Author: goat

I've been on the air in Colorado since 1978. The Colorado Playlist is broadcast on 30 FM frequencies in the state. I am also a musician, talent buyer and business consultant. Email me at coloradoplaylist@gmail.com

The Colorado Sound S9|EP12 MARCH 2015

There are days when all you can do is laugh to keep from crying.  Right?  LOL.  Last Sunday it was an ER trip due to a “fainting” spell.  Last Monday it was an ER trip due to me taking a header off my bicycle.  The bike and I are on a bit of a respite until my physical therapist clears me to ride again.

What saved the week, and took my mind off my sorely sprained rib muscles was the 5 hours I spent with my friend Hazel Miller, who will be April’s featured guest on Offstage …Beyond the Music – and then dinner and some honky tonk with Casey Prestwood & the Burning Angels at the Park House in Denver – John Macy, this month’s OSBTM guest on pedal steel of course.

Hazel is a vibrant, funny, passionate, and compassionate soul with a heart big enough to cover all of us in her love.  2015 marks Hazel’s 30th year of making music in Colorado and over 20 years as a de facto member of Big Head Todd and the Monsters.  That’s one hell of a legacy … and with a new album on the way before year’s end and a lot of shows it’s going to be a great year for one of our most beloved entertainers (and friends). Editing down that 5 hours is going to be a chore, I swear.

VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK
SHEL – PLEASE COME HOME

For all the talk around the scene that the sisters have plugged in and added some “snap crackle and pop” to their sound, they give us one of the finest acoustic cuts of their career.

PLAYLIST S9|EP12

The Czars “Paint the Moon” from Goodbye (2004)
Reed Foehl “When It Comes Around” from Spark (2004)
Cary Morin “Tiny Town” from Tiny Town (2015)
Todd Adelman “Long Arm of the Law” from Highways & Lowways (2015)
OneRepublic “Something I Need” from Native (2013)
Megan Burtt “Better (w/the Epilogues)” from In Good Company (2013)
Mercury Project “On to You” from on to you (2007)
Esme Patterson “Tumbleweed” from Woman To Woman (2014)
Petals of Spain “I Gotta Know” from Soul Canon (2013)
The Apples in Stereo “Stephen Stephen” from Electronic Projects for Musicians (2008)
The River Arkansas “A Place to Rest” from Golden Light (2015)The Mitguards “Lookin’ for Something True” from Something True (2009)
Haunted Windchimes “Wanderin’ Heart” from Out With The Crow (2012)
Bill Frisell “Telstar” from Guitar In the Space Age (2014)

HOUR 2

Rare Silk “Up From the Skies” from American Eyes (1985)
The Samples “My Town” from Samples (1990)
(D) Fox St. “Something About You” [single] (2015)Leftover Salmon “Bluegrass Pines” from High Country (2015)
Michael Martin Murphey “Wildfire” from Blue Sky Night Thunder (1975)
Jon Chandler “I’m Going Home” from Sepia Soul (2002)
(D) SHEL “Please Come Home” from The Lab Sessions (2015)
(D) Toad In the Hole “Drifting” from Wallflower (2015)Peter Sommer “The Fruit” from Crossroads (2008)

BREAKING NEWS – Oskar Blues & Cervantes Hook Up

Scott Morrill and Hunt Frye (Cervantes, Arise Festival, Sonic Bloom) have assumed talent buying duties for Oskar Blues in Lyons and Longmont, according to a phone call this morning from current talent buyer Dave McIntyre.

Scott Morrill is the owner and main talent buyer for Cervantes in Denver.  He and Hunt have also produced shows in other regional venues, including the Mishawaka Amphitheatre, Hodi’s Half Note, and the Aggie Theater in Fort Collins.  They also manage and book for Octopus Nebula, Yamn, Tatanka, and Mikey Thunder and music festivals the Arise Festival and Sonic Bloom.

I spoke with Scott on the phone this afternoon.  He said they will be booking shows beginning in May.  April and half of May have been booked already according to Dave McIntyre.

This represents what will undoubtedly be a sea-change in what OB sounds like across the board.  Originally well known for booking some of the top blues acts in the region since they started doing music about 1999/2000, the original Lyons location has earned a reputation for world class regional bluegrass and Americana the past six or so years.

Homemade Liquids and Solids, the Oskar Blues flagship restaurant and music room in Longmont, has hosted live bands for over five years on Friday and Saturday nights and acoustic solo/duos on Thursday and Sunday evenings.  A popular bluegrass jam is hosted by Bonnie and Taylor Sims on Sunday  12-3 .  Several popular regional bands have performed there, including the Yawpers, Mosey West, Brian McCrae, Fox St, the Congress, Johnny O Band, the Delta Sonics, the Blue Canyon Boys, and Bonnie & the Clydes.

Also included in the list of rooms belonging to the OB family – the Tasty Weasel (brew pub), CHUBurger, and CYCLhops.  All three rooms feature acoustic solo/duo acts ranging from Danny Shafer to various members of the Monocle Band, Finnders & Youngberg, the Delta Sonics, as well as Longmont locals and regulars, The Prairie Scholars.  OB rooms have accounted for significant parts of the incomes of some of these folks.

This marks the second time this year that a major change in booking has occurred in Longmont.  Dicken’s Opera House took on a new talent buyer just a few months ago.  There is no word yet on how the change at OB will affect those who have been playing those rooms the past several years.  Knowing the kinds of acts Scott and Hunt are known for booking it looks to be a pretty good dose of the same.

Booking email will be booking@oskarblues.com.

the misadventures of goat and Colorado music of course

20150317_074755Sunday I experienced a “fainting” spell while out on a 20 mile bike ride that landed me in the ER (by ambulance).  Monday I experienced a broken thumb and bruised ribs while out on a 15 mile bike ride that landed me in the ER (I drove myself).  On both days I did not make it more than 3.5 miles into my ride.  I blame the weather for getting me too excited.  Along the way I talked about music – Colorado music – with those who attended to me.

Every person I spoke with was between 25 and 50 yrs old.  With a few notable exceptions no one knew any of the current crop of bands making “headlines” regionally.  Yeah, everyone knew BHTM was from here … and a couple of folks knew about OneRepublic and the Fray, but beyond that there were generally blank stares and “I don’t go out very often” comments.

Broadcast radio and Pandora were the sources for music – not any other source was mentioned.  I did of course let everyone know they could listen to Colorado music online at The Colorado Sound Live365 … need to remember to keep business cards in my pocket though so I don’t have to write down the url everytime … www.live365.com/stations/thecoloradosound.

While suffering through all of this (i did a lot of maniacal laughing actually …esp thinking about the medical bills to follow) I was graced with a private listen to the new Megan Burtt album coming out this August.  I won’t spoil the fun, but this one will leave you with a huge grin, shaking your head at just how amazingly talented my friend truly is.  Of course hard core fans know this already.

Happy to report this morning that Richie Furay’s new album “Hand In Hand,” that I’ve been playing on the show since last summer, will finally be released to the general public on March  31.  It is currently the  #1 most added album at Americana radio nationally – though no word yet on whether those folks servicing the record to radio actually even know we have radio in Colorado … more on that to follow in the days and weeks ahead.

While checking out the Americana Music Association radio airplay charts I noticed the latest Leftover Salmon release, High Country, at #21  – down from #18 LW and 19 the week before.

Well, off to the doctor to assess the damages … I’ll be sure to let folks know where to tune in for Colorado music … hope you’ll do the same today.