============================================= *** R O C K Y M O U N T A I N H I G H *** ============================================= The John Denver Internet Fan Club Monthly Newsletter A U G U S T 2 0 0 8 Editor: Emily M. Parris ================================================ http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@parris.net ================================================ Table of Contents Issue #172 * August 2008 John Denver Events.............................1 "A Country Boy Came Calling" by Tim Krohn......6 John Denver Notes..............................8 John Denver Poetry: "A Rocky Mountain Mile" by Emily Parris.....9 John Denver Want Ads..........................10 ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= August 2, 2008 - Dousman, WI - Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup - "feel good about being with the outdoors again" / The Wisconsin Friends of John Denver Summer Cleanup 11:am Meet in the gravel parking lot of the Kettle Moraine Golf Club / 4299 US Hwy 67 / Trash bags & safety vests provided / Food, fellowship & fun after the cleanup / Carolyn Churchill the_family_churchill@msn.com (847) 421-4609 August 9, 2008 - Hesston, PA - The Friends With You Band - "A Tribute to the Music of John Denver" - Seven Points Ampitheater / Raystown Lake 7:00pm - donations appreciated Chris Collins, Mark Cormican, Kevin Delmolino and Paul Swanton. Info: Suzanne srose312@embarqmail.com or Patty pjspiker@verizon.net http://friendswithyouband.com http://raystown.nab.usace.army.mil August 15-17, 2008 - South Lake Tahoe, CA - "Dancing With The Mountains: A Musical Tribute to John Denver" - Tahoe Valley Campground / 1175 Melba Drive / South Lake Tahoe. The "Friends With You" band will be featured. Info: Laurie - Laurie@LaurieKern.com * (916) 416-3547 http://groups.msn.com/TheSpiritofJohn http://www.dancingwiththemountains.info August 16, 2008 - Alto, NM - A Musical Tribute to John Denver with Mack Bailey, Bill Danoff, Alan Deremo, Pete Huttlinger, Gary Mule Deer, Chris Nole, John Sommers & Mollie Weaver 8:00pm Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts / Airport Highway 220 / Alto NM 88312 / (888) 818-7872 www.spencertheater.com August 16, 2008 - Saratoga Springs, NY / 9th Annual John Denver Potluck Picnic / Saratoga Spa State Park / 19 Roosevelt Drive / Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 / $6 Parking fee / Family pavilion area near bridge to bathroom. http://www.geocities.com/darceyfarrow/JohnDenverPicnic.html Darcy < darceyannefarrow@yahoo.com > August 20, 2008 - Liverpool, NY - The 10th Annual John Denver Memorial Concert and food drive - Johnson Park - Village of Liverpool, NY 7:00pm - 9:00pm - free admission - Please bring non perishable food items to benefit the Liverpool Food Pantry. A memorable evening of John's music performed live by Alan Taylor, The Very Excellent Folk Trio and Two Feet Short. Lawn Seating * Alan Taylor (315) 299-5512 guitarman946@aol.com August 23, 2008 - Estes Park, CO - "John Denver Tribute Concert" 7:00pm Fund-raiser for the Lion's Club Charities. Stanley Park Rodeo Arena / http://www.cowboybrad.com Info: cowboybrad@earthlink.net August 31, 2008 - Fort Collins, CO - John Denver Tribute Concert / Senior Center 7:00pm * info@tropicowboy.com http://www.tropicowboy.com September 6, 2008 - UK - "Country Roads: A Celebration of John Denver" - Wayne Denton at Warners Bembridge, Isle of Wight (Tel: 01983 873 931) September 8-12, 2008 - Peaceful Valley, CO - Tom Crum's "Journey to Center 2008", a 5 day residential program $2095 double occupancy / info@aikiworks.com (585) 924-7302 http://www.aikiworks.com Aiki Works, Inc. PO Box 251 Victor, NY 14564 September 13, 2008 - UK - Our autumn 2008 Denver Day will be held at Walton Village Hall, near Stafford. Denver Day will be followed by a concert by Mark Robinson. Info: Christine Moon fojdclub@fojd.org.uk http://www.fojd.org.uk September 20, 2008 - JAPAN - John Denver Tribute Concert in Sendai - Tanaka Takeru sings John Denver's best-loved hits. Cafe B.B. / 1-37-9 lzumi-chuo, lzumi-ku, Sendai-city, Miyagi Pref., JAPAN / +81-22-372-0088 (022-372-0088) 7:00pm / 1,000 yen * nisenora@bekkoame.ne.jp www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~nisenora/e-pineapplers-liveinfo.html October 8, 2008 - Aspen, CO - "Wake Up Your Possibilities" with speakers Dr. Robert Fuller, Pastor Keith Perry and Chris Collins / 3:00-9:00pm Gourmet Meal served at 6:00pm / Entertainment will include a performance by Jeff Pine. Maroon Bells Lodge at the T-Lazy-7 Ranch / 3129 Maroon Creek Road / Aspen, CO 81611 * $65 For tickets send a SASE and a check made payable to Peaceful Blue Planet Foundation / c/o Hollie Carter / 5044 Southland Drive / Woodstock, GA 30188 * Holliecwoodstock@aol.com * (678) 576-0269 October 9, 2008 - Aspen, CO - Work Detail in the John Denver Sanctuary 9:00 AM. We have a need for 15-20 people. Contact Curtis.Griffy@gnaweb.net to have your name added. 651-261-0814 October 9, 2008 - Aspen, CO - "It's Easy Being Green" workshop #1 10:00 - 11:00am and #2 11:00 - 12:00 noon. Interactive workshop on living more lightly on the planet. $5 donation for one workshop or $8 for both. Reservations: Send SASE and check to AHP, PO Box 1374, Frisco, CO 80443 or email charlotte@colorado.net / Will be held at Aspen Community Church, 200 E. Bleeker, Aspen, CO October 9, 2008 - Aspen, CO - Meet and Greet / John Denver Sanctuary 3:30pm / Deb Perry aspeninoctober@wowway.com October 9, 2008 - Aspen, CO - Worship on the Mountain 4:00pm Christian non-denominational service officiated by Pastor Keith Perry / Deb Perry - aspeninoctober@wowway.com October 9, 2008 - Aspen, CO - "Friends With You" Concert / Aspen Community Church 7:00pm $15 per person Sharon Cormican alaskanchild@msn.com October 10, 2008 - Aspen, CO - Williams Lake Hike - Cost: Share expense of 4-wheel drive to get to the trailhead. Come see where John got inspired to write "Rocky Mountain High." Meet at parking lot at 8:00 AM for departure via 4-wheel drive vehicle. Contact: Curtis.Griffy@gnaweb.net to have your name added to the list for this event. 651-261-0814 October 10, 2008 - Aspen, CO - Steve Gillette and his wife, Cindy, will be presenting a concert at the Aspen Community Church. Ellen Stapenhorst will open. 2:00pm Aspen & Bleeker Streets / Tickets: $15 Send a check plus SASE to: J. Therrien, 12 Dunecrest Ave., Monterey, CA 93940 info: jht2008@pacbell.net $18 at the door ($15 if you come from another country.) October 10, 2008 - Aspen, CO - 11th Annual Musical Tribute to John Denver / Wheeler Opera House / 320 E. Hyman Ave. 7:00pm http://www.expectamiraclenow.org Featuring: Bill Danoff, John Sommers, Gary Muledeer, Denny Brooks, Kenn Roberts, Jim Salestrom, Mollie Weaver, Richie Garcia, Alan Deremo, Chris Nole, Pete Huttlinger and Jim Horn. Steve Gillette will also perform at this show. http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com October 11, 2008 - Aspen, CO - 11th Annual Musical Tribute to John Denver / Wheeler Opera House / 320 E. Hyman Ave. 7:00pm http://www.expectamiraclenow.org Featuring: Bill Danoff, John Sommers, Gary Muledeer, Denny Brooks, Kenn Roberts, Mack Bailey, Jim Salestrom, Mollie Weaver, Richie Garcia, Alan Deremo, Chris Nole, Pete Huttlinger and Jim Horn. http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com October 11, 2008 - Ashcroft, CO - Second Annual Pine Creek Cookhouse event called "Coming Together in Harmony" 11:00am - 3:30pm / Live music with the Friends With You Band / Mr. Wilcox will premier a new dvd of John Denver footage including John singing "The Gold and Beyond" from the 1984 Winter Olympics that will only be available at the event. Tickets $50 Check or money orders only. Please send sase with your payment. Please send ASAP. The few remaining tickets will be filled on a first-come basis. / Suzanne Rose / 3 Eastwick Court / Carlisle, PA 17015 srose312@embarqmail.com or windwalker@samsco.org October 12, 2008 - Aspen, CO - Snowmass Chapel Service 9:00 AM 5307 Owl Creek Road / Snowmass Village, CO October 12, 2008 - Aspen, CO - A Windstar Celebration on the land 10:00am - 4:00pm / Free to all members of windstar, or you can join that day. Info: Shari apokey1@aol.com October 12, 2008 - Aspen, CO - John Adams at the Wheeler Opera House * http://www.wheeleroperahouse.org 7:00pm $35.00 / Tickets on sale 6-2-08 Wheeler Box Office (970) 920-5770 or (866) 449-0464 October 12, 2008 - Aspen, CO - Join Mack Bailey, Chris Nole and Pete Huttlinger for music at the Aspen Chapel / 77 Meadowood Dr / Aspen, CO 81611 7:00pm (Note new time!) Purchase tickets through paypal at mack@mackbailey.com or send a check to Mack Bailey / PO Box 201435 / Denver, CO 80220 $25 www.chrisnole.com * www.mackbailey.com * www.petehuttlinger.com October 13, 2008 - Aspen, CO - It's Goodbye Again 5:00pm Wagner Park on Durant Ave (Ball field across from the Mountain Chalet). Bring kleenex & cameras Deb Perry aspeninoctober@wowway.com October 15, 2008 - UK - "Country Roads: A Celebration of John Denver" - Wayne Denton at Warners Sinah Warren, Hampshire (Tel: 02392 466 421) October 19, 2008 - JAPAN - John Denver Tribute Concert in Tokyo - Tanaka Takeru sings John Denver's best-loved hits, joined by Suga Katsutoshi and Sugasawa Mari. / Ginza TACT / 6-19-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN / +81-3-3571-39939 (03-3571-3939) / 1:00pm / 2,800 yen www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~nisenora/e-pineapplers-liveinfo.html nisenora@bekkoame.ne.jp October 25, 2008 - Dousman, WI - Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup / Wisconsin Friends of John Denver / Kettle Moraine Golf Club / 4299 US Hwy 67 / Trash bags & safety vests provided Stick around afterwards for food, fellowship & fun Carolyn Churchill: the_family_churchill@msn.com or (847) 421-4609 October 25, 2008 - Gelsenkirchen-Erle / Germany * Gerhart-Hauptmann-Realschule / John Denver Benefit Concert 8:00pm / Email: Kerstin Siewek - Quimper95@aol.com http://www.kerstinsiewek.de December 23, 2008 - UK - "Country Roads: A Celebration of John Denver" - Wayne Denton at Warners Gunton Hall, Lowestoft, Nr Gt Yarmouth (Tel: 01502 730288) (from the FOJD web page: www.fojd.org.uk) December 26, 2008 - UK - "Country Roads: A Celebration of John Denver" - Wayne Denton at Warners Cricket St. Thomas, Chard, Somerset (Tel: 01460 30111) (from the FOJD web page: www.fojd.org.uk) March 21, 2009 - UK - Concert for Friends of John Denver will follow the spring Denver Day / Christine Moon fojdclub@fojd.org.uk * http://www.fojd.org.uk April 3, 2009 - Netherlands - John Adams concert in Hendrik Ido Ambacht (near Rotterdam) in Cascade theater. Tickets go on sale 9-8-08. Branson, MO - Monday through Saturday 10:00am "A Tribute to John Denver & Country Music Legends" James Garrett sings John Denver's best-loved hits. IMAX Little Opry Theatre / 3562 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway / Branson, MO 65616 (800) 419-4832 <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> "A Country Boy Came Calling" By Tim Krohn The Free Press December 03, 2007 Ben Martell still runs into many who remember the 40-year phenomena of his family's Holiday House Dinner Club on the banks of the Minnesota River outside of St. Peter. But it's been some two decades since it served as the place to go for company parties, special dinners for prom dates, anniversaries and numerous wedding parties. Fewer people remember the dinner club and the family's place in local history for one particular wedding party. In 1966 a young musician named John Deutschendorf was playing the college circuit with The Mitchell Trio and made a stop at Gustavus in St. Peter. After the show, Deutschendorf met college student Annie Martell. The two were married in the First Lutheran Church in St. Peter on June 9, 1967, with the reception at the Holiday House. A couple of years later, Deutschendorf would change his name to John Denver and set out on a solo career that would immortalize him and Annie Martell, for whom he wrote his No. 1 hit, "Annie's Song." Ben, Annie and two sisters grew up working and playing in the Holiday House, owned by their parents Jim and Norma Martell. "When my father came out of the service he worked with my grandparents who ran Martell's Cafe in Le Sueur," said Ben. A few years later they scouted for land to build a small dinner club and settled on an inexpensive piece of land off Highway 22 along the river and across the street from a junkyard. "Everybody said they were crazy building next to a junkyard, but they said it made it look like their parking lot was always full," said Ben, who lives in Le Sueur. The little cottage-like dinner club, looking out over the river and dedicated to quality food and service, was an instant hit. "They were outside the city limits so they couldn't have a liquor license for the first 20 years they were there. So they made it a private bottle club," Ben recalls. People paid a nominal fee to join and have their bottles of liquor kept at the Holiday House and pay a "set-up" price for mixes to go with the liquor. The Martells kept adding on until the Holiday House was a long maze of connected dining rooms and bars. (Today, part of the building is a residence and much of the rest of it has been torn down.) Jim and Norma retired when the business closed. They now live in Arizona and are both 84. "Dad was philosophical about it closing. He said we had a good run but the white table-cloth dinner club era has gone by the wayside." Ben says it was a unique experience having John Denver as a member of the family and watching his and Annie's lives become the stuff of legend. "It's strange watching someone you know become famous. But at the time we first knew him, he was just a guy that liked my sister." "He was like my big brother," Ben said. When Ben and his wife, Kelly, were married in 1981, Denver sang the solo at their wedding. "Not too many people get to have John Denver sing "Annie's Song" at their wedding." In 1969, Denver released his first album. It wasn't a hit, but it contained a Denver-written song, "Leavin' on a Jet Plane," which became a No. 1 hit for Peter, Paul and Mary the same year. Denver soon became an international superstar. A 1972 concert in Washington D.C. was attended by President Richard Nixon and China's premier. Denver's song, "Take Me Home, Country Roads," would become the first western music legally played in Communist China. In 1986, Denver was the first American to perform in the USSR since the Cold War began. It was also a time in which Denver had an increasingly high profile as an environmentalist. In the mid '80s, Denver and Frank Zappa joined to testify before Congress on the dangers of censoring music. Through the 1970s and early '80s, 15 of Denver's albums made it into the Top 40 charts. In 1974 "Annie's Song" went to No. 1. John and Annie, who lived in Colorado, adopted two children. The couple divorced in 1982. He remarried in 1988 and was divorced in 1993. In the years after his second divorce, he and Annie reconciled their friendship. Denver died while piloting an experimental aircraft on Oct. 12, 1997, at the age of 57. His ashes were spread over the Rocky Mountains. Annie Denver lives in Aspen where she has a psychology practice. While her fame is just a normal part of the celebrity-rich Aspen community, Ben said his sister is a private person who rarely does interviews. Ben Martell said the family's ties to celebrity are something they long ago became comfortable with, although it comes as a surprise to those unfamiliar with it. "Some people where I work find out Annie was married to John all those years and they say, 'Why didn't you tell me?' "What am I going to do? Walk up to people and say, 'Hey, did you know John Denver married my sister.'" <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= Vote for John Denver as your All Time Favorite Love Song Artist at http://www.lovesongs.com/alltimefavartist.htm You can vote once per day. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - At this year's Pine Creek Cookhouse Event (October 11, 2008) they will premier a new DVD of John Denver films from the 80's and 90's taken from Mr. Wilcox's private library of special footage through his many years of friendship with John Denver. The DVD is a special, limited edition, and will only be available to those in attendance at the luncheon. There will be no mail orders at all. See the event listing for ticket information. Jennifer < windwalker@samsco.org > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver Tribute Tickets Selling Fast! Tickets to the 11th Annual Musical Tribute to John Denver are selling fast! Join us October 10-11, 2008 at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado, for this year's tribute, produced by Karmen Dopslaff and Expect A Miracle...Now, Foundation and benefiting Challenge Aspen. Each evening is filled with John Denver music performed by former band members and colleagues in tribute to their friend. Purchase your tickets through Wheeler Opera House online at www.aspenshowtickets.com or by calling toll free 866-449-0464 (970) 920-5770). Hurry before this year's event is sold out! To sign up for the Challenge Aspen newsletter for all event information, email kelly@challengeaspen.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - One interesting place where some might not think of hearing John Denver songs - Charlie's, a gay bar in Denver with a country flair has been playing "Country Roads" and "Rocky Mountain High" on the country music side of the bar. Everyone sings along!!! No matter who we are or love, we all love JD!!! Mike < mikeytide27@hotmail.com > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R P O E T R Y ======================================= A Rocky Mountain Mile by Emily M. Parris Over many a rocky mountain mile Your songs came along to cheer Songs of nature and conservation You created year by year They are a legacy of the mountains Of the beauty that we can see How you encouraged humanity To be all that we can be Down many a country road Your songs ring out from a car Where a true and loving JD fan Knows that you are the star Over many a rocky mountain mile Your memory lingers still For we heard your message loudly We love you and we always will _____________________________________ Copyright 12-31-06 by Emily M. Parris ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Three of John's TV shows are now available for download: "Music and the Mountains", "The Higher We Fly" and "Rocky Mountain Reunion." http://www.johndenverspecials.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - We are in the process of moving and have several extra John Denver items to sell instead of packing them away. Please email for a listing: johndenver_items@yahoo.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver Videos: http://www.JohnDenverVideos.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The DVD of "Alaska: American Child" is available from sale-744709368@craigslist.org for $25 + $6 shipping (775) 747-1399 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver videoclips: http://www.tenbrug.nl/JohnDenver - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To subscribe: rockymountainhigh-subscribe@emissives.com To unsubscribe: rockymountainhigh-unsubscribe@emissives.com ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@parris.net http://www.rockymtnhigh.org August 2008 * Issue #172 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************