Birthdays are funny – aren’t they? Happy birthday to me. There’s a line I crossed – that line that says, “dude you’re old now.” They’re right you know — I don’t feel “old.” I know old people — like over 80 old. I’m not that. Long way to 80. Lots of music to do until then. Will I feel “old” when I turn 80? I’ll let you know when I get there. Until then, this is what I got … music … Colorado music.
I did sound for Lionel Young this weekend. He told me there’s a new album coming out late Feb/early March. There’s also a new Wendy Woo Band album due out about the same time, if memory serves. Also coming in two weeks, a conversation with Wendy and her husband Charles in their home on Offstage Beyond the Music.
Word on the street this weekend is that Eck’s Saloon in Denver (Lakewood) has shut down. Unconfirmed reports suggest they “couldn’t pay the bills.” There is speculation among some that the previous owners will take it over and reopen. Will see what I can find out Monday.
So, Open Air 1340 AM is set to move to 102.3 FM on Monday Jan 26 — this should be fun. Look out DENVER!
(EDIT) This move is not unprecedented. In 2005, KCUV / 1510 AM, Denver’s first and only attempt at an Americana format, moved onto 102.3 FM. The experiment lasted three years. Better luck to Open Air, a Colorado Public Radio (CPR) station. Also, Paris on the Platte closed.
I also spoke with John Magnie this weekend (Young Ancients/the Subdudes). He let me know the new Y/A album will be out late Feb/early March … to tease it here’s a new video.
PLAYLIST S9 EP3
(D) = debut lp/ep or single
(N) = new cut from previously debuted lp/ep
Dusty Drapes & the Dusters “Talkin’ Boogie” from The Red Album (1981) C.W. McCall “Wolf Creek Pass” from Best Of C W Mccall (1997) (D) Ben Gallagher “Hungry Ghost” from Heart Shaped Rocks (2015) Zephyr “Don’t Come Back” from Heartbeat (1982) (N) Strange Americans “The Scene” from That Kind of Luster (2014) Such (Su Charles) “Open Book” from Trial and Error (2014) The Motet “Like We Own It” from The Motet (2014) (N) Maxwell Hughes “Pulled One Over” from SpokesBUZZ Vol V: Band Together (2015) (D) Danielle Ate the Sandwich “The Drawing Back of Curtains” from The Drawing Back of Curtains (2015) Whiskey Blanket “Pound Boom” from No Object (2010) Matt Skellenger “Momentum” from New Radio (2014)
Bob Lind “Colorado Line” from Colorado Line (1971) Nitty Gritty Dirt Band “Some of Shelly’s Blues” from Uncle Charlie (1970) (D) Todd Adelman “Right Before You Said Hello” from Highways & Lowways (2015) The Samples “Wild River” from Return to Earth (2001) (D) Chris Daniels & the Kings with Freddi Gowdy “Funky to the Bone” from Funky To the Bone (2015) OneRepublic “Love Runs Out” from Native (2013) Big Head Todd & The Monsters “Resignation Superman” from Beautiful World (1997) Jennifer Lane “I’m So Ready” from In A Magazine (2008) Kate LeRoux “It Doesn’t Matter At All” from Phoenix (2014) Dana Landry Trio “Frank’s Tune” from Memphis Skyline (2014)
(Sunday Jan 11) WOW … what a great week in Colorado music and radio. On Monday Jan 5, Colorado Public Radio announced that they had purchased 102.3FM in Denver, and that Open Air 1340 would move to the new frequency. Friday night, Jan 9, Manassas, Firefall, Poco, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band were inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame class of 2014.
Denver has never had a metro grade signal attached to a format that is as dedicated to local music as what we’re about to hear, beginning Jan 27. And that’s taking nothing away from the efforts made in this region to support local music on the radio going back to the 60s. 950 KIMN is in the Colorado Music Hall of Fame partly for the support they gave to local bands like Boenzee Cryque and others. KLZ FM, KFML, KAZY, KBPI, KBCO and KTCL have all supported bands from our area going back through our Colorado music and radio history. None, however, have featured it as prominently as Open Air 1340 does.
What this does for SOME Colorado music regionally is nothing short of amazing. All formats are limited in scope – so no, not all styles of Colorado music will be represented. Based on what Open Air has done to date, I wouldn’t expect any major changes in what they play. However, if people won’t support it financially – by way of sponsorship or membership dollars – others will be reluctant to follow CPR’s lead. #fingerscrossed Stations like KRFC and Radio 94.9 in Northern Colorado and Open Air 1340 in Denver are really setting standards for a level of support of local music that we’ve quite frankly never seen before.
Friday night was incredibly special. A sold out house at the Paramount was on hand for a performance by some of Colorado’s music legends, and relative newcomer and potential future hall of fame member Nathaniel Rateliff who did the opening tribute set to Stephen Stills/Manassas with Jeff Hanna (NGDB), Jock Bartley (Firefall), and Richie Furay (Poco).
Firefall’s impassioned set included original members Jock Bartley and Mark Andes, with fellow original members Larry Burnett and Rick Roberts joining the “newer” lineup for the last couple of songs. Poco’s set was electrifying – but I’m pretty biased. Supported by the Richie Furay Band, original members Rusty Young, Richie Furay, Paul Cotton, and Timothy B Schmidt turned it up to a level that literally left the sold out room roaring for more, song after song, in a set that included classics Call It Love, Bad Weather, Keep On Trying, Rose of Cimarron, and Good Feeling to Know. The only person missing was original drummer/vocalist George Grantham, who fell and did some rib damage a few days before the show.
Among those into folk and country music in Colorado the names Jimmy Ibbotson and John McEuen are staples in the scene, going back to 1970 when the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band moved here from Los Angeles. Jimmy has remained as the sole original member still living in Colorado to this day, and although he left the band in 2004, seeing him on stage made the last 11 years disappear, if only for a couple of songs. Of all the great things that came out of “the Dirt Band” moving here originally, it was their album “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” and the title track that has remained as the lasting legacy of their time spent here.
And before we get to the finale, CMHOF executive director G Brown announced that the next induction, coming later this year, will include Dan Fogelberg and Barnstorm (Joe Walsh, Kenny Passarelli, Joe Vitale).
OFFSTAGE BEYOND THE MUSIC
In the current episode running now at the Offstage Beyond the Music page CMHOF executive director G Brown talks about his vision for the hall of fame over the years. COMING IN FEB – Wendy Woo and her husband Charles and I sit at their dining room table and talk shop.
PLAYLIST S9 EP2 2015
(D) = debut of lp/ep/single
(N) = new cut from previously debuted lp/ep
HOUR 1
Freddi / Henchi and the Soulsetters “Funky to the Bone” from Crown Princes of Funk: The Last Set (2010) Sugarloaf “Colorado Jones” from Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You (1975) (N) Longest Day Of The Year “Ride on the Carapace” from Carapace (2014) Instant Empire “Without Wires” from Instant Empire (2011) Bad Weather California “Keep It Together” from Back Seats (2013) Safe Boating is No Accident “Lover/Undercover” from Bonus Features (2014) The Sound and Color “Tug of War” from The Sound and Color (2015) Paper Bird “Lonely Too Long” from When the River Took Flight (2010) Finnders & Youngberg “Lonely Too Long” from I Don’t Want Love You Won’t Give Until I Cry (2013) (D) Cary Morin “Obstacles to Negotiate” from Tiny Town (2014) Ben Markley ~ Clint Ashlock Quintet “Chasing Light” from The Return (2014)
HOUR 2
Bob Lind “Elusive Butterfly” from Elusive Butterfly (1966) Flash Cadillac & the Continental Kids “Good Times, Rock & Roll” from Best of Flash Cadillac and The Continental Kids (2010) (N) Bill Frisell “Pipeline” from Guitar In the Space Age (2014) Devotchka “100 Other Lovers” from 100 Lovers (2011) The Apples in Stereo “Same Old Drag” from New Magnetic Wonder (2007) Dressy Bessy “New Song (From Me to You)” from Dressy Bessy (2003) Leftover Salmon “Get Up and Go” from High Country (2015) Slim Cessna’s Auto Club “Viceroy Filter King” from Always Say Please and Thank You (2000) String Cheese Incident “So Far From Home” from Song In My Head (2014) Jon Wirtz “Country” from Tourist (2013)
Colorado Case Company a Fort Collins based, Colorado family owned business specializing in insulated soft cases, gig bags, case covers and rigid cases for most instruments, including hard to fit instruments.
SpokesBUZZ, a Colorado non-profit with a mission to develop the professionalism of artists, promote and connect progressive cultural destinations, amplify music scenes, and grow local economies. See event calendar for Spokesbuzz band shows.
The historic Mishawaka Amphitheatre, Northern Colorado’s Musical Playground, and seriously one of the most badass music venues in the state.
Please visit my friends’ sites. They keep this thing going. Much appreciated.
PS … January Offstage Beyond the Music guest is G Brown, executive director of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.
VIDEO PICKS DECEMBER
TOP 40 Spins December 2014
242 titles tracked
114 (47%) titles identified 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
(1) 1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free (Thirty Tigers) Bluegrass [Sept 6, 2014]
(4) 2. Ark Life– The Dream of You & Me (Greater Than Collective) Rock/AAA [June 28, 2014]
(17) 3. Euforquestra – Fire (self) Rock/funk [Feb 22, 2014] (D) 4. Bill Frisell– Guitar In the Space Age (Okeh Records) Instrumental [18-Nov-14]
(6) 5. Gregory Alan Isakov – The Weatherman(Suitcase Town Music) Folk/singer-songwriter [June 22, 2013]
(3) 6. Tennis – Ritual in Repeat (Communion Records) Indie/New Alternative [Aug 14, 2014]
(2) 7. Leftover Salmon– High Country (LoS) Americana/jamband [Nov 8, 2014]
(9) 8. Nathaniel Ratefliff – Falling Faster Than You Can Run (Mod y Vi Records) Folk [Sept 1, 2013]
(9) 9. The String Cheese Incident – Song in My Head(SCI Fidelity) Rock/AAA [April 12, 2014]
(16) 10. A Shoreline Dream – The Silent Sunrise (self) Rock/alternative [Sept 6, 2014
(5) 11. Reed Foehl – Lost in the West (NeverFoehl Records) Folk/singer-songwriter [Sept 13, 2014]
(7) 12. Big Head Todd & the Monsters –Black Beehive (Shout! Factory) Rock/AAA [Jan 25, 2014]
(8) 13. Elephant Revival– These Changing Skies (Its Evolving Records) Folk [Aug 1, 2013]
(10) 14. Young Ancients – Y/A (self) Americana [Feb 22, 2014]
(R) 15. Calder’s Revolvers – Sunday Morning (self) Rock [13-Jun-14]
(11) 16. You Me & Apollo – Sweet Honey (self) Indie/alternative [April 26, 2014]
(12) 17. Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore–Love Runner (Remington Road Records) Folk [Dec 21, 2013] (D) 18. Jeff Austin – The Simple Truth (Yep Roc) Rock/AAA [20-Dec-04]
(R) 19. Halden Wofford & the Hi*Beams – Rocky Mountain Honky Tonk (self) Americana/alt-country-rock [7-Jul-13]
(R) 20. The Railsplitters – The Railsplitters (self) Bluegrass [1-Oct-13]
(R) 21. Katey Laurel – Periscope (self) POP/adult contemporary [1-Aug-13]
(R) 22. Honey Don’t – Heart Like A Wheel (self) Americana [1-Nov-13]
(13) 23. The Motet– The Motet (self) Urban Contemporary/funk [Jan 4, 2014]
(22) 24. Fruition & Grant Farm – Meeting On the Mountain (Grant Central Records) Rock/jamband [Oct 1, 2014]
(15) 25. Musketeer Gripweed – Floods and Fires(self) Rock/jamband [March 29, 2014]
(34) 26. Pretty Lights – A Color Map of the World (8 Minutes 20 Seconds) Urban Contemporary/EDM [July 2, 2013]
(28) 17. Kyle Hollingsworth – Speed of Life (SCI Fidelity) Rock [Sept 6, 2014]
(21) 28. The Longest Day of the Year – Carapace (self) Rock/AAA [Nov 1, 2014]
(24) 29. Strange Americans – That Kind of Luster (self) Rock [Aug 23, 2014]
(R) 30. Matt Skellenger – New Radio (self) Jazz/Instrumental [18-Oct-14]
(14) 31. Esme Patterson – Woman to Woman (Greater Than Collective) Indie/New Alternative [April 5, 2014]
(33) 32. Chain Station – Dancin’ With the Law (self) Bluegrass [March 14, 2014] (D) 33. Various – SpokesBUZZ Compilation V (SpokesBUZZ) variety [20-Dec-14]
(23) 34. Snake Rattle Rattle Snake – Totem (self) Indie/New Alternative [Nov 8, 2014]
(R) 35. Slopeside– One Land Town (self) Rock [5-Jul-14]
(22) 36. Chimney Choir – (compass) (self) Folk [June 1, 2013]
(R) 36. Mosey West – Bermuda (self) Rock/alt-country-rock [2-Nov-13]
(R) 37. Matt Skinner Band – Native Stranger (Tapedero Productions) Americana/country [9-Nov-13]
(R) 38. Monocle Band – Monocle Band (self) Folk/folk-rock [1-Sep-13]
(30) 39. Fierce Bad Rabbit – Living Asleep (self) Rock/AAA [July 19, 2014]
DROPPED OUT OF TOP 40 / DECEMBER
18. Dana Landry Trio – Memphis Skyline
19. John Oates – Good Road to Follow
20. Katie Herzig – Walk Through Walls
25. Ark Life – Very Fine Friends (single)
26. Drag The River – Drag the River
27. Josh Dillard – The Bright Light of Shipwreck
29. Chimney Choir – Motion (single)
31. Moors & McCumber – Against the Grain
32. 3 Twins – De Nada
33. Ben Markley-Clint Ashlock Quintet – The Return
34. Drew Schofield – 150 Million (-1) EP
35. Lauren Brombert – Love’s Carousel (single)
35. Sofie Reed – Red Hen
ADDED TO TRACKING / DECEMBER
Andy Babb and the Big Beautiful Band – Strange Existence
Brothers Keeper – Todd Meadows
Cary Morin – Tiny Town
Jeff Austin – The Simple Truth
Potcheen – Take No Prisoners
Various – SpokesBUZZ Compilation V
STATION BY STATION
[XX] = number of reported current year (2013-2015) 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
KAFM (Grand Junction) [24]
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. David Starr – Alive Again
3. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Black Beehive
3. Quemando – Paradise
3. The John Weeks Band – The John Weeks Band
KDUR (Durango) [10]
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. Chain Station – Dancin’ With the Law
3. Born to Wander – S/T
4. J. Miller – One More High, One More Low
5. Big Gigantic – The Night Is Young
KGNU (Boulder) [22]
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. Bill Frisell – Guitar In the Space Age
3. Esme Patterson – Woman to Woman
3. Gregory Alan Isakov – The Weatherman
3. Nathaniel Rateliff – Falling Faster Than You Can Run
KRCC (Colorado Springs) [10]
1. Bill Frisell – Guitar In the Space Age
2. Ark Life – The Dream of You and Me
2. Tennis – Ritual in Repeat
3. A Shoreline Dream – The Silent Sunrise
4. Eurforquestra – Fire
KRFC (Fort Collins) [145]
1. Leftover Salmon – High Country
1. The Longest Day of the Year – Carapace
1. You, Me and Apollo – Sweet Honey
2. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
3. Bill Frisell – Guitar In the Space Age
KUNC (Greeley) [13]
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. Gregory Alan Isakov – The Weatherman
3. Ark Life – The Dream of You and Me
3. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Black Beehive
3. Halden Wofford & the Hi*Beams – Rocky Mountain Honky Tonk
KVNF (Paonia) [10]
1. Leftover Salmon – High Country
2. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
3. Bill Frisell – Guitar In the Space Age
3. Fruition & Grant Farm – Meeting On the Mountain
3. Honey Don’t – Heart Like A Wheel
OPEN AIR 1340 (Denver) [30]
1. Esme Patterson – Woman to Woman
1. Snake Rattle Rattle Snake – Totem
2. Ark Life – The Dream of You and Me
3. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats – Look It Here/Trying So Hard Not To Know
3. You, Me and Apollo – Sweet Honey
THE COLORADO SOUND [42]
1. Eurforquestra – Fire
1. Jeff Austin – The Simple Truth
2. Ark Life – The Dream of You and Me
2. Calder’s Revolvers – Sunday Morning
2. Katey Laurel – Periscope
Birthdays are funny – aren’t they? Happy birthday to me. There’s a line I crossed – that line that says, “dude you’re old now.” They’re right you know — I don’t feel “old.” I know old people — like over 80 old. I’m not that. Long way to 80. Lots of music to do until then. Will I feel “old” when I turn 80? I’ll let you know when I get there. Until then, this is what I got … music … Colorado music.
Denver has never had a metro grade signal attached to a format that is as dedicated to local music as what we’re about to hear, beginning Jan 27. And that’s taking nothing away from the efforts made in this region to support local music on the radio going back to the 60s.
Friday night was incredibly special. A sold out house at the Paramount was on hand for a performance by some of Colorado’s music legends, and relative newcomer and potential future hall of fame member Nathaniel Rateliff who did the opening tribute set to Stephen Stills/Manassas with Jeff Hanna (NGDB), Jock Bartley (Firefall), and Richie Furay (Poco).
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KAFM (Grand Junction) [24]
KRFC (Fort Collins) [145]
OPEN AIR 1340 (Denver) [30]
THE COLORADO SOUND [42]
Chris K's Colorado Playlist 