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Blues in the Schools (BITS) In Northern Colorado!
Brought to you by the High Plains Blues Society

We’re thrilled to announce that our Blues in the Schools (BITS) program is available  in classrooms across Northern Colorado!

What is BITS?

BITS isn’t just a concert — it’s a dynamic, interactive performance that brings the history of Blues music to life for students of all ages. This program dives deep into the roots of the Blues, a powerful and emotional form of American music that has shaped countless genres we hear today.

Led by a passionate Blues historian, these sessions are filled with hands-on activities like writing lyrics, storytelling, and even trying out instruments like the harmonica. It’s an engaging form of music education that students won’t soon forget!

A Cross-Curricular Learning Experience

One of the best things about BITS is how it connects to more than just music. It supports cross-curricular learning by tying into subjects like social studies, language arts, geography, and Black history. As students explore the music history behind the Blues, they also gain a deeper understanding of American culture, the struggles and triumphs of African American communities, and the social movements that influenced the music.

Why Does It Matter?

When we teach the Blues, we’re not only teaching kids how to play or listen — we’re giving them a rich, layered understanding of America’s cultural identity. The Blues is more than music; it’s a historical narrative, a geography lesson, and a form of expression that reflects the heart of a people. Preserving this tradition helps ensure that future generations recognize its importance in the broader story of American music and history.

Help Us Bring BITS to More Schools!

Are you a teacher? Do you know someone who works in education?
Do you have children or grandchildren who would benefit from this kind of learning experience?
Are you able to support us as a sponsor or donor?

The more community support we receive, the more classrooms we can reach with this unique blend of music education, interactive performances, and cross-curricular learning.

📧 Interested? Want to get involved?
Email us at highplainsbluessociety@gmail.com — we’d love to chat!

Help us share the story of the Blues — its culture, its history, and its music — with the next generation.

Let’s make some noise for BITS!
Spread the word to teachers, families, and fellow Blues fans in Northern Colorado!

Blues News Blog

In Your Face Blues: Carvin Jones at Club Tico on March 5 

Photos and story by Tim Van Schmidt

I'm very thankful for the Blues Blast. A couple of issues ago, I read about a show by Phoenix blues guitarist Carvin Jones- the "King of Strings." I thought that sounded pretty good but the thing that sold me was the venue- Club Tico, located in Fort Collins in City Park. That's right in my neighborhood and I couldn't resist.

Club Tico is a venerable multi-purpose facility that has been the site for area events for decades- from wedding receptions and ballroom dancing to, well, raucous blues shows.

When I arrived I thought it was strange that the vocal mike was down on the floor rather than on the bandstand- and I found out why as soon as Jones began his set. Jones is an in-your-face performer- quite literally. Throughout the show, Jones left the mike often and stepped right into the midst of the audience, his fingers flying up and down the fret board, all the while grinning and engaging everybody in his path.

Jones is a seasoned showman who knows that even more than owning his guitar like a pro, owning the audience with a positive attitude seals the deal.

Speaking of "owning his guitar," Jones owned his set list completely- from Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan tunes to John Lee Hooker and Chuck Berry classics and more. And here's the part I liked most of all- there was no fooling around in between songs. When one tune was done, Jones plowed into the next one without hardly skipping a beat.

I've been to countless concerts over the decades and one of my pet peeves is musicians who waste valuable performing time by talking about what they had for breakfast. Not Jones- apparently when that man plays, he plays hard. I appreciate that as a live music fan.

And thanks to the Blues Blast, I am now a brand new Carvin Jones fan.

Make sure when you receive the Blues Blast each week from the High Plains Blues Society that you check it out in full- it's a comprehensive digest of everything blues and your key to very cool events that you might not hear about anywhere else- like the Carvin Jones concert.

Here's a video I posted from the show- Jones performing John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom."

Carvin Jones Live in Colorado 2026 (Boom Boom)  https://youtu.be/yY8Ppv1i_is