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TEAM

Cheryl O'Grady-Yearnshaw - Sales Manager: During my childhood in Sacramento, California, I was exposed to a wide-variety of music when my parents owned a jukebox route that serviced over 80 bars and other establishments. My family's business activities sparked my interest in people, and the jukebox in the living room hooked me on blues at an early age. I am currently owner of COG Promotions, a privately held business of artist management and promotions (after retiring with 27 years of service as a Social Worker in Nevada, moving toward a career in promoting Blues was a natural for me.) I have been with the Blues Festival Guide (BFG) magazine from its inception five years ago and have helped it grow into a respected and highly developed marketing corporation. My husband Tom and I have traveled and attended blues festivals across the U.S. enjoying varied festival cultures. We both are specifically interested in youth involvement at festivals and have obtained a wealth of information to share as festival consultants. I was one of the founders of the Reno Blues Society (Reno, NV), serving on the RBS Board for seven years and was instrumental in producing over 35 Blues shows featuring headliners including Buddy Guy, Charlie Musselwhite, Koko Taylor and many others. I currently serve on their Advisory Board. I graduated with a BA in Social Welfare from California State University Sacramento in 1973. As a Social Worker and an RBS Board member I have been involved in fund raising for a variety of charities and continue to serve on various boards throughout the community. "Keeping the blues alive" has never simply been a slogan for me.

Nancy Edwards - Marketing & Sponsorships: Nancy left behind the corporate world in November of 2001 to become manager for the popular West Coast blues band Deja Blues. Her background of Marketing, Public Relations, and Promotion prepared her well for the business side of music. Her life long love of the blues gave her the necessary dedication and passion. Now with Deja Blues firmly on their way to success, she has time to devote to the successful launch of The Blues Festival Guide. "I've spent so many years marketing sports cars, slot machines, and casinos" said Nancy "and you know what, I never liked being around those things. In this new phase of my life I get to throw myself behind something that I love and believe in - The Blues Festival Guide. How great to bring people something so informative, so beneficial, and so key to Keepin' the Blues Alive. I'm honored to be part of the team that will launch The Blues Festival Guide".
  
 

Michele Lundeen - Editor: Greetings and thanks for diggin' the blues! I currently live and perform as a blues singer, songwriter, bandleader in the San Diego, CA area. As a performer, as well as a writer and researcher, I'm into sharing every facet of blues music. I've always felt that "blues" is not only about music, but an honest, human expression of life's trials and tribulations. Soulful and earthy ... it cannot be denied. The wealth of history and music that I have discovered over the years has been so enriching and its rewards are a' plenty. In Nov 2004, I released my debut CD, SONG INSIDE ME featuring 9 self-penned originals out of 12 tracks and some very special guests in the studio with me like slide master Roy Rogers. I'm a founding member and editor of the Reno Blues Society and Blues Lovers United of San Diego and have owned my own graphics/print brokerage since 1985. I represented San Diego in the Blues Foundation's Intl' Blues Challenge (IBC) in 2000, am a multiple San Diego Blues Awards "Best Blues" nominee. I'm also active as a presenter/performer in the local Blues In The Schools (BITS) program. My website is www.michelelundeen.com and you can also find my CD, SONG INSIDE ME, at www.cdbaby.com/Lundeen.

Robyn O'Grady - Advertising Coordinator/Sales Rep: You will know me because I am the one who answers the phones, calls you when your ad is late, and takes your billing information. I coordinate all the advertising for both of our magazines, plus whatever else Kaati and the girls throw my way. I am here to keep things running smoothly and look forward to helping you!
 
 

Irene Weaver - Editorial Support: Greetings! I have been brought up behind the scenes of RBA Publishing stepping up to any jobs needed doing, from a filing and faxing office assistant to magazine distributor toticket collector at concerts. My favorite perks have always been backstage passes and meeting the artists that become such a powerful part of our daily lives. I love going to concerts or festivals and discovering my new favorites that will be played nonstop on my stereo for months. Now, as editorial support I am thrilled to take a more active role in this community! I have recently relocated to the Sacramento area, but am originally from West Sonoma County where environmental, multicultural, wellness, and humanist ideals are prevalent and hold a special place in my heart. I graduated in spring 2009 from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a BA in Global Studies with a minor in Global Peace and Security. It is so interesting to me how different cultures interact and transform, and music is one of those elements that transcends all kinds of boundaries. RBA Publishing is a great promoter of that transcendence and I am so happy to be a part of it!

 

Diana Shonk - Advertising Sales: Diana Shonk, owner of Across The Board Graphic Design, in Harrisville, NH, began publishing The Blues Audience newsletter in 1991 - www.bluesaudience.com to help working blues musicians in New England get their schedules to fans by mailing their schedules directly the people who love to go out to see live Blues. Roomful of Blues, New England's most famous Handy Award winning blues band has been in the newsletter for 12 years along with the cream of the crop of Blues bands and clubs including: Sugar Ray & The Bluetones, Vykki Vox, Professor Harp, Chris Fitz, Sax Gordon, Jason James and The Bay State House Rockers, Lonely Gus and The One Night Stand, The Porch Rockers, The Rynborn Blues Club, The Regatta Bar, House Rockin' Productions, Rte 63 Roadhouse, 95 North Records and national and local CD releases.
 
 

Flor Mariona - Ad Coordinator: As the Ad Coordinator, I make sure our advertisers get what they ask for, and I'm the liason between the sales and production departments. As a music fan, this is a perfect position for me as we get to sample new music constantly and interact with artists. I moved to Reno from Argentina to reunite with my boyfriend who I met while here on a ski trip a few years ago and we recently got married. I have a degree in industrial graphic design. My other hobbies are painting and swimming.
 
 

Doris Walker - Design/Production of both print & web: My career as a Graphic Designer started in 1982 with an apprenticeship at the School of Arts in Zurich, Switzerland. In 1989 I added a computer to my trade tools and was amazed at how it opened up the design possibilities. That same year, I met Kaati when I started to work with her at a publishing company. Three years later I started my own graphic design studio and have since worked for Kaati in the publication of her two magazines, updating her web sites, as well as various music related projects. The last few weeks of magazine production typically takes place at my studio. During this crunch time, tempers can flare, nerves can get a bit frayed, and sleep is sparse. But in the end it's great teamwork and loads of fun that makes the magazine what it is. I wouldn't change a thing :-)
 
 

Dorie Starich - Accounting Assistant: Dorie handles accounts receivables, streamlines our billing system and solves billing questions on the spot. Robbin Stull and Dorie make a great team as Robbin has been teaching Dorie the ropes in our accounting department this past year. She lives in Fernley, Nevada with her husband and two young children. Dorie grew up in Grass Valley, California where she learned to love camping, hiking, gardening and playing in the beautiful Yuba River. While working, being a stay at home mom, and everything else in between, she knows how to make the most of her time and prioritize what's most important. Dorie loves what she does and is looking forward to many great years ahead with this happy family that is RBA Publishing.
 
 
Gordon Bulcock - E Guide Editor: Gordon has been the E-Guide Editor for over 2 years now and also contributes articles to the magazine. He currently makes his home in Beverly Hills, FL.
 

 
Stephanie Bravo - Online Social Network Editor: Music has always been her passion! Growing up in Oakland, CA, Stephanie discovered her fondness for radio. While a sophomore in high school, she became a volunteer at KZFR 90.1FM Community Radio in Chico, CA and began hosting her own weekly R&B radio show, a show she hosted for nearly 10 years (1993-2002). While earning her BA degree in Media Arts from CSU, Chico, Stephanie met Kaati with Renegade Productions. In 2007, Stephanie offered to create a Myspace page to help promote shows for Renegade Productions. What began as a hobby, has now lead to managing many more social networking pages for Reggae Festival Guide and Blues Festival Guide on Myspace, Facebook and Twitter. Stephanie loves how social networking has not only turned into an effective marketing tool for many businesses, but it allows businesses and fans alike to easily communicate with people all over the world. Join her at MySpace, Facebook, Twitter.