Meet The Board Members

In a professional band, the Musical Director (M.D.) plays a vital role, overseeing everything from assembling the right musicians to shaping rehearsals and producing a polished final performance. Top M.D.s are known for their ability to deliver exceptional live shows and are consistently in high demand by elite artists. Detroit native Kern Brantley exemplifies this level of excellence, bringing years of experience and a stellar reputation to every project he touches.

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Kern’s impressive career highlights his talents not only as a Musical Director but also as a skilled musician, producer, songwriter, and arranger. Growing up in Detroit—a city known for its musical legacy—he was deeply influenced by the iconic Motown sound of the 60s and 70s. This rich musical environment set a high standard that Kern has embraced throughout his career, and it continues to shape the soulful, high-caliber performances he is known for today.

Ivan BIG IVE Williams is a Freelance Stage and Studio Professional Bassist who has performed, recorded, produced with many Artist since 1972, he is also a Bass guitar, keyboards, guitar, ear training, music theory Instructor since 2006, and Producer/Filmmaker with a Popular BASS show on YouTube called "DETROIT BASS PLAYERS IN THE BASSMINT"

Michael Rais is an award-winning bassist and respected music educator based in Metro Detroit. With over 30 years of experience as both an electric and double bassist, he has performed across a wide spectrum of genres, from classical symphonies to Motown, jazz, rock, and pop. His career includes collaborations with Motown legends, symphony orchestras, and nationally touring acts. For the past 18 years, Michael has served as a dedicated music educator at Frost Middle School in Livonia, where he teaches band, orchestra, and guitar. Outside the classroom, he remains an active performer, touring nationally, recording in studios, and mentoring bassists throughout Michigan. He is a proud member of Detroit Federation of Musicians Local 5, the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA), the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), and the International Society of Bassists (ISB).

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Chris is a second-generation Detroit Bass Player and founding board member of the Detroit Bass Federation. His passion for the electric bass is an extension of his even deeper love of human communication, culture, and community—all of which are gifts that lift the mind, body, and soul found in music and the musicians who create it.

Chris received his doctorate in human communication processes from the University of Georgia and he is a corporate HR executive at Stryker. Chris is author of two books Future-Ready Leadership; Sacred Conversations. Chris and his wife Robin live, work, and serve in Metro Detroit.

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