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ABOUT US

EDITOR

Michele Lundeen: 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. Email: michele@bluesfestivalguide.com, or editor@bluesfestivalguide.com
 

MARKETING & SPONSORSHIPS

Nancy Edwards-Marketing Director: 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". Email: nancy@bluesfestivalguide.com, or advertising@bluesfestivalguide.com
 

Kristine Shaff-Chief Executive Advisor: Kristine is President of the Board for RBA Publishing, and on both of our Festival Guides she has the role of CEA - Chief Executive Advisor - which is just our fancy-schmansy way of saying "chief cook and bottle washer," and has been part of things from day one. She is active in publishing and music, never an artist but always an enthusiast and consummate fan. Whether exploring business trends and analyzing strategies, working the door, driving the band to the next gig, or finalizing editorial late at night on deadline, she's committed to movin' the music forward every time. She brings her extensive background in social psychology and organizational development to building success for RBA Publishing. Peace. Email: kristine@bluesfestivalguide.com
 

Cheryl O'Grady-Sponsorships: During my childhood in Sacramento, California, I was exposed to a wide variety of music when my parents owned a juke box route which serviced over 80 bars and other establishments. My family's business activities sparked my interest in people, and the juke box in the living room hooked me on blues at an early age. I was a founding member of the Reno Blues Society nearly 10 years ago and served as an RBS Board Member for over seven of those years before retiring recently. I remain active in the Society and am currently serving on the "Kid's Music Coalition" Committee, where we are helping to provide musical instruments and lessons for at-risk youth. "Keeping the blues alive" has never simply been a slogan for me, so I am really excited to have the chance to be involved in this venture, the "Blues Festival Guide". What a great way to get the message out that the "blues is alive and well." Email: cheryl@bluesfestivalguide.com, or sponsorships@bluesfestivalguide.com
 

ADVERTISING SALES TEAM

Laura Haykel: Currently I am living and working out of Harlem, NYC. I represent both the Blues and Reggae Festival Guide magazines here on the East Coast. I have been working with Kaati and the RBA Publishing team for over 5 years. Since moving to NYC I have been working in television and film production as well as artist and tour management. I have become increasingly more involved in the Music Industry on the business end, and look forward to working in and around this business for many years to come. I have also been blessed with an amazing daughter who continues to be an incredible source of inspiration in my life. Email: laura@bluesfestivalguide.com
 

Justine Ketola: I became active in the music business during my college days in my home state of Minnesota. Before I was even legal, I was attending live shows of many greats in Blues music. In college I worked in college radio and discovered the wealth and breadth of the Blues. I was the booking agent on the college's annual music festival and was able to book some of the talent from our neighbor, Chicago. I have fifteen years of music sales, marketing, and publicity experience at independent record labels, as a booking agent and as a magazine music editor. An avid festival-goer, I have attended some of the country's greatest events including Chicago's Blues Fest and the New Orleans Jazz Fest. Email: justine@bluesfestivalguide.com
 

Amy Shapas: Greetings from Santa Cruz, CA! I caught the music bug when I lived up in Tahoe in 1997. During a storm I met Kaati and she asked if I'd be interested in postering in exchange for free concerts. Soon, I was working in her office, and later for other promoters sending press releases, taking ticket orders, organizing promo packets, and directed hospitality at shows. In addition to music promotion, I sell advertising and am the graphic design production assistant for both Blues and Reggae Festival Guide magazines. After graduating from University of California, Santa Cruz, I started my own publicity company, So You Can... "bringing calm to the creative chaos of artist's and promoter's lives." I take care of all the details so you can do what you do best - book shows, plan events, record new music, start new projects. Over the last two years I've gained some fabulous clients - artists such as Groundation, Soul Majestic, Wadi Gad, Candye Kane, Pacific Vibrations, and Love Eternal, and promoters such as Good Vibez Entertainment, Monterey Bay Reggae Fest and Dreadstock. Email: amy@bluesfestivalguide.com
 

Diana Shonk: 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. Email: diana@bluesfestivalguide.com
 

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Doris Kalin: 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 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 get 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. Email: doris@bluesfestivalguide.com, or design@bluesfestivalguide.com
 

WEBSITE DESIGN & MAINTENANCE

Kristine Cummins: Hi Blues Fans! Please don't hesitate to email me at the address below with any errors, comments and/or suggestions regarding this website. Feedback helps me help you. Anyway, just a bit about me... when companies were just starting to think about their own Web presence in 1998, I expanded my skill-set from graphic design to Web design and over a period of five years, worked for three dot.com's producing Web pages to designing billboards. All the while, I have been producing marketing materials and websites independently since 1992 as "Kristine Cummins Design" (www.KristineCummins.com). I'm also a fine artist with focusing on watercolors (www.Kreations.net). Email: webmaster@bluesfestivalguide.com
 

ACCOUNTING

Robbin Stull: Well, it all started in a little town on the California coast... Actually, I have been working with Kaati for ten years on various projects as her bookkeeper and business consultant. We have a great deal of fun and frustration over computers and it has always been my pleasure to work with her. My husband Dave and myself have worked many reggae shows together and enjoy the camping and music, but the best part has been meeting all of the people. Our children are grown and we now take great pleasure in our grandchildren. Gardening, yoga, cooking, kids, and computers are my stress relief. We run a bookkeeping business, Balancing Act, Inc. in Reno, NV and have been helping many different types of businesses over the 25 years of service. We try to run a tight ship but at publishing time important details can fall through the cracks, so please contact either Kaati or myself for any questions or problems concerning bookkeeping. Enjoy the festivals! Email: robbin@bluesfestivalguide.com, or accounting@bluesfestivalguide.com
 

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Gordon Bulcock: Gordon is the blues musician amongst The Blues Festival Guide staff. Less than five years after his first jam night experience, Bulcock left behind a 20-year career in the fireplace and woodstove business for a career in music. He currently makes his home in Beverly Hills, FL performing 100+ gigs per year along Florida's gulf coast. He contributes articles to The Blues Festival Guide magazine on subjects appealing to blues musicians. Email: gordon@bluesfestivalguide.com [an error occurred while processing this directive]