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.
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.
The Northern California Bluegrass Society Board Of Directors has elected officers for the 2022-2023 year. They are:
President — Eric Burman, Bonny Doon
Vice-President — Mike Russell, Fremont
Secretary — Bruce Edmundson, Sunnyvale
Treasurer — Bruce Edmundson, Sunnyvale
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: Mailed Ballots for the Northern California Bluegrass Society Board of Directors 2022 Election must be received by Tuesday, August 9.
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.
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.
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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.
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)
_____ _____ Bruce Bellochio
_____ _____ Eric Burman
_____ _____ Bruce Edmundson
_____ _____ Mike Fisher
_____ _____ Michael Hall
_____ _____ AJ Lee
_____ _____ Karen Reyes
_____ _____ Mike Russell
_____ _____ Amy Warren
_____ _____ Write In____________
Mail to NCBS, PO Box 390846, Mountain View, CA 94039-0846.
Must be received by August 9, 2022. Or vote on August 13, 2022,
10:00am to 5:00pm at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival.
One Day Reminder: Candidate Statements for the 2022 Northern California Bluegrass Society Board Of Directors Election (on August 13) are Due On July 8.
Three Day Reminder: Candidate Statements for the 2022 Northern California Bluegrass Society Board Of Directors Election (on August 13) are Due On July 8.
One Week Reminder: Candidate Statements for the 2022 Northern California Bluegrass Society Board Of Directors Election (on August 13) are Due On July 8.
