AMP Concerts became an official business on September 10, 2004 and became a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in 2007. Prior to that, AMP founder Neal Copperman spent four years putting on house concerts, sporadic small shows and volunteering with a variety of local music organizations. AMP's goal is to complement the music available around town, working both independently and in collaboration with many other local groups to provide additional chances to experience world, folk, acoustic and Americana music.
AMP programs include:
- A free monthly series at the Albuquerque Public Libraries
- A free quarterly series that integrate developmentally disabled artists and the community at the N4th Arts Center
- Workshops with visiting artists
- The Concerts & Conversations series with Art of the Song
- a wide variety of concerts in clubs, listening rooms and theaters around town
AMP is also one of the producers of ¡Globalquerque! - New Mexico's Annual Celebration of World Music and Culture
Press
- Neal Copperman amps up the scene - part 2, albquerqueARTS, 11/30/09
- AMP Concerts' series of shows in homes comes to an end after seven years from the Albuquerque Tribune, 8/24/07
- Concert promoters bring musical diversity to the Duke City from the Albuquerque Tribune, 6/1/2007
- KUNM's Performance New Mexico feature on the Bosque House Concerts. This audio is courtesy of KUNM 89.9 FM, 3/21/2005.
- Down-Home Music (PDF) from Albuquerque The Magazine, January 2005
- Living room, folding chairs, eats: Welcome to the concert venue (PDF) from the Albuquerque Tribune, 11/5/2004
- AMP evolves into music presenter (PDF) from abqARTS, November 2004
- House music: The concert scene is as close as your living room (PDF) from the Albuquerque Journal, 3/31/2002
- House concerts open the door to a unique concert experience (PDF) from abqARTS, March 2002
Testimonials: What people are saying about AMP...
"I've been to many of the shows you've promoted and I'm very grateful for your presence in Abq and how you've totally uplifted the music scene. Providing these small and midlevel venues is exactly what these artists need to flourish and then music lovers like me are the beneficiaries. So thanks again and keep it up!"
—Fred (when purchasing an AMP Membership)
"Thank you for all the great music! Of the many awesome AMP Concerts shows I've seen a few really touched my heart and soul, particularly Oliver Mtukudzi, Baka Beyond, Vieux Farka Toure, and Johnny Clegg. Amazing, talented musicians that I never thought I would get to see in my lifetime so thanks so much for bringing them to Albuquerque."
—Jordan
AMP Board of Directors Bios
Shelli Applegate, Board Member, Development Committee
Shelli is one of the newest members to join the AMP board, but has been enjoying the AMP music scene since the final year of the Bosque House Concerts. Shelli is a music lover, crossing over multiple genres including folk, Americana, blues, 70s and 80s, and good old rock and roll. Some of her favorites include Shawn Mullins, Melissa Etheridge, Susan Tedeschi, Van Morrison, Barenaked Ladies and Ottmar Liebert. Beside music, Shelli enjoys traveling, food and wine, reading, bowling and the outdoors. When not playing, Shelli engages her accounting, auditing and project management talents at Gap Inc.
Neal Copperman, Board Member, Executive Director
Neal launched the AMP House Concert series with then roommate Jeff Hanson soon after moving to Albuquerque. He has steered AMP from house concerts and a hobby to a sole proprietorship and eventually a non-profit organization. Neal's goal has always been to see the music he loved in other parts of the country be available in Albuquerque. Neal works full time as the Executive Director of AMP, and in his spare time works on AMP :) He is also on the board of the New Mexico Presenters Alliance, sporadically hosts KUNM's Global Music show, organizes the entertainment for the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, helps organize and run ¡Globalquerque! and is active in many civic and arts projects around the city.
Jeff Hanson, President, Nominating Committe Chair, Development Committee
Jeff has been involved with AMP Concerts even before its inception, working with Neal Copperman on the Bosque House Concerts, which hosted over 100 shows in seven years in Jeff's living room. Besides being involved in AMP Concerts, Jeff is a Senior Technical Manager at Honeywell and enjoys cooking, bowling, theater, and fine dining. Jeff's musical interests span a pretty wide range, but his favorites tend to be female singer-songwriters with big voices, ala Kate Bush, Jane Siberry, Jewel, Alison Moyet, and Wendy Rule.
Alicia Lueras Moldenado, Board Member, Development Committee Chair
Alicia is a photographer, producer and actor. She is a Native New Mexican, born and raised in the community of Atrisco, with roots in Carizzozo, Tahique, México and España.
She has spent the last 20 years working within the intersections of art, politics, community organizing + social justice. Through her business, Atlixco Productions, she helps individuals and organizations design creative strategies for their work, shoots photographs + video, interviews folks and performs for stage + film. Alicia finds every opportunity to support live music and dance, dance, dance!
Giovanna Rossi Pressley, Board Secretary
Giovanna attended her first AMP show at Jeff Hanson's house. She joined the board in 2009 and was elected Board Secretary in 2010. Giovanna writes lyrics for White Heather, a band she and her husband Paul Pressley formed in 2008. Their one-year-old son, Atticus, sometimes sings back up and plays percussion. Giovanna has volunteered at KUNM on Fresh and Women's Focus since 2004, and hosts her own show, Women's Health Today. Giovanna is the president and owner of Collective Action Strategies, LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to improving the health and lives of women and families.
Jeffrey Trespel, Board Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair
Jeffrey is a charter member of the AMP Concerts Board, currently serving as Treasurer and as its consigliore and risk manager. Away from the AMP shows, he is an attorney with Will Ferguson & Associates. A "Deadhead with a touch of grey," Jeffrey's alt-rock band, Thursday Spin, is in the studio working on an album due for release in mid-2011. Jeffrey also enjoys hiking, fine dining, and travel with his partner, Amy Neel, another charter member of the Board, who currently serves on the development committee.
Antionette Tellez-Humble, Board Member, Nominating Committee
Antionette has worked for more than 20 years in the non-profit
sector. She has held various management positions overseeing
multi-disciplinary teams working in direct services, advocacy and
policy. In recent years, her work has focused her work on organization
development in the civic engagement sector.
Antionette has served on the AMP board for only a year; however, she
feels it is a culmination of years of work. That "work" being a lifetime
of following live local music, dancing herself into a mess and yelling "otra otra otra."
"I wanted to thank you so much for booking the Tom Russell show at the Outpost. I drove down from Aztec to catch the show.
I have seen Tom over 20 times, and this show was absolutely one of the best! Everything was perfect. The venue and sound were great, the audience was great, and so was Tom. It made for a wonderful evening of great music.
I hope that Tom Russell can become an annual event at the Outpost."
—Russ, Aztec, NM
"It is important for individuals with severe disabilities to have the opportunity to listen to good music.
Thanks."
—Katherine
"The concert was AMAZING! AWESOME! ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
I don't know what I enjoyed more- seeing Steve Martin live, or the incredible musical talent of the Rangers.
As he said, 'They are not my band, I am their celebrity.' I went with my husband, two daughters, another couple, and my sister and her friend who were visiting from Florida.
Everyone left the room smiling :-) That's quite a feat, given our varying ages and personalities! So, thank you! We love live music and go as often as possible and are always up for exploring new venues."
—Heidi, Rio Rancho, NM
"Looking forward to a family bilingual show. We want to thank the organizers and producers that make a tremendous effort to bring bilingual, cultural and quality performances to New Mexico."
—Alexi
"I wanted to thank you for handling the stage all weekend long!!! What a great job you did with the line-up—everyone loved it!! West African Highlife was the life of the party—truly. I really appreciate how hard you work for the [Santa Fe International Folk Art] Market and the entertainment groups—they are such an important part of what we do and you make it happen!!"
—Laura Sullivan, Director of Development, Santa Fe International Folk Art Market
"Lenny and I were at the Emmylou Harris concert on Sunday night which was fantastic! AND have come to both days of Globalquerque all years since you got it started. We love it, and have gotten lots of our friends to go too. I have such high regard and excitement about what you and AMP contribute to the musical life of our community—I simply want to add some support to your efforts as a non-profit. I've been on your e-list for years: today I decided it was time to make a donation too :-).
"Just so you know... we've already purchased our earlybird tickets for Globalquerque this year, including a third ticket for my brother traveling to NM just to attend again. He came last year too. He's a music collector and youth worker from Central New York state—and we ALL have fallen in love with Globalquerque. See you there this September!"
—Lois
"I've been meaning to write you for the last month and thank you for bringing Johnny Clegg here and to such a beautiful venue. It was a great concert and a great experience overall, being outside and getting to dance with the kids, plus my family and I were able to express to Johnny Clegg how much his music has meant to us over the years. Thanks for all you do!"
—Amy
"Just a thank you for your delightful presentation at Creative Albuquerque yesterday. You shared lots of valuable information and gave us new perspectives to think about. It will be so exciting to host at least one of those Pakastani groups in Albuquerque. Thank you for all you do for Albuquerque and the arts. You are amazing, and definitely one of the gems of our city!"
—Margaret
"Thank YOU for the rare treat! My friends in fancier places (Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Helsinki) couldn't believe Albuquerque ('where is that exactly?') got to see Philip Glass up close and personal, and for only $45."
—Meredith
"I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for getting the Philip Glass 'mini-festival' together—I was able to attend the discussion at Keller Hall (and especially was entranced by PG saying what really mattered was writing the spaces!) and also the performance at the Academy. My son's funeral was held in Simms, so it's hard for me to go there, but it was worth it to see Mr. Glass bring his music to life. I think my Tyler would also have liked that concert. So, thanks again for all your hard work on our behalf. This was a special evening."
—Vicki
"What a GREAT concert last night by Badi Assad—the best single act performance I've seen/heard in a long, long time—those who did not attend lost out. I hope that she felt rewarded for her performance.
My wife and I are on your list serve. Take this for what it is worth—you're doing a GREAT job of bringing world music to NM. We are fans of AMP CONCERTS."
—Brian
"you ROCK! this is the best free concert series ever! Love ABQ, love AMP, love the Rio Grande Libraries!!"
—Heather
"I just love all this music you are bringing to Albuquerque. Here's a great big thank you from me!"
—Judy
"I'll be bringing my group of guys... they've been asking me when the next time we could go on a field trip to hear great music... we've enjoyed four concerts so far and they've been hits with my clients. So thanks again for what you're doing, and how in particular these free library concerts are enriching our community."
—Greg (and the crew from the homeless transition house)
"Richard Thompson show was KILLER! I was a happy member of the crowd at the Museum Sunday, and wanted to congratulate you on one of the best shows I've
heard in years. I hope you are able to book more shows at the Museum amphitheater, which is my current favorite place
to see and hear music."
—Dan
"I just want to say thank you for this afternoon's concert. It is the first time my husband and I attended one of your events at VSA, and were not only blown away by the music, but felt great joy in seeing everyone get into the groove, it was very special indeed!"
—Marian
All content © 2004-11 by AMP. Web site by interbridge. Banner by Golden Sage Creative.
Photo of Lyle Lovett by Michael Wilson. Photos of the Guerrilla Girls, Suzanne Vega, Cowboy Junkies, Po Girl, Wagogo and Sam Bush by Alan Mitchell.