New Leadership Bluegrass Class Announced

IBMA Announces 10th Leadership Bluegrass Class

For immediate release:
Contact: Nancy Cardwell, IBMA (615) 256-3222, nancyc@ibma.org

The International Bluegrass Music Association is pleased to announce the following participants in the 2009 class of Leadership Bluegrass (in alphabetical order):
John Abrams; The Abrams Brothers; Gananoque, Ontario, Canada
Linda Bonner; Grassland Elementary; Brentwood, Tenn.
Melonie Cannon; Artist/Songwriter; Goodlettsville, Tenn.
Danny Clark; MTSU student/ The Bluegrass Bus Museum; Goodlettsville, Tenn. (student monitor)
Larry Cordle; Lonesome Standard Time; Hendersonville, Tenn.
David Crow; Milom, Joyce, Horsnell & Crow PLC; Nashville, Tenn.
Lee Michael Demsey; WAMU-FM, Bluegrasscountry.org, Bluegrass Unlimited; Washington, D.C.
Brandi Hart; The Dixie Bee-Liners; Abingdon, Va.
Hannah Johnson; The Toy Hearts, Birmingham Univ. student; Birmingham, West Midlands, U.K.
Becky Johnson; WMMT-FM/ The Appalshop, Inc.; Whitesburg, Ky.
Gary J. Jolicoeur; WNRV Bluegrass Radio; Narrows, Va.
Karl Kersey; Fiddle and Pick; Pegram, Tenn.
Barry Mazor; Journalist/Author (No Depression, The Wall Street Journal); Nashville, Tenn.
Penni McDaniel; Hope River Entertainment, Rural Rhythm Records; Lawrenceville, Ga.
Janet McGarry; Diamond Productions PEI, Janet McGarry & Wildwood; Stratford, PE, Canada
C. Roger Moss; Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival; East Hartford, Conn.
David Preston; BMI; Nashville, Tenn.
Ronnie Reno; BlueHighways TV, Ronnie Reno & the Reno Tradition; Hendersonville, Tenn.
Leah Ross; Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion; Bristol, Va./Tenn.
Sammy Shelor; Lonesome River Band; Meadows of Dan, Va.
Tommy Sivert; Gold Tone Musical Instruments; Titusville, Fla.
Alan Tompkins; Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, Acoustic Music Camp; Dallas, Texas
Joe Weed; Musician, Music & Video Producer; Los Gatos, CA
Pete Wernick; Dr. Banjo, Pete Wernick & Flexigrass; Pete & Joan Wernick, Hot Rize; Niwot, Colo. Dwight Worden; San Diego Bluegrass Society, IBMA Board; Attorney; Del Mar, Calif.
Jim Van Cleve; Mountain Heart; Producer/Songwriter/Session Musician; Hendersonville, Tenn.

Leadership Bluegrass, now in its tenth year with more than 200 alumni, is an intensive three-day program of advanced level, interactive learning experiences that invites participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing our music along with related leadership issues.

Leadership Bluegrass will be hosted again this year at the BMI offices in Nashville, March 10-12, and will be facilitated by Fred Bartenstein. Please contact the IBMA office for information