Congratulations to Steve Weeks, Colorado Springs, who is the winner of the 2026 Durango Songwriters Expo entry worth up to $450. Steve entered our Songwriting Contest and his name was drawn from all the entrants in the Contest. He will be able to attend the Expo October 8th thru 10th at the Omni Interlocken Hotel & Resort in Broomfield. He is really excited about the opportunity to learn more about the “business of song writing” and to meet all the great professionals who will be there to guide and mentor the aspiring songwriters, as well as to meet other song writers!
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Our judges are finishing up their scoring and we should be able to announce the winners of our Songwriting Contest next week!
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Great news! Several of our member businesses have stepped up to donate prizes to the winner(s) of our Songwriting Contest! See the article below for details.
Besides Bret Saunders being let go from KBCO, looks like Gregg Stone – “Uncle Nasty” – has also been laid off. PHOOEY!
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Don’t forget! Early Registration for the Durango Songwriters Expo is now open! Being held in Broomfield October 8th thru 10th at the Omni Interlocken Hotel & Resort. For more info, go to
https://www.durangosong.com
https://bookings.omnihotels.com/event/denver-interlocken/durango-songwriters-expo-2026
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If you follow our vice-president Dr. Annette Cannon on Facebook, you know that there was a big problem with a COMBO member not getting his pay for a recent show. We’ll give you more info next week and update you on what’s happening.
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BREAKING NEWS: Blood, Sweat & Tears singer David Clayton-Thomas dies aged 84. And Lionel Richie had to stop his tour, already in progress, due to illness. We’ll have more next week.
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Anyone notice the number of shows that COMBO member Laurie Dameron has listed on the calendar? She not only works hard to get her bookings but she spends a measly $30 per year to renew her membership in COMBO. One of our “benefits” is to list your shows on the calendar providing you send them to us (which, obviously, Laurie does)! Need inexpensive promotion for your act or band or business? Consider joining COMBO as a dues-paying member!
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To join COMBO, 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 Expo’s Broomfield 2026 Early Bird Registration is Open Thru July 10th
We hope you can join us in Broomfield, CO on October 8-10. https://www.durangosong.com
Performance High offering special showcase benefit to their students who sign up in June! Https://performancehigh.net
CALENDAR
Summer Concerts:
Arvada Center concerts: Tickets: call 720-898-7200 or at https://www.ArvadaCenter.org
Botanic Gardens: https://concerts.botanicgardens.org
Summer Sunday Festivals – Brunner Farmhouse and Gardens: 640 Main St., Broomfield 80020
Castle Rock Concerts: https://www.meadowscastlerock.com/blog/summer-concert-series/
Central City Opera: https://www.centralcityopera.org
City Park Jazz: https://www.facebook.com/cityparkjazz
Levitt Pavillion: https://www.levittdenver.org
Sofar Sounds House Concerts: https://www.sofarsounds.com
Swallow Hill Music: Saturdays at Four Mile Historic Park – https://www.swallowhillmusic.org
Fr, 26th – 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Femmes With A Side of Soltice Witchery featuring 5 Foot Betty (a/k/a Sharon Glassman), Louise Lately & Kat Goblin at the Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205 | https://larimerlounge.com/
Fr-Su, 26th -28th – The 2026 24th Annual Blues From The Top Festival, presented by the Grand County Blues Society takes place once again this year at the scenic Rendezvous Event Center (78821 US Hwy 40) in downtown Winter Park. Tickets: https://www.bluesfromthetop.org.
Fr, 26th – 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. – Young Heart Dance Band at Lakewood Elks Club, 1455 Newland Street, Lakewood, CO
Fr, 26th – 7:00 p.m. – Laurie & Lorrie open for Taarka at The Black Rose, Black Forest Community Center, 12530 Black Forest Road, Black Forest, CO | Laurie & Lorrie are excited to open for Taarka at the wonderful venue The Black Rose in beautiful Colorado Springs!
Sa, 27th – 1:30 Doors; Class at 2:00 – Rob Mullins, with Amelia Ransom, is presenting a piano master class “Strategies to Improve Your Music Career” at Classic Pianos/Maurice Unis Concert Hall, 1332 South Broadway, Denver. It is free but you do have to register.
Sa, 27th – 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. – The Hornbuckle Foundation’s 5th Annual Community Carnival
Ken Caryl Ranch Community Park, 7950 Sangre de Cristo Road, Littleton, CO 80127
https://tinyurl.com/yanjfrmd
Sa, 27th – Uptown Denver – Rooftop show | https://www.sofarsounds.com
Su, 28th – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Laurie & Lorrie at South Pearl Market, 1527 South Pearl Street, Denver 80210 | FREE! One of our favorite markets playing there for several years! Laurie & Lorrie add to the fun of the market entertaining all ages from kids to seniors and covering just about every genre! https://www.facebook.com/share/1B7CCCsKxk/
July 2026
Fr, 3rd – First Friday Five Points: https://www.artsandvenuesdenver.com/grants-cultural-investments/five-points-jazz
Fr, 3rd – 6:00 to 8:30 pm – Laurie D at Johnson’s Station, Longmont, CO
Fr, 3rd – 8:00 p.m. – James Barrs, accompanied by Ben Bentele (bowed banjo) and Rai Omri (guitar) at The Tank, 233 Country Road 46, Rangely, CO | The concert is FREE!
Sa, 4th – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Boulder Farmer’s Market, Boulder, CO
Su, 5th – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Laurie D at Central Park Market, Denver
Su, 5th – 12:30 p.m. – Rachel Alena at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival-Denver, Denver, CO
https://www.rachelalenamusic.com
We, 8th – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Laurie D at The Trident Booksellars, Boulder, CO
Fr-Su, 10th thru 12th – Colorado Black Arts Festival – This free annual celebration honors African American art and culture in the historic City Park West neighborhood. Enjoy live music, art shows, a marketplace and a food court. The event is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Sa, 11th – 2:00 to 10:00 p.m. – The Riverfront Park Summer Sessions is a free, family-friendly open-air concert and community event held in Commons Park (1610 Little Raven St) along the South Platte River in Lower Downtown (LoDo) Denver. The event features live main stage bands, an MCA Intermixed DJ Stage, food trucks, pop-up bars, and a family zone.
https://www.riverfrontparkevents.com/
Sa, 11th – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Laurie D at DANG Soft Serve Ice Cream, Denver, CO
Su, 12th – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Loveland Market, Loveland, CO
Su, 12th – 4:00 p.m. – Summer Sunday Festival presented by the Broomfield Council on the Arts & Humanities at the historic Brunner Farmhouse and Gardens, 640 Main St., Broomfield 80020, one of Broomfield’s most beloved summer traditions. | Free, family-friendly | $5 donation per family gratefully accepted Featuring the acclaimed Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra!
Fr, 17th – 5:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Festival in the Clouds, Alma, CO
Sa, 18th – 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – Laurie D at Windsor Market, Windsor, CO
Sa, 18th – 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Funkology is the ultimate dance party and entertainment band consisting of professional, highly trained musicians with years of experience. At Gold Hill Mesa, 142 South Raven Mine Drive, Colorado Springs 80805
Sa, 18th – 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. – Wendy Clark Band at Western Sky Bar & Tap, 4361 South Broadway, Englewood
Su, 19th – 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Beau Jo’s Pizza, Arvada, CO
We, 22nd – Doors at 8:00; Show at 8:30 – Mile High Homecoming with Seth Beamer and Patrick Armould & Kevin Johnson (of The Bright Silence) at Goosetown Tavern, 3242 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80206 | Ph: (303) 399-9703 | https://www.goosetowntavern.com | 21+ unless you have your parents with you! Tickets at:
https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/63243281/mile-high-homecoming-featseth-beamer-wpatrick-armould-kevin-johnston-denver-goosetown-tavern?clickref=1101lDpwBew8
Fr, 24th – 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Snowy Peaks Winery, Estes Park, CO
Fr-Su, 24th – 26th – Underground Music Showcase in RiNo – The UMS returns in a new home, moving from South Broadway to the River North Art District. Long known for spotlighting emerging and independent artists, the festival will present more than 200 performances across outdoor stages and venues throughout RiNo.
Su, 26th – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Basalt Market, Basalt, CO
Tu, 28th – 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. – Laurie D at Arbol Market, Paonia, CO
Tu, 28th – AC/DC at Empower Field at Mile High – The legendary rock outfit is set to continue their “Power Up Tour.” With a band of their caliber and the race against time and age, this very well could be the last time Denver gets a chance to see the “Hells Bells” group in their current form.
We, 29th – 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. – Laurie D at Carbondale Market, Carbondale, CO
We, 29th – 6:00 p.m. – Rachel Alena at St. Julien Hotel, Boulder, CO
https://www.rachelalenamusic.com
We-Su, 29th thru the 2nd ‘- The Sound of Music – This vibrant and romantic tale of Maria and the von Trapp family features beloved songs like “Do-Re-Mi,” “16 Going on 17” and “Edelweiss.”
August 2026
Sa, 1st – 5:30 pm – Laurie D at Beaver Creek
Sa, 1st – 7:30 p.m. – Rachel Alena at Oskar Blues, Longmont, CO
https://www.rachelalenamusic.com
Su, 2nd – 4:00 p.m. – Broomfield Arts & Humanities presents the Colorado Junction String Band at Brunner Farmhouse and Gardens, 640 Main Street, Broomfield 80020 | Free but a $5 donation is welcomed! Featuring the Colorado Junction String Band!
Fr, 7th – ALL DAY – Bandcamp Day! Buy a song from your favorite artist and they get full pay!
Https://www.isitbandcampday.com
Fr, 7th – First Friday Five Points: https://www.artsandvenuesdenver.com/grants-cultural-investments/five-points-jazz
Sa, 8th – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Flights Wine Cafe
Su, 9th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Laurie D at The Old Mine
Th, 13th – 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Laurie & Lorrie at Flights Wine Café, 7714 Grandview Avenue, Arvada, CO 80002 | One of Colorado’s most beautiful venues in the backyard with superb wine and tapas! We’ll be playing a variety of genres including some jazz, Bossa Nova and blues. It’s right on the RTD Light Rail! https://www.facebook.com/share/1C69iEFiXb/
Sa, 15th – 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Post Brewing Co., Lafayette
Sa, 15th – 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Peak Big Band, under the direction of Dan Bell, at Gold Hill Mesa Summer Festivals, 142 South Raven Mine Drive, Colorado Springs 80805 | This 18 piece Big Band blends classic swing with modern jazz energy with dynamic charts, tight grooves, and powerhouse performances. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy great music under the warm sun!
Su,16th – 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Sweetheart Wine, Loveland
Th, 20th – 5:30 – 7:30 pm – Laurie D at The Yard Summer Patio Sessions, 107 South Public Road, Lafayette, CO 80026
Fr, 21st – 4:30 to 6:30 pm – Laurie D at Edwards Art Battle, Edwards, CO
Su, 23rd – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Laurie D at Loveland Market, Loveland, CO
Fr-Su, 27th thru 30th – Boulder Roots Music Fest, downtown Boulder, CO | This event transforms downtown Boulder for four days! The Cass Clayton Band will be playing. More info later.
Fr. 28th – 7:00 p.m. -:Block Party Presented by KUVO JAZZ and THE DROP 104.7 at the Levitt Pavilion Denver, South Santa Fe Dr. | Free RSVP: https://tickets.venuepilot.com/the-block-party
Aug 29th – Sept 9th – Laurie D on a Southern Music Tour (if you know any venues or friends where I can spend the night, please let me know!) At Kerrville, TX, Galveston, TX, New Orleans, Tallahassee, FL, Jacksonville, FL, Hilton Head, SC, Myrtle Beach, SC and somewhere near Charlotte, NC
Mo, 31st – Calling all golfers! The Colorado Music Hall of Fame is thrilled to be back at Denver’s Wellshire Golf Course for our third annual golf tournament. Shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. Funds raised support the programs of CMHoF and our mission to celebrate, promote and support Colorado’s music community. | https://cmhof.org/events/3rd-annual-golf-tournament
Recurring Events:
The Windsor Ladies of Country Music “Good Time Hour Club,” every 2nd Wednesday of the month | 2:00 p.m. at Windsor Gardens
Open Mic / Jam Nights:
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Second & Third Tuesdays of the month: Songwriters Round at the Speakeasy (Roxy on Broadway), 554 South Broadway, Denver, CO 80209. This series takes place at 7:00 p.m. in the listening-room basement. Shows feature top songwriters – from upstarts to pros – performing solo. Hosted by Baggs Patrick and Marty Jones
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First Tuesdays of the month: 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. – Roots Music Project – Sober Open Mic, 4747 Pearl Street, Suite V3A, Boulder, CO | FREE! Keep in mind the entrance for the open mic is in the east room so enter through the door to the right of the main entrance.
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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
ON HOLD UNTIL SEPTEMBER: 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
