Michael Varney (born 1958) is an American record producer and music publisher. He is the founder of the Shrapnel Label Group, which includes Shrapnel Records, Tone Center Records, and Blues Bureau International. He also owns 50% of Magna Carta Records, a New York–based label.
Early life
Mike Varney grew up in Novato, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Before forming
Shrapnel Records, Varney played extensively with the pre-punk band,
The Nuns. The Nuns were one of the most successful bands in the Bay Area at that time, regularly selling out at the local venues and clubs.
He co-wrote and performed "Rock Justice" along with Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship's
Marty Balin, released by
EMI in 1980.
Varney also led his band,
Cinema, which received wide recognition in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was known for searing lead guitar runs performed on his collection of
Gibson SG guitars.
Career
Shrapnel Records
Shrapnel Records was founded in 1980 by Mike Varney at the age of 22. It was the first record company in the U.S. strictly dedicated to heavy metal. Shrapnel was at the forefront of the neo-classical electric guitar and shred movements. Shrapnel Records was the first label to bring world attention to guitarists such as
Yngwie Malmsteen (Steeler),
Marty Friedman,
Jason Becker,
Paul Gilbert, Racer X,
Tony MacAlpine,
Vinnie Moore,
Greg Howe,
Richie Kotzen, John5, and many others. Today Shrapnel continues to record guitarists and has also returned to his metal roots by releasing some classic metal and hard rock records due to a resurgence in interest.
Guitar Player's Spotlight column
Mike Varney began his "Spotlight" column in
Guitar Player magazine in 1982 as a vehicle for discovering talent among the magazine's audience. His monthly column featured many guitarists who sent in demos to showcase their abilities. Several players who were featured received opportunities to record with Shrapnel Records.
Blues Bureau International
Blues Bureau International, founded in 1991, is a label that has focused its attention on the blues-rock genre. Through the years the label has recorded many artists including
Pat Travers,
Rick Derringer,
Eric Gales,
Scott Henderson's solo records as well as records from his group "Tribal Tech", Glenn Hughes,
Marc Ford, Chris Duarte,
Neal Schon, The Outlaws, Joe Louis Walker, etc. The label continues to record artists in the electric blues style.
Tone Center
Tone Center Records, founded in 1997, is an independent record company owned by Varney, dedicated to recording high-level jazz, jazz/rock and fusion music. The roster is made up of some of the most well-known names in the instrumental jazz/rock/fusion world. The label's records include performances by Frank Gambale, Eric Johnson,
Warren Haynes,
Steve Morse,
Victor Wooten and
Mike Stern.
Partial list of artists who have appeared on releases on Varney's record labels
Shrapnel Records
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Tone Center Records
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Blues Bureau Records
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Magna Carta Records
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External links
