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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 their focus to the future of their local music scene... YOUTH. Mile High Scenesters was born.  

 

MHS' focus is on providing youth artists/musicians from the metro area an opportunity to gain real-world experience and access to stage/studio time, equipment, and mentorship, in order to ensure the up-and-coming musical generation with an opportunity to grow in their craft and express themselves through creativity.  MHS has hosted 20+ concerts (most at the legendary Herman's Hideaway), has been honored by Denver Public Schools with the 2014 Helen B. Phelps Award in connection with the instruments MHS has provided the district, and music productions with kids from all musical walks of life.  MHS is a federally approved 501c(3) organization and we look forward to continuing to make music and creativity accessible to as many youth artists/musicians as possible.  We couldn't do it without 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

Chris Thomas
President

Chris Thomas has held a Management/Talent Buyer position at Herman’s Hideaway (legendary Denver live music venue) for 13 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 HOLD ME HOSTAGE and he and Chad's production company WORLDVIRAL, Ltd. 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 an intuitive team quickly fell into place. Chris is co-founder of the Mile High Scenesters and serves as Chairman on the MHS Board of Directors.

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

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.

Grampa Boots
Vice President
chad drew
Board Member

Ambassador Chad is a Colorado native. After an honorable discharged as a Staff Sergeant from the United States Air Force, he started in the music industry at Virgin Records. Then, while studying at Arizona State University, he began a radio career that included a weekly show on the airwaves of northern California. His passion for music eventually brought him back home to Denver when he was offered an opportunity in radio at Clear Channel (iHeartRadio).  

He is now a partner of an independent music platform (worldviral.tv) and works with many local and national acts. He has hosted a podcast for 5 years which has allowed him to interview lots of big names.

He is also a consultant and veteran of Denver's thriving legal cannabis industry.

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