Making Music celebrates first anniversary

Making Music, a unique lifestyle magazine for music making hobbyists and amateur musicians, is entering its second year. “Our advertising, distribution, and production goals have all been met,” says Editor-in-Chief Antoinette Follett, “but most importantly, we have discovered a diverse and enthusiastic audience of adult hobbyist musicians excited to find that there is now a music magazine for them and just as thrilled to share their inspirational stories.”

Throughout its first year, Making Music has kept its promise to be a complete resource for the recreational musician. It combines features that explore the world of music making with articles explaining the health aspects of playing, instruction for the beginner and intermediate musician, and spotlights on products, resources, and travel destinations designed with the hobbyist musician in mind.

“A review of our features alone illustrates the breadth of the music making community,” says Follett. In year one, Making Music ran stories on New Horizons bands in Georgia and Arizona; Weekend Warriors from Louisiana and Wisconsin; corporate rock bands from Rhode Island and New York; drum circles in Washington… the list goes on! In year two, Making Music will continue with its broad mission—look for features on jazz improvisation retreats, parent/student bands, community drum celebrations, and rock fantasy camps.

Making Music magazine focuses new energy on the sometimes forgotten market of amateur music makers. Until now, much of the music retail industry’s outreach has been toward school children, supplying the music curriculum, or celebrating the recording/endorsing artists. “Our readers are interested in playing at home, with friends and family, and possibly some performances in public,” says Follett, “but they’re not pursuing a recording or professional career in music.

“From the magazine’s conception, we knew there was a large population of music making hobbyists who weren’t reading or being served by traditional music magazines,” explains Follett. That’s because these magazines are often geared toward young and/or professional musicians. The majority Making Music’s readers, on the other hand, are between 50 and 70 years old. Sixty-three percent describe themselves as either beginner or intermediate musicians. They have the time and resources to enjoy this fulfilling hobby.

Whether horn players or harp players, whether beginners or veterans, whether happy jamming alone or playing in an amateur orchestra, Making Music’s readers appreciate a magazine that speaks their language, describing in clear terms the myriad benefits of their hobby and how to tap into them. “Congratulations on your magazine,” writes reader Bob Diefendorf, of Princeton, New Jersey, “I like its tone and premise, which are not found in other music magazines.” “I cannot express my excitement in discovering what you are doing,” explains Dave Maiville, of Menifee, California, while Joanna Evans, of Avalon, New Jersey, writes, “Your magazine testifies to every good thing I’ve ever said about music.”

If you would be interested in taking advantage of a free year’s subscription (6 issues) to Making Music, please visit http://www.makingmusicmag.com/concir or call (800) 724-9700 x116, and mention that you heard about the magazine in Out & About Nashville.

For more information on Making Music, visit http://www.makingmusicmag.com.

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

Keep readingShow less
by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

Keep readingShow less

Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

Keep readingShow less