Backyard Hero: OWN IT Rocks MSU Denver
By Center for Innovation Own It Team: Angela Kerr, Leah Parker, and Cindy Busch
OWN IT, hosted by Metropolitan State University of Denver’s (MSU Denver) Center for Innovation, highlighted small business ownership with a first time event incorporating CREATE MSU Denver Virtual Incubator’s mission – to stimulate collaboration and the development of artistic business opportunities for the creative entrepreneur. Over 500 people attended, including a multitude of student and established business owners, to network and collaborate artistically. The power of creative entrepreneurs was captured in a speech by Denver Mayor, Michael Hancock who attended the event. In a subsequent interview with Harrison Welshimer of Music Munch, Hancock stated, “The arts and culture community provide about a $1.7 billion dollar economic infusion into our economy locally.”
OWN IT, emceed by Colorado Music Buzz radio personality Brett Finn, presented an impressive five band line up including The Driftin’ Suns, the CREATE MSU Denver featured band, who recently released their first album CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST currently for sale at e-commerce site: http://www.createmsudenver.com. Colorado Music Buzz magazine reviewed the album stating: “Solid production, quality-studio tracking, and overall respectable musicianship throughout gives the fellas a solid fighting chance to make some noise nationally.”
Paer, the power duo of Kyle Zender and Hill Baker, delivered the opening performance that stunned the audience. The audience was amazed the music was played with guitars, drums, and a keyboard, creating a surprising full sound from only two people. Zender’s complementary business, Zendelicious Productions, sponsored sound engineering for the event, stating, “It gave new exposure to Paer and it was great to work with the whole production team.”
James and the Devil, 2013 Westword Showcase winners in the Avant Pop Category, featured MSU alumnus Adam Carpenter and current MSU student Dave Ross. They were followed by the 2013 Westword Showcase Pop Alternative winners, Vices I Admire. Vices, led by Dave Curtis, who also sponsored marketing and graphics with his company Dave Does Design, teamed up with his band members including Dan Battenhouse, a founding member of The Fray.
The headliners for the event, The Bunny Gang, featuring Nathen Maxwell from Flogging Molly did not disappoint. Nathen, an international touring artist, recently moved to Colorado and is very excited about the Denver Music scene. “I am starting a new chapter with the Bunny Gang; I just want to focus on Denver,” he says This speaks volumes about the Colorado music collaborative. When asked about what OWN IT meant to him, his response: “It means OWNING your life and everything that it encompasses because all you have is your life.” The newest member of the group, Mike Blecha, also sponsored the event by providing stage and sound with his company Rolling Thunder Productions.
Tim Kae of Drum City Guitar Land, a staple for musicians in the Denver Metro community, sponsored the back line kit to support the drummers and the ease of set changes for the bands. The professionalism displayed in store and in sponsorship by this long standing entrepreneurial venture speaks for itself.
Love Hope Strength, a local bone marrow transplant registry whose motto is “saving lives one concert at a time,” was able to register 61 additional people to the national bone marrow registry, (usually they only average 10 per concert) according to Kara Primomo, booking manager for the organization. “Overall we enjoyed being there and as always, it is really great to be in front of a student audience and to meet new people.”
What better way to bring awareness to creative and small businesses than to ask, “What does OWN IT mean to you?” For our participants, own your college career, own your passion, own your life – OWN your own business! You are in charge! From the initial idea of Chris Murphy to founder Keith Schneider, both of Colorado Music Buzz Media, we salute those who OWNED IT and made a free back-to-school concert for students and the greater Metro Denver community possible.
For a list of Own It sponsors as well as event photos from Canvas4D and Ralston Photo visit http://www.createmsudenver.com/content/join_us/own_it_2013
Watch for future Own It networking events focused on creative entrepreneurs in the music industry, and purchase your commemorative handmade OWN IT 2013 guitar pick by CREATE intern Jody McDonald from Nerdy Jems, by visiting www.CREATEmsudenver.com.
About CREATE MSU Denver
CREATE MSU Denver is the first university virtual incubator for creative entrepreneurs in the United States providing business advisement, an 1100 square-foot showroom and an e-commerce site to 61 creative industries and professions. CREATE develops personal relationships with its clients and helps them grow their business wherever they live. Check out our Marketplace, featuring clients and works of other creatives by visiting www.CREATEmsudenver.com.
Category: Buzzworthy
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