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'Stars of Tomorrow' guests: Jaden Carlson, Jack Gaffney, Sarah Samantha Rose, and John Teas perform for the COMBO General Meeting held on November 20, 2011!
FEBRUARY COMBO GENERAL MEETING - BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO
or “How to End a Relationship Without Ending the Friendship!”
The next COMBO general meeting will be held on Sunday, February 19th. Mark it on your calendar now! The program topic will be on how to make adjustments to your band line-up without burning a bridge you don’t want to burn. The panel of speakers will offer suggestions as to, firstly, how to recognize the signs that your group is going to have a problem and then, secondly, how to handle a potentially explosive situation before it gets out of control.
What: COMBO General Meeting
When: Sunday, February 19th
Where: TBA
Time: 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the public - ALL AGES!
ARTIST/BAND MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
COMBO’s president, Barb Dye, will be offering a workshop on Artist and Band Management. The workshop will help to get the aspiring manager started, or will help you to get your own “music business” organized whether as a solo artist or as a member of a group.
The class will include information on how to copyright your songs, registering your name, how to get gigs, how to promote your shows, getting help from roadies to management, how to set up tours, finding a publisher, band contracts, and lots more. Handouts will be included in the fee.
When: Saturday, February 11, 2012
Where: COMBO Conference Room, 1490 Lafayette Street, Denver
Time: 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $30 (current COMBO members: $25)(Number of participants is limited)
Sign up by sending a check made out to “COMBO” to the Colorado Music Association, 1490 Lafayette Street, Suite 104-B, Denver, CO 80218. Or you can use a credit card by going to the COMBO website, www.coloradomusic.org, clicking on the “Join COMBO” tab, click on the “Join as an individual or solo artist”, filling out the registration form, and put the words “Management Workshop” in the “Comments” line. Complete directions to the workshop will be sent to you with the confirmation of your registration. Pre-registration is required so we have the correct amount of handouts ready for the group. Also, attendance is limited due to the size of the conference room so register early for a space!
LONGMONT CHAPTER OF NSAI MEETS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12th
The Longmont Chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (“NSAI”) meets on the second Sunday of every month from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. (The Denver Chapter meets the second Monday of each month so you can attend either or both if you want!) Free to join and attend. Just bring your instrument and copies of your lyrics to pass around and join in the fun. Get reviews of your song(s) from unbiased people or just play for the heck of it. And what a great way to meet and make new friends who love writing songs, too. Who knows? You may run into the perfect person to start co-writing that million dollar song with!
What: Northern Colorado/Longmont Chapter NSAI
When: Second Sundays of the month (next one February 12th)
Time: 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Fire Station #3, 1000 Pace Street, Longmont
Cost: FREE!
Who: ALL AGES! The more the merrier!
Join the mailing list for reminders so you don’t forget! For more information, to get on the mailing list, or just to chat, contact Lee Johnson at the below listed info:
Lee Johnson
303-442-2379
lee@boulderguitar.com
http://www.boulderguitar.com
For more information on the next meeting of the Denver Chapter of NSAI, which will be held at CCM Studios, 4214 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, 720-941-6088, contact Elvira Hall at WalltoWallMusic@aol.com or Bonnie Essex at b2thumzz@aol.com
CONCORDIA CHOIR TO PRESENT CONCERTS IN DENVER & COLORADO SPRINGS
When: Saturday, February 25th
Where: Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 East Alameda Avenue, Denver
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $25 Adult; $20 Seniors; $10 students
When: Sunday, February 26th
Where: Grace and Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Colorado Springs
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $20 adults; $10 for students
Hear one of the nation’s finest college choirs perform Saturday, February 25th and Sunday, February 26th at the above listed venues. René Clausen conducts the 72-voice a cappella choir in several spirituals and hymns. They have performed and recorded with The King´s Singers, and Garrison Keillor calls the choir 'Exceptional!' Visit www.TheConcordiaChoir.org today for complete concert information! Tickets are available at 800-838-3600 or online at http://www.ConcordiaTickets.com.
The Concordia Choir is widely considered one of the world’s premier undergraduate vocal ensembles that tours the world, sings for royalty and garners praise from critics. The Choir continues to affirm its reputation as one of the nation’s finest choirs and a leader in interpreting and advancing the Lutheran choral tradition.
The Choir’s long and distinguished history dates back to 1920. The group has performed in nearly every major hall in the United States including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
COMBO MUSIC EXPO and UPPER COLFAX ROOT 40 MUSIC FEST!
When: April 22nd thru April 28th
Where: All along Colfax from Broadway east to Esplanade (Route 40)
Time: Various (depending on the event)
Why: To introduce YOU to the many entertainment opportunities in the area
Cost: Varies on the event
Starting Sunday, April 22nd, the Colfax Business Improvement District (“CBID”), in cooperation and partnership with COMBO, will be presenting a week-long event in the area of 14th to 16th, from Broadway east to Explanade, especially focusing on Colfax businesses. Opening with the COMBO Music Expo at The Filmore on April 22nd (Colfax and Clarkson), many music-related businesses will showcase their products and, as in the past two Expos, we’ll have listening sessions, seminars, and lots and lots of places for musicians/bands to play!
If you/your band is interested in playing, please send an e-mail to Talent@coloradomusic.org with the following information:
Contact name
contact info (phone number and e-ddress)
band or act name
number and names of players
whether or not you have your own [small] PA system available
whether or not you can play 4 sets of covers/originals mixed
asking pay
website
style of music
and any other info you feel is pertinent.
We do not want bios or CDs (you can contact Mark at Mark@coloradomusic.org to ask permission to send a CD for his spotlight on local music on the COMBO website).
This info is for COMBO’s reference. We have some other big music events coming up and will consider your band for those events as well.
So mark April 22nd through the 28th on your calendar(s) now before you forget! You won’t want to miss out on this event – whether as a performer or as a “Patron of the Arts”!
More specific info will be forthcoming in the next few weeks so stay tuned...
Welcome to new member PAUL WHITENS from Manitou Springs. Thanks for your support, Paul.
Paul’s bio: Paul enjoy singing his songs for anyone who'll listen - especially at house concerts and festivals! He supports local farmers whenever he can, and when he can't – he buys organic and fair-trade products! His songwriting has been influenced by Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, The Beatles and Townes Van Zandt, to name a few. His new CD is "On The Road To An Open Heart" which he dedicated to the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and to the amazing kids he’s had the opportunity to teach and learn from! One of his songs, the title track, “On the Road to An Open Heart” is now featured on the COMBO website. Listen for it!
http://www.paulwhitens.com
IN MEMORIAM:
SINGER ETTA JAMES PASSES ON JANUARY 20th
[Ms. James was being cared for at home and passed away after long illnesses including leukemia.]
ALSO IN REMEMBRANCE THIS PAST WEEK:
Larry Butler, 69, American music producer.
John Levy, 99, American jazz double-bassist and manager.
Anthony Gonsalves, 84, Indian film music composer.
Winston Riley, 65, Jamaican reggae musician and producer, complications of shooting.
Errol Scorcher, 55, Jamaican reggae DJ, ruptured blood vessel.
Johnny Otis, 90, American R&B singer-songwriter ["Willie and the Hand Jive"]. (Mr. Otis' bio is quite amazing. Take a few minutes to read it.
Jimmy Castor, 71, American funk and R&B saxophonist ("Troglodyte (Cave Man)"), heart failure.
Gustav Leonhardt, 83, Dutch harpsichordist and conductor.
For biographies and obituaries, see http://www.wikipedia.com
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NEW THIS WEEK: SOPA & PIPA - NOT Italian sisters! Very important Laws re: the musician, actor, and artist; Quote of the Week; February COMBO General Meeting; Upper Colfax Root 40 Music Fest / COMBO Expo!
Remember to sign up for the Artist/Band Management Workshop. Seating is limited!
DATES TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR
February 2012:
Su, 5th - COMBO Board Meeting
Sa, 11th - COMBO's Artist/Band Management Workshop
Su, 12th - Grammys!
Su, 12th - Northern Colorado/Longmont Chapter NSAI Meeting
Mo, 13th - Denver Chapter NSAI Meeting
Su, 19th - COMBO General Meeting
Sa, 25th - Performance Bootcamp with Adrienne Osborn & Lang Bliss
Sa, 25th - Concordia [College] Choir Concert in Denver
Su, 26th - Concordia [College] Choir Concert in Colorado Springs
March 2012
Su, 4th - COMBO Board Meeting
Su, 11th - Northern Colorado/Longmont Chapter NSAI Meeting
Mo, 12th - Denver Chapter NSAI Meeting
Sa, 17th - St. Patrick’s Day Parade - look for COMBO’s float!
Sa, 24th & Su, 25th - UMX [People’s Fair] Auditions at Bender’s Tavern
April 2012
Su, 1st - COMBO Board Meeting
Su, 22nd - COMBO Music Expo at The Filmore!
23rd - 28th - Colfax Business Improvement District’s Upper Colfax Root 40 Music Fest
COMBO supports our locally owned and operated Small Music Businesses like Red & Jerry’s and Shadow Sportswear (Yeah, we know... not exactly “Music Businesses” but they support musicians and COMBO so they deserve a plug!)
What Is SOPA and Why Does It Matter? - HEARING / VOTE POSTPONED
By Julianne Pepitone - CNN - The Denver Channel 7
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The tech industry is abuzz about SOPA and PIPA, a pair of anti-piracy bills. Here's why they're controversial, and how they would change the digital landscape if they became law.
What is SOPA?
SOPA is an acronym for the Stop Online Piracy Act. It's a proposed bill that aims to crack down on copyright infringement by restricting access to sites that host or facilitate the trading of pirated content.
SOPA's main targets are "rogue" overseas sites like torrent hub The Pirate Bay, which are a trove for illegal downloads. Go to the The Pirate Bay, type in any current hit movie or TV show like "Glee," and you'll see links to download full seasons and recent episodes for free.
Content creators have battled against piracy for years -- remember Napster? -- but it's hard for U.S. companies to take action against foreign sites. The Pirate Bay's servers are physically located in Sweden. So SOPA's goal is to cut off pirate sites' oxygen by requiring U.S. search engines, advertising networks and other providers to withhold their services.
That means sites like Google wouldn't show flagged sites in their search results, and payment processors like eBay's PayPal couldn't transmit funds to them.
Both sides say they agree that protecting content is a worthy goal. But opponents say that the way SOPA is written effectively promotes censorship and is rife with the potential for unintended consequences.
Silicon Valley woke up and took notice of the implications when SOPA was introduced in the House of Representatives in October. But its very similar counterpart, PIPA, flew under the radar and was approved by a Senate committee in May. PIPA is now pending before the full Senate and scheduled for a vote on January 24, though some senators are pushing for a delay.
Long article but well worth the reading for a fuller explanation:
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/technology/30232977/detail.html?treets=den&taf=den
GET YOUR BAND IN THE HARD ROCK BATTLE!
The Hard Rock [Café] is looking for bands in 86 participating cities to battle it out and represent their city in a global competition. The winning band will fly to London to perform at Hard Rock Calling 2012 this July!
http://www.facebook.com/hardrock?sk=app_277689795620799
http://www.hardrock.com
[Editor’s note: The Hard Rock website link leads to the Facebook website which means you have to sign up for Fb if you’re not already on. Is this not in violation of Consumer Protection Laws?]
AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ‘ROBOT – THE ROCK OPERA’:
Planet X Production's Robot the Rock Opera
Live at the Bug Theatre, Denver, CO
Show runs April 27th through May 12th
Auditions January 23rd; call backs the 25th
Planet X Productions, the folks that brought you Captain Swift and the Invasion from Dimension X and Sea of Blood, in association with the Next Pony, who collaborated to bring Trey Parker's Cannibal! The Musical to the Bug stage last November, will be holding auditions in January for our spring production of Robot the Rock Opera, an original work by Seth Iniguez Bertoni, Fredd Bowers, and Scott Osborne. Set 99 years in the future, Roberta the love bot struggles with her programming and her role as a servant to mankind, in this class war parable of revolution, romance, and robots.
Auditions will be by appointment from 6:00 p.m. til 8:00 p.m., January 23rd, with call backs on January 25th. Performers should bring sheet music or recorded music for a number from a musical or rock opera to sing to. Performers should be prepared to do a few simple dance steps and wear appropriate lose-fitting clothing and light shoes.
Open parts include:
Otto, robot revolutionary leader, male, 18-40
Professor Van Der Verth, scientist designer of robots, male 30+
Garrick, Roberta's owner, male, 25+
James, robot servant to Garrick, male, age open
The Authority, the law/political ruler, gender open, 30+
The Mechanic, gynecological robotics technician, male, 18+
Robot Chorus/Human Chorus, need any age and gender
Please call Seth at 303-946-8961 to schedule an audition. We look forward to hearing from you, and thank you for your interest in this exciting project!
COLORADO PERFORMANCE BOOTCAMP - FEBRUARY 25th
COMBO Member Adrienne Osborn, voice and performance coach at Performance High, is organizing a one-day, jam-packed Colorado Performance Bootcamp with Nashville Live Music Producer Lang Bliss. The bootcamp is for gigging artists and bands ready to take their performance to the next level, although new performers may also attend if they wish.
COMBO members get a 15% discount by using the login bootcampvip / 15discount.
When: Saturday, February 25, 2012, all day
Where: Dog House Studio, Lafayette, CO
More information: http://performancehigh.net/stage-performance/
COMBO MUSIC EXPO and UPPER COLFAX ROOT 40 MUSIC FEST!
When: April 22nd thru April 28th
Where: All along Colfax from Broadway east to Esplanade (Route 40)
Time: Various (depending on the event)
Why: To introduce YOU to the many entertainment opportunities in the area
Cost: Varies on the event
Starting Sunday, April 22nd, the Colfax Business Improvement District (“CBID”), in cooperation and partnership with COMBO, will be presenting a week-long event in the area of 14th to 16th, from Broadway east to Explanade, especially focusing on Colfax businesses. Opening with the COMBO Music Expo at The Filmore on April 22nd (Colfax and Clarkson), many music-related businesses will showcase their products and, as in the past two Expos, we’ll have listening sessions, seminars, and lots and lots of places for musicians/bands to play!
If you/your band is interested in playing, please click on this link: Music Expo or on the Menu at the top of any COMBO website page and fill out and submit the online form. This info is ONLY for COMBO’s reference. We have some other big music events coming up and will consider your band for those events as well.
So mark April 22nd through the 28th on your calendar(s) now before you forget! You won’t want to miss out on this event – whether as a performer or as a “Patron of the Arts”!
More specific info will be forthcoming in the next few weeks so stay tuned...
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
"Some of the best songwriters aren't really strong musicians, and some of the best musicians aren't strong songwriters.” [So Barb says “Even if you’re not a musician, you can write a song”!]
~ Greg Wells, songwriter (Kelly Clarkson, Adele, Katy Perry). Interviewed in MC Jan 2012
http://www.musicconnection.com
(Remember: COMBO has free copies of Music Connection magazine to hand out. Be sure to pick yours up at the next General Meeting!)
Our suggested movies will be ones that involve the business of making music – not the “song & dance” movies. All movies will teach you something about the music business.
MOVIE FOR JANUARY 2012: Dreamgirls (2006)
Directed by Bill Condon. Cast: Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Anika Noni Rose, Keith Robinson, Sharon Leal, Hinton Battle, Jennifer Hudson.
Deena Jones, Effie White, and Lorrell Robinson, three young African-American women in 1960s Detroit, dream of becoming pop stars. They get their wish after a local talent show when they are picked to be backup singers for the legendary James "Thunder" Early. As they become more successful over time, each of the girls discovers the costs and compromises exacted by their desire to be in the music business. Info per IMDB.com
BOOK FOR JANUARY 2012: eBook – “Gigging: Everything You Need To Know About Playing Gigs (Except How To Play Your Axe)” by David Barber.
David Barber, founding member and currently treasurer of the Colorado Music Association (COMBO), shares everything young musicians and bands need to know about playing shows, including hiring staff, and getting along with the venue personnel charged with running the show. The ebook focuses on local and regional shows, and includes true stories of bands who have performed in various Denver venues.
More information on “Gigging: Everything You Need To Know About Playing Gigs (Except How To Play Your Axe)” can be found at http://www.giggingbook.com
Author David Barber will be speaking at the January 15th COMBO General Meeting.
MUSICAL TERM FOR JANUARY 2012: “Debile” or “Debole” - feeble or weak.
Pocket Manual of Musical Terms
Here's one to watch for at this time of the year: You get an e-mail saying that the IRS is having problems processing your income tax return. "Please fill in the blanks with your Social Security number, bank account number, etc... so we can properly process your return". Like, HELLO!!! The IRS knows your SSN -- they don't need to ask you for it!
Also, here's another one: People with outside mailboxes -- mail thieves will be looking for your income tax refund -- the one you requested as a "check". You might want to consider having your refund go via direct deposit to your bank account instead.
(Thanks to AARP for these "scam warnings").
ERIK DYCE’S NEW WEBSITE CONNECTS MUSICIANS TO THE MASSES
DENVER, CO – Musicians playing in that space between free and a few thousand dollars per gig often find it hard to reach the people who want to hire them. Erik Dyce, the marketing man behind the world’s number one outdoor music venue, recently launched the beta website http://inDemandbandsUSA.com to help up-and-coming artists market themselves, connect to potential buyers and identify a pool of resources to assist in their success.
After spending decades rubbing shoulders with the world’s finest musical artists, Dyce is known as the “go to guy” for music. Says Dyce, “I get several calls each week from friends and colleagues looking for the perfect band for a party, corporate event or fundraiser.” While Dyce knows the top local favorites, he is continually surprised at the talent pool yet to be discovered.
“The bands just need to choose a genre, post a YouTube video and list their fee.” Once the site is populated with several hundred bands, it will be marketed to those seeking to hire them. Initially focusing on Colorado, inDemandBandsUSA.com will feature bands who charge $2,500 or less per gig. This site is different than any other in that the Company takes no fee from either buyer or seller.
In addition to connecting musicians and event organizers, inDemandBandsUSA.com is building out a Resources section. Most new bands spend countless hours honing and perfecting their sound, but don’t have the skill set or connections to take it to the next level. Dyce’s inDemandBandsUSA.com screens businesses that specialize in the music arena – from lighting and sound technicians to accountants to stylists – and provides that information to bands to help them turn their garage band into a marketable name.
Music is a passion for Dyce, who also plays in a cover band. “There is so much talent out there and I want to put my knowledge to use to help take them to the next level.” While inDemandBandsUSA.com will launch locally, the plan is to market the website nationally to connect artists to the buyers in their area.
For more information, visit http://www.inDemandBandsUSA.com
THIS EVENT IS NOT TO BE MISSED! YOU'LL BE DOING YOURSELF A DISSERVICE BY NOT ATTENDING...
NEXT DURANGO SONGWRITERS EXPO - MARCH 1st THRU 3rd, 2012
The next Durango Songwriters Expo will be held Thursday, March 1st through Saturday, March 3rd, 2012 at the FABULOUS Marriott in Santa Ynez, California. Terrific hotel and fun to stay there so you'll not miss the "getting to know you" times! Sign up at:
http://www.durango-songwriters-expo.com
http://www.omnihotels.com
(Don’t let the name fool you, folks! The event started out in Durango but now involves songwriters from all over the planet - literally).
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