Chris Daniels Named New Executive Director of the Colorado Music Hall Of Fame

The Colorado Music Hall of Fame Presented by Comfort Dental is proud to announce that Chris Daniels, an "icon of Colorado music," has been appointed the new Executive Director by the organization's Advisory Board.

Founding Chairman of the Board, Chuck Morris said, "The Hall is delighted to welcome Chris as our new Executive Director. We look forward to working with our multi-talented friend on community outreach efforts, music-related matters, and the day-to-day operations that keep the Hall running successfully. Plus ...I've been working with Chris since 1970, beginning with his groundbreaking band, Magic Music at The Sink and Tulagi. From day one I've been a huge fan of Chris, both as a talented musician and an extraordinary person. Thank you again to the continuing generosity of our sponsor Comfort Dental and the support of the music-loving citizens of our great State!"

According to Daniels, "I'm anxious to tackle the many challenges going forward-finding more space to accommodate our rapid growth, expanding our funding base, and celebrating all the incredible artists, individuals, institutions and fans that contribute to making Colorado one of the best music scenes in the country. What the Hall has accomplished thus far is amazing and I'm honored to be part of it! Colorado is home to so many music genres-from cowboy songwriters like Chuck Pyle to jam bands and bluegrass like Hot Rize and String Cheese, to the hip-hop of the Flobots, EDM powerhouse Pretty Lights, rockers like Big Head Todd, plus the recent jazz class inductees honoring Dianne Reeves and Phillip Bailey. It's our job to preserve, honor, and celebrate it all."

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Daniels found his love for roots music, gospel, and blues stimulated by his years at his grandfather's farm in South Carolina. Daniels fell in love with the Mountain State in 1970 when he joined his first acoustic folk band, Rosewood Canyon. Shortly after he began working with Magic Music, Colorado's first jam band, playing all over the US including two appearances at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

Chris Daniels was a 2013 Hall Inductee along with Judy Collins, and a host of other Colorado music legends. He and his band, Chris Daniels & The Kings, are in their 34th year of recording and touring with his 15th album, "Blues With Horns," released in 2017. In 2012 he received his first Grammy nomination for work on the children's album "Jungle Jazz Kids" with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Hubert Laws, and the late Al Jarreau. In addition, Daniels is currently an Assistant Professor at the College of Arts & Media at the University of Colorado Denver and plans to generate some exciting collaborations between the University and the Hall.

Founded in 2011, the Colorado Music Hall of Fame Presented by Comfort Dental is a non-profit organization that preserves, celebrates and educates the public on everything that makes Colorado music great. Since its inception, Inductees include-John Denver and Red Rocks Amphitheatre; Harry Tuft of Denver Folklore Center and promoter Barry Fey of Feyline Presents; "Rockin' The '60s" The Astronauts, Sugarloaf, Flash Cadillac and KIMN Radio; folk legend Judy Collins, the Serendipity Singers, Bob Lind and Chris Daniels; Stephen Stills/Manassas, Firefall, Poco and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; "20th Century Pioneers" Glenn Miller, Paul Whiteman, Max Morath, Billy Murray and Elizabeth Spencer with contemporary singer-entertainer Lannie Garrett; Dan Fogelberg, Joe Walsh & Barnstorm, and Caribou Ranch Recording Studio; "Jazz Masters & Beyond" Dianne Reeves, Charles Burrell, Bill Frisell, Ron Miles, Earth, Wind, & Fire members Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn and Andrew Woolfolk; and Denver's East High School Music Program.