Coming up at the end of November and into December, you’ll take part in the annual Colorado Playlist Fan and Listener Poll .. here are some of the best of so far for the year .. we’ll see what you think at the end of season 20.
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This show has been my passion for 20 years. Over the years it has been mostly self-funded, with some financial help from Starr’s Guitars and a few others here and there. It was enough to cover the cost of operations, but nothing more. Since retiring from full time work, the cost of the show has had a significant impact on my income.
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SOME OF THE BEST OF 2026 – SO FAR
AMERICANA: Clay Street Unit — Sin & Squalor
Fo’ sho, one of the HOTTEST bands emerging from Colorado. Clay Street Unit fits easily alongside Colorado Music Hall of Fame bands The String Cheese Incident and Leftover Salmon—and appears headed toward headliner status at venues like the Mission Ballroom and, dare I say, Red Rocks. My money says yes. Country, folk, bluegrass and jam—and songs meant for the open road. SPOTIFY YOUTUBE
BLUES: A.J. Fullerton & Jake Friel — Fullerton & Friel, Vol. II
Two of Colorado’s new generation of blues artists have become a formidable duo—not only on the Colorado blues scene, but nationally as well. This one is a shoo-in for BEST OF 2026 SO FAR. SPOTIFY YOUTUBE
COUNTRY: Aubrey Dale — Fireweed
Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Aubrey Dale has quietly—shhhhh—been making a name for herself over the past year. Her single “If Church Was a Bar” earned the Colorado Playlist Fan & Listener Favorite Debut by an Emerging Artist, as well as Fan & Listener Favorite Americana Song of the Year for 2025. The album takes Aubrey directly into vintage, more traditional ’90s country territory. SPOTIFY YOUTUBE
EDM: Pretty Lights — A Trip Through Time Fantastic
Setting aside Illenium’s overwhelmingly popular Odyssey, Pretty Lights—Derek Vincent Smith—roars back with his first full-length album in thirteen years. It’s an audacious and powerful release that surges with futuristic sounds tied to the roots influences he favored on earlier recordings. It’s a long listen, if you’re up for the trip. Not available on SPOTIFY .. ONLY at PrettyLights.com and YOUTUBE
HIP-HOP: 2MX2 — Sí Se Puede
Their debut album, Escándalo, dropped in November. Sí Se Puede followed in May. Since then, 2MX2 has risen to the top of the Latin hip-hop scene, laying its patented Latinx Spanglish lyricism over alternative rock, funk, reggaeton and Latin pop grooves. Even if you don’t understand every word, the music alone makes this a great listen. SPOTIFY YOUTUBE
JAZZ: Dianne Reeves — Star Child
When you’re talking about a five-time Grammy Award winner with a Hall of Fame career, it’s pretty easy to put this album at the front of the class for BEST OF 2026 consideration. In a year stuffed with excellent jazz releases from Colorado artists, it’s hard not to root for a vocal-jazz album featuring traditional pop elements alongside Dianne’s superstar scatting on songs such as the title track and “Hesitation.” SPOTIFY YOUTUBE
ROCK—ALTERNATIVE/POP: The Fray — A Light That Waits
Perhaps because Isaac Slade has departed to pursue a solo career, the three remaining members set out to establish a fresh sound—more grounded in guitar than piano, but still retaining the band’s classic pop-rock ingredients. SPOTIFY YOUTUBE
ROCK—HARD ROCK/PUNK: Dead Pioneers — Wagon Burner
This is a HARD listen, but for those who can take the full-frontal sonic attack, it’s easy to understand why the band was invited to open for Pearl Jam. Indigenous multidisciplinary artist, poet and activist Gregg Deal calls up the spirit of Henry Rollins, making this the top contender for BEST OF 2026—Hard Rock/Punk. SPOTIFY YOUTUBE
ROCK—METAL: Khemmis — Khemmis
Classic. Period. Just classic. It’s progressive. It’s got sludge. It’s got a strong vocal delivery that resists screaming and focuses on melody. It’s got intricate two-guitar shredding. It’s got a well-crafted, balanced, full-length story. Really, it sounds as classic as classic can sound, with nods to Iron Maiden and Thin Lizzy—those guitars! SPOTIFY YOUTUBE
Chris K's Colorado Playlist 