Tag: COVID relief for musicians

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

CP S14 EP49 2020 – BEST OF

Monday DEC 28, 2020 – HAPPY HOLLY DAZE for the last time in 2020. The Listener Poll was fun; thank you.  It was the first time I ran a silent poll where you didn’t get to see the results as they were taking place. Where I can see it made a difference was in the mad rush of fans of bands to crush the results.

Except for one, it was a balanced result – with only 4 of the TOP 50 not receiving any votes and none receiving only one. Your TOP 12 +1 (my jazz pick) is in Hour 2 below.

Hour 1 took some doing.  There is a lot of airplay worthy music in Colorado.  There has been more airplay worthy music in our state for several years than what can reasonably be played on any show, or radio station.  I picked thirteen I thought had good stories to tell you about.

COMING JANUARY 8TH 2021

Are you a working professional member of the Colorado music community?  I am also.  I know how hard things are.  Mortgage, utilities, transportation and food are just a few of the things that need attending to.  If you truly are in need, please reach out.  www.rockymountainmusicrelief.org

TOP FIVE WEEK ENDING DEC 26 2020

13 stations / 130 titles surveyed.

Spinitron  Designed to benefit non-commercial public and college radio stations. Record promoters and artists are among those most likely to benefit from the detailed search function. Currently 11 Colorado radio stations utilize Spinitron.

  1. NATHANIEL RATELIFF – And It’s Still Alright LP (Feb-20)
  2. KRIS DRICKEY – State Change EP (Nov-20)
  3. BLAKK MANTRA – Welcome to El Rey Blvd EP (Sep-20)
  4. ALRIGHT ALRIGHT – Crucible LP (Oct-20)
  5. SARAH SLATON – Get Up SINGLE (Nov-20)

BEST OF 2020 

HOUR 1 – SOME OF THE BEST OF – RANDOM ORDER

David Starr & John Oates (ft. Jim Lauderdale) – Road to Jubilee – Beauty and Ruin (2020)
Gabrielle Louise – Big Unbreakable Heart – The Unending Alteration Of The Human Heart (2020)
Trevor Hall – Put Down What You Are Carrying (feat. Brett Dennen) (2020)
Rodney Rice – Don’t Look Back – Same Shirt, Different Day (2020)
Tennis – Runner – Swimmer (2020)
Esmé Patterson – All Mine – There Will Come Soft Rains (2020)
Down Time – Not A Complicated Person – Hurts Being Alive (2020)
Thomas Hine – Abandon – Ledgers and Stones (2020)
Reverend Freakchild – I know You Rider (Grateful Dead) – The Bodhisattva Blues (2020)
Kayla Marque – Mercy – Brain Chemistry (Right Brain) (2020)
Illenium – Nightlight (2020)
Big Gigantic – You’re The One (feat. Nevve) – Free Your Mind (2020)
Ron Miles – Queen Of The South – Rainbow Sign (2020)

HOUR 2 – BEST OF 2020 LISTENER POLL – RANDOM ORDER

The Wood Brothers – Little Bit Sweet – Kingdom in My Mind (2020)
Caitlin Cannon – Barbers and Bartenders – The TrashCannon Album (2020)
Claire Heywood – Python – I Won’t Resign My Love For That Old Dream (2020)
Dragondeer – All Day (2020)
Bison Bone – Pack It Up – Find Your Way Out (2020)
Alexa Wildish – Magic Hours – Alexa Wildish EP (2020)
Gasoline Lollipops – All the Misery Money Can Buy – All The Misery Money Can Buy (2020)
Kayla Ruby – I Wish I Was Crazy (2020)
Whitewater Ramble – 3 Minutes 2 Spare – Pseudonymous (2020)
Cary Morin – Jamie Rae – Dockside Saints (2020)
Nathaniel Rateliff – Time Stands – And It’s Still Alright (2020)
Ingrid Andress – More Hearts Than Mine – Lady Like (2020)
Steve Denny Trio – Standard Steve – Life in New York (2020)

BEST OF 2020 ON YOUTUBE

The Colorado Playlist is provided to member stations at no cost.  Your support is deeply appreciated.  Your support will help to keep the program on the air as we enter its 15th season in 2021.