Cunningham Corner is a condo complex on the corner of Horsetooth and Shields in Fort Collins. It’s also the name on the barn that sat at that corner before the condos (the barn has since been declared a historic landmark and moved elsewhere).
And in the early 1970s, it was the name of one of the hottest bands in Fort Collins.
Kevin Donnelly, founding member of Cunningham Corner, the band, sent the Lost Fort Collins blog the story. With pictures:
Cunningham Corner plays CSU
I was the only band member who lived on the [Cunningham Corner] farm, but the band rehearsed there all the time and it became a haven for the local artistic community which at the time consisted of painters, [such as the legendary "Gorpf"], musicians, sculptures, poets and writers.
I don’t know if “hippies” would be the right word to describe the group of people who lived there. We were just young kids, mostly from the city, who discovered a new way of life in Colorado.
At night, at that time, the area was very quiet and peaceful and all our musician friends would sit around the campfire in the garden and play music into the night. The area is not quite so isolated nowadays, is it?
625 Remington
In later years, the band all moved into the same house together along with various other artists and musicians. We built a recording studio there …
There was a “Der Weinerschnitzl” across the alley and we lived off of those dogs! There wasn’t a lot of money, but all we really needed was to make sure that our guitars had new strings on them by opening night!
Outside 625 Remington Street,2005
Early band days at CSU
Scott Galbraith and I started playing our acoustic guitars in the common area at the Student Center. That was the beginning of Cunningham Corner. There used to be this area where students could stretch out on couches and tables. It became an area where musicians could just bring in their instruments and play for everyone.
Playing at CSU
The sound, the scene, and the Jade Urn
It was the time the Flying Burrito Brothers, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Poco, Randy Meisner, Pure Prairie League, John Denver, Michael Nesmith and Michael Martin Murphy. Cunningham Corner had 4 part harmonies but the band was more than that. It was more like an experimental orchestra. We played many instruments and all original music that crossed over from jazz to rock to country rock and rhythm and blues and to funk and to even classical and show tunes.
A good friend of the Cunningham Corner band at the time was the poet and musician Charles John Quarto who was a mainstay in Fort Collins and who wrote the lyrics for “Geronimo’s Cadillac” for Michael Murphy. Charles was kind of a spiritual advisor of the band and even used to read poetry before our sets at the old Jade Urn coffeehouse.
…I have great memories of playing all night at the Northern Hotel in Fort Collins and then walking home in the cool evening to 1625 Remington Street. Fort Collins was at the time, and I understand still remains, one of the best places to live in the country.
Cunningham Corner [toured throughout the southwest and] was the only non-recording act to headline multiple times at the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, Texas, which was one of the best music venues at the time. [The home of Willie Nelson]. We also played various fund raising and charity events in Fort Collins.
There were other popular hometown bands as well, and twice a year we would all rent out a couple of ballrooms at the student center and hold a big concert where all the bands would play on stage together. It was a very tightly knit community of musicians.
Publicity for Spring Jam
After the Spring Jam, we all gathered at “The Town Pump” which was then owned by our good friend Ron Heard, and played music all night. Ron also had an ownership interest in the Rams Inn. Back then, if you wanted a really good hearty breakfast the Rams Inn was the place to go. I don’t imagine it is still in business.
Ron Heard at Town Pump
Where are they now?
The members of Cunningham Corner eventually landed in Los Angeles and pursued musical careers. There were many successes and countless stories.
As for myself, I developed an interest in the law. I have been practicing law for the last twenty-five years in Los Angeles. In 2000, I married the love of my life and we now reside in Redondo Beach CA.
Jimmy Davenport, David Fuog, and me
We lost some friends along the way. Our original drummer, Gary Brittingham, who is seated next to me in the Cunningham Corner barn photo, was accidently electrocuted while working at the old pickle factory in Fort Collins about 1972.
Our piano player, Rod Seeley, who I understand remained a musical staple in the La Porte and Fort Collins areas until
recently, passed away a few years ago.
Another great singer and songwriter who lived in Fort Collins at the time and a good friend of the band, Scott Bruning, passed away some twenty years ago.
Peace, Kevin
Final version of the band. 1973. Chester Terwey, David Fuog, Jimmy Davenport, Scott Galbraith, Richard Lee and Kevin Donnelly.
This is a great story. I really enjoyed reading it. While I have only been around for 13 years, this kind of music and type of stuff is my era, and it took me right back to 1973.
Thanks for what you do with this blog. Glad I found it.
Wow! Great write up with all the pics and details! I really wanted to hear that story! I think that barn is off of Prospect just west of Bauder elementary and can be seen from the road (though slightly hidden) as well as from the Bauder playing field.
Now, please do a write-up on when the Rolling Stones played CSU on November 7, 1969. I have a neighbor who told me she was there, though I haven’t heard any details…
An awesome THANK YOU to Kevin Donnelly! Now please, please keep reading and tell us more stories about the Fort back in the day and encourage those you know to do likewise.
Thank you again……… SO MUCH!
I think the barn is actually on Shields between Drake and Horsetooth just a 1/2 mile north of where it once sat. You can see it behind the 6 foot fence on the east side of Shields. It’s red now instead of the yellow it was in the early 80’s when it sat on the Cunningham Corner property.
Yes, Yes, please tell us how the barn got from Horsetooth to Prospect!
http://history.fcgov.com/u?/hd,786
Cat…
I think you need a tag for Barns ; – )
I also think it would be cool if Farmer’s Table (http://farmerstablerestaurant.com/) would put up some pictures of the historical barns around town when they move to their new location… just across the road (that’s Elizabeth, not Taft Hill) from where they are now…
JC…
One of my daughter’s old school bus drivers once told me that he watched it coming down Prospect on a flatbed. I’m sure there must be newspaper coverage somewhere…
Thanks again foir another great blog. Having lived here most of the last 37 years, I remember some of this stuff. I enjoy learning about the things I do not remember.
Oh my gosh – flooded with memories! I was at CSU during these wonderful years and these guys were fantastic. And the Jade Urn – thanks for reminding us of that! Love the photos – remember the barn and the band so clearly. Good times.
oops, I commented earlier that I thought the barn had been moved north on Shields, but after a search I find I was wrong. Does anyone know the barn I’m talking about and where it came from? It’s on the east side of Shields between Drake and Horsetooth.
Great Nostalgia for Fort Collins. I am a neighbor of Gorpf’s and he is still painting in the hills. We recently heard that his friend Don Gilmore passed away a few months ago. I have several of Don’s paintings if anyone is interested in purchasing them, let me know.
Marianne, can you please tell us who Gorpf is? I didn’t ask Kevin because I figured someone would come along and know…
Marianne, I was a good friend of Gorph and Peggy’s in the late 60s & early 70s. He gave me a painting of his and always painted his envelopes in letters addressed to me. I have lost track of Gorph and would like to reestablish contact with him. Please let me know how to contact him or give him my email address ([email protected]). Please let him know that the guy formerly known as Charly Duck says to contact me. Charly Bullock
Wasn’t there pictures of that barn at Alpine on College? When I was a kid, my sisters went to school at the one room school house and my family were friends to Cunningham’s…I remember ringing the big bell in their yard to call everyone in for supper…
I am sorry to hear about Don Gilmore’s passing. I remember him well. He was very talented. Kevin
It would have been 1975-6 when I was working at the Comic Center (later to become Mile High) and Peter Passman was one of my customers. He lived at Cunningham Corner, and I visited him there once. In 1979 or so when Cathy and I bought a VW, he worked on it there.
As a real estate agent now, most of my clients don’t believe me when I tell them I used to hitchike all through town even when I lived north Taft Hill in a little house with a barn that housed a couple of goats. The most fun we had was dancing to Cunningham Corner at the Jade Urn. I remember when Gary was killed and I have told that story but always wondered if I remembered it wrong.
I left Fort Collins four times but finally came back and raised my kids here though I miss what we had then…it seemed everywhere I went, I found a friend whether I knew them or not. We somehow magically knew where to find each other…no cell phones, hell, I don’t think we even had a landline….and no one had a car…I talked to my Mom once a month back in Boston and I always called collect.
Linden street was filled with drunks after midnight….memories
The old Cunningham Corner barn is by Bauder Elementary off Prospect. It was moved to the old Brown Farmhouse site in 1994 or 1995, and restored. The local television station filmed it.
Lots of great memories listening to Cunningham Corner at the Jade Urn… Thanks
Wow – Just late night reading the local news and here is this great blog. What flashbacks. Grant Morgan, my husband and the the original bass player for the band, is still in town. Our grandson goes to Bauder School – right next to where the old barn was moved. Thanks for all the terrific pictures Kevin.
I recall that in the early 70’s Gorph held an artshow in a loft that was in downtown Fort Collins. I don’t recall who owned the loft but it was huge. It may have been owned by Gorph and Don Gilmore jointly. In my mind, I associate Gorph and Don together during those time because they were always together. My memory is not what it used to be but I do recall that there was an artshow on Halloween and hundreds of people showed up. I recall that the brickwalls of the loft where covered with artwork by Gorph and Don and that everyone had a great time.
I also recall that Gorph painted Mark Haglund’s bass. Mark was the bass player for Cross, a local rock band. Cunningham Corner also had a song entitled “Gorph”.
Kevin
I attended a few parties at Gorph’s loft. I still have an invitation to one party/artshow titled, “A Showing of New Pieces.” Charly Duck
Son nice to hear from Debbie. Please give my best to Grant. He was always my hero. Peace, Kevin
I remember Larry Davidson running the Jade Urn. I went there the first time to hear the “Country Blue Boys” who later changed their name to “Monroe Doctrine” They were a dynamite Bluegras Band! That was about 1971. Larry later married Gail Johnson who had lived at Cunningham Corner in the old yellow house. I have lost track of them.
Great topic, Cat. Thanks. Now, how about the pickle factory? When was it built, and what did it pickle?
I remember the Monroe Doctrine Bluegrass Band. They were terrific! Kevin
My personal memories of the Barn were only during my days at Rocky Mountain High School during the early 1980’s, and it seemed prettty much run down by then.
As an interesting aside, I also lived at the 625 Remington address during my band days in the late 80’s. We had a local rock band called White Lies and regularly played at The Library on Elizabeth and J. Watson’s on Mason (now Matchups) The hot dog place had by then become the Hamburger Stand and cheap burgers were the standard fare.
Thanks Mike. Lemme fix that address…
Larry Davidson(owner of the Jade Urn) and his wife Gail live in Delta, Colorado. I saw them in Fort Collins a couple years ago and they seemed to be doing well.
The current address of Cunningham barn is 2600 Cedarwood Drive. According to the assessor’s page, the 1400+ sq ft barn was built in 1920 (although 1880 is painted on the loft doors and is the year John C. Cunningham founded his farm on the corner). The 1824 sq ft farmhouse on the property was built in 1876 and remodelled in 1995. There are also 2 small 1920 farm utility out buildings on the property.*
Carolinus asked about a barn on the E. side of Shields and S. of Drake. I believe the one she was thinking of is the Worthington barn on 3226 S. Shields. It’s a 1939 barn and a member of the Worthington family still lives there. Click this link to see the barn I think she was referring to: http://history.fcgov.com/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/ph&CISOPTR=19872&CISOBOX=1&REC=17
According the the Fort Collins History Connection, sometimes this farm is referred to as the Morsman-Worthington Farm. Jim Coutts farmed here in 1949.
I have been looking for something on the band Cunningham Corner for a long time. Very interesting about the barn and the band’s background. My wife and I and my brother and his wife as well as assorted friends used to go Mike’s Munchies in Long Beach (1977 or so) to watch the band because they were the most entertaining and talented bar band that I had ever seen.
I still carry around songs in my head they did such as “something keeps coming on”, “1984 geophysical expeditionary flight”, rainbow man”, some kind of funk jam instrumental stuff, and “paris” to name a few. I never knew if they wrote these songs or not but their live performances were amazing. They also seemed to add different players and jam a lot. This made it interesting for me because I was playing music a lot in those days with various friends. We actually played “Paris” at a wedding reception and every one loved it.
Anyway, thanks for publishing this story about the barn etc…
Is there any information on Cunningham Corner songs, writers,lyrics, recorded songs etc…
thanks for the memory’s
Steve Blair
If anyone was in Long Beach CA (Mike’s Munchies) when Cunningham Corner was playing and wants to share their experiences please feel free to e-mail me …
… Steve Blair
It was a great time!
Wonderful to hear from Kevin ….. !
We (Stonehouse, Cross, later ???) had some great times (and gigs) with Cunningham Corner, and they were a great inspiration to all of us.
Gorpf and Don G. had some memorable art showings at their studio on College Ave. and we (along with CC) provided some sounds … I want to say that that Halloween was always a bash affair, including a special night when Gorpf and Tonia tied the knot.
Do you know how I can reach my friend of year’s ago, GORPH????
I too am one of the long-haired innocents in the ‘Spring Jam’ publicity photo. I always thought the Cunninghams might achieve some real national fame. They were dedicated to be sure. Great people, and I can only second the emotion that Grant Morgan (original bass player) was an absolute gem of a person. As stated by Vanker, we would often meld our talents for some very entertaining improvisational jamming and our band made heavy use of one of their songs (‘Free and Easy’) as a launching point for an extended instrumental piece in our set-list.
The loft that Gorpf and Gilmore shared was actually the Old Fort Collins Opera House. It is no longer there in the original form, having become a retail presence in the 100 block of N. College. Not only would we have fantastic musical moments there, many a late night was spent quelling our hunger with the ORIGINAL Avogadros Number sandwiches which were truly unique!
Memory banks are failing slightly…I remember The Jade Urn but not the locale. Help, anyone?
Thanks for stirring the wayback machine Kevin. The only regret is to learn of the passing of the mighty soul, Don Gilmore AKA Mr.Baby.
Somebody told me the Jade Urn was in the building at western-most corner of Linden and Jefferson (where old grout stood, for you history buffs). It was upstairs along Jefferson. Does that sound about right?
Steve, have you said what you’re doing now? Just being nosy, but it’s neat to know what became of all these cool Fort Collins musicians.
Steve: You were the best drummer in town! You are standing next to me in the Spring Jam photo, right? That was an issue of Rolling Stone I was reading at the time and that building was the reherasal studio for your band Cross. I remember that the first time we ever played with a drummer after Gary Brittingham had died was in that studio. That was the same day Chester Terway joined the band. Peace, Kevin
Steve: That day at your rehearsal studion was also the same day that David Foug joined the band. Peace, Kevin
Kevin, Yes that’s me reading over your shoulder.
Thanks for the shout out but I have to disagree. Let’s just say I was one of many drummers in town that loved what they were doing. Gary B., Chester T. and Bobby St.John are 3 immediates I recall with the same awe and appreciation now as then.
It certainly was a time of true comradery among the players in town. Everyone was so supportive of each other. We were very, very fortunate.
A quick aside into the small world department and a partial answer to catfc’s nosiness:In the late 70’s I drifted into Sound Design for live Theater which took me to Seattle which took me Alaska where I worked with a scenic artist (Carmen Patty) who hailed from Santa Monica. She knew of Cunningham Corners, having seen them many times in So. Cal. Guess what? They were her FAVORITE BAND! I made it back to Colorado mid 80’s to work at the Denver Center and teamed up with Michael McGuffey musically then as well…That’s him kneeling between you and I in the Spring Jam photo. Left Denver for Minneapolis to work at the Guthrie Theater. I still do sound as well a stagehand work which took me to Duluth once where I ran into a guy named Pat McCarthy who was some sort of roadie for you guys and he told me Chester lives just outside of Duluth.
Small world indeed.
I still have connection to Fort Collins and get there fairly often. I have my Ludwigs set up in the basement where I still bash away like those golden days that this blog reminded me of.
steve-were you in a band with vance herring?
where do us middle aged people go in fort collins to listen to classic rock live in a bar setting where we dont feel as if we are partying with our kids
Dear Captainbevo,
I can answer one question. Yes, I was in a band with Mr. Vance Herring.
Question number two….well that’s a little harder. Where ever it is, I suggest the kids LOOK OUT!
wow you guys were the coolest in junior high you won every talent day contest. I also remember a guy named George that was in the band too.
Any chance of getting back together so I have a place to go.
When I was in grade school we formed a band and practiced at a music store on college not far from where linders was-if I remember you were there often.
There is a plan in the works for a Cunningham Corner Band reunion, probably in the LA area. That is where many of the band members now live. Anyone wishing info please concact me at
Doug White
Dear Captainbevo,
We a straying somewhat from the Cunningham topic so I’ll say again…GREAT BAND! What a reunion that could be.
I’m curious about the music store you rehearsed at and what era we are talking about….If you were on the Linders side of the world, was it Gutcher Music? He had a store a few doors south of Linders and later it was located at the SE corner of Mountain and Mason. He was quite a guy and put up with a lot of youthful exuberence as we all ‘pursued our musical dreams’.
P.S. For all of you that feel a tickle when you hear Linders but don’t recall, it was THE place where you got your Slinky, your Silly Putty, your Model Cars (plus the glue and paint), your Duncan Yo-Yos and Tops as well as your HulaHoop. You might also have some ‘artwork’ posted in the window if you made the grade in elementry school.
P.S.S. Cunningham Corners was a great band.
Hi Kevin…It was a very special time playing music and lovin life with you, Grant, Gary, Chester, David, Richard, Jimmy D and then with the LA band…Craig, Dominic, Ron, Pete, Jimmy T and all the amazing musicians that sat in with us. Those were great years that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Email me some time, I’d love to catch up with you.
Thanks Kevin for creating this blog. I’d like to share a little background on the Cunningham Corner band. I first met Kevin Donnelly in Nov 1970. I was introduced to Kevin by mutual friend from the Chicago area, Stan Mettling. Stan and I were in Junior High togther in Wheaton, Ill, a suburb of Chicago (one of our classmates was John Belushi) After Jr High, I moved to Conn, and later Stan’s family moved to Wilmette, Ill in his senior year where he met Kevin at New Trier High School. Kevin and Stan were in Ft Collins when I arrived to attend Colorado State U in fall of 1970 and Stan introduced me to Kevin. Kevin and I started out playing guitars together in 11/1970. At the end of 1970 Kevin, Stan and I found a listing for the Cunningham Corner farm for rent and we planned on moving there together, but for various circumstances, only Kevin moved in. By the summer of 1971 the Cunningham Corner band had formed, with Kevin and Scott Galbraith, guitars, Gary Brittingham, congas (who was also from New Trier High), Richard Lee, woodwinds, and Grant Morgan playing an awesome 8-string Hagstrom bass. Kevin lived in a tiny milk house at the farm, which was only about 10 feet by 8 feet. I was a pre-med major a Colo State U, and played bass band with Scott Bruning, who was a phenominal songwriter and guitarist from Colorado Springs. We all became close friends, unseparable. We were all highly inspired in our music by the majesty of the Rocky Mountains, creating a musical style just as the Beach Boys were inspired by the So Calif beach scene. I joined Cunnningham Corner band in the spring of 1973, and left in 12/1976. During that time we played many incredible gigs, opening shows for Billy Joel, Roger McGuinn (the Byrds), The Kingstron Trio, Les Dudek, Asleep At The Wheel, Freddie Fender, The Dillards, Michael Martin Murphy, and many others. And we achieved headliner status at The Armadillo World Headquaters, Austin, Tx, and The Troubadour, LA. Those were some of the best times of my life. I can be reached at BDFANDVEGAS at AOL.com. Thanks for your interest in Cunningham Corner. Best regards, David Fuog
David I could not reach you at that email. Please contact me when you can. or 206-992-8029. Thanks Doug White
Cunningham Corner Band reunion started by Kevin Donnally, sparked by David Fuog, then joined by Scott Galbraith and Jimmy Davenport.
Those already joining in Craig Karp, Jim Thompson, Tom Buckman, Pete Wasner, Don Kuhli, Lee Rabacheck.
We are searching for all pervious members from any era. If you know any former members please put them in contact with any of us.
I will help everyone find their old friends.
206-992-8029
Doug White
[...] comments Doug White on Cunningham Corner: A 1970s Fort Collins barn bandcatfc on A Fort Collins midcentury Christmascatfc on A Fort Collins [...]
I came to Fort Collins first in 1969. This year I have moved to Windsor after living in Illinois for far too long.
For many years I had always related the music of Cunningham Corner to my family. As an Iliinois “native” I was aquainted with Gary Brittingham and remember his tragic loss at such a young age.
Thanks for the years of fine music and the memories.
Thanks to Cat for such fine work!
I want to thank everyone here for all your stories and updates. It’s a wealth of information that helped me understand so much. I moved to Ft.Collins in 1973 when I was 11 yrs.old. Everyday I would past Cunningham Corner always wondering who lived there, etc. Alot of people would always tell me that hippies just lived there and that was it. I always wanted to know more. So, I thank you all who lived there and were in the band. But, I do have some questions still. Was Cunningham a real farm at one time? What’s the history of that place? Can anyone help? Also, are there any photos of the original place back in the day of it’s beginning? Any information would certainly be appreciated. Thank you. Peace, Debbie
Debbie: send me an e-mail at and I will send you some great stuff on the history of the Cunningham Corner farm. Kevin
kevin..
I would be very interested in all info you have on cunningham corner..
I moved here in ’74..
thx
john
My recollection of the chronology of the members of Cunningham Corner band:
The band formed in spring of 1971 with,
Kevin Donnelly, songwriter/vocals/rhythm guitar/concertina
Scott Galbraith, songwriter/vocals/lead guitar/banjo/steel guitar/violin
Richard Lee, arranger/songwriter/vocals/flute/alto
saxophone/recorder/accordion/mandolin/guitar/percussion
Grant Morgan, 8-string bass guitar/banjo
Gary Brittingham, conga drums/percussion
Summer of 1971-
Jimmy Davenport joined, vocals/violin/mandolin/banjo/bass
guitar/percussion
Gary Brittingham died
May, 1973
Grant Morgan left.
David Fuog joined, bass guitar/string bass (upright)
Chester Terwey joined, drums/conga drums/percussion
Rod Seeley joined, songwriter/vocals/electric piano/electric harpsicord
Spring 1974
Rod Seeley left. (Rod died 5/25/2006)
Sept 1975
Chester Terwey left.
Don Kuhli joined, drums (Don was the drummer in the University of Michigan jazz band)
December 1975
Kevin Donnelly left
Don Kuhli left
February 1976
The remaining members of the band moved to Los Angeles (Scott Galbraith, Richard Lee, Jimmy Davenport, David Fuog).
Kevin Donnelly also moved to LA to pursue a solo music career.
Craig Karp joined, songwriter/vocals/lead guitar
Lee Rybacek joined, drums
December 1976
David Fuog left
Tom Buckman joined, bass guitar
Perhaps somebody can add the details after Dec 1976…
Does anyone have any recordings of Cunningham Corner? My favorite local band during my CSU days.
I can’t believe I ran across this website. So…at that same time other things were happening. Steve Martin did stand-up at the RamSkeller and another band by the name of Rosewood Canyon was getting attention. Greg Overton was in the Rosewood Canyon Band. I would be interested to know if the photo above entitled “Playing at CSU” is the George Benson at the Lagoon concert 1973. If so I was on that bill as well. Looks like the same same stage set up but from that angle they all look alike. Cunningham Corner set the bar high in Northern Colorado in the early 70s and it has stayed there ever since. I believe CC could be credited with the band that started the Fort Collins contemporary music “scene” (an alternative direction from the Safari house band (aka Bob Swerer).
This is a great piece of history for as I was around from 72-80 and I remembered that corner and the music that used to come from there. I flew in from Australia to spend my 60th retracing my time at Ft Collins. Today I went to Fort Collins and Loveland after 42 years retracing my time and the adventures I had there in a photographic journal of my time at CSU and Loveland CO… was really hoping to find the Rams Inn should be a landmark (I also worked there for 2 years serving up beer and peanuts)…. man the memories I had going up there.