Happy St. Patrick’s Day! This is the one “holiday”of the year when EVERYONE is Irish!!! Nothing like a good excuse to have that drink of good ol’ Irish whiskey or beer. We hear the weather is going to be really nice for the St. Pat’s Day Parade so have fun, tip the hat, and be sure to take a safe way to get home, especially if you’ve had a bit too much of the Irish Coffee!
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We’re almost set to start the annual Songwriting Contest again! Details next week!
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I poked my nose into the late Crazy Horse Saloon (f/k/a the Irish Snug) to see that construction crews have completely gutted the main floor. The sign on the window didn’t give much info but it sure doesn’t look like it’s going to be a music venue.
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Congratulations to The Fray for being featured in the March/April 2026 issue of American Songwriter! Such an honor to have a story in a national magazine!
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We want to thank all of you who donated to help Chris Dellinger out in his battle against cancer. He and Lola did have to put the Wild Goose Saloon up for sale as there was no way that Chris could continue to run that. We sincerely hope that someone who loves live music is able to take it over for our bands to continue to have a place to play. And we continue to send well wishes to Chris for a complete recovery.
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So the Department of Justice settled with Live Nation over the Ticketmaster flap and, guess what? The consumer comes out on the losing end again. More in the articles below.
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I recently asked the community to tell me venues that still allowed full sets of original music to be played. Wow! Did I get a list! I’m compiling it now and will try to publish it next week for you to follow up on. We do need more places from Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and in-between. Like I know there are venues up in them thar Foothills!
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Add this to your calendar now! More info in the article below. Colorado Guitar Show & Custom Luthier Expo, Saturday, May 9th – Legacy Campus, Lone Tree, CO http://guitarshowmagazine.com/coloradoexpo.html
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Congratulations to COMBO member Tim Charron, who has since branched into acting from his musical career: Well, hot-diggity doggie! Here’s my latest announcement: I start today as a stand-in actor (Rehearsals/blocking, not on screen) for Simon Baker. Looking forward to this ! ~ Tim Cruz Charron. (Only a couple of more steps to being on-screen, Tim!)
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We’d like to give a special shout-out to COMBO member Kevin Yeanoplos for his help this past week. He knows why and it is so appreciated.
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Finally got around to catching up on Memberships this weekend. I note that we have a couple of people who joined as “Supporters.” Their “support” is truly appreciated! Only $20 to do that!
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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 to our 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:
Mega Music Looking for Cover or Tribute Band for Independence Day
https://www.megamusicstore.net/
The Outlets at Castle Rock are Looking for Bands and Musicians for Outdoor Summer Concerts
https://form.jotform.com/260545135621047
Deadline to enter: March 15th – Re-located Underground Music Showcases looking for Bands
https://www.undergroundmusicshowcase.com/artist-application-2026
CALENDAR
First Friday Five Points is a monthly cultural activity held along Denver’s historic Welton Street corridor. The event celebrates the legacy of Five Points— the “Harlem of the West”—through live music, art, local businesses and community engagement. Participating venues host performances, art showcases, food and drink specials and cultural programming designed to drive foot traffic, support neighborhood entrepreneurs and highlight the creative spirit of the district. https://www.artsandvenuesdenver.com/grants-cultural-investments/five-points-jazz
March 2026
Th, 12th – 7:00-8:30 p.m. – Songwriting Workshop: Melodies and Melodic Structure – Denver/Online | 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
Fr, 13th – 6:00 doors; Show 7:30 – Double Show with Cass Clayton Band and Buckstein at Nissi’s, Lafayette, CO | Tickets:
Sa, 14th – 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. – Slay & Stinson American Bonded, 2706 Larimer Street, Denver | Special St. Pat’s Day event! https://www.bondedbar.com/ (That’s Travis Stinson, formerly of Durt!)
Su, 15th – 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. – Wendy Clark Band at Bar404, 404 Broadway, Denver | Release of EP Stardust, too!
Su, 15th – 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Boulder Public Meadows Library, 4800 Baseline Rd. Boulder, CO | FREE! The Library is doing a Music Around the World theme. In honor of St Patrick’s Day, Laurie will be sharing some Irish tunes! This is also a rare opportunity for her to share some original music from three albums and four singles in an intimate listening room space. The library is behind Meadows Shopping Center accessed via Mohawk Dr. which is just west of the center (Safeway). After turning south on Mohawk, it’s your next left.
Su, 15th – 3:30 p.m. – John Bunzli, Joe Black, and Elva Jones – 3 songwriters, in the round. Unplugged – in an art gallery!! It doesn’t get any better than this! Light snacks provided, BYOB
$20 suggested donation | Artspace Loveland Lofts, 140 West 3rd , Loveland, CO
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, former recording studio owner, now into Publishing!
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
Sa, 28th – All day, all night! Frozen Dead Guy Days in Estes Park! Live Music, too! https://www.facebook.com/frozendeadguydays
April 2026
Tu, 7th – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – FREE Song Circle – Broomfield/Online
https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/free-events
We, 8th – 7:00 to X – Colorado Music Hall of Fame – Community Awards at the Colorado Convention Center’s CMHOF Display | Tickets and more info here:
https://cmhof.org/events/inaugural-community-impact-awards#
Th, 9th – 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. – Stage Performance Workshop: Bringing It All Together – Denver/Online | You can find our classes at https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes
Th, 9th – 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Laurie D Jazz Duo at Wayback Bar, Lyons, CO
Fr, 10th – 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Laurie D at the Embassy Suites Denver, Downtown
Fr, 17th – 11:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. – Laurie D at Dazzle Jazz El Chapultepec, Piano Lounge
Fr, 17th – Doors 6:00; Show 7:00 – Crazy Diamonds – Honoring the music of Pink Floyd with the
Colorado Transit Authority (a tribute to the music of Chicago) at the Oriental Theater, 4335 West 44th Avenue, Denver | Tickets: https://theorientaltheater.holdmyticket.com/tickets/458409
Sa, 18th – 7:30 – 11:00 p.m. – Pop Divas Masquerade Charity Ball for “I See You”at Pace Center Ballroom, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker, CO 80138 | The Pop Divas are Amanda V as Madonna, Marilyn Taylor as P!nk, and Ana Rock as Lady Gaga.
Su, 19th – 10:00 Early Birds; 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!
Su, 19th – 3:00 p.m. – Laurie D with her Spaceship Earth: What Can I Do? Earth Day event!!!
Warrior Soul Gallery and Community Studios
Mo, 20th – 7:00 p.m. via Zoom – COMBO Presents pianist Rob Mullins!
Tu, 21st – 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. – Music Theory Workshop: Singing Harmonies – Denver/Online
You can find our classes at https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes
Th, 23rd – 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. – Songwriting Workshop: Writing Better Lyrics – Denver/Online
You can find our classes at https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes
Mo, 27th – 5:00 p.m. – Laurie D. – Musical Hike with Suzanne Michot,Chautauqua, Boulder, CO | Contact Laurie if you’d like to join them!
Tu, 28th – 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. – Artist Development Workshop: How Do Musicians Make Money? – Denver/Online | You can find our classes at https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes
We, 29th – 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. – Songwriting Workshop: Chord Progression Analysis in Popular Music – Denver/Online | You can find our classes at https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/classes
Th, 30th – 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. – FREE Karaoke Social – Denver
https://performancehigh.opus1.io/w/free-events
May 2026
Fr, 1st – 6:00 p.m. – Jenn Cleary at First Friday Niwot, 255 Murray Street, Niwot, CO 80544
Su, 3rd – 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Busey Brews, Nederland, CO
Fr, 8th – 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Snowy Peaks, Estes Park, CO
Sa, 9th – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Guitar & Luithier Show at the Legacy Events Center in Lone Tree, CO – more info in the article below! Look for COMBO’s booth there!
Sa, 9th – Fund raiser for Boettcher Concert Hall with special guest Jon Batiste!
Fr-Su, 15th thru 17th – Wildflower Fest, Richardson, TX – Look for a Colorado winner in the Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest!
Su,17th – 3:00 p.m. – BCAP Annual Candlelight Vigil, Boulder, CO
Mo, 18th – 7:00 p.m. – COMBO Presents – TBA but put the date on your calendar!
Summer Concerts:
Botanic Gardens: https://concerts.botanicgardens.org
Levitt Pavillion: https://www.levittdenver.org
Open Mic / Jam Nights:
Songwriters at the Speakeasy (Roxy on Broadway), 554 South Broadway, Denver, CO 80209
This series takes place at 7:00 p.m. on the second & third Tuesday of each month in the listening-room basement at Roxy on Broadway. Shows feature top songwriters – from upstarts to pros – performing solo. Hosted by Baggs Patrick and Marty Jones
Acoustic Open Mic Night – 4th Tuesday of the month at the Doghouse Studios, 525 Courtney Way, Lafayette, CO | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Sponsored by Rock for the People | RSVP at
https://www.rockforthepeople.org/events
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. Host: Todd Allen
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
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!!