Candidate Statements For The 2023-2024 Board Of Directors Election On August 12, 2023

The Members of the Northern California Bluegrass Society will elect the nine-member 2023-2024 Board Of Directors on Saturday, August 12, 2023, 10:00am-5:00pm at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival at the San Benito County Historical Park in Tres Pinos and by mail. Mailed ballots must be received by Tuesday, August 8, 2023.

Here are the statements from the nine candidates:

Gary Anwyl — This is my first time running for the NCBS board. I’m a long time NCBS volunteer. I served as Membership Chair and helped set up and teardown at many GOFs. I’ve had the pleasure of playing with the Stoney Mountain Ramblers at numerous NCBS events over the last 20+ years. I believe in the mission of the NCBS. I want to apply my problem solving and obsessive organizational skills to help the NCBS promote bluegrass and build a strong local bluegrass community. 

Bruce Bellochio — Hello Bruce here, you may have seen me around over the past 20 years. And thank you for your votes. As a board member with NCBS I look forward to continuing my service in 2023, promoting bluegrass music for our community. Vote for me again and great things will happen!

Eric Burman — For the last 30yrs, I’ve been an active member of the NCBS, not always a Board member, but this year I am. I have been your president this last year. We have been able make improvements with our main money maker and fun activity the Good ol’ fashion Bluegrass festival. To make working on the set up and take down teams more rewarding and easier, with more hands to do the work. With our eye on the prize, I’m sure we have improved many aspects of the festival. Our team this year has worked hard to make this festival the best ever.  If you think we’ve made things better vote for me. I am the originator of this, and the famous Brookdale Bluegrass festivals, and hope to continue to bring fine Bluegrass entertainment to you, for years to come.

Scott Conroy — I will be a great fit for the board because I appreciate tradition, and at the same time, leave room for innovation.  I’m happy to change my mind when I learn new information or figure out a better way to do something.  I’ll always do my best to serve and direct the board, to ensure the enjoyment of bluegrass music for all, for years to come.  Wagon Wheel shalt not be allowed at any sanctioned NCBS performance, so long as I have anything to say about it. One guitar, bass and banjo, with fiddles and mandolins for all.  Let’s pick!

Bruce Edmundson — I have been an active bluegrass music volunteer with NCBS/SCBS (and formerly with Redwood Bluegrass Associates) for many years, and plan to continue to help with the GOF and other activities as well as continuing to serve as the Treasurer and webmaster. I would appreciate your vote so that I can continue to be part of the bluegrass team.

Michael Hall — My Grass Is Blue! I am very excited about the return of a healthy and vibrant live music scene after the pandemic and the successful return of our beloved Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival. I look forward to seeing everyone at all the NCBS events during the coming year! Our members, volunteers and musicians make it all happen — Thanks for your support!

Lois Kellerman — I’m pleased to offer my name to serve on the NCBS board. I was on the board in previous years & have been volunteering at the GOF for many years & have a radio show on KZSU.

Joanne Minasi — Hi Friends!  Call me crazy but I’m taking the plunge to run for a spot on the NCBS Board of Directors!  I’ve volunteered at GOF for years now, first in the T-Shirt booth and then, my favorite spot, working the gate.  I love seeing everyone as they arrive, welcoming new people as well as friends I haven’t seen in a while.  Last year, Mike asked me to take over the reins and I look forward to running the gate starting this August. Music is my passion and I am grateful that I found NCBS to share that passion with so many amazing people!

Mike Russell — I’ve enjoyed being a part of the NCBS Board of Directors since 2004. My passion is producing a radio program for the local scene which provides an avenue for bands to showcase their talents live on the radio. I look forward to another great year in 2023-2024. Thank you for your support!

Write-in votes are also accepted. Ballots can be downloaded from this website and paper ballots will be available at the NCBS Booth at the GOF during voting hours.

One Day Reminder: Candidate Statements For The NCBS 2023 BOD Election Are Due By Monday, July 10

One Day Reminder:  The 2023 Election for the Northern California Bluegrass Society Board Of Directors will be held at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival at the San Benito County Historical Park in Tres Pinos on Saturday, August 12, 2023, 10:00am-5:00pm, and by mail.

The nine elected board members will serve a one-year term, August 2023 to August 2024.

Candidate Statements are due to Michael Hall by July 10, 2023, for publication on the NCBS Website. Statements are limited to 100 words.

Four Day Reminder: NCBS Board Of Directors Candidate Statements Are Due On July 10

Four Day Reminder:  The 2023 Election for the Northern California Bluegrass Society Board Of Directors will be held at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival at the San Benito County Historical Park in Tres Pinos on Saturday, August 12, 2023, 10:00am-5:00pm, and by mail.

The nine elected board members will serve a one-year term, August 2023 to August 2024.

Candidate Statements are due to Michael Hall by July 10, 2023, for publication on the NCBS Website. Statements are limited to 100 words.

Candidate Statements For The 2023-2024 NCBS Board Of Directors Election Are Due By July 10

The 2023 Election for the Northern California Bluegrass Society Board Of Directors will be held at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival at the San Benito County Historical Park in Tres Pinos on Saturday, August 12, 2023, 10:00am-5:00pm, and by mail.

The nine elected board members will serve a one-year term, August 2023 to August 2024.

Candidate Statements are due to Michael Hall by July 10, 2023, for publication on the NCBS Website. Statements are limited to 100 words.

IBMA Announces AJ Lee & Blue Summit As A Top Act At World Of Bluegrass Convention

NCBS’ own AJ Lee & Blue Summit has been named one of the top acts to perform at Bluegrass Live! — the huge concert that concludes the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World Of Bluegrass Convention, set for September 26-30, 2023 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, NC.

Bandleader AJ Lee of Santa Cruz is a member of the Northern California Bluegrass Society Board Of Directors. NCBS is a longtime organizational member of the IBMA.

AJ Lee & Blue Summit at the World Of Bluegrass.

AJ Lee & Blue Summit Plays The Station Inn In Nashville For The First Time

On Saturday, January 21, 2023, AJ Lee & Blue Summit played The Station Inn in Nashville for the first time. Rushad Eggleston joined the band onstage for a song. Billy Strings was in the audience to see the band.

AJ Lee played the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival for the first time when she was 6 years old. She now serves on the NCBS Board of Directors.

AJ Lee & Blue Summit with Billy Strings and Rushad Eggleston at The Station Inn.

NCBS Members Elect 2022-2023 Board Of Directors At The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival

The Members of the Northern California Bluegrass Society elected the organization’s 2022-2023 Board Of Directors at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival in Tres Pinos on August 14.

Amy Warren of Monterey is newly elected to the NCBS Board. She is a GOF Festival volunteer and is the former director of the Guitars Not Guns at-risk youth program in Monterey. She plays in two bluegrass bands and is a frequent jammer with her guitar at California bluegrass festivals.

Eight incumbents were re-elected. They are: Bruce Bellochio of Brookdale, Eric Burman of Bonny Doon, Bruce Edmundson of Sunnyvale, Mike Fisher of Boulder Creek, Michael Hall of Redwood City, AJ Lee of Santa Cruz, Karen Reyes of Groveland, and Mike Russell of Fremont.

Thanks to our two departing board members, Dana Frankel of Santa Rosa and Jesse Fichman of Sebastopol. They will both continue to be involved with Society projects and bluegrass music.

 

 

Three Day Reminder: NCBS Election Mailed Ballots Must Be Received By August 9

Three Day Reminder: Mailed Ballots for the Northern California Bluegrass Society Board of Directors 2022 Election must be received by Tuesday, August 9.

Candidate Statements

Official Mail-In Ballot

For those who choose to vote in person at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, paper ballots will be provided. The onsite voting will take place on Saturday, August 13, 2022, 10:00am-5:00pm at the NCBS Booth at the San Benito County Historical Park, 8300 Airline Highway in Tres Pinos.

Candidate Statements For NCBS Board Of Directors Election August 13 2022

The Members of the Northern California Bluegrass Society will elect the nine-member 2022-2023 Board Of Directors on Saturday, August 13, 2022, 10:00am-5:00pm at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival at the San Benito County Historical Park in Tres Pinos and by mail. Mailed ballots must be received by Tuesday, August 9, 2022.

Here are the statements from the nine candidates:

Bruce Bellochio — Hello Bruce here, you may have seen me around over the past 20 years. And thank you for your votes. As a board member with NCBS I look forward to continuing my service in 2022, promoting bluegrass music for our community. Vote for me again and great things will happen!

Eric Burman — Hi, I’ve enjoyed being on the board of the N C B S for so many years I’ve lost track, keeping the GOF the best Bluegrass Festival in California for 28 years! With the team we have we can at least improve the festival to be as safe and enjoyable as possible. So go ahead you know better vote for me to stay at work for you. I rest my case.

Bruce Edmundson — I have been an active bluegrass music volunteer with NCBS/SCBS (and formerly with Redwood Bluegrass Associates) for many years, and plan to continue to help with the GOF and other activities as well as continuing to serve as the Treasurer and webmaster. I would appreciate your vote so that I can continue to be part of the bluegrass team.

Mike Fisher — I am once again running for the NCBS Board, where I have served for many years. I ran the gate at the GOF for 20 years. One of my priorities is to encourage younger people to help run our organization. Please volunteer for the Board or the GOF Committee.

Michael Hall — Bluegrass music is for lovers — and lovers love bluegrass music! I am very excited about the return of live music and the return of our beloved Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival! I look forward to seeing everyone in Tres Pinos and at other NCBS events during the coming year! Our members, volunteers and musicians make it all happen — Thanks for your support!

AJ Lee — Hi, I am AJ Lee and I would like to re-run as a board member for the NCBS. I hope to bring fresh ideas and inspire more youth to get involved in bluegrass. Thank you for your consideration! Best, AJ

Karen Reyes — It has been my pleasure to serve on the Board of Directors for the Northern California Bluegrass Society since 2017. This year-long commitment supports bluegrass throughout northern California. Using technology, we have improved accessibility to our festival for musicians and patrons alike. I am also the Talent Coordinator for the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass festival. The talent team has strived to broaden the offerings at the festival to include sub-genres, bring bands in from all over California, and promote our youth bands. We expanded the merch booth where we carry band merchandise during the entire festival. — Karen Reyes

Mike Russell — I’ve enjoyed being a part of the NCBS Board of Directors since 2004. My passion is producing a radio program for the local scene which provides an avenue for bands to showcase their talents live on the radio. I look forward to another great year in 2022-2023. Thank you for your support!

Amy Warren — I would like to join the board of the Northern California Bluegrass Society in order to help promote bluegrass music and expand NCBS membership and reach. My musical background is diverse and will provide insight and resources. I have experience as a concert promoter, festival performer, director of a non-profit program (Guitars Not Guns), teacher, bluegrass jammer, and devoted music festival attendee and volunteer. The Monterey Bay area bluegrass community has been instrumental in my musical development. Serving on the NCBS board is an exciting opportunity to give back and bring bluegrass to more fine folks.

Write-in votes are also accepted. Ballots can be downloaded from this website and paper ballots will be available at the NCBS Booth at the GOF during voting hours.