For the past 14-plus years, Greg Slim Lively Johnson has been president of the Cascade Blues Association, one of the oldest (founded in 1986) and largest affiliated blues societies. He’s also the principal writer and staff photographer of the society’s newsletter, and the co-author of the book Blues on Beale Street: Memoirs of the International Blues Challenge. He lives in Portland, Oregon, and helps touring artists who come through the Pacific Northwest find venues within the region, often assisting with housing and equipment needs. He has booked such acts as Hubert Sumlin, Paul Oscher, Phillip Walker, Robert Jr. Lockwood, and many past IBC participants. He is always willing to offer fundraising assistance within his region as well. But that’s not all; Johnson has been an IBC volunteer since 2003, and in recent years has been Joe Whitmer’s right-hand man at both the IBC and the BMAs. He currently manages the Club 152 stage at the IBC, and he’s the backstage manager for the Blues Music Awards, working from before the show begins until long after it’s over.
