First and foremost, I’m a music lover, a live-music lover, from blues to rock ’n’ roll, rockabilly to bluegrass, from punk to new wave. I love music – all music. I have had the luck to play shows and travel all over the states playing music and had the pleasure to share the stage with some of the best unknown bands in America, from every genre of music, from everywhere you’d never think of. I’m sorry, but the music scene in this town is dying. It’s dying from regimented, closed-off promoters and bar owners who only book acts that fit into one genre: making money.

Forgive me if I’m wrong here, but when did rock ’n’ roll ever equate to making money? It’s about the music, not the dollar. For every funk, reggae, bluegrass, jam band or old rapper that comes through this town, there is a list as long as my arm of hardworking, awesome, touring musicians who would love to be able to come to a town like Durango to meet and entertain our wonderful eclectic group of residents, as well as be exposed to the beauty of Southwest Colorado. Now don’t get me wrong, we have great music and great local talent, but to say it’s a truly diverse music scene is a bit of a stretch. Take a gamble and start booking bands that truly represent and cater to the diverse musical liking of all the residents of this town, young and old, and not just the bands or performers that you know will make you money. That’s not rock ’n’ roll; that’s just playing the same old tune.

Walter Cockcroft

Durango