The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced that the late Cousin Al Knoth will be honored with a Distinguished Achievement Award at the IBMA World Of Bluegrass Convention in Chattanooga on September 18, 2025.
Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Is August 7-10 At The San Benito County Historical Park
NCBS Welcomes Della Mae In Concert August 14 In Scotts Valley
The Northern California Bluegrass Society welcomes the Snazzy Productions concert with the nationally-touring all-women band Della Mae on August 14. The performance will be held at The Landing (formerly the Scotts Valley Performing Arts Center) in Scott’s Valley.
Official Ballot For 2025-2026 NCBS Board Of Directors Election
Official Ballot NCBS Board of Directors
Voter Member No _____ Voter Member No ______
Top of ballot to be removed after verification and before counting.
————————————————————————————————
Voter 1 Voter 2 (Vote for no more than 9)
_____ _____ Gary Anwyl
_____ _____ Bruce Bellochio
_____ _____ Eric Burman
_____ _____ Scott Conroy
_____ _____ Bruce Edmundson
_____ _____ Michael Hall
_____ _____ Lois Kellerman
_____ _____ Joanne Minasi
_____ _____ Mike Russell
_____ _____ Write In _______________
Mail to NCBS, PO Box 390846, Mountain View, CA 94039-0846.
Must be received by August 5, 2025. Or vote on August 9, 2025,
10:00am to 5:00pm at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival.
NCBS Board Candidate Statements For The 2025 Election
The Members of the Northern California Bluegrass Society will elect the nine-member 2025-2026 Board Of Directors on Saturday, August 9, 2025, 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 5, 2025.
Here are the statements from the nine candidates:
Gary Anwyl — I’m a current NCBS Board member and a long time NCBS volunteer. 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 continue applying my problem solving and organizational skills to help the NCBS promote bluegrass and build a strong local bluegrass community.
Bruce Bellochio — I have been an active NCBS board of directors member for many years and have served as the director of the GOF festival. I look forward to many more years of supporting this bluegrass music organization.🎶
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! Play more Bluegrass Music! I look forward to seeing everyone at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival and 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 once again going to toss my hat in the ring to try and keep my spot on the NCBS Board of Directors! This past year seems to have just flown by! I’ve volunteered at GOF for so many 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, and saying “Hey!” to friends I haven’t seen in a while. Music is my passion, and I am grateful that I found NCBS and get to share that passion with so many amazing people! Happy 43rd Anniversary NCBS! Here’s to 43 more!
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.
Volunteers Are Needed For The August 7-10 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival
Volunteers are needed for the August 7-10, 2025 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival! Details are with the Volunteer Form on this website. Get in FREE and join your Northern California Bluegrass Society friends as we put on the best festival of the year!
Members & Volunteers To Be Honored At NCBS Gathering Saturday July 12 In Santa Cruz
Northern California Bluegrass Society throws a potluck
July 9, 2025 — The Santa Cruz Good Times Weekly
The stage is set for a full day of pickin’ and grinnin’ as the Northern California Bluegrass Society hosts an all-day jam and potluck supper Saturday at the Live Oak Grange.
Headlining the Santa Cruz gathering is Brianna Colliard and the Desert Marigolds, “the hottest new band in the South Bay/Monterey Bay Area,” says Michael Hall, president of the Northern California Bluegrass Society. “They are from the Carmel Valley mountains, the non-ocean side of Big Sur.”
Colliard and her band recently played on the main stage of the Strawberry Music Festival, a multi-day camping and folk music gathering at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.
Warming up the crowd will be the Keith Holland Bluegrass Band, “a group of jammers who get together once a week in Los Gatos,” Hall says, followed by the Post Folk Revivalists, and Eric Burman and the Brookdale Bluegrass Band, host band of the evening, playing a mix of original and bluegrass music.
For the closing jam at 7pm, Hall says, “There will be people with instruments both inside and outside so anybody who comes with an instrument can participate.”
A Tennessee native, Redwood City local and retired lawyer, Hall has served with the society for more than 35 years. “Many, many years on and off,” he says.
“This is the fourth time that we have done this event,” Hall explains. “The first time was in Hollister, and the past two times were in Loch Lomond. This year we’ve decided to move it into town and hold it in Santa Cruz.”
Musicians, listeners or those interested in becoming a volunteer or member of the nonprofit Northern California Bluegrass Society are welcome to attend this free event.
On Aug. 7–10, the society also hoststhe Good Ol’ Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, a four-day fiesta with music, workshops and camping at San Benito County Historical Park.
The Northern California Bluegrass Festival jam takes place 3–8pm on July 12 at the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. scbs.org
NCBS Gathering Is This Saturday July 12 In Santa Cruz
The Northern California Bluegrass Society welcomes members and volunteers to the FREE NCBS Gathering at the Live Oak Grange,1900 17th Ave, Santa Cruz , CA 95062. The party will run 3:00-8:00pm THIS SATURDAY, July 12.
The event honors NCBS Members & Volunteers and will feature all-day outdoor jams, a potluck dinner and friends! People who are not yet members or volunteers but have an interest in this fun music organization are welcome to attend.
No alcohol at this event. If you choose to eat with us, please bring food to share at the potluck.
SATURDAY, July 12
3:00pm — Keith Holland Bluegrass Jam Band
4:00 — The Post Folk Revivalists
5:00 — Eric Burman & The Brookdale Bluegrass Band
6:00 — Briana Colliard & The Desert Marigolds
7:00 — Big Closing Jam
NCBS Gathering July 12
The Northern California Bluegrass Society welcomes members and volunteers to the FREE Saturday, July 12, 2025 NCBS Gathering at the Live Oak Grange,1900 17th Ave, Santa Cruz , CA 95062. The party will run 3:00-8:00pm.
SATURDAY, July 12
3:00pm — Keith Holland Bluegrass Jam Band
4:00 — The Post Folk Revivalists
5:00 — Eric Burman & The Brookdale Bluegrass Band
6:00 — Briana Colliard & The Desert Marigolds
7:00 — Big Closing Jam
The event honors NCBS Members & Volunteers and will feature all-day jams, a potluck dinner and friends! People who are not yet members or volunteers but have an interest in this fun organization are welcome to attend.
Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Has Some Volunteer Openings
Volunteers are needed for the August 7-10, 2025 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival! Details are with the Volunteer Form on this website. The NCBS Gathering, held in honor of NCBS members and volunteers, will be held July 12 at the Live Oak Grange Hall in Santa Cruz. Join your Northern California Bluegrass Society friends as we put on the best festival of the year!
