About JKMF
The Joe Kirchner Memorial Foundation was founded to honor Bozeman musician Joe Kirchner, who passed away on September 20th, 2024.
It is the non-profit’s mission to support and empower other Bozeman-area musicians, as Joe always did.
Meet The Board
The JKMF board is made up of a small group of Joe’s friends and bandmates and supported by members of Joe’s family.
Kelly Nicholson
Originally from a small town in Georgia, Kelly spent a decade traveling the country before finding a home in Bozeman, Montana. She grew up strumming old-time and bluegrass tunes on guitar alongside her fiddle-playing grandfather, but didn’t sing until a bluegrass jam she was hosting in Big Sky gave her the encouragement and confidence to try. When she found her voice, she also found her community.
Kelly is incredibly grateful to have shared the stage with Joe Kirchner for nearly seven years, first in her 5-piece rock, soul, and blues band, the Kelly Nicholson Band, and then with Dead Sky, a Grateful Dead tribute band. Her favorite memories of Joe always include Joe dancing at his keys when the jams were at their peak, or one of his famous big hugs.
When she isn’t playing music, Kelly is out exploring in the mountains, working as a nontraditional environmental educator, or diving into a new craft project.
President
Krista Barnett
When Krista won a young composer’s contest in her hometown of Akron, Ohio at the age of five, she knew she was destined for a life in music and performing. During middle school and high school, she enjoyed musical theater and show choirs. She then went on to receive a vocal degree from Indiana University where she co-founded the original band, Guest House, and toured extensively.
For the past 15 years, Krista has played mostly with The Tiny Band and Pinky and the Floyd, as well as various other jazz and rock bands in Montana. Pinky will never be the same without Joe Kirchner but continuing to play the music of Pink Floyd with fellow band members helps him live on through the music.
The foundation is another wonderful way to keep Joe's spirit alive and assist musicians in our community. In addition to playing music, Krista is the Head of School at Middle Creek Montessori. She also enjoys playing Scrabble, cooking, hiking and skiing with her husband, Joe, and daughter, Rumi.
Secretary
Jake Fleming
A cornerstone of Montana’s music scene for over three decades, Jake Fleming is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, producer, and studio owner whose passion for music is matched only by his commitment to sharing it. From jazz to funk, rock to classical, Jake has performed and recorded with both local legends and internationally renowned artists, always in pursuit of deeper musical understanding.
He is a devoted mentor to aspiring musicians of all ages and skill levels, known for his dynamic teaching style and deep knowledge. He currently develops and teaches music programs at Headwaters Academy and The Bozeman Field School and previously served as Saxophone Professor at Montana State University.
As co-founder of the non-profit Hand Me Down Some Silver, Jake served on the board and directed music programs for seven years. Under his leadership, the organization provided private lessons, musical instruments, and professional recording opportunities to young musicians and songwriters throughout Bozeman, MT.
Jake holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Montana State University and a Masters in Music Production from the Berklee College of Music. His performance and production credits include Pinky and the Floyd, The Tiny Band, Jeni Fleming Trio, Paige and the People’s Band, as well as numerous jazz ensembles and recording projects.
Whether in the studio, on stage, or in the classroom, Jake remains steadfast in his mission: to cultivate creativity, build community through music, and inspire the next generation of artists.
Vice President
Joe Sheehan
From a young age, Joe has passionately pursued music in a variety of settings—on stage, in the studio, producing events, marketing and promotion, and more. He toured and played extensively as a founding member of the Bozeman-born funk rock outfit, Cure for the Common. It was in this era he first met Joe K. and began to grow a longstanding friendship with him, on stage and off. Joe later joined The Dusty Pockets, playing Americana for several years around the region, and he currently plays with Dead Sky, Bozeman’s Grateful Dead tribute band, where he first and finally had the honor of sharing the stage with Joe K on regular occasion. It was a true honor to do so, and it is an honor to continue to honor Joe’s legacy by giving back to the Bozeman music community in his memory.
Joe holds a BS in Business-Marketing from Montana State University, and currently runs a variety of entrepreneurial ventures, including the breakfast food brand, Unwaffle, and his own media production company, Sheehan Works. Joe is an avid outdoorsman, golfer, snowboarder, and 17-year Bozeman resident.
Treasurer
Pinky & the Floyd + Dead Sky — Bridger Brewing, 8/23/2025
Photo by Lindsey Hove
Get Involved!
The good we can do is only limited by the intensity of our passion and the number in our ranks. Anyone with energy and interest in helping further our work is encouraged to reach out and see how you can get involved!