(Monday June 9 2014) A soaked Sunday working day 2 of the CHUN People’s Fair left me terribly behind schedule, and chilled down to the core of my bones. A hot tub and chicken soup were waiting as I hit the bedroom door. Thanks to my wonderful wife for that. I’ll be editing video as fast as I can to get it online, but I’m not sure about getting it done this morning.
The weekend started on Thursday … Musketeer Gripweed kicked off the Bohemian Nights Thursday Night Live series in Old Town, under threatening skies – but no rain. Here’s what this show looked like.
I spent Friday night doing sound at Oskar Blues in Longmont with good friends Wendy Woo and her crew, which is always very fun for me and has increasingly felt like a family gathering with these wonderful friends.
Sat and Sun was all about sharing time with our wonderful music family and the community of Capitol Hill Denver as I hosted the Coors Lite main stage for the 43rd Annual CHUN People’s Fair.
Slim crowds on Saturday, under the constant threat of rain, dampened turnout on day 1. An unusually cold and wet Sunday basically killed the weekend. Those who braved the weather were treated to some exceptional performance by the likes of Dan Treanor’s Afrosippi with Erica Brown and Merriam Johnson (looking very fine under her new workout and diet regimen – wtg MJ!) … while Buckner Funken and Ryan Chrys & the Rough Cuts played to thin crowds who otherwise danced their asses off and had a great time in the rain.
I would not be surprised one bit if this is the last year for what is the longest running local music focused event in the region. 43 years is a long time to keep an event going – more so in the face of increasing competition from events that book high dollar regional and national talent.
A combination of changing consumer trends, more and more events to choose from, and a poor economy for several years have combined to put a major damper on what was once one of the largest local-independent music events in the country; at one time, not long ago, capable of drawing 300,000 over 2 days.
I wish my friends at CHUN nothing but success in the years to come. I, however, have decided to leave my hat on the stage and retire from hosting this event after ten years. I’ve had fun and will terribly miss many friends I otherwise only see on the first weekend of June, annually.
Next up … tonight I sit down with my pal Chris Daniels to record for an upcoming episode of the new podcast series I’m introducing on July 12 called “Offstage …Beyond the Music.” Thursday night I’m back in Fort Collins for the Bohemian Nights Thursday Night Live show with the Young Ancients.
Saturday I’ll be in Longmont for the G’Knight Ride featuring the Freddie Jones Band (no, they’re not local .. but what can you do when you’re not the one booking the show LOL)
I hope to see you at a show sometime soon.
PLAYLIST S8 EP22 June 2014
Otis Taylor “Naggin’ Woman Blues” from When Negroes Walked the Earth (1997)
Otis Taylor “The Devil’s Gonna Lie” from Otis Taylor’s Contraband (2012)
Rick Roberts “Sweet Maria” from She Is A Song (1973)
(D) Crowboy “Think It Over” from Kicking Up the Clouds (2014)
The Motet “Rich In People” from The Motet (2014)
AdrienneO “Take It In” from Lines EP (2014)
OneRepublic “Secrets” from Waking Up (2009)
Dragondeer “Castaway” from Don’t That Feel Good (2014)
Megan Burtt & Chimney Choir “Rise and Shine” from In Good Company: Megan Burtt & Friends, Vol.1 – The Colorado Session (2013)
Yonder Mountain String Band “Out of the Blue” from The Show (2009)
Head for The Hills “Take Me Back” from Blue Ruin (2013)
Ben Haugland “Point of No Return” from The Point Of No Return (2012)
Leftover Salmon “Cash on the Barrlehead” from Euphoria (1997)
Leftover Salmon “Sing Up to the Moon” from Aquatic Hitchhiker (2012)
(N) Zephyr “Sun’s a Risin’” from Zephyr Deluxe Edition (2014)
Esme Patterson “Valentine” from Woman To Woman (2014)
Garuud Effekt “Cut Me” (2014)
Crucifix “Heaven” from The Beginning (2014)
Rachel & the Kings “Edge of Me” from Edge of Me EP (2014)
Johnny Hickman “The Great Decline” from Palmehenge (2005)
Drag the River “Not that Kind” from Drag The River (2013)
Knocean “Against the Wall” from Knocean (2014)
Beats Noir! “Not for You” from 13 Tracks From the Dark Side of The Beat (2011)
Raincheck “Boogalues” from Raincheck (2012)
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