Donna Ulisse

Singer, Songwriter, Bluegrass Poet

Donna enjoys a busy week at IBMA World of Bluegrass Conference!

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Wonder what Rick Stanley on the right said to make Donna laugh so hard in the Podunk Booth? Festival promoter Roger Moss is in the background.
Wonder what Rick Stanley on the right said to make Donna laugh so hard in the Podunk Booth? Festival promoter Roger Moss is in the background.
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Donna and The PMBs pickin' in the Podunk Bluegrass Festival booth. Podunk has won bluegrass event of the year and is in E. Hartford, CT in August of each year.
Donna and The PMBs pickin' in the Podunk Bluegrass Festival booth. Podunk has won bluegrass event of the year and is in E. Hartford, CT in August of each year.
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L to R: Greg Davis on banjo, Nolan Murray on mandolin, Donna, Jon Martin on guitar
L to R: Greg Davis on banjo, Nolan Murray on mandolin, Donna, Jon Martin on guitar
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Donna with the band Tiller's Folly and Irish DJ and artist Niall Toner in front center.
Donna with the band Tiller's Folly and Irish DJ and artist Niall Toner in front center.
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Donna with New York DJ and emcee Bill Knowlton who was awarded a lifetime acheivement award. Bill was largely responsible for creating a bluegrass music scene in New York...an amazing man.
Donna with New York DJ and emcee Bill Knowlton who was awarded a lifetime acheivement award. Bill was largely responsible for creating a bluegrass music scene in New York...an amazing man.
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L to R: Larry Cordle, Donna, Jerry Salley and Australian artist Kristy Cox.
L to R: Larry Cordle, Donna, Jerry Salley and Australian artist Kristy Cox.
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Visiting with the great Larry Sparks who had his merchandise table across from Donna's during FanFest.
Visiting with the great Larry Sparks who had his merchandise table across from Donna's during FanFest.
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Donna with Memphis DJ Larry Bomar and wife Joyce.
Donna with Memphis DJ Larry Bomar and wife Joyce.
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Donna visiting with Lori and Kevin Kerfoot; publishers of Bluegrass Music Profiles magazine
Donna visiting with Lori and Kevin Kerfoot; publishers of Bluegrass Music Profiles magazine
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Donna with Pennsylvania DJ and friend Janice Brooks
Donna with Pennsylvania DJ and friend Janice Brooks
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Donna with festival promoters Terry and Jan Lease. They own Midwest Bluegrass Festivals and put on some first class indoor festivals Donna has had the pleasure of playing.
Donna with festival promoters Terry and Jan Lease. They own Midwest Bluegrass Festivals and put on some first class indoor festivals Donna has had the pleasure of playing.
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Donna visiting with friend and co-writer, the very talented Claire Lynch at the writer/publisher networking session.
Donna visiting with friend and co-writer, the very talented Claire Lynch at the writer/publisher networking session.
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Phil Nusbaum is a DJ and folklorist from the Twin Cities in Minnesota who hosts a syndicated radio show.
Phil Nusbaum is a DJ and folklorist from the Twin Cities in Minnesota who hosts a syndicated radio show.
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Donna says she had an "aha" moment during this workshop she and Louisa led realizing how much she enjoys sharing ideas about her own creative process and hopes to do more workshops in the future.
Donna says she had an "aha" moment during this workshop she and Louisa led realizing how much she enjoys sharing ideas about her own creative process and hopes to do more workshops in the future.

2011 marked the first year IBMA's songwriter committee launched two nights of performances at the Bluebird Cafe for bluegrass songwriters and Donna was proud to be a part of the planning committee and acted as stage manager at the Bluebird. There was also a first time networking event at the conference for songwriters & publishers organized by songwriter Rick Lange.

On Tuesday, Donna and The Poor Mountain Boys played three back to back late night showcases which were attended by many promoters and other industry folks. In between shows, Donna ran downstairs for an interview with WSM 650AM's Joe Lemardi who was set up at the convention center to interview artists.

Wedneday morning found Donna up bright and early for an interview with Minneapolis/St. Paul DJ and folklorist Phil Nusbaum for his syndicated radio show. In the afternoon she led a co-writing workshop with songwriter Louisa Branscomb which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Later in the week Donna appeared at the Nashville Visitor's Center at the Bridgestone Arena for a performance and taping of Irish artist and DJ Niall Toner's Roots Freeway Radio show which was broadcast twice in Ireland on Public Radio. Also performing was Tiller's Folly and since Donna only had Greg Davis and Jon Martin from the Poor Mountain Boys with her, their mandolinist Nolan Muuray was kind enough to sit in with them on "Let It Rain".

Saturday was a busy day at FanFest for Donna and The Poor Mountain Boys. They played an hour set in the Podunk Bluegrass Festival booth in the exhibit hall and then finished their day and week with a thirty minute show on the Master Workshop stage for the fans. In between the shows Donna signed autographs and visited with folks at her merchandise table.