Leah Ross Board member Q&A

Leah Ross, Executive Director for Birthplace of Country Music, just joined the board.

1.

In brief, what brought you to bluegrass music?

The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is where I got my involvement with IBMA. I have attended the conference for around seven years, graduate of Leadership Bluegrass and have been speaker at a couple of the conferences. Bluegrass music is a major genre in our music heritage as the birthplace of country music. We follow the news generated by IBMA and attend the business conference for the showcases and workshops offered.

2.

What are your personal goals as a director on the board? My goal is to contribute to the conversation about how to make IBMA a leader in the bluegrass industry. I believe we need to make sure we select an executive director who is resourceful, hard-working and highly determined.

3.

What are you doing to help the board achieve the current goals? As a new member to the board, I am trying to listen to the conversations and become more knowledgeable about the organization as a whole so that I have input that is of value.

4.

What would you like to share with members that they might not know? I can’t play an instrument but I own a Gerald Anderson guitar and my goal is to learn to play.

5.

What is your favorite bluegrass album and why? What if I don’t have a favorite? I can tell you who I listen to a lot. Jim Lauderdale, Del McCoury, The Infamous Stringdusters, Greensky Bluegrass, Chatham County Line and Della Mae. I really like the young people in bluegrass today because they are stretching those standards a little bit and that is what I like.

6.

What is your advice to someone fresh to the bluegrass industry/what is your advice for a seasoned pro? Respect the past and learn from seasoned pros but make your own mark on the industry. I would say for the seasoned pro give your help and advice to the newbies because they are our future.