ORBS Team
D.K. Harrell — Ex Officio Global Ambassador
D.K. Harrell, born D'Kieran Harrell in Ruston, Louisiana in 1998, is one of the brightest young stars in blues today. Inspired by B.B. King from age two, he picked up his first guitar at 12 and was writing original songs by 16. He won the Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist for his 2023 debut album The Right Man, and his Alligator Records debut, Talkin' Heavy, went on to win Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Album at the 2026 Blues Music Awards. Known for his stinging guitar work, deep soul vocals, and electrifying live shows, Harrell has toured extensively across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, carrying the blues to new audiences around the world. ORBS is proud to count him as our Ex Officio Global Ambassador.
Ira Barger - President - Ira is a leader in the local Blues scene. He started the local Juke Joint Jam held every 3rd Thursday of the month at Enoch's Irish Pub. Ira is originally from Mississippi and has competed in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Ira's influence is Delta Blues and he is a master at it.
Adrienne Lafrance-Wells - Secretary - What can we say! Adrienne provides constant motivation and inspiration to all of us. She represents so many organizations but the one most important to ORBS is the West Monroe Downtown Alliance. Adrieanne is from Monroe and her musical influences come from her Dad's blues music and Grandmother who was a jazz pianist.
Leo Nelson - Treasurer - Leo is from Lake Providence, La. in the middle of the Delta. Leo has been a blues guy since high school. Leo is a regular at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena Ark. and has judged at the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge for over 14 years.
Directors
Jill Carr - Jill is from Monroe and grew up a music lover especially the blues. She spent 40 years in Houston involved in the Houston Blues community and is excited to be part of ORBS promoting and preserving Blues.
Scott Frick - Scott is from Nashville but has lived in Monroe for over 27 years. He owns Music City Studios and works with local musicians offering recording and publishing assistance. Scott owns Music City Underground, a streaming radio station that streams the ORBS Blues Jam each month.
Kirby Rambin - Kirby is an accomplished local musician from Monroe that plays an assortment of instruments. Kirby is best know for his fiddle that is a fun part of any blues performance.
Mike Rymes - Mike is a local attorney and great supporter of the blues. He has been the guy that has handled all the back work of getting ORBS going. Mike loves he blues and attends local music shows weekly.
Dan Sumner - Dan is a music professor at ULM. He owns a studio working with local musicians as a performer and supporter of local live music. Dan has competed in blues challenges before and is excited that ORBS will be hosting one.
Scott Tisdale - Scott is a local musician that bring years of experience to the board. He has played with most of the musicians in the Monroe area and has been a great supporter of local music.
