Very saddened to hear of the passing of Purnell Steen, long-time Denver jazz musician – but it looks like someone up there didn’t want him to be alone because he sent a drummer, a vocalist, a couple of back-up singers, and a bass player to join him this week in that new heavenly-band on high. With the different musical backgrounds, they’re going to be creating a totally new sound!
- So much music news this week, I had to double & triple up on articles. Please read carefully!
- Barb (don’t you love the Third Party mention?) is thinking about running a Management Class for Artists via Zoom. Would you or someone you know be interested? This class would be really good for young musicians who KNOW NOTHING about the business of music. Cost would be $40 per person for a two hour session and would include a membership to COMBO and one entry into our Songwriting Contest. Let her know at info@coloradomusic.org if you would be interested. All new and renewing memberships would be eligible for the class.
- Reminder: Our usual pleadings: We could use a couple more board members but you must have some time to donate to help out! Plan about 4 hours a month. And on Colorado Gives Day, if you haven’t paid your membership fees lately, please do so. This “non profit” is just that!
- John Fogerty (80) (CCR) was on Steven Colbert Monday night. He didn’t go into detail but basically said that the band was young [and ignorant] and they got really screwed by signing agreements where they lost the ownership of their songs. Took them years – years – to get the rights back. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fogerty
- Who is this? School wasn’t just hard—it was humiliating. She had undiagnosed dyslexia and dyscalculia. Letters scrambled. Numbers made no sense. Teachers labeled her slow. Classmates mocked her openly. But here’s the paradox: while she couldn’t read a paragraph, she could hear a song once and memorize every word instantly. Her brain worked differently. Not broken. Different. [We ran this in November 6th newsletter. The answer: Cherilyn Sarkisian, b/k/a Cher!]
- Foreigner and Lynard Skynard announce Double Trouble Double Vision Tour; Motley Crue to tour with Tesla and Extreme; Weird Al Yankovic announces tour; and David Coverdale retires.
- Why “Yesterday” proves that music doesn’t need to follow patterns | Video story |by Amy Nolte
The Beatles’ yesterday doesn’t follow the normal musical pattern, and that’s exactly why it works. Paul McCartney wrote it in a dream, and what should’ve been a mistake turned into one of the most touching songs ever written.
Https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/why-yesterday-proves-that-music-doesn-t-need-to-follow-patterns/ - What kind of music did the Pilgrims like? Plymouth Rock!
- 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 former COMBO VP Andy Ard!)
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TALENT NEEDED:
Innervision FM Launches Viral Video Song & Comedy Contest to Raise $1,000 for Blind/Disabled Media Training Programs | $10 entry fee | https://www.InnervisionRecords.org
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Performance High Offering Special Thanksgiving Deal on Vocal Lessons – Sign up by Nov. 27th
Contact us at 720.772.7505 or admin@performancehigh.net | $27 fee
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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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November 2025
Th, 20th – Dina Baker & The King Stan Band — “Weighted Keys” Album Release Show at Ophelia’s Soap Box,
Fr, 21st – 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. – Laurie Dameron at Hyatt Place Boulder/Pearl, 2280 Junction Place, Boulder, CO | Join Laurie for originals and covers folk, blues, jazz and a few holiday tunes in the Lobby. Drinks and dinner menu available!
Fr, 21st – 8:00 a.m. – Hugh Phillips at Heartland Association of Fairs and Festivals
https://coloradocountry.com/
Sa, 22nd – 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. – J.J. Fraser at Teller’s Taproom & Kitchen, 1990 Youngfield, Lakewood, CO – last show for this year!
Su, 23rd – 2:00 p.m. – Denver Concert Band at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree, CO 80124 | Tickets at https://www.lonetreeartscenter.org/whats-on/denver-concert-band-presents-heroes-and-holidays
Su, 23rd – 4:00 p.m. – Sage Singers in concert at First Universalist Church, 401 East Hampden Ave., Denver | Children: $10; Adults: $20 | Tickets at https://www.sagesingers.org
Mo, 24th – “Speed Dating for Bands” at Dog House Studios in Lafayette
Tickets: https://www.rockforthepeople.org/event-details/band-speed-dating-free-2
https://www.facebook.com/events/3677243995918547
December 2025
Mo, 1st – 3:30 p.m. – Hugh Phillips at International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE)
Springfield, MO | The IAFE Convention & Trade Show is the largest gathering of the fair industry anywhere in the world. People from fairs of all sizes – from small county fairs to the largest events in the world – come together to learn, share ideas, network, and visit a trade show unlike any other. Hugh will be showcasing. | https://coloradocountry.com/
Tu, 2nd – 6:30 p.m. – Chamber Music Society of Greater Denver at Southridge Recreation Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Road, Littleton 80130
Th, 4th – 9:00 p.m. – SSM/SKM Nashville Recording artist Hugh Phillips at The Alibi, Telluride, CO | https://coloradocountry.com/
Fr, 5th – 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. – String Kitchen Music/Hugh Phillips at The Blu Pig, Moab, UT https://coloradocountry.com/
Sa, 6th – 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. – Laurie D Jazz Duo at BonacQuisti Wine Company, 4640 North Pecos Street, Unit 1, Denver, CO | Laurie D Jazz Duo with the fabulous Jeff Fournier on bass at one of my all time favorite venues. Great wine, delicious tapas and jazz, blues, Bossa Nova and some jazzy holiday tunes!
Sa, 6th – 2:00 p.m. – Celebration of Greg Carr’s Life at Swallow Hill Music, 70 East Yale, Denver (East Yale and Broadway)
Sa, 6th – 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. – Hugh Phillips at Wild Horse Saloon, Durango, CO
https://coloradocountry.com/
Su, 7th – 3:00 p.m. – Denver Mandolin Orchestra at Wheat Ridge Center for Music and Arts, 7530 West 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO (Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church)
We-Th, 10th & 11th – Colorado Music Hall of Fame is proud to announce the induction of Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats | More information and tickets available at: https://cmhof.org/events/nathaniel-rateliff-and-night-sweats-induction-2/
Th, 11th – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. – White Fence Farm Christmas Party & Grand Jam Reunion at the
American Legion, 1655 Simms Street, Lakewood, CO.
Fr, 12th – 2:30 p.m. – Hugh Phillips at Snowmass Mall, Snowmass Village, CO
https://coloradocountry.com/
Sa, 13th – 5:30 p.m. – COMBO’s Holiday Dinner at the Downtown Aquarium – RSVP Required at info@coloradomusic.org | Plan on $20 per meal per person
We, 17th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Nevan Castaneda as Elvis at Waldo’s Chicken, 24153 East Prospect Ave., Aurora
Th, 18th – Doors 6:30, show 7:30 – Cass Clayton Band with Christmas of Soul at the Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl Street, Suite V3A, Boulder, CO |Tickets available at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cass-clayton-band-a-christmas-of-soul-tickets-1968264765899?
Sa, 20th – 7:00 p.m. – Chris Daniels & The Kings with friends Freddi Gowdy, Hazel Miller, Kenny Passarelli, Clay Kirkland, Robert Johnson, Mark Oblinger, Linda Lawson, Jake Opie Schroeder, Harry Tuft, and so many more at SWALLOW HILL, 90 East Yale, Denver, CO (just east of Broadway on Yale) Ya’ll come on over … gonna be a “ wham bam at the ashram!”