Music Trades Magazine

David Battino majored in philosophy at Oberlin, but found his epiphany in the college’s electronic music studios. Suddenly it was possible to create both the instruments and the music, and he began writing to share that excitement with readers around the world. He joined Keyboard Magazine in 1994, was the founding editor of Music & Computers, and produced the popular “Adventures in DIY” column for Electronic Musician. Music Tech called his 2005 book The Art of Digital Music “truly entertaining and informative on both philosophical and technical levels.”

Frank Corniola was born in Italy and moved to Australia when he was seven years old and he began playing drums professionally as a teenager. Like many gigging musicians, Frank took a day job at a music store when he was not out touring. That first job, at Sutton's Music in Melbourne providing drum lessons, lit a fire in Frank that continues to this day. Frank wrote a drum method book based on his lessons and the success of the book prompted him to open his own music publishing company, Musictek. He also opened Drumtek, a drum shop in Melbourne, and he soon realized the drum commun

Antoinette Follett is an experienced communications professional in the music industry and founder of Method Marketing, Inc.  With her expertise in communications, public relations, and marketing, she has worked with local programs, national associations, and non-profit organizations, helping increase brand awareness and sales and educate merchants and artists. As managing editor for the International Musician magazine and former editor-in-chief for Making Music magazine, she has helped promote and elevate the voices of emerging and established artists.

Brian Majeski is the editor of The Music Trades Magazine and has lived and breathed the music business since the day he was born.  His grandfather and father both ran the magazine, which was established in 1890. Brian, along with his brother Paul, have been able to expand the publication to include sale statistics, developing trends and useful tips for retailers and suppliers alike while at the same time bringing the magazine into the digital age. 

Vivian Majeski had just married John when she visited the NAMM Show for the first time.  The year was 1951 and John, who would later follow in his father's footsteps as editor of The Music Trades magazine. He had returned from war just a few years earlier. Together the young couple attended the show, which Mrs. Majeski recalled with a smile.  "Do you know what the elaborate decorations were back then?  No fancy lights and smoke machines like today, if a piano exhibitor went all out to decorate he might have a vase with some flowers!"

Paul Majeski grew up in the music industry and relates many of the milestones of his own life to what was going on in the music business at the same time. His attention to details has made Paul the perfect president of Music Trades Magazine, whose history goes back to 1890 and has been the pulse of the industry ever since. Teaming up with his brother Brian, the magazine’s editor, Paul is following in the footsteps of their father and grandfather in reporting on the trends and history of the people, company, and products that are at the core of the industry. As technology has chang

John Majeski Jr. was appropriately given the AMC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 for a long career as editor of the Music Trades Magazine. During John’s era, the Beatles came to America and forever changed the industry. John wrote of the growth of the accordion in the 1950s and the home organ in the 1960s. John's father had preceded him as editor and in 1982, Majeski stepped down as The Music Trades’ editor to give increasing responsibilities to his sons, Brian and Paul. “They have proved themselves up to the job, and the best thing I can do is get out of their way,” he said at

Kevin Mitchell wrote the MMR cover story in 2009 dedicated to the NAMM Oral History program and has been a strong advocate and supporter ever since! His background in music (he played the piano as a child and would graduate from UMKC’s Conservatory of Music) and his love of journalism (he feels his piano lessons made him a great typist) brought him into writing books and editing music. He worked with Alfred Music and wrote several popular books including How to Put a Band Together and the Essential Songwriter's Rhyming Dictionary. Kevin is also the producer of the annual Parnelli

Shiko Onodera is the President of the Japan Music Trades Magazine. This monthly magazine was established in 1962 by Mr. Rikuro Hiyama to support the music industry and to encourage sharing of ideas. When Mr. Hiyama approached John Majeski, the editor of The Music Trades Magazine (established in 1890 in New York) asking if he could use the name Japan Music Trades, Mr. Majeski cordially agreed. Shiko-san has followed Mr. Hiyama's vision and has helped expand the scope by incorporating new technologies such as a digital format for the magazine and webinars to bring people together to

Dick Weissman played an important role in the resurgence of the popularity of Folk Music in the 1950s and’60s. As a songwriter, producer and musician, Dick’s handy work can be heard and felt throughout the era. He co-founded the Journeymen, a Folk group that went on to record several albums, many of which included songs written by Dick including “River Come Down” and “Run Maggie Run.” Many of you may recall seeing Dick’s name attached to stories he wrote about dozens of music retailers, which appeared in both MMR and Music Inc magazines.