Tag: music

#COMUSIC TOP 30 JUNE 2026

The monthly TOP 30 represents what’s getting aired by independent DJs on sixteen community/public listener powered non-commercial radio stations around Colorado.

THANK YOU! You once again blew a decade long record out the door in monthly views to this website. I appreciate your visits, sincely.

I sometimes get asked why a certain band or artist or genre of music isn’t represented in the COMUSIC HOT SPINS REPORT and the TOP 30…

Some genres simply don’t get much, if any, terrestrial radio airplay, at least at non-commercial outlets. Bands like OneRepublic are vastly more popular on streaming services and commercial outlets, for example, than bands like the Lumineers and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats. You won’t find much metal or rap on these stations either, and EDM gets a passing glance.

What you see in the reports is what sixteen community powered radio stations in the state air enough to be counted.

HOW THE CHART IS PUT TOGETHER

Every week I survey sixteen 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 Spotify and 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).

KAFM, KBUT, KCSU, KDNK, KDUR, KFFR, KLZR, KOTO, KSJD, KSUT, KRFC, KRZA, KUVO, KVCU, 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)

WISH I WAS KIDDING. Your SUPPORT is ESSENTIAL.

This show has been my passion for 20 years. I am retired now. I survive on social security, some pennies and dimes playing out (right?!), and limited savings (that won’t last to the end).

There are monthly costs associated with the show that honestly stretch my insanely limited retirement income, and the loss of my steadiest supporter over the past decade.

The Colorado Playlist is the only program showcasing Colorado music statewide, broadcast by 12 stations covering 30 FM/LPFM frequencies. I make this show available at NO COST to community radio stations in our state. I’d like to keep it going for another couple of years.

Your support is sincerely appreciated.

Please make donations via Venmo at chrisk-2 (preferred) or use the form below (they take a cut). 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
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#COMUSIC TOP 30 JUNE 2026

(D) 1. FANCY BITS – Fancy Bits EP Jun-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 1. TROUBLE’S BRAIDS – Tarantula EP Jun-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 2. DYLANOVUS – déjà vu / footprint SP May-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 3. LOOK AT FIONA. – fionafionafio LP Jan-26 Spotify / YouTube
(18) 4. EMILY SCOTT ROBINSON – Appalachia LP Oct-25 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 5. BOBBY WIENS – Focus LP Mar-26 Spotify / YouTube
(R) 6. VOLORES – Shores of Scorpio LP Oct-25 Spotify / YouTube
(9) 7. RYAN DART – If Love Don’t Break You LP Jan-26 Spotify / YouTube
(7) 8. BIG RICHARD – Pet LP Nov-25 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 8. SMEAR – Close to You SP Jun-26 Spotify / YouTube
(19) 9. THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS – 20/20 LP Aug-25 Spotify / YouTube
(15) 10. EDISON – Million Horses SP Apr-26 Spotify / YouTube
(8) 10. JESUS CHRIST TAXI DRIVER – Taxi the Rich LP Jan-26 Spotify / YouTube
(5) 10. YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND – Good As True LP Jan-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 11. 2MX2 – Si Se Puede LP May-26 Spotify / YouTube
(12) 11. BEN MARKLEY BIG BAND – Tuesday Morning Feeling LP Mar-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 11. GASOLINE LOLLIPOPS – Way Back Home SP May-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 11. REVEREND FREAKCHILD – Blues & Spirituals / Hymn Hustler LP May-26 Spotify / YouTube
(R) 12. GRAVEYARD CHOIR – The Wake LP Sep-25 Spotify / YouTube
(16) 12. LAUREN FRIHAUF – The Thread SP Mar-26 Spotify / YouTube
(R) 13. LETTUCE – Cook LP Jul-25 Spotify / YouTube
(7) 13. STEVE KOVALCHECK – Buckshot Blues LP Mar-26 Spotify / YouTube
(R) 14. CLAY STREET UNIT – Sin and Squalor LP Sep-25 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 15. FINN O’SULLIVAN – The Tape LP May-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 15. GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV – Fade Into You (Feat. Sylvan Esso) SP Apr-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 15. HAYLEY HARKIN – Befriend the Beast LP Dec-25 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 15. ROAD PONY – Roll the Dice SP Mar-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 16. THE BURROUGHS – Make You Sweat SP May-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 16. MTN LION – Stealth LP May-26 Spotify / YouTube
(16) 17. A.J. FULLERTON & JAKE FRIEL – Fullerton & Friel Vol. II LP Dec-25 Spotify / YouTube

88.9 KRFC TOP 10
(D) 1. JESUS CHRIST TAXI DRIVER – Taxi the Rich LP Jan-26 Spotify / YouTube
(4) 2. A.J. FULLERTON & JAKE FRIEL – Fullerton & Friel Vol. II LP Dec-25 Spotify / YouTube
(1) 2. RYAN DART – If Love Don’t Break You LP Jan-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 3. D.W. DOUCET – American Dust LP
(D) 4. FANCY BITS – Fancy Bits EP Jun-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 4. HAYLEY HARKIN – Befriend the Beast LP Dec-25 Spotify / YouTube
(6) 4. LIZ BARNEZ – Wholehearted LP
(7) 5. AUBREY DALE – Fireweed LP
(6) 5. BIG RICHARD – Pet LP
(D) 5. LID DIXON – Postcards from Baton Rouge EP

INDIE 102.3 – HOT SPINS FOR JUNE
(D) 1. TROUBLE’S BRAIDS – Tarantula EP Jun-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 2. DYLANOVUS – déjà vu / footprint SP May-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 3. LOOK AT FIONA. – fionafionafio LP Jan-26 Spotify / YouTube

105.5 THE COLORADO SOUND TOP 10
(D) 1. FANCY BITS – Fancy Bits EP Jun-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 2. PEPE CETINA – Fabiola (Acustica) SP
(D) 2. REVEREND FREAKCHILD – Blues & Spirituals / Hymn Hustler LP May-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 3. ELEKTRIC ANIMALS – Goin Through the Motions EP
(D) 3. SMEAR – Close to You SP Jun-26 Spotify / YouTube
(1) 4. CARLOS & THE CREW – Keep It Together SP Feb-26 Spotify / YouTube
(2) 4. EDISON – Million Horses SP Apr-26 Spotify / YouTube
(3) 5. CHEROKEE SOCIAL – Concentration SP
(6) 5. GASOLINE LOLLIPOPS – Way Back Home SP May-26 Spotify / YouTube
(D) 6. DOWNEY CHASE – A Room In Motion LP Oct-25 Spotify / YouTube

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT – TRULY APPRECIATED!

Youth on Record’s Full Underground Music Showcase (UMS) Statement – For Youth on Record, UMS Was Part of the Story. Young Artists Are the North Star.

For Youth on Record, UMS Was Part of the Story. Young Artists Are the North Star.

By Jami Duffy
Executive Director, Youth on Record
Former Co-Manager, Underground Music Showcase

Last week, I sat in a leadership meeting with 13 young creatives selected to help build the future of Youth on Record’s workforce program. These rising stars are launching their lives in Denver and their careers in music and entertainment. Most have graduated from our programs and are now booking shows, releasing work, building networks, and figuring out who they are and who they’re becoming. They’re also deeply motivated by this moment in the United States, when human rights are being violated and our democracy is on the line.

I sat, overwhelmed by their collective power. They are bright. Capable. Wildly talented. Ready.

What isn’t quite ready for them is the world they’re stepping into—specifically, Colorado’s music industry, our creative economy, and our political systems. The systems meant to support young adults, artists, and creatives are strained. Opportunities are uneven. The path from talent to sustainability is still far too fragile. Sitting in that room, listening to them talk about their hopes, fears, and their hustle, I felt the urgency of this moment in my bones. And I knew—without hesitation—that selling UMS to its next capable stewards is the right move. 

Four years ago, Youth on Record stepped into ownership and co-management of the Underground Music Showcase because we wanted to ensure that the fest was rooted in values, access, and care. We stabilized this iconic festival, protected space for music discovery, and pushed for artist-first practices—particularly thriving artist wages, accessibility, sober spaces, harm reduction, mental health supports, and career pathways for emerging musicians. We also leveraged government and philanthropic dollars, encouraging those sectors to see the value of music festivals as a public good. 

Now, this moment calls for something more from Youth on Record.

We’ve made the decision to spend the next chapter putting our full institutional energy into shaping what comes next for music, culture, and the creative workforce in Colorado. This means partnering with Colorado’s music and sports industries to deepen their impact and build new job opportunities for the next generation. We will also work with community organizations, mutual aid networks, immigrant rights organizations, and young leaders to respond to direct threats to our work, our students, and our freedoms. This will require our full focus for the foreseeable future.

Discovery music still matters—especially now. That’s why we’ve begun the process of passing the UMS torch of co-ownership to RiNo Business Improvement District (RINO BID). RiNo BID is designed to steward large-scale cultural experiences and would carry this festival forward with the resources and infrastructure it deserves. We trust that they would continue cultivating the seeds of impact Youth on Record planted—particularly around artist care and thriving artist wages. 

As the festival potentially moves to RiNo, we also hope that policymakers and civic stakeholders continue to be proactive in understanding and addressing the economic and cultural impact that music has long had on South Broadway—a beating heart of Denver’s creative community, and a 20-year neighborhood partner in UMS.

To Colorado’s young artists: you are Youth on Record’s North Star. Your creative lives and your freedoms matter. You can count on us to continue to provide free programs and creative spaces, so you are ready not only to rock the UMS stages, but to build those stages—and one day, to lead the festival itself. We are committed to working closely with you on your art and your impact, because the future of this industry must be built with you, not around you.

The work ahead is urgent. It is harder. And it is worth it. We are choosing to meet this moment in Denver and in our nation with clarity, courage, and hope rooted in action. And when the next UMS unfolds, you’ll find us there, front row, cheering you on, proud of what you’re building, and excited for what comes next.

ABOUT YOUTH ON RECORD 

Youth on Record is a youth development nonprofit equipping Colorado youth ages 11-24 to find their voice and achieve their goals through free music and media arts programming. Since 2008, the organization has combined award-winning programs with community-building efforts to provide holistic support for young creatives. Through for-credit classes, out-of-school programs, hands-on and technical training, and paid apprenticeship opportunities, Youth on Record helps youth succeed not only as artists but in their education and lives. Learn more at youthonrecord.org. 

Mishawaka Amphitheatre Partners with Sonic Guild to Launch 2026 Colorado Tour Support Grants

Live music is a gift and we must support our Colorado musicians! We’ve all heard the romanticized stories of bands sleeping in vans and living on ramen to make it to the next gig, but the reality is that the financial strain of touring often ends careers before they truly begin. 

For years, the Mishawaka Amphitheatre has been more than just a venue; it’s been a cornerstone of the Colorado music community. Now, through its “Mish Initiative,” it is stepping up to solve one of the biggest hurdles facing local artists: the staggering cost of taking their music on the road.

I’m excited to share that the Mishawaka is partnering with Sonic Guild to officially expand the Tour Support Grant Program into Colorado for 2026. While Sonic Guild no longer operates a standalone chapter here, the Mishawaka’s funding has created a renewed commitment to our local musicians.

The Mishawaka Impact:

  • Direct Funding: Through the Mish Initiative, ten Colorado-based artists will receive $1,500 grants to offset the “hidden” costs of touring—lodging, van rentals, and gear.
  • National Collaboration: The Mishawaka is joining forces with legendary artist foundations, including Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy Foundation and The Head & The Heart’s Rivers & Roads Foundation, to co-fund this 2026 cycle.
  • Re-engaging Local Icons: This program is specifically designed to support both emerging talent and established Colorado favorites like iZCALLi, 2MX2, and Alysia Kraft as they build audiences outside their home market.

Why this matters now: In today’s economy, an independent tour can be a financial gamble. By providing these application-based grants, the Mishawaka is ensuring that Colorado’s sound reaches fans in the U.S. and Europe without leaving the artists in debt.

What these grants actually cover: These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; they are the “un-glamorous” essentials that keep a tour alive:

Safety and Rest: Reliable lodging and van rentals.
Sustainability: Food and transportation costs.
Growth: Production of merchandise to sell at shows.

As Terror/Cactus, a 2025 recipient, put it: this support allows artists to stop worrying about the financial strain and start focusing on “creating meaningful connections” with their audiences. 

The first application window for tours taking place between February and May is open now through January 16th.

Application Windows
Grants are awarded through three application cycles, based on tour dates:

  • Stage 1: Tours February–May 2026
    Apply December 15, 2025 – January 16, 2026
  • Stage 2: Tours June–August 2026
    Apply March 16 – April 10, 2026
  • Stage 3: Tours September–December 2026
  • Apply July 13 – August 7, 2026