Celebrate Independents This Weekend!

Independent musicians, that is.  And, come to think of it, the Indy Music Awards, which is currently accepting ballots with 26 categories spanning the diverse array of musical talent in our area.  Although we were disappointed to see that Best Music Festival and Best National Act Performance were dropped this year, we hope you'll consider giving a nod to Rocky Mountain Highway for Best Promoter. Voting ends July 12 and the results will be revealed at the end of the summer right before the inaugural Bristol Brewing Music Festival at the Ivywild School September 11-12.

Most of us will have a three day weekend to celebrate the 4th, so why not use that extra day to take advantage of the wealth of local live roots music in the Pikes Peak region?  Here are our picks for the Top 10 shows of the week:

1.  Pikes Peak Art and Music Festival, America the Beautiful Park, Fri July 3 - Sun July 5 ($5).   Thirteen local acts will perform over the holiday weekend, including a not-to-be-missed headlining set from Woodshed Red on Friday, the gypsy tango cabaret of Moonhoney on Saturday, and a rare duo set from KJ Braithwaite and George Whitesell on Sunday.  For the first time this year the festival will charge an entrance fee - but at $5 for the weekend the price can't be beat.

2.  100th Anniversary of the Big Red Barn Party, First Logistex (Peyton), Sat July 4 (12:30 pm, ??).  Eastern El Paso County goes big with four bands - Justus League, BoomSonix, Out To Dry, and the The MuleTrain Express.  This is the Grand Reopening of the First Logistex facility, which was recently profiled by Bill Vogrin of the Gazette.  It's unclear whether there is any admission charge, but the Facebook page promises awesome live music and food all day.

3.  Colorado Floyd, Thunderbird Inn (Florissant), Sat July 4 (2 pm, free).  Clearly THE place to be Saturday afternoon in Teller County, the concert will take place outdoors at the Thunderbird. 

4.  Rob Nance, Front Range Barbeque (Old Colorado City), Fri July 3 (8 pm, free).  The North Carolina singer-songwriter visits the west side on a tour promoting his brand new CD Signal Fires, and he will be joined by Jordan Nance on bass.

5.  Cary Morin, Bancroft Park (Old Colorado City), Thu July 2 (5:30 pm, free).  The Paint the Town Blue summer concert series presented by the Pikes Peak Blues Community continues with a set from the singer who has been called the "Dylan of Durango."  Don't forget a lawn chair or a blanket!

6.  The Nouveaux Honkies, Coyotes Coffee Den (Penrose), Sat July 4 (5:30 pm, free).  Hailing from Port Salerno, FL, the duo of Rebecca Hawkins and Tim O'Donnell have been spending a month or so in Colorado Springs each summer because they like to really get to know a place.  Catch 'em before they're gone!

7.  Blue Frog with Jake Loggins, Front Range Barbeque (Old Colorado City), Sun July 5 (6:30 pm, free).  The Sunday evening "Blues on the Porch" series continues with a blues-rock mashup featuring some of the region's finest musicians.

8.  Smashmouth, Toad the West Sprocket & Tonic, Pueblo Memorial Hall, Wed July 1 (7:30 pm, $40 reserved).  You will be "Walkin' on the Sun" if you catch this trio of '90s pop rock bands tonight in Pueblo.  We've always been impressed by Toad frontman Glen Phillips, who has been involved in many solo and collaborative side projects over the last few decades.  

9.  Eros & the Eschaton, Kevin Greenspon & Mobdividual, WVRMHAUS, Sun July 5 (6:30 pm).  Hell yeah - our own Eros & the Eschaton took home top honors in the Pop category of the Westword Music Awards last week!  At this west side DIY house show venue, E&E will be jointed by LA composer Kevin Greenspon and chicken wings will allegedly be served "live, flapping and not for human consumption."  You have been warned.

10.  Six Foot Joe & the Red Hot Rhinos, Gateway Park at Wolf Ranch, Wed July 1 (6 pm, free).  Horn driven rock and roll from Denver guarantees a rockin' good time, although we would frankly prefer to see Red Hot Joe & the Six Foot Rhinos.  

Tune in to KCMJ for a special 4th of July edition of the Grass Roots Revival from 8-10 pm on Wednesday July 1 or 1-3 pm on Thursday July 2, or listen whenever YOU choose on demand.  This week's show features tunes from Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Willie Nelson, The Decemberists, Jackie Greene, Peter Mulvey, Chadwick Stokes, Greensky Bluegrass and much, much more.  You will never, ever, EVER hear the same song twice on the Grass Roots Revival!

Hope ya'll have a fun Independence Day!

Steve Harris, Executive Director
Rocky Mountain Highway is a proud member of the Indy Give! class of 2015!