NASHVILLE, TENN. (March 13, 2019) NASHVILLE, TN The International Bluegrass Music Association is proud to announce the graduating class of Leadership Bluegrass 2019. Leadership Bluegrass is an intensive, three-day program focused on interactive learning and networking experiences which invite participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the bluegrass music industry, and pursue leadership development. This was the 20th year of Leadership Bluegrass, which now boasts over 400 alumni. Leadership Bluegrass 2019 was hosted at BMI in Nashville, Tennessee March 4-6. Trisha Tubbs served as the course facilitator (her 9th consecutive year), and Jeff Westerinen was assistant facilitator.
The IBMA is grateful for Trisha’s service and wishes her well in all endeavors, as this is her last year facilitating Leadership Bluegrass. The IBMA also recognizes Ron Raxter for his service in the role of Leadership Bluegrass Planning Committee Chair; after two years he has completed his term in the role.
Each year, participants are selected through a highly competitive application process and are a cross-section of current and future leaders from all areas of the industry, coming from various regions of the U.S. and the world. Sponsors for Leadership Bluegrass include BMI, Wintergrass (Acoustic Sound), and Williams Mullen.
Anni Beach
Jam Pak Blues ‘N’ Grass Neighborhood Band
Chandler, AZ
David Benedict
Mile Twelve
Cambridge, MA
Andrea Berman
Pacific Pickin’, CiTR (101.9 FM)
West Vancouver, BC
Sam Blumenthal
Charlotte, NC
Philip Chorney
Charm City Bluegrass / Baltimore Management Agency
Rosedale, MD
Michelle Conceison
Market Monkeys
Nashville, TN
Deborah Fillman
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Owensboro, KY
Sophie Galep
Minnesota Bluegrass
Elizabethton, TN
Michele Gourley
Durham, NC
Philip Graham
Ear Trumpet Labs
Portland, OR
Rick Greene
SamJam Bluegrass Festival
Waverly, OH
Katie Hogue
John Hartford Enterprises
Nashville, TN
John Lowell
John Lowell Music
Livingston, MT
Alex Mallett
Folk Alliance International
Kansas City, MO
Mary Beth Martin
Earl Scruggs Center
Shelby, NC
Jana Mougin
Dark Shadow Recording
Goodlettsville, TN
Kali Nowakowski
Straight Up Strings
Atascadero, CA
Forrest O’Connor
The O’Connor Band / Kate Lee & Forrest O’Connor
Nashville, TN
Thomas Pritchard
Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance
East Greenwich, RI
Gregory Reish
MTSU Center for Popular Music
Murfreesboro, TN
Kim Robins
Kim Robins and 40 Years Late
Worthington, IN
Matt Royles
Man About a Horse / Philly Bluegrass
Philadelphia, PA
John Strohm
Rounder Records
Nashville, TN
Maria Wallace
True North Music
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK
Melanie Wilson
Wilson Pickins Promotions
Westminster, SC
Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2019
Front row: Forrest O’Connor, Michele Gourley, Anni Beach, Mary Beth Martin, Jana Mougin
Second row: John Strohm, Philip Chorney, Maria Wallace, Andrea Berman, Sophie Galep
Third row: John Lowell, Kali Nowakowski, Michelle Conceison, Melanie Wilson, Deb Fillman
Fourth row: Kim Robins, Alex Mallett, Greg Reish
Fifth row: Rick Greene, Tom Pritchard, David Benedict, Philip Graham, Katie Hogue
Back row: Matt Royles, Sam Blumenthal
