Tag: Denver music

The Colorado Sound S8|EP41

Wedding couple - Bradley Weaver & Sami Jo Lien
Wedding couple – Bradley Weaver & Sami Jo Lien

I don’t often post pics from friends’ FaceBook posts, but this is one time I couldn’t resist.  Congrats to Sami Jo Lien and Bradley Weaver who went and got themselves legally married this weekend …and as usual for such celebrities, they managed to avoid the press by keeping it all a secret outside of family and close friends.  Bradley is 1/5 of Ryan Chrys & the Rough Cuts, and Sami Jo is Senior Publicist at JKSCommunications according to her FB page.  goatz anniversary 2014

In the meantime, Mrs Goat and I celebrated our anniversary (on the same day you guys?? Really??  Does this mean a joint anniversary party next year?)  Congrats you two from Mr & Mrs Goat.

Local blues guitarist/vocalist James Speiser recently had a bike accident that required his elbow be replaced and a plate inserted into his wrist.  James is a full time working musician.  Like many in our scene he doesn’t have sufficient insurance to cover a situation like this. james speiserIn a FB post from James this weekend he says, “With $92,000 in hospital bills and out of work, I have to thank MusiCares for helping me with some expenses and my surgeons cost. I have to thank David Booker and the Colorado Blues Society for hosting a benefit to help me. Denver has an amazing blues and music community and we really help each other out. I am very grateful.”

“The MusiCares Foundation, Inc., was established in 1989 by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Meant for musicians to have a place to turn in times of financial, personal, or medical crisis, its primary purpose is to focus the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues which directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. The foundation’s programs include emergency financial assistance, addiction recovery, outreach and leadership activities, and senior housing.” – wikipedia

On Oct 21, 2013, Musicare announced the establishment of the MusiCares Colorado Relief Fund in an effort to provide support to members of the music community affected by the September floods in Colorado. Assistance includes basic living expenses such as shelter, food, utilities, and transportation; medical expenses; clothing; instrument and recording equipment replacements; relocation costs; home repairs; debris removal; and more. (http://www.grammy.org/news/musicares-establishes-colorado-flood-relief-fund)

Not to be outdone or overlooked, the Colorado Blues Society is a Colorado 501C3 non-profit with a mission to  “increase awareness of and appreciation for the Blues as an indigenous American Art form (and the wellspring from which all contemporary popular American music originated).”  Although their primary function is education, the organization is also very active in relief efforts for local causes, and has been known to help out as they can when local blues artists are in need.

The Colorado Blues Society is hosting a benefit for James at Herman’s Hideaway on Nov 22.  At the present time, it looks like the lineup will include Steve Crenshaw, David Booker, Delta Sonics, Chris Cheslin, Armando Lopez and maybe John Long, and will include special guest appearances by Pattie Melt and others. There may also be a silent instrument auction.

Speaking of blues, this weekend marks the closure of one of Colorado’s most loved, respected, and venerated blues establishments – Blues & Greens at The Boulder Outlook Hotel.  Mrs Goat, Goat-boy, and I stopped by to say hi to old friends celebrating the end of an era.  Here’s a snapshot of the day …

This is the week I pull spins data from around the state for the next NEWS NOTES & SPINS column due out NOV 1.  It’s also the week I cut and edit the next Offstage …Beyond the Music, with November’s featured artist, Reed Foehl.  Thanks to Richie Furay for being October’s featured artist.  What a thrill.

It’s a very busy week in the goat den.  This is also the final month for submissions for BEST OF consideration for 2014.  Any new releases from October on are considered 2015 releases.

I have two underwriting/advertising opportunities available for The Colorado Sound, and its various properties. For more information, contact me directly via email at thecoloradosound@gmail.com

 Video Pick of the Week

PLAYLIST S8|EP41 2014

(D) debuted lp, ep, or single
(N) new cut from previously debuted lp or ep

HOUR 1

Acoustic Junction “Where Is She Now” from Surrounded by Change (1993)
The Simpletones “Tattooed Angels” from Squiggly (1996)
The Seers “Deaf In June” from Cellophane Eyes (2014)
Lion Drome “Winter” from Curve of the Earth (2014)
My Body Sings Electric “Oceancrest” from Part 1: the Night Ends (2014)
(D) Esther Sparks & the Whiskey Remedy “Forgive Me” from Love Songs (2014)
The Lumineers “Ho Hey” from The Lumineers (2012)
Matt Skinner Band “I’ll Keep Loving” from Native Stranger (2013)
Jami Lunde “Some Place Tonight” from Big Black Birds (2011)
Fierce Bad Rabbit “Beliefs” from Maestro & the Elephant (2013)
Monroe Monroe “Engines Will Come” from Engines Will Come (2011)
Brad Goode “All Fall Down” from Chicago Red (2013)

HOUR 2

Zephyr “Mad Dog” from Heartbeat (1982)
The Apples in Stereo “Seems So” from Tone Soul Evolution (1997)
Hot Rize “Blue Is Fallin’” from When I’m Free (2014)
You Me and Apollo “Ghosts” from Sweet Honey (2014)
Euforquestra “Take Me Dancing” from Fire (2014)
Pandas & People “Still Young” from Pandas & People (2014)
FaceMan “Tackle Me Down” from Talk Talk Talk (2013)
Poco “A Good Feeling to Know” from The Essential Poco (2005)
Richie Furay “Hand In Hand” from Hand In Hand (2014)
(N) Reed Foehl “Caroline” from Lost in the West (2014)
Analog Son “The Game” from Analog Son (2014)

The Colorado Sound S8|EP40

reed foehl lost in the west
Reed Foehl Coming to OSBTM

This has been a very interesting week.  News broke this week that Fort Collins Downtown Business Association executive director Michael Short will be stepping down at the end of the year.  While it’s not directly tied to music, this is an important development as thirteen year DBA vet, and assistant director Peggy Lyle, who handled virtually ALL music related activities, resigned in August over apparent managment differences.

The DBA, in conjunction with funding from the Bohemian Foundation, produces several music related events a year in Fort Collins, including Bohemian Nights at New West Fest, the Colorado Brewers Festival, Fortober Fest, and the Friday Night Old Town Concert Series.  The question that tops the charts is, what will become of these events if the board of the DBA decides to move the organization away from events and more towards promoting and marketing its downtown business constituency by other means?  Obviously only time will tell … but in the meantime another shakeup poses more interesting questions.

Bohemian Foundation Musician Liaison Director Liz Barnez has left her gig there to pursue some personal goals. In an email to me this week Liz writes, “Going to record some stuff with my percussionist Bryon in early November for duo demo… but play trio with Eric, or band add Marty. Going to finish my record with my producer in LA first part of the year. I am going to be touring again with Catie Curtis… so, hoping to be busy with that, and getting Mudhead Music back up and running. I do virtual tour management for bands artists. All advance including, flights, accommodations, tech advance, hospitality, etc. Then create a hard copy or digital book for the tour. It’s like having a tour manager only a lot cheaper. I did this for the subdudes for many years and some Nashville artists. Gonna open it up and try to get a few clients if you hear of a need. Website for Liz Barnez and Mudhead Music to go up in the next month.”

If you are in need, please contact Liz via Facebook.

More directly related to our local music scene was a conversation I was engaged in with a major Denver entertainment (not music) franchise.  You can read that story here.

Check out the NEWS AND NOTES excerpt from this week’s show below.

VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK 

I got an email this past week from Reed Foehl’s PR person asking me if I’d spotlight Reed’s newest video this week.  I had included it as part of the SEPTEMBER videos of the month, so it seemed unlikely that I’d bring it out again.  However, during the course of our email exchange, I thought to ask if Reed would care to be my November guest on OFFSTAGE …BEYOND THE MUSIC.  Reed’s legacy goes back to the late 80s when he was a founding member of ACOUSTIC JUNCTION – a band that achieved considerable success in Colorado in the 90s, and eventually was signed to both Mercury and Capricorn Records.  Since the new millennium he’s been busy on a solo career, producing five albums including the new one, “Lost in the West.”  Here’s a taste…

OFFSTAGE …BEYOND THE MUSIC

Check out the final installment of OSBTM with October’s featured guest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, and soon to be Colorado Music Hall of Fame member Richie Furay.  If you’d like to download this segment, please do so by going to KUNC or Radio 94.9.  Otherwise, feel free to stream it here.  

PLAYLIST S8|EP40

NEWS & NOTES SEGMENT FROM THIS WEEK’S SHOW

(D) = debut of new lp, ep, or single
(N) = new cut from previously debuted lp or ep

HOUR 1

The Samples “The Birds of Paradise” from Here and Somewhere Else (1998)
Acoustic Junction “Penny For Your Thoughts” from Love It For What It Is (1993)
(N) Quemando “Revolution” from Paradise (2014)
Dianne Reeves “32 Flavors” from Beautiful Life (2014)
Rob Drabkin “Little Steps” from Little Steps EP (2013)
(D) Stella Luce “Rain” from Caldera (2014) The Lovely & Talented “Death of The Lover” from The New American Fable (2010)
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club “Cranston” from Blovdy Tenent Trvth Peace (2004)
Fox Street Allstars “Back to Memphis” from Welcome to the Mighty Pleasin’ (2011)
The Outfit “Station Wagon Apocalypse” from Station Wagon Apocalypse (2014)
Gipsy Moon “Flyin’ (feat. Enion Pelta-Tiller)” from Eventide (2013)
(D) Matt Skellenger “New Radio” from New Radio (2014)

HOUR 2

John Denver “Back Home Again” from Essential John Denver (2007)
Judy Collins “Someday Soon” from Who Knows Where The Time Goes (1988)
(D) Andy Palmer “Storm’s Not Coming” from Storm’s Not Coming (2014)
Jeff Finlin “Walking On Air” from My Moby Dick (2013)
Churchill “Change” from Change EP (2012)
(N) Kyle Hollingsworth “Ordinary” from Speed of Life (2014) String Cheese Incident “So Far From Home” from Song In My Head (2014)
Souther Hillman Furay Band “Fallin In Love” from The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band (1974)
Poco “Pickin’ Up the Pieces” from The Essential Poco (2005)
(N) Tennis “Needle and a Knife” from Ritual In Repeat (2014)
Adam Bodine Trio “Smells Like Teen Spirit” from Adam Bodine Trio Plays Nirvana (2013)

Caveat Emptor

I’ve really struggled with this post.  Afterall, I’m in the business of putting musicians on stage and on the air.  I talk to people who write checks to musicians.  Sometimes I’m surprised, but not often.  Generally I’m talking to people who “get it.”  There are usually differences in how much one entity is willing to pay, based on things like budgets that are determined higher up in the organization, or even perceived value, both of which are common.  But generally speaking, most buyers I deal with get it.  Not this week, however.  So, a caveat emptor admonition is in order – both for those who actually pay for talent, and for talent themselves.

Without naming names to keep from burning bridges and to keep the possibility of future communication open, I had the incredible pleasure of discussing a six to nine show concert series with a major Denver entertainment (not music) franchise this week.  Both the initial phone conversation and the subsequent personal meeting were positive and the only thing lying in the path to making the deal happen was a budget meeting.

The layout was this:  90 minute show – one set – no opener – production provided.  Expected walk-by “audience” 3000, ages 1yr old to 90.  Family event.  Big / no – huge money organization.  Added value includes in house promotion and visual exposure to several THOUSANDS of on the ground “attendees.”  As in the kind of promotion that is usually far outside the value that 99+% of local bands could afford even if they wanted to.   So, deep pocket organization, with some big upside to any band that gets a slot.

The initial numbers were reasonable – enough budget to put on a show similar to what you’d find on any Thursday or Friday night Old Town Square show in Fort Collins that I’m involved with.  Let’s say the initial number was fair and reasonable, based on my professional experiences.  Then the budget meeting happened.  That’s when the surprise factor kicked in and I began the struggle to get here today.

It looked like this:  “It was nice meeting you yesterday and discussing possible options for the [proposed] Concert Series.  At this point in time, we feel as though we will not be able to move forward with working with you because of our budgetary restraints.  We are looking to book bands that will either play free with our added value perks or up to [$X00.00] to help with costs…”

To be clear, [$X00.00] is a reasonable amount in this case.  I’ve got no problem there.  Playing for “free with our added value perks” is not reasonable – EVER.   There is absolutely no reason to believe that the added value “perks” will benefit any of the bands that play this series, financially, or in future performance opportunities, or in sustained direct fans who will continue to contribute to the bands’ revenue streams.

Yes, a solid band with a good variety of merch can potentially sell several hundred dollars worth of cds and other items.  But certainly not enough in my professional opinion to clear PROFIT equal to or greater than the [$X00.00] “final offer” at the table.

Here was my response:  “Here’s something to take back to management.  Musicians are a professional class today.  If none of the [organization’s] staff works for “exposure” why should a musician?  No answer required.”

There are a myriad of opportunities for people to perform for free.  Open stage events, charity events, block parties etc … are all great ways for building skill, and having fun making music.  I encourage any and all who wish to make music to do so – however and whenever they can.  There is no greater joy to me than seeing people having fun making music here in Colorado.

There is a stage, however, where professionalism takes place.  A stage on which money enters the picture.  How much money is determined by the buyer and seller, and either may walk away if the deal doesn’t feel right.  But on the professional stage, that money value should NEVER be “FREE with our added value perks.”

Caveat Emptor

goat