Welcome to the official site of the Colorado Country Music Association!
We are a 501(C)3 non-profit organization made up of people who want to Keep
Country, Country. Members include promoters, entertainers, friends of Country Music
and the general public throughout Colorado.
We host benefits and fund-raising events for various charitable organizations throughout
Colorado and nationwide.
We are a 501(C)3 non-profit organization made up of people who want to Keep
Country, Country. Members include promoters, entertainers, friends of Country Music
and the general public throughout Colorado.
We host benefits and fund-raising events for various charitable organizations throughout
Colorado and nationwide.
| Colorado Country Music Association "Keeping Country, Country" |
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| A Special "Thank You" to 98.5 KYGO Radio for all your help and support with this years competition. |
Our Artists In Action! Join Us For Some Fun! Greg Moody's Karaoke Every Thursday from 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Florence Senior/Community Center Florence, CO ALL ages welcome Karaoke Every Tuesday from 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Pour Sports in Florence, CO C & J Productions Senior Dance "Cody Blue" Lamar Senior Center Lamar, CO 7 - 10 pm July 3, 2011 Karaoke, DJ and Live Music Services available |
| If you are a member of CCMA and would like your bookings posted on our website, please e-mail your information to: charlesshupe@ccmaweb.com |
| As we are a 501(C) 3 non-profit organization, your donation will help to keep CCMA a successful organization. All donations are greatly appreciated! |
| Misty Dawn 719-372-6464 |
| Charles Shupe 719-980-8918 |
Our heartfelt sympathy & prayers goes out to the Melissa
Henson family. Melissa started with CCMA about 11 years
ago with her friend, Molly. They were known as Anneliz.
Melissa passed away 3 months ago at the young age of
28 in Helena, Montana. Her heart failed her. I know so
many of our CCMA members would want to know.
Henson family. Melissa started with CCMA about 11 years
ago with her friend, Molly. They were known as Anneliz.
Melissa passed away 3 months ago at the young age of
28 in Helena, Montana. Her heart failed her. I know so
many of our CCMA members would want to know.
| To The Family of Melissa Henson |
Congratulations, Carin!
The Mountain Mail Photo by: Rick Charbonneau
Kevin Hoffman
Mail Staff Writer
January 18, 2011
At 18 years old, Buena Vista native Carin Lechner made it farther than most country musicians do in a lifetime when
she reached the stage Thursday at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.
Using her stage name, Carin Mari, she was among five finalists in the $100,000 County showdown and the title of Best
New Act in Country Music.
Although Carin Mari was runner-up to Jaclyn North of Garland, Texas, the competition was a chance for Lechner and
other finalists to be recognized on a national level while playing in the Ryman, known as the home of the Grand Olde
Opry.
"It would have been awesome to walk away with $100,000, but the overall experience in and of itself was worth it," she
said.
"For me, being an 18-year-old standing on the stage of the Ryman where so many great musicians have been, was
incredible. Nothing can compare to it."
An estimated 50,000 aspiring country music artists competed in local performances throughout the country. The best
acts advanced through local, state and regional levels.
Past local, state, and regional winners include Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus and Sara
Evans.
LeAnn Rimes hosted the 2010 finals and Carin Mari took the stage with four other regional finalists - Greg Scudder,
Kendall Phillips, Reggie Shaw and Jaclyn North.
Rules allowed each musician to play two songs and offered a brief on-stage interview. Contestants were judged on
musical ability in addition to originality, stage presence and marketability in country music.
Carin Mari played two of her original songs including "Fire and Rain" and "I'm Ready."
As accompaniment, Charlie McCoy's band joined her. She said the rehearsal was a "surreal experience" where she
found herself practicing across from "Rascal Flatts."
"It was a really cool environment among musicians; this was the first time I've had the major star treatment. When we
got in we were interviewed on Fox News," Carin Mari said.
She said "I'm Ready" was written for a personal friend, Morgan Murphey, as a graduation gift.
After the competition, Carin Mari said she thought of a piece of advice offered by Murphey's father, Michael Martin
Murphey.
"He told me you always have to give your love to the audience. After I performed a woman came to me and said she
felt the overall love in my music."
North won the competition, but the songs and interviews filmed Thursday will be edited and produced into an hour-long
television spot expected to air in February or March. A specific network, date and time have not been released.
Carin Mari has performed in Chaffee County since 2001 with her brothers Colin and Evan Lechner as "Carin Mari and
Pony Express."
The band won 2009 Entertainer of the Year for Traditional Country and was named Colorado Country Music's Best
Western Band.
First competing early last summer at Coyote Cantina in Buena Vista, Carin Mari won the local level representing radio
station Eagle Country 104 KBVC of Salida.
She subsequently won the $1,000 state level purse in Olathe in August and claimed her title as southwest regional
finalist in Acoma, N.M., in November.
"I'm more fired up now than I've ever been to pursue music," she said.
She studies at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, seeking an associate degree in commercial music with
emphasis in voice and guitar.
She said after the national experience she is considering seeking her bachelors degree at Belmont University in
Nashville.
Meanwhile, Carin Mari said she plans to play local shows in Colorado for the summer. She said she is looking forward
to being "home in the mountains."
You can see the unofficial videos of Carin's performance on YouTube - Carin Mari - Country Showdown Finals.
www.CarinMariMusic.com
The Mountain Mail Photo by: Rick Charbonneau
Kevin Hoffman
Mail Staff Writer
January 18, 2011
At 18 years old, Buena Vista native Carin Lechner made it farther than most country musicians do in a lifetime when
she reached the stage Thursday at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.
Using her stage name, Carin Mari, she was among five finalists in the $100,000 County showdown and the title of Best
New Act in Country Music.
Although Carin Mari was runner-up to Jaclyn North of Garland, Texas, the competition was a chance for Lechner and
other finalists to be recognized on a national level while playing in the Ryman, known as the home of the Grand Olde
Opry.
"It would have been awesome to walk away with $100,000, but the overall experience in and of itself was worth it," she
said.
"For me, being an 18-year-old standing on the stage of the Ryman where so many great musicians have been, was
incredible. Nothing can compare to it."
An estimated 50,000 aspiring country music artists competed in local performances throughout the country. The best
acts advanced through local, state and regional levels.
Past local, state, and regional winners include Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus and Sara
Evans.
LeAnn Rimes hosted the 2010 finals and Carin Mari took the stage with four other regional finalists - Greg Scudder,
Kendall Phillips, Reggie Shaw and Jaclyn North.
Rules allowed each musician to play two songs and offered a brief on-stage interview. Contestants were judged on
musical ability in addition to originality, stage presence and marketability in country music.
Carin Mari played two of her original songs including "Fire and Rain" and "I'm Ready."
As accompaniment, Charlie McCoy's band joined her. She said the rehearsal was a "surreal experience" where she
found herself practicing across from "Rascal Flatts."
"It was a really cool environment among musicians; this was the first time I've had the major star treatment. When we
got in we were interviewed on Fox News," Carin Mari said.
She said "I'm Ready" was written for a personal friend, Morgan Murphey, as a graduation gift.
After the competition, Carin Mari said she thought of a piece of advice offered by Murphey's father, Michael Martin
Murphey.
"He told me you always have to give your love to the audience. After I performed a woman came to me and said she
felt the overall love in my music."
North won the competition, but the songs and interviews filmed Thursday will be edited and produced into an hour-long
television spot expected to air in February or March. A specific network, date and time have not been released.
Carin Mari has performed in Chaffee County since 2001 with her brothers Colin and Evan Lechner as "Carin Mari and
Pony Express."
The band won 2009 Entertainer of the Year for Traditional Country and was named Colorado Country Music's Best
Western Band.
First competing early last summer at Coyote Cantina in Buena Vista, Carin Mari won the local level representing radio
station Eagle Country 104 KBVC of Salida.
She subsequently won the $1,000 state level purse in Olathe in August and claimed her title as southwest regional
finalist in Acoma, N.M., in November.
"I'm more fired up now than I've ever been to pursue music," she said.
She studies at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, seeking an associate degree in commercial music with
emphasis in voice and guitar.
She said after the national experience she is considering seeking her bachelors degree at Belmont University in
Nashville.
Meanwhile, Carin Mari said she plans to play local shows in Colorado for the summer. She said she is looking forward
to being "home in the mountains."
You can see the unofficial videos of Carin's performance on YouTube - Carin Mari - Country Showdown Finals.
www.CarinMariMusic.com
| 12th Annual CCMA Statewide Talent Contest June 10, 11 & 12, 2011 at the Bent County Fairgrounds Pavillion in Las Animas, CO Click on application Icon on the left side of page. Print it off or e-mail to CCMA by May 25th, 2011. For more information contact: Misty Dawn 719-372-6464 mistydawn@ccmaweb.com or Charles Shupe 719-980-8918 charlesshupe@ccmaweb.com |