Favorite Bands with Colorado Ties #10 - Halden Wofford and the Hi Beams

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Believe it or not, it bothers us here in Denver that many people still consider our city as a "cow town," full of country folk all walking around in cowboy boots and hats (when in fact, it's full of a bunch of damn yuppies, but don't get me started on THAT!) So what do I do but begin my countdown of my favorite bands with Colorado ties with a country act? We are at #10: Halden Wofford and the Hi*Beams. But these guys aren't your run of the mill modern country band. Not even close, and if they were, you wouldn't see them within a mile of this series. Led by charismatic vocalist Halden Wofford, the Hi*Beams are a honky tonk outfit from Denver. But they are more than that. "Rootsy and real, neither revivalist nor retro" is their own self-description, and it's accurate. Halden Wofford and the Hi*Beams have released six studio albums, one live album, and provided the soundtrack for, and appear in a scene from an independent film shot in Denver, Skills Like This. They are an absolute blast live, and although the majority of their concerts take place in the Denver area, they tour regionally (I first saw them in a Colorado Springs bar back in the late 2000's,) have played as far away as New York and California, and have opened for the likes of Los Lobos, Asleep at the Wheel, and Wayne Hancock. Basically, these guys rock. Yet one more great reason to live here! (Info verified by the official Hi*Beams website)