By Matthew Nelson
The Mountain Times
Hello, Mountain Timers,
Many years ago, when I was a senior in college, I started working for a gentleman named Dan Reed. He was the leader of a band called The Dan Reed Network, a Portland area band that had found enough success in the Northwest to attract the attention of major record label Polygram/Mercury, and was signed to a multi-album contract.
It was while I was working with Dan, helping him run his music production business, that I started learning how to use graphic design software. Little did I know it would be this skill that would lead me down the path I am still on today.
While working for Dan, I began designing cassette and CD covers for other bands in the local area — James Long, Floater and Johnny Limbo & The Lugnuts, to name a few. Just a few short years later, I started Active Media with a focus on graphic design and print brokering. In 2003, I published my first-ever coupon booklet called the Tigard Advantage Guide. This past October, the Advantage Guide product celebrated its 20-year anniversary and is still going strong, now publishing in more than 40-plus communities.
This past month, I had a special visit from Dan, who now lives in Prague; it had been about 6 years since I last saw him. He was in town recording his new album with The Dan Reed Network, and we had the opportunity to get together and catch up. It was cool to show him how many different types of publications we do and how far things have progressed since those early days.
It just goes to show how sometimes the smallest decision can make the largest impact on your path in life.
Until next month.
Sincerely,
Matthew Nelson