Michael Campion (musician)

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Michael Campion
Born
Michael John Campion

(1962-12-04) December 4, 1962 (age 61)
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Record producer, Entrepreneur, Musician, Songwriter
Known forCo-founding a company that reintroduced the Danelectro brand
Spouse
Lezlie Gibbs
(m. 1988)
ChildrenKylie, Kalina and Kiana
Websitemusicepicenter.com, mediaepicenter.com

Michael John Campion (born December 4, 1962) is an American producer, entrepreneur, musician and songwriter. He is known for resurrecting the guitar company Danelectro.[1]

Early life[edit]

Michael Campion was born in Moses Lake, Washington. His family moved to Orange County, California, while he was in grade school. Campion formed a band called "Westbound" in middle school and started playing high school dances before he could drive. He produced his first record for his high school, when he was 17 years old.

Career[edit]

Bands[edit]

In 1980, Campion formed "Surf City"[2] (originally "The Surf City Boys"), a band focusing on the music of The Beach Boys and Jan and Dean. While playing at Knott's Berry Farm, he met John Stamos, who joined the band on stage. Stamos would later introduce Campion to The Beach Boys[3] and Jan and Dean, with whom Campion would eventually tour. Through these events Campion met songwriting partner Randell Kirsch and joined forces for a duo project under the name of "C&K". Campion and Kirsch reunited in 2005 to release a gospel vocal album, under the name of "Feather".[4]

Jingles[edit]

At a corporate gig, Campion was approached by Wild West Stores to produce a jingle for a television & radio campaign based on The Beach Boys #1 hit, I Get Around, with Campion's production and rewrite of the lyrics. Under the name of "Pacific Productions",[5] Campion would spend the next couple of years writing and producing dozens of jingles and music campaigns, often calling upon the vocal talents of Beach Boys' band members like Jeffrey Foskett and Phil Bardowell.

L.A.B. Sound[edit]

In 1986 Campion bought into a boutique music store concept called "L.A.B. Sound"[6] and opened a location in Orange County that strategically shared a wall with a recording studio owned by Frontline Records. Frontline dominated Christian radio in the late 80s and Campion contributed songs to several artists on their roster, including Crystal Lewis.[7]

Danelectro[edit]

Musical Instruments[edit]

Campion met Steve Ridinger of EVETS Corporation in 1992.[8] QWIK TUNE was the first project that they worked on together. The concept was to take Liquid-crystal display (LCD) technology and simulate the analog meters used in guitar tuners. Old school guitar tuners with analog meters ruled the MI industry in the early 90s (selling at around $100). QWIK TUNE selling at $19.95, was accurate and disruptive to the market.[9][10][11] In recent years, QWIK TUNE rebranded as SNARK Tuners.[12]

Campion and Ridinger then saw an opportunity to reproduce the sounds of the most sought after "vintage" guitar pedals, in an affordable package. Many names were considered, but "Danelectro" had a simplistic beauty, history and mystique.

Musicians had been deprived from Danelectro products for nearly 30 years, when Campion and Ridinger introduced 3 new pedals under the brand name, at the Winter NAMM Show, in 1997.[8]

Dealers from all over the world ordered mass quantities, but their number one question was: When are you coming out with guitars? In a rapid, but thorough design and development effort, Danelectro released their first model of guitar, (a replica of the 1956 "U2"), exactly one year later[1] The Danelectro U2 was embraced by the industry and the demand for additional models set the course for the years to follow.[13]

Tonal Creations[edit]

Tonal Creations combined Campion's experience in guitar manufacturing with creative advertising, by producing custom shaped guitars for high-profile companies to use as branding and marketing instruments. Guitars in the shapes of everything from hamburgers to cartoon characters were produced for clients like Mars, Incorporated for M&M's.

Music Epicenter[edit]

Campion left Danelectro in 2002 and dove back into songwriting, placing songs in a few television shows, like One Tree Hill,[14] through agencies that demanded to own the song's publishing, in exchange for their placement efforts. Feeling that this was unfair, Campion formed "Music Epicenter", with partner and mentor songsmith, Chris Falson in 2003.

Campion shifted focus from song placement to finding a solution for an industry in rapid decline. Lack of stable distribution channels for new artists, inspired Campion, along with ME partner Chris Falson and James Langteaux to create "PeaPod Music", where he raised capital and filed a patent on this unique distribution and discovery process.[15]

The Raymies[edit]

The Raymies was a youth-based entertainment project created by Campion, in which he also served as musical director and executive producer.[16] As the project evolved, he raised funds for a television pilot, which he co-produced with Brillstein Entertainment Partners and John Stamos. The lead singers were two of Campion's three daughters (Kalina and Kiana).[17]

In their three years together, The Raymies performed over 100 live shows from Los Angeles to New York and recorded nearly 40 songs written by Campion.[18] Several of the songs found their way into other television and film projects.[19] An animated version of The Raymies was developed for the kid based, online, virtual world of JumpStart, whose Raymies followers grew from 200,000 to 2,000,000 during their two-year collaboration.[20]

In 2011, Campion struck a deal with Rainbow S.r.l. to develop a musical television series with Nickelodeon as a platform for Kalina and Kiana's music career.[21] Campion served as Co-creator and Music Supervisor of the series and wrote much of the music with his daughters. The show (recast) premiered in 2016 as Maggie & Bianca: Fashion Friends.[22] and completed 78 episodes, (including guest appearances by Kalina & Kiana), over three seasons, airing internationally on Netflix, Nickelodeon and Disney.

Media Epicenter[edit]

Through experience gained from Maggie & Bianca, and having directed nearly two dozen music videos, Campion discovered a passion for storytelling beyond music, and launched his own production company - Media Epicenter, in late 2019. The launch was slowed by the COVID-19 Pandemic, but the company is back on course and currently has eight film & TV projects in various stages of development, ranging from unscripted to interactive animation. Media Epicenter began production on two documentaries in late 2022 and will launch their first docu-reality series in 2023.

Personal life[edit]

Campion married Lezlie Gibbs in 1988. Together they have three daughters: Kylie, Kalina and Kiana.

Credits[edit]

Discography[edit]

  • Love Is the Answer - Pacifica, 1980, Kitchen Records - Credited Role: Producer, Vocals, Guitar
  • City Lights - Surf City, 1983, Nu-Surf Records - Credited Role: Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Keys, Writer for Summer in Huntington and Sandy
  • Girl of My Dreams - Surf City, 1984, Graham Street Records - Credited Role: Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Keys, Writer for Girl of My Dreams, I Love You More, One Last Ride, Little Lady
  • I Want You to Know - Crossfire, 1985, Graham Street Records - Credited Role: Engineer, Co-producer, Backing Vocals
  • Beyond the Charade - Crystal Lewis, 1987, Frontline Records - Credited Role: Backing Vocals, Writer for Frustrated, Runnin', Let Them Know, Tonight
  • United We Stand / Divided We Fall - Benny Hester, 1990, Frontline Records - Credited Role: Backing Vocals
  • New Life - Sharlyn & Rick Green, 1991, Santa Catalina Records - Credited Role: Engineer, Producer, Backing Vocals, Guitar
  • Greatest Hits (Crystal Lewis album) - Crystal Lewis, 1991, Frontline Records - Credited Role: Writer for Frustrated
  • Rewards of Wisdom - Thunder Bay, 1992, Santa Catalina Records - Credited Role: Producer, Arranger, Programmer, Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keys, Writer for Rewards of Wisdom
  • Twelve & Twelve - Jeffrey Foskett, 1997, Pioneer LDC / New Surf, Ltd. - Credited Role: Backing Vocals, Writer for I Don't Know
  • Near Life Experience - Randell Kirsch, 1999, Dental Records - Credited Role: Backing Vocals
  • The Best of Jeffrey Foskett - Jeffrey Foskett, 2001, Pioneer / New Surf - Credited Role: Backing Vocals, Writer for I Don't Know
  • Santa Cruz - Papa Doo Run Run, 2001, Blue Pacific Records - Credited Role: Writer for One Last Ride
  • Fragile Sunrise - Jeff Larson, 2002, New Surf Records - Credited Role: Backing Vocals
  • Blue Plate Special - Papa Doo Run Run, 2002, Blue Pacific Records - Credited Role: Writer for One Last Ride
  • Swimming in the Make Believe - Jeff Larson, 2003, New Surf Records - Credited Role: Backing Vocals
  • Cornerstone Christmas - Chris Falson & Friends, 2003, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Producer, Vocals, Guitar
  • One in a Million - Dennis Wilson Tribute, 2004, ESQ (Endless Summer Quarterly) - Credited Role: Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Writer for The Only Good Thing About Leavin' and I Wanted You to Know
  • Prisoner of Hope - Chris Falson, 2004, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Associate Producer, Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
  • Destiny's Calling (Soundtrack) - 2005 - Destiny Records - Credited Role: Producer, Composer
  • Feather - Feather, 2005, Surrender Records - Credited Role: Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Writer of Psalm and Believin'
  • Mariner's Christmas with Jeffrey Foskett & Michael Campion, 2005, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Writer for Merry Christmas (Say What You Mean)
  • Where Is She? (Soundtrack) - 2008 - Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Producer, Writer for Dance All Night
  • Dance All Night - The Raymies, 2009, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Producer, Writer for Too Soon to Tell, I Can't Wait, Nothin' Seems to Rhyme, Good Day, I Love You More, UP2U, You & Me, Dance All Night, Why Won't You Talk To Me, Someday, Tell Me
  • Raymies Rules - The Raymies, 2009, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Producer, Arranger, Writer for Dance All Night, Kalina, Where Are You?, UP2U, Things You Should Know, I Can't Wait, Too Soon to Tell
  • The Raymies Christmas - The Raymies, 2009, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Producer, Arranger, Writer for At Christmas Time
  • Enough - LJCC Live, 2009, Bulldog Records - Credited Role: Producer, Vocals, Guitar
  • Enough 2 - LJCC Live, 2010, Bulldog Records - Credited Role: Producer, Arranger, Vocals, Guitar, Additional Lyrics for Some Kind of Wonderful
  • Cure Across The World - Cure Across The World, 2010, CATW Records - Credited Role: Producer, Vocals, Writer for UP2U
  • My American Friend (Soundtrack) - 2011, Rainbow S.r.l. - Credited Role: Producer, Writer for Here We Go
  • Spontaneity - Kylie Campion, 2011, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Producer
  • Places We Would Go - Rocky's Revival, 2012, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Producer, Bass, Baritone, Writer for Places We Would Go, Breathe In, Breathe Out, Tastes Like Sin
  • Winx Club: The Mystery Of The Abyss (Soundtrack) - 2014, Rainbow S.r.l. - Credited Role: Vocal Producer for We All Are Winx
  • The Live Collection - Chris Falson, 2014, Sounds Dangerous - Credited Role: Vocals and guitar
  • Blue Water Harmony - Blue Water Music Festival, 2015, Blue Water - Credited Role: Producer, Writer for Like a Child
  • Newspaper Dream - Rocky's Revival, 2016, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Producer, Guitar, Baritone, Writer for Newspaper Dream, It Takes One, With You, Like a Child
  • Maggie & Bianca: Fashion Friends (Soundtrack) - 2016/2017, Rainbow S.r.l. - Credited Role: Music Supervisor, Producer, Guitar, Bass, Writer for Here We Go, I Can't Wait, Relationship Game, Inside Out, Over and Over Again, Love Is Hard (But It's Worth It), Sitting Next to Him
  • Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir "A Christmas Special" (Soundtrack) - 2016, ZAG Records - Credited Role: Producer, Writer for Miraculous Theme (Christmas Version), It's Gonna Be a Miraculous Christmas, My Christmas Wish
  • Sympathetic Vibrations - Gary Griffin, 2017, ViVid Records - Credited Role: Writer for I Wanted You to Know and Pretend It Isn't There
  • International Pop Overthrow - Volume 20, 2017, IPO Records - Credited Role: Executive Producer for It Had to Be You (Pre-release)
  • Maggie & Bianca: Fashion Friends (Soundtrack Album) Come Le Star - 2017, Sony Music - Credited Role: Producer, Writer for Here We Go, Relationship Game
  • Maggie & Bianca: Fashion Friends (Soundtrack) - 2017, Rainbow S.r.L. Credited Role: Producer, Writer for I Can't Wait, Inside Out
  • Heathens - Kalina & Kiana, 2017, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Producer
  • Silent Night - Kalina & Kiana, 2017, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Producer
  • His Name Shall Be - (from the motion picture “The Annunciation”) Kalina & Kiana, 2018, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Producer, Writer
  • The Sound of Silence - Kalina & Kiana, 2018, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer
  • That Girl's In Love - Kalina & Kiana, 2018, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer
  • Say What You Want - Kalina & Kiana, 2018, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer
  • Shame On Me - Kalina & Kiana, 2018, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer
  • It Had To Be You - Kalina & Kiana, 2018, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer
  • Songs for Social Change (Volume 2) Compilation, 2018, RAWA Records - Credited Role: Producer, Writer for It Takes One
  • Maggie & Bianca: Fashion Friends (Soundtrack Album) Hands Up - 2018, Sony Music - Credited Role: Producer, Writer for Over and Over Again, Love Is Hard (But It's Worth It), Sitting Next to Him
  • Kyren (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Cameron London, 2018, Kyren Records - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer for Say What You Want
  • That Summer, Vol Two (Various Artists) - 2019, That Summer - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer for That Thing
  • That Thing - Kalina & Kiana, 2019, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer
  • Gold - Kalina & Kiana, 2019, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer
  • She Is - Kalina & Kiana, 2020, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer
  • Golden Age - Kalina & Kiana, 2020, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer
  • Hungry Heart- Victoria Bailey, 2020, Rock Ridge Music - Credited Role: Vocal Producer
  • Sunshine - Kalina & Kiana, 2021, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer
  • Rider In The Rain- Victoria Bailey, 2021, Rock Ridge Music - Credited Role: Vocal Producer
  • Something New - Kalina & Kiana, 2021, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer
  • At Christmas Time (How Could He Do This To Me?) - Kalina & Kiana, 2021, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer
  • Golden Age (Live) - Kalina & Kiana, 2022, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer
  • Peter Pan Rd - Kalina & Kiana, 2022, Music Epicenter - Credited Role: Co-Producer, Writer

Jingles[edit]

Advertising: Television & Radio Commercials

Client Project/Campaign Year Credited Role Notes
Wild West Stores "I Get Around" 1984 Producer, vocals, Keys, Writer
Honda "Love My Honda" 1985 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer
Toyota "Get To Know The Park" 1985 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer
McCowen's Market Place "Who Could Ask For More?" 1986 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer
Village Green, Los Angeles "Meet Me On The Green" 1986 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer Vocals: Phil Bardowell
Toyota "Toyota-Land" 1986 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer
Sunland Ski & Sports "Fun & Fashion" 1986 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer Vocals: Laura Savitz
Honda "Scootermania" 1987 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer
Operation Santa Claus "It's Not A Gift You're Giving" 1987 Producer, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer Vocals: Laura Savitz
Gelson's Markets "Greenhouse By Gelson's" 1987 Producer, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer
Honda "Ride With A Winner" 1988 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer
Black Angus Steakhouse "Theme" 1988 Producer, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer
Sunland Ski & Sports "Take It To The Top" 1988 Producer, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer Vocals: Jeffrey Foskett
Yamaha Motor Company "We'll Make You A Believer" 1988 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer
Bausch & Lomb "Danger Zone" 1989 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer
Toyota "Get The Max" 1989 Producer, vocals, writer
The Orange County Register "It's In The Register" 1989 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer
Century 21 Real Estate "We Know The Game" 1990 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer
Rescue Rooter "At Your Service" 1990 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer
Bupkis "My Name Is Bupkis" 2012 Producer, vocals, guitar, Keys, Programming, Writer

Film and television[edit]

Project Year Credited Role
LAB Systems 1989 Executive Producer
The Touch Company 1990 Executive Producer
One Tree Hill 2003 Composer
Punk'd 2004 Composer
Punk'd 2005 Composer
The Great American Christmas 2006 Performer
The Maxwell Multiple Climax 2007 Executive Producer and composer
According To Jim 2008 Composer
Where Is She? 2008 Executive Producer and composer
Legally Blondes 2009 Composer
Raymies Rules 2009 Executive Producer and composer
My American Friend (Pilot) 2011 Producer and composer
D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F. 2012 Composer
Winx Club: The Mystery Of The Abyss 2014 Vocal Producer
Maggie & Bianca: Fashion Friends 2016-2017 Music Supervisor and composer
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir "A Christmas Special" 2016 Producer and composer
The Annunciation 2018 Producer and composer
Big Shot 2021 Producer and composer

Music Videos[edit]

Song Artist Year Credited Role Link
UP2U The Raymies 2009 Director https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPqF3-g5oAs
Good Day The Raymies 2009 Director https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj2MroKc-Yg
Nothing Seems To Rhyme The Raymies 2009 Director https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp1gRfMwHhQ
White Christmas The Raymies 2009 Director https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oflRxSrfXSA
RaymieVision The Raymies 2009 Director https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhdkG-Bv6nU
Places We Would Go Rocky's Revival 2013 Director https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk-S7c6pTdU
Salvation Mountain (Slab City) Kylie Campion 2014 Director https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdfHB4I7F3k
Silent Night Rocky's Revival 2015 Director https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_XwZtFxz3c
Lonesome Without You Kylie Campion 2016 Director https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU8LOs8qQbk
It's Gonna Be A Miraculous Christmas Kalina & Kiana / Zag Animation 2016 Editor/Composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5Gt52e7kiE
Heathens (Live) Kalina & Kiana 2016 Director https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E4gor4uq5E
Silent Night Kalina & Kiana 2017 Director https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYPFk0VaXDg
It Had To Be You Kalina & Kiana 2018 Executive Producer, Composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXHa8KeLqSs
Say What You Want Kalina & Kiana 2018 Executive Producer, Composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-MzkgqD8kg
That Girl's In Love Kalina & Kiana 2018 Director, composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPnkG0aoHyk
That Thing Kalina & Kiana 2019 Director, composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-nt2ZuYVtU
Gold Kalina & Kiana 2019 Director, composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ytntdoq8N4
She Is Kalina & Kiana 2020 Director, composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeytBmNRrrk
Golden Age Kalina & Kiana 2020 Director, composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLyuBwiRhq4
Summertime Sadness (Live) Kalina & Kiana 2020 Director https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPjFVgTAAoM
Sunshine (Lyric Video) Kalina & Kiana 2021 Director, composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S9fQ8r9YYs
Something New (Lyric Video) Kalina & Kiana 2021 Director, composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFAgAf3zMZc
At Christmas Time (How Could He Do This To Me?) Kalina & Kiana 2021 Director, composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z0aDWCBj5o
That Thing (TouchMix Sessions) LIVE Kalina & Kiana 2021 Executive Producer, Composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6BW7TFMHDM

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Riggio, Joe (Jan, 1, 2000) The Danelectro 56U2 Crosswalk.com. Retrieved on April 3, 2016.
  2. ^ Swegles, Fred (July 14, 2006) OCEAN FESTIVAL: Band to bring Beach Boy play list Orange County Register Retrieved on April 3, 2016
  3. ^ Beach Boys Stamos Party Papa Doo Run Run Retrieved on May 2, 2016
  4. ^ Feather, 2006-08-04, retrieved 2022-11-19
  5. ^ Pacific Productions (Demo Reel 1990), retrieved 2022-11-21
  6. ^ LAB Systems Demo Video (1 of 3), retrieved 2022-11-21
  7. ^ Benny Hester - United We Stand inTune Retrieved on May 2, 2016
  8. ^ a b Moseley, Willie G. (Jan, 1999) The Return Of Danelectro Vintage Guitar Magazine Retrieved on April 3, 2016
  9. ^ QWIK TUNE QT-1 Review Bass Guitar Reviews (Jan 28, 2016) Retrieved on April 3, 2016
  10. ^ Best Basic Tuner On The Market (July 25, 2010) Ciao! Retrieved on April 3, 2016
  11. ^ (Sunday, October 26, 1997) Danelectro Asbury Park Press Retrieved on May 2, 2016
  12. ^ "SNARK® Rechargeable – SNARK". www.snarktuners.com. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
  13. ^ Mueller, Jim (June 13, 1999) Guitar Of The Past Is Future Perfect Chicago Tribune Retrieved on April 3, 2016
  14. ^ Life As A Glass House One Tree Hill Music (Nov 4, 2003) Retrieved on April 3, 2016
  15. ^ PeaPod Patent Description FAQS.org Retrieved on April 3, 2016
  16. ^ Good, Andrew (Jan 3, 2008) Girl Band Is Looking For A Name The Orange County Register Retrieved on April 3, 2016
  17. ^ Stafford, Alexandra (May 21, 2008) The Raymies Rock Full Steam Ahead The Orange County Register Retrieved on April 3, 2016
  18. ^ "The Raymies". SoundCloud. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  19. ^ Fadroski, Kelli Skye (Jan 22, 2009) Orange Pop: Rockin' With The Raymies The Orange County Register Retrieved on April 3, 2016
  20. ^ Introducing The Raymies JumpStart (Nov 24, 2009) Retrieved on April 3, 2016
  21. ^ Rainbow Over The Winx - Straffi Challenges The US Market Corriere Adriatico (Jan 15, 2015) Retrieved on April 3, 2016
  22. ^ My American Friend (Working Title) AsiaTVForum.com Retrieved on April 3, 2016

External links[edit]