June 2015

Dweezil Zappa is both the modern face of Zappa music and the person who can bring it fully-formed into the future. The ‘Ahead of Its Time’ moniker frequently slapped onto Frank’s music is brought to life for modern audiences, who are still able to full-sensory witness the spectacular specimens of some of American music’s most original, unrepentant and boundlessly experimental canons, thanks to Dweezil and five other telepathic musicians.

Certain bonds never fade away. It has been quite a while since guitar icon Steve Kimock and legendary drummer Greg Anton have performed together as their original band, Zero. They were the originators of “jam band” before that was even coined or acknowledged. Back then there was a variety of genres. Rock, soul, jazz, blues, on and on, Zero encompassed them all.

The name that Canadian roots duo Karrnnel Sawitsky and Daniel Koulack chose for themselves is simple and straightforward: Fiddle & Banjo. That’s because they delight in the deeply subtle interplay between their two chosen instruments, and they recognize that this interplay is at the heart of American roots music.

It has been raining on us in Colorado unusually much this spring, but that has not stopped or even slowed down the festival scene in this beautiful state. Parking was easy, and as I approached the festival, I heard the sounds of Vine Street Vibes as I strolled down the trendy neighborhood that we now call the Highlands (formerly known as the North side). Vine Street Vibes play instrumental electro-funk, and they were a nice way to begin a very diverse lineup.

Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Heavyweight to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award, Thanks Veterans for the Freedom to Pursue his Dreams