As Denver Westword celebrates its 49th anniversary this year, founder and editor-in-chief Patricia Calhoun is retiring, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy. But those of you who know Ms. Calhoun, it will not surprise you that beaches and lounging are not part of her retirement plan. This month Calhoun steps into two new roles, as Westword’s editor emeritus—and as Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s new volunteer writer!
Calhoun’s first writing assignment with The Hall was interviewing John Bell, Dave Schools, Angie Bass and Peter Olivo to write the bios for Widespread Panic and the late Bill Bass, both inducted last month. Stories below.
And then she let us interview her– about Westword, the change in media, Colorado’s music scene, and Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s mission:
As a young woman moving from your native Chicago, what was your vision for this Denver publication when you founded it almost 50 years ago?
I was raised on the North Shore of Chicago, and went to school at Cornell University — but the West captured my heart when I’d traveled here, most recently to ski in Colorado my last year in school. I always thought Denver was much more lively than the mainstream media made it look, and that’s the city we wanted to capture with Westword.
Westword has been the source of local music news since the beginning. In your own words, how has Westword been a champion for Colorado’s music scene?
If you’re covering a city, you must write about the soundtrack of that city — the local music scene, both the people making the music and the businesses that made it possible, which were all early supporters of Westword.
From the start, that was a key part of Westword’s music coverage. While the rest of the country was listening to “Rocky Mountain High,” we were hitting Denver’s punk clubs. Today, Westword still covers all genres of music — but we still want to catch bands on their way up, so we can share them with readers. How we share them may have changed,but music remains the heartbeat of Westword. Traditionally, it’s been how we grab young readers…we’ve learned, music lovers never quit reading!
In your opinion, which story or reporting that you did had the greatest impact on Colorado’s music community, and in what way(s)?
Our ongoing coverage of the Mercury Cafe and other venues. Most recently, our story on Your Mom’s House, which showed just how careful musicians have to be with different venues. I also loved our Flobots cover that welcomed the Democratic National Convention in 2008.
Which musician, or band, turned out to be the most interesting to interview, and why?
Early on, we put Bruce Odland on our cover. Decades later, he was instrumental in creating The TANK out in Rangely, which is a musical marvel. If you haven’t been there, go! Maris the Great, who made a career as a zombie killing musician, is always a kick and Kalyn Heffernan finally played Red Rocks July 13! The Wheelchair Sports Camp story continues to be inspirational.
What are the three most profound changes you’ve seen in the newspaper industry over the past 50 years?
The acceptance of free publications, the rise of the Internet (which basically allowed everyone to become a publisher) and the incredible shrinkage of the mainstream media. Think about how many reporters at the News and Post were assigned to the cultural beat! There were fulltime daily paper music critics, arts editors and robust calendars. Even the TV stations had cultural commentary. Although the web allows organizations/bands to push their own gigs, it’s hard to beat that kind of attention/curation.
As you transition to emeritus editor, how do you hope the community will remember both your and Westword’s legacies?
Since Westword continues — and I’m continuing to write — we should always be giving people something new to think about, including new bands and venues. And, of course, we’ll continue to offer music history to put these new developments in context.
You’ve served on The Hall’s board for 8 years now and seen the organization through some historic moments. What are you most excited about related to where The Hall is going?
For 150 years, Colorado music has provided the soundtrack for not just this state, but this country — from Katherine Lee Bates‘ “America the Beautiful” to John Denver to Nathaniel Rateliff, and all the great musicians just emerging, as well as those still to come. Red Rocks is a must-stop for any visitor to Colorado, just as concerts at the Botanic Gardens and City Park Jazz are a summer tradition for residents.
The importance of music tourism around the state is an important new focus for The Hall. We all hear it, but who documents it? It’s key to have The Hall on secure financial footing, as well as in a new permanent home. But it’s also gratifying to see how the state is recognizing the importance of cultural contributions to Colorado’s legacy. This wouldn’t be the same place without Red Rocks and all the musicians who’ve played there…or still aspire to.
Throughout her distinguished career, Patricia Calhoun has been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame, and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. In addition to receiving multiple local, state, and national writing awards, she continues to share her insights as a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS12’s public affairs roundtable. Calhoun has been an active member of The Hall’s board of directors since 2018.