I feel fortunate to have grown up in a time and place where people were so supportive of those playing bluegrass music. Band members and fans became great friends. The IBMA Foundation is helping develop that same kind of music community now and for the future. The Foundation helps connect resources to programs and activities that involve our next generation of musicians. I am glad to partner with the Foundation by being a board member, donor and supporter! The IBMA Foundation is a great place to make a difference.

I know first-hand what great work the IBMA Foundation does because I was a board member for a number of years. There’s not an organization anywhere that makes a bigger investment in the future of bluegrass music by supporting educational programs.

I choose to support the IBMA Foundation—and the Arnold Shultz Fund, in particular—because I believe that it’s important to continue investing in the future of this music and to deliberately cultivate opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color musicians to reclaim ownership over the traditions we hold dear. As a bluegrass educator, I believe that cultural sustainability is paramount, and that means that we need to do everything we can to make sure that bluegrass music is a safe and supportive environment for everyone, not just people who look like me.

I’ve been playing bluegrass since I discovered the San Diego Bluegrass Club as a 12-year-old. These days I wear several hats: co-founder of Compass Records, producer and, of course, banjo player. When I was learning to play, there were so many people who went out of their way to help me, from my biggest musical heroes to countless parking lot pickers. The “play it forward” spirit of our community is one of its great treasures and it is a privilege for me to be able to help up-and-coming players. Building community is key to the future of bluegrass music. What better way to do that than to support those who will play the music forward, through the 21st century and beyond?