AJ Lee has been named the first Honorary Member of the Northern California Bluegrass Society Board Of Directors. She served for 7 years as an elected member of the board. The demands of her new role as a nationally and internationally touring bluegrass star made it necessary for her to decline to run for another term in 2023.

She has a long record of involvement and work with the bluegrass society. She first performed at the GOF when she was only 6 years old. She began playing with Kids On Stage and the ‘Tweener Stage, and then became a regular Main Stage performer.

Her last in-person GOF performance with her band AJ Lee & Blue Summit was in 2018, the same year that she did the sound for the First Stage. She also performed on the 2020 online GOF festival during the pandemic. She led a GOF set-up crew, helped with the design process for the festival shirt and poster, and was an advocate for the difficult task of raising GOF band pay.

Lee also participated in the NCBS Bluegrass On Broadway Festival, where she received numerous honors as a part of the NCBS Northern California Bluegrass Awards over the years.

Thanks, AJ! We wish you the best of luck in your bluegrass career!

The members of the Northern California Bluegrass Society elected the following to serve as the Board Of Directors for the 2023-2024 term:

Gary Anwyl (Palo Alto), Bruce Bellochio (Brookdale), Eric Burman (Bonny Doon), Scott Conroy (San Luis Obispo), Bruce Edmundson (Sunnyvale), Michael Hall (Redwood City), Lois Kellerman (Mountain View), Joanne Minasi (Tracy), and Mike Russell (Fremont).

Thanks to our retiring board members: Mike Fisher, AJ Lee, Karen Reyes, and Amy Warren.

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!

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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.