It always hurts when you get fired from your job but you can move on and, most times, get a better job. But what happens when your job gets “fired”? Thinking of Doug & Barb Armitage who own Brightwood Music Store in Nederland. Now not only have you lost your job but your business, which included many one-of-a-kind hand-made instruments to sell. Let’s assist them get to that goal to help them get over the hump in getting their lives restarted. Think of how your life would be in that situation and give what you can ASAP.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-brightwood-musics-recovery?attribution_id=sl:4b79567f-db9b-4853-ab66-0e708f1f790&lang=en_US&ts=1760022760&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp13_c-amp17_ta&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link
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UPDATE: Brother Cliff Armitage says that Doug & Barb have been able to find a near-by store and hope to sign a lease soon so that they can restart ASAP. That is wonderful!
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BREAKING: KISS guitarist Ace Frehley is reportedly on life support after suffering a bran bleed. Frehley, 74, apparently suffered the brain bleed weeks ago, when he fell in his studio, unnamed sources confirmed to TMZ on Thursday afternoon (October 16). The celebrity news hub notes that Frehley’s health has not gotten better since then, and he remains on life support in the hospital as of publication time.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/kiss-guitarist-ace-frehley-reportedly-on-life-support/
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Lots of EVENTS going on this weekend. Check out the Calendar for more details on the Mile High Blues IBC Competition tomorrow, October 17th; on the Boulder Roots Music Fest – Pearl Street: 3 Days, 15 stages, 750+ artists – Oct. 17th – 19th; and World Singing Day Boulder, Saturday, October 18th on the Pearl Street Mall (Also No Kings March Day).
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Seth Larson on Fb: Prasanna Bishop left his body on October 13th . He was a force of nature and spirit. We are grateful to have crossed paths with him for more than a quarter of a century. Safe travels, Prasanna… See Other Notable Musicians Deaths for more info.
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From Devon Parker on Fb (not music related but could be): Just got some very heartbreaking news that my dear friend Adam [redacted] died yesterday of a fentanyl overdose. Adam was a brilliant artist, welder, witty and intelligent, a solid friend, and, before he became totally consumed by addiction, was a great father and partner. It was so devastating to witness his life slowly unravel as his addiction took complete control of his life. He lost his family, his house, his truck, and ended up living on the streets getting mixed up in violent motorcycle gangs and nefarious people. I often kept an eye out for him amongst Denver’s unhoused population but never had the chance to run into him over the last few years. I hope his spirit is at peace and I send all my love to his family. Adam really was a special person and what a waste of a brilliant man who had such gifts to share with the world. Opiate addiction is a beast and you can’t stop alone, but there are resources I so wish I could’ve had the chance to help him with.
CCMHOF: So many of us in the Colorado Country Music community knew Ray Sekera. We send our condolences to his wife and family since we have learned of his passing. His wife, Jodie, held a Celebration of his life on Sunday, Oct 12th , at Heroes (VFW) in Thornton.
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Good to see “local boys doing good” Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats on Jimmy Kimmel last Friday night!
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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 genre they play. 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!)
Please “Like” us on Facebook! Helps our “standing” in the web world!
http://www.Facebook.com/ColoradoMusicBusinessOrganization
CALENDAR
TALENT NEEDED:
Matthew Clark Launder is starting a Singer/Songwriter Round at the Wild Goose Saloon in Parker, CO. He asks that you send a video via “messenger” to if you’re interested in playing:
https://www.facebook.com/friends/?profile_id=523662710¬if_id=1758385068562559¬if_t=friend_confirmed&ref=notif
A couple of bands are looking for players: a keyboardist in CO Springs, and a drummer in Denver. See below.
Thursday, November 20th – Deadline to enter the Howard Rosen Talent Contest
E-mail contests@howiewood.com for more info.
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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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The Denver Chapter of NSAI meets the second Monday of every month — either virtually or in person — at 7:00 p.m. MT. For more information, please go to https://nashvillesongwriters.com or email lauren@laurenbrombert.com or lawdanj@gmail.com.
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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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October 2025
Thru this Sunday, Oct. 19th – Buddy Holly Story at Town Hall Arts Center Theater | Tickets and more info at https://townhallartscenter.org/
Fr, 17th – 6:00 p.m. – Shadow Animal’s (Christopher Ryan) Dreams We Build album relase at the Roxy on Broadway, Denver, CO | FREE ADMISSION! More info at: https://broadwayroxy.com/
Fr, 17th – 6:00 p.m. – 5 Foot Betty featuring COMBO member Sharon Glassman will be playing at The Stage at Bricks, 471 Main St, Longmont, CO 80501-5581 | The trio will be playing our Betty hearts and souls in sound for you all … super tasty food and drinks and such a groovy spot to boot (did someone say boots?)
Fr, 17th – 7:00 p.m. – Mile High Blues Society’s IBC competition at the Rusty Bucket 3355 South Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood | One time contest; All proceeds go towards sending the winners to Memphis! 4 Solo/Duo acts, 3 Bands, Special performance by Soular Wave, part of our Blues Youth Program | https://www.facebook.com/events/1153227226707365
Sa, 18th – 2:00 p.m. – World Singing Day Boulder on the 1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall.
FREE lyric booklets provided. https://www.WorldSingingDayBoulder.com
https://www.facebook.com/downtownboulder
Sa, 18th – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Grey Rails Duo at Culinary Dropout, 4141 East 9th Avenue, Denver
Sa, 18th – 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. – Young Heart Dance Band at Windsor Gardens, 597 S. Clinton Way, Aurora | Residents: $7 | All others: $10
Su, 19th – New TV Show Contest “The Road” with Blake Shelton & Keith Urban starts on CBS
Mo, 20th – 7:00 p.m. – Via ZOOM! COMBO’s Town Hall Meeting with G. Brown! Author of several books on the Colorado Music Scene and so much more!
We, 22nd – 7:00 p.m. – Fashion & Swing Event at The Pioneer, 2401 South University Boulevard, Denver, CO 80210 | https://crimsonconnect.du.edu/fashionandsewing/rsvp_boot?id=2273604
Fr, 24th – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Young Heart Dance Band at Lakewood Elks, Lakewood | $10
Sa, 25th – Toni Negus at Gypsy Lab Sessions – special live concert! Presented by KUVO.org
Ticket information TBA. | The event will be filmed with Gypsy Lab’s incredible sound and production quality.
Su, 26th – 2:00 p.m. – Colorado Blues Society’s “One and Done” for the IBC in Memphis at Nissi’s in Lafayette | Go to https://www.coblues.org for more information
Tu, 28th – 1:00 p.m. – Sing Me a Song of Your People, Chamber Music Society of Greater Denver, Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 East Hampden Avenue, Cherry Hills Village, CO
303-758-2820 | Tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sing-me-a-song-of-your-people-bethany-tickets-922661775207
Fr, 31st – Local and National Cowboy Poets and Musicians Gathering in Grand Junction, CO! See Events. https://westernslopecowboygathering.com/
Fr, 31st – 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. – Young Heart Dance Band at Aurora Eagles \ Members & Guests
November 2025
Sa, 1st – Local and National Cowboy Poets and Musicians Gathering in Grand Junction, CO! See Events. https://westernslopecowboygathering.com/
Sa, 8th – 1:00 p.m. – Sing Me a Song of Your People, Chamber Music Society of Greater Denver, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3990 West 74th Avenue, Westminster, CO | Tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sing-me-a-song-of-your-people-bethany-tickets-922661775207
We, 12th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Nevan Castaneda as Elvis at Waldo’s Chicken, 24153 East Prospect Ave., Aurora
Sa, 15th – (no time listed) – Nevan Castaneda as Elvis at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 South Allison Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80226 (in the middle of the shopping center)
Sa, 15th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – COMBO’s Songwriters Showcase featuring the winners of our recent Songwriting Contest at Dub’s Pub, South Broadway, Littleton!
Mo, 24th – “Speed Dating for Bands” at Dog House Studios in Lafayette – More details later
December 2025
Sa, 13th – 5:30 p.m. – COMBO’s Holiday Dinner at Downtown Aquarium – RSVP will be required!
We, 17th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Nevan Castaneda as Elvis at Waldo’s Chicken, 24153 East Prospect Ave., Aurora