Mike Lawson’s artistpro Acquires SBO, MMR, JAZZed and Choral Director Magazines

artistpro, LLC acquires SBO, MMR, JazzEd, and Choral Director

Publishing veteran Mike Lawson’s artistpro, LLC has acquired School Band & Orchestra (SBO), Musical Merchandise Review (MMR), JAZZed and Choral Director magazines from Terry Lowe of  Las Vegas-based Timeless Communications. 

Lowe and Timeless, which acquired the four MI and educational publications from Symphony Publishing in May 2013, announced on June 23, 2021 that they will focus on their two core titles covering live entertainment, Projection, Lights and Staging News (PLSN) and FRONT of HOUSE (FOH). Lowe launched PLSN and FOH in 2000 and 2003, respectively.

For readers of MMR, SBO, Choral Director and JAZZed, the change in ownership, which takes effect with the Aug. 2021 issue of each publication, will be seamless. Veteran journalist Christian Wissmuller continues to serve as executive editor of MMR and JAZZed magazines and Lawson remains at the editorial helm for SBO and Choral Director. Artistpro is retaining the same editorial, art, sales, and fulfillment services that have long produced the publications, and Lowe will also continue to work as a consultant to help ensure ongoing success.

“Mike is an old friend and experienced publisher who loves the MI trade and music education,” said Lowe. “This profitable group of publications have been in tremendous hands the past several years since we acquired them, and both Mike and Christian have worked diligently to get our company through the Covid-19 crisis with great success. 

“With the touring and performance businesses rematerializing now to pent-up demand, I want to put our full focus at Timeless Communications on PLSN and FOH,” Lowe added, “so the time was right to pass the torch and allow Mike and his team to see them into the next generation, while we help our mutual reemerging markets grow in this new normal era we are entering.”

Wissmuller, based in Boston, joined MMR, which has been in print since 1879, in early 2002. “I’m pleased to remain a key part of the team as we collectively look towards celebrating a rebounding and vibrant market.”

Lawson, based in Nashville, has served as of editor-in-chief of SBO, Choral Director, and associate editor of MMR and JAZZed since 2014. He has a 30-year background in print, digital, video, and periodical publishing, with deep experience in management of business operations, plus a devoted interest in supporting music educators. 

“I am grateful to Terry Lowe. We have had a long and enduring friendship since meeting at SXSW in 1992,” said Lawson, a lifelong musician with his own home studio and a collection of some 50 guitars. “It’s magnificent to be reentering the publishing business with artistpro branded owner of these magazines.”

SBO, MMR, JAZZed and Choral Director can continue to be reached at sbomagazine.com, mmrmagazine.com, jazzedmagazine.com and choraldirectormag.com. For more info, visit artistpro.com.