COMBO President Barb Dye wants to thank COMBO’s board members who helped out so much over the past year: Dr. Annette Cannon (VP), Tracey Chirhart (Secretary), David Barber (Webmaster/treasurer), Todd Caron, Johnnie Johnson, Tony “T-Loop” Molina (also admins the music player on our website), Larry Thompson (Songwriting contest admin), consultants Clark Hagan and Nick Summers, Jamie Krutz (moderator for guest speaker meetings), Kirsten Texler, and super-special helper Saam Golgoon (World Music Development and Indie Music Alliance.net). We also had a couple of others who helped out with manning the booths at the Guitar Show and the Durango Songwriters Expo and other “duties”. They prefer to remain anonymous but I wanted to let them know that I so appreciated their assistance!
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Switzerland’s Le Constellation Bar and Lounge fire: Another venue that had limited exits. Please, folks, check out your venues upon entry. Not a stupid maneuver but one that may save your or another’s life. I can think of one right now in Denver that I would never book an artist in, nor would I attend a show there without sitting near the entrance. Only one way in – and out. Sounds like the Crans-Montana fire victims tried to escape through the front door and ended up trampling other New Year’s revelers, much like what has happened in so many other club fires, like the Station Fire in Rhode Island almost 23 years ago, which killed a much loved Colorado guitarist Ty Longley, and the Ghost Ship fire in California.
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A Celebration of Life has been set for Purnell Steen on January 10th at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Baptist Church, 933 East 24th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205 (just west of Downing on 24th – Five Points).
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Just another reminder: The Durango Songwriters Expo in Ventura, CA will be held February 19-21st. Registration is open right now! Https://www.durangosong.com (Note new URL)
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NPR & KSUT vs. Trump – KSUT Executive Director Tami Graham was in Washington DC earlier this month (December) to attend a hearing on the lawsuit against the Trump Administration. KSUT’s Adam Burke reports. Click here to listen:
https://soundcloud.com/jonathan-hunt-121906934/npr-ksut-v-trump-29min-segment?
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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.
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Our motto: Elevate Your Musical State! (Courtesy of former COMBO VP Andy Ard!)
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Please “Like” us on Facebook! Helps our “standing” in the web world!
http://www.Facebook.com/ColoradoMusicBusinessOrganization
CALENDAR
TALENT NEEDED:
Durango Songwriters: https://www.durangosong.com
Want to Get Your Music in TV & Film? You Need To Connect With These 5 Music Supervisors
https://www.syncsongwriterprograms.com/music-supervisor-panel-2026-sm | Via Zoom
Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame Looking for Awesome Country Genre Talent
Athena Project Looking for Artist Call for Submissions – Teaching Artists for Creative Writing – Deadline January 4th | https://forms.gle/NhZgknverDLBse3s7
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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Open Mic / Jam Nights:
From Todd Allen: The Open Jam Night at Mega Music in Sterling is the perfect place for musicians of all ages & levels to get together, hang out, play & learn. Always a good time. Even if you’re not a musician, come hang out & watch. Call 970-521-9020 to sign up.
January 2026
Fr, 2nd – 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Young Heart Dance Band at El Gran Jardin, 597 South Clinton Street, Denver, CO 80247 (Windsor Gardens) | Reservations: 720-542-8498
We, 7th – 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Performance High – FREE Pop Choir Kick-Off – Denver
https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes?promoId=f183e2c2-e084-4df7-8496-ca66a96bcff3
Sa, 10th – 11:00 a.m. – Celebration of Life for Purnell Steen at Zion Baptist Church, 933 24th Ave.
Su, 11th – 11:00 a.m. – Via Zoom – Want to Get Your Music in TV & Film? You Need To Connect With These 5 Music Supervisors… https://www.syncsongwriterprograms.com/music-supervisor-panel-2026-sm
Sun, Jan, 11 – 1:00-3:00 p.m. – Performance High – FREE Adult Band Mixer – Denver
https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes?promoId=f183e2c2-e084-4df7-8496-ca66a96bcff3
Tues, Jan, 13 – 7:00-8:30pm – Performance High: Artist Development Seminar: Intro to Music Business with Kelsy Lartius Miguel of Kelzana Artist Management – Denver/Online
https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes?promoId=f183e2c2-e084-4df7-8496-ca66a96bcff3
Sa, 17th – Doors at 6:30; show at 7:30 Pop Divas Showcase featuring Marilyn Taylor of P!nk Project, Amanda V’s Material Girl, and Ana Rock’s Metal Gaga at Nissi’s, Lafayette, CO
Tues, Jan, 20 – 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Performance High: FREE Song Circle – Denver/Online
https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes?promoId=f183e2c2-e084-4df7-8496-ca66a96bcff3
Thurs, Jan, 22 – 7:00-8:30 p.m. – Performance Hight: Songwriting Workshop: Form and Arrangement – Denver/Online | https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes?promoId=f183e2c2-e084-4df7-8496-ca66a96bcff3
Mo, 26th – 7:00 p.m. – COMBO Meeting: “How to Sync License Your Songs for Movies, Television, Commercials, etc.” – via Zoom! Put it on your calendars now!
Tues, Jan, 27 – 7:00-8:30 p.m. – Performance High: Stage Performance Workshop: Peak Performance Mental Hacks – Denver/Online
https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes?promoId=f183e2c2-e084-4df7-8496-ca66a96bcff3
Thurs, Jan, 29 – 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Performance High: FREE Karaoke Social – Denver
https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes?promoId=f183e2c2-e084-4df7-8496-ca66a96bcff3
February 2026
Sa, 7th – 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. – Steve Pavey’s band at Misfits in Lakewood
Mo, 23rd – 7:00 p.m. – COMBO Meeting: Guest speaker Bret Dallas on how he got his equipment back after all being stolen
Tu, 24th – SCFD at the Colorado State Capitol – More details later