Jill Kettles, President (term ends May 2027)

Jill was raised by Mark Pucci, given a baptism by fire working with a steady stream of Americana, Alternative Country, Blues, Folk, Rock and Jazz artists. She learned early on to keep calling until they call you and yell at you for calling so much. She can keep up with anyone, peel everyone off the ceiling with or without a spatula for she tells it like it is. She is here to help you get more media attention, people at your shows and most of all, sell albums. Grew up in Northern VA, went to art school in Richmond, VA and hung out in Atlanta for 23 years, now based in Nashville, TN. She is the owner of https://www.missjillpr.com/

Matthew Sabatella, Vice President (term ends May 2027)

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Matthew Sabatella connects people with music that is woven into the fabric of the United States. He is the founder and president of Ballad of America, Inc., a non-profit that preserves and celebrates music from America’s diverse cultural history through live events and online resources. As a singer, instrumentalist, recording artist, performer, speaker, and writer, he leverages the power of music to bring people together and help them better understand each other, the past, present, and future. Matthew performs both as a solo artist and as the leader of the Rambling String Band. He organizes the Roots & Sources workshops and showcases at the annual SERFA conferences, helping to ensure that traditional music maintains a presence in today’s folk community. He has served on SERFA's program and outreach committees, and was an Official Showcase artist in 2018.

Alice Hasen, Treasurer (term ends May 2027)

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Alice Hasen is a professional fiddler based in Memphis. Alice has been called “one in a million” by Alan Rowoth of folkmusic.org, and “a monster talent” by Jim Hurst, acclaimed guitarist. In 2019, Alice released her debut album, "Violintro.” Alice frequently collaborates with other artists including piano legend Jason D. Williams, Tomiko Dixon (granddaughter of Willie Dixon) and Jim Hurst. Alice came to the South as a high school band director through Teach for America, and continues work as an activist and organizer. She assisted with running the 2018 and 2019 Ranger Bluegrass Festival in Senatobia, Mississippi.

 

Adrian Krygowski, Secretary (term ends May 2025)

Adrian Krygowski is one-half of the Folk Punk duo, Adrian+Meredith (FAI Official Artists: 2023, 2022, 2021).  Adrian has been touring North America and Europe since 2008, with over 2000 shows and six records released.  Adrian (+Meredith) will be recording and re-entering the European market in 2023 and 2024.   To pay his cellphone bill, Adrian also builds websites and IT during the daylight hours, and is working on a Musician Schedule Management app on the side.  

Joe Pszonek (term ends May 2025)

Joltin Joe Pszonek is a music industry veteran with over 35 years of experience. He was a sales executive for Capitol/EMI/Virgin and Disney Records. He created his show "Radio Nowhere" 10 years ago and currently hosts shows on Folk Music Notebook.  He was a regular panelist for the NERFA On The Griddle workshop and also volunteers to mentor artists. Joe is a proud resident of Greenville, South Carolina.

Nicholas Edward Williams (term ends May 2025)

Host of the popular roots music history podcast American Songcatcher, Nicholas Edward Williams is a multi-instrumentalist and storyteller who is dedicated to "playing it forward" by preserving the songs and styles that have shaped our country: ragtime, Piedmont blues, traditional folk, old time and early country. Williams has spent the last 15 years touring around the US, the UK, Western Europe and Australia, blending the roots music spectrum in his own style. He's opened for Taj Mahal, The Wood Brothers, Dom Flemons, CAAMP, John Paul White, Town Mountain, John Craigie and Rachel Baiman, and has performed at festival stages on three continents. William's debut record As I Go Ramblin' Around made the International Folk Radio DJ Charts in 2019 with the #6 Top Album, #7 Top Song. His critically acclaimed sophomore release Folk Songs For Old Times' Sake unveiled in November of 2021 and has been heralded by the likes of Grammy-winning musician David Holt who said: "With tasteful guitar arrangements and a voice that draws you right in, Nicholas' recordings roll along like a mountain stream."

Lucy Isabel (term ends May 2026)

Lucy Isabel is a folk/Americana singer-songwriter who divides her time and affection between Nashville, TN and coastal New Jersey. She has spent years touring the United States and is known nationwide for her soaring melodies, compelling lyrics, and enveloping stage presence. She released her debut LP, Rambling Stranger, in 2019 to critical acclaim. Isabel is scheduled to release her highly anticipated sophomore album, All The Light, in October 2024.

Lee Zimmerman (term ends May 2026)

Lee Zimmerman is an accomplished writer, blogger and reviewer. He contributes to several publications,
but remains most proud of his work with American Songwriter. His book — Americana Music: Voices,
Visionaries and Pioneers of an Honest Sound — is published by Texas A&M University Press and he is
currently working on his second book, one which will detail the career of famed producer/engineer Jim
Gaines. In addition, he does a popular podcast called “My Backstage Pass” with his esteemed
collaborator, Billy Hubbard. Lee began his record industry career working in promotion for the late, great
ABC Records and followed that with a lengthy stint at Capitol Records. As a result, he’s had opportunity to work with a number of artists over the course of his career, including Tom Petty, Bob Seger, Jimmy Buffett, and Steve Forbert, among many others. An obsessive music collector, he owns too many albums to count at this point and a variety of musical instruments he’s yet to learn how to play. His work can also be found at his personal website, https://www.storiesbeyondthemusic.com

Bruce Swan (term ends May 2027)

Bruce Swan has been a Folk/Radio host for close to 14 years; his show “Music My Mother Would Not Like” has endeavored to present new Folk / Singer - Songwriter with also a balance towards non-current classics. He enjoys presenting interviews of artists touring in the immediate area (recorded or live). A regular attendee at conferences both in and out of his region and FAI; he can be counted on to participate in mentoring, taking a chair at a workshop, or hosting an exhibit table or late night showcase room. He is also a presenter on the weekly streamed showcase series.