Key Takeaways:
- Fourth Coast Entertainment, a homegrown music zine, is celebrating 20 years of promoting the North Country’s music and arts scene.
- The company, founded by Mike "Scruffy" Scriminger, has evolved into Up North Magazine, a staple of the region’s arts and nightlife coverage.
- Up North Magazine is distributed monthly at venues, cafes, and businesses throughout the North Country, with a circulation of 5,000 copies.
- The magazine has received several awards, including a Professional Recognition Award from the Syracuse Press Club and the SLC Business of the Year award from the New York State Assembly.
- The company’s mission remains to document and promote the North Country’s music and arts scene, with a focus on supporting local bands and artists.
Introduction to Fourth Coast Entertainment
Fourth Coast Entertainment, a music zine that started as an eight-page passion project in 2006, is celebrating two decades of promoting the North Country’s music and arts scene. Founded by North Country musician, drummer, and promoter Mike "Scruffy" Scriminger, the company has evolved into Up North Magazine, a staple of the region’s arts and nightlife coverage from Malone to Watertown, New York. What began in a Canton basement studio called "Basement Productions" in the 1990s, then 1996 Fourth Coast Entertainment Studios, a recording studio, recording and producing regional artists, including early sessions with Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, and numerous college and local bands.
The Early Days of Fourth Coast Entertainment
Scriminger wanted to help market the bands and realized that there was no centralized way to see what was happening across the North Country, before social media. In 2006, the first print issue of Fourth Coast Entertainment hit the streets, becoming the hub for local music and arts information. The original goal was simple: support local bands and give audiences one place to find out who was playing where. From its early eight-page issues, the publication quickly grew to 52-64 pages, with extensive event calendars, features, and photography. At its peak, Scriminger was putting more than 22,000 free copies on the street, reaching clubs and venues from Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Plattsburgh, Burlington, and Syracuse to Watertown and the Thousand Islands.
Awards and Recognition
In 2008, Fourth Coast Entertainment Magazine was recognized by the Syracuse Press Club with a Professional Recognition Award, and in 2015, Fourth Coast Entertainment was recognized by the New York State Assembly, United States Congress for the SLC Business of the Year award for outstanding service, commitment, and contribution to the community. These awards are a testament to the company’s dedication to promoting the North Country’s music and arts scene. While the branding has shifted to Up North to reflect broader regional coverage, the company still operates under the Fourth Coast Entertainment name, and the original mission remains: to document and promote the North Country’s music and arts scene.
The Man Behind the Magazine
Scriminger, also known as Scruffy, brings a lifetime of stage and studio experience to the magazine. A native of Watertown and graduate of Canton High School, SUNY Canton, and SUNY Empire State University, Scriminger has co-founded and performed, managed, and recorded in bands such as Voyager, Lunatics, Head First, Sabbatical, and the Waydown Wailers, sharing stages with acts including Spin Doctors, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Charlie Daniels, Collective Soul, ZZ Top, and others. He has also recorded with Christian Parker and performs with The Black Lakers and The Tas Cru Band. Scriminger has worked for years as an IATSE stage technician, helping set up major concerts and events across the state, and has taught music business and recording production as an adjunct at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music.
The Future of Up North Magazine
As it marks its 20-year milestone, Up North will continue to highlight regional music, arts, and culture with feature stories, photography, and coverage of venues and festivals across the North Country. The magazine is distributed monthly at venues, cafes, and businesses throughout the North Country, and maintains an online presence on its new website, upnorthmagazine.com, which features stories, calendars, and regional arts coverage. Scriminger committed that he could not have done this without the support of local businesses that advertise with the magazine and the number of local great writers and musicians who contribute to the publication. For more information, advertising inquiries, or story ideas, phone 315-854-3119 or email [email protected].
Conclusion
In conclusion, Fourth Coast Entertainment, now known as Up North Magazine, has come a long way since its humble beginnings as an eight-page passion project. With its dedication to promoting the North Country’s music and arts scene, the company has become a staple of the region’s arts and nightlife coverage. As it celebrates its 20-year milestone, Up North Magazine will continue to support local bands and artists, providing a platform for them to be seen and heard. With its commitment to the community and its passion for music and arts, Up North Magazine is sure to remain a vital part of the North Country’s cultural landscape for years to come.
