Unsung Hero (magazine)
Encyclopedia
Unsung Hero, also known as Uhero Magazine, was a music magazine publication based out of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
. It was an American
magazine
devoted to unsigned music and popular culture, centralized in the mid-atlantic region of the United States.
The magazine focused on unsigned music artists and bands to spotlight, as well as other music-related articles.
The magazine became a sponsor of Millennium Music Conference
in 2000.
and Spin magazines, focusing on music, fashion, and culture. It was often referred to as the "Bible of Local Music". Each month's magazine had a print run of approximately 50,000 copies, and was freely available.
The sales staff would sell the adspace for venues, bands, artists, and other music related products to be adverstised in the magazine. The distribution was nationwide in mostly music clubs, Hot Topic stores, and other trendy locations.
The main article or cover story of the artist or featured band was written by Shana. Shana would catch a show or performance and sit down with the subject(s) to obtain the story.
The Noise : eEL
The Noise was a small and short section in the back of the magazine for CD and album reviews of music submitted by artists and bands to the magazine.
UH.X : Donna Wise
The local radio station in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (105.7 the X) would feature artists and bands that would be featured and reviewed in the magazine.
As the magazine grew in success, it started the Uhero Concert Series. The following cities and clubs took part:
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg is a borough that is the county seat, part of the Gettysburg Battlefield, and the eponym for the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. The town hosts visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park and has 3 institutions of higher learning: Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg College, and...
. It was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
devoted to unsigned music and popular culture, centralized in the mid-atlantic region of the United States.
The magazine focused on unsigned music artists and bands to spotlight, as well as other music-related articles.
History
Created by Suzanne and Greg Christianson of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, out of a passion for great music that had yet to be discovered on a national level. This husband and wife team not only published a magazine together, but a supplemental website as well.The magazine became a sponsor of Millennium Music Conference
Millennium Music Conference
The Millennium Music Conference is an annual event that features 3 days of panels, clinics, workshops, mentoring, demo listening sessions, and a music business trade show, held in and around the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The event celebrates new music and emerging talent with 3 nights of...
in 2000.
Style
As a smaller publication, Unsung Hero, followed in the vein of Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
and Spin magazines, focusing on music, fashion, and culture. It was often referred to as the "Bible of Local Music". Each month's magazine had a print run of approximately 50,000 copies, and was freely available.
Staff
While there were three people on the staff with the surname "Baker", none of the employees were related to each other. The Christianson's, however, were related: they were married to each other.Art department
- Matt Crowner, Lead Artist
- All artwork for the cover design, article spreads, and layout out of adspace was handled by Matt.
Public relations
- Kevin Baker, Director of Public Relations
- Kevin, a member of BaltimoreBaltimoreBaltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
band, Live Alien BroadcastLive Alien BroadcastLive Alien Broadcast is a Baltimore-based rock band that began between the Washington D.C. suburb of Gaithersburg, Maryland and Baltimore City, as a straight up heavy band and later incorporated a DJ and samples to their sound.-Biography:...
, handled the public image of the magazine as well as getting unsigned bands involved with the magazine.
- Kevin, a member of Baltimore
- Andrea Baker, Merchandising Representative
- Andrea joined the staff as the representative at shows sponsored by Unsung Hero to distribute magazines and merchandise. She was experienced with grassroots street-team management and band promotions, from her company Emerging SoundsEmerging SoundsEmerging Sounds was a music promotions company that supported the Mid-Atlantic Music Scene in the late 90s to mid 2000s. The company was a music-first believer for unsigned bands. Emerging Sounds organized street teams, merchandising and online promotions for bands...
.
- Andrea joined the staff as the representative at shows sponsored by Unsung Hero to distribute magazines and merchandise. She was experienced with grassroots street-team management and band promotions, from her company Emerging Sounds
- Lizzy.Dean Holyfield, Promotions Director
- In addition to running promotions for the magazine, Lizzy.Dean also was a contributing writer giving his spin on the local scene. He also did a weekly segment on MHZ T.V. in DC. Lizzy.Dean also was a member of Baltimore band, Great Mutant Skywheel.
- Sheba Shough, Concert Series Management
- Sheba acted as agent/liaison to local entertainers in the Mid-Atlantic Region by booking, promoting, and managing various live events. She traveled regionally 5 days per week to oversee/manage live events, and acted as primary events planner for the Mid-Atlantic regional "Concert Series" that provided financial support to Unsung Hero Magazine.
Sales
- Suzanne Christianson, Main Sales
- Chris Keith, Director of Sales & Marketing
- Lori Bernish, Pittsburgh Area Ad Sales & Distribution
The sales staff would sell the adspace for venues, bands, artists, and other music related products to be adverstised in the magazine. The distribution was nationwide in mostly music clubs, Hot Topic stores, and other trendy locations.
Features
10 Minutes w/ Shana : Shana BakerThe main article or cover story of the artist or featured band was written by Shana. Shana would catch a show or performance and sit down with the subject(s) to obtain the story.
The Noise : eEL
The Noise was a small and short section in the back of the magazine for CD and album reviews of music submitted by artists and bands to the magazine.
UH.X : Donna Wise
The local radio station in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (105.7 the X) would feature artists and bands that would be featured and reviewed in the magazine.
Venues
Several music clubs within the mid-atlantic collaborated with Unsung Hero magazine for artist showcases and magazine releases. Most notable were Fat Daddy's in York, PA; the Chameleon in Lancaster, PA; the Crowbar in PA; and the Recher Theater in Baltimore, MD.As the magazine grew in success, it started the Uhero Concert Series. The following cities and clubs took part:
- Springfield, VA: Jaxx
- Philadelphia, PA: Grape Street Pub
- Baltimore, MD: 8x10
- Baltimore, MD: Ottobar
- Reading, PA: Hiester's
- Pittsburgh: Club Laga
- Fairfax, VA: TT Reynolds
- Lancaster, PA: Blue Star Inn
- Washington DC: 9:30 Club
- New York City, NY: Downtime
- New York City, NY: The Continental
2000
- January - Issue 7: Mary PranksterMary PranksterMary Prankster was the moniker for a U.S. singer-songwriter primarily associated with Baltimore who played a blend of alternative/indie music with extremely frank lyrics. The name is a reference to Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters...
- February - Issue 8:
- March - Issue 9: Darcie Miner
- April - Issue 10:
- May - Issue 11:
- June - Issue 12:
- July - Issue 13:
- August - Issue 14:
- September - Issue 15:
- October - Issue 16:
- November - Issue 17:
- December - Issue 18:
2001
- January - Issue 19: Project67
- February - Issue 20:
- March - Issue 21:
- April - Issue 22:
- May - Issue 23:
- June - Issue 24:
- July - Issue 25:
- August - Issue 26: Cactus Patch
- September - Issue 27: Fidel
- October - Issue 28: Buzz Poets
- November - Issue 29: RezinRezinKing Rezin of Aram or Rasin of Syria in DRB ruled from Damascus during the 8th century BC. During his reign he was a tributary of King Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria....
- December - Issue 30: Ivet
2002
- January - Issue 31: Gargantua Soul
- February - Issue 32: Weapons for Peace
- March - Issue 33: Margret HeaterMargret Heater-Biography:Margret Heater formed in 1997 Fayetteville, North Carolina and later relocated to Baltimore, Maryland. The group had experimented with many styles in the metal and heavy metal genre. In 2000, the band toured both the East and West Coasts extensively without major label support, all...