Courtesy of CYNK
Audio By Carbonatix
Watch parties, ridiculous amounts of bone-in wings and altered vocal cords from yelling at the TV for hours: Those are some qualities that make Sunday nights worth it in the winter. From the West to the East, football fans across the country are eagerly awaiting the National Football League’s playoffs to kick off on January 10.
Fourteen teams, including the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos, will face off in a “wild card” format schedule. Many in Broncos Country are anticipating the team to make it to the Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, next month.
But perhaps no one has much spirit, dedication and hope for the Broncos to do well moving forward then Nick Courkamp, known professionally as CYNK.
Born and raised in Denver, the musician first grew a love for music when he would sneak into his older brother’s room to get a “few notes out of” his electric guitar. Outside of playing with the instrument, football held a special role in his childhood.
“The Broncos were always something to talk about around the dinner table growing up in my family,” Courkamp says. “I remember going to games when Indianapolis was in town, and Peyton Manning played for the Colts!”
Flag football and a weekly high school tradition called “Friday Football” were crucial to Courkamp’s transition to the University of Colorado Denver’s music business program. Sharing passions, going to live shows and talking about new releases mirrored his life as an athlete.
So, it would make sense to combine the athletic and artistic worlds through a cover of the iconic “CBS Sports Theme” song. Implementing EDM and rock sounds to the track, CYNK has held a true love for the theme, which consistently plays on repeat in his head.
“I think the way it helped me get in touch with my competitive side is what really sold it for me, though” he says. “While music is my main passion, I don’t play any sport competitively anymore, and this song brings back the feeling of when me or my team wins.”
Even with a tedious process, the artist found that patience, passion, and respect for the tune allowed his remixed version to come to life. When the final product was complete, Courkamp says that he was “really happy with it.”
For the music video, the artist filmed it at a dark warehouse outside of the Mile High City, paying homage to the Broncos. The process made Courkamp reignite his love for both pressure and passion that is felt on the other side of the line, tying back to his childhood.
“Covering the ‘CBS Sports Theme’ allows me [to] have a sense of both artist and athlete, and the Broncos in a way do the same,” he says. “While they’re trying to beat the other team, they’re also bringing so many people around them together in the stands, in front of the TV [or] on their phone, and my family has been no different.”
Although the Broncos’ opponent is yet to be determined, Courkamp wants locals to know that the strong passion for the team and NFL football is a special quality. Those common interests allow fans to connect with one another outside of the stadium, a relationship that builds as the season wraps up.
For now, it’s time to cheer on the Broncos as loud as possible until the team makes it to the Super Bowl on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium.
“It’s not every day you get the opportunity to play in front of the entire world and try to do something special for your team and your fans,” he concludes. “So remember to stop, take a breath and take it in every now and then, preferably on the sideline though.”
