New Musicians Inducted Into Colorado Music Hall of Fame

An induction ceremony took place at Denver's Historic Paramount Theater on Friday, January 9, 2015, to honor the first artists of the year to be added to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. 

The artists inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame class included, country rock band Poco, who performed at the ceremony with band members Paul Cotton, Richie Furay, George Grantham, and Rusty Young. Furay had once claimed that Colorado was his adopted home state. Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles, also joined the performance line-up at the Paramount Theater reunion.

Another addition, was Boulder-based rock band, Firefall, who originally formed in 1974 and had many years of success.Once a popular group around the Colorado Springs area, the band also came back together in Boulder in 2008 for a special reunion concert, which made fans very excited. The music they produced was often called the "Colorado sound."

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, known for singing country and folk rock songs were also part of the CMHOF induction ceremony. The group relocated at one point in their career from LA to Aspen, Colorado, and band member, John McEuan stated that he didn't know if the state "adopted" the group, or if the group "adopted" the state. They contribute much of their success to having lived in Colorado.

The final inductee was Stephen Stills' side project band, Manassas. They recorded some of their second album at a studio called Caribou Ranch in the Rocky Mountains near Nederland, Colorado. Over 150 well-known artists, including Tom Petty and Elton John, have also recorded at this unique local location. Stills even had a cabin outside of Caribou Ranch at one point in his life.

The CMHOF induction ceremony included performances by several of the artists being honored, as well as other musicians, paying tribute. Governor Hickenlooper was on hand to show his support to the musicians at the Paramount Theater.

It's definitely cool seeing how Colorado helped to shape the career of these famed musicians, and to witness the special connection that they share with our state forever.