Founder/Executive Editor/Co-Publisher, Music Connection Magazine.

I Started Music Connection magazine in 1977 for three reasons:

1) To help musicians sort out the challenges of the biz.
2) There was absolutely nothing like MC anywhere.
3) I was 28 yrs. old and needed a music career breakthrough. I figured if I started the mag I could get up close and personal with A&R execs., publishers, musicians, etc.

I really wanted to get the mag going, and then let it run itself while I continued to pursue my own quest for rock stardom. However, it didn’t quite work out that way. Once we launched the first issue I quickly got caught up in the hoopla of running a business and couldn't stop the momentum. That was 31 years ago and unfortunately my music career took a back seat to my day gig. I say unfortunately with reservation. Although my music career plummeted, MC eventually took off and became successful. Perhaps even more successful than my music ever would have—who knows? I do know that writing blogs & books has taken the place of writing songs, and leading seminars & workshops has taken the place of performing. An exchange I accept with gratitude.

Sometimes I feel like I sold out back then and sometimes I feel like this is what I was meant to do. However, music is like a trusted friend who is forever on my side and always beckoning me to “come out and play!”

I cherish my ability to play and perform music as a gift, one that I never, EVER take for granted. And I constantly acknowledge my parents for making me practice! practice! practice! Whether it was piano, drums or guitar, they never let me off the hook.

I love to play with experienced, seasoned musicians whenever I get the chance. However, even though performing music is always in my heart, it is seldom on my to-do list. But that's okay, because whenever I do get the chance to play, my soul sings with joy, my fingers scream in agony, my heart pounds with excitement and I can't catch my breath from laughing so hard—because I'm having so much fun!

Peace & Love
Michael Dolan
a.k.a. Joe Bones