PROMO GENEALOGY:
JOHN BOULOS

This segment from Lenny Beer's examination of the Promotion Family Tree looks at industry veteran and Arista promo chief John Boulos.

This Yankees fanatic, and known simply as “Boulos” to peers, has a far different story than any of his contemporaries. John has, for the most part, been his own mentor—and has mentored a great many local and regional execs of the past few decades. He’s an old-school, Damon Runyonesque street hustler who began at indies London and Vanguard, visiting DJs and mailing records to any gatekeeper he could find. Then he joined the unstoppable Phil Quartararo at RCA. He’s worked with other greats over the years, including John Bettencourt and Brenda Romano. Boulos is best understood as our version of the baseball bench coach, developing staffs and serving as a shoulder to cry on. Now he’s using his estimable chops to help David Massey revivify Arista. But, if you’re looking for him—if and when baseball starts again—just take the D Train and head for the Bronx. He’d be happy for you to join him.

Boulos before social distancing, with Bob Kranes, Phil Q and, for some reason, Wayne Gretzsky.