Spring has sprung and it is time to begin thinking about concerts at America's number one outdoor venue, Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The first in a series of Rock the Rocks benefit concerts will take place this Thursday, March 23. Okay, it is not actually being held at Red Rocks (yet) but it is being held for Red Rocks, which is just as good.

Thursday night will see some of the best local musicians giving their all at a benefit concert being thrown by Friends of Red Rocks, a grassroots non-profit organization which has taken on the responsibility of stewardship and continuing vigilance of the Red Rocks Park. One of their goals is making sure that the natural beauty that makes Red Rocks Amphitheatre internationally renowned remains just that, natural beauty and not a hodgepodge of corporate logos and surrounding trophy homes.

Hosted by the Soiled Dove (located at 1949 Market St in LoDo), the show starts at 6PM and will feature performances by Brethren Fast, Fabulous Boogienauts, Michelle and the Book of Runes, Mama Sutra, Jelly (formerly known as Slack) and Chautaqua. The $5 admission includes a membership in Friends of Red Rocks, half of which will go into FORR's open space fund. This is the initial concert in what is to become a series of concerts to raise awareness of the issues surrounding Red Rocks, increase membership for FORR, spotlight local talent and help raise funds for more open spaces. Several other local venues have offered to host upcoming concerts and the response of local musicians graciously offering their talents has been overwhelming.

For more information concerning Thursday's concert, you can contact the Soiled Dove at soileddove. com or at 303-299-0100. For more information about this or other upcoming Rock the Rocks concerts you can contact Mike Ballard by phone at 303-598-2291 or by e-mail at mballard2@uswest.net.

Do you love Fado's? Do you love music? Do you love questions? If your answer is yes, you should come to their Music Trivia Quiz game on April 4. Sponsored by the Colorado Music Association, the event is usually general knowledge questions, but will be music-based this month to humor the Association. Greg Hill from the quirky local band Mr. Tree and the Wingnuts has graciously offered to be responsible for generating the puzzlers, and many local music industry people will be competing for a cash prize. A portion of the proceeds will also go to the Colorado Music Association, so this is a great chance to have a lot of fun, laugh, and help a good cause.

Many local music supporters have been thrilled with all that Radio 1190 AM has been doing to help the scene, and now that former local music show host Sharon Gatliffe has been promoted to Programs Director, we can all look forward to even greater things being done! Congratulations, Sharon!

Them dang musicians, they just can't stay out of trouble. Well, okay, this time it wasn't the musician's fault. Those of you attending the Make A Wish benefit at the Soiled Dove, featuring local favorites like Bliss, boom*chick, and Blister 66, may have noticed the absence of Judge Roughneck from the night's lineup. Astute local music supporters may have also noticed that Byron Shaw was also MIA from Bliss's set. The reason is poor Byron was jumped on his way into a liquor store, resulting in a broken jaw. Word has it Byron thought he was okay, and drove himself home before he looked in the mirror to discover it was even worse than he thought. A benefit show for him is planned at Herman's on March 30, and the Colorado Music Association has sent him a fruit basket with their well-wishes.

Have you been thinking of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival? Of course you have! And luckily, I have the scoop! Camping for the Telluride Bluegrass Festival will go on sale March 20 at 8AM. They will have camping available at Mill Creek, West Brewery, Ilium, and Sheep's Corral. Camping passes at Mill Creek, West Brewery, and Ilium will be $40 each. Vehicle passes for Mill Creek and Ilium are also $40 each. Sheep's Corral camping and vehicle passes are $20 each. For further information about each of the different camping areas available, please visit bluegrass.com/pages/tbfcamping. html. Tickets will be available by calling 800-624-2422 or 303-823-0848 in the Denver metro area, or on the Web at bluegrass.com. Single day tickets are not on sale yet for any of the festivals. They have also added several names to the lineup for each of the festivals. Check it out at bluegrass.com. And now you know!

Haven't heard much about reggae lately? Live in the Springs, or willing to drive there? Jose Muldoon's in Colorado Springs will feature a "Reggae Sunday" every week beginning on Mother's Day, May 14 and continuing through July 30. Bands must have their own sound system, however exceptions can be made. The gig is from 9:30PM to 1:30AM, three sets, with meals and drinks comped to band members, although no hotel rooms are provided. The pay depends on the band and their following, but is a guaranteed flat rate and not a door gig. There is no cover at the club. Responses preferred by e-mail to: roaddawgco@aol.com or call 303-904-0051. This notice was submitted by Doug Tackett, to whom you should direct promo at: Road Dawg Touring Company, 10464 Purgatoire Peak, Littleton, CO 80127.

Noel Miller is a singer/songwriter looking for musicians for hire. He needs everything: Keyboards, guitar, bass, and the ever-popular drums. His style is reportedly pop/rock, in the vein of Sting, Seal, and James Taylor...drop him an e-mail at noeldamon-miller@yahoo.com or call 303-438-7151. eleven2go needs a bass player...e-mail them at eleven2go@uswest.net. Sad Star Café is looking for a guitarist still...call 303-606-3767 and leave voice mail. Esovae still needs both a bassist and drummer...e-mail esovae@yahoo.com. Vox Demon'na gave up their search for a keyboardist, and replaced their drummer. Talea of decanonizeD fame has formed something new and needs a bassist and guitarist...e-mail her at alleycat@decanonized.com. Dear Marsha no longer needs a drummer, and even added a percussionist. Carolyn's Mother quests onward for a drummer...contact arcturussports@aol.com. Another drummer-less band, or soon to be at least, is EL fiendHERO, whose drummer will be moving out of state soon...call Mike at 303-657-4753 or e-mail elfiendhero@hotmail.com.

Danny Masters has experimented with as many different musical styles as he has haircuts. On "Till The Moon Goes Away," it seems he's finally found what fits best. The second track, "Bad Heart Condition," combines a bluesy feel with 80s rock undertones, reminding me of some of Dokken's slower, bluesier pieces. The bass progression is fairly standard, but the guitar track is pleasing, and there's a hip-swaying groove to it. They include a version of "As The Years Go Passing By," with tender vocals and moody guitar, even a teasing bit of sax. I'm happy to note there's some emotion in the playing, and the skill level is higher than some of what I've seen from him before. "Stone Cold Blues" is lighter, and I'm not as thrilled with this piece. Sure, it has the required "my baby done me wrong" lyrics, and the guitar is good enough, but the arrangement is just too busy, the back-up singing too perky. The bass is far too subtle, and the whole song leaves me cold. Next? "Baby, You're Too Late" returns to the subtleties and tender achiness I liked so much before. It reminds me of a slow, soulful George Michael (post-Wham!) song. The rhythm is delicate, letting the guitar weave a story wrapped around the soft, mid-tone singing. There's room for improvement, but overall it's not disappointing.

"Mama Told Me So" rocks out, pumping up the beat, and injecting some fun into the proceedings. "A Matter of Time" replenishes the 80s vibe, keeping the rhythm uptempo. The vocals on here aren't dazzling, and I'd like to see him try to get a bit grittier. The guitar is much simpler than on other tracks, and this song is more like the ones that gave me a bad taste in my mouth in the past. Softer and sweeter is the introduction to "Isolation." A melancholy song, it seems easier on Danny's voice, with an almost-hidden bass piece, and a flowing melody. "Red House" has guitar flying everywhere, true to original artist Jimi Hendrix, but without all the passion and fire I've come to love in Hendrix. Note for note, sure, it's on target, but this loses points for lack of feeling. "Land of the Free" is another original song. Standard, bluesy rock, but I'm waiting for him to just let it out, wail and let loose vocally. Almost perfect, but not quite.

More saxophone on "Stormy Monday." Too bad it's another cover. I'll skip to "Till the Moon Goes Away." Deep guitar, setting the tone for another tender, longing song. "Around Midnight" is the final song and cover. Thelonius Monk is quite an aspiration for an artist to try to emulate. Danny doesn't do too bad, but the original is quite untouchable. I have to give him credit for coming close, but I'm not completely satisfied.

Overall, this is really a step up for Danny Masters. Oh, sure, people have talked to me about his guitar playing skills for a while, and he truly is talented, but previous efforts have really not impressed and downright bored me. This is definitely a move in the right direction, and I'll look forward to hearing his songwriting progress further. C+

From the first note, you're whisked off to the whimsical land of bluegrass, strings in a frenzy, the music fast and fun. I'm reminded of a stereotypical barn dance; envision men with fiddles and banjos playing their hearts out while dancers twirl in a dervish around them. Sharp and playful, the music is delightful, and any fan of the bluegrass style won't be able to keep still listening to this CD. "My Time To Fly" wraps a tune that burrows deep inside your veins, and skirts your senses with its aural happiness. "Take A Look Around" is more mellow, with a bit of the old country in the vocals. Sweet and melodic, this song spoke to the heart, the instruments paving the way for touching lyrics. "Once Upon a Time" picks up the pace, and weaves a tapestry of longing that everyone could relate to. Combining the sad, wistful lyrics with upbeat, boot-scooting music, the band creates a tune that's sure to stick with the listener for a while.

"The Fall" is another catchy piece, full of toe-tapping rhythm and flighty violin parts. The subject matter of "Sibling Rivalry" is given away by the title, a frolicking song. The theme of fun, down-home music is carried through the CD, and sure to have a pleaser for the old school music lovers in the lineup. The instruments are played well, the singing sets the mood easily, and you'll be be-bopping in your chair or swinging your partner before you know it. You'll be tempted to croon along to soulful offerings like "Workin' My Troubles Away," or lose yourself in the spirit of "The Final Page." A must hear for bluegrass lovers! B