IBMA Announces 2019 Leadership Bluegrass Class

The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the 2019 class of Leadership Bluegrass, an intensive three-day program of interactive learning experiences designed to build commitment, motivate talents, and instill enthusiasm for addressing the future of the bluegrass music industry. Leadership Bluegrass 2019 takes place March 4-6 at BMI in Nashville, and this will be its 20th year since its inception in 2000. Leadership Bluegrass boasts more than 400 graduates, and each year 25 individuals are invited to take part.

“Leadership Bluegrass has become one of the most impactful programs in the bluegrass music industry to connect and develop professionals who have made a strong commitment to advance both their careers and the ongoing efforts of the IBMA,” says IBMA Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “This year’s class has an impressive collective resumé and demonstrated ability to lead across a broad cross-section of our music. Congratulations to the Class of 2019 for being selected out of such a strong group of candidates!”

The members of the class of 2019 are:
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

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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