Farewell to a friend, last of the Bent and ‘Private Eyes’

by Chris Aaland

The Durango radio community got a lot smaller this week with the passing of Four Corners Broadcasting on-air personality Mike Riggs. He was 49. Mike was the morning country host on KRSJ and broadcast Fort Lewis College games on KIUP and KIQX. But he was so much more: He was a good friend to many, me included.

I first knew Mike a year ago when he began serving as stadium announcer at FLC home games. He was a techie, hosting his own alt-country pirate radio broadcasts on the web and often streamed video of Skyhawk games and other festivities. He rigged his own computer to the PA soundboard at games to get the crowd dancing on the sidelines with “Cotton-Eyed Joe” or “Everybody Clap Your Hands.” On many occasions, we’d have to shoo over-exuberant dancers off the court and away from visiting teams’ benches. Mike even had a knack for reading the coaches. Once this fall, after a particularly frustrating sequence by the Skyhawk volleyball squad forced their coach – my wife, Shelly – to take a timeout, he played Lyle Lovett. Lyle is not exactly a crooner who inspires the athletic throngs. How could he know that Lyle is among Shelly’s favorite artists? Her players squirmed as “L.A. County” boomed from the speakers. Shelly loved it.

Mike was a giving man. He put the same enthusiasm into United Way fund drives as he did into sports broadcasting. Although he only handled on-air duties for one basketball and one football season at the Fort, he befriended hundreds of players, coaches, staff and fans. He was the stadium voice for the 2009 FLC men’s soccer team, which won a national title. He traveled with women’s basketball to St. Joseph, Mo., for the Elite Eight. Tens of thousands of fans were kept informed and entertained during these playoff runs by him.

Mike was a man’s man. He fancied a cold beer, fine whiskey and a good cigar. He was a passionate Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons fan. During his 32-year broadcasting career, he worked countless ACC and SEC games, reported from three World Series and two Super Bowls, the Atlanta Olympic Games, the Indy 500, and numerous NASCAR events. He interviewed hundreds of newsmakers in the sports, entertainment and political arenas.

Most of all, Mike was reliable and loyal to a fault. Game days see me arriving four hours prior to the start of the contests. Mike was usually there, a cup of coffee or liter bottle of Diet Coke in hand, waiting to set up the PA and radio equipment. Even though I have 20 years of radio experience, his insight was invaluable.

Thousands of tears were shed Monday at the FCB studios, in the Skyhawk Athletic offices and in the homes and offices of loyal listeners across the Four Corners. You will be missed, dear friend.

Mike’s voice won’t boom from the PA at this weekend’s NCAA women’s soccer Central Regionals, hosted by FLC at Dirks Field on Friday and Sunday. But the show must go on, as Freddie Mercury sang. Metro State and Colorado Mines square off at 2 p.m. Friday, with the winner advancing to face No. 3 Fort Lewis at 1 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.goskyhawks.com for more information on the tournament, including ticket pricing. Let’s hope the Skyhawks can honor Mike’s memory with a deep run into the playoffs.

The Badly Bent – the elder statesmen of the Durango bluegrass community – sadly host their farewell concert Friday at the Smiley Auditorium. The band takes the stage around 8 p.m. and will have many of its former bandmates onstage to retrace its musical history. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and Waiting on Trial, the heir apparent to the Badly Bent’s local bluegrass throne, will kick things off at 7.

Remember the ‘80s and the MTV heyday? You probably saw Hall & Oates videos like “Private Eyes” and “Maneater” thousands of times each. With the chart-topping duo, John Oates blended Philadelphia soul with rock & roll for a catchy pop mix that ruled the airwaves. Most music fans don’t realize that Oates was weaned on folk and blues, learning the guitar at age five. In 2002, he launched a rootsy solo career and now incorporates the music that inspired him along with acoustic versions of Hall & Oates classics and newer material, like that from his 2008 album, “1,000 Miles of Life,” into his act. Oates plays the Community Concert Hall at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and vibrant young cellist Natalie Haas return to the Community Concert Hall at 7 p.m. Sunday. Regarded as one of Scotland’s premier musical ambassadors, Fraser presents the music of his homeland with eloquence, passion and energy. Together, Fraser and Haas offer a weave of rocking, reeling rhythms, poignant melodies and exquisite musicianship.

The Abbey hosts a four-turntable event on Friday in the form of the Fort Knox Five vs. Thunderball. In one corner, you have the leading force in the international funk and breaks scene. In the other, you have a trio that’s shifted seamlessly between drum & bass, dub and downtempo. Boulder’s DJ Harry, a leading force in the international funk and breaks scene, is also on the bill.

Farmington Hill rings in bassist Katie’s 40th when it plays a twin bill with the Moetones (out of Montezuma County) at 8 p.m. Friday at El Rancho.

This week’s Starlight slate includes Salsa Night with free salsa lessons at 8 p.m. tonight (Thurs., Nov. 11), dancing with Double D at 9 p.m. Friday, live music with the Formless at 9 p.m. Saturday and Musica del Mundo at 9 p.m. Sunday.

The Summit’s lineup includes DJs Spark Madden & Chris Epic tonight, happy hour with Eric Kiefer from 6-9 p.m. Friday, the Ragbirds at 10 p.m. Friday, happy hour with Rupnow & friends from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Cosmic Accident at 10 p.m. Saturday, an open jam hosted by the Durango Family Band at 9 p.m. Tuesday and the weekly karaoke/Gong Show on Wednesday.

Also of note: Hello Dollface does indie blues and soul at tonight’s Ska-B-Q; Brad Hoshaw brings Americana to Ska on Friday; and Black Velvet plays Sweeney’s on Saturday.

This week’s Top Shelf list is simply a good-bye to my friend Mike. Thanks, buddy.

These memories lose their meaning? E-mail me at

chrisa@gobrainstorm.net.