IBMA Announces Leadership Bluegrass Class Of 2017

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced the 2017 class of Leadership Bluegrass. In its 17th year, Leadership Bluegrass is an intensive three-day program of advanced-level interactive learning experiences designed to build commitment, motivate talents and instill enthusiasm for addressing the future of the bluegrass music industry.

Leadership Bluegrass boasts more than 400 alums and each year approximately 25 individuals are invited to take part.

The class of 2017 includes: (name/association/hometown)

Erik Alvar – Jim Hurst Trio, Gainesville, FL
Lee Bidgood – East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Jeff Burke – Music Educator, Nashville, TN
Adam Engelhardt – SonyATV Music Publishing, Nashville, TN
Anna Frick – Airshow Mastering, Boulder, CO
Barb Heller – North Country Public Radio-NCPR, Canton, NY
Justin Hiltner – Artist, Nashville, TN
Kathryn Jenkins – Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, Sevierville, TN
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes – Mile Twelve, Jamaica Plains, MA
Irene Kelley – Artist, Nashville, TN
Uri Kohen – Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival, Westport, County Mayo, Ireland
Brennen Leigh – High Plains Jamboree, Austin, TX
CJ Lewandowski – The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Sevierville, TN
Corrina Rose Logston – Artist, Whites Creek, TN
Laura Mainer – Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Johnson City, TN
John Meyer – Museum of Appalachia, Tennessee Fall Homecoming, Clinton, TN
Ashley Moyer – Rounder Label Group, Nashville, TN
Joe Newberry – Artist, Raleigh, NC
Akira Otsuka – Bluegrass 45, Gaithersburg, MD
Ricky Gene Powell – Artist, Wintergrass, Burien, WA
Craig Reed – Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Younger Brother Productions, Raleigh, NC
Bobby Rymer – Writers Den Music Group, Nashville, TN
John Smith – Free Dirt Records & Service Co., Washington, DC
Bill Thibodeau – Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance, Cumberland, RI
Kris Truelsen – Radio Bristol, Birthplace of Country Music, Bristol, VA
Rachel Whitney – Pandora Media, Nashville, TN

Leadership Bluegrass 2017 takes place March 20-22 at BMI in Nashville. The course will be facilitated by Trisha Tubbs for the seventh consecutive year. Leadership Bluegrass is made possible through the support of its Platinum Sponsors including BMI, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation and the Wintergrass Music Festival (Acoustic Sound).

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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