Category: Polls

As I sit here thinking about this radio show, I am blown away by the overwhelming opportunity we in Colorado music have to amplify our voices and declare the brilliance of what we have for talent, skill and accomplishment in our state.

This week’s show focused on part of that sense of accomplishment.  Ten Colorado bands are headlining Red Rocks this year — something I believe is a first in Red Rocks and Colorado music history.  That also does not include the number of Colorado acts, or acts who are part of our history, who are playing in support or are playing on Film On the Rocks (FotR).

FotR, historically, has been the one event on the “rocks” where local bands have played.  I got to most of the headliners, and a couple of those who are there in support (Joe Walsh), or at FotR (Megan Burtt).

Last weekend I performed for the first time as a musician at the 8th Annual Fort Collins Music Experiment (FOCOMX8) with my band GOATZ!  There were over 250 acts from the region playing in over 25 rooms around the city, and by 1030, when I left on Saturday night, they nearly all had lines outside their doors.

For seven of the past eight years, I’ve seen the “show” from one room – as one of the festival soundguys.  To witness the event as another musician, and as a fan, was really special.  Thanks to Greta Cornett and Peggy Lyle and their incredible team of volunteers.  I see now why so many of my musician friends rave about this event.

Last night I attended the Fort Collins Musician Association Peer Awards.  Based on what I heard walking around the room it was the most well attended awards ceremony of the past few years.  It was the first one I’d been to in maybe six years.

I have to give it up to new Aggie owner Scott Morrill and his crew – the Aggie felt like a brand new room, and the new sound system is KILLER… excellent sound from FOCOMA soundman of the year – Dean Curtis.  Even old owner Scoo Leary who was a presenter mentioned the new sound from stage – class act brother.

Heard around the room – Shaley Scott is working on a new album with a possible September release  date.  Cary Morin is “feelin’ a whole better” to steal a phrase from a classic Byrds tune, after being laid up recently with major health issues.

The Colorado Blues Society held their IBC (International Blues Challenge) finals at the Buffalo Rose on Sunday.  The John Weeks Band won the band competition with A.J. Fullerton taking the solo/duo category.  Both will take the trip to Memphis next January.  Congrats to everyone – and a shout out to Kyle Deibler for his incredible efforts in keeping all of this going.

SPOKESBUZZ announced its new lineup of incubator bands.  Congratulations to Altas, Holly Lovell, Last Call Romance, Moon Frog, One Flew West and Silver & Gold  … follow band links to learn more.

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REVIEW – TOGETHER – CARY MORIN

Cary Morin is by far one one of the most awarded and celebrated solo artists on the Front Range – winning two CBS solo/blues awards and a FOCOMA Peer Award.  His new album “Together” is currently the #1 most played at KRFC Fort Collins.

“Together” shows Cary spinning off some of the blues he’s shown the past couple of solo releases, as well the more Americana influenced work with Young Ancients, and reaching into his singer-songwriter roots; displaying yet one more facet of his skill at storytelling, and creating meaningful emotion.  In a brief conversation, Cary expressed his desire to get back to some of his roots musically – but for as long as I’ve known him, his roots are far deeper than anything most of us can imagine.

There’s more country-folk here than we’ve heard in previous releases.  Far more folk, both musically and lyrically .. and that’s not to say there isn’t any blues on this disc … “Prisoner” is the prime example – leading off with the line “I had to leave the place where I was born.  I had to to travel, I didn’t know where I was going.”

I can’t imagine not liking something Cary puts out — this time there’s just more of Cary to like.  A superior finger picking guitarist, with stories to tell, just doesn’t need a band to make it work.  The rest of us who try can only drool in envy.

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Support for Chris K’s Colorado Playlist comes courtesy of The Historic Mishawaka Amphitheatre — Celebrating 100 yrs of music and dancing in the Poudre Canyon.

Presenting:  The 10th Anniversary Party of the Colorado Playlist AUG 7 @4PM w/ GOATZ!, the Liz Barnez Band and more.

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VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK

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MONDAY MORNING MUSIC MEETING

I conceived of this idea a way for you to discover some of the new music I played on the show, and to give you the chance to let me know which of the tracks you like, and think I should keep in rotation.

If artists/bands rally their troops to vote for them, it undermines the intent of what I had hoped to achieve.  I appreciate the site traffic but not at the expense of hearing what the show listeners really do like – or not.  So while I encourage sharing, please remember the intent of this poll.

What you’ll find below are new songs debuted on the show this week … listen to them again (or for the first time) and let me know which ones you think I should keep in the Colorado Playlist.

HOUR 1

Reed Foehl “When It Comes Around” from Spark (2004)
(D) Darryl Purpose “Hours in a Day” from Still The Birds (2016) 
Jeff Finlin “American Dream #109” from Epinonymous (2004)
Dressy Bessy “Anyone can see” from Holler and Stomp (2008)
(D) Whippoorwill “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” from Good to Be Around (2016) 
Mollie O’Brien “When I’m gone” from Things I Gave Away (2000)
Instant Empire “Dead Air” from Lamplight Lost (2015)
Yo, Flaco! “Rent (f. Ron Miles)” from The Skinny (2004)
(D) James and The Devil “Flight of the Moth” from Show Me Everything (2016)

Railsplitters “Tilt-a-whirl” from The Faster It Goes (2015)
No Fences “Big & Rich” from No Fences (2015)
County Road X “The Milk Princess” from From Seed to Stem (2004)

HOUR 2 – BANDS PLAYING RED ROCKS 2016

Joe Walsh “Rocky Mountain Way” from The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get (1973)
The Lumineers “Cleopatra” from Cleopatra (2016)
Elephant Revival “Peace Tonight” from Petals (2016)
Devotchka “100 Lovers” from 100 Lovers (2011)
Big Head Todd & The Monsters “Josephina” from Live at Red Rocks 2015 (2015)
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats “S.O.B” from Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats (2015)
Big Gigantic “The Little Things (feat. Angela McCluskey)” [single] (2016)
String Cheese Incident “Outside and Inside” from Outside Inside (2001)
The Motet “Like We Own It” from The Motet (2014)
Megan Burtt “Fast as I Go” from The Bargain (2015)
Ben Haugland “Birds of a Feather” from A Million Dreams (2015)