April 16, 2024

To create the Berkshire Busk! festival, Gene Carr needed partners in City Hall, on Main Street

By Matt Lehrman

Social Prosperity Partners


When we launched the “Community Catalysts” podcast in February, we promised real-life stories about local leadership that contain practical advice for anyone looking to make a difference in their own community, whether or not they hold elected office or other official title. That’s because innovation often requires some kind of public-private partnership.

To create the Berkshire Busk! festival with Community Catalysts podcast.

My guest this week, Gene Carr, offers the perfect example. He is the founding director of the Berkshire Busk! outdoor music festival in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. It started as a response to pandemic-era social distancing, but it continues today as a popular annual attraction in a region where tourism is huge.


As an experienced arts marketer and an accomplished musician himself, Gene had a vision for bringing together local artists to deliver a compelling experience for the community. But he needed partners — both public and private. The keys to his success, he says, were:

1. Active support from local government.

“This entire festival wouldn’t have happened at all, and I wouldn’t have lifted a finger to do it, if it weren’t for the town manager,” Gene says. “He basically said, I will help you knock down the inevitable barriers that you’re going to encounter — I’m on your side.” One example: extending the town’s insurance coverage to an adjacent church’s lawn for the performance of aerial dancers.


2. Financial support from the business community.

“My first question to that town manager was, who are the movers and shakers that I need to talk to who are likely to be open-minded and entrepreneurial?” In the episode, he gets into specifics such as sponsorship incentives and realistic budgeting.


“These kinds of festivals are unlikely to spring from within an administration of an existing town and municipality,” Gene says. “It’s more likely that an individual in the community is gonna come and approach the town and say, I wanna make this happen. And if that’s the case, that individual has to feel supported because they’re creating an idea out of nothing, and they are suddenly going to take this huge project on their shoulders.”


Listen now on Apple, Spotify and all podcast platforms.

To create the Berkshire Busk! festival with Community Catalysts podcast.

CHAT TO WIN A LEADERSHIP PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT

Enhance your leadership toolkit by joining our next Local Leadership Chat, titled “Reservoirs of Resilience,” via Zoom on Friday, May 3. This month’s free, facilitated discussion will explore the importance of self-care and mental wellness in sustaining effective leadership.



Early Registration Sweepstakes: RSVP HERE by Wednesday, April 24 (5 p.m. Pacific Time) and attend the session for a chance to win a free Leadership & Collaboration Skills Assessment & Personal Coaching Session (a $475 value). This scientifically validated, EEOC-compliant tool includes a 10-minute survey and one-hour private review with Matt, providing insights into how your personality traits interact with others and empowering you to navigate relationships more mindfully and confidently. Three (3) winners will be notified by 5 p.m. May 4 (PST). Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your leadership abilities!

Connect with Matt:


Barbara Bencomo, Chief Administrative Officer Las Cruces, New Mexico

Barbara Bencomo, Chief Administrative Officer Las Cruces, New Mexico

By Matt Lehrman • June 24, 2025
What happens when a city weaves care and compassion into the very fabric of government operations? In the latest episode of Community Catalysts, Barbara Bencomo, Chief Administrative Officer of Las Cruces, New Mexico, offers a compelling answer.
Justin Wilson, Former Mayor of Alexandria, VI

Justin Wilson, Former Mayor of Alexandria, VI

By Matt Lehrman • June 16, 2025
What does it really take to lead a community through uncertainty, when resources are tight, trust is fraying, and the political climate feels like a minefield? In our newest Community Catalysts episode, we go deep with Justin Wilson, former Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia. In a candid conversation, Wilson speaks with rare openness about what local leadership looks like in this volatile moment—not in theory, but in practice.
Kevin Lyons, Co-founder and CEO of FlashVote

Kevin Lyons, Co-founder and CEO of FlashVote

By Matt Lehrman • June 10, 2025
Kevin Lyons—co-founder and CEO of FlashVote—shares a truth that hits home for anyone in local leadership: When it comes to public input, volume isn’t the same as representation.
More Posts