#COMUSIC TOP 30 JANUARY 2026

The content celebrates breaking a 15-year record for most monthly visits, thanks its audience, showcases Emily Scott Robinson’s album “Appalachia,” explains Global Release Day’s purpose, invites engagement for New Music Fridays, and seeks support for the Colorado Playlist.

YOU BROKE A 15 YEAR OLD RECORD FOR MOST VISITS IN A MONTH! THANK YOU.

We are in the doldrums of winter. The winter blahs. March & April are the HOT months for new releases as artists/bands gear up for the upcoming outdoor festival and concert season. In the meantime, that doesn’t mean there are not some really excellent releases out right now.

EMILY SCOTT ROBINSONAppalachia (Spotify, YouTube) is earning nationwide praise for its authentic, deeply personal songwriting. Whether reflecting on aging in Time Traveler or poking at gazzillionaires building “ten-thousand-square-foot second homes” in Dirtbag Saloon, Robinson delivers stories that feel right at home beside a roaring fire in a mountain cabin somewhere in southwestern Colorado.

Did you know that Friday is designated as Global Release Day?

Global Release Day (alternatively known as New Music Fridays) is the universal day of the week for releasing new music. Global Release Day was established in 2015 to combat the rise in music piracy, as music was previously released on different days internationally: Tuesdays in the United States and Canada, and other days in different markets. Friday was set as Global Release Day as a result of a trend of Friday releases that started with Beyoncé‘s 2013 surprise self-titled album.”

Join me every Friday at the CP FB PG for New Music Friday – when I add (or not) some new songs to Colorado 100 on Spotify and YouTube. Since there’s no time to play every new release that comes out on the show, this is a great way for you to explore some of the best of the new year.

HOW THE CHART IS PUT TOGETHER

Every week I survey fifteen Colorado community/public and college stations, plus Colorado Playlist spins on respective stations. The weekly survey period runs from midnight Sunday through the next Saturday. 

The monthly survey period starts from the first week, ending with a Saturday. It continues through the last week, which also ends on a Saturday.  Titles are linked to its respective YouTube page.

Titles are tracked from the date of release of the first single from an LP/EP, for twelve months. Example: DOR = DEC 2023. I stopped tracking it in NOV 2024 (twelve months).

KAFMKBUTKCSUKDNKKDURKFFRKLZRKOTOKSJDKSUTKRFCKRZA and KVNF are surveyed via Spinitron, offering search functions for artists to track airplay on over three hundred stations and programs around the country.

LP = album (5 or more songs)
EP = extended play (3-5 songs)
SP = single play (1-2 songs)

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#COMUSIC TOP 30 JANUARY 2026

(15) 1. ANDY FRASCO & THE U.N. Growing Pains (Deluxe) LP Feb-26 (Spotify, YouTube)
(6) 2. THE TAMMY SHINE – Ok Shine Ok LP Dec-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(D) 3. BITCHFLOWERAghast, Aroused, Appalled LP Jul-25 (Spotify, YouTube)
(D) 4. ANIMAL ELECTRICITY Ghostwrite Your Alibi LP Sep-25 (Spotify, YouTube)
(D) 5. ESPIAILLE BYTES LP Aug-25 (Spotify, YouTube)
(21) 6. LEFTOVER SALMON – Let’s Party About It LP Mar-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(1) 6. LETTUCE – Cook LP Jul-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(12) 7. A.J. FULLERTON – Magnetic Light LP Feb-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(5) 8. LIZ BARNEZ – Wholehearted LP Oct-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(D) 9. BIG RICHARDPet LP Nov-25 (Spotify, YouTube)
(15) 10. GASOLINE LOLLIPOPS – Kill the Architect LP Mar-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(R) 11. HEAVY DIAMOND RING Wildflower Lane LP Mar-25 (Spotify, YouTube)
(D) 11. LULU BENNING Different Kind of World SP Dec-25 (Spotify, YouTube)
(20) 12. KING CARDINAL – Reviver Sep-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(4) 13. CLAY STREET UNIT – Sin and Squalor LP Sep-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(D) 14. LULU BENNING Transparent SP Sep-25 (Spotify, YouTube)
(19) 15. EMILY SCOTT ROBINSONAppalachia LP Oct-25 (Spotify, YouTube)
(18) 16. A.J. FULLERTON & LAUREN FRIHAUF – Slow Killer Bitter Song / Expectations I Don’t Wanna Grow Up SP Sep-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(10) 16. THE DIRTY TURKEYS – Soul Sugar SP Nov-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(R) 16. HUNTER JAMES & THE TITANICIV LP Mar-25 (Spotify, YouTube)
(15) 17. SOUR MAGIC – The Hive LP May-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(R) 18. ANALOG SONKeep It Coming LP Jun-25 (Spotify, YouTube)
(R) 18. DARREN GARVEYFeel For You SP Sep-25 (Spotify, YouTube)
(9) 18. GREENSKY BLUEGRASS – XXV LP Jun-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(D) 19. WEST OF FENNARIO Great Evade SP Dec-25 (Spotify, YouTube)
(15) 20. GRAVEYARD CHOIR – The Wake LP Sep-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(D) 20. LVDY Evergreen EP Jun-25 (Spotify, YouTube)
(16) 21. PACKAGING – Packaging LP Jun-25 (SpotifyYouTube)
(D) 22. BIG HEAD TODD AND THE MONSTERS 40 LIVE LP Jan-26 (Spotify, YouTube)
(R) 22. DAVID STARR Must Be Blue LP Feb-25 (Spotify, YouTube)

88.9 KRFC – 69 TITLES TRACKED
(2) 1. LIZ BARNEZ Wholehearted LP Oct-25
(3) 2. LETTUCE Cook LP Jul-25
(R) 3. SWEET VIRGINIASweet Virginia EP Jun-25
(4) 4. A.J. FULLERTON, LAUREN FRIHAUF – Bitter Song /I Don’t Wanna Grow Up SP Sep-25
(R) 4. GRAVEYARD CHOIR – The Wake LP Sep-25
(5) 4. SUGAR BRITCHES Terrified And Aroused SP Jul-25
(D) 5. BIG RICHARDPet LP Nov-25
(R) 5. GREENSKY BLUEGRASS XXV LP Jun-25
(R) 5. LEFTOVER SALMON Let’s Party About It LP Mar-25

INDIE 102.3 – 17 TITLES TRACKED
(D) 1. ANDY FRASCO & THE U.N. Growing Pains (Deluxe) LP Jan-26
(D) 2. BITCHFLOWER Aghast, Aroused, Appalled LP Jul-25
(D) 3. ANIMAL ELECTRICITYGhostwrite Your Alibi LP Sep-25
(D) 4. THE TAMMY SHINEOk Shine Ok LP Dec-25
(D) 5. ESPIAILLE BYTES LP Aug-25
(D) 6. LULU BENNINGDifferent Kind of World SP Dec-25
(D) 7. LULU BENNING Transparent SP Sep-25

105.5 THE COLORADO SOUND – 41 TITLES TRACKED
(3) 1. THE DIRTY TURKEYS Soul Sugar SP Nov-25
(D) 1. KING CARDINAL – Reviver LP Sep-25
(R) 2. D.W. DOUCETGas Station Love Letter SP May-25
(R) 2. DARREN GARVEY Feel For You SP Sep-25
(2) 2. THE TAMMY SHINE Ok Shine Ok LP Dec-25
(R) 3. ELEKTRIC ANIMALS Lullaby SP Sep-25
(1) 3. GRAVEYARD CHOIR The Wake LP Sep-25
(R) 3. INAIAH LUJAN Long Way Down (4 track version) SP Oct-25
(5) 3. SMEAR Champagne LP Apr-25

KAFM (Grand Junction), KBUT (Crested Butte), KDNK (Carbondale), KDUR (Durango), KFFR (Winter Park), KOTO (Telluride), KLZR (Westcliffe), KRZA (Alamosa), KSJD (Cortez), KSUT (Ignacio), KVCU (Boulder), KVNF (Paonia) – 55 TITLES TRACKED
(1) 1. LETTUCE Cook LP Jul-25
(D) 2. CLAY STREET UNITSin and Squalor LP Sep-25
(5) 3. A.J. FULLERTONMagnetic Light LP Feb-25
(2) 3. LEFTOVER SALMONLet’s Party About It LP Mar-25
(R) 4. DAVID STARRMust Be Blue LP Feb-25
(R) 4. GREENSKY BLUEGRASSXXV LP Jun-25
(D) 5. BIG RICHARD Pet LP Nov-25
(D) 5. EMILY SCOTT ROBINSON Appalachia LP Oct-25

THE COLORADO PLAYLIST NEEDS YOUR HELP PLEASE

The Colorado Playlist is the only show showcasing Colorado music statewide. Your support is essential to keeping it on the air. I offer this show to the stations without charge. As you may know, they are facing their own revenue issues now with the loss of CPB funding. Please make donations via Venmo at chrisk-2 or use the form below. Thank you, sincerely – chrisk

If you represent a business and would like my listeners to know about you, email me at coloradoplaylist@gmail.com for details.

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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. 

CP S20 EP02 2026

The Colorado Playlist is a unique show dedicated to showcasing Colorado music statewide. Debuts enter the Monday Morning Music Meeting where listeners help determine what stays in the playlist.

A Rocky Mountain MoonPhoto courtesy of Clear Vistas Photography

The Colorado Playlist is the only show showcasing Colorado music statewide.

Your support is essential to keeping it on the air.

I make this show available at no cost to public radio stations, which as you may know are facing their own revenue issues now with the loss of CPB funding. Because of those CPB issues, what little money I was making is now $0.

Please make donations via Venmo at chrisk-2 (preferred) or use the form below. Thank you, sincerely – chrisk

To learn about getting your business heard across thirty FM frequencies and on the Colorado Playlist other assets, please email chriskmusic@gmail.com

____________________

The Monday Morning Music Meeting happens courtesy of Starr’s Guitars in Cedaredge, serving the western slope music community since 1998.

Every year I debut approximately two hundred new current-year songs. Every week I have to make decisions about what to keep to play again and what to archive. This is where you come in.

Let me know what you think of the debuts (D) and new songs (N) I shared in the show this week.

Results enter into determining which cuts stay in the library and which cuts might eventually make it to the annual Colorado Playlist Fan & Listener Poll and the “some of the best of the year” show.
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Born In The Flood If this thing should spill – If this thing should spill (2007)
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Wheel Whimper and Wail – Desire and Dissolving Men (2007)
(D) Angie Stevens & Christian Roberts Someone to Tell (2026)
Andy SydowIn Love and a Hard Luck Sayer – Night Skin (2025)
The VelveteersCharmer And The Snake – Nightmare Daydream (2021)
LatinSoul, Joshua Trinidad Mama Pacha (2025)
The FrayHow to Save A Life (2005)
King Cardinal Runaway (2022)
Hunter James & the Titanic Weekend Holds – IV (2025)
(D) Our Violet Room Villian (2026)

Andy Frasco & the U.N. Love is a Gun – Keep On Keepin On (2020)
Planes Mistaken For Stars Modern Logic – Do You Still Love Me? (2025)
Matt Skellenger Connectivity – Subspace Transmission (2023)

OneRepublic Apologize – Dreaming Out Loud (2007)
Big Head Todd and the Monsters All The Love You Need – All The Love You Need (2007)
(D) The Lollygags A Cautionary Tale (2026)

White Rose Motor Oil Trouble Or Nothing – The Gift Of Poison (2023)
A.J. FullertonDay’s End – Magnetic Light (2025)
Leftover SalmonGood Dog– Let’s Party About It (2025)
The SubdudesPapa Dukie & The Mud People – Behind The Levee (2006)
Otis Taylor – Hey Joe – Recapturing The Banjo (2008)
Pink FuzzAnimal (2025)
(D) Woven Hollow Ten Feet Under (2026)

Jill Sobule Where Do I Begin – Nostalgia Kills (2018)
MarfaDaisy (2025)
Eric Lilley Trio Luck of the Draw – Joie De Vivre (2019)

ALL STATIONS + THE COLORADO PLAYLIST – 74 TITLES TRACKED
(1) 1. LEFTOVER SALMON Let’s Party About It LP Mar-25 Spotify, YouTube
(D) 2. BITCHFLOWERAghast, Aroused, Appalled LP Jul-25 Spotify, YouTube
(R) 2. PINK FUZZResolution LP Jul-25 Spotify, YouTube
(D) 2. THE TAMMY SHINEOk Shine Ok LP Dec-25 Spotify, YouTube
(2) 3. ANDY FRASCO & THE U.N.Growing Pains (Deluxe) LP Jan-26 Spotify, YouTube
(D) 3. ANIMAL ELECTRICITYGhostwrite Your Alibi LP Sep-25 Spotify, YouTube

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