2014: Oh, what a year!

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Mandy Gauldin
Glenwood Canyon Flyer at Glenwood Springs Colorado
Soaring high above the Colorado River on the Glenwood Canyon Flyer
Since 2015 has just been around for a few days, we thought we’d look
back at the highlights of 2014. What a year it was up here on Iron
Mountain in Glenwood Springs, Colorado!


Our sixth season of Music on the Mountain kicked off with a twist and
shout on May 23 with Beatles tribute band Doctor Robert. This was the
second season opener for the band and, like last year, they had the
audience on their feet and singing along.


The new Glenwood Canyon Flyer opened on May 23 as well. The ride,
which was constructed in Venice, Italy, is perched on the edge of
Glenwood Canyon, right between the Giant Canyon Swing and the
Cliffhanger Roller Coaster.  Our guests loved flying out 1,400 feet over
the Colorado River and gave it rave reviews.


Soaring Eagle Zip Ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Wheee! Enjoying the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride
The Soaring Eagle Zip Ride was completely redesigned. It begins at
the same spot as in the past, but nearly everything else about it is
new. Guests now board at ground level near the Alpine Coaster — there
are no longer any stairs to climb — and are then carried backwards, 600
feet up the mountain. At the top, they reverse direction for a thrilling
zip ride back down to the ground.


Cowboy Camp at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Kicking back and enjoying the music at the Cowboy Camp
We added live music to our schedule every day during the summer,
along with more entertainers to keep you smiling during your visits to
the park. Alongside the Nature Trail, which leads to the Cliffhanger
Roller Coaster and the Glenwood Canyon Flyer, the new Cowboy Camp
provided a perfect spot to sit down, kick back for a while and enjoy
live Western music. In the plaza area just outside the General Store,
the Harmony Sisters made guests laugh, dance and sing with their funny
and engaging musical shows.


Doc Holliday and Kid Curry lookalikes were back this year to stir up
some trouble and pose for photos in the plaza. Our own Bob Koper, who
was the very first employee hired by our owners back in 1999, roamed the
park as the Roving Rock Ranger, sharing his knowledge of geology and
park trivia, mixed in with science tricks and optical illusions. Our new
Blacksmith Shop, complete with a working coal-fired forge and anvil
shop, was a hit with guests of all ages.


We enjoyed national attention when the crew from The Travel Channel’s popular series, Hotel Impossible,
came up to the park for a visit. Host Anthony Melchiorri toured the
caves with Steve Beckley and local hotel owner Josie Fit, and even faced
his fear of heights by riding the Giant Canyon Swing!


Glenwood Caverns Locals Choice 2014
Bob Stepniewski and Shiela Kendall accepted our Locals' Choice Awards
In June, we were thrilled to receive three Locals’ Choice Gold Awards
— Best Local Attraction, Best Place to View a Sunset and Best Music
Venue — and a Bronze Award for Best Local Event for Music on the
Mountain. What an honor! To show our appreciation for our loyal locals,
we kicked off Friday Afternoon Club on the Mountain, with free tram
rides and live music during July and August.


Iron Mountain Hot Springs Groundbreaking Glenwood C0 sm
Breaking ground for the new Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Our owners, Steve and Jeanne Beckley, along with Mogli and Coop
Cooper, announced plans to redevelop the historic Iron Mountain Hot
Springs on the bank of the Colorado River in August. The plans received
unanimous approval to proceed from the City of Glenwood Springs on Oct.
16 and a groundbreaking ceremony a few days later received media
coverage across the country. The Iron Mountain Hot Springs will be
operated by Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and is expected to open
summer of 2015.


We enjoyed even more national attention on August 29, when USA Today
and Park World editor Paul Ruben named our Alpine Coaster as one of the 10 Best Roller Coaster Rides of Your Life!


Music on the Mountain wrapped up a record-breaking year in September.
The community donated 12,427 cans for the LIFT-UP community food pantry
during 2014, exceeding our goal of 10,000 cans by almost 25 percent.
The total since the series started in 2009 is 43,598. We are so
fortunate to live and work in such a caring, supportive community.


Glenwood Caverns Glenwood Springs CO Winter on the Mountain
Winter on the Mountain at Glenwood Caverns
On November 1, which is typically a pretty quiet time in Glenwood
Springs, we kicked off the first Winter on the Mountain. Our guests have
enjoyed a dazzling display of more than a half million lights, a
warming hut, fire pits, a new 4D movie and lighted, nighttime rides on
the Alpine Coaster and Soaring Eagle Zip Ride, visits from Santa and
local caroling groups and a giant Christmas tree with a light show
choreographed to music. Winter on the Mountain continues through March
1.


Glenwood Caverns Glenwood Springs CO Management Team
Steve
Beckly, owner; Nancy Heard, general manager; Heather Austin, sales and
marketing manager; Bret Pfost, assistant general manage
Internally, we had also had an exciting year. Tessa Ebert, a 2014
graduate of Glenwood Springs High School, was the recipient of this
year’s employee scholarship. To help us accommodate our growth on the
mountain and at the Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Nancy Heard was named
general manager, several of our supervisors were promoted to manager,
Heather Austin joined our team as sales and marketing manager, and Bret
Pfost, who spent the last 30 years as a senior leader at Disney Parks
and Resorts, came on board as assistant general manager of the park and
the hot springs.


Thank you for helping us make 2014 one of our best years ever. We wish you and your family a happy, healthy and joyful 2015.












Posted in Behind the Scenes, News, Top Stories
|

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,
|
Leave a comment

Catching up with Santa Claus: “It’s the most rewarding job”

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Nell-Jessica
With Christmas less than two weeks away, we thought it
would be a good time to check in with Santa Claus, who must be busy as
a bee these days. On weekends during Winter on the Mountain, he can
be found in the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park warming hut, chatting
with his fans and hearing Christmas requests (this year Legos are all
the rage, as well as anything related to the movie Frozen). We found
Santa taking a well-deserved break, and he agreed to share some
insight on what it’s like to be the most popular man around Glenwood Springs (and everywhere else) this time of the year.
Santa Claus and a visitor, engaged in deep conversation in the warming hut at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Santa and Mrs. Claus (sometimes referred to as Randy and Sandy
Schriever) run a serious operation. “There’s much more to it than
putting on a red suit and sitting in a chair,” says Mr. Claus. “When I
talk to a child, I do more than just take a photo and ask what they
want. I like to talk to them about how it’s important to do well in
school, do your chores, brush your teeth, and be nice to your brothers
and sisters because they will be your best friends someday.”


Mrs. Claus is responsible for working the line, getting some key
tidbits of information about the kids, and then relaying it back to
Santa so by the time a child sits on his lap, he’ll usually know their
name and a few things about them. “The kids are blown away; they ask
‘How did you know my name?!’” Mrs. Claus also keeps the line organized
and entertains the kids in line, a very important job, especially when
it’s busy!


“The best thing is the Elf on a Shelf,” says Santa, speaking about
the popular kid’s toy, an elf that watches over the child during the
day and reports back to Santa each night. “I like to find out the name
of their elf beforehand, and tell them the elf came to see me, and
where he might be hiding the next day (with some teamwork from
parents). I’ve had parents call me to tell me that their child really
became a believer, and that they were so happy because they got to
have their kid be a kid for one more year.”


Santa has had all manners of requests over the years; some funny,
and some heartbreaking. “Sometimes kids ask if they can keep one of my
reindeer as a pet,” laughs Santa, “or a horse or pony or some other
animal that probably won’t be the easiest present to get.” Santa Claus
often gets requests for the child’s parents to get back together, or
to return from serving overseas in the military. “Once, a mom let me
know that her husband had been killed in active duty, and she hadn’t
told their daughter yet. The girl’s request to me was that her father
come home. In those situations, it’s really important to say the right
thing.”


For help with handling such situations, Santa goes to school.
Organizations like “School for Santa” and “Professional Santa Claus”
offer intensive trainings that help Santa deal with serious moments,
as well as the legalities and general dos and don’ts of dealing with
children. There is even a cruise that Santa goes on, where he is
joined by hundreds of his brethren from all over the world to swap
stories and help each other become the best Santas they can be.


Mr. and Mrs. Claus got their start about 20 years ago, volunteering
for a church group. It went so well that other church groups, schools
and hospitals started sending requests for their time, which they
donated happily. It wasn’t until a few years ago that someone
suggested Mr. and Mrs. Claus start working for money, which they
realized they could use to buy stuffed animals for children in the
hospital. For the Clauses, hospital visits are truly special. “There’s
a quote that says ‘there is nothing better in the world than the
laugh of a child.’ Sometimes I visit a child in the hospital who has a
serious illness and may not have very long to live. But when they see
Santa, there is a gleam in their eye and for a few minutes, there’s
no illness, no worry, no problems. Putting a smile on their face is
the best thing in the world.”


Santa Claus is also involved with TalkToSanta.com,
where kids can call Santa from home and video chat with him live.
It’s perfect for children who may have mobility issues, or for kids
who just can’t get enough. “One child had seen me a few weeks ago at
Glenwood Caverns, and called from the website because he just had more
to talk to me about!”


“It’s a very fun, rewarding, and exciting month and a half,” says
Santa. “We take it very seriously, and we love what we do. We’ve met a
lot of wonderful people and good children.”


For Santa’s schedule at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, visit http://glenwoodcaverns.com/winter-on-mountain.html and scroll down to “Santa for the Kids.”



Posted in Uncategorized
|

Tagged , , , , , , , ,
|
Comments Off

Winter on the Mountain Kickoff: Angels, Santa Claus, and so much more!

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Nell-Jessica
On Friday, November 21st, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park officially kicked off Winter at the Mountain!
With roaming angel carolers (The Harmony Sisters), the Coca-Cola bear
on hand to give out stuffed bears, and Santa Claus himself (along with
Mrs. Claus), it was a fun night for all who made the journey from
Glenwood Springs or beyond.


Santa Claus received lots of little visitors in the warming hut, and
took time to chat with each child about their Christmas wishes. Kids
sipped hot chocolate afterwards, and some parents opted to order their
hot drink spiked! To view a schedule of Santa’s upcoming appearances,
click here and scroll down to “Santa for the Kids.”


The giant Christmas tree put on a choreographed light and music show
every thirty minutes—something truly special to behold. The impressive
light display that seems to “dance” along with the Christmas music is
not to be missed!


The Lookout Grille served up family-style entrees, a new concept at
the park. Evening diners can order from a select menu of entrees that
include unlimited sides of sweet potato casserole, seasonal fritters,
and more. “It’s a different offering for the winter, to add to the whole
experience. We thought it was a fun, new idea, and we’ve had a good
reaction to the food so far,” says Shiela Kendall, special events
manager at the park. “It’s about family bonding, which is what the
holidays are all about!” To view the dinner family-style menu, click here.


The Alpine Coaster is even more fun when it's all lit up at night!
The Glenwood Caverns lighting team worked countless hours to light up
the park, from the base of the tram to the sides of the tracks on the
Alpine Coaster and everywhere in between. With 500,000 lights and a
fresh coat of snow, the park truly felt like a winter wonderland.


Caroling angels The Harmony Sisters serenaded park visitors with holiday classics and good cheer.
For those feeling a little chilly on the tram ride up or down the
mountain, the trams are stocked with cozy fleece blankets, and
tram-goers can marvel at the views of the lights of the city of Glenwood
Springs.


Winter on the Mountain
will be open from 10am to 9pm all Thanksgiving week, except for
Thanksgiving Day. Bring the whole family and check out the dazzling
light displays and fun activities for yourself!



Posted in Uncategorized
|

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,
|
Comments Off

Light It Up!

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Nell-Jessica
What’s the biggest challenge of hanging up 500,000 lights in the
middle of a busy park on the side of a mountain? Pretty much…everything!


Mr. and Mrs. Claus in front of one of the dazzling light displays featured on Winter on the Mountain
“Really, the hardest part has been just hanging them on a mountain.
It’s not nice terrain like in town or at Disneyland. I was literally
just sliding down a mountain a few minutes ago!” laughs Charmian
Featherstone, the lighting director in charge of the endeavor to bathe
Glenwood Caverns in light.


“We’ve been hard at it since September,” says Featherstone. The lights are part of the new Winter on the Mountain,
which also features a giant animated Christmas tree, holiday Santa,
family-style dining, s’mores and hot chocolate, and much more. Visitors
will be able to zoom down lighted rides (Alpine Coaster and Soaring
Eagle Zip Ride) at night and explore the Kings Row Cave Tour with
holiday lighting.


The lighting crew, which includes about seven people, has been
working while harnessed in and using lifts on the mountain slope. Lifts
are typically used on flat surfaces, and using them on the mountain has
made the crew’s work more interesting, to say the least. Using harnesses
has also presented challenges. “We’re hanging off buildings and trees.
When the wind blows, it’s a little scary. We watch the weather a lot to
see what we can and can’t do that day.” The crew has also had to take
into account future weather patterns, such as how much snow would cover
up a certain display.


“We’ve learned so much from this project. We’re constantly thinking
about weather, mathematics, color schemes, electricity, and design. We
make a design of each building first, and practice in the dark to find
the effect that we’re looking for.”


The Glenwood Caverns stage, just one of many buildings to be wrapped in lights as part of Winter on the Mountain
The lights themselves are a mixture of LED and incandescent bulbs.
There are two different shades of white, and also red, green and blue.
The display is so impressive that the lighting crew has seen a couple of
small airplanes switch direction to come check out the view.


“The trees have been my favorite part to light,” Featherstone says.
Trees both at the tram base and up top will be lit up, in addition to
the giant Christmas tree.


“When you’re up here at night and see them lit up, then the fun kicks in. You say, ‘wow, we did it. It’s working!’


‘It’s great to see our employees’ sense of accomplishment; to see and
feel it, since they don’t really get the effect during the day. We
can’t wait for the public to join us to see the lights!”


Winter on the Mountain is open Friday through Sunday, from 10am to
9pm. For the full effect of the dazzling lights, it’s best to come after
dark. For more information, visit Winter on the Mountain.



Posted in Uncategorized
|

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
|
Comments Off

Missing Link Band celebrates change at the last 2014 Music on the Mountain concert

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Nell-Jessica
This Saturday, September 20th marks the last Music on the Mountain concert of 2014. It’s become something of a tradition for The Missing Link Band
to close out the concert series, and the band will return again to play
the last show. It will be a special show for a variety of reasons.


The
Missing Link Band will debut new additions to the band and say farewell
to a longtime member on Saturday, Sept. 21 for the last free Music on
the Mountain concert of 2014
It’s been a year of big changes for the band, whose bass player, Paul
Barker, moved to Florida to be closer to family. “We spent the last six
months trying to fill his shoes, and it wasn’t easy,” says Nick
Kuhlmann, the band’s drummer and sound engineer. They finally found Doug
Whitney, who hails from Marble, to fill the roll. “He’s shown a lot of
capabilities,” Kuhlmann says.


Paul Barker is returning from Florida to perform at Music on the
Mountain on Saturday. “The show is going to be a farewell to Paul,” says
Kuhlmann. “He’s an original founding member, we’ve been playing
together for over 14 years. He’s more than a band member; he’s a
brother.”


The show will also be the introduction of Doug Whitney to the band’s
fans. “Glenwood Caverns is our biggest show,” Kuhlmann points out. “It’s
really the proper venue to introduce Doug and let him know what he’s in
for!”


There are other new additions to the band, too. Glenwood Caverns’ own
Restaurant & Retail Manager, Bob Stepniewski, has joined the band
on percussion. Additionally, Louie Girardot of the popular local band
Louie and the Lizards is the band’s new keyboard player. “We were going
to hire him as the bass player until we found out how good he was on
keyboard. He really rounds out the sound,” says Kuhlmann.


“I like to call it the evolution of The Missing Link Band. We’re
going to keep playing the same music. People love our diversity, that’s
the main compliment we get. With the additional percussion and keys,
we’re going to be able to go to places we haven’t gone before. We can
cover parts now for material we’ve always wanted to play. But we’re
still all about the stuff that would make my mom dance, as I like to
say. That’s what is the most important–to keep playing music that
everyone can enjoy.”


Kuhlmann encourages everyone to come out to the show to have fun,
enjoy the new, fuller sound and say goodbye to Paul Barker. “Having Paul
be leaving feels a bit like having my right arm cut off. But we wish
him well, and as Paul would tell you–it’s not goodbye, it’s just til’
next time.”


Bring at least one can of food to donate for a free tram ride to the
top! We are still trying to reach our goal of 10,000 cans donated to
Lift Up, and we need all the help we can get! Even after the music
stops, Glenwood Caverns will continue to collect cans at the base of the
tram until the end of the month (although you will no longer get a free
tram ride for donating after this Saturday). Visit Music on the Mountain for more information.



Posted in Uncategorized
|

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
|
Comments Off

Let Them Roar: “American musical melting pot” returns to Music on the Mountain stage

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Nell-Jessica
There’s only a couple Music on the Mountain concerts left! With
autumn colors already appearing on the hillsides and the crisp, vibrant
feel of fall in the air, it couldn’t be a better time to head up to
Glenwood Caverns this Saturday. Carbondale-based favorites Let Them Roar will be performing, and this fun-loving group is the perfect band for September dancing, relaxation and fun!


Let Them Roar (previously known as All the Pretty Horses) has been
together since 2010; they originally formed around exploring the music
of Bob Dylan. They were influenced by a variety of sources, including
legendary country singer George Jones and jazz guitarist Bill Frisell.
Their diverse influences led to a sound that the band describes as an
“American musical melting pot.”


Don’t miss Let Them Roar at the free Music on the Mountain concert this Saturday, September 13
Let Them Roar made their debut at Music in the Mountain in 2013, and
they took the stage by storm with their unique blend of country rock,
rock, jazz and bluegrass. The group is comprised of Olivia Pevec
(vocals), Mateo Sandate (guitar), Ashton Taufer (bass), Aaron Taylor
(drums), Frank Martin (guitar, mandolin, lap steel, vocals) and Sophia
Clark (vocals).


The band performs all around the valley; this year they appeared at
Mountain Fair in Carbondale and Strawberry Days in Glenwood Springs.
They regularly rock out at local hot spots like Steve’s Guitars and Phat
Thai.


In December, Let Them Roar released an EP of their tunes, which you can listen to and purchase here.
The August “Maroon Bells Bash Celebrating 50 Years of Wilderness” event
saw the band performing alongside well-known indie folk bands Paper
Bird and The Shook Twins. Overall, it’s been a pretty great year for the
band!


Saturday’ show will also feature great deals on food and drink, with
rides open until dusk. Bring at least one can of food to donate for a
free tram ride to the top. We’re getting close to our goal of 10,000
cans (7,040 donated so far), and with two shows left every can really
counts! Visit Music on the Mountain for more information. Hope to see you there!



Posted in Uncategorized
|

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
|
Comments Off

The Goodman Band makes their Music on the Mountain debut Saturday, Sept. 6

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Nell-Jessica
This weekend will be a double-dose of Music on the Mountain, with shows on Saturday and Sunday. First up on September 6th is The Goodman Band,
a hard rockin’ trio based out of Grand Junction. The Goodman Band is
comprised of Gerry Goodman (guitar and lead vocals), John Brown (bass
guitar) and Darin Elwell (drums). The three of them produce a huge sound
together, and we can’t wait to hear what they will bring to the Music
on the Mountain stage for the first time! We asked Gerry Goodman for a
little background on the band to get us even more pumped for the show.


NJ: What’s the “origin story” of The Goodman Band?

GG: Darin and I started playing together eight or nine
years ago in Grand Junction. We were the “house band” for a bar called
DJ’s Roadhouse. John joined us about four years ago and we’ve become
quite a tight little unit.


NJ: Did you grow up playing music?

GG: I was three years old when I started taking guitar
seriously. I actually have an old photo of me playing a plastic guitar
when I was a year and a half old, it’s pretty funny! I was a young
teenager when I finally got the courage to play in front of people and I
was 17 when I started playing for a living.


NJ: Who were you influenced by?

GG: My musical influences are vast. I grew up listening
to Elvis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry….all those guys from the 50′s. As
soon as my dad brought home the first Beatles album (Meet The Beatles),
it was game over! I’ve been a Beatles fan since ’64. I didn’t take much
stock in the blues until I heard Johnny Winter and then Stevie Ray
Vaughan. I fell in love with the blues and I started doing my homework
to see who influenced Johnny and Stevie. I grew up on country music too:
Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, and Glen Campbell.


NJ: What was one of your best times performing as a band?

GG: We got to open Rock Jam 2009 [in Grand Junction] on
the Main Stage; that was fun and scary! We also opened Country Jam 2010
on the Main Stage as our Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute Band (Texas Flood).
Some of the bigger events here in Grand Junction are fun to play, like
the Colorado Pork & Hops Challenge. We’ve had lots of fun gigs over
the last nine years.


The Goodman Band brings good times and good tunes to the free show on Saturday
NJ: Where are your favorite places to play?

GG: Every winter we get to play in Aspen at a place
called the Sundeck on top of Aspen Mountain. You get to meet people from
all over the world there! The Black Nugget in Carbondale is always a
blast, as is the Powderhorn Ski Resort.


NJ: What is the best part about playing professionally as a musician/band?

GG: The best part of being in a band is when we’re on
stage and the three of us are hitting on all cylinders. We’ve played
together for so long that we know what each other is thinking and what
note or beat is coming next.


NJ: How do you try to connect with the audience when you play?

GG: When doing cover tunes, it helps to do songs the
audience knows, that way they’re already halfway there as far as having
fun. Some songs lend themselves to singing along with us; once you get
them singing along, they feel like part of the show!


NJ: How would you best describe the sound of the band?

GG: We’ve been described as the fullest sounding
three-piece band out there. I’ve learned to play rhythm and lead guitar
simultaneously, much like all my favorite three-piece bands: Stevie Ray
Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, The Who, Nirvana, and so on. We over-play
to fill in the holes in the music and it sounds pretty phat!


NJ: Anything else you would like people to know about The Goodman Band?

GG: The Goodman Band takes pride in being able to play
nearly any kind of music, and quite authentically. We play everything
from country to rockabilly to classic rock to blues to heavy metal to
acoustic. We are proudly fearless. Come and check us out !


Bring at least one can of food to donate to Lift-Up for a free tram
ride to the top. Help us reach our goal of 10,000 cans this year! For
more information, visit Music on the Mountain.



Posted in Uncategorized
|

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
|
Comments Off

Sunday Music on the Mountain show features faith-based music

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Nell-Jessica
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is pleased to present a special
Sunday concert as part of the Music on the Mountain series this weekend!
The Sunday, Sept. 7th show will feature faith-based music from New
Creation Church and Jerry Alcorta (performing with The King’s Loyal).


Alcorta has performed at Music on the Mountain in years past with Carbondale church The Orchard.
However, for The King’s Loyal, the Music on the Mountain show will be
their first performance together as a band and a treat to see for
concert-goers! The five member group will perform covers of faith-based
bands as well as songs by Johnny Cash, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, U2,
and more.


Alcorta currently heads up the music and arts department for The
Orchard. He’s been playing music professionally since the age of 20, and
has traveled the world with his guitar. “One of the best experiences
was going to China,” he remembers. Alcorta toured along the coast from
Shanghai to Beijing, performing for humanitarian groups working in the
area. “It was so great to get to know people from the states in a
totally different environment, and to get together to help people in
need.”


Jerry Alcorta and The King's Loyal will perform together for the first time on Sunday, September 7
Alcorta was heavily influenced by his father, who played guitar and
inspired Alcorta to take up the instrument as well. He also cites U2,
the band Need to Breathe, and country stars like Brad Paisley and Keith
Urban for helping him to find his own voice. This diverse blend of
influences has helped Alcorta to create a unique sound all his own, a
sound that connects and resonates with the audience. “It’s all about
blending music, life and faith. We just want people to come out and have
a good time.”


Says Alcorta, “The best part about playing music is seeing people
think beyond themselves and realize that there is more to life than jobs
or schedules. God plays a big part in my music. All I can hope for is
that the music I play is bigger than just me.”


New Creation Church will
also be taking the stage at Music on the Mountain this Sunday. Their
Worship Team performs contemporary Christian rock, and last year they
got the crowd moving with a fun, upbeat show. “We’re very high energy,
not what people would think of as a church group,” said Melissa
Hefferon, the team’s leader.


The New Creation Church Worship Team will bring their high energy to the free show on Sunday
2014 has been a busy year for the Worship Team. “It’s been a great
year for us!” says Hefferon. “We recorded a five-song EP of original
music that we will be selling up on the mountain on Sunday.”


“The EP is an expression of our hearts towards God,” says Hefferon.
“The songs are uplifting and inspiring, about the goodness and
faithfulness of God in our lives. We had a great time writing and
recording the songs. The creative process brought out the best in our
team, and now that we have done this project I know we will be doing
more!”


“We can’t wait for Sunday!” Hefferon says. “It’s always a fun time!”


Sunday’s show is earlier than normal; Can for a Tram starts at 2 pm and music starts at 4 pm. For more information, visit Music on the Mountain. Hope to see you there!



Posted in Uncategorized
|

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
|
Comments Off

Caleb Dean Band brings country twang to Music on the Mountain

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Nell-Jessica
Country fans rejoice! This Saturday’s Music on the Mountain show
features the country and Western swing group Caleb Dean Band, and they
are prepared to have a great time. “We have so much fun it should be a
crime!” says Caleb Dean, the lead singer and band’s namesake. “Folks
that come out to see and hear the music, they always give you great
energy to perform.”


The Caleb Dean Band will perform a free show this Saturday, August 23rd at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
The Caleb Dean Band is comprised of Dean, Dean’s son Parker Wade,
Brian “Twang” Lemke, Larry Gottlieb, Don “Professor” Pennington, Rod
Taylor, and Billy Harmon. They have been together for about two years
and play lots of gigs around the Western Slope, typically favoring
places like the 4Eagle Ranch and the T Lazy 7. “Those are the best for
our country dancin’ friends,” says Dean. Caleb Dean and the band are
excited to share their sound with the crowd at Music on the Mountain for
the first time. “This will be our first time on the mountain, we’re
lookin’ forward to performing some great country music for y’all!”


Caleb Dean has been playing music since the age of 10, and counts
Roger Miller and Hank Williams among his influences, as well as “the guy
my mother loved: the great Elvis!” He is also a big fan of country
legend George Strait: “He is the real deal of country music.”


Dean was born in Indiana, but raised in Glenwood Springs. He moved to
Nashville for a time to write and record music, but couldn’t escape his
love of the Rockies and ended up back in Colorado.


Caleb Dean passed his love of country music on to his children: his
son Parker Wade plays guitar and mandolin with the band, and has been
performing onstage since about the age Caleb himself started. His other
son, Keenan Date, lives in Nashville (brother Parker plays in his band
as well, the Keenan Date Band) and collaborates with his dad on original
tunes. “They’re really good songs, and the reviews are good!” says
Dean.


To keep up with Caleb Dean and the boys, visit their website at calebdeanband.com. You can join their email list to find out where and when they’ll be playing and what’s new with the band.


Come up to the park this Saturday to enjoy “classic country with a
twang,” drink specials, rides and attractions, and gorgeous views! Bring
at least one can of food to donate for a free tram ride to the top. For
more information, visit Music on the Mountain.



Posted in Uncategorized
|

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
|
Comments Off

Catch Already Gone at Music on the Mountain Saturday, August 16

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Nell-Jessica
Already Gone takes the stage for the free Music on the Mountain concert series this Saturday, August 16th
This Saturday, Already Gone will make their fourth appearance at
Music on the Mountain! The popular local band has had a great year since
they last graced the stage at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. They
took 1st place in this summer’s Strawberry Days Battle of the Bands
competition, and they’ve also been traveling to perform events in other
states. “In my opinion this has been our best year yet,” says Lisa
Poplish, lead singer of Already Gone.


The band, known for covering a large variety of genres, has been
working on refining their sound. “We’ve been learning new material and
polishing up the classics,” Poplish says.


Another exciting development was the addition of bass player
Christian Basso who, according to Poplish, “absolutely tears it up!”


August  is Already Gone’s busiest month: among other engagements,
they performed at the Garfield County Fair in Rifle and will travel to
Nevada at the end of the month for a two-night street party. In
September, you can see the band at First Friday in Carbondale and
opening for Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband in Silt, to name just a few
spots. Says Poplish, “We are so busy we almost don’t know what to do
about it, but don’t get me wrong, we love that!”


“What can I say? We’re living the dream!”


Be sure to join Already Gone for the free show this Saturday. Rides
and attractions are open until dusk, drink specials will be offered, and
if you bring at least one can of food to donate you can ride the tram
for free! Visit Music on the Mountain for more information.



Posted in Uncategorized
|

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,
|
Comments Off