============================================= *** 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 M A R C H 2 0 0 8 Editor: Emily M. Parris ================================================ http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@parris.net ================================================ Table of Contents March 2008 * Issue #167 John Denver Events.............................2 Review of "Almost Heaven" by Steve Parks...............................4 JD CD Reviews: "Friends With You - Live!" Reviewed by Emily Parris..................5 "Peace Beyond All Fear"........................6 John Denver Plaque in Pacific Grove by Judy Therrien............................8 John Denver Notes..............................9 John Denver Poetry: "Your Guitar Plays Softly" by Emily Parris...9 John Denver Want Ads/For Sale.................10 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * You can now also get to the Rocky Mountain High Web Page through www.johndenver.us or www.rockymtnhigh.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= March 1, 2008 - Park City Utah "Friends With You Band" 7:00pm / Creekside Fellowship Christian Church on Kimball Junction / 1400 Bitner Road / Park City, Utah 84098 Tickets $15 adults $10 children Dave Howard: (435) 659-9654 www.friendswithyouband.com March 1, 2008 - Doylestown, PA - "Headin' to the Mountains" in concert - Christopher Westfall - Salem United Church of Christ / 186 East Court Street $10 7:30pm pahough@aol.com http://www.chriswestfall.com March 1, 2008 - Holland - Cultureel Centrum "Cascade" Hoge Kade 50 3340 AD Hendrik Ido Ambacht - Holland - with Randy Utterback, Guido Bos, Esther van der Spek and Ad Welten Tickets: Euro 20.00 +1 31-7868-19230 x2 http://www.stichting-cascade.nl * w-helmink@hetnet.nl March 8, 2008 - UK - John Adams and Guido Bos at the Broughton Astley Village Hall, Station Road, Broughton Astley, Leicester LE9 6PT * http://www.fojd.org.uk Information: fojdclub@fojd.org.uk March 28, 2008 - Florissant, MO - "Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver / Florissant Civic Center / Parker Road & Waterford Drive (314) 921-5678 8:00pm April 6, 2008 - Cerritos, Ca - "Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver" - Cerritos Sports Complex / 19900 Bloomfield Ave. / Cerritos, CA * (562) 916-1254 http://www.cerritoscenter.com * (562) 916-8501 April 12, 2008 - Voorhees, NJ - Christopher Westfall in Concert / Hope Church http://www.meethope.org $15 jpadgett@infotoday.com or ldpadgett@verizon.net 1-856-753-7355 Benefit for the "Humble Way" orphanage in Uganda. April 19, 2008 - Roswell, GA - "Friends With You Band Earth Day Concert - A Tribute to the Music of John Denver" Proceeds benefit Peaceful Blue Planet Foundation's Earth Adventures Program / UU Metro Atlanta North Church / 11420 Crabapple RD / Roswell, GA 7:30pm $15 HollieCWoodstock@aol.com / (678) 576-0269 May 3, 2008 - Bristol, PA - Third Annual Earth Day Concert - Christopher Westfall - Silver Lake Nature Center / 1306 Bath Road / Bristol, PA 19007 7:30pm $10 donation pacutter@co.bucks.pa.us (215) 785-1177 http://www.silverlakenaturecenter.org 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 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 15-16, 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 http://groups.msn.com/TheSpiritofJohn 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 18, 2008 - Estes Park, CO - John Denver Tribute Concert at the Stanley Rodeo Arena in Estes Park. 7:30pm Brad & Kathy Fitch * info@tropicowboy.com http://www.tropicowboy.com/whatsnew.htm September 2, 2008 - Fort Collins, CO - John Denver Tribute Concert / Senior Center 7:00pm * info@tropicowboy.com http://www.tropicowboy.com October 10-11, 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 10, 2008 - Aspen, CO - Steve Gillette and his wife, Cindy, will be presenting a concert at the Aspen Community Church / Aspen & Bleeker Streets / Tickets: $15 Send a check to: J. Therrien, 12 Dunecrest Ave., Monterey, CA 93940 * info: jht2008@pacbell.net October 11, 2008 - Aspen, CO - Second Annual Pine Creek Cookhouse event 11:00am - 3:30pm < windwalker@samsco.org > October 12, 2008 - Aspen, CO - John Adams at the Wheeler Opera House http://www.wheeleroperahouse.org 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 <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> Almost Heaven" review from www.theatrethree.com by Steve Parks NEW YORK February 29, 2008 I once met John Denver. And although I was not especially a fan - his songs were a bit sweet for my taste, all peace, love and flower child - he struck me as an authentic ambassador for a gentle outlook on life. I was covering the 1983 World Series for The Baltimore Sun when the Orioles invited Denver to sing the National Anthem before Game 1. Denver was an Oriole folk hero because his 1975 hit, "Thank God I'm a Country Boy," was played during the seventh-inning stretch of every Orioles home game (as it is to this day). Of course, we don't get to meet the singer in "Almost Heaven: The Songs of John Denver"; he died at age 53 in a solo plane accident over Monterey Bay in 1997. But his music offers something of an autobiography. In fact, the sketchy dialogue between songs, accompanied by period and panoramic slides, is derived from "Take Me Home," Denver's 1994 autobiography for this 2005 Off-Broadway revue. Making its Long Island premiere at Theatre Three, "Almost Heaven" benefits from a direct musical connection to its source. Director Randall Parsons cast Anthony Raffa, who directed Denver's Windstar Aspen Music Festival from 1990 to the time of the singer's death, as one of six who give voice to Denver's generous repertoire. Accompanying himself on guitar, Raffa strikes a poignant note in the first song, "All of My Memories," with the coming-home line, "somewhere to lay down and die." And he closes Act I with "Calypso," Denver's ode to Jacques Cousteau's ship featured in his long-running TV specials. The song and photos on the large screen, rustically framed by Parsons' mountain-cabin set, illustrate Denver's early commitment to environmental causes, of which Windstar was a part. Denver was also fascinated with flying, which he got to do often during decades of touring. His first hit, written while he was part of the Chad Mitchell Trio, "I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane" (the only No. 1 song ever recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary), is sung here in a dramatic acoustic solo by Carolyn Droscoski. We're not as accustomed to hearing female voices on other John Denver hits. But Tracy Lynn Connor all but makes "Annie's Song," written for Denver's first wife, her own. And Corryn Manwiller's rising country twang gives "I'm Sorry" a forgive-me-please urgency. With his tousled blond hair and the lead on the signature "Rocky Mountain High," Morgan Howell Rumble most brings to mind Denver himself, while David Malloy rocks out with "Country Boy" convincingly enough that I almost stood up to stretch. The ensemble, rousingly accompanied by Ellen Michelmore's versatile band, closes the show with Denver's last song, "Yellowstone," and a lyric from "All of My Memories" that captures his life and art: "Somewhere in the sun, where the mountains make love to the sky." ALMOST HEAVEN: The Songs of John Denver. Conceived by Harold Thau. At Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson, through March 22. Tickets $21- $28, 631-928-9100, theatrethree.com. <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> ====================== John Denver CD REVIEWS ====================== "FRIENDS WITH YOU - LIVE!" Reviewed by Emily M. Parris This 2-cd set of live music by the "Friends With You" Band was recorded live at St. Joseph-on-Carrollton Manor in Buckeystown, Maryland on March 17, 2007. This comprehensive set includes all of John's most popular songs - a recording of what must have been a wonderful evening of John's beautiful music. The band includes Mark Cormican, Chris Collins, Kevin Delmolino and Paul Swanton. Chris Collins sings vocals and plays the guitar, bajo and mandolin. He lives in Houston, Texas. Mark Cormican leads the way with vocals and plays guitar and percussion. His album, "One Fine Autumn Day" was reviewed in January 2008 RMH Newsletter. He has recorded 5 albums and the most recent one is "Live at the Music Cafe." Kevin Delmolino sings vocals and plays the bass and guitar. He is part of the "Kevin and Dale Experience" and lives in central Maryland. Paul Swanton sings vocals and plays guitar with the band. Paul is from Massachusetts and recently completed a John Denver song book for acoustic guitarists. In this wonderful recording of John Denver songs, you can hear the appreciation the band has for his music. They sing the songs with love and soulful sincerity. Another wonderful song on the album is "Hourglass", a beautiful song about family by Mark Cormican. He also has an album by the same name. "Rhythm" is a song about the "road less traveled" by Chris Collins. It's a new song that John Denver fans will find interesting as well. On this album the group is joined by Mark Nelson, Bill Powell and Dave Howard. If you're a John Denver fan then I think you'll enjoy this lively evening of John Denver music. http://www.friendswithyouband.com ============================================================= "Peace Beyond All Fear, A Tribute to John Denver's Vision" Book from Local Bread for the World Member Honors John Denver ============================================================= "Thank you for this precious day These gifts you give to me My heart so full of love for you Sings praise for all I see Oh sing for every mother's child For every childhood tear Oh sing for all the stars above The peace beyond all fear This is for the refugees The ones without a home A boat out on the ocean A city street alone Are they not some dear mother's child Are they not you and I Are we the ones to bear this shame And they this sacrifice" -From "Falling Leaves" by John Denver What is the first thing that comes to mind when you mention the name John Denver? Perhaps it's the song "Take Me Home Country Roads" or the tender ballads "Today" or "Annie's Song", or perhaps it's the image of that mild-mannered grocery clerk who had an encounter with George Burns in the Movie "Oh God!" For Hank Bruce, a Bread for the World member from Rio Rancho, N.M., the songs and the works of John Denver (a native New Mexican) were a source of inspiration for an entire book, "Peace Beyond All Fear, a Tribute to John Denver's Vision." The book, a collection of 15 short stories, celebrates peace, the environment and the human spirit. This book is being released on Sept. 20, just a couple of weeks before the 10th anniversary of John Denver's death. Hank's book is comprised of messages inspired by John Denver's music; they are not the stories behind the songs. "As we rediscovered some of the other songs and learned more of the amazing amount of work he did for peace, hunger solutions, the environment and the human condition we amassed a good collection of his work, including some that was never officially recorded, or was little heard in this country," said Hank. "As I listened to these songs, and learned more about this genius humanitarian, stories appeared." The song "Falling Leaves," which is the basis of one of the 15 stories as well as the title of the book, continues to have special relevance today. According to Hank, John Denver wrote the song about the plight of refugees everywhere. In the story, Hank takes us to Darfur and a small medical team working with the victims of this desert conflict, but we also look over the shoulder of a homeless Viet Nam veteran as his dream becomes a reality in Pittsburgh's inner city. "The gift of peace is one each of us can both give and receive," says Hank. Another song, "I Want to Live," also has special significance because it was written when John Denver was working in President Jimmy Carter's Hunger Commission. The song inspired Hank's story "Listen to the Children," in which a grandfather and his granddaughter build an AIDS Orphanage in Kenya where they are visited by a lady with the gift of hope. For Hank and his wife Tomi Jill Folk, "I Want to Live," has an even deeper meaning. It is the unofficial theme song for the organization they helped create called "Hunger Grow Away," which uses gardening as a tool to fight hunger in the US and around the world. Other John Denver ballads inspired the human side of an elderly Alzheimer's patient ("Homegrown Tomatoes"), the healing process for an alcoholic Native American ("On the Wings of an Eagle"), care for the environment ("Whose Garden Was This?" -Lyrics by Tom Paxton), love, courage and inner peace ("Whispering Jesse" and "Annie's Song"). Other stories treat contemplated suicide, the tragic lost love of a scientist in Alaska, a group of school children planting flowers on a former bombing range, a veteran returning from war with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and another explores the relationship between a captured Iraqi insurgent and a Quaker who befriends him. Drugs, oil and arms dealers are also the focus of one of the stories, and another explores the health issues of the Native Americans who worked with and live near the uranium mines in New Mexico. Signed copies of the book (which retails at $19.95) will be available through Petals and Pages Press (a publishing company that handles Hunger Grow Away materials) on Sept. 20. Send an e-mail note to: petals_pages@msn.com if you would like to purchase a copy of the book. The book will be sold at bookstores and through Amazon.com on Oct. 1. All proceeds from this book will be donated to Hunger Grow Away to help fund some of their food security and nutrition programs. The release of the book will be part of a global celebration, 11 Days of Peace, put together by We The World, a place where the many movements for social change come together in an ongoing mass public education campaign for Peace on Earth and Peace With Earth. Hank Bruce is a writer, horticultural therapist, hunger activist, teacher and speaker. He is the former president of the Florida Chapter of the American Horticultural Therapy Association. Hank has conducted research on the use of plants, flowers and gardening activities as therapeutic tools with stroke and Alzheimer's patients, and the value of gardening activities in the treatment of victims of domestic violence and substance abuse. In April 2007 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Florida Chapter of the American Horticultural Therapy Association and in 2001 he was given the Humanitarian of the Year Award by the American Horticultural Therapy Association. He has also done research on micro-intensive vegetable gardening systems that can be adaptable for use by gardeners with limitations, and for those living where there is limited water, space, soil or other resources. He is the program director of a non-profit food security organization. Most of the reflections in this blog are written by Carlos Navarro, New Mexico state coordinator of Bread for the World. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> JOHN DENVER PLAQUE IN PACIFIC GROVE, CALIFORNIA by Judy Therrien < jht2008@pacbell.net > We want to invite everyone who can come to the installation of the John Denver Plaque in Pacific Grove, on memorial day weekend (how fitting!). Sue DiCicco, the sculptor of the statue at Windstar called "Spirit", is finishing up the new bas-relief for it and so far it looks amazing. John has a somewhat jaunty look, a slight smile, bright eyes and those long bangs like when he was up to doing something fun. The foundry owner, Sandy, will be fixing the mistakes in the wording on the last plaque. We were hoping to have the installation earlier in May, but the foundry needs the time between now and then to cast it. Also, 3 other weekends in May have double high motel rates and we need to stay away from those. The mile long carpet of ice plant will be in bloom; magenta pink, hard to believe the spectacle in May. The plaque has been completely paid for as of today, our lucky day, March 6, 2008. Thanks so much to the dozen who sent checks to fix it, to make it the best we can. We will have a sing-a-long Saturday evening with a view of the bay. Please email me if you can come so I can reserve restaurant tables for those who want to eat together, and/or meet each other. For more information, or for a "JD map" of the area, just email me. With JOY, Judy in Monterey ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= Tom < tom@tomhernandez.es > The Spanish John Denver website is up and running again at http://www.tomhernandez.es On the page you will find: * In depth reports about the IV Meeting of Friends of John Denver * Homage to the re-encounter of 4 old friends 20 years after their last performance together (Triada). * News on Steve Brook's adventures in the USA (Nashville) * News on my new CD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver on You Tube: "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijd1uS2EBCE "For Baby (For Bobbie)" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMuQqtjNA8Q "All This Joy" from 2 different Windstar Symposiums http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeAUnptAcAM (1991) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIeV8POGJCs (1995) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Press Release: < phil@philchristie.com > Singer/Songwriter Phil Christie will be releasing a new cd of original songs entitled "Rear View Mirror" in June 2008. Phil is heading to Nashville to record the album in April, working with some of the greatest musicians in Folk/Americana music. Once the disc is released, Phil plans to tour extensively in support of the cd. Check out his site at www.myspace.com/philchristie or www.philchristie.com for more information and to join his email group. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - =========================== P O E T R Y C O R N E R =========================== "Your Guitar Plays Softly" by Emily M. Parris Your guitar plays softly for the angels In a beautiful land of heavenly dreams For we've lost you to the angels That's where your lovely music streams They adore your precious music And your angelic, vibrant smile Though we've lost you - they are ecstatic You've come to play for them awhile ____________________________________ Copyright 1-16-08 by Emily M. Parris ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver's Windstar Foundation Please visit http:///www.wstar.org to join. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Judy Therrien < jht2008@pacbell.net > (831) 373-7780 For Sale: 2003 Taylor Acoustic Guitar: Grand Auditorium 714, Redwood sides and back. Sitka Spruce top. Built-in Taylor ES electronics. Mint, seldom played. Best hard shell case, new. Buyer pays postage + $1500 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Belle Davis < christmas4cowboys@yahoo.com > I have many John Denver DVD's available. They are 2 hours long. http://www.angelfire.com/folk/duncanpumpkin/archive - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Original music from the novel "Shooting Stars" by Laurie Samsel Olson is now available online through CDBaby.com. Guests may listen to up to two minutes of each song, featuring Canadian musician Sean McCool, and may purchase either a conventional cd or digital downloads. Dedicated to John Denver, Olson's book reminds readers of the importance of taking care of the Earth and each other. http://cdbaby.com/cd/smalso - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - JD Photo Album http://www.photo.epson.com Go to "Albums" and put in "cathylw@alltel.net" & click "go" Wonderful Photos, but hurry! It's closing in April. John Denver Club www.johndenverclub.com Bread for the World http://www.breadblog.org/2007/09/john-denver-and.html John's birth chart and horoscope http://www.astrotheme.fr/en/portraits/YBBUFwF2gfHw.htm Colorado Jewelry www.demarkjewelry.com/custom/rocky_mountain_designs.html Humanity Unites Brilliance www.hubhub.org John's song "Blue Water World" http://www.sweetdreamsplace.com/jdbluewaterworld.html 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 March 2008 * Issue #167 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************