LIVE AND ON THE AIR

December 3, 2018

CMHOF_2018_Poster

Colorado Music Hall of Fame presented by Comfort Dental
Induction Concert honoring

“LIVE AND ON THE AIR”

What began as a modest, 250-watt signal booming out of the little town of Boulder (with a population of under 70,000 at the time) had, 42 years later, turned into the nationally known 97.3 KBCO World Class Rock. In the process, KBCO set the standards and benchmarks that every Adult Rock station strives for: creativity balanced with radio fundamentals and commitment to the local community that led to long-term success. And KBCO was also the founding station of the Adult Album Alternative (or Triple A) format that to this day holds its annual convention in Boulder.

Scott BCO Dec 3

Back in the ‘60s, a radio fan named Bob Greenlee graduated from Iowa State with a dream to own a radio station. His search led him to Boulder where, in 1975, Bob and his wife, Diane, bought KADE-AM. But Bob knew that FM radio was where he really needed to be, and by the end of 1976, the Greenlees had purchased a 1000-watt FM station, KRNW, that had a loyal following in the progressive college community. The signal also happened to come with a Class C license, allowing an upgrade to 100,000-watts.

Pasta Jay Family

The original vision was to create a music station that reflected the unique population of Boulder, and the call letters were changed to KBCO for Boulder Colorado. On the air, it was dubbed “Boulder Radio” with a mix of soft, acoustic “Colorado Music.”

By the mid-1980s, KBCO was so successful that the station constructed an antenna that could reach the entire Front Range. The programming vision changed with the expanded audience, as KBCO could now embrace the entire Denver market and beyond, expanding the original acoustic music playlist while keeping the unique Boulder image. And it worked: By the winter of 1988, KBCO was the #1 rated station in the Denver radio market.

Nathanial KBCO Dec 3

KBCO always embraced the fun Colorado lifestyle. Boulder was and is a bicycle town, and in 1980 KBCO launched the Kinetic Sculpture Challenge: a competition of human-powered amphibious crafts made from bicycle parts and whatever else was available. The teams raced through mud, down dirt roads and over water at the Boulder Reservoir. For the winter, KBCO created the Cardboard Derby. Contestants created their crafts out of cardboard boxes and raced them down the slopes at local ski resorts. At the same time, the “I Ski with KBCO” program offered discount ski weekends, bringing hundreds of KBCO listeners together to do what Coloradans love most in winter…skiing and riding. And KBCO has hosted hundreds of live concert events, from its years presenting the 4th of July fireworks at Folsom Stadium to special performances at small clubs to hundreds of shows at Red Rocks and such venues as the Pepsi Center and Fiddler’s Green.

Lumineers Set List Dec 3

Over the past thirty years, the top names in music have performed live on-air in KBCO’s Studio C. Dave Matthews, Sting, Stevie Nicks, Robert Plant, Mumford and Sons, Imagine Dragons, Ed Sheeran and hundreds more have recorded unique and often cutting-edge performances at the station. Studio C is a regular stop for up-and-coming artists, who play there for their fans and the exposure … and the opportunity to be included on the annual CD that the station releases each December. The idea for the Studio C performances came when Melissa Ethridge brought her acoustic guitar into the station so that it would not be exposed to the elements. She did an impromptu on-air performance in one of the station’s small editing studios called, “Studio C.” It’s now developed into one of the best live recording and broadcast studios in the country.

Jeff Chuck Harold Rick Richie

Before streaming – when CDs were the way we bought music – 30,000 copies of the popular KBCO Studio C Series would sell out in 4 hours. And in December 2018 KBCO Studio C celebrated their 30th Anniversary with a special 2 CD set that contained some of the best music ever preformed live on the radio. The KBCO Studio C CDs have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Boulder County AIDS Project and the Food Bank of the Rockies.

Issac Dec 3

KBCO’s dedication to Colorado music and musicians comes to life in there ‘Local Edition’ program airing weekly for more than 30 years – giving a voice to the local music community. In 2004, the KBCO Local Edition CD featured local artists recorded live in KBCO Studio C to benefit Music Education in the Denver Public Schools. And in keeping with the times, a vinyl album version of local Colorado musicians recorded live at KBCO supported the Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s move to Red Rocks. Through the years KBCO has showcased local artists right alongside the national acts released on the Studio C CD series.

Hazel BEST Dec 3

Radio has changed. In 1977 there was no internet, streaming, cell phones or ear-buds. Today radio is takings on new exciting roles in the digital world and in our community. Now, radio is only one of many outlets for music fans to find out about new artists. The business of radio has changed in the past 40 years as well. When Bob and Diane Greenlee bought KBCO they were only allowed, by law, to own 2 stations in any given marketplace. Today companies can own up to 8 stations per market in many different markets.

Gov and Chuck

KBCO navigated the waters of corporate buyouts and management changes to keep KBCO relevant and supportive of the local community. KBCO keeps us informed, laughing through the traffic and giving us access to the best new songs mixed with a wide variety of music spanning many decades. The station remains the essential outlet for any artist who wants to build a fan-base of loyal music fans, concertgoers and supporters of the band.

Amos Lee Dec 3

The Triple A format has morphed into a collection of mostly noncommercial radio stations across the country. But with the incredible heritage, loyalty and dedication of the KBCO staff of the past 4 decades; the loyalty and unbridled enthusiasm of the Colorado music fans who feel a personal connection to DJs like Ginger, Keefer, Bret, Scott and all the on-air staff; KBCO remains by far the most successful station of them all. For over 40 years KBCO has provided the music of several generations – the music of our lives. The Colorado Music Hall of Fame presented by Comfort Dental is proud to induct 97.3 KBCO for their incredible contribution to Colorado Music

John Hickenlooper was a music fan long before he became a successful brewpub owner, much less a popular politician. And as mayor of Denver and then governor of Colorado, no one did more to support this state’s music scene than John Hickenlooper.

“I have never known a politician so involved and caring of the Colorado music community as John,” says promoter Chuck Morris, who honored Hickenlooper with the Barry Fey Visionary Award at the December 2018 ceremony where Morris himself was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame presented by Comfort Dental. “When tragedies like the Boulder floods and fires hit, John was there, helping us reach out to artists to come and perform, helping get donations from corporations and literally emceeing and partaking in the events themselves.”

Gov with Award BEST Dec 3

In his push to elevate Colorado’s music industry, Hickenlooper did not just respond to emergency requests. As mayor of Denver, he helped propel Red Rocks Amphitheatre to its top-tier status, tripling the number of shows at this legendary venue to more than 100 a year. He used property tax discounts to encourage live music downtown, and today Denver rivals Nashville and Austin for the number of spots booking music. He also worked with established organizations like the Colorado Symphony and Swallow Hill so that they landed on solid footing. And certainly, one of his lasting legacies as governor is Take Note Colorado, a statewide initiative he introduced to provide access to musical instruments and instruction to every K‑12 student in Colorado.

inductees-index-featured-KBCO

Hickenlooper’s support of the scene has earned him many fans, including musicians themselves. “Old Crow Medicine Show, The Lumineers, One Republic, Nathaniel Rateliff, The Fray, Bonnie Raitt and Dave Mathews are only a few of the acts that he calls friends, and he is usually seen when they appear in our great city,” Morris adds. “My favorite story is when the Denver Art Museum called me to get a band to surprise him when John was awarded the Man of the Year at its 2019 gala. It took five seconds of asking The Avetts to fly all the way from North Carolina and surprise John with a beautiful show to end the evening. The look on John’s face was priceless. If there is one person who personifies the greatness of Colorado music for the last 25 years, it would be hard to top John Hickenlooper.”

Governor John Hickenlooper was honored with the Barry Fey Visionary Award at the December 2018 induction ceremony for the Colorado Music Hall of Fame presented by Comfort Dental.

By Scott Arbaugh, Program Director KBCO and Chris Daniels Executive Director CMHOF presented by Comfort Dentalstrong>

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Jazz Masters And Beyond

Jazz Masters & Beyond

November 28, 2017

Jazz Masters and Beyond - Colorado Music Hall of Fame

Colorado Music Hall of Fame presented by Comfort Dental
Induction Concert honoring

“JAZZ MASTERS AND BEYOND”

The Jazz Masters & Beyond Induction Concert was by all accounts an extraordinary evening of music, personal stories and emotional inductions. Audience and performers alike were moved by the love and sense of community felt by all at Paramount Theatre that night.

Before the official show time, anxious jazz lovers entered the finely crafted Art Deco auditorium to the sounds of East High School’s Sixth Hour Jazz Combo proudly playing a half hour set of their own compositions.

Jazz Masters and Beyond - CMHOF — East High School Sixth Hour Jazz Combo

Subsequently, the brightly colored event logo lit up the stage as Mayor Michael B. Hancock and the Hall’s Chair, Chuck Morris opened the show with a brief introduction and welcome to the audience, then turned over the 3 ½ hour event to hosts; the popular Former Mayor Wellington Webb and KUVO’s charismatic radio personality, Carlos Lando.

To begin the evening, the Barry Fey Visionary Award [named after the legendary Denver promoter] was presented to music directors, Keith Oxman and Will Taylor on behalf of the renowned Music Program at East High School, that had produced so many esteemed professional musicians over the last century! These include past inductees; band leader, Paul Whiteman; singer, Judy Collins; and most of tonight’s honorees.

Will Taylor Keith Oxman - CMHOF — Former Mayor Wellington Webb, Keith Oxman, Will Taylor, Mayor Michael B. Hancock

The inductions began with 97-year-old Charles Burrell — the first person of color to be hired by a major symphony [Denver] in the United States. In his 60-plus years as a professional musician, Burrell played for many other orchestras and conductors here and around the world. After accepting his award, Burrell charmed the crowd with an impromptu jig. He was honored with a performance by local jazz maven, pianist Purnell Steen and his band, Le Jazz Machine.

Bill Frisell and Ron Miles perfroming at Masters of Jazz and Beyond - Colorado Music Hall of Fame — Bill Frisell and Ron Miles

Next up were inductions for the widely acclaimed and sought–after jazz musicians; guitarist, Bill Frisell and trumpeter, Ron Miles. Both are East High alums. The 4-song set with drummer Brian Blade, entranced the crowd with their amazing musical synchronicity. They ended their performance with a beautiful cover of “What the World Needs Now Is Love”, which was thematic of the night.

World renowned Jazz vocalist and 5 time Grammy winner Dianne Reeves was all smiles while receiving her well-deserved induction award from Mayor Wellington Webb and Carlos Lando.

Diane Reeves Receives Award - CMHOF — Former Mayor Wellington Webb, Dianne Reeves, Carlos Lando

The audience was awed by her exuberant vocals and poignant stories of growing up in Denver. She introduced her song “Nine” quietly recalling the following childhood memory, “We played out in the street all day long,…in the middle of the street…we played with our imaginations from sunup to sundown. The neighbors looked after all the children. I decided to dedicate this song to the age of nine, because it’s the last time you’re only one number.” At the end of the song the audience jumped to their feet, applauding loudly in recognition of a more innocent time.

The final Inductions honored former Earth, Wind, & Fire band members and East High grads; Larry Dunn, Andrew Woolfolk [absent because of illness], and Philip Bailey. After receiving their awards, a lighting change revealed a battalion of instruments and musicians—

Denver-based band Hot Lunch, keyboardist Dunn and vocalist Bailey. During the first part of their set Bailey delighted the audience with stories of transitioning from students to young musicians. But just when you thought it was safe to take a seat, the place exploded with dancing and singing when they lit into ,”Let’s Groove,” “Shining Star,” and “September”! After the exhilarating performance, they all took their bows and said goodnight.

Dunn Bailey and Hot Lunch - CMHOF — Larry Dunn, Philip Bailey, and Hot Lunch – Photo credit: Michael Martin

The house lights came up and the former shadows of dancing, waving, applauding people, revealed an audience of many ages and colors, smiling as they headed home, united by the power of music…and love!

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The Rocky Mountain Way

August 13, 2017

The Rocky Mountain Way - Colorado Music Hall of Fame

The Rocky Mountain Way

at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

The Colorado Music Hall of Fame hosted an induction concert honoring Dan Fogelberg, Joe Walsh & Barnstorm and Caribou Ranch on Sunday, August 13, 7 p.m. at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre.

The event, “The Rocky Mountain Way,” featured Garth Brooks, Amy Grant & Vince Gill, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Randy Owen of Alabama, Richie Furay, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Michael Martin Murphey and surprise guests paid tribute to the late Dan Fogelberg and James William Guercio’s Caribou Ranch, the legendary recording studio. The classic Colorado lineup of Barnstorm—Joe Walsh, Kenny Passarelli and Joe Vitale—reunited and performed, and famed music producer Bill Szymczyk received the CMHOF Award of Excellence.

A closer look at the inductees, the seventh group enshrined in the CMHOF since its inception in 2011:

Dan Fogelberg - Colorado Music Hall of Fame

DAN FOGELBERG

The son of Lawrence, a bandleader, and Margaret, a pianist, Fogelberg left his studies at the University of Illinois and headed for the West Coast, finding inspiration during a week in Colorado before moving on and securing a recording contract. For his second release, Souvenirs, Fogelberg enlisted producer Joe Walsh, who had recently recorded at Caribou Ranch near Nederland, Colorado, and “Part of the Plan” went to the top of the charts. While touring through Colorado in the mid-1970s, Fogelberg bought a house from Chris Hillman, situated 9,000 feet up on top of the Rocky Mountains. His time there resulted in the songs on Nether Lands, a platinum seller. He recorded part of his next venture, Phoenix, in Colorado, and the songs “Heart Hotels” and “Longer” were pop hits. The Innocent Age, released in 1981, included four of his biggest singles—“Same Old Lang Syne,” “Hard To Say,” “Leader of the Band” and “Run For the Roses.“ Fogelberg bought land in the San Juan Mountains and constructed his Mountain Bird Ranch. High Country Snows, made with some of his favorite acoustic pickers, became one of the best-selling bluegrass albums of all time. He built a home studio at his spread; The Wild Places, released in 1990, was the first album he self-produced and mostly tracked there. His rendition of the Cascades’ 1963 hit, “Rhythm of the Rain,” peaked at No. 3 on the adult contemporary chart. Fogelberg’s long career was interrupted in 2004, when he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He finally succumbed to the disease in December 2007.

JOE WALSH & BARNSTORM - Colorado Music Hall of Fame

JOE WALSH & BARNSTORM

Joe Walsh built a considerable reputation as lead guitarist and lead vocalist for the Cleveland-based James Gang. Such tunes as “Funk #49, “Tend My Garden,” “Walk Away” and “The Bomber” brought wide popularity and endless touring, and, as the big bucks beckoned, Walsh turned the other way. In 1971, encouraged by his friend and producer Bill Szymczyk, Walsh made the difficult decision to relocate to the open air of Colorado’s Boulder County. He formed a new group called Barnstorm with drummer Joe Vitale, a former Kent State classmate, and Colorado bassist Kenny Passarelli. Barnstorm was the first album ever recorded at the legendary Caribou Ranch studio near Nederland. Walsh freely indulged himself with beautiful choruses, country tinges and pastoral pop hooks on “Mother Says,” “Here We Go” and “Turn to Stone.” Accompanied once again by Passarelli and Vitale, Walsh officially went solo the following year with his second album, The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get. The first Top 10 album of Walsh’s career, it went on to sell more than a million copies. “Rocky Mountain Way,” co-written by Passarelli and inspired by Walsh’s move to Colorado, opened up a massive audience for Walsh and his band. Barnstorm disbanded amicably in 1975, allowing Walsh to produce Dan Fogelberg’s Souvenirs album. So What, his third solo album, included “Welcome to the Club” and a remake of “Turn to Stone.” At the end of 1975, the Eagles drafted their old friend to join them; Walsh’s tenure with the popular West Coast country-rock quintet gave him enhanced visibility, and he continued his pattern of successful solo albums.

CARIBOU RANCH - Colorado Music Hall of Fame

CARIBOU RANCH

Owner James William Guercio got his start producing a string of hits for the Buckinghams circa 1967; he became a staff producer for Columbia Records and began working with Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Through five albums with Chicago, he gathered up enough money to buy Caribou Ranch for a reported $1 million in 1971. Caribou, in its idyllic setting nearly 9,000 feet up near Nederland in the Rocky Mountains, had been the largest privately owned an Arabian stud farm in the country. Guercio installed the studio in 1973 and then transformed the place into an opulent retreat for pop music’s aristocracy. Caribou Ranch, the first “destination studio,” gained prominence when Elton John recorded three albums there, including the gratefully titled Caribou in the spring of 1974. The life-in-the-fast-lane ambiance that usually accompanied a recording session disappeared at Caribou. There wasn’t a nightclub down the street, and artists didn’t have to send for food or commute back and forth from a hotel or even worry about the laundry. During the studio’s glory days, an entourage got full use of the facilities for a basic rate of $1,500 a day, and record companies were only too willing to shell out the money during their boom years. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Caribou Ranch hosted the biggest names in music, including such legends as Chicago, the Beach Boys, Stephen Stills, Billy Joel, Frank Zappa, John Lennon, Michael Jackson and Earth, Wind & Fire. The studio was in operation until the control room suffered extensive fire damage in March 1985.

CMHOF AWARD OF EXCELLENCE BILL SZYMCZYK

CMHOF AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

BILL SZYMCZYK

Famed music producer Bill Szymczyk’s first major success came when he convinced blues legend B.B. King to cut contemporary-sounding albums; the result was King’s first major pop crossover, “The Thrill Is Gone,” a hit in 1970. Szymczyk then signed and produced the James Gang, featuring Joe Walsh. He came to Colorado in 1971 and worked as a disc jockey for free-form radio station KFML and was a co-founder of Denver’s Tumbleweed Records, a small independent label based out of a funky old house just east of downtown Denver on Gilpin Street; the label folded in 1973. Szymczyk went on to have great success in the 1970s, both as an A&R man and behind the board, regarded for his great success working with Joe Walsh. When the Eagles wanted a more rock ‘n’ roll sound, they hired Szymczyk, and the unprecedented chart success of the 1974 On the Border and 1975 One of These Nights albums made both parties millions.

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Colorado Getaway: The History of the Grateful Dead in the High Country

June 10, 2017

CMHOF’s VIP reception “Colorado Getaway: The History of the Grateful Dead in the High Country” was a huge success for attendees, judging by the number of smiling faces and superlatives offered.

Board member Paul Epstein was the driving force behind this event, offering his encyclopedic knowledge of the Dead and his wealth of artifacts to craft a memorable experience for Deadheads. Everyone in attendance was smitten by the timeline exhibit that will now be displayed at CMHOF’s home in the Red Rocks Amphitheatre Trading Post.

Board member “Pasta Jay” Elowsky and his staff did their typically brilliant job in creating a festive, celebratory atmosphere for the band and its fans with the incredible Dead-inspired cuisine, balloons, etc. It was easy to entertain a room of happy, well-fed people!

After opening remarks, renowned Grateful Dead authority David Gans (“The Grateful Dead Hour“) performed a few songs in tribute to the band, then moderated a panel of Paul, Grammy winner David Glasser (Airshow Mastering) and promoter Don Strasburg (special thanks to Don and chairman Chuck Morris for working with band management on CMHOF’s behalf).

Celebrity Deadhead Bill Walton made an appearance and graciously posed for pictures and signed autographs.

The three original members of the Grateful Dead—Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann—arrived and offered their good-natured insights into the band’s defining events in Colorado. Fans were over the moon!

The afternoon ended with the distribution of “swag” envelopes containing a “Red Rocks 7/8/78” 3-CD set and commemorative comic, menu and postcards. The attendees then got to see a wonderful performance by Dead & Co. in their club level seats.

The silent auction figures are being tallied, but CMHOF made well over $6,000. The Jerry Garcia etching of “The Guys” fetched $3,500, and Scramble Campbell’s donated painting of the Dead at Red Rocks was sold for $1,500.

Lots of people helped to make this event a special Thank you to all involved.

G. Brown
CMHOF director

Colorado Getaway Event Photos

Bill-Kreutzmann at Colorado Getaway Event - Colorado Music Hall Of Fame

Mickey-Hart from the Grateful Dead at the Colorado Getaway Event - Colorado Music Hall Of Fame

Bob Weir at Colorado Getaway Event - Colorado Music Hall Of Fame

Colorado Getaway: The History of the Grateful Dead in the High Country Exhibit - Colorado Music Hall Of Fame

David Gans Performs at Colorado Getaway event - Colorado Music Hall Of Fame

Don-Strasburg-David-Glasser-and-Paul-Epstein at Coloraedo Getaway - Colorado Music Hall Of Fame

Grateful Dead panel at Colorado Getaway - Colorado Music Hall Of Fame

Grateful Dead panel - Colorado Music Hall Of Fame

The Dead at Red Rock painting - Colorado Music Hall Of Fame

Deadhead swag from the Colorado Getaway Event - Colorado Music Hall Of Fame

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20th Century Pioneers

“20th Century Pioneers” Induction Event

April 16, 2016

The Colorado Music Hall of Fame held its “20th Century Pioneers” induction event on April 16, 2016, at the Glenn Miller Ballroom on the University of Colorado-Boulder campus. Singer and entertainer Lannie Garrett, who was also inducted, paid tribute to Paul Whiteman (“the King of Jazz”), Billy Murray (“the Denver Nightingale”), soprano Elizabeth Spencer and Max Morath (“Mr. Ragtime”), and the Glenn Miller Orchestra enshrined legendary bandleader Glenn Miller. The evening featured video tributes and a first look at the CMHOF “20th Century Pioneers” permanent exhibit.

Photos top to bottom—poster; Lannie Garrett and band; Glenn Miller Orchestra; Paul Whiteman and Glenn Miller exhibit panels; Billy Murray and Elizabeth Spencer exhibit panels; Max Morath and Lannie Garrett; Max Morath and CMHOF chairman G. Brown; buttons

20th Century Pioneers Event

20th Century Pioneers Event CMHOF

CMHOF 20th Century Pioneers Induction Ceremony

Paul Whiteman & Glenn Miller Exhibits CMHOF

Bill Murray & Elizabeth Spencer Exhibit CMHOF

CMHOF 20th Century Pioneers Induction Ceremony

Max Morath

CMHOF 20th Century Pioneers Induction Ceremony Pins

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Poco, Firefall, Manassas, Nitty Gritty Induction

Poco, Firefall, Manassas, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Induction Event

January 9, 2014

The Colorado Music Hall of Fame hosted an induction concert with performances from original members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Poco and Firefall, with a tribute to Stephen Stills/Manassas featuring Nathaniel Rateliff, on January 9, 2014 at Denver’s Paramount Theatre. The evening, presented by Comfort Dental, also featured video tributes and celebrity speeches by comedian and veterinarian Kevin Fitzgerald, producer Jim Mason and CMHOF chairman Chuck Morris. The pre-concert gala (a meet-and-greet with the inductees) included a historic array of exhibits and archival photographs. Also honored were Chris Hillman, Richie Furay and comedian/banjo player Steve Martin.

Photos top to bottom—Governor John Hickenloooper; Jeff Hanna (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Jock Bartley (Firefall), Richie Furay (Poco) and Nathaniel Rateliff; Rateliff, Hanna, Bartley and Furay; Firefall’s Bartley, Rick Roberts, Mark Andes and Larry Burnett; Firefall’s Sandy Ficca, Steve Weinmeister, Andes, David Muse and Bartley; Poco’s Rusty Young, Paul Cotton, Furay and Timothy B. Schmit; Furay, Young, Cotton and Schmit; Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Hanna, Jimmy Ibbotson and John McEuen; NGDB’s Ibbotson, Jimmie Fadden, Hanna, McEuen and Bob Carpenter; t-shirt.

Governor John Hickenloooper
Jeff Hanna (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Jock Bartley (Firefall), Richie Furay (Poco) and Nathaniel Rateliff
Rateliff, Hanna, Bartley and Furay
Firefall’s Bartley, Rick Roberts, Mark Andes and Larry Burnett
Firefall’s Sandy Ficca, Steve Weinmeister, Andes, David Muse and Bartley
Poco’s Rusty Young, Paul Cotton, Furay and Timothy B. Schmit
Furay, Young, Cotton and Schmit
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Hanna, Jimmy Ibbotson and John McEuen
NGDB’s Ibbotson, Jimmie Fadden, Hanna, McEuen and Bob Carpenter
shirt

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Judy Collins Induction

Judy Collins Colorado Music Hall of Fame Induction Event

November 8, 2013

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Folk music legend Judy Collins was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame on November 8, 2013 at Denver’s Paramount Theater. The stellar induction class included the Serendipity Singers, Bob Lind and Chris Daniels. Collins gave a full concert, Lind and Daniels performed, and guest members of Paper Bird commemorated the Serendipity Singers’ hits. The evening also featured a video tribute to Denver’s folk scene of the late 1950s and 1960s, and celebrity speeches by Fred Gowdy (Freddi-Henchi Band), Al Chapman (owner of the Analyst coffeehouse), attorney Steve Farber and Harry Tuft (Denver Folklore Center) . The pre-concert gala (a meet-and-greet with the inductees) included a historic array of exhibits and archival photographs.

Photos top to bottom—The Serendipity Singers’ Brooks Hatch, Patti Davis, Diane Decker, John Madden, Steve Farber (inductor), Tom Tiemann, Lynne Weintraub; Paper Bird’s Mark Anderson, Gen Patterson, Esme Patterson, Sarah Anderson, Tyler Despres; Chris Daniels & the Kings; Bob Lind; Harry Tuft, Judy Collins; Judy Collins, Chris Daniels

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Rockin’ the ’60s Induction

Rockin’ The ’60s Colorado Music Hall of Fame Induction Event

September 8, 2012

ROCKIN THE 60s - marquee_32_across_1

The Colorado Music Hall of Fame honored the Astronauts, Sugarloaf, Flash Cadillac and KIMN radio at the Boulder Theater on Saturday, Sept. 8. The “Rockin’ the ‘60s” induction event featured video tributes, interviews with the inductees, celebrity speeches, and performances featuring inductees and guest members of popular Colorado bands (String Cheese Incident, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Rose Hill Drive). The gala also included a historic array of exhibits and archival photographs.

INDUCTEES:

• The Astronauts, the legendary surf band from Boulder (not exactly known for its great waves) who became more successful than the Beach Boys…in Japan!

• Sugarloaf, who recorded the smash radio hits “Green Eyed Lady” and “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You.”

• Flash Cadillac, the beloved oldies band featured in the movies American Grafitti and Apocalypse Now and television’s Happy Days.

• KIMN radio, the AM giant in Denver and friend of every teenager in town during the ’60s.

Photos top to bottom—Boulder Theater marquee; Rob Squires, Brian Nevin (Big Head Todd & the Monsters), Jim Gallagher, Storm Patterson (Astronauts), Daniel Sproul (Rose Hill Drive), Jeremy Lawton (Big Head Todd & the Monsters); Rob MacVittie, Bob Webber, Jerry Corbetta, Myron Pollock, Bobby Pickett, Bob Yeazel, Bob Raymond (Sugarloaf); Mick Manresa, Kasey Phillips (Flash Cadillac).

ROCKIN THE 60s - Astronauts portrait

ROCKIN THE 60s - Sugarloaf portrait

ROCKIN THE 60s - Flash Cadillac performance

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Harry Tuft, Barry Fey Induction

Harry Tuft, Barry Fey Colorado Music Hall of Fame Induction Event

February 12, 2012

The Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s gala and dinner to induct music legends Barry Fey of Family Dog fame and the Denver Folklore Center’s Harry Tuft was held at the Stadium Club at Folsom Field in Boulder on Sunday, Feb. 12. The afternoon featured performances by Firefall, Otis Taylor and Grubstake with special guests Chris Daniels, Rob Drabkin and Dick Weissman, while patrons enjoyed a delicious Italian feast courtesy of Pasta Jay’s. Nick Forster of etown and Hot Rize fame gave the induction speech for Tuft, and celebrity veterinarian and comedian Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald did same for Fey.

Hary-barry-detail-320

INDUCTEES:

• Barry Fey began his career as one of rock’s most prolific promoters by opening the Family Dog concert hall in 1967, debuting with Big Brother & the Holding Company fronted by singer Janis Joplin. In ten months of its existence, the venue gained national attention as did Fey’s knack for booking the right bands at the right time. With such acts on its stage as Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, Jefferson Airplane, and the Grateful Dead, the Family Dog established Denver as a “must-play” market for decades to come.

• It has been said that all acoustic musicians worth their salt have made the pilgrimage to Harry Tuft’s Denver Folklore Center to buy a guitar or soak up knowledge from the dean of Colorado’s folk scene. In 1960, Tuft traveled from his native Philadelphia to Colorado to ski, landing a jack-of-all-trades job at the Holy Cat in Georgetown. He ran into Hal Neustaedter, the owner of the Exodus, Denver’s premier folk club, who suggested Tuft might want to start a Folklore Center in Denver, which he did in March of 1962.

Photos top to bottom—Chuck Morris, Kevin Fitzgerald, Barry Fey; Nick Forster, Harry Tuft; Jerry Mills; Rob Drabkin; Dick Weissman, Rich Moore, Harry Tuft.

HARRY TUFT-BARRY FEY - Jerry Mills

HARRY TUFT-BARRY FEY - Rob Drabkin

HARRY TUFT-BARRY FEY - Dick Weissman, Rich Moore, Harry Tuft

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John Denver Induction

John Denver Colorado Music Hall of Fame Induction Event

April 21, 2011

JOHN DENVER-RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE - Gov. John Hickenlooper-John Denver's kids-320px

Legendary pop superstar John Denver was inducted to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in a special benefit concert celebrating his music and life on Earth Day Eve, April 21, 2011 at 1stBank Center. The stellar evening featured performances of notable John Denver hits by host Olivia Newton-John, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lee Ann Womack, John Oates and former collaborators Bill Danoff of the Starland Vocal Band (co-writer of “Take Me Home, Country Roads”) and John Sommers (writer of “Thank God I’m A Country Boy”). Famed composer Lee Holdridge led the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra in a special tribute performance. Notable environmental activists also joined the stage in a commemoration of John Denver’s long life dedication to the environment. Joining John Denver in the hall’s freshman class was Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

INDUCTEES:

• As music fans everywhere know, John Denver will always be associated with the Rocky Mountains and the city of his adopted name. During his 1970s heyday, he was one of the top five selling recording artists in music history.

• Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a naturally formed, world-famous outdoor venue just fifteen miles west of Denver, is recognized for its star-studded concert roster, natural acoustics and ambience.

Photos top to bottom—Gov. John Hickenlooper, Jesse Belle Deutschendorf, Anna Kate Denver; John Oates, Olivia Newton-John; Jeff Hanna (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band); all-star finale.

JOHN DENVER-RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE - John Oates, Olivia Newton-John

JOHN DENVER-RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

JOHN DENVER-RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE - finale