Hidden Gems: Meet Kenny Vasko of Rock for the People

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenny Vasko.

Hi Kenny, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Six years ago, I was looking for an office to rent for my accounting firm. We found Dog House Music Studios for sale and on a whim, took a tour. We later learned that it was set for demolition, so Liz and I did everything we could to save it, and we did!

Now we run Boulder County’s largest musicians complex; 23 studios for rehearsal, recording, performing, and more.

We serve songwriters, podcasters, jingle writers, funk bands, bluegrass gems, hard rockers, mariachi bands, and everyone in between.

We also began a non-profit in 2020 called Rock for the People, to cultivate more paid gigs and establish more equity in the Colorado music scene.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been the opposite of a smooth road. Liz and I have never owned commercial real estate, so it was a real education! From navigating the commercial banking system to figuring out why our roof leaked, we have gained so much wisdom in the past six years.

Also, we had to make it through a pandemic, pivoting to livestreaming and learning how to best lift up musicians while being locked down. Spoiler alert: We made it!

We’ve been impressed with Rock for the People, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our mission is to support an inclusive and equitable local music community by removing barriers for musicians, performers, audio engineers, and local music fans from historically underrepresented groups. Because there’s nothing more fun than creating and enjoying music and your life will be better for it!

We envision a world that’s free of barriers and limits for performers, artists, audio engineers, and local music fans from historically underrepresented groups.

We run dozens of free community events, including the Lafayette Music Fest, which showcases 150 musicians over one amazing day; and Band Speed Dating, which is a low-stakes way for bands and musicians to meet one another and see if they vibe!

We run open mic nights, songwriter circles, and so much more, from Dog House Music Studios in Lafayette.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I always tell people that networking in the scene is absolutely essential. I recommend the book “Never Eat Alone” written by a former member of Deloitte, of which I’m also an alum.

Honestly these days I get my week of news from Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me!

And I always tell people to listen to local community radio, from KGNU, Indie 102.3, The Colorado Sound, KUVO, The Drop, and others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rockforthepeople.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockforthepeople
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockforthepeople

Image Credits
All images by Dave Heinrich, Kenny Vasko and Liz Vasko