Board of Directors
West Michigan has a rich history of outstanding blues musicians. Dan would love to raise the visibility of West Michigan blues talent by encouraging bands to work together and by helping fans connect with the music they love. Dan began playing jazz and blues professionally at the age of 16, but was distracted by a job as a resident musician at Fort Mackinac, where he learned to play traditional fife and bagpipe. He has played a wide variety of styles from punk to polka and was a member of a North American champion pipe band drum corps - Glendaloch. He currently plays drums with James Reeser and the Backseat Drivers, Radio deciBella and anyone else who will let him play drums, guitar, bagpipe, fife or jaw harp.
Dan Mish - President
Sheila Solomon Shotwell has been a board member since 2015. She is such a fan of the blues that she considers Clarksdale, Mississippi her second home. She has taught improv in many settings including the teen center in Clarksdale, Ms. when she attends the annual Juke Joint festival. In addition to performing improv for twenty years, Sheila is also a free-lance actor, a former nurse's aid, bookseller, Jewish educator, and the author of three novels and several published essays. She is honored to be a board member and finds it to be the perfect avenue for keeping the blues alive.
Sheila Solomon Shotwell - Vice President
Ryan Nykamp is a west Michigan native and a long-time music maker. Despite being born with a severe hearing impairment, Ryan began singing at a very young age. He first performed in his church's youth chorus and continued in school choirs throughout his childhood. Ryan started his first band, a country act, in 1993. He has fronted many other local groups, covering a variety of genres including Gospel, Rock, & Funk . Ryan finally found his calling in the Blues and presently co-leads The Left Handed Rollers with his wife. If he is not on a stage somewhere singing the blues, he is being entertained by his grandkids!!!
Ryan Nykamp - Treasurer
Ann joined the WMBS board of directors in January of 2017. Her love of blues music and the desire to assist the WMBS in meeting their mission lead to the opportunity to serve. Like many, she was introduced to blues music through rock and roll. Being a Woodstock attendee in her early teens, live music continues to be an enjoyable pastime with friends and family. Ann is an interior designer and semi-retired.
She is a former business owner of a hair salon/barbershop in Downtown Grand Rapids. Raised in the great Western Catskills of NY she moved to Grand Rapids in her 20s, and continues to enjoy nature, travel, and her grandchild.
Ann Bower - Secretary
Felix is the man, the myth, the legend. As a founding member of WMBS Felix has been a loyal servant of all things blues and is a staple in the Michigan Music scene. He has been involved in every aspect including judging bands at IBC competitions in Memphis. His guidance and thoughtfulness to the artform has kept WMBS on track for years.
Felix Ybarra - Trustee
Ever since attending a B B King concert at Fountain Street Church in 1972, Tim Carmody has been a serious devotee of blues music.
Embracing the cultural history of the genre, he has been on a long-time mission to appreciate and perpetuate the blues. A member of the board sine 2014, Tim has found a natural outlet for this pursuit. A small business owner in the Eastown neighborhood, while not attending blues events, he enjoys cycling, tennis and reading. Tim is the father of four and the grandfather of six, with the newest addition welcomed to the world on May 30th!
Tim Carmody - Trustee
Steve Salter is the President and Founder of the Killer Blues Nonprofit Company, aka; the Killer Blues Headstone Project who’s mission is to provide headstones for blues artists lying in unmarked graves. In the 15 years of existence, the project as purchased 159 headstones in 16 states. Steve received the prestigious “Keeping the Blues Alive” award from the Blues Foundation in 2017. He has served as a judge for the IBC several times and is responsible for bringing numerous blues concerts to the Playhouse at White Lake in Whitehall, MI where he is also the Mayor. Steve has stated that he is looking forward to reinvigorating the WMBS’s presence on the lakeshore.
Steve Salter - Trustee
Charles C. Johnson is a versatile bassist, music conductor and bandleader who performs and excels in numerous music genres. He has performed with many music masters including ten-time Grammy winner Bobby McFerrin, nine-time Grammy winner Janis Siegel of Manhattan Transfer, internationally celebrated jazz vocalist Mark Murphy, noted folk singer/songwriter Kate Campbell, Dove Award winning Inspirational songwriter and musician Michael Card and multi Grammy and Dove Award winning artist Bruce Carroll. He has appeared on 9 live recording projects. He is a member of AFM Local 56 and free lance affiliate member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Science. Charles currently performs with WMBS member band Crossroads Resurrection.
Charles Johnson - Trustee
Leanna discovered her love and talent for creating music at a young age and got her first solo stage experience in the children's choir at her hometown church.
Growing up in rural East Texas, she was raised a devoted daughter of the blues. After moving to Michigan in her early teens, Leanna spent several years branching out into other genres, including country, rock and pop before returning to her deep blues roots.
Leanna is currently co-leader of a local blues band (The Left Handed Rollers) with her husband of 20 years. When she isn't writing, performing, or attending blues shows, you can find her kayaking Michigan's waterways or playing and creating with her grandchildren.
Leanna Nykamp - Trustee
As a child growing up in Mexico City, Tomás absorbed the sounds of traditional Mexican music and the sounds of street musicians in the marketplace and movie theaters. After settling in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he developed an interest in blues music especially for blues harmonica, influenced by William Clarke, Little Walter and many others. Not too long after, Tomás began performing in duos around Grand Rapids. He crafted an original style melding 1950’s blues harmonica with his childhood Mexican musical memories.. Whether leading his own band, or performing as a sideman, Tomás has a unique energy that opens ears and eyes to the power of the blues.
Tomás Esparza - Trustee
We are always looking for new, dedicated board members to serve in a variety of ways. If you are interested, please fill out the contact us form and we will get back to you!
