Concert tour notes: Denver’s own 3OH!3 will be on Simple Plan’s 25th Anniversary Tour with Bowling for Soup starting July 24 in Las Vegas and ending August 20 in Toronto. Tim McGraw announces tour; Laura Jane Grace w/new band; Loudness (Japanese metal band) announces world tour; Lionel Richie with Earth, Wind & Fire; Neil Young cancels European & UK tour; Twisted Sister’s Dee Snyder resigns from band due to health concerns, tour canceled; The Fratellis cancel tour due to health issues of lead singer; Sammy Hagar announces concert movie; Judas Priest on tour in support of their doc The Ballad of Judas Priest; All female rock band L7 – plays Red Rocks on June 17th; John 5; Apocalyptica with The Hu North American tour this summer; Duran Duran land in Vegas; and is South Carolina’s Rock the Country festival (sponsored by Kid Rock) still on?
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Looks like all those copyright issues facing the ice skaters in the Winter Olympics have been resolved. Thanks to all the songwriters, record companies, and publishers who came through for them and gave the skaters permission to use their music!
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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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Need a last minute OUTSTANDING Valentine’s Gift? Laurie Dameron will present a “Singing Telegram” to your loved one’s (and their co-workers’) delight! Https://www.LaurieDameron.com
or e-mail her at windchimel@aol.com
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We want to congratulate COMBO Member Jeff Campbell for being nominated for the 2026 Juanita Gray Community Service Awards. Although he didn’t win this time around, it was great for him to be so honored. Jeff is a dynamic artist who has been shaping Denver’s creative landscape for over 30 years. A passionate advocate for Colorado, Jeff has transitioned from touring as a hip-hop artist and poet to writer and producer, inspiring many to teach in schools statewide. He leads impactful campaigns that use art to address pressing social issues, including police brutality and the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness. His love of public libraries can be seen in some of his works. He often visits the Denver Central Library and the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library to draw inspiration from local resources, combining research and entertainment in thought-provoking works such as “Jedidiah Blackstone.” Jeff’s dedication to creativity and community drives his pursuit of positive change.
https://www.denverlibrary.org/jgcs-bichof | Way to go, Jeff!
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Heaven has gained another new band this past week: Vocalist/songwriter/guitarist/drummer Brad Arnold (3 Doors Down), guitarist Greg Brown (Cake), bassist Fred Smith (Blondie, Television), And this time they even brought along a guitar tech – “Tunin’ Tom” Hankins.
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Just as we were publishing this newsletter, word reached us that Pete Finney, steel guitarist who toured with Patty Loveless and Reba McEntire, has died. More next week.
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One of the benefits of joining COMBO as a paid member is that we do our best to promote you and your music (see promo for Cass Clayton Band and ProgFest this week) to more than 2,400 names on our mailing list plus untold amounts to Facebook and “X” (f/k/a Twitter). However this benefit is for “Dues Paying” members only! If you’d like to get that benefit for one year, please consider either joining or re-upping your dues! Only $30 for an individual, $55 for a band (get the whole band to pitch in) and, if you have a music-related business, only $95 for that entity. Please check to see when the last time you “re-upped” was or let Barb know and she’ll check our records for you. We have lots of people sending in shows who haven’t helped us out for a LONG TIME!!! 🙂
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Go to our website at https://www.coloradomusic.org and hit the “Join COMBO” button. If you’d prefer to not use a credit card, you may send a check for the proper amount to COMBO, PO Box 18186, Denver CO 80218 instead. (Actually this helps us out even more as we don’t have to pay fees to Paypal!)
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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. 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
TALENT NEEDED:
Durango Songwriters: https://www.durangosong.com
Performance High is Looking for a New Part-Time Client Services Administrator!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jcmv09VBAmAmWPZWapUaBGPDApNmcsZ59ba1BD_O4ag/edit?usp=sharing
KICH Radio in Pueblo Looking for Musicians! Read Carefully – They Need Listeners, too!
Website: https://gripalotradio.wixsite.com/kich
Lafayette Music Fest: Calling ALL local bands, musicians and performers! Deadline March 1st
Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame Looking for Awesome Country Genre Talent
CALENDAR
February 2026
Th, 12th – 7:00-8:30 p.m. – Stage Performance Workshop: Talking to Your Audience – Denver/Online | https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/free-events. RSVP required!
Sa, 14th – 6:30 doors; 7:30 show – Cass Clayton Band with special opening acts at the Little Bear Saloon, 28075 Colorado 74, Evergreen, CO 80439 (right on the main drag)
Reservations: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lovefest-tickets-1979768105698
Sa, 14th – 7:00 p.m. – Memorial for Mark Sousa at the Milk Bar, alley entrance behind 1037 Broadway, Denver (behind Bar Standard) | Thanks to Doug Bohm for letting us know of Mark’s passing. “A creative force in the Denver Goth Community. You will be deeply missed.” fadetogrey | https://www.facebook.com/events/894693673488492/
Su, 15th – 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Celebration of the Life & Music of Davy Allard at Bricks on Main, 471 Main Street, Longmont, CO
Tu, 17th – 6:30-8:30 p.m. – FREE Song Circle – Broomfield/Online
https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/free-events RSVP required!
Th, 19th – 7:00-8:30 p.m. – Songwriting Workshop: Creative Exercises for Songwriting – Denver/Online | https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes
Th-Sa, 19th -21st – All Day! – Durango Songwriters Expo at the Ventura Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ventura, CA | Time is running out to register! Https://www.durangosong.com
Sa, 21st – 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. – Open Stage Memorial for Johnny Vaughan at the Morrison Holiday Bar. If you jammed with him or had been his friend or a fan, then come on out and share some stories and do some playing. Brian Hornbuckle will be running the memoriam and doing as many of Johnny’s songs as he can remember. Please come and help us send off our brother and one of Brian’s mentors.
Mo, 23rd – 7:00 p.m. – COMBO Meeting: Guest speaker Bret Dallas on how he got his equipment back after all of it plus more being stolen out of his backyard storage unit!
Tu, 24th – SCFD at the Colorado State Capitol – More details later | https://scfd.org/
Tu, 24th – 7:30-9:00 p.m. – Music Theory Workshop: Understanding Keys, Chords, and Chord Progressions (Part 2) – Denver/Online | https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes
Th, 26th – 7:00-9:00 p.m. – FREE Karaoke Social – Denver | RSVP required!
https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/free-events
March 2026
Tu, 3rd – 7:00-8:30 p.m. – Artist Development Seminar: What To Do With An Original Song After Recording with Kelsy Lartius Miguel of Kelzana Artist Management –Denver/Online
https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes
Th, 5th – 7:00-8:30 p.m. – Stage Performance Workshop: Moving On Stage – Denver/Online | You can find our classes at https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes
Tu, 10th – 6:30-8:30 p.m. – FREE Song Circle – Denver/Online | RSVP required!
https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/free-events
Th, 12th – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Oskar Blues Spotlight event, Longmont, CO
Th, 12th – 7:00-8:30 p.m. – Songwriting Workshop: Melodies and Melodic Structure – Denver/Online | You can find our classes at https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes
Th, 12th thru Su, 15th – Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Phil Lesh at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY | https://www.ticketmaster.com
Th, 19th – 7:00-8:30 p.m. – Artist Development Workshop: How (and Why) to Share Your Music – Denver/Online | You can find our classes at https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes
Th, 20th thru Su, 22nd – Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Phil Lesh at the Filmore Theatre, 1805 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA | https://www.ticketmaster.com
Mo, 23rd – 7:00 p.m. – COMBO Program via Zoom: Guest speaker will be Nick Sullivan
Tu, 24th – 7:00-8:30 p.m. – Music Theory Seminar: How To Groove! – Denver/Online
You can find our classes at https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes
Th, 26th – 7:00-9:00 p.m. – FREE Karaoke Social – Denver | RSVP required!
You can find our free events at https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/free-events
April 2026
Su, 19th – 10:00 Early Birds; General: 11:00 to 4:00 p.m. – Vintage Voltage Expo, Toy & Doll Super Show, Colorado Radio Collectors Club at the National Western Complex – Expo Hall, 4655 Humboldt Street, Denver (Centrally located just east of I-25 off Washington) | Cost: $10 gets you into all three shows! Kids under 10 free!
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.
Open Mics and Jams in Colorado Springs and Manitou 2026.
Sundays:
11:00 a.m. – Mother Muffs – Brunch Jam
2:30 p.m. – Avenue 19, 19 North Tejon – Blues Jam
3:00 p.m. – Buffalo Lodge, 2 El Paso Avenue, Manitou Springs – Bluegrass Jam
3:00 p.m. – Jack Quinn’s – Celtic Jam
3:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Kinfolk’s. Select Sundays, call ahead
5:00 p.m. – COATI Uprise, 500 South Tejon – Blues Jam
Mondays:
7:00 p.m. – Vultures 2100 East Platte, Colorado Springs
7:00 p.m. – Armadillo Ranch. Jam circle. Manitou Springs
8:00 p.m. – Frisky’s, 103 South Wasatch, Colorado Springs
Tuesdays:
5:00 p.m. – Hillside Community Center, 925 South Institute, Colorado Springs
5:30 p.m. – Walter’s Brewing, Pueblo
6:00 p.m. – O’Furry’s, 900 East Fillmore, Colorado Springs
6:30 p.m. – Molly Jam. Kinfolks, Manitou Springs
6:30 p.m. – Stony Jam. Armadillo Ranch. every other week
7:00 p.m. – 3 Es Comedy Club. Blues jam
7:00 p.m. – Jive’s. 16 Colbrunn Ct. Folk jam
7:00 p.m. – Wagon Wheel.2308 E. Platte Av. Comedy
8:00 p.m. – Lulu’s Downtown, 32 South Tejon, Colorado Springs
Wednesdays:
6:00 p.m. – Jive’s Coffeehouse. 16 Colbrunn Ct.
6-8. Bell Tower. 2nd & Petroleum. Florence.
6:30 p.m. – Trails End Taproom. Bluegrass Jam
7:00 p.m. – 1 Love Bar. 1106 N Circle Dr.
7:00 p.m. – Kinfolk’s 950 Manitou Ave 80829
7:00 p.m. – 3E’s Comedy Club. 1 S.Nevada #110
8:30 p.m. – Jimmy’s 324 McCullough Bl. 81007
Thursdays:
6:00 p.m. – Drum Circle. Memorial Park, Manitou
6:00 p.m. – Gold Dust. 217 S Union, Pueblo
7:00 p.m. – Mose Pub.409 Main St Canon City coming again this winter
Fridays:
6:00 p.m. – Back on the Blvd. 5 min Comedy or 10 min Original music.Every other Fri.
6:30 p.m. – Louie’s Tejon & Boulder. Open jam
7:00 p.m. – Elev8 Glass, 2438 E Platte 80909
8:00 p.m. – Murray Street Darts 609 N Murray Blvd
8:30 p.m. – Wagon Wheel. 2308 E Platte Ave
Duane Evarts: Second and third Thursdays in Parker at the Wild Goose Saloon. Best Open Mic in Colorado. Atom Creech is the organizer.
Parker Acoustic Society: Your OPEN jam at Fika Mainstreet’s side room each and every Thursday evening 5-9pm. Please BUY a coffee/tea/soda/scone and enjoy the music and hospitality.
Matt Flaherty: I host an open jam at Herb’s Bar Denver every Wednesday at 9:30. And an open mic at OPEN MIC @ The Circular Lounge hosted by Matt Flaherty Thursdays.
Bex Marie: It’s not all the way complete, but welcome to the Springs!!