Board of Directors
Carlin “C-Note” Smith, President – As President of the Atlanta Blues Society, I bring a wealth of experience, including my previous role as Vice President of the Kansas City Blues Society before relocating to Atlanta in 1994. Over 30 years ago, I was proud to be the principal founder of the Atlanta Blues Society. In recent years, I have had the honor of serving as President and Co-President, witnessing firsthand the remarkable achievements of our organization.
Our accomplishments include impactful partnerships, such as collaborating with the American Heart Association to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking, and organizing signature events like BreezeFest, Bluesberry Fest, the Atlanta Blues Challenge, and our member appreciation Holiday Party. These successes, made possible by the unwavering support of our members, have demonstrated to the Blues community that the Atlanta Blues Society is a dedicated and resilient group committed to “Keeping the Blues Alive.”
With your continued support, I am eager to further demonstrate my passion, dedication, and leadership as an elected Board member. I look forward to working with others to advance our artistic mission and ensure the ongoing success of the Atlanta Blues Society.
Lisa Kitchens, Vice President – A native of the blues-rich city of St. Louis, Missouri, I was raised in a household where music was deeply appreciated and actively encouraged. After relocating to Atlanta in 1991, I immersed myself in the local live blues scene and have remained a dedicated supporter of Atlanta blues and its musicians ever since. I am a frequent patron of local clubs, blues events, and bands, and I proudly champion and promote the accomplishments of the Atlanta Blues Society during my blues-related travels beyond Atlanta.
I bring to the Board a strong set of leadership skills, a “let’s get it done” attitude, and a broad range of professional and community experience. My background includes a corporate career as a Commercial Director in the travel technology sector, as well as extensive philanthropic involvement with the Black Doll Affair, a global social club rooted in service. As an Ambossadoll and Dana Doll, I serve as a leader, assistant, mentor, and advisor to the organization’s Founder. Additionally, my direct exposure to the local music community includes performing and collaborating with area musicians as a member of the rockin’ blues band The Rockaholics.
Having served multiple terms as a member of the Atlanta Blues Society Board since 2010, I am well aware of the dedication, collaboration, and hard work required to support the organization’s continued growth. I am intimately familiar with both the successes and the challenges facing ABS, and I remain fully committed to contributing the enthusiasm, experience, and commitment necessary to continue moving the organization forward. I appreciate the opportunity to once again serve and contribute to the outstanding work of the current, previous, and future Atlanta Blues Society Boards.
Sara George, Treasurer – I have been a member of the Atlanta Blues Society for nearly 15 years and have proudly served on the Board of Directors for eight of those years, most recently as Treasurer. Prior to retiring, I spent over 30 years working in accounting, experience that has allowed me to bring strong financial knowledge, organization, and accountability to this role.
I believe financial transparency is essential to any organization, especially a nonprofit. With that in mind, a few years ago I implemented QuickBooks for the Society’s financials, allowing us to generate clear monthly and annual financial reports, as well as detailed reporting for specific events such as the Blues Challenge and Holiday Party.
Music has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember, and it is truly an honor to serve the Atlanta Blues Society and support its mission of Keeping the Blues Alive.
Lee Ann Brooks, Secretary – Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. In 2008, I attended the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and have been deep into the blues ever since. I’ve served on the board of directors for blues societies in both Roanoke and Norfolk, Virginia, so when I moved to Atlanta at the end of 2018, one of the first things I did was seek out a local blues society meeting — I knew it would be the best way to connect with like-minded people and learn about music scene here.
Volunteering has been a consistent part of my adult life, and I’ve come to recognize the hallmarks of a well-run organization. From what I’ve seen over the past six years, the Atlanta Blues Society truly embodies those qualities. I look forward to continuing to support our membership, musicians, and venues as we work together to preserve and promote the uniquely American art form known as the Blues.
Artis Brown – Artis “Red” Brown is thrilled to be back with my blues family! I am a devoted advocate of the blues, deep rooted in music that has profoundly shaped my life and my commitment to a loving community. My childhood memories are filled with listening to legendary jazz and blues greats—Billie Holiday, B.B. King, Dinah Washington, Shirley Horn, Miles Davis, Bobby Blue Bland, Ella Fitzgerald, Albert King, John Coltrane, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Sam Cooke, Etta James, Nina Simone, Koko Taylor, Al Jarreau and Sarah Vaughan all of whom inspired my deep love of music and storytelling.
I am the owner and lead vocalist of Red Sugar Blues and a former Atlanta Blues Society Board Secretary, bringing firsthand experience in organizational governance and member engagement. I have extensive executive administrative experience and am currently the Administrative Assistant to the CEO at The King Center, where I demonstrate professionalism, discretion, and mission-driven leadership. I am a proud member, Ambassador, and volunteer with the Atlanta Track Club.
My commitment, loyalty, love, and passion for the blues will guide me as the Atlanta Blues Society’s Membership Director, as I maintain professional decorum while engaging current members and strengthening the Atlanta Blues Society through continued growth.
You can usually find me running a 5K or 10K, jumping rope, dancing, cooking or baking one of my favorite dishes, reading, shopping, writing, traveling, working out, enjoying time with friends, or cherishing life with my beautiful daughter and three incredible grandsons, or simply listening to some down home blues… ‘cause ‘Blues Is My Business and Business Is Good.’
Brad “Coop” Cooper – I am a bassist, live sound engineer, and recording engineer with over 50 years of bars, festivals, and recording sessions under my belt. I have played with several blues bands and performers in Northeast Florida including JW Gilmore and The Blues Authority (8 years plus producing two albums), Willie Green, Mike Hart, Chance Gardiner, and Joey Gilmore and have opened for blues artists such as James Cotton, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, and Debbie Davies.
My tastes in the blues lean heavily to the old-school electric Chicago sound with Howlin’ Wolf, Magic Sam, Muddy, Willie Dixon, Little Walter, and Junior Wells as some of my favorite artists. An album I produced, engineered, and performed on is “Choice Cuts Vol. 1” from JW Gilmore and The Blues Authority, available in the iTunes Store, and captures that old-school sound, but moved into the 21st century. Classics are classics for a reason.
Deb Pruett – As a seven-term officer of the Atlanta Blues Society, I understand and truly appreciate the work required. I believe in the vision and mission of the ABS – and am ready to continue devoting the energy and time required to serve you, the members of the Atlanta Blues Society.
I’m a lover of the blues, and of those who love the blues, and I believe I am an asset to the Board of the Atlanta Blues Society.
Jon Harmon – am excited to once again serve the membership base of the Atlanta Blues Society to advance the efforts of those who have previously served and those that currently serve, as we are all united in Keeping the Blues Alive. Since 2019 I have served two terms previously and held two other Director roles on the Board, both as the Merchandise Chair and as the Chair of Bands and Venues.
I’m an avid music lover since childhood; I grew up around musicians, and I developed an insatiable appetite as I was drawn to the sounds of various instruments yet never played myself.
Music captured a large part of my life as I attended countless shows and festivals in my dual effort to support the musicians and feed my own ears. As my musical tastes refined over the years, I found myself running into some of the same people at blues shows in Atlanta. I soon realized I was in the midst of Atlanta Blues Society events and meetings, and I felt right at home, sharing with others the same hearty appetite to Keep the Blues Alive. I joined the Society in 2015 to support celebrating this historic American art form. The Blues is, after all, American born and bred.
By trade, I am an operations and logistics professional working for a life safety & property protection company. I’ve served in technical operations management for over 35 years and enthusiastically tackle challenges that will help an organization reach its goals and serve its mission. The vision of the Atlanta Blues Society coupled with my passion for the music and growth in this community drives me to serve on the ABS Board once again
Ron Rubel – I am an avid Blues supporter and current Board member of the Atlanta Blues Society. I am a retired CPA and Corporate Controller for companies large and small. I support music and musicians in various ways. I produce an annual event in conjunction with the ABS and have been a member for many years.
My goal is to continue to find ways to support our members, encourage and support great musicians, support the outreach and influence of the ABS, and help educate future generations as to the value and significance of the blues to all genres of music.
Wes Gifford – I have been playing guitar and bass for more than fifty years. I found the blues from the people that I wished to emulate such as the Allman Brothers, Rolling Stones, David Bromberg, Ry Cooder and Jorma Kaukonen (from Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna). All of these people learned a good bit from the actual stars that helped make this art form powerful and universal.My guitar teacher actually learned quite a bit of blues from Blind Willie McTell back in the day.
I enjoy hearing and playing many types of blues and blues-based music forms including Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Rock and Roll and Jazz. Opportunities aways seemed to revolve around me playing bass so I have embraced it.
Over the last few years I have had two main functions with Atlanta Blues Society:
• Handling the Jam during our meetings; and,
• Maintaining the ABS Drum Set and occasionally providing my PA system when needed.
I enjoy the jam very much. I try to get everyone involved that shows up. When my wife, Meredith, first saw the drum set in our basement she remarked that she couldn’t understand why I have the drum set as I am admittedly a horrible drummer. I told her that I was young enough and strong enough to move the stuff as well as being in Atlanta, I am centrally located for the WRFG Labor Day event at the Park Tavern and our Holiday Party as well as not that far from Blind Willies.
My day job is as a financial advisor. The best part of this is that I have a great degree of flexibility in what I do, when I do it and where I need to be.