I attended Performance High’s SEO Class last Saturday at their studios in Denver. The class was taught by Taylor Russo who was very clear, concise, and full of information regarding SEO scores and why they are so important to musicians. Thank you, Adrienne Osborn and crew for putting this session on. Don’t miss it the next time they offer this class! Their next class will be on “How to Tell If Your DIY Music Marketing Is Actually Working” on Saturday, May 17th. See “Events”. This will work hand-in-hand with COMBO’s next Town Hall on Monday, May 19th on “Do You Need Help With Promotion?”
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Only 21 More Days to Enter COMBO’s Songwriting Contest! Have You Entered Your Song(s) Yet?
You’ll notice the lack of photos in the newsletter from now on. We got hit up too many times for using “unauthorized photos”, mostly taken from Facebook pages which, to me, are open to use because they’ve “been published” without copyright markings. But businesses set up to watch for these uses are hitting users up for $500 per use and that is ridiculous!
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Western Colorado Songwriter meetup and guitar pull! Monday, May 12th at Orbit ArtSpace in Fruita from 6 to 8 pm! If you can, RSVP to the event, that will be helpful. Though no worries if you are a last minute attendee! https://fb.me/e/6ho2xFzae | https://www.facebook.com/groups/1122384432992979/
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COMBO Board Member T-Loop writes: I got a chance to update the Spotify Playlists, this month featuring Cass Clayton, Laurie Dameron, Lisa Salle, and the famous Hazel Miller Band was added as well! We have some amazing talents here in Colorado – all Local, all Independent! The only way to grow is from local support. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5doJjsfZYcObpIecdpWVZw?si=V_LDIG4fT6u0Pi6gErkAtw&nd=1&dlsi=68378e9a14444f7c
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COMBO is about the LOVE of Music and the musicians who create and play songs. We have a board of dedicated and knowledgeable musicians and supporters who play or produce music and music acts. We offer an exchange of information, guidance and advice to help musicians advance their careers no matter what field you’re in. Our articles and programs represent some phase of the music business that could affect musicians – all musicians – everywhere. Our motto in Colorado: Elevate Your Musical State! (Courtesy of Andy Ard!)
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Please “Like” us on Facebook! Helps our “standing” in the web world!
http://www.Facebook.com/ColoradoMusicBusinessOrganization
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CALENDAR
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES ANNOUNCED: We won’t list all of their shows here but here are their websites if you want to go:
Botanic Gardens (two locations): https://www.botanicgardens.org
City Park Jazz: https://www.cityparkjazz.org
Denver Arts Complex events: https://www.artscomplex.com
First Friday Jazz Hop in Five Points: https://www.milehighfestivals.com
Film on the Rocks: https://www.axs.com/events … film-on-the-rocks
Five Points Jazz Fest: https://www.artsandvenuesdenver.com
Levitt Pavillion: https://www.levittpavillion.com
Old Town Arvada fests – Third Saturdays of the Month
Red Rocks: https://www.redrocksonline.com
Sofar Sounds (“house” / small venue concerts): https://www.sofarsounds.com
The Tank’s Summer Fests (Rangely, Colorado): https://www.tanksounds.org
Undreground Music Showcases: July 25-27: https://www.undergroundmusicshowcases.com
Events That Repeat Each Month:
Honor the roots and enjoy the fruits! Our partners at the Five Points Business Improvement District are hosting First Friday Jazz Hops! Enjoy a night of live jazz featuring local musicians and artists performing at venues along Welton Street in Denver’s historic jazz district. Check out their schedule at https://www.milehighfestivals.com
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Denver’s NSAI Chapter: 2nd Monday of the month. Contact Lauren Brombert for details on the next meeting (7:00 p.m. via Zoom) https://www.facebook.com/groups/denvernsai/ | If you’d like to present a song to the group for feedback, please click on the link to the Denver NSAI submission page below, and follow the instructions BEFORE the meeting:
https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/form/song-submission-consent-denver-c
Please make sure to upload both the mp3 and the lyric sheet!
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Black Rose Arts Society sponsors an Open Mic on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month in CO Springs. Check it out at https://www.blackroseacoustic.org/openmic!
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The TBRAS (The Black Rose Arts Society) offers twice-monthly shows on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at the Black Forest Community Center, 12530 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80908. Doors at 6:15; All ages. Tickets at https://www.tbras.org |
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Front Range Songwriters: 1st Wednesday of the month. 7:00 p.m. John Nelson, contact.
Location: Covenant Church, 4965 Barnes Road. This is at the SW corner of Barnes Rd. and Iron Horse Trail – one block East of Barnes Rd and Oro Blanco.
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Southern Colorado NSAI – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – (Castle Rock) meeting via Zoom | Call
Wayne Hanson to be added to the Zoom call and for more info: 720-989-5185
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Western Colorado Songwriter Alliance Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1122384432992979/?notif_id=1742835138495587¬if_t=group_r2j_approved&ref=notif
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May 2025
Th, 8th – 5:00 p.m. – Part 2 of Celebrity Sidekick’s Vocal Competition at The Studio at Main Street, Parker, CO
Th, 8th – 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. – Fifty $ Friend at Two Moons Music Hall, 2944 Larimer Street, Denver 80205 | Featuring original and covers of great funk and soul for young and old!
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Fr, 9th – 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Chris Daniels & The Kings With Freddi Gowdy at the Lafayette Arts Night Out Festival on South Public Road between Emma and Cleveland Streets in Lafayette, Colorado | This always-free public event is held on the second Friday of the month, May through September, from 5-9pm,
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Fr, 9th – 5:30-7:30 – Laurie D. at The Passenger, 300 Main Street, Longmont, CO (restaurant in The Dickens Opera House)
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Sa, 10th – 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Cass Clayton Band at Breckenridge Brewery, 2990 Brewery Lane, Littleton, CO | https://www.breckbrew.com | https://www.cassclaytonband.com
Sa, 10th – 5:30 p.m. – Laurie D. at the Lafayette Arts Hub Film Fest, 420 Courtney Way, Lafayette, CO 80026 | Showcasing “film” made by kids!
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Sa, 10th – 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. – Young Heart Dance Band at Fraco’s, 5202 South Federal (a few blocks north of Bowles), Littleton, CO
Su, 11th – 3:30 p.m. – Christopher “Shadow Animal” Ryan’s EP Release with Storch & Lacis and John Bunzli at Art Space, 140 West 3rd, Loveland
Mo, 12th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Songwriter Meetup & Guitar Pull at Orbit Art Space, Fruita, CO | RSVP at https://fb.me/e/6ho2xFzae | https://www.facebook.com/groups/1122384432992979/
Mo, 12th – 7:00 p.m. -Denver Chapter NSAI via Zoom | Details: LaurenBrombert@gmail.com
Th, 15th – 5:00 p.m. – Part 3 of Celebrity Sidekick’s Vocal Competition at The Studio at Main Street, Parker, CO
Sa, 17th – 10:30 a.m. Until Noon – How to Tell If Your DIY Music Marketing Is Actually Working at Performance High Denver, 3101 Walnut St, Denver CO 80205 | Discount tickets for COMBO members at https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/class-and-inside-track?promoId=f183e2c2-e084-4df7-8496-ca66a96bcff3
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Sa, 17th – 8:00 p.m. – Cass Clayton Band with Lit Society at Two Moons, 2944 Larimer Street, Denver – $15 – Tickets at https://www.cassclayton.com | Lit Society features Eric Imbrosciano (drums), Tom Amend (keys), Caton Sollenberger (guitar), Nate Miller (trumpet & saxophone) Wyatt Walker Wear (bass). Get your dose of funk!
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Mo, 19th – 7:00 p.m. – COMBO’s Town Hall with Guest Speakers from Heights Global Marketing Dr. Margie Ierlan, Abigail Craig, Sawyer Nizar, and Michael Abbass (as their case study) on “Hiring Someone at an Affordable Cost to Promote YOU (and your music)!” Put this on your calendar now!
Th, 22nd – 5:00 p.m. – Part 4 of Celebrity Sidekick’s Vocal Competition at The Studio at Main Street, Parker, CO
Fr, 23rd – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Young Heart Dance Band at Rendezvous Restaurant
June 2025
Th, 12th – 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. – White Fence Farm Grand Jam at American Legion, 1655 Simms Street, Lakewood, CO (CCMHOF event)
Th, 12th – 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Kick Off for Lafayette’s Music Fest – RSVP to Attend!
https://www.lafayettemusicfest.com/events/kickoff-party-for-lafayette-music-fest-2025-1
Fr, 13th – 8:00 p.m. – Honeybunches of Death, Texas Toast Chainsaw Massacre, Psychostick at the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California | All ages | Tickets $27.50 on line or buy through a band member for $22
Sa, 15th – Juneteenth Festival in Denver’s Five Points Neighborhood. The festival will feature live music, a showcase of Black-owned businesses and spaces for the community to connect.
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Mo, 16th – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – COMBO Schmoozer at Illegal Pete’s, Colfax & Race | Come meet the COMBO board members and have dinner!
Sa, 21st – 2:00 p.m. – Michelle Castillo’s EP Release Party! At the Goosetown Station, 514 9th Street, Golden, CO | Featuring all the incredible artists on the album!
Sa, 21st – 5:15 p.m. – Cass Clayton Band at The Highlands Live Music Fest, 32nd Street, from Irving to Perry, Denver | Free Family Fest!
Sa, 21st – 8:00 p.m. – Raven Chacon & Friends at The Tank, Rangely, Colorado
Fr, 27th – Su, 29th – Various Times – Blues from the Top Music Festival at Rendezvous Event Center (78821 US Hwy 40, Winter Park, CO 80482) in downtown Winter Park | Check out their great lineup! —tickets on sale at https://www.bluesfromthetop.org
July 2025
Fr, 4th – 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. – Cass Clayton Band at Thornton Fest, Carpenter Park Fields, 108th Avenue & Colorado Blvd., Thornton (Northglenn).
Fr, 4th – 10:00 p.m. – Cass Clayton Band (double-duty today!) at The Woodcellar, 1552 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen, CO | Post fireworks show! Free Show. Family Friendly.
Su, 6th – 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. – Cass Clayton Band at Cherry Creeks Arts Festival, 2 Steele Street, Denver, CO | Come and plan on checking out all the art work at the fest, too.
Fr, 11th – 6:30 p.m. – Cass Clayton Band at Arts Night Out, Festival Place, 311 South Public Road, Lafayette, CO. With Lit Society + special guest Datrian Johnson
TALENT NEEDED:
COMBO’s Songwriting Contest Has Started! Go to https://www.coloradomusic.org to enter!
The 2025 American Songwriter Road Ready Talent Contest is Open Now https://bit.ly/41f1JHv
Musicians, you could play the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park for thousands of fans this fall! Appear in Rolling Stone magazine and take home $50,000. Are you America’s Next Top Hitmaker? Register today! Https://TopHitMaker.org