CMHOF
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Since it was founded fifteen years ago, Colorado Music Hall of Fame has honored more than sixty iconic musicians, music businesses and music industry champions. And it’s just getting started. On April 8, The Hall will induct its next class, featuring a new category of honorees with the Community Impact Awards.
This class includes people and institutions that have been devoted to taking care of business — the music business in this state.
“While one of The Hall’s goals has been documenting the history of Colorado music, it also recognizes the importance of promoting the industry and strategizing for the next fifteen years,” says Colorado Music Hall of Fame board co-chair and co-founder Scott Tobias (and yes, he’s the publisher of Westword). “Music is key for driving Colorado’s economy and maintaining our dynamic, creative image around the world.”
The class will be inducted during a special event at The Hall’s current home in the Colorado Convention Center, and is open to the public (tickets $20 at cmhof.com).
The recipients of the inaugural Community Impact Awards (descriptions below provided by The Hall):
René Heredia: An acclaimed flamenco guitarist, he’s been a driving force in preserving and elevating flamenco music in Colorado for 53 years. His significant and lasting legacy is rooted in his leadership, performance, and educational efforts at the Flamenco Center for Guitar and Dance. He created a vibrant, immersive home and community where flamenco artists and audiences could hone their craft and experience the art form’s profound passion.
Kolacny Music: This was a cherished, family-run enterprise that was a cornerstone of the Colorado music scene for 93 years. Specializing in instrument repair, sales, and rentals, the store served generations of Colorado musicians, from aspiring students in school bands and orchestras to professional performers. The business was a true legacy, operated with dedication across three generations of the Kolacny family until they closed their doors in 2023.
ListenUp: Founded in 1972, ListenUp became a leader in high-quality audio equipment and live sound, and even introduced digital audio to Colorado audiences. ListenUp engineered advanced systems for iconic Colorado venues like Ebbets Field, the Boulder Theater, and the Rainbow Music Hall, producing live radio shows now in their archives. Today, ListenUp is one of the nation’s most enduring electronics retailers – whether in a venue, on the air, or in the home.
Bob Rupp: When drummer Bob Rupp founded Rupp’s Drums in 1984, he didn’t just open a music store, he built a space for Colorado’s percussion community. For decades, Rupp’s Drums was the go-to for drummers across the state. He championed musicians, backed major music events, and created a gathering place for legends and beginners. Though the shop closed its doors in 2025, its impact still echoes across stages throughout Colorado.
Twist & Shout Records and Paul Epstein: Founded in 1988 by Colorado Music Hall of Fame co-chair Paul Epstein, and his wife, Jill, Twist & Shout grew from a small record shop into a celebrated Denver music hub. It is revered for its expansive music selection and its iconic, exciting in-store performances featuring high-profile artists. Epstein sold the store to long-time manager Patrick Brown in 2022, and it continues to thrive as a beloved and vibrant cornerstone for Colorado’s music community.
The Hall will introduce another category later this year: Honorary Coloradan, honoring a music figure that might not be living in Colorado, but has had a big impact.
In the meantime, the celebrations will continue with The Hall’s fifteenth anniversary party on Sunday, April 19, at Pasta Jay’s in Boulder — where it all began. The event will be hosted by Jay Elowsky, who hosted the Hall’s inaugural fundraiser in the same space in 2011. The event will include live performances from Hall of Famers Chris Daniels, Freddi Gowdy, Hazel Miller, Bill and Jilian Nershi, and Kenny Passarelli, all emceed by KBCO’s Bret Saunders, another Hall of Fame inductee. The celebration includes an Italian dinner; tickets are $100-$200.
For information on these events and The Hall in general, go to cmhof.org. Here are the classes inducted into the Hall to date:
2011: Inaugural Class: John Denver, Red Rocks Amphitheatre
2012: Setting the Stage: Barry Fey, Harry Tuft
2012: Rockin’ the ‘60s: The Astronauts, Flash Cadillac, KIMN Radio, Sugarloaf
2013: Colorado’s Folk Revival: Judy Collins, Chris Daniels, Bob Lind, Serendipity Singers
2014: Country Rock in the Rockies: Firefall, Manassas w/Stephen Stills, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Poco
2016: 20th Century Pioneers: Lannie Garrett, Glenn Miller, Max Morath, Billy Murray, Elizabeth Spencer, Paul Whiteman
2017: Rocky Mountain Way: Caribou Ranch, Dan Fogelberg, Bill Szymczyk, Joe Walsh & Barnstorm
2017: Jazz Masters & Beyond: Philip Bailey, Charles Burrell, Larry Dunn, Bill Frisell, Ron Miles, Dianne Reeves, Andrew Woolfolk
2018: Live & On the Air: John Hickenlooper, KBCO, Chuck Morris
2019: Old Folk, New Folk: Walt Conley, Mother Folkers, Swallow Hill Music, Dick Weissman
2019: Going Back to Colorado: Tommy Bolin, Freddi & Henchi, Wendy Kale, Tony Spicola, Otis Taylor, Zephyr
2021: A Virtual Induction: eTown
2021: The Flatirons Sessions: The Fox Theatre, Hot Rize, Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band
2023: Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Hazel Miller, George Morrison, Sr.
2024: Opera in the High Country: Central City Opera, Cynthia Lawrence, Keith Miller, John Moriarty
2024: Mile High Jazz Oasis: El Chapultepec & Jerry Krantz, Greg Gisbert, Eric Gunnison, KUVO & Carlos Lando, Ellyn Rucker, Ken Walker
2025: Jazz Aspen Snowmass & Jim Horowitz; Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Anyone can make a nomination for a potential inductee. “Music fans are a key contributor to our music ecosystem. We need people to be the eyes, and especially the ears, around Colorado in helping us to recognize the heroes of our statewide music community,” says Karen Radman, executive director of Colorado Music Hall of Fame.
