Bronco fever, Studebaker John and using the whole bird

by Chris Aaland

I lived every father’s dream on Sunday as my 6-year-old son, Otto, got his first taste of Mile High Thunder. Uncle Steve Miller is a season ticket holder and wanted to take my boy to his first game. So I packed the three of us all into my Tundra on Saturday, skated over Wolf Creek Pass and trudged north to my parents’ home in Eaton … the tiny farming town that produced Denver defensive tackle Mitch Unrein, whose orange No. 96 jersey hangs in nearly every business. His mom buys cheap beer from my brother, Billy, at Eaton Liquors.

On Sunday, I shelled out $15 and wedged my Tundra into a parking space at the Pepsi Center two hours before kickoff. Otto then went into sensory overload. Hundreds of Broncomaniacs grilled brats, steaks, burgers and dogs. Beer pong, cornhole and touch football games erupted all around us. Suds flowed freely. The walk to Sports Authority Field at Mile High took us on a winding, mile-long path across a pair of train tracks and the South Platte River and past a collage of Colorado’s most colorful residents. Saxophonists, guitarists and drummers busked for change; hawkers peddled “Peyton F***in’ Manning” T-shirts; food carts cooked up spicy sausages, burritos and tortas; strippers clad in tight-fitting shirts sequined with the phrase, “Wanna See These?” handed out cards for free admission to the Diamond Cabaret; and, upon entrance into the Mile High Mecca, stadium employees handed my boy free game programs and Broncos trading cards.

Decked out in snowboarding pants, gloves, winter coat, Peyton Manning jersey and a vintage 1970s Broncos orange ski cap with a blue-and-orange ball on top, he was an instant hit in the north endzone. The rabid, drunken faithful around us realized it was his first game and showered him with souvenirs, nachos, hot chocolate and hundreds of high fives the next three hours. He witnessed four different fireworks displays, three skydivers, 77,000-plus belting out the national anthem and replays on the enormous HD video board known as “Thundervision.”

In the end, Denver knocked the Kansas City Chiefs from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 27-17 win that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated. But I was the biggest winner. I finally knew how my Dad must’ve felt in 1978 when he took me to my first game, a 24-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason finale. That was the first of dozens of Broncos games I’d see in person over the next 35 years … and hopefully Sunday marked the first of dozens I’ll see with my boy.

Chicago bluesman Studebaker John plays the historic Aztec Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. A singer/guitarist/harmonica player, John has released a dozen albums during his career, including a lengthy stint on the legendary Blind Pig label in the 1990s. Those interested in the blues can stick around for a workshop at 1 p.m. Sunday. His latest album, “Old School Rockin’,” pays homage to the raw sound that John heard on Chicago’s Maxwell Street during his formative years. Born John Grimaldi in an Italian-American section of Chicago, he started playing harmonica at age 7. He began playing guitar shortly afterwards, upon seeing Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers play live.

Gobble, gobble! Want to win a seven-night trip for two to Hawaii? Easy. All you have to do is eat the most deep-fried turkey balls during a specified time period at the Derailed Pour House’s fourth annual Turkey Testicle Festival. Registration starts at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, with gonad gobbling to follow. Robbie Overfield will provide the musical backdrop to the evening.

The Animas City Theatre hosts a benefit for the Manna Soup Kitchen on Friday. “Sunshine Daydream: The Movie” will be screened at 8 p.m., with a performance by Red Eyed Djinn to follow at 10. Attend both for the low price of $12; the concert as a stand-alone is just five bucks, with all proceeds benefiting the cause.

The San Juan Symphony ushers in the holidays by performing Handel’s “Messiah” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Henderson Hall at San Juan College in Farmington and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Community Concert Hall.

Finally, three venues announced additions to their winter slate this past week, including some big names and local favorites.

Tickets went on-sale this past Monday for six new shows at the Community Concert Hall, including bluegrass band The Grascals (Sat., Jan. 18), Saturday Night Live veteran Colin Quinn (Thur., Feb. 6), legendary bluesman Keb’ Mo’ (Wed., Feb. 26), contemporary R&B hitmaker Cody ChestnuTT (Thurs., March 20), acclaimed East L.A. rockers Los Lobos (Thurs., March 27) and edgy New York string quartet Ethel (Fri., May 2).

The Animas City Theatre’s recently-added shows include a New Year’s Eve gig by the Fort Knox Five, jammy guitarist Keller Williams (Wed., Feb. 5) and reggae act Zion-I (Mon., Feb. 17). Eugene Salasz, who books acts at the ACT through Durango Massive Productions, is working on even more, so stay tuned.

The Sheridan Arts Foundation has announced its winter series at the Telluride Conference Center in Mountain Village. Highlights include the MarchFourth Marching Band on Jan. 25, Leftover Salmon on Feb. 16 and Steel Pulse on March 20. Visit www.sheridanoperahouse.com for tickets and information on ski and lodging discounts.

This week’s Top Shelf list recounts my five favorite Bronco games that I’ve seen live in person.

1. Denver 27, Kansas City 17, Nov. 17, 2013. Otto’s first game, courtesy Uncle Steve.

2. San Francisco 24, Denver 13, Aug. 25, 1978. Injured running back Jim Jensen sat a few rows behind us and autographed my Broncos pennant.

3. Denver 38, Cleveland 33, Jan. 17, 1987. I took my college roomie, Steve Miller, and we witnessed “The Fumble” that propelled Denver to Super Bowl XXII.

4. Denver 17, Green Bay 14, Oct. 15, 1984. Steve Foley and Louis Wright scooped up fumbles in the first 37 seconds and returned them for touchdowns in the Monday night “Snow Bowl.”

5. Denver 21, Baltimore 19, Dec. 11, 1983. John Elway tossed a trio of fourth quarter scores in a 21-19 win over the Colts to notch the first of his 46 comeback wins in the fourth quarter or later.

Hail, mighty Broncos, pride of the West? Email me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net.