Deadheads and long, strange trips

by Chris Aaland

made a serious mistake back in ‘87. I didn’t see the Grateful Dead in Telluride that August. Didn’t even try. In fact, I never saw Jerry and the boys, in any incarnation or combination. Like The King in Vegas in the ‘70s or Stevie Ray Vaughan’s great “Blues on the Rocks” mini-festivals at Red Rocks in the ‘80s, I assumed I’d always get another chance to see the Grateful Dead’s nonstop tour.

My wife, Shelly, who’s nearly nine years my junior, reminds me that she saw them four or five times.

A month or so ago, my buddy, Chuckles, did his best to fix the situation. “Whatcha doin’ on May 7?” he asked. “Wanna see the Dead?” I didn’t even confirm my availability with work or wifey. “Hell yes, I’m in!” I told him.

It gets better. We looked at the calendar, and sure enough the Rockies host the Giants on Wednesday and Thursday. A call to some friends with connections and we ended up with tickets for both games. Our Thursday afternoon seats are actually Pete Coors’. They named the stadium after his company, in case you forget. Trust me, they’re primo … with free prime rib buffet in the VIP area, too.

It still gets better. I referenced the fishing journal I’ve kept since I was a snot-nosed junior high school kid in 1981. The famous Mother’s Day Hatch hits the Arkansas River this week. I sent friends (Andy Chase) and family (my stepfather) on a recon assignment on Monday. Caddis flies are just now arriving in Salida. This means Chuckles and I will pack four-weights and lots of dry flies for Wednesday and Friday on our commutes to and fro.

And we’ll still get home in time for Friday happy hour!

Speaking of which, Lady Falconburgh’s is one of America’s Top 200 beer bars, at least according to Draft magazine’s January/February issue. I’d have shared this knowledge even sooner had Falcs itself known this tidbit. Unfortunately, their subscription ran out the month before they were chosen! An extra shout out to Ska’s Arlo Grammatica, who was quoted in the Draft article.

Moe’s Starlight Lounge has a beach theme this week for the grand opening of its patio, complete with a hot tub. Tonight (Thursday) is Salsa Night with Twelfth Night DJ and the Tequila Rose shot girls. Friday features a FAC

The Rowdy Shadehouse Funk Band returns to the Summit on Friday and Saturday. In a relatively short time, they’ve become a Front Range favorite. By the looks of their itinerary, with multiple dates at the Summit, Telluride’s Bubble Lounge and Creede’s Tommyknockers, it appears this quartet is ready to systematically conquer Southwest Colorado with fuzz guitar and funky beats.

Louis Logic has been a fixture in New York’s underground hip-hop scene for years by taking a singer/songwriter approach to his craft. On the heels of his acclaimed “Misery Loves Company” collaboration with J.J. Brown, he comes to the Summit on Wednesday. The Let Go, Tulsi and DSP are also on the bill.

The Kirk James Blues Band plays the Billy Goat Saloon in Gem Village on Friday from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m.

Jack Ellis & Larry Carver are back at it this week, bringing high-altitude blues, rock and folk to the Elk Horn in Pagosa Springs at 6 p.m. Friday and to the Schank House at Vallecito at 6 p.m. Saturday.

In what will surely be one of the summer’s top concerts, reserved and general admission tickets to Lyle Lovett’s July 27 date at Fort Lewis College’s Ray Dennison Memorial Field go on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Community Concert Hall’s downtown ticket outlet, online at www.durangoconcerts.com or by calling

In what will surely be one of the summer’s top concerts, reserved and general admission tickets to Lyle Lovett’s July 27 date at Fort Lewis College’s Ray Dennison Memorial Field go on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Community Concert Hall’s downtown ticket outlet, online at www.durangoconcerts.com or by calling

Chuckles thinks he’s seen the Grateful Dead more than 100 times. He flashes back to 10 long, strange trips for this week’s list.

- Almost being run over by a car after the show at Shoreline, then getting back to the Westphalia and hearing about some hotties asking, “Where’s that old guy selling stickers?”

- Feeling the hugest rush at Alpine Valley during “Terrapin” — like an airplane taking off over my head. I can’t explain it. Listen to the tape, and it’s not there.

- Being caught in a bottle rocket war zone after another Alpine Valley show.

- Smuggling scrotum sacks (Ziplocs) full of booze into shows.

- Polio weed … the original crippler. What was his name? Ron? Meeting Ron — or was it Denny? — in Eugene, then running into him at Vegas a few years later with the same stuff. Wait, the guy’s name was Rick.

- Skybox seats at Soldier Field for the last two shows. Free food, free booze. To quote Todd Snider, “The news was good.”

- Seeing The Band open for the Dead at Soldier Field. Best opening band ever.

- Transposing the fattest picture of Elvis onto the “Steal Your Face” logo with “Viva Las Vegas” printed on gold lamé sticker stock and watching Doug Wakeman hand them out to police officers in Sin City.

- Jerry reading lyrics off the teleprompter in Salt Lake City. I coined the phrase “Jerryoke” that night. He screwed up the words to every song except for “Visions of Johanna.”

- Scoring a miracle to Blues Traveler after the Dead in Vegas. I made eye contact with one of the band’s managers and got through the doors for free at Bally’s. •

Just then the wind came squalling through the dark? E-mail me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net.