Dear
Friends,
As our little record company enters yet another confusing stage
of its adolescence (hormonal troubles, strange facial hair, voices
changing, etc.) I cannot help but recall the popular television
series that helped inspire this label's formation, "Matador
at Fifteen."
"Matador at Fifteen" was one of TV's more honest attempts
at portraying the pains and joys of growing up and trying to run
a record label. 15-year-old Chris Lombardi was a bright, sensitive
teenager who found his world completely turned upside down when
his father, a college professor, moved the family (and Chris'
fledgling Matador imprint) from Oregon to New York City in order
to accept a new teaching position.
At first, Chris tried to run away; then he began to learn how
to cope with life in a new city. Among his new friends at Gritty
Inner City High were: Marlene, a "plain jane,"
very intelligent girl who always took the intellectual point of
view and Sly, his hip best friend who always had a little bit
of advice or, as he called it, "Sly-cology," when
Chris needed it.
Chris was an avid photographer and also a daydreamer. One of the
best elements of the series were his periodic lapses into daydreaming
of himself as he would like to be - heroic & suave -
portrayed in special, dream-like sequences. Although there were
lighter moments in Matador At Fifteen, the subject matter was
often rather serious: teenage alcholisism, venereal disease,
independent radio promotion, etc.
The most controversial episode was one in which Chris lost his
virginity in an affair with a Swedish exchange student (played
by Kirsten Baker).
Although subject matter in this show was tastefully handled and
NBC had high hopes for it, it did not attract a large audience
and was canceled after its first year.
Though we've been in negotiations with NBC to issue many of the
classic "Matador At Fifteen" episodes on DVD, Chris
Lombardi has withheld his consent, and as a result, we've had
to settle for yet another collection of classic tracks, hard to
find rarities and music videos from the Matador Records stable
of superstars. I can only hope this collection is as enjoyable
for you as it was agonizing for us to compile.
Gerard Cosloy
Matador Records, September 2004
