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 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.Billboard, October 11, 1997 - Page 73 Merchants & Marketing Declarations of Independents by Chris Morris 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.Cashbox, February 2, 1980 - Page 12 EXECUTIVES ON THE MOVE Working for the well-known audiophile record label,Hometheatre review.com, January 25, 2015 - Mobile Fidelity Shows Off New DSD Mastering Technology which was based in Chatsworth, California, he was promoted to the position of national sales director in early 1980.Cashbox, February 2, 1980 - Page 12 EXECUTIVES ON THE MOVE In December that year, it was announced that he was made director of its international sales and marketing.Billboard, 13 Dec 1980 - Page 4 General News, Executive Turntable, Record Companies Towards the end of 1981 he had been promoted to the position of vice-president of international sales.Billboard, 19 Dec 1981 - Page 4 General News, Executive Turntable Record Companies In April 1985, he became vice-president of Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, replacing Mark Wexler who relocated to the East Coast.Billboard, April 20, 1985 - Page 4, Executive Turntable

He also held the upper executive position of vice-president and general manager of a small Californian record label Valley Vue Records,JazzTimes, April 1996 - Page 105Soul Train - 10 of The Best Ballads of the 80s, The Manhattans, “Why You Wanna Love Me Like This” (1989)PMP Network - Jerry Butler Iceman which was founded by Hillery Johnson.Soul Train - 10 of The Best Ballads of the 80s, The Manhattans, Why You Wanna Love Me Like This (1989)Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office: Trademarks, Volume 1162, Issue 2 - Page 15, 138

ITI Records 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.Billboard, October 15, 1983 - Page 36, Jazz - Fledgling ITA Label Maps Ambitious Plans

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.All About Jazz, September 5, 2012 - ITI Records Resurfaces After Many Years DormantSmooth Jazz Vibes, September 2012 - September 30, 2012 ITI Records Resurfaces After Many Years Dormant

Production 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.Cashbox, October 8, 1983 - Page 17 Jazz/Classical Company Formed Some of the albums he has produced are Blackberry Winter by Mike Campbell & Tom Garvin,AllMusic - Mike Campbell / Tom Garvin Blackberry Winter Blue Sud by Marc Devine and Art Johnson.AllMusic - Marc Devine / Art Johnson Blue Sud He was the executive producer for Cozzetti & Gemmill's album Soft Flower in Spring which was released in 1983.Music on the Web® - Autobiography - Cozzetti & Gemmill

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.Billboard, Magazine July 14, 1984 - Jazz Blue Notes, Sweet Sounds In -Store In Chicago By Sam Sutherland and Peter Keepnews

Acts produced (selective)

+ 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 producerBillboard, 21 Jul 1984 - Page 63 Billboard Album Reviews jazz/fusionAll Music Mike Campbell / Tom Garvin Blackberry Winter Credits Cozzetti & Gemmill Soft Flower in Spring ITI Records JL 018 1984 Executive producer Music on the Web - Autobiography - Cozzetti & Gemmill, Soft Flower in Spring (1984)Cadence, Volume 11, Bob Rusch - Page 69 Seventh Avenue Heads Up ITI Records JL 022 1984 Executive producer Discogs - Michael Dion 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 Discogs - Steve Bach – HolidayAllMusic - Steve Bach Holiday Credits Windows Windows Intima Records SJ-73219 1987 Executive Producer Discogs - Windows (3) – Windows Heard Ranier Ferguson Back to Back Allegiance Records CDP 72973 1987 Producer, executive producer All Music John Heard Back to Back CreditsRate Your Music - Back-to-Back Doug Duke & Company The Music Room Valley Vue Records 22013 1994 Compilation producer, research Discogs - Michael Dion Steve Bach Now and Then Valley Vue Records 220033 1993 Research Billboard, 14 Aug 1993 - Page 33 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums (23)All Music - Steve Back Now and Then Credits Marc Devine & Art Johnson Blue Sud ITI Records 201301 2013/2014 Research Valley Public Radio - The Oasis: February 3, 2013 by Vince DiCiccioAllMusic - Marc Devine / Art Johnson Blue Sud (CD - ITI #201301)

Publications

+ 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 Apple Books - Apple Books Preview, Michael Dion, BooksRakuten Kobo Inc. - Michael Dion

Personal He is married to Laura Evaneski, author of Gone Too Soon.Google Books - GONE TOO SOON By Laura Evaneski

Recent activity 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.Jazz Connect Conference - January 8-9, 2015 Saint Peter's Church New York CityJazz Times, Jazz Connect Conference Announces 2015 Event: Jan. 8-9 References