Musicians Board

Christen Carter is the owner of the Busy Beaver Botton Company one of the largest manufacturers of buttons in America. They were the originator of the only glow in the dark Obama for president button (The Glowbama button) along with merchandise for many local, national and international rock bands. The Budget Girls are Teri and Christen, two go-go dancers from the USA who decided to form a band with kids from the London N7 Action Sound scene.
They recorded raunchy garage tunes at Toe Rag Studios with members of Cee Bee Beaumont, Thee Headcoats and the Bristols backing them up.

Helen Money is Alison Chesley, a Chicago based cellist who has become known for her unique sound and compelling stage performance. Using the tools of a lead guitarist, she channels her sensibilities and experience as a rock musician through a classical instrument. A founding member of Epic Records recording artist Verbow, Alison has opened for bands as diverse as Shellac, Earth, The Bad Plus, Hunn Huur Tu and KTL. She has also worked and recorded with musicians such as Bob Mould, Disturbed, Anthrax, Frank Orrall, Fred Lonberg-Holm and Mono, among others. In addition to her solo work, Chesley has composed music for film and dance, including the soundtrack to the award-winning documentary “Indestructible” and two major works for Chicago based Mordine and Company Dance Theater, “Quest” and “Time Stilled”. Her second album, recorded with Greg Norman at Electrical Audio and mixed by Sanford Parker at Semaphore Studios is due out this fall on Table of the Elements.

Singer, songwriter & front woman for her band Trigger Gospel, Anna  Fermin has been a fixture in the Chicago music scene for over a  decade.  Anna’s vibrant voice and eclectic song-styling have made her,  “one of Chicago’s most treasured voices,” Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune.  Anna is also co-founder of MOMSthatROCK! Concerts for a Cause, an organization that uses concerts & righteous rocking to help empower women and girls locally & globally.

Jim Goodrich is a Chicago based musician with a Masters of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy from Northeastern IL University. He sings Bass with the mixed a cappella group 4-AM and is the producer/host of the show With A Voice Like This. Jim also sits on the Chicago Music Commission Board of Advisors.

Anne Harris is a leader in Chicago’s conscious music scene. The vocalist / songwriter / fiddler has made quite a name for herself with a growing body of fans who are drawn to her passionate and captivating performances and evocative songs. An energetic, charismatic performer and engaging vocalist, she complements her inventive fiddle playing with turns on mandolin and djembe drum, offering enticing glimpses into her creative well.

Erin Walter is thrilled to be able to combine her life’s passions — reading, writing, and teaching– at Open Books, a nonprofit social venture that operates an extraordinary bookstore, provides community programs, and mobilizes passionate volunteers to promote literacy in Chicago and beyond. A Northwestern University journalism graduate, she has worked as a reporter for the Austin American-Statesman, an editor for the Texas Legislature, and a first grade teacher at her beloved public school alma mater, Travis Heights Elementary. She plays bass and sings in the Chicago band The Hidden Mitten and has volunteered for 826CHI, Girls Rock! Chicago, and the Chicago Independent Radio Project.

Alexandra White is a born and raised Chicagoan, musician, and cum laude graduate of the DePaul University School of Commerce.  She travels the world playing rock’n'roll in  White Mystery, Miss Alex White & the Red Orchestra, and Hot Machines.   By day, she manages operations and e-marketing at Chicago’s premier custom button maker, Busy Beaver Button Co.  Alex also sits on the DePaul Coleman Entrepreneurship Advisory Council and the Chris Saathoff Foundation Board.