Our Leadership

James M. LeFavour is a cornerstone of the Georgia music community, bringing over half a century of elite industry experience to his role as Board Chairman of the Georgia Music Industry Association (GMIA). An Atlanta native, James’s career is defined by a rare duality: the soul of a songwriter and the precision of an architect.

The Los Angeles Years (1979–1996)

James spent nearly two decades in Los Angeles, establishing himself as a versatile force in the “Golden Era” of the West Coast music business. As the founder of Nirvana Productions, he transitioned from a touring performer and songwriter into a sought-after producer and arranger.

His credits during this era span the spectrum of entertainment:

• Songwriting: Penned works for icons including Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Lita Ford, and Rick Springfield.
• Commercial Sound Design: Authored the music and concept for the landmark Giorgio of Beverly Hills “RED” perfume campaign.
• Film & TV: Contributed to diverse projects, including the Shields and Yarnell variety series.

His contributions were recognized by the Independent Music Makers Association with three awards in five years, alongside multiple accolades from the American Song Festival for creative excellence and technical composition.

Engineering Excellence in Atlanta

Returning to Atlanta in 1996, James channeled his technical expertise into the design and construction of Edgewater Records Studios. Personally engineered and sonically tuned by James over a four-year period, the 2,400-square-foot complex has been featured in MIX Magazine for its architectural accuracy and excellence in studio design.

Today, Edgewater serves as the headquarters for:

• Atlanta Record Productions (A.R.P.): Where James continues his work as a premier record producer and audio engineer.
• LeFavourite Music Publishing (BMI): Housing an extensive catalog and one of the industry’s most meticulously curated collections of vintage microphones and preamps.

Leadership and Legacy

James’s commitment to the future of the industry is as significant as his past achievements. He is currently serving his 14th consecutive term as Board Chairman of the GMIA, steering the organization with a steady, experienced hand.

Since 2008, he has also served as a Lead Instructor and Lecturer at the SAE Institute in Atlanta, mentoring the next generation of audio engineers. A long-standing member of NARAS (The Grammys) and the Musicians Union, James remains a tireless advocate for the art and business of music in the state of Georgia.

Ronnie Winstead is a seasoned producer, musician, and industry veteran who has spent over three decades at the intersection of sound and screen. As the President of the Georgia Music Industry Association (GMIA), Ronnie leads the state’s oldest musical organization with a dedicated focus on the craft and career of the independent singer/songwriter.

The Virtual Adrenaline Legacy

In 1989, Ronnie founded Virtual Adrenaline Productions Recording Studio, a hub for high-end audio production that has served the Georgia creative community for over 35 years. Recognizing the shifting landscape of the industry, he also established Virtual Adrenaline Publishing, LLC, a firm specialized in creating and placing original scores for Radio, Television, and Film.

A Broad-Spectrum Creative

Ronnie’s expertise extends far beyond the mixing console. His career is characterized by a “utility player” versatility that includes:

• Visual Media: Extensive experience in video production as a camera operator and director for reality television, commercials, and music videos.
• Commercial Composition: A prolific writer and recorder of local and regional jingles and voiceovers.
• Educational Advocacy: A passionate instructor who leads classes on songwriting and has contributed to books on digital media and industry navigation.

Leadership & Community

Under Ronnie’s leadership, the GMIA continues to provide a vital platform for Georgia’s songwriters to hone their skills and connect with industry professionals. His holistic understanding of management, production, and performance makes him a uniquely qualified advocate for artists in an increasingly digital world.

Ronnie resides in Lawrenceville, Georgia, with his wife, Wendy, and their son, Zack.

Harley Griffin is an R&B sensation whose career is defined by what many call a “voice of velvet.” As Vice President of the GMIA, Harley brings a performer’s heart and a veteran’s wisdom to the board, ensuring that the association remains a sanctuary for vocal excellence and artistic charisma.

A Legacy of Performance

Harley’s trajectory toward the spotlight was solidified in 1988 with a winning appearance on the legendary Showtime at the Apollo in Harlem, NY. Since then, his “vocal athleticism” has shared the stage and the studio with some of the most iconic names in jazz and R&B, including:

• John “Dizzy” Gillespie
• Max Roach
• Betty “Bee Bop” Carter
• Joe Sample

From the Stage to the Studio

Beyond his solo career, Harley is a prolific theatrical performer and session artist. His versatility has been showcased in major productions such as:

• “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope” by Micki Grant.
• “River Dance” (1994 Gospel Production), directed by the legendary James Bignon.
• “Soul Food: The Ultimate Sacrament” (Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church).

One of his most notable career highlights include performing with Luther Vandross’ Original Band at B.B. King’s Blues Club in Los Angeles for a premier tribute to the late icon—a testament to Harley’s ability to match the soul and technical precision of the greats.

Global Presence & Local Leadership

A steady, well-versed artist, Harley maintains an active performance schedule locally in Georgia and abroad, with a recurring presence in the San Francisco Bay area. Within the GMIA, he serves as a bridge between the classic traditions of timeless ballads and the modern needs of the independent artist.

To experience Harley Griffin for 60 seconds is to understand why he is often described as, quite simply, “Truly, So Amazing.”

Hailing from Philadelphia—the city that birthed the “Philly Sound,” American Bandstand, and legends like Hall & Oates—Brian Delgross began his journey as a professional musician at the age of 12. Today, as Secretary of the GMIA, he combines a lifetime of performance with an elite background in organizational strategy and public relations.

A Historic Foundation

In 1985, Brian earned what he describes as “the opportunity of a lifetime” when he was recruited to the production team for Live Aid. Contributing to the largest and most historic benefit concert in history provided him with an unparalleled look into the mechanics of global-scale music events and industry philanthropy.

Academic & Strategic Excellence

Brian is one of the most formally decorated members of the board, possessing a deep understanding of the “business” behind the music. His credentials include:

• University of Pennsylvania: A Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics, with a focus on business management, strategic planning, and the art of negotiation.
• Temple University: A Bachelor of Arts in Communication.
• Charles Morris Price School: A Certificate in Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations, where he graduated at the top of his class.

From the Boardroom to the Limelight

After years of supporting other artists as both a musician and a business manager, Brian made the pivotal decision to move “center stage.” Drawing on his first love—the music itself—he transitioned into performing his own original material.

His soulful, polished performances have since reached audiences across the Southeast’s most iconic music hubs, including Macon, Atlanta, and Nashville. As Secretary, Brian ensures that the GMIA operates with the professional rigour and strategic foresight necessary to serve Georgia’s evolving music scene.

Hart Deer is the singer/songwriter and lead guitarist of Soul Fire, the keyboardist of Toxic Foxtrot, and the composer of the rock opera America: The Dark Romance.

A Multi-Genre Creator

Hart creates and performs across a vast musical spectrum, including:

• Rock
• Jazz
• Blues
• Classical
• Hip Hop
• Electronic
• Genre-defying experimental works

Philosophy & Vision

Hart sees music as a shared language of the soul. He seeks to wield art in service of heightening the spirit, liberating the mind, and smashing any boundary that stands in the way of a brighter, richer, freer, and more loving world.

Linden Jackson is a multifaceted marketing strategist and production veteran with a career that spans the globe—from his roots in Kingston, Jamaica, to the executive offices of Sony Music. As Director of Marketing for the GMIA, Linden applies his decades of experience in major-label promotion and multimedia management to elevate the visibility of Georgia’s music industry.

The Major Label Era: CBS & Sony Music

Linden’s career was forged at the highest level of the recording industry. During a decade-long tenure at CBS Records (which evolved into Sony Music Entertainment), he spearheaded marketing and sales campaigns for the Southeast regional branch. Marketing for legendary imprints like Columbia, Epic, and Def Jam, he worked directly with a roster of icons, including:

• Pop & Rock: Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and The Jacksons.
• Hip-Hop & R&B: Mariah Carey, Public Enemy, Alexander O’Neal, and Shabba Ranks.
• Heavy Metal: Ozzy Osbourne.

His work during this period earned him numerous gold and platinum records, alongside a suite of industry awards for excellence in artist promotion and in-store campaign implementation.

Entrepreneurship & Multimedia Innovation

A Bill Lowery scholarship recipient and Georgia State University alumnus, Linden has always maintained a foot in both the creative and technical camps. He is the founder of MKM Multimedia Works LLC, an Atlanta-based media management firm specializing in:

• Audio/Visual Operations: Managing large-scale A/V for high-end corporate environments and hotels.
• MKM Studios: Overseeing production for rising regional talent.
• Sync & Advertising: Negotiating international contracts, including a landmark GAP campaign for Baba Oje of the legendary group Arrested Development.

Advocacy and Authorship

Linden’s commitment to the community is reflected in his work as the Executive Producer for the Atlanta Artists Against Gun Violence compilation and his recent role with Operation HOPE, where he assists local businesses with credit and development in the post-Covid landscape.

Currently, Linden is channeling his industry knowledge into the MUSICOLOGY series—a four-book collection designed to educate the next generation of music professionals. He operates under a philosophy shared by his long-time mentor, Bernard Percy: “Everything turns out right in the end—if it isn’t right, it isn’t the end.”

Greg Fortune is a self-contained singer, songwriter, and musician creating sounds reminiscent of the classics. Although blending Blues, R&B, and Contemporary Jazz into a soulful gumbo, his music retains the intense flavor of each ingredient.

Global Roots & Classic Influences

Born in Arizona as an army brat, Greg has experienced life on both U.S. coasts, as well as in Japan and Sweden. “No matter where I’ve been, music is a major part of my memories,” he emphasizes. His musical benchmarks include legends like Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Michael Jackson.

Engineering the Sound

Greg began teaching himself guitar at 13 and started recording while earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University. During his undergrad years, he played guitar, keyboards, and sang as a founding member of the Top 40 R&B band “Premier.”

He takes the craft of songwriting seriously, having attended a summer session at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. “The challenge in songwriting,” he confides, “is capturing a thought, emotion, or story with only a few words, a bit of music, and a few minutes. Anything non-essential is waste.”

Discography & Performance

Greg has released three full-length albums to date:

• Essential (2002)
• Solitude (2010) – released under the name Gregory Alan
• As Blue Az U R (2021)

Based out of Atlanta, Greg has performed exhaustively as a solo acoustic artist. He is a favorite at local venues such as The Hard Rock Cafe, where in 2017 he completed a month-long residency as a featured artist in their inaugural “Blues and Brews” series.

Yonel Valme was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In the early 70s, during political unrest, his family immigrated to the United States and settled in New York. Raised by a single mother of seven children who worked as a choir conductor and missionary, Yonel developed a deep love for music early on. He formed a Gospel musical band with his brother, becoming a recording artist in college and performing at conventions in Madison Square Garden.

A Career in the Stars

Yonel’s fascination with aeronautics led him to a distinguished career in engineering:

• Boeing (Seattle): Worked as a research engineer for 737 aircraft development, meteor burst communication, and satellite communications.
• NASA (Kennedy Space Center): Served 15 years within the Space Station Program.
• Lockheed Martin (Atlanta): Worked as a System Engineer/Project Engineer, traveling the world to represent the company.

Leadership & Humanitarian Service

Since retiring from aerospace, Yonel has devoted himself to leadership and humanitarian causes:

• The Carter Center: Served as Director of Operations and Logistics in Chad, working on the eradication of Guinea Worm Disease in Africa.
• Fernande Valme Ministries: Board executive member of the foundation established by his late mother to help children in need and promote global education and healthcare.
• Toastmasters International: Served as Area 11 Governor (District 47) and President of the Edward H. White Toastmasters Club at Kennedy Space Center.

Yonel also serves as a Board of Trustee Member for Pleasant Grove Missionary Church in Marietta, GA. Besides music, he enjoys traveling, playing golf, tennis, and reading.

Ted Nuttall is a multimedia artist, master technician, and business consultant whose career is rooted in the “art of the machine.” As Digital Media Director for the GMIA, Ted brings a unique perspective that bridges the gap between raw hardware and digital innovation, ensuring the association stays at the cutting edge of industry technology.

From Apprentice to Architect

Ted’s journey began at age 11, building sound circuits and restoring garage-sale gear. This early fascination with “how things work” led him to an apprenticeship under GMIA Board Chairman James “Jimmy” LeFavour at Atlanta Record Productions. Under Jimmy’s mentorship, Ted transitioned from a Mechanical Engineering student into a premier specialist in instrument and studio design.

His professional foundation includes:

• Retail & Management: Serving as an original manager for the Guitar Center Kennesaw launch and later as a Rentals Manager and Repair Technician.
• Master Craftsmanship: Working as a luthier and technician, Ted has personally repaired over 6,000 pieces of musical equipment and designed bespoke instruments for elite touring musicians.

Building the Sound of the East Coast

Since 2019, Ted has emerged as a leading voice in multimedia studio construction. He has lent his expertise to over 30 professional studios and music venues across the East Coast, including legendary Atlanta spaces such as:

• Ndustry Studios
• Soul Asylum Studios
• Loudhouse Studios

Leadership and Advocacy

Promoted to Director at Atlanta Record Productions, Ted continues to consult on high-level projects while dedicating his time to the GMIA. His work often intersects with philanthropy; through his association with James LeFavour, he has contributed technical and strategic support to nearly a dozen charities and countless national musical acts.

A self-described “gear head” with an uncompromising passion for the business of music, Ted ensures that the GMIA’s digital and technical infrastructure is as robust as the artists it serves.