ION INDIE MAGAZINE June 2015, Volume 13 | Page 146

What an amazing year this has been here at ION INDIE MAGAZINE! I have been fortunate enough to be here
since day one, and aside from the obvious--writing for a beautifully and professionally produced music
magazine--there is far more. Our writers and photographers are amazing, tireless individuals whose love of
their craft sustains them through long hours and frustration. My own personal ambitions of writing for and
having a guitar instructional column in an international music publication have come true. I wrote a music
column and reviewed albums for my high school paper, and played lead guitar in a Metal band 30 years
ago. I dreamed of being a music writer, reading ROLLING STONE and SCENE MAGAZINE (Cleveland's
legendary music paper). The back of GUITAR WORLD always had ALEX LIFESON, STEVE MORSE, AL DIMEOLA
or STEVE guitar lesson column, with valuable tips every month for all levels of players. Thanks to KIKI
PLESHA, these and more ambitions and dreams have come to fruition this year. Kiki has generously given
of her time to address the patrons of my art gallery on three occasions. The first being ION Indie Magazine’s
launch, the second our BGFA “Jimi Hendrix Art Festival”, of which Kiki was not only keynote speaker, but her
portrait of Jimi won her the prestigious “LandOfCleve Award”. This honor found her in the company of artists,
writers, restauranteurs, actors and athletes at the apogee of their careers, including none other than Top
Athlete recipient LEBRON JAMES. This year promises to hold many grand adventures. I would like to thank
everyone involved, and our monthly readers, for this terrific opportunity!

(Editor’s note: Thank you, Thomas! This publication is a better one for your contributions. I have been
privileged to participate in events and serve on the board of the BARBERTON GALLERY OF FINE ARTS and
am in awe of all you and your staff have achieved, in an effort to promote the arts.)
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