Each year, the Bluegrass Music Association of Maine holds elections to fill both board seats and officer roles within the organization. As a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, BMAM relies on its board members and officers to guide the organization as it pursues its commitment to promoting and supporting musicians in Maine that are helping to preserve and grow this important American musical genre, and to provide opportunities for audiences to come together to enjoy this music that we all love.
For the first time, BMAM is holding its elections via electronic ballot. Members received emails in mid September with unique links to cast their votes online. We also are making mail-in ballots available to those who prefer to vote by paper. Voting ends on September 29: Those voting electronically must make their choices by that date, and those voting via mail-in ballot must have their ballots postmarked by that date. We’ll announce the election results in October.
Read on for detailed information for each candidate vying for a role as board member or officer. And thank you to each of the candidates for their willingness to volunteer their time and energy to keep BMAM thriving today and in the years to come. And for those who would like to be part of this wonderful organization, please reach out to any current board member or officer. We’d love to tell you more and help you get involved!
2025 ELECTION CANDIDATES
Bill Holden
As a lover of all things music, I was first drawn to the guitar at age 11. After decades of an on-again, mostly off-again relationship with my guitar, I heard Jerry Douglas playing the dobro. Lightning bolt! So, it was about 20 years ago that I bought my first dobro. Since then, the sound and soul of the dobro have captivated and inspired me in ways I never thought possible.
But more importantly, I couldn’t have imagined back then that I had unknowingly become a member of such an incredible, supportive and vibrant community. Over the years I’ve told people that it would be difficult for me to count the number of folks that I now consider friends, all because of my involvement in bluegrass music. Because of this involvement, the list and network of friends and fellow musicians across the state and country is endless. As the saying goes, priceless!
I’m a long-time Mainer who grew up in Yarmouth and went to the University of Maine at Orono. I am now retired after a few decades spent working at L.L. Bean. My wife, Stacey, and I have lived in North Yarmouth for 44 years and have raised two adult daughters. I enjoy going to festivals and jams and hanging out/picking with friends, fellow bandmates and musicians.
Chauncey Devin
I have loved live music since I was teenager. My dad drove me to my first show when I was 15 and I was hooked. Not just to the music but to the community around it. The thing is, punk music was my first love. Except for Old and in the Way occasionally, I didn’t start listening to bluegrass until 2020. When I first attended Thomas Point in 2021, I was hooked again.
The grassroots ethos of bluegrass really speaks to me. How everyone who enjoys bluegrass also contributes to the scene is a great thing. For example how professional musicians will run jams and teach the inexperienced. Everyone seems to be into bluegrass for the love it.
I want to help continue bluegrass music and its community, so I am running to be on the BMAM board. I hope to spread the good word of bluegrass and draw people into concerts, festivals and jams. I have grown a lot as a musician because of the great people in the bluegrass scene and I want to give back.
Growing up as a little punk rocker and as a current member of a punk/metal band, I have experience within grassroots music communities. This experience will help me be a contributing and successful board member.
Pat Laramee
Pat Laramee has been a member of the Bluegrass Music Association of Maine board of directors for two years. Since she first heard Doc Watson at a Newport Folk Music festival years ago, she has been dedicated to preserving this vital American music. She continuously encourages others (especially young persons) to learn the related instruments, songs, and history of the genre with an eye towards getting them on board to pick, play, and sing.
John McKusick
Although not performers, my wife, Sharon & I are strong supporters of Bluegrass and (old) country music throughout the area. We first discovered real southern bluegrass music at the Doyle Lawson Bluegrass Festival in Denton, NC many years ago. After that first festival, the hook was set!
We are the owners of McKusick Petroleum Co. in Dover-Foxcroft which we established in 1972. I am now working at being partially retired.
I am involved in and we support: Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft, Wayside Theatre in Dexter, Maine Country Music Hall of Fame, Maine Academy of Country Music, and BMAM.
I have enjoyed this past year on the board of BMAM, attending monthly meetings, working the association table at festivals as possible, and helping with the October Rock Hearts show in Dover Foxcroft.
I look forward to a full term as a board member of BMAM and the promotion of bluegrass music in Maine. I would appreciate your consideration.
Steve Bixby
When I first heard Earl Scruggs play “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” in the sound track to the movie “Bonnie and Clyde” I felt that special draw to Bluegrass music. It was in the summer of 1980 when a friend invited me to tag along to the Berkshire Mountain Bluegrass Festival, that defined my starting point into this Bluegrass journey. From that weekend forward I was caught hook, line, and sinker!
I was blessed to see so many first generation artists and live bluegrass music in the clubs, concerts, and BBU functions of those 80’s and 90’s. Following acts such as Joe Val and Don Stover locally, I was able to feed my desire for more live Bluegrass Music. Summer seasons were filled with attending a greater number of festivals throughout New England.
I revisited playing Bass as I had some experience with an electric Bass guitar in high school and saw that there would be opportunities for me in the Bluegrass jam world. I bought my first upright Bass, (a 1954 Kay M-1 which I still own) and headed out to field pick and try to learn as much as I could.
My playing took on a more serious track when I was asked to join the Lost Wages band in 1997 at the Noppet Hill Bluegrass Festival. It was with Lost Wages that I was very fortunate to get to play many festivals and shows all over the northeast.
It was around 2001 that I relocated full time as a resident of Round Pond, Maine. Here I helped get the King Ro Market Jam started as well as a monthly jam at Lincoln Academy.
My band associations here in Maine have included The Moxie Cove Band, Mountain Emergency, and The Blackfly Boys along with The Bixby Family Band with my wife and daughter. It has truly been my honor and privilege to be the Bass player for The Katahdin Valley Boys for the last 16 years.
Bob Bergesch
Banjo & Bluegrass: I started learning Banjo using Pete Seeger’s classic “How to Play the 5– String Banjo” when I was in high school during the Folk era. I then put my banjo aside, and pursued other interests, both musically and in life itself.
My interest in playing music, and more specifically Banjo music, was rekindled some 30+ years later after my family had settled into Maine. I started banjo lessons with Carter Logan at 317 Main, and began to attend local bluegrass concerts and festivals.
I first met the BMAM organization at these events, starting about 2012 or so. I joined BMAM Board in 2015. I served as Treasurer 2015 to 2022. In 2020, BMAM moved our records (starting with 2019) to the Quicken platform. Nellie [Kennedy] (who has served as Treasurer since 2023) was familiar with the platform from her outside work she was the moving force on this effort.
Working with [BMAM Webmaster] Cyndi Longo, we also set up the mechanism to accept Donations and other payments on our website
BMAM Southern Jams & Summer Festivals:
- Jams: At NYA 2016-2020 – North Yarmouth CC 2022-2023 – First Parish Church – Yarmouth 2023-2025
- Festivals 2015-2025 – Financial and logistical aspects of BMAM’s festival presence including merchandise order quantities and booth setup and logistics, as well as event reports, etc.
Jimmy Cox I met Jimmy in 2011. He was a Maine Bluegrass pioneer, a well-known Banjo player, and nationally recognized banjo-maker. I learned a lot about bluegrass and other things from Jim, and I am fortunate to own two examples of his exceptional banjo craftsmanship.…
Bluegrass Community: I believe the “bluegrass community” includes both “classic” bluegrass as well as current expressions of bluegrass music. Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs were “progressive” in their day. Billy Strings, the Punch Brothers and other modern bluegrass bands are the current embodiment of classic bluegrass traditions updated by contemporary approaches.
Taylor Smith
I’m just finishing up my first two-year term as a BMAM board member, and recently was named vice chair of the board. I also serve as the editor of BMAM’s quarterly newsletter, the Bluegrass Express, and sit on the board’s online and social presence committee. It’s been a privilege to be involved with BMAM and to have a hand in guiding the organization alongside the other board members and officers.
I’m a resident of Cumberland and live with my partner, Laura, and our kids. While I’m not originally from Maine, I’ve called the state home more for more than 30 years. I’ve been going to bluegrass festivals in Maine since the 1990s and have built a wonderful network of friends and fellow pickers from all over New England. The bluegrass scene up here is a tight-knit and supportive community, and I’m glad to be a part of it. In addition to picking at campsites, I also play in several bands and pick-up groups in the Portland area.
I’d love to continue serving on the BMAM board. Thanks for your support!