue Heads Up ITI Records JL 022 1984 Executive producer [25]
Dwayne Smith & Art Johnson Heartbound Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, CAFE L-729 1985 Executive producer, co-producer
Steve Bach Holiday Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab / Cafe Records CAFE L-733 1985 Executive producer [26][27]
Windows Windows Intima Records SJ-73219 1987 Executive Producer [28]
Heard Ranier Ferguson Back to Back Allegiance Records CDP 72973 1987 Producer, executive producer [29][30]
Doug Duke & Company The Music Room Valley Vue Records 22013 1994 Compilation producer, research [31]
Steve Bach Now and Then Valley Vue Records 220033 1993 Research [32][33]
Marc Devine & Art Johnson Blue Sud ITI Records 201301 2013/2014 Research [34][35]

Publications

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Film
Title Release info Year ISBN Notes #
Circle of Chance ITI Music Corporation 2012 9780999568408
The Music Disc Murder ITI Music Corporation 2018 9780999568422
Saratoga Springs ITI Music Corporation 2018 9780999568439
Music is Life...and Death ITI Music Corporation 2019 9780999568453 [36][37]

Personal

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He is married to Laura Evaneski, author of Gone Too Soon.[38]

Recent activity

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In January 2015, he attended the Jazz Connect Conference that was held at Saint Peter's Church, New York City, located at 54th and Lexington. But because of the amount of attendees, the usual venue being the Hilton New York was changed to the Church.[39][40]

References

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  1. ^ Billboard, October 11, 1997 - Page 73 Merchants & Marketing Declarations of Independents by Chris Morris
  2. ^ Cashbox, February 2, 1980 - Page 12 EXECUTIVES ON THE MOVE
  3. ^ Hometheatre review.com, January 25, 2015 - Mobile Fidelity Shows Off New DSD Mastering Technology
  4. ^ Cashbox, February 2, 1980 - Page 12 EXECUTIVES ON THE MOVE
  5. ^ Billboard, 13 Dec 1980 - Page 4 General News, Executive Turntable, Record Companies
  6. ^ Billboard, 19 Dec 1981 - Page 4 General News, Executive Turntable Record Companies
  7. ^ Billboard, April 20, 1985 - Page 4, Executive Turntable
  8. ^ JazzTimes, April 1996 - Page 105
  9. ^ Soul Train - 10 of The Best Ballads of the 80s, The Manhattans, “Why You Wanna Love Me Like This” (1989)
  10. ^ PMP Network - Jerry Butler Iceman
  11. ^ Soul Train - 10 of The Best Ballads of the 80s, The Manhattans, Why You Wanna Love Me Like This (1989)
  12. ^ Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office: Trademarks, Volume 1162, Issue 2 - Page 15, 138
  13. ^ Billboard, October 15, 1983 - Page 36, Jazz - Fledgling ITA Label Maps Ambitious Plans
  14. ^ All About Jazz, September 5, 2012 - ITI Records Resurfaces After Many Years Dormant
  15. ^ Smooth Jazz Vibes, September 2012 - September 30, 2012 ITI Records Resurfaces After Many Years Dormant
  16. ^ Cashbox, October 8, 1983 - Page 17 Jazz/Classical Company Formed
  17. ^ AllMusic - Mike Campbell / Tom Garvin Blackberry Winter
  18. ^ AllMusic - Marc Devine / Art Johnson Blue Sud
  19. ^ Music on the Web® - Autobiography - Cozzetti & Gemmill
  20. ^ Billboard, Magazine July 14, 1984 - Jazz Blue Notes, Sweet Sounds In -Store In Chicago By Sam Sutherland and Peter Keepnews
  21. ^ Billboard, 21 Jul 1984 - Page 63 Billboard Album Reviews jazz/fusion
  22. ^ All Music Mike Campbell / Tom Garvin Blackberry Winter Credits
  23. ^ Music on the Web - Autobiography - Cozzetti & Gemmill, Soft Flower in Spring (1984)
  24. ^ Cadence, Volume 11, Bob Rusch - Page 69
  25. ^ Discogs - Michael Dion
  26. ^ Discogs - Steve Bach – Holiday
  27. ^ AllMusic - Steve Bach Holiday Credits
  28. ^ Discogs - Windows (3) – Windows
  29. ^ All Music John Heard Back to Back Credits
  30. ^ Rate Your Music - Back-to-Back
  31. ^ Discogs - Michael Dion
  32. ^ Billboard, 14 Aug 1993 - Page 33 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums (23)
  33. ^ All Music - Steve Back Now and Then Credits
  34. ^ Valley Public Radio - The Oasis: February 3, 2013 by Vince DiCiccio
  35. ^ AllMusic - Marc Devine / Art Johnson Blue Sud (CD - ITI #201301)
  36. ^ Apple Books - Apple Books Preview, Michael Dion, Books
  37. ^ Rakuten Kobo Inc. - Michael Dion
  38. ^ Google Books - GONE TOO SOON By Laura Evaneski
  39. ^ Jazz Connect Conference - January 8-9, 2015 Saint Peter's Church New York City
  40. ^ Jazz Times, Jazz Connect Conference Announces 2015 Event: Jan. 8-9
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