Wikipedia:WikiProject Albums/Sources/About.com Critics Table

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The reliability of Dotdash Meredith (previously titled About.com) is debated. Some writers have expertise in music criticism, some do not. The following is a guide to which Dotdash critics are reliable as sources on music-related articles. This list arose out of a consensus regarding how an Dotdash critic can be considered a reliable source. Generally, if they can be demonstrated as having professional expertise in music journalism or criticism outside of Dotdash, they are considered reliable and marked as "Yes" below. Do not cite critics that are marked as "No" in the discussion. Additional critics may be listed, but make sure to confirm their reliability if you intend to cite them. You also can add them to the list, with a rationale as to why they are or are not reliable.


Overview of Dotdash critics
Critic Genre Reliable? Reasoning
Henry Adaso Hip-hop/Rap Yes Written for Vibe, LA Weekly and XXL, Houston Press (here), cited by MTV. Also founded and is currently editor-in-chief of The Rap Up.
Melissa Bobbitt 90s rock Yes Has written for Alternative Press and PopMatters (here)
Chad Bowar Heavy metal Yes Wrote for Loudwire. (here)
Chris Caggiano Theatre Yes Teaches courses in musical-theater history, arts criticism and the neuroscience of music at the Boston Conservatory, where he is a full-time faculty member. (here)
Tom Campagna Heavy metal Yes Former writer for Metal Injection (here), occasional contributor to No Clean Singing (here)
Anthony Carew Alternative music Yes Wrote for Rolling Stone, The Age (here), and The Sydney Morning Herald (here)
Ryan Cooper Punk No About.com bio claims his work has appeared in Alternative Press. Unable to confirm this through any other source.
Ben Corbett Folk Yes Has written for numerous music publications
Dan Drago Heavy metal No No major writing contributions
Robert Fontenot Oldies Yes Contributes to OffBeat (here). Has also worked for AOL and USA Today, according to About.com bio.
David E. Gehlke Heavy metal Yes Writer for the now defunct magazine Throat Culture. Currently a writer for Blistering and Metal Maniacs
Aaron M. Green Classical No Orchestral conductor and completed the "NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism" according to About.com bio. However, no reviews by this critic for a publication other than About.com have been found.
Tim Grierson Rock Yes Wrote for Blender (here) and Rolling Stone (here).
Reverend Keith A. Gordon Blues Yes Has written for AllMusic (here) and has also written a book The Other Side of Nashville
Ray Van Horn, Jr. Heavy metal Yes Has written for numerous papers, magazines and websites, as well as conducting interviews and concert photography. His personal blog, The Metal Minute, was awarded Best Personal Blog Award for 2009 by Metal Hammer. At least two books have cited Ray Van Horn's reviews.
Tijana Ilich Latin No Reviews by Ilich are discussed in multiple sources, but there is no evidence of any journalism outside of About.com
Kim Jones Christian music/gospel Yes Writes for Music Times (here) and Hallels, the latter of which she also worked for as a managing editor.
Andrew Kapper Heavy metal Yes Writes for Planet Loud
Bill Lamb Pop Yes Contributes on music at the Wisconsin Gazette (here)
Todd Lyon Heavy metal Yes Wrote for several "local music publications" as well as Creem. Also did A&R for an undisclosed record company.
Dan Marsicano Heavy metal Yes Music journalist and critic for 411Mania
Juan Mesa Latin Yes Was an editor for Billboard En Español (here)
Mark Edward Nero R&B Yes Wrote a weekly column for The San Diego Union-Tribune (here). Work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Daily News, The Boston Globe and Pasadena Star-News, according to About.com bio
Ben Norman Dance/Electronic No Unable to find any information regarding any other professional work.
"Metal" George Pacheco Heavy metal Yes Contributing editor to Metal Maniacs, staff writer at CBS Boston, Zero Tolerance, Outburn, AMP, Hails and Horns, Rue Morgue Magazine, and Blistering.com. Freelance writer for The Standard-Times.
Steve Peake 80s music No Unable to find any information regarding any other professional work.
Carlos Quintana Latin No Was "actively involved in the elaboration of the Latin music database for the Yahoo! Music site" according to About.com bio. An article he has written for About.com has been used by the site of the Institute of Latin America Studies at Anhui University (here). However, no reviews by this critic for a publication other than About.com have been found.
Megan Romer World Yes Written for No Depression (here). Marketing director of Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance (here).
Kim Ruehl Folk Yes Writer for No Depression (here). Has worked for Billboard (here) and Yes! (here).
Dave Schalek Heavy metal No No major writing contributions. About.com bio claims he wrote for several webzines, but these are not named.
Jason Shawhan Dance/Electronic No Member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and has contributed film reviews to The Observer (here), but no experience in music criticism.
Robert Silva Country Yes Has written for AMC.com (here) and All Media Guide according to résumé (here)
Ken Simmons R&B/Soul Yes Has years of experience in R&B radio and broadcast journalism, and has written for The Boombox.
Warren Truitt Children's music Yes Wrote an article on children's music in School Library Journal
Michael Verity Jazz Yes Has written reviews for Relix (here) and American Songwriter, albeit for genres other than jazz. (here)
Dave White Classic rock Yes Radio DJ and news reporter, included tenure at classic rock station WKLO of Louisville, Kentucky.
Natalie Zed Heavy metal Yes Writer and former managing editor for Canada Arts Connect Magazine, writer for Hellbound.com, Metallus Maximus, and Alternative Matter.