Tag: Denver

NEWS NOTES & SPINS – NOV 1, 2014

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A SORE SUBJECT

I brought up the topic of royalties last month in this post.  This month the subject of artist compensation was played out in both the radio world I addressed last month, and in the world of live performances.  You can read about that situation here, but what it boils down to is how artists make money today.

A few months ago I began highlighting only those stations that tracked ten or more Colorado LP/EP or single titles per month. In September I added one more condition; the spins must be verifiable. Stations that do not provide a “real-time” online playlist are technically in violation of federal rules put in place so that those who own, and those who perform on a recording. can claim any royalties due from said performance.

Royalties are a major concern today.  As real sales have declined, streaming has increased globally, and here at home.  Terrestrial radio stations that broadcast over the Internet are considered as streaming content.  The performers on the recording earn royalties from that “performance.”  What’s not tracked can’t be paid on.

My hope is that the remaining few stations in the state not participating in offering a running order playlist understand the importance of this issue to the musicians whose music we seem to too often take for granted. Equally to the stations that are not fully implementing.  BRAVO to those who get it.

KSUT

JOB OPENING – PROGRAM & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR – KSUT IGNACIO COLORADO: Four Corners Public Radio, a component of KSUT Public Radio, located in Ignacio, CO (Durango area), seeks a Program and Operations Director who will manage the overall quality and delivery of station programs. Four Corners Public Radio is an award winning Triple A and Americana music station and an affiliate of National Public Radio. Program and Operations duties include programming oversight, traffic log management, automation management and regular air shifts. Candidates should have a strong broadcasting background, experience with radio automation, advanced computer and social media skills and a passion for public radio. A full job description can be found online at ksut.org. KSUT Public Radio is a Native American preference employer. Please send a cover letter and resume to rob@ksut.org by5pm, Nov. 3, 2014 or mail to KSUT, P.O. Box 737, Ignacio, CO.

OFFSTAGE …BEYOND THE MUSIC

Thanks to Richie Furay for being my October featured guest on OffStage …Beyond the Music.  You can stream each of the Oct episodes at the Colorado Sound Soundcloud page  … Reed Foehl is my featured guest for November.  You can download weekly episodes at either KUNC or Radio94.9 … or stream them here.

VIDEO PICKS FOR OCTOBER

Featuring Gregory Alan Isakov, Chimney Choir, Esther Sparks & Whiskey Remedy, SHEL, Glowing House, Longest Day of the Year, Blue Canyon Boys, Tennis, Kissing Party, Ryan Chrys & the Roughcuts

TOP 40 Spins October 2014

231 titles tracked
101 (44%) titles reported as played at least once in the reporting period
Stations/shows surveyed: 15
(CC) = Colorado Connection
(D) = album/ep/single debut on chart
(R) = re-enter
[date] = Date added to reporting list

Hot Rize_When I'm Free(5) 1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free (Thirty Tigers) Bluegrass [Sept 6, 2014]
(4) 2. The String Cheese Incident – Song in My Head (SCI Fidelity) Rock/AAA [April 12, 2014]
(3) 3. Tennis – Ritual in Repeat (Communion Records) Indie/New Alternative [Aug 14, 2014]
(8) 4. Kyle Hollingsworth – Speed of Life (SCI Fidelity) Rock [Sept 6, 2014]
(2) 5. Ark Life– The Dream of You & Me (Greater Than Collective) Rock/AAA [June 28, 2014]
(15) 6. Big Head Todd & the Monsters –Black Beehive (Shout! Factory) Rock/AAA [Jan 25, 2014]
(1) 7. Nathaniel Ratefliff – Falling Faster Than You Can Run (Mod y Vi Records) Folk [Sept 1, 2013]
(10) 8. Euforquestra – Fire  (self) Rock/funk [Feb 22, 2014]
(12) 9. Gregory Alan Isakov – The Weatherman (Suitcase Town Music) Folk/singer-songwriter [June 22, 2013]
(11) 10. Reed Foehl – Lost in the West (NeverFoehl Records) Folk/singer-songwriter [Sept 13, 2014]
(6) 11. You, Me and Apollo – Sweet Honey (self) Indie/alternative [April 26, 2014]
(7) 12. A Shoreline Dream – The Silent Sunrise (self) Rock/alternative [Sept 6, 2014]
(27) 13. Rob Drabkin – Little Steps EP (self) Pop/AAA [Aug 1, 2013]
(9) 14. Elephant Revival– These Changing Skies (Its Evolving Records) Folk [Aug 1, 2013]
(R) 15. Analog Son – S/T (self) Jazz/Instrumental [July 19, 2014]
(28) 16. Chimney Choir – (compass) (self) Folk [June 1, 2013]
(R) 17. Richie Furay – Hand in Hand (self) Americana/country-rock [July 12, 2014]
(D) 18. Born to Wander – S/T (self) Jazz/vocal [Oct 1, 2014]
(29) 19.  John Oates – Good Road to Follow (PS Records) Pop/AAA [March 18, 2014]
(D) 20. Quemando – Paradise (self) World/Latin [Oct 4, 2014]
(R) 21. Pretty Lights – A Color Map of the World (8 Minutes 20 Seconds) Urban Contemporary/EDM [July 2, 2013]
(13) 22. The Motet– The Motet (self) Urban Contemporary/funk [Jan 4, 2014]
(R) 23. Halden Wofford & the Hi*Beams – Rocky Mountain Honky Tonk (self) Americana/alt-country-rock [July 7, 2013]
(24) 24. 24. Pandas & People – S/T (self) Rock/AAA [July 5, 2014]
(R) 25. Jeff Finlin – My Moby Dick (self) Rock/AAA [May 26, 2014]
(R) 26. Musketeer Gripweed – Floods and Fires (self) Rock/jamband [March 29, 2014]
(R) 27. Head for the Hills – Blue Ruin (self) Bluegrass [June 1, 2013]
(35) 28. 35. Wendy Woo Band – Live (Woo Music) Pop/adult contemporary [June 1, 2013]
(21) 29.  Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore–Love Runner (Remington Road Records) Folk [Dec 21, 2013]
(R) 30. Katie Herzig – Walk Through Walls (Marion-Lorraine) Pop/adult contemporary [April 26, 2014]
(31) 30.  Young Ancients – Y/A (self) Americana [Feb 22, 2014]
(R) 31. Katie Glassman & Snapshot – Dream A Little Dream (self) Americana/western swing [Nov 30, 2013]
(R) 31. Matt Skinner Band – Native Stranger (Tapedero Productions) Americana/country [Nov 9, 2013]
(R) 32. Fierce Bad Rabbit – Living Asleep (self) Rock/AAA [July 19, 2014]
(D) 33. Andy Palmer – Storm’s Not Coming (single) (self) Rock/AAA [Oct 4, 2018](34) 33. Paa Kow – Ask (self) Jazz/Instrumental/World [July 19, 2014]
(R) 34. Chain Station – Dancin’ With the Law (self) Bluegrass [March 14, 2014]
(R) 35. Maxwell Hughes – Only in Dreams (self) Jazz/Instrumental/guitar [August 1, 2013]
(22) 36. 3 Twins – De Nada (Sleeping Elephant Music) Americana [June 20, 2013]
(17) 36. The Railsplitters – The Railsplitters (self) Americana/bluegrass [Oct 1, 2013]

DROPPED OUT OF TOP 40 / OCTOBER

14. Paper Bird – Rooms
18. Esme Patterson – Woman to Woman
19. J. Miller Band – One More High, One More Low
20. Drew Schofield – 150 Million (-1)
22. Safe Boating is No Accident – Bonus Features
23. Strange Americans – That Kind of Luster
25. Aakash Mittal Quartet – Ocean
25. Jim Stranahan Little BIG BAND – Migration to Higher Ground
25. Steve Law Band – Old Oak Tree
26. Von Stomper – Von Stomper
27. Churchill – The War Within EP
28. Dragondeer – Don’t That Feel Good EP
29. Montropo – Follow Me
30. The Deadwood Saints – 6th and Trinity
31. Felonious Smith – Before the Rooster Crows
33. Grant Farm – Plowin’ Time

ADDED TO TRACKING / OCTOBER

…And the Black Feathers – Pink Black and Bruised
Ancient Elk – S/T EP
Andy Palmer – Storm’s Not Coming (single)
Born to Wander – S/T
Dana Landry Trio – Memphis Skyline
Esther Sparks & the Whiskey Remedy – Love Songs
Fruition & Grant Farm – Meeting On the Mountain
Gasoline Lollipops – Death
Glowing House – Don’t Know How
Jeremy Flood – What A Long Way Down (single)
Lisa Prank – Crush On the World
Longest Day of the Year – Carapace
Matt Skellenger – New Radio
Pan Astral – Color Field
Quemando – Paradise
Ron Miles, Bill Frisell & Brian Blade – Circuit Rider
Stella Luce – Caldera
The Maykit – Moonboy
Traitors to the Queen – You Are Braver Than You Think

STATION BY STATION

[XX] = number of reported current year (2013-2014) titles

Stations monitored for spins = KAFM, KBUT, KDUR, KGNU, KOTO, KRCC, KRFC, KRZA, KSJD, KSUT, KUNC, KVNF, OPENAIR 1340, The Colorado Sound radio show and The Colorado Sound LIVE365

Hot Rize_When I'm FreeKAFM (Grand Junction) [35]
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. Kyle Hollingsworth – Speed of Life
3. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Black Beehive
3. Reed Foehl – Lost in the West
4. The Williams Brothers Band – Live at the Mesa Theater

String Cheese Incident_Song In My HeadKBUT (Crested Butte) [10]
1. The String Cheese Incident – Song in My Head
2. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
3. Nathaniel Rateliff – Falling Faster Than You Can Run
4. Elephant Revival – These Changing Skies
4. Grant Farm – Plowin’ Time

chainstationKDUR (Durango) [15]
1. Chain Station – Dancin’ With the Law
2. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
3. Born to Wander – S/T
3. Eurforquestra – Fire
3. Tennis – Ritual in Repeat

Hot Rize_When I'm FreeKGNU (Boulder) [15]
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. Gregory Alan Isakov – The Weatherman
2. Halden Wofford & the Hi*Beams – Rocky Mountain Honky Tonk
3. Head for the Hills – Blue Ruin
3. Otis Taylor – My World Is Gone

Tennis_ritual in repeatKRCC (Colorado Springs) [10]
1. Tennis – Ritual in Repeat
2. A Shoreline Dream – The Silent Sunrise
3. The String Cheese Incident – Song in My Head
4. Ark Life – The Dream of You
4. Chimney Choir – (compass)

Hot Rize_When I'm FreeKRFC (Fort Collins) [80+]
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. Fierce Bad Rabbit – Living Asleep
2. Musketeer Gripweed – Floods and Fires
3. Tennis – Small Sound
4. Reed Foehl – Lost in the West

String Cheese Incident_Song In My HeadKSUT (Ignacio) [10]
1. The String Cheese Incident – Song in My Head
2. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Black Beehive
2. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. The Motet – The Motet
3. Elephant Revival – These Changing Skies

Hot Rize_When I'm FreeKUNC (Greeley) [20]
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. Ark Life – The Dream of You
2. Nathaniel Rateliff – Falling Faster Than You Can Run
3. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Black Beehive
4. Gregory Alan Isakov – The Weatherman

ark lifeOPEN AIR 1340 (Denver) [30+]
1. Ark Life – The Dream of You and Me
2. Tennis – Ritual in Repeat
3. Gregory Alan Isakov – The Weatherman
4. Colfax Speed Queen – Satisfaction Intended
5. Calder’s Revolvers – Sunday Morning

Kyle_Hollingsworth_Speed_Of_LifeTHE COLORADO SOUND [40]
1. Kyle Hollingsworth – Speed of Life
2. Richie Furay – Hand in Hand
2. Tennis – Ritual in Repeat
3. Analog Son – S/T
3. String Cheese Incident – Song in My Head

toad in the hole - apt 203THE COLORADO SOUND LIVE365
TOP 5 MOST HEARD CURRENT YEAR TRACKS IN OCT.
1. Toad In the Hole – Wiser
1. Kramies – Wooden Heart
2. Mama Lenny & the Remedy – Loaded Gun
2. Euforquestra – Fire
3. Andy Palmer – Good Son

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