Upcoming Events
Our calendar lists music industry events based in Colorado, whether sponsored by CMIA or not. We include networking events, professional development opportunities, and educational workshops and seminars.
Submitting to the CMIA Calendar: Click here to submit an event to be added to our calendar. Although we’ll usually review it within 1-2 weeks, it may take up to 4 weeks.
We hope to see you at one of these events soon!

Management, Booking Agent, and Live Performance Agreements
Course: Join attorneys and music industry veterans Max Hass (Holon Law) and Dave Ratner (Creative Law Network) for this master class covering everything you need to know to win in the music industry. Learn about the law and business of music to secure your rights, collect your revenue, and have a successful career.
WEEK 5 / March 31: Management, Booking Agent, and Live Performance Agreements. Contracts, contracts, CONTRACTS! You need to know these deals and we'll explain them all.

Sober Night Live: Open Mic for Sober Creatives
Sober Night Live: An Open Mic for Sober Creatives presented by 105.5 The Colorado Sound and Roots Music Project
Our next event will take place in our "Roots Next Door Room" on Tuesday, April 1st, and will recur on the first Tuesday of the month. A special guest will start the night with a story and a performance. Then the open mic starts. Your host, will invite audience members to perform a song, poem, reading, comedy, or other performance. Sobriety can often be a scary place for newly sober Creatives. They often ask, "Will I find sober friends? Will I be able to perform while sober?"
Join our supportive community of Sober Creatives.

The Recording Academy (FREE) Virtual Music Education Series: Presented by SONIC GUILD + THE RECORDING ACADEMY PNW CHAPTER
Join us for a series of virtual educational sessions designed specifically for artists and professionals working within the music ecosystem. More Than Meets the DIY is a monthly virtual series that takes a broad view of the ever-evolving music landscape, and dives deep into the practical knowledge and skills needed to navigate the industry.
Our first session on April 1st will explore the evolving role of the record label. The music industry has never been one-size-fits-all. Whether you're self-releasing, signed to a label, or somewhere in between, understanding the role of the label—and how artists thrive within or outside of them—can be career-defining.
Featuring:
Megan Jasper // CEO, Sub Pop
(Nirvana, Fleet Foxes, Sleater-Kinney)
Nabil Ayers // President, Beggars Group
(Big Thief, Grimes, The National)
Jessica Toon // Senior Executive Director, Recording Academy
(Pacific Northwest Chapter)

Running Your Band Like a Business: LLCs/Corporations, Band Agreements, and Trademarks
Course: Join attorneys and music industry veterans Max Hass (Holon Law) and Dave Ratner (Creative Law Network) for this master class covering everything you need to know to win in the music industry. Learn about the law and business of music to secure your rights, collect your revenue, and have a successful career.
WEEK 6 / April 7: Running Your Band Like a Business: LLCs/Corporations, Band Agreements, and Trademarks. This session is all about the business behind the music. We bring it all together in this final class.

Inside Track with Sandra Holman-Watts
Join us for an engaging conversation with Denver-based talent buyer Sanda Holman-Watts. We will discuss how she parlayed a side-hustle into a 25-year career, the advantages and challenges of running a woman-owned entertainment business, the art of balancing artist advocacy with business mindedness, and what attributes she looks for when booking musical acts.

FoCoMx
FoCoMX is a two-day music festival celebrating live music with hundreds of Colorado bands and artists from all genres.
This iconic music festival features a diverse lineup of 400+ Colorado bands from all genres on 35+ Downtown Fort Collins stages presented by Fort Collins Musicians Association.

Music Release Strategies Workshop
Ready to make waves with your next music release? Join us for this essential workshop that reveals proven strategies to successfully launch your music in today's digital landscape. Whether you're preparing a single, EP, or full album, you'll walk away with a customized action plan to maximize visibility, engagement, and opportunities.

Using Metadata to Find Greater Success as an Artist
On the most fundamental level, metadata is a useful way to classify and identify your released music in a saturated market. But a proper and strategic use of metadata tools can greatly enhance your music’s chance of success, improving its discoverability, increasing its recommendations, creating more opportunities for licensing, and helping make sure you get paid! Attend this seminar to learn how to make sure your metadata is accurate, deliberate, and poised to help you extend your artistic reach.

Search Engine Optimization Basics for Local Artists
Are you a musician eager to enhance your online presence locally but unsure where to start with your marketing? In this course, we'll introduce you to the fundamentals of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), a powerful tool for helping you get discovered online. Whether you're a solo artist, band, or in the early stages of your career, this class will show you techniques to optimize your website and social media for local visibility, making it easier for fans, venues, and industry professionals to find you. Throughout the course, we’ll break down SEO concepts in a way that’s simple and tailored to your needs as an artist. You’ll learn about keyword research, keyword targeting strategies, and how to use online content to connect with your audience and grow your fanbase. By the end of the course, you'll have actionable steps you can apply right away to improve your online presence. No prior SEO experience is needed—just a passion for your music and a willingness to learn!

How to Tell if Your DIY Music Marketing is Working
As an independent musician, you’re probably already putting time and effort into promoting your music. But how can you tell if your marketing strategies are actually working? In this course, we’ll explore the key performance indicators (KPIs) that every artist should be tracking to measure the success of their DIY marketing efforts. From traditional marketing metrics to digital tools, we’ll cover the data points that matter most for growing your fanbase, increasing engagement, and driving your career forward. In this class, you'll learn how to analyze and understand your marketing results in a way that empowers you to make informed decisions. Whether you’re focused on social media engagement, streaming numbers, website traffic, or ticket sales, we’ll break down what each metric means and how to use it to adjust your approach. By the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge to assess your marketing performance effectively, make smarter choices, and see measurable results. No prior marketing experience is expected or required.

Indie 102.3's March Local 303 Meetup Feat: Barbara and DNA Picasso
When
Monday, March 24, 2025
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Where
Bar 404, 404 N Broadway, Denver, Colorado 80203
Event Description
Join us for an in-person hang at Bar 404 as we celebrate the March Local 303 lineup. What is the Local 303? It’s Indie 102.3’s monthly program spotlighting Colorado musicians spanning genres. Come hang out with the bands and the Indie staff.
Our March event will feature a performance by Barbara and DNA Picasso. The event is open to the public, an all ages event (ages 16 and below require a parental guardian), and no tickets are required.
Price
Free

Producer and Engineer Agreements, Synch and Master Use Licenses, and Sampling
Course: Join attorneys and music industry veterans Max Hass (Holon Law) and Dave Ratner (Creative Law Network) for this master class covering everything you need to know to win in the music industry. Learn about the law and business of music to secure your rights, collect your revenue, and have a successful career.
WEEK 4 / March 24: Producer and Engineer Agreements, Synch and Master Use Licenses, and Sampling. When it's time to record, what do you need to know? This session covers everything related to the contracts and deals for recording.

Masters, Session Musician Agreements, Record Deals, and SoundExchange
Course: Join attorneys and music industry veterans Max Hass (Holon Law) and Dave Ratner (Creative Law Network) for this master class covering everything you need to know to win in the music industry. Learn about the law and business of music to secure your rights, collect your revenue, and have a successful career.
WEEK 3 / March 17: Masters, Session Musician Agreements, Record Deals, and SoundExchange. Master your master rights! This session will cover everything related to your sound recordings.

Music Business: Booking, Touring, Management and PR Workshop
Music industry pros share insider tips on booking, touring, management, and PR strategies to help musicians launch and grow their careers.

How to do an Effective Artist Interview
Interviews are a great marketing tool for musicians, providing a platform to reach a wide audience, promote new music releases and shows, and build their brand and public image by connecting with readers and listeners on a personal level. Often, interviews are easily accessible to artists in their local markets on all forms of media - radio, television, podcasts, and even print. But most artists don't know how to do an effective interview and make the mistake of letting the interviewer direct the conversation. Armed with knowledge, practice, and preparation, you will be able to capitalize on the opportunity to talk about what YOU want to talk about.
Denver NSAI March 2025 Monthly Event (Online)
https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/chapter/denver-co

Publishing, Split Sheets, Publishing Deals, PROs, and Mechanicals
Course: Join attorneys and music industry veterans Max Hass (Holon Law) and Dave Ratner (Creative Law Network) for this master class covering everything you need to know to win in the music industry. Learn about the law and business of music to secure your rights, collect your revenue, and have a successful career.
WEEK 2 / March 10: Publishing, Split Sheets, Publishing Deals, PROs, and Mechanicals. Writer's share? Publisher's share? ASCAP? BMI? MLC? We'll cover all of it!

Inside Track with Multi- Platinum Producer John Kurzweg
It is our great pleasure to welcome multi-platinum record producer and multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter John Kurzweg to our Inside Track series. John first became known for his work as producer and studio musician with successful post-grunge band Creed in the late 1990s and early 2000s; three of Creed's records, which Kurzweg produced and mixed, were certified multi-platinum and helped Creed achieve worldwide popularity. He went on to produce other popular bands, such as Puddle of Mudd and Godsmack, as well as solo artists Jewell and Eagle Eye Cherry. John, who in the late 80's signed with Atlantic records as a solo artist, continues recording & performing his own brand of rock music and can often be found playing various venues around the Santa Fe area.
Join us to hear stories about the wild days of the old music industry and what has changed, and learn what you need to do to access top-notch producers - an advantage that was out of reach to unsigned artists in the old music industry. John will also discuss how he has created a balance in employing a multi-faceted skillset on “both sides of the glass,” and what it takes to maintain a life-long full-time career as a musician.

4 Steps to Better Beats (For Non-Producers) with Josh D. Doyle of 3Theory Music
This is a workshop for non-drummers who want to demystify rhythms, drums, beats, and all that noise!
Do you ever wonder whether your song needs fancy/busy drums, or something super simple? If you want it to be complex, do you know why, and what the other players should be doing if the drums are taking up a lot of space? We are going to break down what makes a beat really work for any song, so you can be informed when speaking with your producer, or drummer in your band, or sketching out your own demos. We'll be discussing the beats from artists like Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, and many more- even songs that have no drums at all!

Music Copyright and Contract Fundamentals
Course: Join attorneys and music industry veterans Max Hass (Holon Law) and Dave Ratner (Creative Law Network) for this master class covering everything you need to know to win in the music industry. Learn about the law and business of music to secure your rights, collect your revenue, and have a successful career.
WEEK 1 / March 3: Music Copyright and Contract Fundamentals. Understand the rights you have in your music, the contracts that control those rights, and the money that flows from those rights.

Intermediate Ableton Live Winter Workshop (4 weeks)
Advanced Ableton workshop for intermediate users, diving deep into creative techniques, MIDI tools, and live performance strategies.
COMBO Town Hall
Colorado Music Business Organization Monthly Town Hall Meeting - more info TBD
https://coloradomusic.org/announcements-and-calendar-for-this-week-142/

Songwriting Workshop w/Caleb Schwing - The Art of Songwriting (4 weeks)
Want to be a better songwriter? In this class, you'll build a repertoire of tools to make your songs more captivating and the theory behind the tricks. By the end of the course, you'll have more fun writing, and the audience will have more fun listening. If you have a grasp on basic chords on piano or guitar and want to improve your songwriting skills, this is the class for you.
Denver Spotlight Awards
Come join us for a night of celebration and recognition at 3035 S Parker Rd. The event will showcase outstanding talent in various categories, and celebrate the success and achievments of our community. It's a night you won't want to miss!
Mark your calendars and invite your friends to this exciting in-person event. Let's shine a spotlight on the incredible talent in Denver and make memories that will last a lifetime. See you there!

Legal Consultations for Creatives
Can you trademark the name of your band? How many digital photographs can you copyright at one time? What is the best entity structure for your film business? What are “red flags” to look for in your next publishing or art commission contract? How do you protect your creative intellectual property?
Colorado Attorneys for the Arts (CAFTA) is offering a virtual legal clinic on a quarterly basis so artists and creative professionals can ask legal questions directly to a volunteer attorney. This free opportunity is open to creatives of all kinds across Colorado.

ARTIST IDENTITY + VISUAL BRANDING WORKSHOP
Discover how to create a powerful artist identity that resonates with your audience. This hands-on virtual workshop will guide independent musicians through the essentials of defining their unique artistic voice and translating it into a compelling visual brand. From developing a cohesive aesthetic to aligning your imagery with your music, you’ll leave with actionable strategies to elevate your presence and stand out in the industry. Perfect for artists ready to take control of their creative narrative and make a lasting impression. Fill out the RSVP form and you’ll be sent a link to the zoom meeting.

CMIA x Coco Events Group present: The Content Circuit
COLORADO MUSIC INDUSTRY ALLIANCE & COCO EVENTS GROUP PRESENT: THE CONTENT CIRCUIT.
Connecting local artists with videographers and photographers to create high-quality, short -form promo content. Register now!
Denver NSAI February 2025 Monthly Event (Online)
https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/chapter/denver-co

Info Session for TEMPO High School Music Internship Program
Roots Music Project is excited to introduce:
TEMPO:
Training
Emerging
Musicians for
Professional
Opportunities
TEMPO is a groundbreaking artist development and immersion program for youth offered by Roots Music Project (RMP).
What is TEMPO?
TEMPO is a unique, semester-long program designed for youth aged 14–19 who are passionate about pursuing careers in the music industry. Whether their goal is to attend college for music or enter the professional world directly, TEMPO bridges the gap between education and industry by providing:
Hands-on learning experiences in live sound, stage management, and music production.
Industry-specific workshops such as songwriting, marketing, and music business.
One-on-one mentorship with active, accomplished professionals.
Paid performance opportunities to showcase their talents.
Work Study opportunities after finishing the program
Participants also gain valuable insights into college preparation, resume building, and networking—all while fostering creativity, resilience, and professional readiness.
More Information: https://www.rootsmusicproject.org/tempo
Feb 10 Info Session Registration:
Women in Music Denver x Swallow Hill Music Present: DIY Artist Conference
Get ready to ignite your creativity and take your music career to the next level! Join Denver Women in Music and Swallow Hill Music on Saturday, February 8th, 2025, from 1pm - 5pm for our exciting DIY Artist Conference—an afternoon packed with practical tools, inspiration, and connection to help you thrive as an independent artist.
Dive into dynamic panel discussions and Q&A sessions tackling real-world challenges, like collaborating with producers and building an engaged fanbase. Immerse yourself in hands-on workshops and breakout sessions, where you'll explore funding strategies, refine your songwriting skills, and master your sound with producers and engineers. Then, end the day on a high note with our Open Mic and Writers' Round, celebrating local talent and creative storytelling.
Whether you're just starting out, looking to level up, or eager to connect with fellow artists, this is your chance to be part of Denver's vibrant music community.
$18 per person
FREE for Women in Music Members
Limited FREE tickets available to Swallow Hill Music

Writing an Artist Bio that's Actually Good
An artist bio can be an effective tool to connect with target audiences and make an impression on industry insiders, by communicating your story even before your music is heard. A well-written bio can provide you exposure to a wider market, helps listeners understand your creative vision, and sets a tone for your potential reach and impact as an artist. Attend this workshop to learn how to craft an artist bio that connects with the fans most likely to be interested in your music, without accidentally adding red flags that tell talent buyers to avoid you.
67th Grammy Awards Viewing Party
Come join Grammy U (Recording Academy) members in watching the 67th Grammy Awards at the University of Colorado - Denver on Feb. 2nd. If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Recording Academy, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the Grammy U membership! This is a great opportunity to get plugged in! RSVP today!
COMBO’s 2025 Songwriting Contest - Entries Open
COMBO’s 2025 Annual Songwriting Contest
Don’t forget: Our newest board member, Larry Thompson, is taking over COMBO’s 2025 Songwriting Contest which will start February 1st and will end May 31st, 2025, so get your songs ready now. Larry has been a songwriter for over 45 years and owns Brotherhood of the Hook Publishing Company. Larry has come up with a way to set up a web program so that COMBO will be able to electronically make the top 20 commercially viable songs available to major record companies, publishing companies, music supervisors, producers, A&R personnel, film and tv sync licensing companies, and to streaming services.
Songs entered into the contest will also be considered by Brotherhood of the Hook Publishing Company per agreement of the songwriter(s) and BHPC.
Please note that we are looking for additional judges. If you would like to be a judge and think you are qualified to do so, please send a note to Barb Dye, president@coloradomusic.org stating why you are qualified, how long you have been in the “business” of music, and contact information. Thank you!
When: Starts February 1st 2025 and ends May 31st, 2025.
Cost: $10 entry fee with each song submitted to COMBO. Dues-paying COMBO members can enter one song at no charge. Dues-paying memberbands may submit TWO songs at no charge.
https://coloradomusic.org/combos-songwriting-contest-starts-february-1st-get-your-songs-mp3-and-lyric-sheet-ready-to-go-2/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendpress&utm_campaign

Indie 102.3’s January Local 303 Meetup
Join us for an in-person hang at Globe Hall as we celebrate the January Local 303 lineup. What is the Local 303? It’s Indie 102.3’s monthly program spotlighting Colorado musicians spanning genres. Come hang out with the bands and the Indie staff.
The event is open to the public, an all ages event (ages 16 and below require a parental guardian), and no tickets are required.

How To Monetize Your Music Direct-To-Fan With Sean Taylor “BrandMan Sean” Co-Founder of Contraband Agency and No Labels Necessary
Join us for a workshop on monetizing your music directly to fans, led by Sean Taylor, professionally known as “Brandman Sean,” the co-founder of ContraBrand Agency and No Labels Necessary.
You must be a Grow+ or Pro member to attend this event → Sign Up for a Trial Membership if you aren't a member and want to attend. This event will take place in the Pro Member's Event channel on the Venice Community Hub!
Join Pro Member Events Channel: https://community.venicemusic.co/spaces/16960581?utm_source=manual
Why You Should Attend:
Sean has helped indie artists collectively generate over $1 million through direct-to-fan community growth and is on a mission to grow that number to $10 million within the next five years.
ContraBrand has collaborated with major acts such as Emmit Fenn, 24kGoldn, Macy Gray, Lecrae, JAWNY, and more.
Sean and the ContraBrand team have worked on high-profile projects, including "Back It Up" by Trap Beckham featuring Flo Milli and the #1 Billboard hit "Mood" by 24kGoldn.
What You’ll Learn:
Insights into how to promote a record and chart on Billboard.
Strategies for monetizing your music directly to fans, including fan experiences, merchandise, and text and email mailing lists.
Proven marketing tactics, such as seeding, to grow your audience effectively.

Advancing Creatives Intensive Virtual Lunch and Learn
Interested in applying for CBCA’s Advancing Creatives Intensive (ACI) in Manitou Springs in February? Join us for a lunch and learn on Monday, January 13 at 12pm!

Deadline for Applying to Play FoCoMX
Thank you for your interest in playing The Fort Collins Music eXperiment - FoCoMX!
Submissions Are Open! You can apply November 11, 2024 through January 11, 2025.

Inside Track with Multi-Platinum Producer Vincent DiPasquale
Join us for an exciting panel discussion with multi-platinum producer Vincent DiPasquale, as he discusses how he parlayed a deep love for making music into a successful career working on projects for Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, and a host of other top-level musicians.

Discover How to Make A Profit from Your Passion
Creating a career using your artistic skills and passion offers an enriching life path. Achieving success involves harmonizing your creativity with pragmatic business knowledge. This engaging online workshop hosted by East CO SBDC, brings together experts in both creativity and business who provide their wisdom on how to nurture your creative enterprises. Uncover the key strategies for thriving as a small business in the creative field and learn how your art can be not just a source of beauty but also a foundation for financial prosperity.