=============================================== *** 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 February 2009 Editor: Emily M. Parris ================================================ http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@parris.net ================================================ Table of Contents February 2009 - Issue #178 John Denver Events......................................2 Lee Holdridge Conducts the Music of John Denver: 1975 album released on cd............................5 John Denver on a US Commemorative Stamp.................7 Poetry Corner: "Even February Knows" by Emily M. Parris.............8 John Denver Notes.......................................9 John Denver Want Ads...................................10 ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= February 27, 2009 - Charlottesville, VA - "A Tribute to the Music of John Denver" will be performed by Jim Curry, his band and special guest Jim Connor. 8:00pm at the Paramount Theater, 215 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 979-1333 http://www.theparamount.net http://www.JimCurryMusic.com March 21, 2009 – Frederick, MD – “Friends With You” band in Concert / Weinberg Center for the Arts / 20 W. Patrick St. 7:30pm (301) 788-7090 http://www.friendswithyouband.com March 21, 2009 – UK – John Adams 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. April 17, 2009 - Kansas City, MO - "The Music of John Denver" will be performed by the Kansas City Symphony at 8:00pm at the Church of the Resurrection / 5001 W. 137th Street / Leawood, KS 66224 http://www.kcsymphony.org Jim Curry will be joined by his band as well as former John Denver band members Alan Deremo, Ritchie Gajate Garcia and Pete Huttlinger. (816) 471-0400 / www.JimCurryMusic.com Guest Conductor: Lee Holdridge April 18, 2009 – Austin, TX – “Friends With You” band in concert. (301) 788-7090 http://www.friendswithyouband.com April 18, 2009 - Churchville, PA - Earth Day Celebration Concert with Chris Westfall 7:30pm. "Earth Day Every Day!" The evening will include a wide variety of music. Tickets: $10/person. Please call the Nature Center for tickets.  Churchville Nature Center 501 Churchville Lane Churchville, PA 18966 215-357-4005 or churchvillenaturecenter@co.bucks.pa.us  www.churchvillenaturecenter.org Info: pattiannctr@verizon.net  April 24, 2009 – Independence, KY – John Denver Tribute Concert By Mark Cormican / Kenton County Library 7:00pm (859) 962-4030 http://www.markcormican.com May 2, 2009 – Atlanta, GA – “Friends With You” Band (678) 576-0269 http://www.friendswithyouband.com May 9, 2009 - Mandello Del Lario (Lake Como)ITALY - Mack Bailey, Chris Nole, and Pete Huttlinger in concert. Teatro San Lorenzo Via XXIV Maggio 8pm chrisnole@comcast.net   May 11 & 12, 2009 - St. Gallen SWITZERLAND - Mack Bailey, Chris Nole, and Pete Huttlinger in concert. Kellerbuhne  Das St. Galler Kleintheater. http://www.kellerbuehne.ch/seiten/spielplan.php#Anker4 chrisnole@comcast.net May 16, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. - Mt Holly Springs, PA - Christopher Westfall - "An Evening of Acoustic Music" - Will include Chris'original songs, covers by various artists, and some patriotic songs to honor Armed Forces Day.  Holly Inn, 31 Baltimore Ave., Mt. Holly Springs, PA in their banquet room - srose312@embarqmail.com or www.hollyinn.com. May 23, 2009 - North Yorkshire, UK - Ray and Jackie are putting on a concert by Mack Bailey and Rachel Levy at Kirkby Church Hall, North Yorkshire, Tickets are £10.00 and doors open at 7.30pm.  Send a cheque payable to Jackie Freeman to Feet First, 53 High St. Stokesely, North Yorkshire. TS9 7AN (include SASE)  Telephone number is 01642 713575 Ray & Jackie’s website http://www.freewebs.com/feet-first-stokesley-north-yorkshire-uk/ May 30, 2009 - Silver Lake, CO ~ Charlie Zahm at the Silver Lake Nature Center: Charlie Zahm songs celebrating Nature, the Earth, and the Great Outdoors. 7:30pm Join him at Silver Lake Nature Center's beautiful outdoor amphitheater (indoors if inclement weather). Come early to enjoy the trails and exhibits. Tickets: $10/person. Call 215-785-1177 or pacutter@co.bucks.pa.us   http://www.charliezahm.com June 13, 2009 – Hamilton, OH – “Friends With You” Band (859) 567-2955 http://www.friendswithyouband.com June 19, 2009 - Kennecott, Alaska - "John Denver Solstice Tribute 6:00pm Recreation Hall / Live music, video, potluck dinner and storytelling info@wrangells.org (907) 554-4464 http://www.wrangells.org June 27, 2009 - Denver, CO - "John Denver - The Tribute" with Roy Rivers, featuring Steve Weisberg. 8:00pm $25 Red Rocks Amphitheater http://www.john-denver-tribute.com July 14, 2009 - Estes Park, CO - "John Denver Tribute Concert" - TropiCowboy Band / Brad & Kathy Fitch July 25, 2009 - Hesston, PA - "Headin' To The Mountains II": An Evening with Christopher Westfall!  7:30pm Seven Points Amphitheater, Raystown Lake, 7 Points Road, Hesston, PA. srose312@embarqmail.com * http://raystown.nab.usace.army.mil/. August 7, 2009 - Holly Springs, PA - Chris Collins and friends in Concert 7:00 p.m, Tickets: $15.00 Holly Inn, 31 Baltimore Ave, Mt. Holly Springs, PA Info: srose312@embarqmail.com or pjspiker@verizon.net,  www.hollyinn.com or the Holly Inn 717-486-3823. October 10, 2009 - Ashcroft, CO - Pine Creek Cookhouse Luncheon 11:00am - 3:00pm / Tickets $50 includes a gourmet lunch & a DVD from the film libtrary of Mr. John Wilcox. "Friends With You Band" will perform. Email Jennifer at windwalker@samsco.org October 11, 2009 - Pacific Grove, California - John Denver Tribute - Info: pixiedmyr@aol.com 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 <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> LEE HOLDRIDGE CONDUCTS THE MUSIC OF JOHN DENVER. http://buysoundtrax.stores.yahoo.net/leehocomuofj.html This album, originally released on vinyl in 1975, features musical arrangements of the music of singer/songwriter John Denver, conducted by Lee Holdridge. Lee Holdridge is pleased to announce that it is now available on cd. John Denver and Lee Holdridge enjoyed a long collaboration together, beginning in 1974 with Denver’s album, "Back Home Again." Similar to his relationship with singer/songwriter Neil Diamond, Holdridge frequently wrote the musical arrangements for the songs on Denver’s albums. Originally recorded in 1975, this album was inspired by one of Lee Holdridge’s violin concertos and contains arrangements of some of John Denver’s best known songs. Released on vinyl in 1975, fans of John Denver have often written the composer with requests to release this special album on compact disc. John Denver was born in Roswell, New Mexico in 1943. He fell in love with music at an early age when he received his first guitar at age 12. Self-taught, he was good enough to perform at local clubs by the time he was in college. He received his first taste of success in 1969 after releasing his first album, Rhymes And Reasons. While the album was not a big success, his song “Leaving On A Jet Airplane” had been covered by Peter, Paul and Mary two years prior and when people discovered that he was the original author, doors began to open for him. Denver’s commercial breakthrough came with the song “Take Me Home, Country Roads” from his album, "Poems, Prayers and Promises", which rose to number two on the Billboard charts. Denver’s career flourished from then on, with a series of hit songs over the next four years. Also key to Denver’s success was his many early appearances on television, which endeared himself to people from all walks of life, due to his affable  manner and his happy, positive image. In 1975, he was awarded the Country Music Association’s Entertainer Of The Year award. Lee Holdridge was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 1944. His mother is Puerto Rican and his father American. He spent his early years in Costa Rica, beginning music studies on the violin at the age of ten with Hugo Mariani, then the conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica. At fifteen - now determined to be a composer - he moved to Boston to finish high school and study composition with Henry Lasker. Holdridge’s successes in New York came to the attention of Neil Diamond who brought Holdridge to Los Angeles to write arrangements for his forthcoming albums. A string of Gold and Platinum hits followed, which led to Diamond and Holdridge collaborating on the film score for "Jonathan Livingston Seagull". Since that time, Holdridge has scored numerous film such as "Splash", "Big Business", "Mr. Mom", "Micki & Maude", "16 Days Of Glory", "The Beastmaster", "Sylvester", "A Tigers’ Tale", "El Pueblo Del Sol", "Old Gringo" and "Pastime". His television work includes "Moonlighting", "Beauty and the Beast", "East of Eden", "The Tenth Man", "Dreamer of Oz", Hallmark Hall Of Fame’s "One Against the Wind" and "The Story Lady". In addition to his film career, Mr. Holdridge has had an extensive repertoire of concert works performed and recorded. He has also worked with many major recording artists having written, arranged and conducted for Placido Domingo, Barbra Streisand, Brian May of Queen, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, John Denver, Neil Sedaka, Daniel Rodriguez, Al Jarreau, Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole, Jane Oliver and many others. More recently, Mr. Holdridge scored the motion pictures "Puerto Vallarta Squeeze", "Unlikely Heroes", the Hollywood Film Festival Documentary award winner "Beautiful Music", the documentary feature "Ever Again", the Oscar winning Warner Bros. documentary feature "Into The Arms of Strangers: Stories of The Kindertransport", the TNT mini-series "The Mists of Avalon", the NBC mini-series "10.5", the PBS Emmy nominated series "American Family", Christopher Reeve’s "The Brooke Ellison Story" and "Saving Milly" for CBS. In addition to his film career, Mr. Holdridge has had an extensive repertoire of concert works performed and recorded including "The Golden Land", the "Jefferson Tribute", his "Concerto # 2 For Violin And Orchestra", his suite from the opera "Lazarus And His Beloved", the orchestral suite "Scenes Of Summer" as well as the "Concerto For Viola And Chamber Orchestra", the "Concertino For Violoncello And Strings", the "Serenade For Oboe And Strings", the "Fantasy Sonata For ‘Cello and Piano", the "Elegy For Strings and Harp", and "Sonnet for soprano and orchestra". Recorded releases of Mr. Holdridge’s music include: "Holdridge Conducts Holdridge" and "Gerhardt Conducts Holdridge" both recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra. Recent works include "Ode to Orion" premiered by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and "Concierto Para Mendez" premiered by the Los Angeles Opera. http://buysoundtrax.stores.yahoo.net/leehocomuofj.html <*> <*> <*> <*> JOHN DENVER on a US Commemorative Stamp Jean Kendle and Carole Romanowski are working on getting a John Denver stamps by 2010. If you would like to help, send the following letter to the US Stamp Committee: DATE   USPS Stamp Development Attn: Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee 1735 N Lynn St. Ste 5013 Arlington, VA  22209-6432 U.S.A.   Dear Sir or Madam:   Please consider issuing a commemorative stamp honoring the singer-songwriter John Denver (born in Roswell, NM on 12/31/43; died Monterey Bay, CA 10/12/97). He was a great American environmentalist, conservationist, and humanitarian who strived endlessly to create peace, end hunger, save our natural resources, protect wildlife, and support the US Citizen in Space Program. His music and message is known worldwide, plus he was one of the top 5 recording artists in music history.   Many dedications in John's honor through tributes, concerts, books, newsletters and websites created and contributed to by his millions of fans and followers are still in existence today, 11 years after his tragic demise.   John Denver is embedded in our American culture, and his message and legacy still live on - and will forever.   Thank you for your consideration for this deserving and worthy pursuit.   Sincerely,                                                                                  NAME (Signature) ADDRESS PHONE  NUMBER E-MAIL ADDRESS                                                     =============== POETRY CORNER =============== EVEN FEBRUARY KNOWS by Emily M. Parris Even February knows A day that blossoms like a rose When ice and snow begin to melt And the warming rays of the sun are felt When coats are happily left behind And thoughts of springtime come to mind ___________________________________ Copyright 2-1-91 by Emily M. Parris   ==================================== J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ==================================== Jean Kendle < jbk944@yahoo.com > "When Carole Romanowski, and I decided to try to get more people to write the U.S. Stamp Committee about John again (because they didn't pick him for 2009), I sent them the October and December copies of your newsletter, so they could see a lot of things are still happening about J.D. in the U.S.  And I also sent them a copy of the latest "Higher Ground" newsletter, because that is a very informative one. So the Committee acknowledged my submissions, and promised JD will be in contention for 20l0.  I can only hope.  Sincerely, Jean K." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - From: Rev. Dr. Tim Dissmeyer Tdissmeyer@aol.com     "Marlin Heckendorn, a long-time subscriber to your newsletter, has inspired me to join him in collecting story-and-anecdote contributions for a compilation on Rocky Mountain High: The Gospel According To John Denver. We would welcome any ideas, excerpts, stories, experiences, memories, poems, songs or reflections about how John's life and musical art have inspired people towards a deeper appreciation for what truly counts in life. We are considering organizing the collection according to over-arching themes of: Wonder, Transformation, Freedom and Relationship". - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver recorded "You Say the Battle Is Over" and "The Ballad of St Anne's Reel" by David Mallett. David has released a new song called "North Meets South" on mp3. http://www.myspace.com/davidmallettmusic or http://www.davidmallett.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To sign up for the "Music and Communication" Email List, go to... http://johndenverclub.org/annewseng.htm - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   ======================================== J O H N D E N V E R W A N T A D S ======================================== The "Whisper the Wind" Soundtrack, a double live album, is available from Susan Leaver for $30 US including postage. Write to: Susan Leaver / PO Box 11-0114 / Grafton / Auckland / New Zealand For more information on the cd go to www.showinfo.co.nz < susanleaver19@yahoo.com > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   Wanted: John Denver concerts, memorials, interviews, Studio recording with Placido Domingo and other things which have not been released on dvd, yet, but either shown on television in the US or other countries. I would appreciate it if anyone who has these, would get in touch with me.  Thanks Michelle < amcbkor@aol.com > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --   Kyle Vincent has a new cd called "Where You Are" http://www.kylevincent.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Peaceful Blue Planet http://www.peacefulblueplanet.org Todd Smith - John Denver Videos from YouTube http://www.mogulus.com/johndenvertv Michiel's web site 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 February 2009 * Issue #178 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************