Author - The Durango Herald

High Rollers bring country to Strater, fresh off a hit in France

The High Rollers’ 20-year plan did not include shows overseas. Nor did it include bandmates reared on anything but country, or an original song that resulted in statewide radio play and its ...

DATE: Jun 11, 2015 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

Rebecca Frazier to front Hit and Run in Pagosa

Bluegrass always has had a strong female presence in band-leaders and vocalists. Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent and Alison Brown all have led successful bands and forged successfu...

DATE: Jun 4, 2015 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

Dragondeer to play psych blues on train

The importance and contribution of the blues to all other art and music cannot be overstated. It is Americana, influencing rock, jazz, country, punk, hip-hop, folk and more, inspi...

DATE: May 28, 2015 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

Elle Carpenter’s new album is a return to folk

Elle Carpenter’s music career is an exercise in diversity. A Vermont native, one-time Los Angeles resident, actress, musician and now Durango local, Carpenter has been writing so...

DATE: May 21, 2015 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

Farmington Hill to play benefit for River Days

Farmington Hill has new blood. The local country rock quintet that released the critically acclaimed “Bridge to Nowhere” in 2012 has been in a holding pattern, putting finishing ...

DATE: May 14, 2015 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

Ralph Dinosaur and his mom will light up the dance floor

Despite at times lacking a national music scene, Durango is home to some musical institutions. The Bar D Wranglers, the Blue Moon Ramblers, the Lawn Chair Kings and Ralph Dinosau...

DATE: May 7, 2015 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

Don’t miss rare performances by Fret Knot

The music partnership of Durango banjo player Mark Epstein and Front Range guitar player Mark Merryman goes back almost a quarter century. Their band, Fret Knot, was a Front Rang...

DATE: Apr 29, 2015 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

Local afrobeat band builds community

Afrobeat is music of the world, yet calling it “world” music is like using the word “alternative” to describe rock ’n’ roll. It falls so short, cheapening the style and the work m...

DATE: Apr 23, 2015 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

The Bluegrass Meltdown is a true melting pot

The Durango Bluegrass Meltdown finally is legal. The 21-year-old festival will start Friday, kicking off the festival season. Headliners include Shawn Camp, Balsam Range, Special ...

DATE: Apr 16, 2015 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

‘Schoolhouse Rock’ is coming to Cortez

If you’re a 30- or 40-something who grew up on American television and Saturday morning cartoons, you no doubt are familiar with “Schoolhouse Rock,” the educational series of songs that taug...

DATE: Apr 9, 2015 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

March was the month for new music

Good music is released all the time. It’s something consistent, and has been since the advent of vinyl, tape, CD, mp3, and back to vinyl. As great as it is to have your “back-in-...

DATE: Apr 2, 2015 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

Grant Farm is bluegrass meets Bakersfield

Colorado remains a hotbed for musicians in the ever-popular newgrass genre. That’s fertile territory for armchair music fans and critics. While less-informed music lovers tend to ...

DATE: Mar 26, 2015 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown