It’s kinda hard to think about what to write when you’ve in the midst of crisis. Curve balls, pot-holes, bumps in the road – all ways of saying the same thing really …that life can be pretty nasty sometimes, and all you can do is hold on and swallow hard. Anyone who’s followed me online the past decade+ now knows my wife and I got bad health news again this past week. She and I both survived very scary health issues a couple of years ago, and now we’re facing another. We’re fighters – so we expect the same outcome now as we’ve experienced in the past – success …and nothing but will be acceptable. We’re great at hitting curve balls and getting alignments after falling into potholes.
Did something new this week on the show. I’ve been searching and asking for good clean radio friendly comedy for several years now … and I finally got some! Tobias Livingston from Greeley ponied up and sent a live bit he recorded last summer. SWEET! Can’t wait for more.
News broke mid-week with pictures on FB that the Psychodelic Zombiez are back in the studio picking up where they left off 23 years ago. Babaganouj anyone?
HOT HOT RUMOR — from inside source … posting on FB with picture — The Railbendersare back in the studio for the first time in MANY years. More news to follow. Just something here to wet our appetite a bit ..
The Colorado Sound is supported by listener donations, and by local businesses and organizations. Sponsorship opportunities are very limited. If you have an organization or business that would like a bit more statewide exposure during the upcoming holiday season please contact me at thecoloradosound@gmail.com for more information.
The Colorado Sound is supported by theMishawaka Amphitheater … and yes, they have shows year round … during the cold months indoor in the SpokesBUZZ lounge … see www.themishawaka.com for upcoming events.
The Colorado Sound SUPPORTS SpokesBUZZ … a Colorado 501C3 non-profit dedicated to supporting the global visibility of Colorado sound and culture and to developing the professionalism of our local artists. More info atwww.SpokesBUZZ.org
VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK
A very nifty throw-back country-rocker from some pretty badass Colorado pickers – singing about Colorado …
PLAYLIST S9|EP41 2015
HOUR 1
A Higher Elevation “Odyssey” from The Spider, The Fly & the Boogie Man (2008) Sixteen Horsepower “Black Soul Chior” from Sackcloth ‘n’ Ashes (1996) (D) One Flew West “These Old Bones” from Selective Memory (2015) Dave Tamkin “Drift” from Cedar (2013) Megan Burtt “Fast as I Go” from The Bargain (2015) Mollie O’Brien “No Ash Will Burn” from Big Red Sun (1998) Jeff Finlin “What’s the Big Idea” from Ballad Of A Plain Man (2008) Halden Wofford & the Hi Beams “Betty Boop” from Midnight Rodeo (2006) Jill Sobule “Bitter (LP Version)” from Happy Town (1997) Tennis “Needle and a Knife” from Ritual In Repeat (2014) (D) Tobias Livingston “Live 6.24.15” from Live 6.24.15 (2015) (D) New Ben Franklins “I Don’t Know What’s Wrong With You; Why Won’t You Break My Heart?” from Something Old, Something New (2015) Ben Haugland “Lift” from POINT OF NO RETURN (2012)
HOUR 2
Mary Flower “Hard Day Blues” from Misery Loves Company (2011) Dianne Reeves “Endangered Species” from The Best of Dianne Reeves (2000) (D) The Yawpers “Burdens” from American Man (2015) Cracker “California Country Boy” from Berkeley To Bakersfield (2014) Fox St. “Somethin About You” from Authentic Western Dress (2015) Big Head Todd & The Monsters “Resignation Superman” from Beautiful World (1997) SHEL “The Battle of Evermore” from SHEL (2012) (N) Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats “Howling At Nothing” from Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats (2015) Chimney Choir “Motion” from Motion (2015) (D) Andy Rok & the Real Deal “Staying Home Tonight (feat. Kate Brady)” [single] (2015) Mercury Project “higher ground” from Soapbox Jive (2004) H2 Big Band “You’re It!” from You’re It! (2011)
KVNF is looking for someone to build upon our existing regional news effort, improve the breadth and depth of our content, strengthen existing community relationships, and make KVNF even more of a news resource for Colorado’s Western Slope. The Producer plays a key role in shaping the voice and direction of KVNF’s regional news coverage, providing leadership to ensure the evolution of high journalistic standards and quality content.
Description: The Producer helps develop the editorial agenda of the News Department, creates twice daily regional newscasts, and reports on issues relevant to the KVNF listening area. The Producer will also monitor regional media outlets, assign stories to volunteer/freelance reporters and help edit and produce those reports.
KVNF’s broadcast community includes seven counties and 10,000 square miles of Colorado’s rural Western Slope.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Essential News Duties:
Develops and prepares and potentially voices KVNF’s weekday morning and evening regional newscasts from a variety of sources, including original reporting
Reports, records and/or edits news spots, wraps, interviews, and news features for broadcast
Identifies and provides regular coverage of issues important to the KVNF audience
Provides training and support to Morning Edition host and regional news anchor
Posts and maintains news content on KVNF’s website
Monitors and schedules breaking news from NPR and local/regional sources. Notifies Program Director of need to create and schedule promos for these special broadcasts.
Start-to finish self-producer, able to meet deadlines
Provides up-to-the-minute breaking news coverage when needed
Provides live updates and information during elections
Engages with the community as a professional, respectful representative of KVNF
Other Duties:
Help maintain and sign-out production equipment for staff and volunteers
Assist with remote broadcasts, live performances and interviews as needed
Assist in fundraising efforts and community outreach such as membership drives and events when needed. Will include occasional nights/weekends
Assist with office operations: answering phone, public relations, station tours and on-air hosting as needed
Attend and participate in all general staff meetings
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
At least 1 year experience in radio and/or print journalism (or demonstrated equivalent); demonstrated reporting skills (work samples required)
Knowledge of Western issues (water, energy, agriculture, public lands)
Strong interest in local/regional news and public affairs
Strong verbal and writing skills
Ability to prioritize tasks, practice effective time management and work independently
Ability to work well with a large and diverse group of volunteers, as well as other staff and freelancers
On-air skills and knowledge of broadcast and digital recording equipment
Computer, web editing and social media skills required
Community radio and/or nonprofit experience a plus
I’m approached daily by musicians seeking answers to the mysteries of our industry. I’m proud to say we live in a state where information and resources are bountiful.
I attended four events in the past month that served no other purpose than to educate, develop, and promote all that is Colorado music, those who make it, and those who work on advancing it; the Denver Music Summit, FOCOMX, the Colorado Blues Society IBC finals, and the induction of six new bands into Spokesbuzz. Of course they’re not the only organizations or events designed for these purposes, but I was fortunate to attend events put on by all four.
Ultimately it is the fan, the audience, the listener, who is the deciding factor when it comes to how well we in the “business” are doing our jobs – and therefore it is important to have that perspective at the table when we’re talking about making music and getting it “out there.” Audience participation is appreciated. Please go visit those organizations online and find out what we have going on regionally.
Check out the current #6 Colorado album title SpokesBuzz Vol 5
—
Congratulations to Randall Dubis & Dan Treanor who will represent Colorado at the IBC in Memphis next winter in the solo/duo category and to Rex People’s and X-Factor who will represent in the band category. Good luck in Memphis next winter to all.
Cracker has been added and identified as (CC) for the purposes of tracking Colorado music. Band co-founder Johnny Hickman is a local guy and has been for many years now. In a conversation with his wife recently I learned that she used to listen to me on the air at 96.1 K-SKY in the late 80s when she was in high school. I totally cracked up.
Also, I’ve added and tracked other artists who I’ve identified with a (CC) tag, namely Sara Cahoone, John Oates, Bill Frissel, Tia Fuller and others so I have no idea why it’s taken me so long to put Cracker in the mix. Cracker’s latest Berkeley To Bakersfield came out last fall. The band itself seems to be picking up some love among other local music supporters around the state … Cracker is making a few appearances locally this summer for you to keep your eyes open for.
I suspect that we’ll see Wendy Woo, the Railsplitters, and Ragged Union stick around on the charts the longest. Wendy is broadly known around the state, and does a great job of getting her work to interested djs. The Railsplitters and Ragged Union are bluegrass bands of note in the state, and there is no shortage of independent djs who do favor Colorado bluegrass and Americana releases.
11 videos wound up in the video playlist for May … from Dearling, Esme Patterson, Strange Americans, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nightsweats, Leftover Salmon, Ivory Circle, Instant Empire, Sound of Ceres, Tennis, Megan Burtt, Todd Adelman
June 6 – For Locals x Locals Presented by The Colorado Sound and Scene Magazine featuring Cracker, Post Paradise, Branded Bandits, Red Fox Run, Shaley Scott Band and Winchester Holiday. A music festival to celebrate and honor local musicians and local music industry vendors. The goal of this festival is to create a space for our musical community to thrive. If you are a local musician, we would like to offer you free admission and a beer. If you’re a fan, please be honest and support your local music scene with your ticket purchase. Treat this as an opportunity to meet new musicians, find out about local music industry and catch up with old friends.
June 12 & 13 The Greeley Blues Jam in Greeley with Austin Young– featuring Michaela Rae and friends + Maynard Mills Blues Band + George Whitesell and His All Stars featuring Jill Watkins + The Frails – all female review featuring Erica Brown, MJ, G’Jai, Michaela Rae, Miss Audrey, Susan Phelan & national headliners Delbert McClinton, Elvin Bishop and more.
August 1 – 8th Annual Carbon Valley Music & Spirits Festival in Dacono. Lineup TBA. The region’s first Spirits Competition event, started four years ago now. Previous headliners have included Richie Furay, Lionel Young, Drew Emmitt (Leftover Salmon) and others.
August 9 – The Colorado Sound PresentsHazel Miller, Chris Daniels & the Kings, Goatz!, and William’s Reserve on Aug 9 at the Mishawaka
185 titles tracked
Titles tracked = released between Nov 1 2013 and April 27 2015
105 (57%) 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
(4) 1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free (Thirty Tigers) Bluegrass [Sept 15, 2014]
(2) 2. Chris Daniels & the Kings – Funky To the Bone (Moon Voyage) Blues/funk [Jan 15, 2015]
(3) 3. Jeff Austin– The Simple Truth (Yep Roc) Rock/AAA, bluegrass [Jan 2, 2015]
(8) 4. Ark Life– The Dream of You & Me (Greater Than Collective) Rock/AAA [June 28, 2014]
(R) 5. Reed Foehl – Lost In the West (NeverFoehl Records) Pop/singer-songwriter [Sept 13, 2014]
(7) 6. Various– SpokesBUZZ Compilation V (SpokesBUZZ) Various [Dec 20, 2014]
(28) 7. Big Head Todd & the Monsters –Black Beehive (Shout! Factory) Rock/blues-rock [Jan 25, 2014]
(R) 8. Plum – Behind Your Man [single] (self) Rock [Feb 1, 2015]
(D) 9. John Common – The River Is Moving [single] (Immersive) Rock [April 1, 2015]
(D) 9. Wendy Woo Band – Tipping Point (Woo Music) Pop/Adult Contemporary [April 13, 2015]
(D) 10. Esme Patterson – What Do You Call A Woman EP (Greater Than Collective) Indie/New Alternative [April
1, 2015]
(18) 10. Todd Adelman – Highways & Lowways (Porch Lantern Music) Americana/alt-country-rock [Jan 8, 2015]
(D) 11. The Railsplitters – The Faster It Goes (self) Bluegrass (April 20, 2015)
(1) 12. Bill Frisell–Guitar In the Space Age (Okeh Records) Jazz/Instrumental [Nov 18, 2014] (CC)
(6) 13. Richie Furay – Hand In Hand (ENT ONE Music) Americana/country-rock [March 1, 2015]
(R) 14.You Me & Apollo – Sweet Honey (self) Indie/New Alternative [April 26, 2014]
(30) 15. Trout Steak Revival – Brighter Every Day (self) Bluegrass [March 20. 2015]
(16) 16. The String Cheese Incident – Song in My Head (SCI Fidelity) Rock/AAA [April 14, 2014]
(D) 17. Natalie Walker – Strange Bird (Dorado Records) Pop/Adult Contemporary (April 1, 2015)
(15) 18. Tennis – Ritual in Repeat (Communion Records) Indie/New Alternative [Aug 14, 2014]
(R) 19. Musketeer Gripweed – Floods and Fires (self) Rock/jamband [March 29, 2014]
(R) 20. Calder’s Revovlers – Sunday Morning (self) Rock/rhythm & blues [June 13, 2014]
(R) 21. Euforquestra – Fire (self) Funk/reggae [Feb 22, 2014]
(22) 21. Taarka – Making Tracks Home (self) Folk [March 9, 2015]
(12) 22. Snake Rattle Rattle Snake –Totem (self) Indie/New Alternative [Nov 8, 2014]
(D) 23. Cracker – Berkeley To Bakersfield (SLG) Rock [Nov 8, 2014] (CC)
(R) 24. The River Arkansas – The River Arkansas (Blank Tape Records) Alt-country-rock [Feb 1, 2015]
(R) 25. Montropo – Follow Me (self) Pop/singer-songwriter (Nov 14, 2014]
(9) 26. Leftover Salmon–High Country (LoS) Rock/bluegrass [Nov 8, 2014]
(D) 27. The Raven and the Writing Desk – Some Get Started EP (self) Indie/new alternative [April 1, 2015]
(R) 28. The Motet – The Motet (self) Funk [Jan 4, 2014]
(D) 29. Michael Kirkpatrick – Honey Rider (self) Country/Folk [March 1, 2015]
(28) 30. Rob Drabkin – Little Steps EP (self) Rock/AAA [Jan 1, 2014]
(29) 31. Safe Boating Is No Accident –Bonus Features (self) Indie/New Alternative [Feb 20, 2014]
(R) 31. Strange Americans – That Kind of Luster (self) Rock [Aug 23, 2014]
(27) 32. Young Ancients– Y/A (self) Americana [Feb 11, 2014]
(D) 33. Ragged Union– Hard Row to Hoe (Shining Castle Music) Bluegrass [March 21, 2015]
(19) 34. Blake Brown & American Dust Choir –“3” (self) Rock/AAA [Aug 13, 2014]
(13) 35. John Statz – Tulsa (self) Americana/country-folk [March 1, 2015]
(D) 36. Clouds & Mountains– Slumber (self) Folk [Feb 1, 2015]
DROPPED OUT OF TOP 40 IN APRIL
5. The Railsplitters – The Railsplitters
10. Brothers Keeper – Todd Meadows
14. Rose Quartz – Axis of Love [EP]
17. John Oates – Good Road to Follow
20. Cary Morin – Tiny Town
21. Jayme Stone – Jayme Stone’s Lomax Project
23. Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore – Love Runner
24. Dana Landry Quartet – Standard Elevation
25. Moors and McCumber – Pandemonium
26. Esme Patterson – Woman to Woman
29. Danielle Ate the Sandwich – The Drawing Back of Curtains
31. Analog Son – Stomp and Shout!
32. Richard Dean – Accidental Human
33. SHEL – The Lab Sessions
33. Toad In the Hole – Wallflower
34. Land Lines – The Natural World
35. Grant Farm – Plowin’ Time
35. In The Whale – Nate & Eric
36. H2 Big Band – It Could Happen
ADDED TO TRACKING APRIL 2015
Chuck Pyle – Cover Stories Cracker – Berkeley To Bakersfield
Dearling – Landslide [single]
Elin Palmer – Elin and Friends
Elise Wunder – In the Darkness of My Light
Esme Patterson – What Do You Call A Woman EP
Fox St. – Ain’t Easy [single]
Inner Oceans – 8 Cousins / Everything’s Alright [single]
Instant Empire – Lamplight Lost
Ivory Circle – Isoceles
John Common – The River Is Moving [single]
Kenny Knight – Crossroads
The Knew – Schmew
Medic – If I Could Stay [single]
Motion Trap – Palebluedot
Natalie Walker – Strange Bird
The Navigators – All About the Ride
Racing On the Sun – Self Destruct [single]
The Railsplitters – The Faster It Goes
The Raven and the Writing Desk – Some Get Started EP
Steve Kovalcheck Trio – Stomping Ground
Tim Ostdiek – Temporary Home EP
Wendy Woo Band – Tipping Point
STATION BY STATION
[XX] = number of reported current year (Nov 2013-April 2015) titles
Stations monitored for spins = KAFM, KBUT, KDUR, KGNU, KOTO, KRCC, KRFC, KRZA, KSJD, KSUT, KUNC, KVNF, OPENAIR 1340, Radio 94.9 Colorado, The Colorado Sound radio show and The Colorado Sound LIVE365. Stations with minimum 10 “currents” featured in breakout.
KAFM (Grand Junction) [13]
1. Richie Furay – Hand In Hand
2. Bill Frisell – Guitar In the Space Age
2. Dana Landry Quartet – Standard Elevation
3. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
3. Slopeside – One Lane Town
KDUR (Durango) [12]
1. Chain Station – Dancin With the Law
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
1. Leftover Salmon – High Country
2. Montropo – Follow Me
3. Chris Daniels & the Kings – Funky to the Bone
KGNU (Boulder) [10]
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. Chris Daniels & the Kings – Funky to the Bone
3. Snake Rattle Rattle Snake – Totem
4. Taarka – Making Tracks Home
5. Ark Life – The Dream of You and Me
KRFC (Fort Collins) [75]
1. Michael Kirkpatrick – Honey Rider
2. Cary Morin – Tiny Town
3. Trout Steak Revival – Brighter Every Day
4. Taarka – Making Tracks Home
5. Deadwood Saints – 6th Street and Trinity
KUNC (Greeley) [15]
1. Jeff Austin – The Simple Truth
2. Chris Daniels & the Kings – Funky to the Bone
3. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
4. Reed Foehl – Lost In the West
4. Various – SpokesBUZZ Compilation V
OPEN AIR 102.3 (Denver) [25]
1. Plum – Behind Your Man [single]
2. Snake Rattle Rattle Snake – Totem
3. Inner Oceans – 8 Cousins / Everything’s Alright [single]
4. John Common – The River Is Moving [single]
5. Land Lines – The Natural World
The Colorado Sound [38]
1. Natalie Walker – Strange Bird
2. Esme Patterson – What Do You Call A Woman EP
2. John Common – The River Is Moving [single]
2. Plum – Behind Your Man [single]
2. The Railsplitters – The Faster It Goes
Did something new this week on the show. I’ve been searching and asking for good clean radio friendly comedy for several years now … and I finally got some! Tobias Livingston from Greeley ponied up and sent a live bit he recorded last summer. SWEET! Can’t wait for more.
The KUNC Colorado Music Spotlight OCT 20-23 
The Colorado Sound is supported by the Mishawaka Amphitheater … and yes, they have shows year round … during the cold months indoor in the SpokesBUZZ lounge … see www.themishawaka.com for upcoming events.
The Colorado Sound SUPPORTS SpokesBUZZ … a Colorado 501C3 non-profit dedicated to supporting the global visibility of Colorado sound and culture and to developing the professionalism of our local artists. More info atwww.SpokesBUZZ.org
I’m approached daily by musicians seeking answers to the mysteries of our industry. I’m proud to say we live in a state where information and resources are bountiful.
Congratulations to Randall Dubis & Dan Treanor who will represent Colorado at the IBC in Memphis next winter in the solo/duo category and to Rex People’s and X-Factor who will represent in the band category. Good luck in Memphis next winter to all.
(4) 1. 
KAFM 
KDUR
KRFC
KUNC
OPEN AIR 102.3
The Colorado Sound
Chris K's Colorado Playlist 