Category: News & Notes

Roots Music Project Announces Limited Edition Vinyl Album Release

Roots Music Project (RMP) has launched its first vinyl compilation, “RMP On The Rise – Vol 1,” featuring 11 diverse Colorado artists across various genres. The limited-edition album not only showcases local talent but also serves as a fundraiser to support musicians. A release party is scheduled for February 28, 2026, in Boulder.

Roots Music Project Announces Major Vinyl Compilation, RMP On The Rise – Vol 1, Showcasing the Breadth of Colorado Music

Boulder Colorado – January 15, 2026 – Roots Music Project (RMP), the Colorado-based non-profit dedicated to supporting and celebrating local music, today announced the release of its inaugural vinyl compilation album, RMP On The Rise – Vol 1. The 11-track record is a testament to Colorado’s vibrant and eclectic music scene, featuring a wide range of genres far beyond traditional folk and roots.

The limited-edition vinyl compilation, aims to be a definitive snapshot of contemporary Colorado artistry while serving as a vital fundraiser for RMP’s ongoing efforts to provide accessible space, gigs, and support for local musicians.

“This album is more than just a collection of songs; it’s the sound of our community,” said Ian Steele, Director of Production. “We brought together 11 incredible artists across genres like indie, rock, latin, hip hop, and Americana, proving that the Colorado scene is truly ‘on the rise.’ We encourage collectors and fans of local music to grab a limited edition copy and directly support our mission.”

Featured Artists & Links

The compilation proudly features the following diverse lineup:

Side One

Side Two

Album Artwork

  • Chris McInnis
  • Matt Burks

Vinyl Release Party Details

The official celebration will take place at the RMP Warehouse on February 28, 2026. The release party will feature live performances from several artists on the compilation, including Asteroid Please! and Bear Hat, offering attendees the chance to purchase the vinyl and get it signed by the participating musicians.

Event: RMP On The Rise – Vol 1 Release Party

Date: Saturday February 28, 2026

Location: Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl, Ste. V3A, Boulder CO

Tickets available here. 

The vinyl will be available for purchase at the release party, on the RMP website, and through a network of local record stores including Paradise Found, 

Asteroid Please! delivers high-voltage grooves and magnetic energy, while Bear Hat brings heartfelt, roots-forward songwriting and a warm, commanding stage presence, making this a perfect snapshot of some of the best bands Colorado has to offer today. Even better, this special performance is a fundraiser for the National MS Society’s Colorado-Utah-Wyoming chapter, so a portion of proceeds from every cheer, ticket, and encore helps support people living with multiple sclerosis right here in our state. 

Come out to Roots Music Project on Feb 28th to support a powerful cause, discover (or rediscover) the energy, deep connection, and the unmistakable excitement of CO’s “On The Rise” artists, and be part of a night where great music makes a real difference.

About Roots Music Project

Roots Music Project is a non-profit community of music fans and music makers based in Boulder Colorado. Roots Music Project’s mission is to amplify the live music community through performance and artist development. We believe in the power of music to make the world a better place. Save the date for Boulder Roots Music Fest, August 28-30.  To learn more, visit www.rootsmusicproject.org. 

Tickets available here. 

Mishawaka Amphitheatre Partners with Sonic Guild to Launch 2026 Colorado Tour Support Grants

Live music is a gift and we must support our Colorado musicians! We’ve all heard the romanticized stories of bands sleeping in vans and living on ramen to make it to the next gig, but the reality is that the financial strain of touring often ends careers before they truly begin. 

For years, the Mishawaka Amphitheatre has been more than just a venue; it’s been a cornerstone of the Colorado music community. Now, through its “Mish Initiative,” it is stepping up to solve one of the biggest hurdles facing local artists: the staggering cost of taking their music on the road.

I’m excited to share that the Mishawaka is partnering with Sonic Guild to officially expand the Tour Support Grant Program into Colorado for 2026. While Sonic Guild no longer operates a standalone chapter here, the Mishawaka’s funding has created a renewed commitment to our local musicians.

The Mishawaka Impact:

  • Direct Funding: Through the Mish Initiative, ten Colorado-based artists will receive $1,500 grants to offset the “hidden” costs of touring—lodging, van rentals, and gear.
  • National Collaboration: The Mishawaka is joining forces with legendary artist foundations, including Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy Foundation and The Head & The Heart’s Rivers & Roads Foundation, to co-fund this 2026 cycle.
  • Re-engaging Local Icons: This program is specifically designed to support both emerging talent and established Colorado favorites like iZCALLi, 2MX2, and Alysia Kraft as they build audiences outside their home market.

Why this matters now: In today’s economy, an independent tour can be a financial gamble. By providing these application-based grants, the Mishawaka is ensuring that Colorado’s sound reaches fans in the U.S. and Europe without leaving the artists in debt.

What these grants actually cover: These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; they are the “un-glamorous” essentials that keep a tour alive:

Safety and Rest: Reliable lodging and van rentals.
Sustainability: Food and transportation costs.
Growth: Production of merchandise to sell at shows.

As Terror/Cactus, a 2025 recipient, put it: this support allows artists to stop worrying about the financial strain and start focusing on “creating meaningful connections” with their audiences. 

The first application window for tours taking place between February and May is open now through January 16th.

Application Windows
Grants are awarded through three application cycles, based on tour dates:

  • Stage 1: Tours February–May 2026
    Apply December 15, 2025 – January 16, 2026
  • Stage 2: Tours June–August 2026
    Apply March 16 – April 10, 2026
  • Stage 3: Tours September–December 2026
  • Apply July 13 – August 7, 2026

Gift from legendary L.A. publicist inspires launch of Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s Encore Legacy Partners program this holiday season

Hollywood publicist Phil Lobel, who started his career as a student putting on concerts with the University of Colorado Program Council, has initiated the first legacy gift to Colorado Music Hall of Fame, inspiring the launch of the nonprofit’s planned giving program: Encore Legacy Partners.

“I started thinking about how much Colorado music has meant to me,” says Lobel, “and how my life-success was derived in Colorado. There’s nothing that’s been more instrumental to my career than the music of Colorado. That’s why I wanted to give back for generations to come, and to encourage Colorado music lovers like me to give back, too, to Colorado Music Hall of Fame.”

Maintaining his Colorado connections while in L.A., Lobel served as a founding member on Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s board of directors from 2011 to 2020 and remains an emeritus board member.

“Many people may not realize it, but legacy gifts are just as important to nonprofit organizations as annual donations are. They ensure that there is a sustainable stream of funding well into the future, which is especially important in times of economic downturn,” explains Karen Radman, executive director of Colorado Music Hall of Fame. “Developing a legacy giving program for The Hall has been one of our long-term organizational goals. So, when Phil reached out to me expressing his interest in naming The Hall as one of three beneficiaries of his trust, I knew the time had come to make it a reality. We are all so thankful to Phil for believing so much in the vision of Colorado Music Hall of Fame, and hope that this season of gift-giving for the holidays motivates others to remember us.”

Lobel found his passion for music and the entertainment industry as an undergrad student at CU Boulder, where he took the CU Program Council, a student-run on-campus entertainment programming powerhouse to new heights. Partnering with legendary promoter and Colorado Music Hall of Famer Barry Fey and his company Feyline, Lobel and the Program Council brought giant musical acts to Folsom Field: the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, the Beach Boys, Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band and Boulder’s own Firefall (inducted into Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2015). The magnitude of these accomplishments was recognized by Billboard Magazine, which named Lobel 1978’s College Talent Buyer of the Year and Fey its Concert Promoter of the Year.

After college, Lobel joined Feyline Presents alongside Chuck Morris (future Colorado Music Hall of Fame founder); in 1986, he relocated to L.A. and launched Lobeline Communications. Over the years, Lobel has served as publicist for music icons George Michael, Van Morrison, Reggae Sunsplash and B.B. King, to name a few, along with actor Brad Pitt, magician David Copperfield, Cirque du Soleil,and Immersive Van Gogh.

“Music is the soundtrack to people’s lives,” Lobel says. “It’s the very fiber of Coloradans’ existence…from Red Rocks to every other venue across the state. What better legacy is there than thanking the greatest per capita ticket purchasing public in the nation by giving back to Colorado Music Hall of Fame?”

To learn more about The Hall’s Encore Legacy Partners program and to read the full interview with Phil Lobel, visit https://cmhof.org/donate/encore-legacy-partners.

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