Executive Committee
Meet WAMI's Executive Committee
James McMahon (President) James sings, plays harmonica, and manages the Milwaukee based rock band The Form. He has been a member of the Form for nearly 20 years. In 2002 The Form won the MOMBOB (Milwaukee Original Music Battle of The Bands) James and The Form produced their first full length album in 2006. In 2008, The Form took second in the WAMI CD roulette. James has volunteered in WAMI by serving on the WAMI Show Committee and the WAMI Youth Showcase for several years. He has been a WAMI member for 4 years. James currently works for the Milwaukee and Madison Buffalo Wild Wings franchise group as the Director of Operations. He oversees 8 locations, 500 employees, and over 40 managers. He has worked for Buffalo Wild Wings for over 13 years. James wants to continue to promote all styles of music so that Wisconsin can become a major platform for all the talented musicians that live in this state.
Chrissy Dzioba (Vice President) is a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist for the WAMI award winning vintage country trio, The Whiskeybelles, as well as folk/rock duo, Blonde On Blonde. She has performed with such groups as CGV Orchestra, West of East, Pezzettino, The Orphans, Radio Doctors and Eclectic Vibe. With bachelor degrees in both Piano Pedagogy and Marketing, she taught private piano and guitar at the Waukesha County Conservatory of Music for 3 years. She is now a District Sales Manager for Hal Leonard Corporation, as well as the Marketing Liaison for the world’s most popular piano method, Faber Piano Adventures. Between 2006 and 2008, Chrissy was the Director and Events Coordinator for the annual “Not Afraid- a Benefit for the Sojourner Truth House and Task Force on Family Violence,” which featured a lineup of local female musicians and artists. Chrissy is currently involved with non-profit organization, Guitars for Vets, has volunteered on the 30th WAMI Awards Show Committee, and is now honored to serve on the WAMI Board of Directors.
Kris Raymond (Treasurer) Kris is the President/Founder of the Grafton Blues Association and produces the Paramount Blues Festival, Lucky Street Music Festival and the Grafton Blues Challenge which offers Wisconsin based blues bands the opportunity to participate with bands from around the world at the annual International Blues Challenge on Beale St. in Memphis. She is co-owner of Record Events & Entertainment which produces many events in the state of WI. She has been on the board of directors for Celebrate Grafton since its inception, and helps produce various events in the area including the Giro d’ Grafton bike race and Grillin’ in Grafton. She has been involved with Fish Day in Port Washington in the past as a volunteer stage manager. She headed the efforts to bring a Blues Trail Marker to the state of Wisconsin, recognizing the state as playing a significant role in blues history. Kris has volunteered in WAMI by serving on the WAMI Show Committee for several years and she and the GBA are WAMI members. In addition to volunteering, Kris currently works full time for Direct Supply in Milwaukee, and runs her own event planning business. She resides in Ozaukee County with her husband and 3 kids. She is looking to help promote music in all genres as well as help create memorable events.
Kennita Hickman (Secretary) Kennita is a freelance writer turned record label owner. Her work has appeared in MKE, Source magazine, Urbanology magazine and YoRaps.com. She’s also helped develop skateboard hip-hop duo The Cranberry Show in addition to hip-hop artist iLL B. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Kennita is committed to helping Milwaukee’s music scene thrive and show Milwaukee has talented musicians in all genres. She’s excited to be a Board Member in just her first year as a WAMI member and believes this is just the beginning of a long career in music.
(Rev 20120917 20:30 – Admin.)
Comments
James……..missed the Christmas Party due to illness…..You all work so hard to make this all “work”…..that I wanted to extend my regrets…….and many others were probably ill with the flu as well…..so on their behalf, thank you for all of the things that WAMI does and plans for its members….Jerry.
The jazz artist category is historically the strongest, though not pop-wise, so as you honor that, it makes WAMI stronger as well…..