By Christy Fantz, Boulder Daily Camera
Boulder’s nonprofiteTown is receiving a pretty big birthday present for its 30th year in Boulder next month with an induction into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.
The Boulder institution that has served as a worldwide syndicated broadcast, a green recording studio, a solar-powered live music venue — with its space also serving as a social and environmental hub — will celebrate its anniversary and induction into the Hall with a 30th “b’Earthday” virtual celebration on April 22.
The operation was founded in Boulder on Earth Day three decades ago by husband-and-wife duo Nick and Helen Forster. The Forsters turned the space at 1535 Spruce St. that was a former church and had it restored, revamped and recycled it into a zero-carbon facility — the only one of its kind in North America.
Nick Forster said in a release that they are “honored” eTown will be inducted into the 2021 class.
“We’ve been working hard for (30) years to bring great music to our audience,” Forster said. “What Helen (Forster) and I started back in ’91 has lasted longer and grown more than we ever imagined, and it means so much to be recognized by the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.”
Airing on more than 300 stations worldwide, its podcast and video archives feature guests who run the gamut from John Prine to Loretta Lynn and Al Gore to Joan Baez.
Details, including the lineup, will be announced later this month, according to a release.
“I am constantly impressed with the community eTown has helped build,” Boulder Grammy-nominated musician Gregory Alan Isakov said in the release. “Nick and Helen have created something remarkable here for the music scene, locally and nationally.”
e Town can be hear on 97.3 KBCO Sunday night's at 8.