T-Bone Walker Blues Fest, Linden, Texas

T-Bone Walker Board/Staff

Our Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and Festival Staff are listed.

Some of the Board Members with Don Henley during the Don Henley Benefit Concert for the Cass County Texas Courthouse Restoration Project.

Russell G. Wright - Cass County, Texas

Executive Producer
Russell G. Wright - Cass County, Texas

Russ Wright serves as Executive Director of the Linden Economic Development Corporations and was the founder of both the festival and T-Bone Walker Blues Fest, Inc. He served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force and, after his retirement, was a pilot for United Air Lines. Following his retirement from UAL, Russ and his wife Jean moved to Cass County, Texas where they operate the Lazy RJ Ranch. Russ has served as festival Executive Producer since its inception.

Richard M. Bowden - Linden, Texas

Music Producer
Richard M. Bowden - Linden, Texas

Richard Bowden is the Executive Director, Music City Texas, Inc. Richard has a storied career in music –lead guitarist of the Linda Ronstadt Band; Dan Fogelberg Band; Roger McGuinn Band; and the Pinkard & Bowden country-music comedy team. Richard presently heads “Richard Bowden with Moon & the Starz”. Richard has been the Music Producer of the festival since its inception.

Matt Early - Avinger, Texas

Sound & Lighting Producer
Matt Early - Avinger, Texas

Matt Early is the Sound and Lighting Producer for the Music City Texas Theater. He is also an accomplished musician and plays electric bass guitar in a number of regional bands. Matt has been a volunteer with the festival since its inception.

Jack Canson - Marshall, Texas

Film & Sound Producer
Jack Canson - Marshall, Texas

Jack Canson is a special projects director for the Caddo Lake Institute who worked in advertising and the film business as a writer/producer in Austin and Los Angeles before returning to East Texas. He has been video recording the T Bone Walker Blues Fest since the opening act of the first festival in 2006.

Kayla Williams - Atlanta, Texas

Festival Support Producer
Kayla Williams - Atlanta, Texas

Kayla Williams is the Office Manager for the Linden Economic Development Corporations. She has been a co-producer of the festival since its inception and chairs the Sponsorship Committee, as well as, coordinates the volunteer staffing and administrative programs.

Susan Davis - Adel, Iowa

Festival Webmaster
Susan Davis - Adel, Iowa

Susan Davis is the owner and designer of Diamond D Graphics which specializes in promoting western style businesses. She also designs and maintains websites for music venues. Susan has been the webmaster for the blues festival since its inception.

Thomas Northcutt

Festival Site Manager
Thomas Northcutt

Thomas Northcutt is a retired Texas Park Manager and works part-time as a school teacher. Thomas is also the past President and member of the Board for the Fairview Community Center. Thomas has been responsible for the festival’s site development since its inception.

Ether Blaylock

Hospitality Committee Co-Chair
Ether Blaylock

Ether Blaylock is a retired school teacher and operates a catering service. She is also a member of the Board of the Fairview Community Center. Ether has been a co-manager for the VIP and Hospitality juke joint for the festival’s visiting bands and premier sponsors since 2007.

Ann Moore

Hospitality Committee Co-Chair
Ann Moore

Ann Moore is a teacher in the Linden-Kildare School District. Ann is the hostess for the Music City Texas Theater where she manages the Green Room and cares for the visiting bands. Ann has been the co-manager for the VIP and Hospitality juke joint for the festival’s visiting bands and premier sponsors since the festival’s inception.

Laura Smith

Computer & Graphics Producer
Laura Smith

Laura Smith is a home loan manager with a national bank. She also operates a computer consulting business. Laura has been a volunteer the festival since its inception, developing the power point displays for the stage production.

Tom Michaels - Shreveport, Louisiana

Music City Texas Stage Emcee

For 25 years, Tom has been the voice of Rock & Roll on 98.1FM. Along with being a blues and rock fan all of these years, Tom is an avid NASCAR fan. Tom has been the volunteer Music City Texas Stage Emcee for the past four years.

Website: http://98rocks.fm/Newsite/jocks.html

Mike Gilmore - Daingerfield, Texas

Outdoor Stage Emcee

Mike Gilmore owns and operates "Hooked On Music" which is a disc jockey
service for wedding receptions, class reunions, and private parties.
Mike has had a life long love of all genres of music. Mike has served as an announcer for the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest since its inception.