Inaugural Rhythms of Durango to debut Nov. 24

Inaugural Rhythms of Durango to debut Nov. 24
Business Improvement District creates CD of Downtown music

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 11, 2006
For further information, contact Pam Glasco,pamg@downtowndurango.org, 970.375.5067;
or Indiana Reed, indiana@mydurango.net, 970.382.9734

DURANGO, Colo. – Furthering the effort to enliven and help sustain Durango’s Historic Downtown, the Durango Business Improvement District (BID) has sponsored, and is pleased to announce the arrival of, Rhythms of Durango, Volume 1, an eclectic mix of the sounds of downtown – just in time for holiday shopping.

The CD Release Party will be held at Seasons Rotisserie & Grill, Fri., Nov. 24, 4-5:30 p.m., prior to the Singing with Santa caroling parade on Main Avenue and official lighting of the Downtown Christmas Tree.

“The Business Improvement District exists to help all business within the Central Business District,” said Seasons owner Karen Barger, BID board member. “Live music happens all over our Downtown. We’re delighted to be able to promote our local vocalists and musicians and, by extension, the venues at which they play.”

Artists featured on the inaugural CD are, The Badly Bent, Lacey Black & Red Rhapsody, Alison Dance, Formula 151, John Garza, Tim Guidotti, High Rollers, The Hot Strings, Kirk James, Lawn Chair Kings, Lawrence Nass, Terry Rickard, Greg Ryder, The Shoes!, Sally Shuffield, Jeff Solon, Staboola McPet Quintet and Wild Blooms. A majority will be on hand at the Seasons CD Release Party.

“We deliberately selected an eclectic mix of artists and sounds,” said Pam Glasco, who along with Indiana Reed coordinated the project. “It’s a wonderful blend that ranges from country and bluegrass to jazz and rock, and more.”

Glasco and Reed worked with David Mensch (Formula 151) and Mitchell Blystone as music consultants on the project. Doug Eagle, of Eagle Sound, mastered the CD.

“There are many additional terrific artists in Durango who are not featured on this CD,” added Glasco. “We unfortunately couldn’t include everyone, and not everyone was available to participate in the project. Our plan is to annually produce Rhythms of Durango, so we will likely feature many different artists next year.”

The CD booklet, designed by Linda Geer, Durango Illustration & Design, includes biographies of and contact information for all participating artists. As Reed reminds, while the music is terrific, a goal of the CD is to promote the artists and Downtown.

“We want locals and visitors alike to hear this music, learn more about the artists, and say, ‘Hey, that group is playing Downtown, they’re great, let’s go see them,’ and maybe even buy their CDs or book them for a gig,” said Reed, who also works with the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College and is the coordinator of “Spotlight to Stardom,” the Four Corners Talent Search. “It is just so rewarding to work with local artists who often are every bit as talented as some of the superstars out there. Many of our local musicians are on their way to national acclaim. How cool will it be to say, ‘We knew them when…’?”

Rhythms of Durango will be available for sale ($15) at the CD Release Party, plus a drawing for free CDs will be held at 4:30 p.m. Going forward, various merchants in the Downtown will offer the CDs for sale, including Steaming Bean, Durango Coffee Company and the Community Concert Hall Ticketing Services Office. A complete list of merchants will be listed on the Downtown Durango web site, www.downtowndurango.org.

“This is also something that can be used by the Tourism Office to promote Durango as a whole,” said Barger, noting that DATO director John Cohen has arranged for the CDs to be distributed in the office’s media kits. “It’s one more product that shows what a special place Durango is.”

For more information on Rhythms of Durango, call 970.375.5067.

The Durango Business Improvement District was formed in 1997 with a goal and mission to support all types of businesses within the District by assisting with special event marketing, providing research on topics of concern to the District (facilities, special events, best practices), planning and development of new facilities, and providing capital budget for equipment that helps enhance business in the District. Board members include John Wells, presiding officer; Bob Allen, Karen Barger, Rod Barker and Chris Vivolo.

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For information on where to purchase these CDs, please contact contact Pam Glasco, pamg@downtowndurango.org

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