Pay It 4ward: Man thanked for providing free music to New Mexicans

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – If you go to a concert put on by AMP Music, you could hear anything. In this case, a flamenco opera from Adam Del Monte. 

A lot of times, it’ll be free. While the artists will be different, you’ll probably always see the man in the Columbian hat. 

We’re tipping our hat to Neal Copperman, who’s been putting on concerts at places like Albuquerque’s Tony Hillerman Library and beyond for over two decades.

Co-workers say he rarely stops.

 “We actually have a word that we use to describe someone like Neal. Mellow maniac, which is someone with maybe an unhealthy obsession with music,” said Chris McGlumphy, a Pay It 4ward nominator. 

Old school or not, his concert series is still going strong in 2025. 

“He’s whip smart. It’s hard to keep up with Neal. He never stops, but that’s what makes it possible to do all the work that AMP does,” said McGlumphy.

So, it was time to Pay It 4ward. 

Watch the video above for more.