A promotional recording, or promo, is an audio or video recording distributed for free, usually in order to promote a recording that is or soon will be commercially available. Promos are normally sent directly to broadcasters, such as music radio and television stations, and to tastemakers, such as DJs and music journalists, in advance of the release of commercial editions, in the hope that airplay, reviews, and other forms of exposure will result and stimulate the public's interest in the commercial release.

Promos are often distributed in plain packaging, without the text or artwork that appears on the commercial version. Typically a promo is marked with some variation of the following text: "Licensed for promotional use only. Sale is prohibited." It may also state that the promo is still the property of the distributor and is to be returned upon demand." However, it is not illegal to sell promotional recordings, and recalls of promos are extremely rare and unenforced.

Because promos are produced in smaller quantity than releases made available to the general public, they are sometimes considered valuable collectors' items. They are never released in record stores.

Jonathan Michael Richman (born May 16, 1951) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. In 1970 he founded The Modern Lovers, an influential proto-punk band. Since the mid-1970s, Richman has worked either solo or with low-key, generally acoustic backing. He is known for his wide-eyed, unaffected and child-like outlook, and music that, while rooted in rock and roll, often draws on influences from around the world.

Born in Natick, Massachusetts, Richman began playing music and writing his own songs in the mid-1960s. He became infatuated with The Velvet Underground, and in 1969 he moved to New York City, lived on the couch of their manager, Steve Sesnick, worked odd jobs and tried to break in as a professional musician. Failing at this, he returned to Boston.

While in Boston, Richman formed The Modern Lovers, a proto-punk garage rock band. Other notable members of the group were keyboard player Jerry Harrison and drummer David Robinson, who later joined Talking Heads and The Cars, respectively. Many of the group's songs feature Boston-based topics.

Michael Lloyd Hough (born February 6, 1963) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played thirteen seasons in the National Hockey League from 1986–87 until 1998–99.

Hough was drafted 181st overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. He played 707 career NHL games, scoring 100 goals and 156 assists for 256 points. He had his best season in 1991–92 with 16 goals and 22 assists for 38 points, despite being sidelined for a month with a broken thumb. He was also the Nordiques' captain during that season.

Quebec traded Hough to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Reggie Savage and Paul MacDermid on June 20, 1993. Four days later, Washington left Hough unprotected for the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft, and he was claimed by the Florida Panthers where he played four seasons. He would be infamously remembered as scoring the goal in double overtime in the fifth game of the Panthers' semifinals series against the Flyers in 1996. This would turn out to be the last goal in the Spectrum. He ended his NHL career with the New York Islanders in 1999 after signing with them as a free agent on July 21, 1997.

Buzz Kanter (born February 1955) is Editor-In-Chief and Publisher of American Iron Magazine and RoadBike magazine, and was inducted into the American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame in 2002.

Buzz Kanter launched Stamford, Connecticut-based TAM Communications in 1989, publishing Old Bike Journal, and two years later purchased American Iron Magazine, which focuses on American motorcycles such as Harley-Davidson and Indian brands. He added RoadBike to in 1993 for riders of all makes of motorcycles who enjoy touring and cruising. In 2008, Kanter and TAM Communications launched Classic American Iron Magazine, for classic American-made motorcycle enthusiasts.

Holly Brook Hafermann (born February 23, 1986) better known by her stage name Skylar Grey, is an five-time Grammy-nominated American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Grey was signed to Machine Shop Recordings under the name Holly Brook. She released her debut album as Holly Brook, Like Blood Like Honey, in 2006. She co-wrote the three versions of "Love the Way You Lie" (for Eminem and Rihanna) with Alex da Kid, who signed her to his Wonderland Music label. She was featured as a guest vocalist on Fort Minor's "Where'd You Go" and "Be Somebody", Diddy-Dirty Money's "Coming Home", Dr. Dre's "I Need a Doctor", Lupe Fiasco's "Words I Never Said" and Kaskade's "Room for Happiness".

Grey performed professionally as a child in a folk duo with her mother called Generations. Together, (with producer/engineer Randy Green) they independently produced three albums, Dream Maker, Lift Me, and Millennial Child/Waiting For You. Grey started her first band at the age of fifteen after 'sneaking' into bars, working with jazz musicians including Jeff Eckles, Tim Whalen and Leo Sidran in Madison, Wisconsin.