TOM LOUNGES – Founder/Publisher/Editor 

      Tom is the founder/publisher/editor and primary writer of Midwest BEAT Magazine. While at the helm of this publication, Lounges has simultaneously enjoyed a successful freelance writing career over the last 25 years. His work has appeared in the pages of such national music publications as –– Song Hits, Video Rock Stars, Relix Magazine, Goldmine Magazine, Teen Stars, Word Up Magazine, Elvis International and others.

During that time, he has also scribed in such Midwest entertainment publications as –– The Illinois Entertainer, The Prairie Sun, The Entertainment Finder, The Chicago Rocker, Hot Potato Magazine and Alternative Magazine. Along with those entertainment publications, Lounges has written for a an array of mainstream Chicago area newspapers since the early 1980s, including The Gary Post-Tribune and The Herald Newspaper Group. He currently is in his 21st year as weekly music columnist and entertainment feature writer for The Times of Northwest Indiana, a daily newspaper he began writing for in 1982.

Lounges' work was featured in the best-selling music history book, “They Called It Rock: The Oral History of Rock ‘N’ Roll,” published in the early-1990s by New York’s Krause Publications. He has also written the album liner
notes for over a dozen LPs released by Back-Trac/CBS Special Products. Among the artists whose albums he annotated were –– Johnny Winter, The Dixie Cups, The Shirelles, Fabian, Frankie Avalon, Pacific, Gas & Electric, Fevertree and The Shangra-las.

Lounges’ career began as a radio announcer and radio engineer. Since his radio days with WLNR-FM and Night Rock Radio/WFLM-FM, Lounges has been the on camera host for three Midwest-based cable and PBS television programs. He has been a frequent guest on the radio and television programs of others and has had cameo appearances in two MTV music videos.

Lounges has lectured on both journalism and music history at many N.W. Indiana schools and Chicagoland colleges over the years, including a "History Of Rock 'N' Roll" course.   Lounges is frequently asked to judge at  both
national and local music competitions.

Along the way, Lounges has also managed the careers of select regional music acts; has managed major night clubs; and has done entertainment consultant work. Despite the many hats he has worn, Lounges’ focus has always remained on the local music scene that he has been a fan of for the past 30 years. He is currently a member of The National Music Critics Association (NMCA) and The Association For Independent Music (AFIM).

    You can hear Lounges daily doing his "Budweiser True Music Rock In The Region Reports" on the air waves of classic rock station, XROCK-103.9fm  (WXRD).  These 90-second segments inform listeners what national and local artists are performing live in the Chicagoland region each week.   He also does special "XROCK INSIDER" celebrity interview segments for the station.  Among the many  guests who have been interviewed by Lounges on his "Insider" segments have been –– David Bowie, The Yardbirds, Triumph, Bret Michaels (of Poison), Alice Cooper, M&R Rush, Average White Band and Charlie Daniels.

    Tom Lounges is the Music Director and weekly co-host of the NIGHT ROCK RADIO program that airs every Sunday night at 6:00pm Central on XROCK/103.9. Joining him on this program that spins forgotten classics, really deep cuts and hometown rock artists is Scotty Rosenberg.  Lounges is grateful to both Scotty and to the show's executive producer, Lisa Sotiros, for helping him bring regional/homegrown music to local radio.   

Check out Night Rock online at: www.NightRock.6string.net


Contact Tom Lounges via email at: Beatboss@aol.com or tom@midwestbeat.com

JULIE L. LOUNGES – Executive Assistant & Advertising Sales

       Julie is the wife of publisher/editor Tom Lounges and since mid-1998 has handled Display Advertising Sales for the publication. She also assembles the monthly Concert Guide for the magazine and assists in a variety of areas ranging from typesetting copy, to taking photos, to delivering bundles to various businesses who distribute the publication each month.

Contact Julie directly via email at:  Beatmagads@aol.com  
For all your display advertising needs in Midwest BEAT

MICHELLE M. WELLS – Advertising Sales

     Michelle has been with Midwest BEAT Magazine the longest of anyone on staff and came to join  the team after publisher/editor Tom Lounges lectured to her freshman class at Purdue University Calumet in 1982, where she went on to graduate with a degree in Journalism & Public Relations.

    For many years, Michelle was Editorial/Production Assistant, covering a gamut of jobs that ranged from writing, typesetting copy, and advertisement sales to handling phone calls/customer service, for the paper. Today, the happy newlywed keeps the publication alive by keeping our advertising flowing. Michelle also works as a freelance writer and promotions agent. She has prepared promotional material for regional entertainers and clubs and has also been a  Editorial Consultant on published features and books.

You can also contact Michelle for all your advertising needs at: michelle@midwestbeat.com

MICHAEL D. TOBIN  -- Advertising Sales

     A lifelong resident of Highland, Michael went through the town's public school system and it was there that he first became interested in music.   He joined the Middle School Band and eventually went on to perform in the Highland High Jazz Band, Marching Band, Pep Band and Concert Band. 

  
    Like any other teenager, he was really into rock 'n' roll and among his favorite artists were Rush, Judas Priest, Ted Nugent and AC/DC. Eventually, he took to playing bass guitar with a group of like-minded teen friends, jamming in the basement and covering the songs of his rock heroes.

    In 1981, Michael formed the group Assassin after meeting another inspired young Highland rocker named Jim Hillegonds.  That band banged around the region for a while before life got in the way of rock 'n' roll aspirations and dreams.  

    Assassin eventually parted ways.  Hillegonds went on to become the "Bon Scott" figure of the regional AC/DC tribute band, Bonfire."   Michael started a family and put both his feet solidly into the "real world" but never stopped loving rock 'n' roll.

    "I always kept reading The BEAT and later the Midwest BEAT to keep up on what was happening in the local rock world," said Tobin.  "I wished that I could in some way contribute and some way get involved in the local music scene again.   One day it hit me, that with my many years of sales  experience, I could sell advertising for Midwest BEAT and help keep our local scene alive."  In January 2003, he became a part of the BEAT family.   Michael came out of the gates roaring and brimming with enthusiasm.  He brought three new accounts into our pages his very first month on board.  

Contact Michael for your advertising needs at:  michael@midwestbeat.com

SARAH LOUNGES-Columnist

     Nineteen-year-old Sarah Lounges spent nearly five years writing Midwest BEAT's monthly "Teen Scene" column before stepping down and turning it over to her good friend Jackie Klapak in mid-2004.  Sarah does not write in these pages as frequently as in the past,but she continues to contribute album reviews and special features to the print version of Midwest BEAT and concert reviews to this website.

The daughter of publisher/editor, Tom Lounges, Sarah has been around celebrities and the rock 'n' roll scene all of her life. She was a model as a little child, has guested with her dad on local television and radio shows, and
has been asked to help judge many local talent competitions. She sometimes helps out on stage at Beat Magazine events. Sarah is also a "Trend Spotter" for the national publication –– "Teen People Magazine."

A longtime poet, in 1999 Sarah began her career as a published journalist when she joined the writing staff of Midwest BEAT Magazine. Since then she has done many in person and phone interviews with such top teen-favored artists as –– BBMak, Youngstown, Nobody's Angel, First Love (of Germany), Lillix and Myra.

Sarah is a voracious reader of everything from the Shakespearean classics to modern horror.  She has been singing in various choirs since the age of four and has won numerous regional and state awards for her vocal skills. She
has performed at the Star Plaza Theatre and at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Northwest Indiana.  She has earned "Letters" in both Theatre and Choir at Highland High School and has appeared in numerous stage plays –– both dramas and musicals.  Sarah currently is looking forward to her first year in college.

Contact Sarah for news on all ages events and teen bands at:  sarah@midwestbeat.com

Bill Hutchison – Webmaster                                 

    Bill has been involved with the local music scene since adolescence, playing guitar, harmonica and singing with numerous area bands over the years. He is currently with Lake Effect  www.lakeeffectblues.com  and particularly enjoys sharing his music with the crowds at Navy Pier and the many local outdoor festivals throughout the summer.  He has been refining his web design skills for the past 3 years and presently serves as webmaster for several websites.  Among these are www.6string.net, a resource site providing valuable links and information of interest to Northwest Indiana musicians and Hungry Mind Design www.hungryminddesign.com   the web design company he started. 

   Tom ran an ad in The Beat in search of a webmaster who was up to the challenge of breathing new life into the magazine’s website.  Bill was intrigued not only by the opportunity to exercise his web design skills, but also by the chance to give something back to the area’s music scene which has been a very enjoyable part of his life for the past 35 years.

You can contact Bill at:  webmaster@midwestbeat.com

Need a Web Site? Click Here...  Hungry Mind Design

CRYSTAL FROST – Accounts Manager

Crystal is one of the most important folks on the staff. She makes sure that our advertisers pay their bills in a timely  fashion and that we likewise pay ours. 

She’s not a big fan of the line – “The check is in the mail...” -- so don’t use it!

ROY FERRER – Staff Photographer

(Shown here with country music superstar Martina McBride)

    Roy was the very first staff photographer of Midwest BEAT Magazine and as such has covered hundreds of concerts, events and functions for our pages with his lens. He has  been contributing his creative eye and talents to Midwest BEAT Magazine for the last six years. Among the hundreds of artists Ferrer has aimed his camera at over the years on our behalf are Ted Nugent, Donna Summer, Travis Tritt, Styx, John Mellencamp, Brian Wilson and Gladys Knight.

    Roy's photos have been featured on various CD booklets and jackets, including the latest  release from Chicago rock legends, The Ides Of March –– "Beware: The Ides Of March – Live!" 
 
    Roy does freelance photography work for regional bands and models.  He is available  for private shoots and sessions. 

He can be contacted for private work via email through this web site.  www.royferrer.com

NIVA BRINGAS – Photo Editor/Staff Photographer

(Shown here with his rock 'n' roll buddy, Joan Jett)

     Niva has been involved with photography for most of his life. He has studied photography with Masters such as Stan Malinowski and Art Ketchum. Niva has been photo editor for "MIDWEST BEAT Magazine" for two years and also has been published in several publications from "Rolling Stone," "Chicago Sun Times" and other music and specialty magazines. Niva is the official Tour Photographer for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

    Niva is an active contributor of  concert photographs and reviews for "Concert Live Wire." Niva has been acting secretary for C.P.P.A (Chicago Professional Photographers Association) for over three years. 
    Although Niva was born in Miami, Florida, he grew up and has lived in Chicago his entire life and really enjoys covering the many great concerts in the Midwest. 

Niva can be reached by email at:  nivab@sbcglobal.net

Visit Niva's Web Site:  http://www.nivasgigs.net

Shelly Harris – Legal Counsel/Staff Writer/Columnist  

      Shelly Harris is a feature writer for Midwest Beat and the author of our "Sports & Music (S&M)" column and our music law advice column, "From The Desk of...Shelly Harris."

    Shelly received her BS degree (with highest distinction) from Indiana University in 1991.  She later attended law school at Valparaiso University (JD class of '95), and is admitted to  the Illinois Bar. In her other role as a music critic/journalist, Shelly has contributed to such  local publications as The Times, The Illinois Entertainer, Night Rock News, and the Indiana Rocker, as well as national rock publications such as Ke rrang!, Circus, Rockbill, and others. During the '80's, she also served as the assistant editor at Chicago Soundz Magazine and FACES magazine in New York.

    After a stint as a bank attorney/trust officer, Shelly began a private practice in 1999, concentrating in music law, trust and  estates, estate settlements, and residential real estate closings. In addition, she provides advice to musicians on management, artist development, promotion, and  publicity-related issues.

Shelly can be reached at: ShellyHarrisLaw@aol.com 

                                                      Phone: 708-341-6441  or  219-554-1087.

JULES & KENT FOLLET / FOTOS BY FOLLETTS – Staff Photographers

     FOTOS BY FOLLETTS is a concert photography company based in New Buffalo, Michigan and Tierra Verde, Florida. Jules and Kent Follett collectively have over 16 years of "Fotography" experience and have traveled the world shooting concerts and events.

   They are staff photographers for Midwest BEAT Magazine, and contributing photographers for American Corporate Entertainment Magazine, Campus Activities magazine. The Folletts are the official station photographers for WMXJ Radio in Miami, Florida. 

BARRY BRECHEISEN – Contributing Photographer 

    Barry Brecheisen is a Chicago-based photographer specializing in music imagery. Since 1997, he's become well-known for his live action shots in his roles as Senior Photographer and Photo Editor of RollingStone.com. His images have been featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard, Penthouse, Downbeat Jazz, Pulse and the Chicago Reader among other publications. 

    Midwest BEAT Magazine has had the good fortune of having Barry contributing shots for our pages since mid-2002. 
                                                                             Contact Berry: 

Barry Brecheisen Photography • 1851 W. Iowa, Suite 3E • Chicago, IL  60622 

Ph #:  773.227-4686 (BB-PHOTO)

DAN LOCKE – Contributing Photographer

    Dan Locke began as a photographer during his high school days. He says that he loves shooting anything that moves and getting a great image frozen in time. 

    "Getting that image" became very important to Locke in 2001. That was when "Midwest BEAT Magazine" Photo Editor, Niva Bringas, invited Dan to shoot classical recording artist Charlotte Church on a visit she made to Chicago. 

    "My images were so good from that shoot, that they were printed in Midwest Beat Magazine, getting me my first published work," he recalled. And from there the rest is history. Locke's photos have since been seen on various music sites on the web and in print. His work has also been used by many artists as part of their promotional materials.

ADAM BIELAWSKI – Contributing Photographer

    Born on the East Coast in New Britain, CT and raised in Chicago from 5 years old, Adam still lives in the Windy City. He joined the Navy in 1987 and Served on the USS Ouellet out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This is where photography sparked his interest. Trained as an Intelligence Photographer for his ship, the experience taught him how to really handle a Canon F1 35mm camera. 

    After being Honorably Discharged in March of 1992, Adam attended Richard J. Daley College for his AA/AS and then proceeded to Western Illinois University. Hespent 2 1/2 years at WIU pursuing a Degree in Computer Science. He became a freelance photographer for the Western Courier, the WIU campus newspaper paper. Some of the artists Adam shot for included –– Material Issue, Saigon Kick, and Toad the Wet Sprocket, along with various comedians and University Speakers. 

    Adam is currently a Network Administrator and webmaster at DigitalCars.com, Inc. He still shoots and has been a frequent contributing photographer for the Midwest Beat Magazine's popular "Scrapbook" pages since 2001.

Adam is also recently became a member of CHaT, Chicago Harmony and Truth as a photographer.

ROB GRABOWSKI – Contributing Photographer

    Rob has been shooting sports photography since 1990 when he became the Chicago Blackhawks team photographer. 

"I was the team photographer from 1990 till 2000," he recalls. "I have been published in numerous sports publications such as: ESPN magazine, Sports Illustrated, The Hockey News, Hockey Illustrated as well as Upper Deck, Be A Player, Parkhurst, Pro Set, Fleer, and Pinnacle hockey cards. "

Though he has moved on from the Hawks, Rob still handles all of the photography and graphic design for hockey superstar, Chris Chelios, which include his charity golf outings, as well as private functions. 

His passion for music photography began in 1996. Rob plays guitar and has a real appreciation for capturing the music on film. His favorite bands include: Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, and Kiss. As well as, rock 'n' roll legends such as Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen. Rob has been shooting for Midwest BEAT Magazine since 2001.

Along with taking the photos, Rob does graphic design artwork, retouching, page layout, and complete lab work for enlargements. In addition to photography, he is a mortgage consultant for 1st Home Mortgage and finds a real joy helping people get financing to purchase the home of their dreams or refinancing to save clients money. If he can be of assistance in helping get you into your dream home.

                                     Contact Rob at: rgrabowski@1sthomemortgage.com

FREAK - Opinion/Gonzo Columnist

    Everyone in Chicago who is cool, wakes up to Freak since he is a key player in Mancow's Morning Madhouse radio program on Q101-FM. Freak is the ultimate rock 'n' roll bohemian who jets around, drives around and hangs around with the most radical folks in the entertainment biz. Fortunately for the readers of the Midwest BEAT Magazine, Freak has been scribing his witty and wild road adventures in our pages since mid-2001.

    Freak often present and accounted for at key BEAT-sponsored events like the annual "REGION RUMBLE" showcase concerts at Star Plaza Theatre and our annual "Midwest Music Awards" show. What makes Freak special in this business, is that he really, really, really is music FAN first and foremost. 

    "Freak is the most genuine guy involved with the Chicagoland music scene I know," says BEAT publisher Tom Lounges. "His monthly 'On The Front Lines...with Freak' column is one of the most popular sections in our magazine according to the feedback I've gotten from our readers. I get a secret kick out of being the first one who gets to read about his travel exploits each month.

DIANE DEMETER – Nuts & Bolts/Heavy Music Columnist & Feature Writer / CD Reviewer

   Diane is based in Peoria, Illinois and has been our heavy music columnist and feature writer since Sept. 2002. She came to us through Pete Alteri, the founder of HeaveCore, a heavy metal organization that networks heavy and  hard music artists worldwide.

      Not only a dyed-in-the-leather fan of the music she writes about, Diane is a recognized and known veteran figure of the heavy music scene of the Quad City/Peoria region. She was the host of a popular metal-only radio program for years in that market and has written on the subject for years. She's a fan first and always calls it likes she hears it... Diane's just a "nuts 'n' bolts" kind of gal! 

Contact this maiden of metal mayhem at: dianedemeter@msn.com

ERIC STEINER – Midwest Blues Beat Columnist / CD Reviewer

    Eric Steiner joined Midwest Beat in 1999 as the magazine’s blues columnist.  Eric lives North of Seattle in Edmonds, Washington, but his passion has been listening to and writing about the blues ever since he saw Muddy Waters in the mid-70’s in Chicago.    

    Eric’s ties to the Midwest include formative years in the South Suburbs and downstate (Rich East High School, 1976, and Illinois State University, 1979). 

    He relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 1980 to work for the Seven Gables Theatres after the movie bug bit him as a staffer at the Chicago International Film Festival.  Eric says he’s had several dream jobs, ranging from a Russian Interrogator in the US Army, a grant writer for the Seattle Indian Center to his current position at the US Department of Labor, where he works to improve educational and employment opportunities for young people.

His freelance work has appeared on many Internet sites, including Blues Bytes, The Blues Site, and Cosmik Debris, where he writes the monthly Cosmik Blues (www.cosmik.com).  Aside from Chicago blues, Eric’s other passion is running and writing about running.  He is a frequent contributor to Northwest Runner magazine www.nwrunner.com

Eric’s threatening to learn the guitar in 2003 with one goal: 

To play Elmore James’ “Dust My Broom.”

JON RICE - CD reviewer

    Jon Rice has been happily writing CD Reviews for the Beat for over two years now.  He especially gets cranked over reviewing local artists as for the most part they are always refreshing.  Jon holds a Bachelors degree from Western Michigan University and Master of Fine Arts degree from Purdue University. 

He has been the singer/guitar/mandolin player of the Michigan City, IN original band “The Merkins” (http://iuma.merkins.com) for over 7 years.  Jon also is the theatre and music critic for the Michigan City, IN - News Dispatch.  He is proud to be on staff for the Beat as they are the “real deal” when it comes to supporting and promoting local and original talent.

RACHEL KOMAR – Midwest Rumblings Columnist / CD Reviewer

  With the first issue of 2004, Rachel Komar officially became Midwest BEAT's new host of the "local demo review" column, MIDWEST RUMBLINGS, which previously had been hosted for years by long time staffer David Alan Buco.  

    Though she has big shoes to fill, Komar is up for the task. She has been an avid supporter of local music for quite some time. She is very experienced in show coverage, promotion, and running numerous street teams for signed and unsigned bands.  Rachel also maintains a popular, and constantly changing, local band website,    www.hotlocalbands.com

    Rachel says that her main passion was, is, and always will be music. Currently, she is the drummer of Northwest, Indiana’s Emo/Alternative-Punk band, Robot Hero.  While she enjoys playing music, she likes watching and listening to it even more and attends at LEAST one concert per week.   “I devote all my time to music, and I can’t imagine living my life without it,” said Komar.

    Dedicated to shining a spotlight on Midwest talent, Rachel believes the Chicagoland area has great bands.  Her personal goal is to push some of them up to the next level in their careers and help the world discover the amazing
music inherent to the Midwest region.  Komar's energies both with Midwest BEAT and on her own in various projects, are focused to keep the regional music scene alive and healthy.

    "When I help a band rise and they get to the level of getting radio play for their songs and/or having sold out live shows, my involvement makes me feel almost like part of the band," concludes Komar.   "I feel their excitement,
and it is an immensely great experience."   

Send all demos/regional releases for Rachel to:
"Midwest Rumblings"  c/o Midwest BEAT Magazine, 2613 41st Street, Highland, IN 46322.   

Rachel Komar can be reached directly via email at:  Rachel@midwestbeat.com    

JACQUELINE KLAPAK -Teen Scene Columnist

Jackie Klapak, born in February of 1988, is the Midwest BEAT's new "Teen Scene" columnist.
Music has been Jackie's biggest passion since she stumbled upon a Beethoven biography when she was ten years old. She has played the trumpet since age nine, the piano since age ten, the clarinet since age eleven, and she's taken voice lessons since she was twelve.
Jackie has been a part of numerous theatre productions: she's played in the pit orchestra for the Marian Theatre Guild in Whiting and has been a part of many Highland High shows, both on stage and off.
Jackie also sang “The Star Spangled Banner" live at Star Plaza Theatre at the Midwest BEAT's 2003 production of the all-star "Region Rumble." For that, whe was half of the vocal duo which also included her good friend and "Teen Scene" predecessor, Sarah Lounges.
Jackie attends Highland High, where she is first in her class. She is involved in both French and German clubs, student council, jazz band, choir, and she cantors regularly at Our Lady of Grace Church in Highland.
In her spare time, Jackie enjoys listening to all types of music, reading, writing poetry, and having deep and meaningful talks with her friends.
She hopes that her input as the new author of the monthly "Teen Sceen" column will give a fresh and young outlook to open-minded readers. Feel free to email her any time at:
In the immortal words of her personal rock idol, Roger Daltrey ––– "Long Live Rock!"

Jackie Klapak can be reached directly via email at:   jackie@midwestbeat.com

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