profiling and tried to educate Deadheads about how to avoid the police and what to bring (and not bring) with you to shows. Merchandise and record company To keep the magazine profitable, Kippel began dealing an array of collectibles geared towards Relix readers. This prompted him to create a merchandising divisions of the Relix company called Rockin' Relix/ Relix International. This led to many ties in the music merchandise world and Kippel gained connections all over the music scene. Kippel started a record company which he called Relix Records in 1980, after prompting to do so from Grateful Dead lyricist, Robert Hunter. Now, the Relix corporation was flourishing. Relix kept close ties with the record stores that were buying their magazines, merchandise, and now, the albums of the artists it represented. Relix records existed for 20 years and released over 120 records including many magazine favorites, such as Jorma Kaukonen, Hot Tuna, Free Grass Union, the New Riders of the Purple Sage, Wavy Gravy, Commander Cody and many more. Brown also created a forum in the magazine for readers to correspond with incarcerated Deadheads, many who were convicted of non-violent drug offences. Phish and Relix In October 1989, Relix covered the band Phish. Mick Skidmore heard an unreleased copy of Junta and decided to write a review. He closed the piece with, "I hope we get a chance to hear more from these extremely talented musicians in the not too distant future. Meanwhile, this tape comes highly recommended." Phish is now one of the most popular bands in the country and frequently appears in the magazine's pages. Relix after Jerry Garcia's death Following Jerry Garcia's death on August 9, 1995, Relix was once again the focus of media attention. Relix put a close up picture of Garcia on the cover which was used by media outlets all over the country. Publisher Toni Brown remembers, "Wherever I looked, Relix was there. I admit that it bolstered sales to heights we'd never seen, but I would have preferred to have Jerry back." People looked to Relix for how to cope with the loss of Garcia, the band and its constant tours, tours that were for many provided their livelihood in selling handmade/homemade merchandise and food. Relix began focusing on a wider of array of bands including Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Widespread Panic, Blues Traveler, Free Grass Union, The String Cheese Incident, moe.,