Photo: Rudy Grant – Celebrate his birthday on August 15th! | You know what tees me off the most about CBS canceling Steven Colbert? It’s not Mr. Colbert losing his job – he’ll be o.k. – but all those musicians losing their jobs! Louis Cato and the Late Show Band will be out of work come May 2026 and musicians have enough trouble finding work that actually may pay the bills. I really feel sadness for them and their families.
Recent ads are emphasizing how counterfeit pills like Adderall and ______ can be laced with small amounts of Fentanyl that can instantly cause death. So here’s a really good example: Prince’s death. “A press release from the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office . . . stated that Prince had died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl at the age of 57. The fentanyl that led to his overdose was in counterfeit pills made to look like a generic version of the painkiller hydrocodone (paracetamol). The question of how and from what source Prince obtained the drug was the subject of investigations by several law enforcement agencies.” Moral of this story: Don’t take any pill that you know absolutely did not come from an authorized source. (Another one to watch out for: oxycodone counterfeits).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_(musician) | WOW! This is scary. I was checking on the spelling of one of the above referenced medications and this popped up for an on-line company: Strongest Migraine Medicine – No Questions Asked. Please be super-careful before you order anything on-line. | Fentanyl is often made illegally. It’s laced into other drugs, like heroin and cocaine, and used to make fake versions of prescription pills that can be deadly. Because of this, many individuals who encounter fentanyl have done so unknowingly.
I went to the Mission Ballroom last Saturday night to see Tesla (the band, not the car!) Loved the concert! Tesla’s music never gets old but I was mesmerized by the venue!!! So nice to see & hear a band in a venue that was built to showcase live music! Not fond of the cement bleachers but they provided cushions if you wanted. More importantly, there was plenty of seating that provided you with a great view. And the bleachers were designed so that you could wiggle around, sit as you wanted, and still have room for people to walk through without really disturbing you (no standing or moving your legs or feet to let them through). Also plenty of room for people in wheelchairs to enjoy the show. I will GLADLY go to another concert at the Mission Ballroom! (The MB is located at 4242 Wynkoop Street, Denver, just south of the National Western Complex – south side of I-70, off Brighton Blvd. with plenty of pay parking available).
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CALENDAR
TALENT NEEDED:
Friday, August 15th – Deadline to enter Colorado Blues Society’s International Blues Challenge contest.
Go here to enter the contest; you must be a member to enter: https://www.coblues.org
Mile High Blues Society: We will only be accepting the first four competitors in each category. Registration is open now! https://milehighbluessociety.com/2024-ibc-info
Thursday, August 21st – Deadline to enter the Texas Troubadour Songwriter Classic | Read more at https://BosqueArtsCenter.org
Monday, August 25th – Deadline to enter the 2025 American Songwriter Road Ready Talent Contest
Go here to sign up: https://bit.ly/41f1JHv
Thursday, November 20th – Deadline to enter the Howard Rosen Talent Contest
E-mail contests@howiewood.com for more info.
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SUMMER CONCERT SERIES ANNOUNCED: We won’t list all of their shows here but here are their websites if you want to go (copy & paste URL into your browser):
Botanic Gardens (two locations): https://www.botanicgardens.org
Castle Rock Concerts: https://www.meadowscastlerock.com/blog/summer-concert-series/
Central City Opera: https://www.centralcityopera.org
City Park Jazz: https://www.cityparkjazz.org | Over for the season.
Denver Arts Complex events: https://www.artscomplex.com
Downtown Denver Concerts:
https://www.denver.org/events/concerts-live-music/bands-musicians-and-artists/
First Friday Jazz Hop in Five Points: https://www.milehighfestivals.com
Film on the Rocks: https://www.axs.com/events … film-on-the-rocks
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
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! Lauren@laurenbrombert.com Some are held “live” and others are held via Zoom. 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-co
Please make sure to upload both the mp3 and the lyric sheet!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/denvernsai/
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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/
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August 2025
Fr, 8th – 6:00 p.m. – Cass Clayton Band at New Belgium Brewery | https://cassclayton.com
Fr, 8th – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Young Heart Dance Band at the Lakewood Elks, 1455 Newland Street
Fr, 8th – 7:00 p.m. – Rachel Alena Band at Oskar Blues, Longmont | https://www.rachelalenaband.com
Sa, 9th – 8:00 a.m. ’til Noon – Annette Conlon Band at Salida Farmers’ Market at Alpine Park, Salida
Mo, 11th – 2:00 p.m. – Elvis Week – Nevan Castaneda as Elvis at EAP Society Summer Festival, Memphis, TN | $20 tickets at the door | Enjoy a great show and help preserve Elvis History
Mo, 11th – 7:00 p.m. – Denver’s NSAI Chapter: Contact Lauren Brombert for details on the next meeting! Some are held “live” and others are held via Zoom. Lauren@laurenbrombert.com
Tu-Sa, 12th – 16th – Various times – The 2025 SPAH Convention, San Antonio. TX at the Hilton Palacio del Rio | Celebrating 62 years of harmonicas, music and friends. | https://spah.org/
SPAH: Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica —is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Tu, 12th – 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. – Laurie D. at Arbol Paonia Market, 41679 “O” Road, Paonia, CO 81428
https://www.facebook.com/share/1EtDm4uskm/
Tu, 12th – 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Annette and Doug Conlon, Nathan Archer, Brigitte Benson, Kevin Mastin, and Gil and Michael at Goat Patch Brewing, 2727 North Cascade Avenue, #123 (inside the Lincoln Center), Colorado Springs, CO 80907 | 719-471-4628 | Bleating Heart Night fundraiser for Bicycle Clinic Too | Menu and more info at https://www.goatpatchbrewing.com
We, 13th – 6:00 p.m. – Elvis Week – Nevan Castaneda as Elvis at EAP Society Summer Festival, Memphis, TN | $20 tickets at the door | Enjoy a great show and help preserve Elvis History
Th, 14th – Noon to 1:00 p.m. – Laurie & Lorrie at Picnic on the Plaza, 311 South Public Road, Lafayette 80026 | https://www.facebook.com/share/1BkBMNVPXD/
Fr, 15th – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. (Special price time slot) – Rudy Grant’s Birthday & Food Bash Party, Golden Corral Buffet & Grill, 11090 East Mississippi, Aurora, CO | Live Music with Peggy Malone, Karen Osboun, Rocky Hoery, and the Windsor Ladies of Country Music!
Fr, 15th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Annette Conlon Band at Jives Coffee Lounge, Old Colorado City, Colorado Springs, CO | https://www.annetteconlon.com
Fr, 15th – 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. – Rudy Grant’s Birthday & Dance Party! Piper’s Inn, Iliff & Parker Road – Come help Rudy celebrate his 29th Birthday! Rudy & Branded will be playing your favorite dance tunes!
Sa, 16th – 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. – Annette Conlon Band at The RV Casino at Thunderbird Inn, Florissant, CO | For more info, go to https://www.annetteconlon.com
Su, 17th – 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. – Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame Annual Awards Show at the Wild Goose Saloon, Parker, CO | $10
Su, 17th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Laurie & Lorrie at The Old Mine, 500 Briggs Street, Erie, CO 80516
The Old Mine has homemade hard ciders, great appetizers, sandwiches, tacos, salads and pizza! Also Cider Donuts! The duo will be playing folk, blues and jazz originals and covers!
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BoaLar41C/
We, 20th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Laurie D. at Ironwood Bar & Grill, Flatirons Golf Course, 5706 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO 80303
We, 20th – Doors at 7:00: Show starts at 8:00 – Metalachi: The World’s First and Only Heavy Metal Mariachi Band at HQ Broadway, 60 South Broadway Street, Denver 80209 with Honeybunches of Death and Worth The Weight | Tickets: https://tickets.holdmyticket.com/tickets/447005
Fr, 22nd – 4:30 p.m. – Laurie & Lorrie at 6th Annual Edwards Art Battle, 280 Main Street, Unit C-10, Edwards, CO 81632 | A fun and fabulous event where artists compete for best art work!
Sa, 23rd – 8:00 p.m. – Cass Clayton Band at The Vic (Victorian Tavern) | https://cassclayton.com
Su, 24th – 2:00 p.m. – Cass Clayton Band at Veterans Fundraising Festival | https://cassclayton.com
Su, 24th – 8:30 a.m. til 12:30 p.m. – Annette Conlon Band at Central Park Farmers Market, Denver, CO
| For more info, go to https://www.annetteconlon.com
Fr, 29th – 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. – Annette Conlon online at Loving Living Local FOX 21 https://www.fox21news.com/living-local | For more info, go to https://www.annetteconlon.com
Fr, 29th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Annette Conlon Band at ‘Friday at the Farm,’ Turner Farm, Buena Vista
| For more info, go to https://www.annetteconlon.com
September 2025
Fr, 5th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Laurie Dameron at Ironwood Bar & Grille, 5706 Arapahoe Avenue (Flatiron Golf Course), Boulder, CO | Featuring light jazz, blues, and requested music!
Sa & Su, 6th & 7th – Colorado Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan’s Lake, Denver. Schedule at:
https://www.denver.org/things-to-do/festivals-events/colorado-dragon-boat-festival/
We, 17th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Nevan Castaneda as Elvis at Waldo’s Chicken, 24153 East Prospect Ave., Aurora
Fr, 19th – 7:00 p.m. – Rachel Alena Band at Oskar Blues, Longmont | https://www.rachelalenamusic.com/
Su, 21st – (no time listed) – Colorado Blues Society’s International Blues Challenge at Nissi’s, Lafayette Deadline to enter is August 15th | https://www.coblues.org
Th-Sa, 25th to 27th – Colorado Elvis Festival at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Denver Tech Center – more details TBA | We’ll be celebrating the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in style!
Sa, 27th – 10:30 a.m. Until 6:30 p.m. – Blues on the Mesa, Colorado Springs, CO | https://www.bluesonthemesa.com