The Dakota Gray Band initially started off as a solo project in 2018. With the namesake Gray playing mandolin, he would play shows across Colorado on his own using the instrument. However, over time, he brought other friends on board to join him on stage, and slowly, the project developed into a five-piece bluegrass band.

Just as they started playing together more frequently, COVID spiked across the nation, stopping live shows in their tracks. In the summer of 2021, however, as venues started opening back up, the group played more regularly across the Denver area and, as Gray himself pointed out, “have been excited to play at new places ever since.”

Before this band, Gray formed a four-piece jug band in southern Illinois with friends of his in 2014, around the time he started playing mandolin. After that band ended in 2015, he started a jam band with other friends of his called Porch Fire, which he performed in for about two years.

Gray cites bluegrass bands such as Greensky Bluegrass, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Nederland locals Yonder Mountain String Band as influences, along with bluegrass musicians Ralph Stanley and Bill Monroe.

Gray had been a caretaker for a family in Evergreen, Colorado, for two years, but in December, the person he was caring for passed away. Since then, Gray has been a full-time musician, performing as many gigs as possible while looking for other employment. This has caused him to consider leaning into music as a full time career, potentially going back to school in the fall to work toward a music business degree.

Gray loves everything about being able to perform live and loves the idea of playing around as many areas of Colorado as possible. This year, he wants to expand his performance reach outside of the Denver area and play in the mountains more. Hopefully, more people will come to experience his live shows as he works on expanding to other areas.

You can catch Dakota Gray performing a solo show at Busey Brews, 70 E. 1st Street in Nederland, on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at 2 p.m. For more information about Gray and the band, visit https://www.facebook.com/dakotagraymusic/ and their Instagram @dakota_ gray_ band. Here are the listings of live music this week! Check it out and support your local musicians.

Busey Brews

Sunday. February 20 at 2 p.m. - Dakota Gray

Sunday, February 27 at 2 p.m. - Cara Elizabeth Music

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuseyBrews/

Website: https://buseybrews.com/

Email: contact@buseybrews.com

Location: 70 E. 1st Street, Nederland.

Phone: 1-855-633-2739

Caribou Room

Saturday, March 12 at 8 p.m. - Keller Williams

Friday, March 25 at 7 p.m. - Gasoline Lollipops w/ The Runaway Grooms

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaribouroom/

Website: https://www.thecaribouroom.com/

Location: 55 Indian Peaks Drive, Nederland.

Phone: 303-258-3637

Howlin’ Wind Brewing

Saturday, February 12 at 4 p.m. - Andy Reiner Jam

Saturday, February 19 at 4 p.m. - Ben Sproul

Saturday, February 26 at 4 p.m. - Brittany Wagner

Website: https://www.howlinwindbrewing.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howlinwindbrewing

Location: 51 A Main Street, Rollinsville.

Phone: 309-825-5245

Jamestown Mercantile

Thursday, February 10 at 7 p.m. - The Knotty G

Friday, February 11 at 7 p.m. - George Nelson Band

Thursday, February 17 at 7 p.m. - Chris Sheldon and Friends

Thursday, February 24 at 7 p.m. - FastFloyd

Friday, February 25 at 7 p.m. - Hand Turkey

Thursdaym Narch 3 at 7 p.m. - Hardwood Heart

Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m. - Augustus

Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m. - Paul Kimbiris

Friday, March 11 at 7 p.m. - The Cosmic Charlie’s

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamestown.mercantile/

Website: https://www.jamestownmercantile.com/

Location: 108 Main Street, Jamestown.

Phone: 303-442-5847

Last Stand Tavern

Friday, February 11 at 6 p.m. - Karaoke

Saturday, February 12 at 5 p.m. - Paul Jarvis

Sunday, February 13 - Super Bowl Party

Thursday, February 17 at 6 p.m. - Bunco

Saturday, February 19 at 5 p.m. - Rick Lobato and Chuck Lettes

Friday, February 25 at 6 p.m. - Karaoke

Saturday, February 26 at 5 p.m. - Scott Brown

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laststandtavern/

Website: http://laststandtavern.com/

Email: laststandtavern@gmail.com

Location: 32138 Highway 72, Coal Creek Canyon.

Phone: 303-642-3180

Ned’s Cafe

Dam Jam on Thursdays at 10 p.m. Karaoke on Sundays at 7 p.m.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatatneds/

Website: https://www.eatatneds.com/

Email: eatatneds@gmail.com

Location: 121 N. Jefferson Street, Nederland.

Phone: 303-258-0614

Very Nice Brewing Company

Thursday, February 24 at 6 p.m. - Jazz by Dan Williams

Facebook: www.facebook.com/verynicebeer

Website: www.verynicebrewing.com/

Location: 20 E. Lakeview Drive, #112, Nederland.

Phone: 303-258-3770

Did we miss you?

Did we miss your music listing in the Peak to Peak area? Do you have updates to your business? Please call 303-810-5409 or email publisher1977@gmail.com to be included in the next edition.