Dick Weissman, COMBO’s long-time friend, mentor, college professor, author, and guest speaker wrote to us regarding an article in the May 22, 2025 newsletter: “In the article of the Best Cities for Musicians, the so-called average wages numbers are ridiculous. I can assure you that the average musician in LA does not make $4500 a week.” Perfectly said, Mr. Weissman! Thank you for calling our attention to this inaccuracy!
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Music, musicians and protests have been around for over a 100 years but it is getting harder to walk a very, very, very fine line between politics, music, and freedom of speech – our First Amendment Right. IRS Rules state that Licensed Not-for-Profits cannot be politically involved but how can that rule be followed when politics interferes with music? We’re doing our best here but there is too much going on where politics butt-in on music or where politicians are violating laws made specifically to protect musicians and their creation of music (see Copyright Laws). We need to stick together on our “Freedom of Speech.” So I’ve put in some articles where that law is being trampled on in the hopes that, if we stand together in this very important “Freedom,” we’ll keep it in tact.
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Since we can no longer use photos without express permission from the photographer, we encourage DUES-PAYING members to send us posters for their shows. Please do not put too much info in them. Keep them like a billboard –only 7-9 words. Otherwise, the info won’t show up in our publishing! Thank you!
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COMBO is about the LOVE of Music and the musicians who create and play songs. We do our best to educate and offer an exchange of information, guidance and advice to help musicians advance their careers no matter what field they’re in. Our articles and programs represent some phase of the music business that could affect musicians – all musicians, all genres – everywhere. Our motto: 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:
First Friday Jazz Hops: 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 – Colorado Springs: 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 – Castle Rock: – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – 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 – Grand Junction area: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1122384432992979/?notif_id=1742835138495587¬if_t=group_r2j_approved&ref=notif
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May 2025
Fr, 30th – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Grey Rails at Culinary Dropout, 4141 East 9th Avenue, Denve
June 2025
Fr & Sa, 6th & 7th – Greeley Blues Jam at Island Grove Park | https://greeleybluesjam.org
Tu, 10th – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Songwriting Circle presented by Performance High’s Justin Long, Broomfield location | Register at https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/free-events/
Questions? Need help? Contact Kristen at 720-772-7505 or admin@performancehigh.net
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, too!
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
Sa, 12th – All day! Black Arts Festival: The Adam Hawley Unstoppable 2025 Tour is bringing him to the festival Saturday, July 12 at 7 p.m. in Denver City Park!! Grab your lawn chairs, blankets, family, and friends and come enjoy this free concert in the park with us! https://www.adamhawley.com/ to learn more!
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TALENT NEEDED:
COMBO’s Songwriting Contest closes in TWO DAYS! Go to https://www.coloradomusic.org to enter!
The 2025 American Songwriter Road Ready Talent Contest is Open Now https://bit.ly/41f1JHv
Here’s What to Know About the New Singing Competition “The Road”: https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/here-s-what-to-know-about-the-new-singing-competition-the-road/
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