WOW! I sincerely hope you saw the production at the Academy Awards (Oscars) for “I Lied to You” for the category of “Best Original Song” from the movie “Sinners”. I write more about it in the article below, along with websites to view the number. The production was terrific!
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NPR Tiny Desk Update! COMBO member Laurie Dameron writes: One more month to get views and then in early May, NPR will announce winners! I have nearly 1.4 K views so thanks to all of you who have viewed! But I need 98K more! You can help simply by viewing! They have received 6000 entries so I can use all the views I can get! It would REALLY be great to get some thumbs ups or comments, too. Also I hope this song will lift your spirits in these troubled days!
Click on the link here: (Thank you!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&si=PDx87YhzkXmB7tCq&v=6EFNRovx2t0&feature=youtu.be
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Aurora’s own Lizzo delivers personal message of finding your voice and trusting yourself in new kids’ book. Grammy award-winner Lizzo exclusively announced on “CBS Mornings” her latest project, a children’s book called “Little Lizzo Meets Sasha B. Flute.” She spoke with Gayle King about her inspiration for the book and message for young readers. Mar 16, 2026
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/lizzo-delivers-personal-message-of-finding-your-voice-and-trusting-yourself-in-new-kids-book/
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Our annual Songwriting Contest starts April 1st and ends May 31st – only two months to enter. More details next week but get your songs ready to enter. MP3s are recommended. Reminder: If you are a dues-paying member of COMBO, you get one free entry for an individual membership, two free entries if your band is a member, and 4 free entries as a business member! Also new this year: If you enter the contest, you can count the date and time of your entry as proof of “copyright!”
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I recently asked the music community on Facebook to tell me venues that still allowed full sets of original music to be played. Wow! Did I get a list! I compiled the venues and they are listed in the article below. 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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Wanted: Dead or Alive? Try wanted: on the big screen. The story of how a bunch of New Jersey kids became global rock titans is officially heading to cinemas. Universal Pictures is developing a Bon Jovi biopic with the band’s full blessing and access to their legendary catalogue. Expect ‘Livin’ on a Prayer,’ ‘Wanted Dead or Alive,’ and ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’ to soundtrack the origin story. The project arrives as the band celebrates their 40th anniversary with an upcoming MSG residency.
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Add this to your calendar now! Colorado Guitar Show & Custom Luthier Expo, Saturday, May 9th – Legacy Campus, Lone Tree, CO http://guitarshowmagazine.com/coloradoexpo.html
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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:
Chris Reidy Looking for Bands for the new Soiled Dove. Contact him at
https://www.facebook.com/chris.reidy.5811
Voices With Vision: Innervision FM Open Mic Fundraiser – Friday, March 27th
Email johnnie@innervisionrecords.org to reserve your spot.
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 activation held along Denver’s historic Welton Street corridor. The event celebrates the legacy of Five Points—known as 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, 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 – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Rudy Grant and Chris Alan, dinner show at The Catfish King, Colfax & Glenco | Come have a Catfish and Southern Fixin’ Dinner & enjoy Rudy & Chris
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
Th, 26th – Doors at 6:00 p.m. – Fundraiser & show for Zing for Zonta, at Nissi’s Event Center stage, 1455 Coal Creek Drive, Unit T, Lafayette, CO 80026 | Vote here: https://bolder.bid/app/public/bidapp/zonta26/auction
Fr, 27th – 6:00 p.m. – Innervision Talent Contest via Zoom | See Events below for details.
Sa, 28th – All day, all night! Frozen Dead Guy Days in Estes Park! Live Music, too! https://www.facebook.com/frozendeadguydays
April 2026
Watch for Boulder Arts Week and Celebration for Earth Day!!!
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
Sa & Su, 11th & 12th – 10:00 a.m. til 4:00 p.m. – Rocky Mountain Record Show at Denver Sports Castle, 1000 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203 | Cost: $10
Fr, 17th – 11:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. – Laurie D at Dazzle Jazz, El Chapultepec Piano Lounge, Downtown Denver, CO
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!
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! https://lauriedameron.com
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:
Tuesday, April 21st – Special Amplified Open Mic from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Doghouse Studios, 525 Courtney Way, Lafayette, CO. Doors open at 6:20 p.m. and first performance begins at 6:30 p.m. We’ll have the bar open to help y’all enjoy your Tuesday evening, and don’t forget to bring along friends and family! Want to keep Open Mic Tuesdays FREE?! Buy drinks at the bar and donate to our nonprofit Rock for the People ($5 is a GREAT donation)! This is an RSVP event:
https://www.rockforthepeople.org/event-details/amplified-open-mic-night-2026-04-21-18-30?
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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
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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