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Colorado Music Hall of Fame Celebrates its 15th Anniversary with New Programming, Awards and a Party

Guest Contributor — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 01:15:42 +0000

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DENVER, CO (February 19, 2026): This year will be a momentous one for Colorado Music Hall of Fame (The Hall), which is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a powerful lineup of noteworthy events and updates. The Hall expands its annual recognition categories with the inaugural Community Impact Awards on April 8, and celebrates 15 years of amplifying Colorado music at an anniversary fundraiser on April 19 at Pasta Jay’s in Boulder, CO.

Since its founding in 2011, The Hall has made a significant impact on Colorado’s music scene. Its accomplishments include bringing the community together for the unforgettable inductions of over 60 iconic musicians, music businesses, and industry champions (listed below). The Hall has also actively supported Colorado’s music community by providing thousands of dollars for mental health and addiction recovery counseling services through its Keep The Beat program.

Community members, music supporters, and tourists alike have learned about Colorado’s music history through the artifacts and stories shared in The Hall’s exhibits, reaching people at its former locations – the 1STBANK Center, Red Rocks Trading Post, and Denver International Airport – and now at the Colorado Convention Center. And recently, The Hall convened music, tourism, and civic leaders to develop the Colorado Music Tourism Strategy, a statewide effort to strengthen the music community and brand Colorado as a premier music destination.

“While one of The Hall’s goals has been documenting the history of Colorado music, it also recognizes the importance of promoting the industry and strategizing for the next 15 years,” says Colorado Music Hall of Fame board co-chair and co-founder Scott Tobias. “Music is key for driving Colorado’s economy and maintaining our dynamic, creative image around the world.”

Since 2011, The Hall has inducted Colorado’s superstars- musicians, music industry professionals, venues, and organizations- that have changed the music landscape not just in Colorado but also on the national/international ‘stage.’ Now, in recognition of this changing world, The Hall is reimagining its induction and awards structure, adding two nomination categories.

The Honorary Coloradan category expands the traditional Colorado Music Hall of Fame induction to recognize musicians outside of the state whose work has had a significant, profound, and lasting impact on Colorado’s music culture. The Community Impact Award will honor local musicians, bands, music educators, venues, businesses, and organizations that have significantly influenced this state’s music scene.

The Hall accepts nominations from the public, now available for all three categories, at https://cmhof.org/nominate/. The Hall’s board of directors reviews nominations of individuals, businesses, and organizations across the state when making its annual selections.

“Music fans are a key contributor to our music ecosystem. We need people to be the eyes, and especially the ears, around Colorado in helping us to recognize the heroes of our statewide music community,” says Karen Radman, executive director of Colorado Music Hall of Fame.

On April 8, The Hall will kick off its fifteenth year with the inaugural C held at the Colorado Music Hall of Fame exhibit located in the Colorado Convention Center. This historic event will honor Friends in the Business, the incredible retail businesses that have impacted and shaped this state’s music scene. Tickets for the awards event are $20 at www.cmhof.org/events/inaugural-community-impact-awards.

The inaugural awardees are:

René Heredia — This acclaimed flamenco guitarist has been a driving force in preserving and elevating flamenco music in Colorado for 53 years. His significant and lasting legacy is rooted in his leadership, performance, and educational efforts at the Flamenco Center for Guitar and Dance. He created a vibrant, immersive home and community where flamenco artists and audiences could hone their craft and experience the art form’s profound passion.
Kolacny Music — This cherished, family-run enterprise was a cornerstone of the Colorado music scene for 93 years. Specializing in instrument repair, sales, and rentals, the store served generations of Colorado musicians, from aspiring students in school bands and orchestras to professional performers. The business was a true legacy, operated with dedication across three generations of the Kolacny family until they closed their doors in 2023.
ListenUp — Founded in 1972, ListenUp became a leader in high-quality audio equipment and live sound, and even introduced digital audio to Colorado audiences. ListenUp engineered advanced systems for iconic Colorado venues like Ebbets Field, the Boulder Theater, and the Rainbow Music Hall, producing live radio shows now in their archives. Today, ListenUp is one of the nation’s most enduring electronics retailers– whether in a venue, on the air, or in the home.
Bob Rupp — When drummer Bob Rupp founded Rupp’s Drums in 1984, he didn’t just open a music store; he built a space for Colorado’s percussion community. For decades, Rupp’s Drums was the go-to for drummers across the state. He championed musicians, backed major music events, and created a gathering place for legends and beginners. Though the shop closed its doors in 2025, its impact still echoes across stages throughout Colorado.
Twist & Shout Records and founder Paul Epstein — Founded in 1988 by Colorado Music Hall of Fame co-chair Paul Epstein and his wife Jill, Twist & Shout grew from a small record shop into a celebrated Denver music hub. It is revered for its expansive music selection and its iconic, exciting in-store performances featuring high-profile artists. Epstein sold the store to long-time manager Patrick Brown in 2022, and it continues to thrive as a beloved and vibrant cornerstone for Colorado’s music community.

The Hall will continue the celebration with a 15th Anniversary Party on Sunday, April 19, at Pasta Jay’s in Boulder, hosted by Hall of Fame boardmember (Pasta) Jay Elowsky. Harking back to The Hall’s Inaugural Fundraiser at Pasta Jay’s back in 2011, the afternoon will consist of intimate live performances from Hall of Famers Chris Daniels, Freddi Gowdy, Hazel Miller, Bill and Jilian Nershi, and Kenny Passarelli; a three-course Italian dinner paired with beverages; and exciting opportunities to win cool prizes. The event will be emceed by KBCO’s Bret Saunders, another Hall of Fame inductee. The celebration is open to the public; tickets are $100-$200. Visit www.cmhof.org/events/15th-anniversary-party/ for tickets and more information. 100% of proceeds directly support The Hall’s mission to celebrate, promote, and support Colorado’s music community.

2015 Colorado Music Hall of Fame Induction, credit Bob Sanderson

About Colorado Music Hall of Fame (The Hall)

Founded in 2011, The Hall is a nonprofit with a mission to celebrate, promote, and support Colorado’s music community:

Celebrating Colorado music by inducting our state’s music heroes, hosting music events, and sharing music history digitally and through our exhibit located in the Colorado Convention Center; promoting Colorado as a music destination; and supporting local musicians and industry professionals with financial assistance and resources for mental health and addiction through its Keep The Beat mental wellness program.

Over 60 musicians, music industry professionals, venues, and music organizations have been inducted into The Hall to date:

2011: Inaugural Class: John Denver, Red Rocks Amphitheatre
2012: Setting the Stage: Barry Fey, Harry Tuft
2012: Rockin’ the ‘60s: The Astronauts, Flash Cadillac, KIMN Radio, Sugarloaf
2013: Colorado’s Folk Revival: Judy Collins, Chris Daniels, Bob Lind, Serendipity Singers
2014: Country Rock in the Rockies: Firefall, Manassas w/Stephen Stills, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Poco
2016: 20th Century Pioneers: Lannie Garrett, Glenn Miller, Max Morath, Billy Murray, Elizabeth Spencer, Paul Whiteman
2017: Rocky Mountain Way: Caribou Ranch, Dan Fogelberg, Bill Szymczyk, Joe Walsh & Barnstorm
2017: Jazz Masters & Beyond: Philip Bailey, Charles Burrell, Larry Dunn, Bill Frisell, Ron Miles, Dianne Reeves, Andrew Woolfolk
2018: Live & On the Air: John Hickenlooper, KBCO, Chuck Morris
2019: Old Folk, New Folk: Walt Conley, Mother Folkers, Swallow Hill Music, Dick Weissman
2019: Going Back to Colorado: Tommy Bolin, Freddi & Henchi, Wendy Kale, Tony Spicola, Otis Taylor, Zephyr
2021: A Virtual Induction: eTown
2021: The Flatirons Sessions: The Fox Theatre, Hot Rize, Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band
2023: Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Hazel Miller, George Morrison, Sr.
2024: Opera in the High Country: Central City Opera, Cynthia Lawrence, Keith Miller, John Moriarty
2024: Mile High Jazz Oasis: El Chapultepec & Jerry Krantz, Greg Gisbert, Eric Gunnison, KUVO & Carlos Lando, Ellyn Rucker, Ken Walker
2025: Jazz Aspen Snowmass & Jim Horowitz; Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

# # #

Thank you,

Karen M. Radman

Executive Director

Colorado Music Hall of Fame

www.cmhof.org

Mailing Address: 1278 N Lincoln St #100, Denver, CO 80203

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Spotlight on the Last Sounds of the Summer

French Davis — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 22:00:27 +0000

One thing that separates Colorado from the pack when it comes to live music is the absolute avalanche of incredible tours, settings, and performances slated throughout the summer. After the trials of the COVID pandemic over the last few years, the floodgates opened for 2022, and we think we’d be remiss if we didn’t pony up another batch of end-of-summer slam dunks for live music you need to slap on your calendar.

Head for the Hills at Levitt Pavilion

“Beyond it being a beautiful, inspiring place to live, Colorado’s always had a great music scene,” said Joe Lessard, fiddle player for the beloved Head for the Hills grass-tet from Ft. Collins when we interviewed him in 2019. “There’s a tight-knit community of music people of all sorts here, from players to festival promoters to production folks.” That spirit comes alive at their big return to Levitt Pavilion on Aug. 5. Free, 7 p.m., bit.ly/H4THatLevitt

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at Mishawaka Amphitheatre

Photo by David McClister

It’s been more than half a century since the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band brought its country rock sounds from Long Beach, CA to the rest of the world, including more than two dozen albums and a slew of Country Music Awards, nominations and Grammy awards, to boot. They slide into the newly revamped Mishawaka Amphitheatre on Aug. 6 with local darlings Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts for a boot-stompin’ hollerin’ good time. Aug. 6 $45+, 6 p.m., bit.ly/NGDBatMishawaka

Taste of Colorado

As street fairs go, few have the longevity or diversity of the perennial Taste of Colorado. With roots dating back to 1895 as the “Festival of Mountain and Plain,” the Downtown Denver Partnership has curated this showcase of Denver food and talent for more than four decades as the traditional summer-set event for the Mile High. This year’s slate of music includes six stages and dozens of bands, including Same Cloth, Sarah Mount and the Rushmores, Tivoli Club Brass Band, Paizley Park, Nelson Rangell, Cocktail Revolution, Venus Cruz, Blink 303, N3ptune and so many more. Sept. 3–5, www.atasteofcolorado.com

NIN at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Back on tour for the first time since 2018, Nine Inch Nails brings Trent Reznor’s industrial sound to Red Rocks in one of only a handful of stops around the United States. After a previous outing was foiled by COVID, the band has plenty of new material to share, with work spanning two albums Ghosts V: Together and Ghosts VI: Locusts (The Null Corporation, 2020) as well as soundtrack cuts for film and television shows like Bird Box, the Watchmen and Soul. This is one you’ll definitely want to see. Sept. 2, 7 p.m., $85+, bit.ly/NINatRedRocks

Flogging Molly at Mission Ballroom

Once darlings of the Vans Warped Tour, Flogging Molly may have surfaced after the hey-day of punk, but all that means is they were a little late to the party. Dublin-born frontman Dave King is the cornerstone asset to the authentic Irish punk cathedral that sprang from the L.A. punk scene in the late-’90s, bringing with it a sweaty brogueish swagger that remains unquestionably loved for all its emerald-green glow. At Mission Ballroom, Sept. 9, 5 p.m., $53+, www.missionballroom.com

Bert Kreischer at Red Rocks

Photo by Todd Rosenberg

Few things are funnier than the bare skinned, barrel-chested Bert Kreischer’s reminiscence of his college trip to post USSR Russia and his accidental honorary membership into the Russian mafia, where he was celebrated as “The Machine!” thanks to his lack of decent conversational Russian skills. Kreischer is a dyed-in-the-wool storyteller who remains on a comedic comet ride, and can sell out mid-sized venues like Red Rocks without a problem. Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m., $50+, www.redrocksonline.com

Rodrigo y Gabriela at Chautauqua Auditorium

Rodrigo y Gabriela have firmly entrenched themselves as an unmatched live act dating back to their eponymous debut album in 2006. Their flamenco-soaked rhythms and unyielding energy are absolutely riveting to watch as much as they are compelling to listen to, and it’s why they can sell out everywhere the play — from the Hollywood Bowl to Red Rocks Amphitheater. At Chautauqua Auditorium, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., $58+ www.chautauqua.com

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A brief chat with John McEuen

Brett Calwood — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 16:15:18 +0000

John McEuen is a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, now in its 44th year. On Sunday, February 8, McEuen will be playing the Little Bear Saloon in Evergreen with Matt Cartsonis just weeks after being inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. The man is a former Colorado resident, and he’s looking forward to coming back to play one of his old haunts. We spoke to him about all of that and more…J

Yellow Scene: How did it feel to be inducted into the Colorado Hall of Fame last month?

John McEuen: It was a total shock and surprise, and a wonderful thing. It was nice to have a free ticket to such a wonderful show. We went on last. It was a very home-coming feeling, even though we don’t live here now. I raised six kids in Clear Creek County. I lived here for 20 years. The kids still talk about this area as home.

YS: Do you miss it?

JM: I miss it, but I get to see it now and again. I like where I am now. I’ve played an average of 130 cities a year, and that’s in the last ten years. Prior to that, it might have been 180. So you see a lot of places, and there are things about Colorado that are absolutely wonderful. But I live in Florida now and my pipes don’t freeze. Nor my battery.

YS: What can we expect from Sunday’s show?

JM: The Little Bear is a really friendly place where it feels like I know everybody in the audience. They know the Dirt Band music, and it’s gonna be a time at the Little Bear where I’m going to dig into the catalog of the Dirt Band music, because I can and I get to play whatever I want. My son Nathan will be playing with me, he’s 34 now and went to grade school in Colorado. He grew up on the Dirt Band music, and mine. I think it’s going to be a two-and-a-half hour set of songs that people are excited to hear on stage again.

YS: Have you played the Little Bear before?

JM: Oh yeah. I played there with Doc Watson and Leon Russell, by myself, with other people, sitting in with other bands… back in the 1970s, when I lived here, if anybody played the Little Bear that I knew, I would often sit in with them. The Little Bear is like an institution. It’s been there so many years, it’s like a time travel trip. It’s like going back to the good part of the 1970s. The sound system is incredible and they know how to use it. Its a funky stage, that’s for sure. If you rolled up to the Little Bear for the first time, and you were playing there, you’d go, “Oh my God, my career’s over.” As soon as the show starts, you go, “This is the best audience ever.”

YS: When this show’s done, what’s next?

JM: All of the information can be found on my website. My mother thought of my website name – it’s johnmceuen.com. I added the .com. I’m easy to find on the internet. You can just put in “John Nitty Gritty” on Google, because my last name is so hard to spell. I’m doing several shows with John Carter Cash – Johnny and June’s son. That’s coming up in a couple of weeks. I’m playing Key West for the first time at the end of February. The Dirt Band starts playing at the end of March, and we’ll probably do the normal 80 shows this year. I’m planning a planetarium show, which is fun, called The Simple Gift of Christmas. It’s for planetariums to play around Christmas. I also have syndicatednews.net, which is a website I’ve been developing – take a look at it. It’s still under construction.

John McEuen and Matt Cartsonis play at 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 8 at the Little Bear Saloon; 28075 Colorado 74, Evergreen; 303-674-9991; $18.

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