About Us

The Mile High Scenesters was formed in 2012 after a small group of music lovers from within the local Denver scene put on a fundraiser for a fellow musician in need. The event was an overwhelming success and, recognizing an undeniable chemistry, the group decided to continue paying it forward, shifting its focus to the local youth music scene. The Mile High Scenesters was born.

MHS' focus is on providing youth musicians from the metro area and opportunity to gain real-world exposure and access to stage time, studio time, equipment and mentorship, in order to ensure the up-and-coming musical generation an opportunity to grow in their craft and express them selves creatively. As of the spring of 2017, MHS has hosted nearly 20 concerts (most at legendary Herman's Hideaway), has been honored by Denver Public Schools with the Helen B. Phelps Award in connection with the instruments MHS has provided the district, and is producing music with kids from all musical walks of life. MHS is a federally approved 501c(3) orgnaization and we look forward to conintuing to make music and creativity accessible to as many youth musicians as we are able. We couldn't do it with out your help and support. Thank you for being part of the MHS Scene!!!!!

Highlights

Hosted, promoted and broadcast over 20 events featuring Denver Youth Musicians
Winner of the 2014 Helen B. Phelps Award from Denver Public School District
Granted 501(c)(3) approval by the IRS in 2015
Given away over $10,000 on cash and prizes to participating bands

Board of Directors

President

Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas has held a Management/Talent Buyer position at Herman’s Hideaway (legendary Denver live music venue) for 8 years now, and he puts his four years of Advertising & Graphic Design education to use in show business as well as free-lance work. Chris has also earned his name in the Denver music scene as frontman for the band “Spools of Dark Thread” and his newest band “Omniism.” While Chris was growing up his mother ran a licensed child day-care service in Aurora, Colorado, which contributed to Chris’s natural affinity for Children. When Chris finally had a child of his own, he focused his ambition to create (and his ability to bring people together) on a new purpose. Chris Thomas’s vision to build a stronger music community attracted like-minded people and a strong, intuitive team quickly followed. Chris is co-founder of the Mile High Scenesters and serves as Chairman on the MHS Board of Directors.

Long time Denver music advocate and married mother of two boys, Kristen Harding, brings her unique knowledge and perspective of the local Denver scene to the Scenesters. In the early 1990’s she met Gregg Stone, a local Denver, Rock Radio DJ. They fell madly in love and were married in 1996 and have cultivated some serious roots here in Denver for the last 15 years. She spent years as a volunteer at her childrens’ school, nurturing the great love she has for all children, and the joy that comes from helping out. The Scenesters have provided a perfect forum for Kristen, combining two of her greatest loves: children and music. Currently, she is lucky enough to be a stay at home mom. Kristen also upholsters and recovers old furniture, she makes custom natural stone jewelry, is an avid snowboarder and an over all merry do gooder. Kristen is co-founder of the Mile High Scenesters and serves as Secretary on the Mile High Scenesters board of directors.

Kris Harding

Secretary

Lizz Lincoln grew up living around the United States and overseas as an Army brat, but her family has called Colorado home for 5 generations. She settled down in the foothills and has been teaching middle school science for 18 years. Music has always been a source joy and inspiration for Lizz and it has become an integral part of her daily life from multiple aspects. Her husband Doug Tackett has been a long standing member of the Denver music scene as the bass player for the well-known metal band Horse. He can also be spotted with Swami, another local heavy-rock favorite. Doug operates the music booking agency Road Dawg Touring Company, connecting bands and venues around the nation for over 15 years now. Raising a blended family of 5 children (ages 12 - 26) keeps them very busy as well! Their youngest plays clarinet for the Advanced Colorado Honor Band and is also embarking on a new journey of his own into creating and performing music as he pieces together his own home recording studio. Lizz’s involvement as a founding member of the Mile High Scenesters came about through close friendships and common motivation to bring about a sense of community for our youth musicians and raise awareness as well as support for their growth in this art.

Lizz Lincoln

Treasurer

Vice President

Grampa Boots

Boots is a film maker and musician who grew up in the Denver area. Better known as Will in the board meetings, he is a graduate of Colorado State University with a B.S. in Business Administration as well as the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. He was a founding board member of Optimus Youth, the charity fiscally sponsored MHS it its early days, and currently sits on the board for The Wick, a local charity focused on creativity and sustainable urban living, in addition to his role with MHS. He is the brain child behind Walking Music, a mobile music and film production company that produces music and films with people through out the world. He currently lives in Aurora, CO, where he is probably planning his next adventure.

Chad Drew

Chad Drew is a Colorado native, being born and raised in Arvada. After being honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant from the United States Air Force, he started in the music industry at Virgin Records in Phoenix, Arizona. While completing his Bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University, he got into radio. His passion for radio and music brought him back home to Denver, after having spent 3 years at a small cluster of stations in northern California. Chad’s entrepreneurial spirit led him towards the cannabis industry in 2009. He was given the opportunity to jump back into radio at Clear Channel-Denver (iHeartRadio), but after a couple of years in that corporate job, he returned to the cannabis industry to pursue the career that made him happiest. He is now the Sales Manager for Colorado Harvest Company and advises, consults, and markets for a few cannabis companies throughout the nation.