STAFF
ASHLEY R. WHEAT
Executive Director
Ashley R. Wheat joined the Alabama Blues Project as Executive Director in February 2019 because of the joy she found in her own experiences in music education. From 6th grade through college, she played clarinet in school bands and became enamored with instrumental music. Ashley holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a BS in business administration from Stillman College. She has over a decade of experience in the corporate world, gaining a wide array of skills in management, human resources, and information technology.
Ashley currently serves as Chair of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama’s Nonprofit Council and Tuscaloosa Co-Chair for “The pARTners Project” Regional Planning Team, a collective impact initiative supported by the National Endowment for the Arts to increase access to arts education for students in West-Central Alabama. She was appointed to the Advisory Council for the Benjamin Barnes Branch YMCA in Tuscaloosa in February 2022. She also recently began classes with Leadership Tuscaloosa and Shelton State Community College’s Non-profit Leadership Academy. Ashley joined the Alabama Blues Project’s team in February 2019 because of the joy she found in her own experiences as a clarinetist for over ten years. As a life member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Ashley strives to carry out the sorority’s mission to “cultivate leadership, educational achievement, music appreciation and community development.”
BRENDA "B.J." REED
Director of School Programs &
Special Activities
Brenda Corder Reed, affectionately called “B.J.”, grew up in Aliceville, Alabama with a love of the Gospel and a desire to spread the love of God. She has a B.S. in business administration from Stillman College and recently earned a B.A. from Selma University’s School of Theology. Although gospel is her first love, B.J. performs blues, jazz, R&B, and other contemporary genres. She has sung for notable organizations at special events such as the National SCLC Conference in Atlanta, GA. Included in her travels are Las Vegas, NV where she sang at several area lounges on the Las Vegas strip; Harlem, NY on “Showtime at the Apollo” where she won twice (1991); Washington, DC on Capitol Hill (1997) where she sang at the birthday celebration of Senator Ted Kennedy; and Houston, TX at the wedding ceremony of former LA Lakers Robert Horry (1999).
B.J. continues to please crowds with her signature “Lady Sings the Blues” show, during which she takes on the persona of jazz legends Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington and performs their greatest hits. She is also passionate about passing her love of music on to the next generation. Her work as Director of School Programs & Special Activities with the nonprofit Alabama Blues Project allows B.J. to regularly mentor at-risk girls within a local detention center and to teach hundreds of children the fundamentals of music and showcase their talents in local concerts.
INSTRUCTORS
KIMBERLY HARMON
Vocal Instructor
Kim tours performing her Aretha Franklin tribute show, “Miss Kim as Aretha”. She also regularly performs as lead vocalist with award-winning jazz guitarist, Cashmere Williams. Over the past year, she has enthusiastically taken on a leadership role teaching in the Alabama Blues Project’s after-school programs and camps.
JOHN BULL
Harmonica Instructor
John is a member of the Alabama Blues Hall of Fame. He has worked with the Alabama Blues Project for several years, bringing the nearly lost art of harmonica playing to the next generation. The “John Bull Band” currently tours and performs most Sunday evenings on the Blues Cruise in Montgomery, which he began running on his own riverboat almost thirty years ago.
CHRIS JACKSON
Advanced Band Director / Keyboard & Percussion Instructor
Chris is a multitalented musician who honed his skills as a percussionist in the Stillman College band while he attained a Bachelor’s degree. He has performed with multiple blues, gospel, and R&B groups for over 15 years. Chris is also the founder and CEO of Jaxons Music Consultants, which specializes in sound reinforcement, recording, and musician placement.
WILL ENGLISH
Guitar Instructor
Will is a University of Alabama graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and film. He has been a guitarist for over 15 years and a bassist for over 10 years. Will is passionate about ministry and serves as the worship director for Hope City Church in Tuscaloosa.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PAUL WHITEHURST
President
ROSA JOHNSON
Vice President
STEVE BALLARD
Treasurer
DR. CHARLES NASH
Secretary
ART DUNNING
DR. ALLISON CUNNINGHAM GEDDIE
RICK GEDDIE
KEN MCGUIRE
CARROLINE SHINES
KIP TYNER
DAVID BEDSOLE
DENNY SCHWARTZ
ASHLEY R. WHEAT
B.J. REED
PJ ENGLISH
ELIZABETH LARY