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| education =
| education =
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Co-founder, [[Sub Pop]]
| occupation = Record Label Owner, [[Sub Pop]], [[Hardly Art]]
| years_active = 1988-Present
| years_active = 1988-Present
| employer =
| employer =
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| partner = <!-- unmarried life partner; use ''Name (1950–present)'' -->
| partner = <!-- unmarried life partner; use ''Name (1950–present)'' -->
| children =
| children =
| parents =
| parents = Harold Poneman, Beverly Poneman (nee Sutker)
| relatives =
| relatives =
| awards =
| awards = Lifetime Achievement Award<br>American Association of Independent Music <ref>{{Cite web|last=Aswad|first=Jem|last2=Aswad|first2=Jem|date=2019-05-14|title=Sub Pop Records Cofounder Jonathan Poneman to Receive A2IM Lifetime Achievement Award|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/sub-pop-cofounder-jonathan-poneman-a2im-lifetime-achievement-award-1203213592/|access-date=2020-06-11|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref>
| website = www.subpop.com
| website = www.subpop.com
| signature =
| signature =
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'''Jonathan Poneman''' is an American music industry executive and co-founder of [[Sub Pop]], an independent record label whose early signings include releases by [[Soundgarden]], [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] and [[Mudhoney]]. Sub Pop is credited with ushering in the 1990s [[Grunge|"grunge"]] movement. <ref>{{Cite news|last=Burns|first=Geoff|date=2017-08-06|title=How A Kid from Toledo Changed Rock 'N' Roll Forever|work=The Blade|url=https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/music-theater-dance/2017/08/06/How-a-kid-from-Toledo-changed-rock-n-roll-forever/stories/20170805134|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-21}}</ref>
'''Jonathan Poneman''' is a North American record executive who co-owns two record labels: [[Sub Pop]] and [[Hardly Art]]. <ref>{{Cite news|last=Burns|first=Geoff|date=2017-08-06|title=How A Kid from Toledo Changed Rock 'N' Roll Forever|work=The Blade|url=https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/music-theater-dance/2017/08/06/How-a-kid-from-Toledo-changed-rock-n-roll-forever/stories/20170805134|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-21}}</ref>


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Poneman was born on October 9, 1959 in Toledo, Ohio to Harold Poneman,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Howell|first=Steve|date=|title=Jonathan Poneman interview|url=http://www.musicnotesandquotes.com/JonPonemanFeature.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-06-11|website=www.musicnotesandquotes.com}}</ref> a cardiologist, and Beverly Poneman, a nurse. He spent his early life in Ottawa Hills. <ref name="Spin">{{Cite news|last=Rubin|first=Mike|date=April 1, 1995|title=Swingin' on the Flippity Flop with Sub Pop|page=161|work=Spin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=495Bl1_hMr8C&pg=PA161&lpg=PA161&dq=jonathan+poneman+toledo&source=bl&ots=mshZn6KdD6&sig=ACfU3U1K866pvqfXjYMafY_pczeIpIUJNw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj2v_DAxvjpAhVrSTABHeDVAtwQ6AEwCHoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=jonathan%20poneman%20toledo&f=false|url-status=live|access-date=2020-06-10}}</ref> He attended boarding school for 10th and 11th grade, and graduated from high school in Arizona. In August of 1977 he followed a girlfriend to Bellingham, Washington and relocated solo to Seattle in August of '79. <ref name=":1" />
The third child born to Harold and Beverly Poneman was born on October 9, 1959 in Toledo, Ohio. Poneman grew up in the suburb of [[Ottawa Hills, Ohio|Ottawa Hills]]. <ref name="Spin">{{Cite news|last=Rubin|first=Mike|date=April 1, 1995|title=Swingin' on the Flippity Flop with Sub Pop|page=161|work=Spin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=495Bl1_hMr8C&pg=PA161&lpg=PA161&dq=jonathan+poneman+toledo&source=bl&ots=mshZn6KdD6&sig=ACfU3U1K866pvqfXjYMafY_pczeIpIUJNw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj2v_DAxvjpAhVrSTABHeDVAtwQ6AEwCHoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=jonathan%20poneman%20toledo&f=false|url-status=live|access-date=2020-06-10}}</ref> After getting kicked out of high school in 11th grade, Poneman went on to graduate from Arcadia High School in [[Scottsdale, Arizona|Scottsdale]], Arizona in 1977. He moved to Washington State that same year. <ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Howell|first=Steve|date=|title=Jonathan Poneman interview|url=http://www.musicnotesandquotes.com/JonPonemanFeature.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-06-11|website=www.musicnotesandquotes.com}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
In 1983, Poneman began volunteering at the University of Washington's student-run radio station, KCMU, a forerunner to [[KEXP-FM|KEXP]], and important champion of local independent music. [[Mark Arm]] of [[Mudhoney]], photographer [[Charles Peterson (photographer)|Charles Peterson]], [[Soundgarden]] guitarist [[Kim Thayil]] and Poneman's eventual business partner [[Bruce Pavitt]], had regular air shifts at the station.
Prior to Sub Pop, Poneman was a radio DJ (host of the show Audioasis for University of Washington's college station, KCMU). He also promoted early shows by Soundgarden, [[Green River (band)|Green River]] and [[Skin Yard]] and performed as a musician himself.


At a 1985 KCMU benefit show Poneman had booked, he first saw Soundgarden perform. In 1987, he helped raise money to get Soundgarden's debut single and EP, ''[[Screaming Life|Screaming Life,]]'' released on Pavitt's fledgling Sub Pop label. On April 1, 1988, Poneman and Pavitt opened Sub Pop Records as a full service record label in Seattle, Washington <ref name=":0" />
Soundgarden guitarist, [[Kim Thayil]], suggested Poneman work with [[Bruce Pavitt]], a fellow DJ and local music fan, who had released their first EP, ''Screaming Life,'' to release their next album, which Pavitt was struggling to finance. Poneman had interviewed Pavitt for his radio show and agreed to fund the album. On April 1, 1988, their partnership was solidified: both quit their day jobs and signed for their first office lease as Sub Pop, LLC.


In 1989, the label released Nirvana's debut, ''Bleach'', which remains Sub Pop's all-time best selling album, with more than two million units sold. <ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Elliott|first=Gwendolyn|date=2018-08-01|title=The Sub Pop Timeline|work=Seattle Magazine|url=https://www.seattlemag.com/music/sub-pop-timeline|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-20}}</ref>
Poneman was the first record label executive to sign [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] to a record contract. <ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Elliott|first=Gwendolyn|date=2018-08-01|title=The Sub Pop Timeline|work=Seattle Magazine|url=https://www.seattlemag.com/music/sub-pop-timeline|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-20}}</ref>


== Sub Pop ==
Pavitt left Sub Pop in 1996 following a disagreement on the direction the label was taking. <ref name=":0" />


In 1997, Poneman started an offshoot label called [[Hardly Art]]. <ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=March 9, 2007|title=Sub Pop Founder Starts New Label, Hardly Art|work=Prefix|url=https://www.prefixmag.com/news/new-label-hardly-art/9654/|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-20}}</ref>
In 1997, Poneman started an offshoot label called [[Hardly Art]]. <ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=March 9, 2007|title=Sub Pop Founder Starts New Label, Hardly Art|work=Prefix|url=https://www.prefixmag.com/news/new-label-hardly-art/9654/|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-20}}</ref>


As of 2020, Poneman remains at the helm of Sub Pop Records and splits his time between [[Seattle]], Washington; [[Brooklyn]], New York; and [[Lipce Reymontowskie|Lipce Reymontowski]], PL


== Health ==
== Health ==
In 2010 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's and is an advocate for education and research to find a cure. <ref>{{Cite news|last=Brodeur|first=Nicole|date=2013-05-31|title=Sub Pop Founder Finds Calm in Dire Diagnosis|work=Seattle Times|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/sub-pop-founder-finds-calm-in-dire-diagnosis/|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-21}}</ref>
In 2013 Poneman was diagnosed with [[Parkinson's disease|Parkinson's Disease]]. <ref>{{Cite news|last=Brodeur|first=Nicole|date=2013-05-31|title=Sub Pop Founder Finds Calm in Dire Diagnosis|work=Seattle Times|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/sub-pop-founder-finds-calm-in-dire-diagnosis/|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-21}}</ref>


== Awards ==
== Awards ==
In 2014, Poneman was the recipient of the Independent Spirit Award, presented by the Music Business Association, in 2014. <ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=March 24, 2014|title=Sylvia Rhone and Jonathan Poneman Award Presentations Headline Music Biz 2014’S Opening Session|url=https://musicbiz.org/news/sylvia-rhone-and-jonathan-poneman-award-presentations-headline-music-biz-2014s-opening-session/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=musicbiz.org}}</ref> In 2019 he was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM). <ref>{{Cite news|last=Aswad|first=Jem|date=May 14, 2019|title=Sub Pop Records Cofounder Jonathan Poneman to Receive A2IM Lifetime Achievement Award|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/sub-pop-cofounder-jonathan-poneman-a2im-lifetime-achievement-award-1203213592/|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-20}}</ref>
In 2014, Poneman was the recipient of the Independent Spirit Award, presented by the [[Music Business Association]], in 2014. <ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=March 24, 2014|title=Sylvia Rhone and Jonathan Poneman Award Presentations Headline Music Biz 2014’S Opening Session|url=https://musicbiz.org/news/sylvia-rhone-and-jonathan-poneman-award-presentations-headline-music-biz-2014s-opening-session/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=musicbiz.org}}</ref> In 2019 he was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Association of Independent Music ([[A2IM]]). <ref>{{Cite news|last=Aswad|first=Jem|date=May 14, 2019|title=Sub Pop Records Cofounder Jonathan Poneman to Receive A2IM Lifetime Achievement Award|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/sub-pop-cofounder-jonathan-poneman-a2im-lifetime-achievement-award-1203213592/|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-20}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 23:29, 22 July 2020

Jonathan Poneman
BornOctober 9, 1959 [1]
Toledo, Ohio [1]
CitizenshipAmerican
Occupation(s)Record Label Owner, Sub Pop, Hardly Art
Years active1988-Present
Parent(s)Harold Poneman, Beverly Poneman (nee Sutker)
Websitewww.subpop.com

Jonathan Poneman is a North American record executive who co-owns two record labels: Sub Pop and Hardly Art. [2]

Early life and education

The third child born to Harold and Beverly Poneman was born on October 9, 1959 in Toledo, Ohio. Poneman grew up in the suburb of Ottawa Hills. [3] After getting kicked out of high school in 11th grade, Poneman went on to graduate from Arcadia High School in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1977. He moved to Washington State that same year. [4]

Career

In 1983, Poneman began volunteering at the University of Washington's student-run radio station, KCMU, a forerunner to KEXP, and important champion of local independent music. Mark Arm of Mudhoney, photographer Charles Peterson, Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil and Poneman's eventual business partner Bruce Pavitt, had regular air shifts at the station.

At a 1985 KCMU benefit show Poneman had booked, he first saw Soundgarden perform. In 1987, he helped raise money to get Soundgarden's debut single and EP, Screaming Life, released on Pavitt's fledgling Sub Pop label. On April 1, 1988, Poneman and Pavitt opened Sub Pop Records as a full service record label in Seattle, Washington [5]

Poneman was the first record label executive to sign Nirvana to a record contract. [5]


In 1997, Poneman started an offshoot label called Hardly Art. [6]


As of 2020, Poneman remains at the helm of Sub Pop Records and splits his time between Seattle, Washington; Brooklyn, New York; and Lipce Reymontowski, PL

Health

In 2013 Poneman was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. [7]

Awards

In 2014, Poneman was the recipient of the Independent Spirit Award, presented by the Music Business Association, in 2014. [8] In 2019 he was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM). [9]

References

  1. ^ a b "How a kid from Toledo changed rock 'n' roll forever". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  2. ^ Burns, Geoff (2017-08-06). "How A Kid from Toledo Changed Rock 'N' Roll Forever". The Blade. Retrieved 2020-07-21.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Rubin, Mike (April 1, 1995). "Swingin' on the Flippity Flop with Sub Pop". Spin. p. 161. Retrieved 2020-06-10.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Howell, Steve. "Jonathan Poneman interview". www.musicnotesandquotes.com. Retrieved 2020-06-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ a b Elliott, Gwendolyn (2018-08-01). "The Sub Pop Timeline". Seattle Magazine. Retrieved 2020-07-20.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "Sub Pop Founder Starts New Label, Hardly Art". Prefix. March 9, 2007. Retrieved 2020-07-20.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ Brodeur, Nicole (2013-05-31). "Sub Pop Founder Finds Calm in Dire Diagnosis". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2020-07-21.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "Sylvia Rhone and Jonathan Poneman Award Presentations Headline Music Biz 2014'S Opening Session". musicbiz.org. March 24, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ Aswad, Jem (May 14, 2019). "Sub Pop Records Cofounder Jonathan Poneman to Receive A2IM Lifetime Achievement Award". Variety. Retrieved 2020-07-20.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)