BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Founder/Executive Director

(He, Him, They)

As Founder & Executive Director of music-centered nonprofit Blast N Scrap, Michael has spent the last 5yrs creating space that aims to take care of both sides of the stage. As a pop-up venue/educational workshop driven entity operating out of numerous locations, they retain a few characteristic traits regardless of the venue: a suggested donation at the door, with no one turned away due to lack of funds. If there is ever a hard ticket price, a portion of proceeds must go towards an outside cause. A collection table for clothing & non-perishable food is set for redistribution. No table fees for visual artists who would like to sell their work. Lastly, there is free naloxone, fentanyl test strips, & condoms made available. In a continuation of that, Blasti has connected 11 venues (& counting) with on-site naloxone kiosks through North Colorado Health Alliance.

Far from only a live music entity, Blast N Scrap’s programs are “gate greeters”, being the facilitator & entrance point into the arts & its industry. Their mission to be “an incubator for the untrained but inspired” earns the tagline by providing hands-on education learned in real-time. Whether producing your own single with a hands-off engineer through Scrappy Tracking, learning the basics of silk screening & keeping the shirts you print in Scrapyard Garb, or creating your own theatrical production in Craft N Act Community Theatre, each facet operates under a “Never New Unless Necessary” policy to avoid the use of sweatshops & prison labor that is rampant in the electronics & fabrics industries. Not to mention, these policies are more environmentally sustainable at their very core.

In 2020, Gormley organized Sunny Bunny Recovery, Ween’s yellow balloon group. Inspired by the original YBG, Grateful Dead’s Wharf Rats, along with the stories of Aaron Freeman & Mickey Melchiondo (Gene & Dean Ween), & the inherent high risk of relapse in a Covid stricken world, Michael sought strength in his own recovery by once again putting his efforts into a community project. With fellowship focused meetings on zoom to get through the great pause, the organization based on radical inclusivity w/ a foot strongly in harm reduction entered the live music realm of Ween, securing a table at every show. Still going strong, the Sunny Bunnies provide traction for those struggling w/ addiction, in an otherwise slippery environment.

When not organizing like his life depends on it, Cap Blast writes songs to play guitar & sing for his band CB’s RATi0. This project began as a cover band duo (The CBGG’s), which grew into a larger make-up of a band, CB & the G Jeez, that rotated its cast with sit-in players from various Fort Collins acts frequently. The premise of the band was to play Country Bluegrass Blues renditions of punk rock songs, as a nod to the integral NYC club, CBGB. While originally formed to stay busy & not drink at a time when slowing down 3 to 4 chord punk songs was all he trusted of himself, he began writing songs in said adopted style. Thus, what began as a conceptual way of transposing songs whose lyrics fit the Outlaw Country mold, became second nature, & in time an instinctive voice when writing original music.

It is important to him that everyone knows his best friends, Russell (named after Leon Russell) & Mia (as in Zapata), are both very good dogs.

(She/Her)

Sarah grew up working in record stores in Denver and Boulder, and has a lifelong passion for music. She brings 20 years of nonprofit fundraising experience.

Sarah raised over $13 million to advance the powerful missions of organizations of all sizes working on an array of issues including youth development, violence prevention, public health, and climate change.

Sarah is the Founder and Consulting Director of Action Items LLC - a nonprofit consulting and grant writing firm.

(He/Him)

Josh has over a decade of experience developing and implementing multi-channel marketing strategies for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. He is currently working in the affiliate marketing department at Sweetwater.com, the leading online retailer for musical instruments.

Prior to his role at Sweetwater, Josh was the Communications Manager at the Music District, based in Fort Collins, CO, for four years.

A lifelong musician, Josh currently plays guitar and sings for Colorado hardcore band “I Am The Owl”.

(He/Him)

Riley acts as Music Programs Project Manager for Bohemian Foundation in Fort Collins and helps lead various music and youth programming efforts and initiatives across the state.

Relishing the opportunity to leverage music and community to cultivate good, he’s helped bring to fruition projects like the Music District and Washington’s music venue and works strategically to empower humans of all backgrounds and experiences toward a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future.

(She/Her)

Tica is an operations visionary who creates and optimizes systems to advance organizations’ missions, aligned with their core values. She brings over a decade of experience in financial services. She is driven by a call to service and committed to volunteerism.

Tica is a singer/songwriters and performs as Tica Felise.