BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Most of you already know CBMS President John Pierce, as he’s a bit of a social butterfly. But did you know John is from Amarillo, TX where there isn't much (if any) bluegrass? “We had some nice country bands though,” Pierce said. He lived in Austin for 10 years where he saw his first bluegrass band. (well, sort of, Bad Livers - Danny Barnes). Pierce has played music since he was 11. His mom played a bit of organ and piano, but he did not come from a particularly "musical" family. His mom did, however, think it was important for him to learn and started John on the piano with private lessons at 11. After learning piano, John joined orchestra in 8th grade- played violin, then moved on to drums in band in 9th grade. He then got his first guitar when he was 19 yrs old. According to JP, “Instruments keep following me home and now I have a bunch of them...” 😂 John was really a blues/rock guy for decades. Played in blues/rock bands and even did a short stint as bass player in a punk band; he played country tunes on a Telecaster in the early 2000's, but didn't come around to bluegrass until about 2014. Now he’s a certified "jam rat" -- and LOVES the Bluegrass picks. John started serving on the CBMS board in 2017, and had previously been a board member of several other non-profits in the past. He really believes in the concept of trying to give back to the community and he is ALWAYS trying to do more to help ours. When John isn’t out playing music or working hard to enhance the music scene, he can be found camping, scuba diving (certified 44 years now), doing photography, and traveling with his lovely wife Angie. They’ve been in Colorado 26 years now. Lucky, lucky us ❤️

John has been an active CBMS volunteer since the early 1990's. He has served a few terms on the CBMS Board, including a term as Treasurer. He's been involved with numerous CBMS events in various roles including acting as producer, photographer, stagehand, and even MC. He served as the CBMS Membership Coordinator for 21 years.

She was the mastermind behind our last fundraiser show, and is no stranger to event and community planning. She’s a shaker and a maker of many cool things, and also hosts a songwriting retreat with her Upstream Concerts in Estes Park venture, in addition to producing her very own yearly festival SnowyGrass Music Festival in Estes Park. Nadine grew up in Indiana, close to Chicago. Music was a first, powerful memory, influenced by songs she heard her older siblings and mom play, such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin and Dean Martin. Her grandmother, Emma, from Tennessee, was also a big influence. Emma loved Dolly and "old timey" music as Grandmother called it. She would sing songs in her high-pitched, passed down way--gospel, traditional, Carter Family, and Loretta Lynn songs. She has been performing since she was about 8 years old. Her brother, Mike (now a professional opera singer) taught her and her brother, Dave, how to sing a Capella harmony. They would often prank call people, before caller id, and sing barber shop quartet or 50s a Capella songs to an unsuspecting recipient. (best phone call ever I’m sure!!) They would also perform in person at events such as the Orville Redenbacher Pop Corn Festival. Nadine's first instrument was the organ when she was 4 years old. In 6th grade, her school instrument of choice was the violin, which she played in the orchestra through middle school and high school. During college, while coaching gymnastics and taking art classes, she joined Billie Duncan, a poet, songwriter and singer, in duo performances in Houston, Texas. Kelly Lancaster, an award-winning bluegrass mandolinist, was her first introduction to bluegrass. Kelly even gave Nadine a couple guitar lessons. The music scene, particularly at The Boat Yard, was extremely influential in creating the draw to be immersed in the music community that seems to make the world closer and warmer. Later, in Estes Park, Colorado, she would join a rock band, where she sang lead, sometimes sang harmony, played a little keyboard, and a little fiddle. Later she would teach herself guitar so that she could accompany herself singing solo. She then discovered that she loved writing her own songs, and has become prolific in songwriting, which she brings to Lost Penny, her current band. Since 2017, she has produced SnowyGrass Music Festival in Estes Park, Colorado, and for the first year in 2023, camping was introduced. She knows good music when she hears it and knows how to make it happen at her events. Nadine asks a lot of questions and makes a LOT of good points. She is known for her problem-solving and practical skills on the board, but is also a dreamer and can put anything she thinks up into action. We’re so lucky to have her incredible work ethic and drive at CBMS, and look forward to future events and fundraisers that she’ll for sure knock out of the park. You can also follow her musical happenings here at Lost Penny.

Amy has been a member of the CBMS board for I think about 3 yrs now? She coordinates all of our social media and is the "face" in CBMS Facebook posts! Anyway here is Amy's story: In June of 2004, Amy Martin met bluegrass. More specifically, she met the man who would introduce her to all things bluegrass. She had never heard of John Hartford, didn’t know who Bill Monroe was, didn’t remember ever being in the same room as a Banjo, and had 90s alternative rock, hip hop, and bands like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin on her iPod shuffle. ✌🏼🎶 But as her new boyfriend (now husband of 16 years) was in a bluegrass band, she was fully submerged, FAST! She fell in love with Rockygrass, loved watching her honey play music, but believe it or not, she used to go to bed before him. However, in 2012 everything would change when she asked the question, “do you think I could learn how to play the guitar?” Her husband and good friend had one picked out for her and home by the end of the week. A year later, she added a bass, and the rest is Martini Ranch history! Born and raised in Colorado, Amy was a restaurant manager for a good part of her adult life, and she really does know how to put out a grease fire. She was an executive sommelier for a hot minute, and has spent the last 10 years as a childcare provider. If you have camped with her, she is for sure your camp mom. Amy brings her passion for connecting with others to the CBMS table, she co-hosts the CBMS beginner’s jam, and for sure spends too much time on Facebook 🤣 She can almost always be found supporting local bands, frequenting all the festivals, or hosting music in her backyard and basement. However, the day after a festival, there is only one place you will find this girl, and that’s eating a Philly cheesesteak in bed. In fact, she and CBMS President John Pierce now trade photos of cheesesteaks, OFTEN. Hey, no one should work on an empty stomach! Here's to the host with the most, the face of CBMS and a wonderful person -- Amy Martin!

Jason has been a member of the bluegrass community for many years, and a passionate musician long before that. His band Blue Canyon Boys is known, recognized, and loved nationwide, and FOR REASON. He brings a lot of musical experience and perspective to the table (and occasionally the best socks). Here’s a little more about him: Weeks before his 16th birthday, Jason Hicks received a gift that would help him unlock his musical passion and open a gate to the path that he is still hiking. At first glance, the gift of a 1977 Dodge step side pickup truck isn’t an obvious first step to a musical path, but Jason saw the opportunity that lay before him and persuaded his parents to let him sell the truck and use the cash to buy a shiny red electric guitar and a small Peavy amplifier. The wisdom of this decision was a perfect storm. As he no longer had a vehicle and was stuck at home with a new guitar, so he figured he might as well spend all his waking hours practicing, and practice he did. Learning the Metallica repertoire, trying to figure out how Led Zeppelin worked, the realization that improvising is just making things up in the moment, then Bob Dylan???! Jason earned his BFA in music at Webster University, performing with classical guitar and jazz ensembles, countless choir performances, orchestra pits, ballet productions (no, he didn’t dance), jam bands and folk bands, solo slots with coffee shops, and eventually worked his way into the Colorado bluegrass scene. In 2003, he cofounded the Blue Canyon Boys. He has traveled across this country and world with his musical brothers, sharing songs and telling stories, discovering friends and family, recording 7 full length albums, and performing on some of this country’s most beautiful stages. The one constant through all these years is Jason’s quest for the song. John Prine said, “there’s a river of songs always floating overhead” and he’s glad he didn’t live downstream from Bob Dylan. The northern Ozark Missouri hills of Jason’s upbringing as well as the Rocky Mountains of his current home are full of ditches, creeks, streams, and rivers. There are gems of songs waiting in all the nooks, crannies, cricks, puddles, and rapids and he loves stepping out and searching for those overlooked gems. “Every song has a story, every story has a song, and every guitar has a voice that wants to sing along.” Jason is more than happy to hop in the proverbial boat and drift on down the river for a song.

James’ interest in bluegrass started very early in life. Both his father and grandfather were banjo players, and both were fans of Earl and those classic tunes from Flatt and Scruggs. James moved from Northern Virginia to Colorado in 2004, and graduated from Colorado State a few years later. After graduation, James moved to Boulder where he was occasionaly able to return home to Northern Virginia for work. On one of those works trips, he found his grandfather’s old banjo in the basement. James began plunking around on this banjo, and his father encouraged him to take it back to Colorado and learn to play it. So he did. With the help of local banjo greats like Jeff Scroggins, Dusty Rider and the wonderful environment provided by Robby Loeb’s Harmony Music house, James learned to play that banjo and slowly worked into local jams and bands. His love and appreciation of Bluegrass and Old-Time music grew, and he’s been able to perform on some of the biggest stages in our state. Now a father of two little girls, James enjoys playing when he can, but currently works in the online ticketing and endurance event registration industry with clients like the Boston Bruins, L.A. Kings, Hawaiian Airlines, The Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival, Snowygrass and many many more.

Here's stuff about Dianne