============================================= *** 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 J U N E 2 0 0 8 Editor: Emily M. Parris ================================================ http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@parris.net ================================================ Table of Contents Issue #170 * June 2008 John Denver Events.............................2 Interview with Taffy Nivert: "Country Roads Kept Taffy Nivert Danoff Home"................................7 John Denver Notes..............................9 John Denver Poetry "It's Early Morning" by Emily Parris.......10 John Denver Want Ads..........................10 ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= June 5, 2008 - Los Angeles, CA - Phil Christie - CD Release Party and performance for his new cd "Rearview Mirror." 8:00pm Genghis Cohen / 740 N. Fairfax Avenue / Los Angeles, California 90046 (323) 653-0640 $7 www.philchristie.com June 6-8, 2008 - Horicon, WI - Camping Trip / The Wisconsin Friends of John Denver are looking for more friends to sing with us around the campfire / Ledge Park Campground N7403 Park Road / $12 per tent, per night / We have room for several more tents on sites K, L, M on Friday & Saturday Contact: Suzy Winzenried winz_miester@yahoo.com June 8, 2008 - Austin, Texas - John Denver Tribute Party - A musical evening featuring Roy Rivers and Steve Weisberg with a special guest appearance by Donna Lipman 14423 Ridgetop Terrace, Austin, TX 78732 * 5:30pm (512) 912-8722 / Minimum donation $20 per person / Bring a dish to share and your own beverages. Plates, napkins and utensils provided * terry@rocketshipearth.org http://donnalipman.com/tributetojohndenver.html June 12, 2008 - Baltimore, MD - The Hard Travelers and special guest Bill Danoff, Old Otterbein Methodist Church 112 W. Conway Street / Baltimore, MD 21201 7:15pm $35 general admission / $125 VIP w/reception (410) 923-3312 or (410) 637-3996 marcyroberts@hotmail.com http://www.mackbailey.com/hard_travelers.htm June 14, 2008 - Amelia / Cincinnati, OH - Mark Cormican and Mack Bailey / Hosted by Tim and Doreen Kelly / 1333 Cedarpoint Court / Donation $10 7:00pm (859) 567-2955 markcormican07@aol.com or Prudence Hunt jpruhunt@juno.com http://www.markcormicanmusic.com June 17, 2008 - online - Join Tom Crum for a live 60-minute Teleseminar on Tuesday, June 17th at 5:00pm PDT; 8:00pm EDT / Register via paypal; fax or phone $25 http://www.aikiworks.com * info@aikiworks.com (585) 924-7302 June 21, 2008 - Hamilton, OH - Friends With You Band at the Fitton Center for the Performing Arts 7:30pm Tickets $15 for adults and $10 for children. To reserve tickets email Sharon < alaskanchild@msn.com > for information. July 1, 2008 - Modesto, CA - John Denver Tribute Show - Jim Curry and his band at the Gallo Center for the Arts / Tickets: 1-877-488-3380 * http://www.jimcurrymusic.com www.galloarts.org/Events/EventDetails.aspx?id=615 July 2, 2008 - Central Point. OR - John Denver Tribute Show - Jim Curry and his band / Crater Performing Arts Center http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/35350 July 3, 2008 - Florence, OR - John Denver Tribute Show - Jim Curry and his band / Florence Event Center (888) 968-4086 or (541) 997-1994 http://www.jimcurrymusic.com July 5, 2008 - Renton, WA - John Denver Tribute Show Jim Curry and his band / IKEA Center for the Performing Arts / http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/35354 http://www.jimcurrymusic.com July 7, 2008 - Duncan, British Columbia, Canada - John Denver Tribute Concert / Jim Curry and his band / Cowichan Theatre (250) 748-7529 July 8, 2008 - Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada John Denver Tribute Concert / Jim Curry and his band / The Arts Center and Theatre www.theactmapleridge.org (604) 476-2787 / info@mract.org July 9, 2008 - Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada - John Denver Tribute Concert / Jim Curry and his band / Kelowna Community Theatre / 1375 Water Street, Kelowna http://www.kctlive.ca * (250) 469-8506 July 11, 2008 - Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada - John Denver Tribute Concert / Jim Curry and his band / The Empress Theatre (800) 540-9229 http://www.empresstheatre.ab.ca July 11, 2008 - Vail Valley, Colorado * Benefit concert features Jim Salestrom and Friends with Special Guest Suzy Bogguss. Performers also include Bill Danoff, John Sommers, Denny Brooks and Chris Nole. $95 7:30 Vilar Performing Arts Center / 68 Avondale Lane / Beaver Creek, CO 81620 * infovpac@vvf.org Info: Kimberly (970) 748-5958 * www.vilarpac.org July 12, 2008 - Vulcan, Alberta, Canada - John Denver Tribute Concert / Jim Curry and his band / Vulcan Recreation Center Tickets: Vulcan Tech Center (403) 485-2994 http://www.jimcurrymusic.com July 12, 2008 - Norfolk - UK - "Poems, Prayers and Promises Picnic" - 12:00 Noon at the John Denver Beach at Dersingham National Nature Reserve, Norfolk. It is off the A149 at Wolferton, next to the royal Sandringham Estate. Info: Paul rockymountainhigh27@virgin.net http://johndenverlookingforspace.com/welcome.htm July 15, 2008 - UK - "Country Roads: A Celebration of John Denver" - Wayne Denton at Mill Rythe Holiday Village, Hayling Island (Tel: 02392 463-805) July 25, 2008 - UK - "Remembering John Denver" - concert with Steve Cherelle, Wes Candy & Jan Mellon at the Quay Theatre Sudbury, Suffolk (Box office - 01787 374745) July 26, 2008 - Hesston, Pa - "Headin' to The Mountains" - An evening with Christopher Westfall 7:00pm - Seven Points Amphitheater / Raystown Lake * donations appreciated Info: Suzanne srose312@embarqmail.com //raystown.nab.usace.army.mil * http://chriswestfall.com 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 / Caroly 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 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 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 * Tickets $65 before August 1, 2008 / 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 - "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 - Steve Gillette and his wife, Cindy, will be presenting a concert at the Aspen Community Church / 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 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 srose312@embarqmail.com or windwalker@samsco.org 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 an evening of music at the Aspen Chapel / 77 Meadowood Dr / Aspen, CO 81611 7:00pm 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 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 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 <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> "Country Roads Kept Taffy Nivert Danoff Home" By Tamar Alexia Fleishman June 3, 2008 - "Graffiti" Website http://www.grafwv.com Taffy Nivert Danoff is one of the co-writers of "Take Me Home, Country Roads", the official fight song of the WVU Mountaineers. It's been played at every home game since 1972. Taffy was a co-collaborator on many other songs that the late John Denver performed, including "I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado." Taffy also was a member of Starland Vocal Bamd, with their hit, "Afternoon Delight." For more info, check out www.myspace.com/fatcitybilltaffy. Graffiti: There are lots of versions of how "Take Me Home, Country Roads" got written .... what's the real story? Danoff: The song began on Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, Maryland, summer 1970, on the way to a reunion of my mom's family. Bill started singing "country roads, country roads, country roads." We had a fan that lived in a commune in West Virginia. As songwriters, we were hard pressed to come up with a phrase that rhymed with "Maryland" and so poetic license took its natural course. Fat City (Bill and I) opened for John Denver (God rest his soul) at the Cellar Door the last week of December 1970. In the middle of the week, John and Annie and Kris O'Connor and his wife, Bonnie, came over to our apartment after the gig. There was a car accident in Georgetown en route. John broke his thumb. After visiting the ER, they showed up about 2 a.m. No one could sleep. John liked our songwriting and wanted to hear more. I suggested to Bill we show him "Country Roads". He said we should finish it right then. I was the one writing the lyrics down. I lobbied heavily to include the word rhododendron, West Virginia's state flower, but was rejected by the boys who said it was too "flowery." We decided to perform it the next night at the Cellar Door. I held the lyric sheet. Bill was looking over my shoulder at them. John's thumb was sticking straight up with a cast on it. Long applause. I think we've met most of the audience from that night in the years since. Graffiti: At the time you wrote the song, you had never been to West Virginia? Do you go there now? Danoff: Oh, yes, of course! West Virginia is a beautiful short drive from both our homes. It's everything we said it is. Graffiti: The song changed John Denver's career. What did it do for yours? Danoff: To quote the Cindy Lauper song "money changes everything." We paid off a $1,500 grocery bill we had run up at Sol and Helen Butt's mom and pop grocery store in our neighborhood. They believed in us and kept us nourished. Sol dropped the check to see if it would bounce. We moved out of the last remaining slum in Georgetown, D.C. We toured small clubs all over the country as John's opening act. We would perform, then come out at the end of John's set and sing "Country Roads" with him. It was a great couple of years in all our lives. Graffiti: There's a missing little risque verse to the song. Has anybody talked about performing it publicly? Danoff: Bill or I perform it sometimes just for fun and the story behind it. Understand that it was the peak of the hippie era. We thought it was so cool and edgy at the time. John declared it would never get on the radio. We caved and rewrote the verse. IN THE FOOTHILLS, HIDING FROM THE CLOUDS PINK AND PURPLE, WEST VIRGINIA FARMHOUSE NAKED LADIES, MEN WHO LOOK LIKE CHRIST AND A DOG NAMED PANCHO, NIBBLING ON THE RICE. John was right. Graffiti: Lots of people don't make the connection between you and Starland Vocal Band. It's very different from folk. Tell me about those days. Danoff: "Those days," middle 1970s, were the days past popular folk. The music was evolving. Days of heavy metal sliding into disco. Bill wrote "Afternoon Delight" in 1974. We had not been successful as performers. We knew our limitations. The idea came to record "Afternoon Delight" with great singers. We knew Jon Carroll and Margot Kunkel from the DC music scene. We went to New York to record the single and named the group during the sessions. Graffiti: Where in the world have you toured/played? Danoff: Big and small cities and towns all over the U.S.A., Canada, England, St. Croix. Bill and Taffy were second banana on a series of six variety shows on BBC in London in 1973 with John. Fat City/Bill and Taffy have been opening act to John Denver, Tom Rush, Cat Stevens, John Prine, Moody Blues, Roger Miller, Argent, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Roy Acuff, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Sea Train, Cold Blood, Barbara Mandrell, and George Carlin. Graffiti: How did you get started in the music business? Danoff: Singing along with my radio while doing my homework in high school. I gravitated to any harmony part, thinking I was making the record sound better. Whilst singing along with the jukebox at Clyde's, a bar in Georgetown, the bartender Bruce Adams asked me if I wanted to join a singing group of a friend of his. I had a day job and nothing to do that week so I said yes. Scared to pieces but willing to try it. I sang loud and a little off-key, but loud and I got in the group that Bill and Jack Williams had started in their spare time. Graffiti: Have you been in the music business constantly throughout the years? Danoff: Hey, I got skills. I can type. I've had office jobs over and in between. I can type and organize and file and I give great office phone. One of the main reasons for going into show biz blind and untrained was to escape from 9 to 5. Anything but 9 to 5. <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= Steve Gillette will be singing in Aspen, Colorado for the first time at the Musical Tribute to John Denver at the Wheeler Opera House on Friday, October 10, 2008. That afternoon he will also have an afternoon concert with Cindy Mangsen at the Aspen Community Church at 2:00pm. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mack Bailey will only be performing at the Musical Tribute to John Denver at the Wheeler Opera House on Saturday, October 11, 2008. He won't be at the Friday performance. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jean Kendle < jbk944@yahoo.com > "The Songs That Changed Our Lives": 75 pop/folk/country/inspirational songs. (No music lover should be without). They have John with a big photo, listed under "Singer/Songwriters that changed our lives", and the song is Rocky Mountain High. (All original hit recordings). Plus a bonus listener's guide: Includes fascinating stories about the performers and how they wrote their particular songs. They come on 4 CD's, or 4 cassettes, for 4 monthly installments of just $l4.99 each, plus delivery. There is no interest, no charge for credit. Complete money-back guarantee. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R P O E T R Y ======================================= It's Early Morning by Emily M. Parris It's early morning and all is quiet The birds are greeting the day With their soft and gentle chirping I don't know what they say They seem to be elated Over sunshine shining bright For they begin their symphony At the first small ray of light ____________________________________ Copyright 6-10-95 by Emily M. Parris ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= Pete Huttlinger < Pete@petehuttlinger.com > Volume 4 of our "Learn to Play the Songs of John Denver" is out and ready for you to learn. I real appreciate all the feedback we received when I sent out the message asking what you'd like to learn. This is an ALL-REQUEST DVD Lesson. $29.95 + $5.92 s/h * http://www.petehuttlinger.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Three of Johns TV shows are now available for download: "Music and the Mountains", "The Higher We Fly" and "Rocky Mountain Reunion." http://www.johndenverspecials.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Phil Christie's cd "Rearview Mirror" is now available at CDBABY http://www.cdbaby.com/philchristie2 www.philchristie.com * www.myspace.com/philchristie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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 June 2008 * Issue #170 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************