They weren't the biggest band back in the late 60's and 70's, yet Grand Funk Railroad did meet their prime with top singles such as "We're an American Band" and "I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home." Forty years later the band still comes through town on the occasional tour, but as Saturday's concert at Elitch Gardens showed, the Grand Funk's train appears to be coming to a halt.

There is no better way to celebrate the country’s independence and the spirit of Colorado than a day of fun and festivities in the Colorado Rockies. For the first time ever, music, parade, food and fireworks will meet in a family environment at the Peak to Peak Music Festival in Nederland, CO, on the Fourth of July. With a long-standing musical heritage and Fourth of July festivities already in place, Nederland is the perfect mountain town for both young and old to celebrate the holiday.

Fans that did not score tickets to Phish at Red Rocks Amphitheatre should worry not; there just happens to be a four-day camping and music festival a few short miles away on a private ranch. For those that did score tickets, The Phamily Reunion Festival offers what Red Rocks cannot: camping and a safe ride to and from the festival to each Phish show.

Buzzworthy indie festival MONOLITH presented by Esurance, happening September 12 and 13 at Colorado’s breathtaking Red Rocks Amphitheater, today announces plans to harness the power of  social networking realms such as Facebook and Twitter to unveil its 2009 artist lineup.  Over the next 12 business days, MONOLITH Facebook friends and Twitter followers will be the first to know which of their favorite bands will hit the stage during this year’s festival. 

It’s a curious sight; the art on the cover is by Stanley Mouse. The liner notes include songs written by David Nelson and Robert Hunter. The first song clocks in at nearly eight minutes. When I opened the envelope that contained “Where I Come From” I admit I was a bit puzzled. Surely this had to be a best of compilation or a live recording? However to my surprise, it was neither, it was a new studio album from the New Riders of the Purple Sage.

Are you a fan of Delta Blues, Rock, or Jam?  Do you have an affinity for Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and a good live show?  If by now you haven’t heard of the North Mississippi All-Stars, please emerge from your cave this instant.

You might still think this was 1973.  I did for a second, as I watched the tie-dye clad Deadheads trekking through wheat-colored fields, on a pilgrimage to Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View on Sunday evening to catch the band now known as The Dead.

Keepers of the flame. Revivers of the vibe. The ultimate players in the game of cover band glory.—Whatever title you pin on Dark Star Orchestra, doesn’t nearly encapsulate their dedication, precision and drive. Getting everything right, even the simple sounds of instrumental tuning, is something that they take very seriously.

In keeping with the event's continued effort to balance renowned national touring acts with local artists, Norwalk, CT-based singer, songwriter and musician PJ Pacifico has earned the final slot on the 2009 Gathering of the Vibes Main Stage. Pacifico will be the festival's opening bookend to one of his earliest musical influences Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN), who will close the festival on Sunday, July 26.