The NERFA Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that a total of seven candidates will appear on this year’s ballot to run for NERFA’s board of directors. These include the four candidates (Sarah Craig, Bernie Drury, Kemp Harris, Aaron Tornberg) that were put forward by the nominating committee, as part of the recommended slate — as well as three additional candidates (Jake Bush, Amy J. Putnam, Jayne Toohey), who submitted petitions, each with ten validated letters of support. All candidates with their brief bios are listed below.
The nominating committee would like to send their best wishes to all of the candidates, and appreciate their commitment toward moving NERFA forward.
The voting period will begin toward the end of October as managed by Folk Alliance International. Details to follow.
Please note that as per the new FAI rules approved by the FAI board, a member can only vote in FAI and regional elections if they have their membership active and in good standing 14 days prior to ballots issued. Members who purchase or renew their membership after this time period will not be eligible to vote in this election. And for this election, members must have designated NERFA as their regional affiliation.
FAI is also expecting only people to take out voting membership if they are actively working in folk music.
Please confirm that you are presently active, directly and substantially, in the fields of folk music, dance and the related performing arts. If you do not fit this requirement, please consider joining as a Community Member.
FAI’s membership application also states: This [community] non-voting membership is reserved for non-industry professionals, non-artist members – mostly active fans, students, volunteers, or enthusiasts. Non-voting memberships are for those who don’t participate in the music industry but still support the goals of Folk Alliance International.
If you have questions about membership, please visit the Folk Alliance website or contact them directly.
BIOS OF THE CANDIDATES (in alphabetical order by last name):
JAKE BUSH – Jake has been a member of the Northeast and NERFA music communities for over 15 years as a musician and event producer. He co-founded the band Pesky J. Nixon, plays in the Baker Thomas Band (14 years), co-founded the music organization Tribal Mischief, and booked/stage-managed The Lounge Stage at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival for 10 years. His ability to listen and respond effectively is respected both on stage and off, as he has played sideman to countless artists, served on NERFA’s panel committee (and several panels), and helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities.
SARAH CRAIG – Since 1995, Sarah has served as Executive Director of Caffe Lena, the historic nonprofit folk music venue in Saratoga Springs, New York. With a background in arts administration and a deep love for live music, Sarah has revitalized the venue’s programming and community outreach. Her commitment to preserving the rich legacy of folk music while embracing innovative performances has earned her acclaim in the arts community. Before taking the reins at Caffe Lena, she earned a BA in Psychology and Women’s Studies from the University of Vermont, where she developed organizing skills as an activist on campus and in Burlington.
KEMP HARRIS – Kemp is a dynamic American singer-songwriter, acclaimed for his soulful blend of folk, blues, and R&B. He’s also an actor, activist, author, and storyteller, and an award-winning educator who has taught young public school students for more than 40 years. Known for his powerful voice and compelling lyrics, Harris has captivated audiences across the country with his evocative storytelling and engaging performances. His career spans decades, during which he has released several well-received albums and shared stages with prominent artists. Kemp also serves on the board for Passim in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
BERNIE DRURY – Bernie is an esteemed music professional and current President of the Skyland Songwriters Guild. With a profound dedication to fostering songwriting talent, Bernie is actively engaged with the music community that supports and inspires artists. His background in business and songwriting, coupled with a passion for education enables him to contribute to an environment where emerging and established songwriters can collaborate and flourish. Before retiring in 2020, Bernie spent 22 years as the VP of Sales and Marketing serving the Aviation Industry.
AMY J. PUTNAM – I am Amy J. Putnam, a New Hampshire based visual artist, folk/acoustic music fan, photographer, writer, and webmaster with social media experience. For the past couple of decades, I’ve been attending, volunteering, and merching at concerts and conferences, allowing me to cultivate relationships within all corners of our community. I look forward to a chance to further serve this great region by helping to facilitate communication and growth in whatever ways are needed. Also, as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and with a hearing disability, I bring numerous perspectives useful for enhancing the resource potential of NERFA.
JAYNE TOOHEY – Jayne Toohey is a nationally known freelance photographer who for more than four decades has specialized in capturing folk music performers and events. She has a BFA in Photography from the School of Visual Arts. In 2018 Jayne was the photo editor of “Smiling Banjo”, about the Philadelphia Folk Festival. She has been active for many years in Folk Alliance and NERFA conferences and events, including as editor of the NERFA conference program book. From 2005- 2009 Jayne produced the “Naked Folk Calendar” as an effort to promote health insurance for folk musicians. Jayne resides in Media, Pennsylvania.
AARON TORNBERG – Aaron is the founder and director of the non-profit arts organization, One Broadway Collaborative, which he founded in 2021 as a communal arts space in the heart of Lawrence, Massachusetts. They hold collaborative music and arts events, concerts, theater performances, poetry and prose readings, and display local art on its walls. Aaron has over 30 years of experience as a performer and songwriter. He is also working on cross-genre collaborations with non-profit organizations and a young, diverse group of musicians and artists to create a multicultural music and arts community in Lawrence, MA and the surrounding towns.