ION INDIE MAGAZINE December 2016, Volume 31 | Page 4

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Music by Ashley Wineland “O Holy Night”

‘Tis the season…to RAWK! Thus…we bring you the raucous rock band…SYGNAL TO NOISE! Senior Photojournalists MARK
MYERS and DANIEL “THE DAGDA” JOHNSON joined forces to spotlight this New England-based bodacious band. You can
learn all about Sygnal To Noise inside this holiday edition of ION Indie Magazine!
Mark and I also collaborated on an interview with American Idol winner SCOTTY MCCREERY. We had the pleasure to sit down
with this talented country artist and have an in depth conversation with him regarding his new book “Go Big or Go Home: The
Journey Toward the Dream”…and a plethora of other topics relating to this busy artist’s personal journey—including his advice
to career-minded independent artists. Read the interview and peruse Mark’s dynamic photography of Scotty’s concert inside.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Mark has also delivered unto the readers of ION the iconic band STYX! Mark was behind the lens
for their concert at the Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, NH…as these legends of rock took the stage. See all the sights in
this issue!
As we look toward 2017—and look back on a year that included the loss of so many notable names in the music industry—
let’s never forget what music MEANS to our planet as a whole. How often it is that we turn to music to soothe our troubled
souls and calm our restless minds! Music is both a gift and a treasure to the world—and in 2016, so many purveyors of this
message of hope are now gone from our midst. ION was founded on the premise of supporting independent artists—and in
2017, we will continue to dedicate our pages to those that will carry on the inspirational sounds of tomorrow; a testament to
those icons that carried the musical torch before them. As I’ve often stated: “Music isn’t what I do, it’s who I am. Music is a
life force that beats within. It permeates the senses and encompasses the spirit. Music transcends. It heals the heart, purges
the soul and provides refuge from pain. Music is immortal.” The world is a better place because of music…and a void is created
each and every time we lose another icon that has left their mark through song. ION remembers and honors the memory of:
LEON RUSSELL, LEONARD COHEN, NATALIE COLE, DAVID BOWIE, PRINCE, MAURICE WHITE, CRAIG STRICKLAND, MERLE
HAGGARD, GLENN FREY, PAUL KANTNER—and all the others whose music will continue to hold a place in our hearts and have
left an indelible mark in our minds. Though they are gone too soon, they live on in their songs!
May your holidays and the New Year be filled with peace, love, hope and song!

Kiki Plesha
CEO/Editor-in-Chief
The Fairy Rock Mother
ION Indie Magazine