============================================= *** 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 P R I L 2 0 0 3 Editor: Emily M. Parris ============================================= http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@sky.net ============================================= Table of Contents April 2003 * Issue #108 John Denver Events..........................2 New Production of "Almost Heaven: Songs And Stories of John Denver" in Denver, Colorado......................3 Book Review: "Rocky Mountain Hai-Ku" - Tyler Kaus Reviewed by Emily M. Parris..............4 New Zealand John Denver Collections.........5 New Lyrics to "Leaving On A Jet Plane"......6 John Denver Notes...........................6 Letters to the Editor.....................7 Poetry Corner: "Venue" by Cynthia Gullage................8 "Tiny Lullaby" by Emily M. Parris.........9 John Denver Want Ads/For Sale...............9 "In my mind, I hear, While gazing at soaring peaks: 'Rocky Mountain High'... Tyler Kaus Rocky Mountain Hai-ku ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= April 4 & 5, 2003 - Dade City, Florida / "Florida Old Time Music Championship" / Sertoma Youth Ranch (813) 991-4774 Jim Strickland: Mrethnc@aol.com Admission: $5 - $12 http://www.dadecity.com/fotmc/guestofhonor/Jim_Connor/ April 5, 2003 * Stafford, England / "Friends of John Denver" in the U.K.'s "Denver Day" at Walton Village Hall http://www.fojd.org.uk April 5, 2003 * Emily's birthday. April 11-13, 2003 * Roaring Gap, NC * North Carolina's "Friends of John Denver" Annual Spring Camping Trip. Stone Mountain State Park (336) 957-8185 email: stonemtn@infoave.net or Laura Bollinger, President, NC Friends of John Denver April 12, 2003 * Florida - "Keep It Clean and Green" Earth Day Event / Florida House Learning Center 11:00-3:00pm 941-371-8223 * Sherry Cook April 14, 2003 * "Oh, God" (1977) 7:45am - Cinemax 2 April 19, 2003 * Altadena, CA / Phil Christie Earth Day Concert / Coffee Gallery Backstage / 2029 N. Lake 8:00pm $8.00 (626) 398-7917 http://www.philchristie.com April 26, 2003 * Upland, CA / Jim Curry Earth Day Concert - "A Tribute to John Denver" with Pete Huttlinger, Chris Nole, Richie Garcia and Alan Deremo, at The Grove / 8:00pm VIP Tickets $24 includes Meet & Greet with the band from 6:00-7:00pm / Open seating $12 and $15 at the door. Anne * http://www.jimcurrymusic.com April 26, 2003 * Cincinnati, OH / Heart of Ohio Windstar Connection presents "What One Can Do Earth Day Concert: A Tribute to John Denver" with Mark Cormican and Cottonwood Stone. 7:00pm, First Unitarian Church, 536 Linton Street Donation #4 - Info: Mev Wilson April 27, 2003 * "Oh, God" (1977) 6:30am - Cinemax #2 May 2-4, 2003 PA Friends of JD Retreat / Lebanon, PA Gretna Glen Camp, 87 Old Mine Road $50 payment to Patricia Liddic / 533 Lexington Road / Lancaster, PA 17603 by March 5, 2003. May 3-4, 2003 * Claremont, CA * Claremont Spring Folk Festival May 3 - 1:00pm Jim Curry and Timberline / 3:00pm John Denver Sing-Along Tickets $10 pre sale or $12 at the door. http://www.claremontfolkfest.org doug.thomson2@gte.net May 3, 2003 * near Waukesha, WI / "Wisconsin Friends of JD" Spring Highway Cleanup / helpers needed! meet 10:30am / Kettle Moraine Golf Club - 4299 Highway 67 (Dousman, WI) Group "Field Trip" afterward to Nature Center. Carolyn Churchill 847-356-0074 May 10, 2003 * Doylestown, PA / Charlie Zahm, Tad Marks and Christopher Westfall 7:30 $10 includes refreshments / Salem United Church of Christ / Info: pahough@aol.com http://www.geocities.com/aneagleflight/doylestown.html May 23, 2003 * CANADA / Port Colborne, Ontario - Dan Monroe Triple Header Tribute Show - Roy Orbison, John Denver, and Elvis - Roselawn Centre $15.00 7:00pm (905) 834-7572 Sept 29-Oct 4, 2003 * Lyons, CO / "Journey to Center" program with Tom Crum (585) 924-7302 http://www.aikiworks.com October 2 - November 29, 2003 * Denver, Colorado / Ricketson Theatre - "Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of John Denver" http://www.denvercenter.org October 3-5, 2003 PA Friends of JD Fall Retreat / Cassville, PA / Bitter Goose Lodge $45 for the weekend. Payment to Pat Liddic / 533 Lexington Road / Lancaster, PA 17603 / Pat Liddic October 4-5, 2003 * Salida, Colorado / Fifth Annual John Denver Celebration / http://www.johndenverlegacy.com Christine Smith 1-719-942-9620 Seating limited to first 200 reservations. October 11-12, 2003 * Pacific Grove, CA / John Denver Memorial Tribute and Beach Cleanup * Debra Saturday Evening - Musical Event; Beach Cleanup on Sunday at Noon; Tribute at John Denver Beach on Sunday 5:00pm <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> NEW PRODUCTION OF... ALMOST HEAVEN: SONGS AND STORIES OF JOHN DENVER Press Release Denver Center Theatre Company February 3, 2003 A new production in association with Harold Thau of "ALMOST HEAVEN: SONGS AND STORIES OF JOHN DENVER" Written and adapted by Peter Glazer; Directed by Randal Myler; Orchestrations and Vocal Arrangements by Jeff Waxman October 2 through November 29, 2003 - The Ricketson Theatre "Annie's Song," "Sunshine On My Shoulder" and "Rocky Mountain High" were only three of the songs that swept away Denver audiences during the 2001-02 season. 'Almost Heaven' proved Denver audiences loved their "Country Roads" boy. And now, DCTC director and artistic associate Randal Myler brings John Denver back in a brand new production with added songs and a new cast. Only 28,000 cheering fans saw our world premiere production; thousands more were turned away. Did you get your ticket to 'Heaven'? http://www.denvercenter.org ========================== ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAI-KU ========================== Review of ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAI-KU by Tyler Kaus by Emily M. Parris This is not a book to rush through. It is one to be savored, slowly like a cup of tea. For each little snipet of haiku poetry is complete in itself. Spring, nature, animals, fly-fishing - these are all subjects for Tyler's haiku. Since each one stands alone there is much to ponder. Each one brings you visions of the scene being described. It's like a little snipet of life. In the book, Tyler tells about haiku: "HAIKU: a Japanese poem (usually unrhymed) recording the essence of a moment keenly perceived by the author, in which nature is sometimes linked to human nature. It usually consists of 17 onji (Japanese symbol sounds). Haiki are often written in three lines of five, seven, and five syllables." One of my favorites is one about the Rocky Mountains: "The Rockies are lost In a thick blanket of fog, Then the sun finds them." Here's another one that John would have liked: "Colorado skies... A kaleidoscope of clouds Never once the same." The illustrations in this book are beautiful too. They are by Leia Andrea Pope and my favorite one shows an eagle flying with the following haiku poem: "An eagle soaring High above a lake...sees trout, Swoops down...a fresh fish dinner." The book is dedicated to John Denver with the following words: "'Rocky Mountain Hai-ku' is dedicated to the memory of John Denver - a true American legend." There is a haiku poem dedicated to John on page 91: "In my mind, I hear, While gazing at soaring peaks: 'ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH.'" Since I had never heard of Haiku, I was at first kind of curious as to what the book was about. But when I sat down and read Tyler's explanation and the examples of haiku from the Japanese Masters, it inspired me. It was interesting how such a picture of an event could be brought forth in so few words. The simplicity of it was inspiring and I wrote a haiku for Tyler's book: This book by Tyler Has a rhythm of its own Of nature and sky Birds and animals, Sunshine melting all the snow, Clouds floating on by Mountains majesty Colorado scenery Inspiring joy His thoughts on nature In 'Rocky Mountain Hai-ku" Are here to enjoy If you like poetry, I think you'll enjoy Tyler's book with scenes from the Rocky Mountains and nature. Tyler has also written two other books called "Colorado Haiku" and "Puns-A-Poppin'". _______________________________________________________ Excerpts from "Rocky Mountain Hai-ku" by Tyler Kaus are copyright 2002 by Tyler Kaus and the poem by Emily M. Parris is copyright 2003. Info on ordering the book is in the "Want Ad" section. =================================== NEW ZEALAND JOHN DENVER COLLECTIONS =================================== We are very proud and grateful to Jake Shand and the staff of BMG New Zealand Limited for the production and releasing of the "New Zealand John Denver Collections" compact disc released January 27, 2002. This cd which is exclusive to New Zealand has become a Gold Album. It is 73 minutes long and contains 21 of John Denver's greatest hits selected from the choices of our members. International John Denver Memorial Foundation New Zealand http://www.ijdmf.org ====================================== NEW LYRICS TO "LEAVING ON A JET PLANE" ====================================== BASEFORCE Press Release 3/21/03 - Las Vegas, Nevada In early January 2003, teacher James Lippitt heard rumblings in his classroom that a number of his students' military parents were being deployed overseas. Realizing this was a hot topic prompted him to assign an essay on military deployment and what it meant to them. James was so amazed by the touching responses that the assignment became the emotional trigger for him to ask, "How can I possibly help these kids?" One day while driving to work, he heard the John Denver song "Leaving On A Jet Plane," and had the proverbial 'light bulb' go off in his head. "The song seemed to have the elements needed to express the emotions of my students," says Lippitt, so he rewrote the words to reflect the experience of a child sending a parent off to war. Lippitt then turned his passionate pleas to the publisher of this classic ballad. In an unheard of amount of time, he had secured the rights from the publisher and the blessings of Denver's family. James soon related this experience during a casual conversation to fellow teacher, Melody Mayer, and through their conviction and dedication to a common cause evolved Base Force Foundation, a Las Vegas, Nevada based non-profit organization. http://www.baseforce.org ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= The ECOLOGY HALL OF FAME has a really nice biography of John Denver written by Steve Gosden. Their main page is http://www.ecotopia.org/ehof/index.html and the page linking directly to John's info is: http://www.ecotopia.org/ehof/denver/index.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There is a Natal Interpretation for Jesse Belle Denver on the web at http://www.rightplace.net/a/c/denverjesseb/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Emily * Attention STAMP Collectors * I wanted to tell everyone about the John Denver Stamps produced by Tanzania in 2002. They are very beautiful and come in a set of 4 stamps on a large sheet with one additional sheet with 1 stamp. The large sheet shows John playing the guitar in the mountains. Within that sheet are 4 close-ups of John which are the stamps. Then a separate sheet has another closeup of John that is a stamp. They are very nice. They still have some available on Ebay for $7.50. The item #'s are #2920179358 / #2920760135 / #2920974595 / #2921168728 The seller is: alex@stampcenter.com * www.stampcenter.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dan Monroe of Niagara Falls, NY is currently doing a 1-man John Denver tribute show. His first show in March was sold out with a crowd of John Denver fans remembering John's music. http://www.DanMonroe.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Christine Weaver At least twice a day they play a JD song!!! http://www.boomerradio.com/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Alan Sokoloski The Taylor Guitar Company has just produced a limited edition John Denver Commemorative guitar. It's a striking all Hawaiian Koa instrument, with an inlay of John on the fretboard, launching an eagle. It is very tasteful. The inlay was patterned after the bronze statue of John at the Windstar Foundation. I've ordered several of these guitars and will be making them available on Ebay. For more information or to see pictures please email me or call (315) 652-7425. I'm in Syracuse, NY (EST) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ====================== Letters to the Editor: ====================== Dear Emily, I wanted to make you aware that six old Mitchell Trio albums from their Mercury Records days are being reissued by "Collector's Choice Music" in April 2003 as "two-fers." One of them contains John Denver's first "official" commercially released recordings, "Violets of Dawn" and "That's The Way It's Gonna Be." These albums that are now being reissued on compact disc are long overdue, and, as someone who got to see John work with Mike Kobluk and Joe Frazier in the 60's, it feels like a little bit of my past has been recovered. The other two-fers that are being made available, with Chad Mitchell instead of John as part of the trio are "Singin' Our Minds/Reflecting" and "Typical American Boys." Len Jaffe Collector's Choice Music http://www.ccmusic.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dear Emily, I just wanted to tell all the members of Rocky Mountain High about the Harbor Lights album, a live double album recorded in Boston. I think it is the best live album I have. John is in fantastic singing voice. All the tracks are fantastic, but particularly when he sings "Today." It is just beautiful. "For You" - Has to be the best I've heard John singing this. It makes me tingle every time I listen to it. When the track is finished I always have to play it again. At the end, when the applause finally stops, John comments "I'll be a romantic old fart, until the day I die, I guess." Poignant! He also sings a new 'country song' that he wrote which is really funny. The whole album is so John, so obviously, having fun and the band, including Pete Huttlinger and Chris Nole are fantastic. I just felt that if anyone hasn't heard it, they are missing out! Sandra Taylor ========================= P O E T R Y C O R N E R ========================= VENUE by Cynthia Gullage Sydney, Australia, sails in the harbour, Roos and koalas bid you "G'Day" Opera house concert, great adulation, Rapt faces raised, as he sings "Moreton Bay" Up, up to the Northlands, wide open spaces, Fishing and flying, wheeling and free, Sing for the Wrangells and Little Mulchatna, Spirits unbroken, "Alaska and Me" Jasper, Alberta, Canada's cold nights, Two men and four horses, seeking retreat, "Looking For Space" 'neath the mighty cathedrals, Pictured perfection, happy, replete. "Amsterdam", London, Red Rocks, Hawaii, Mystic New Zealand, San Francisco, Adored and applauded, but lonely, and longing For roads leading back home to Colorado. Star light in Aspen, freezing cold fingers, A gondola car, concert over, "Goodbye", "Sing one more song, John, come on - just one more!" Notes on the night wind, "Rocky Mountain High" Monterey, California, rugged waves crashing, Still he is soaring, still wants to roam, Gone like an ebb tide, to peace everlasting, "On The Wings Of an Eagle", he finds a new home. Sunshine on his shoulders, or a place green and shady, His "Spirit" embraces, he always belongs The singer is silent, a legacy given - Lives on in the sweet melodies of his songs _________________________________________________________ Copyright 2002 by Cynthia Gullage TINY LULLABY by Emily M. Parris Haiku makes you slow Down to observe every word Little moments fly Each one a comment On an event passing by Tiny lullaby So small a record Of the world's own symmetry Words to sooth the soul Little poems view Aspects of the passing scene Yet each one is whole _______________________________________________ Copyright 2003 by Emily Parris ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= Sandra Taylor If anyone was at the Harbor Lights concert in Boston, MA, I would love to know if there was a video made of the concert. On the sleeve of the cd it says there is a video, but I have not found it. Please contact me, if anyone knows of one. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Frank DeLaMarre I've updated my web pages and added a special tribute page: http://frankdelamarre.com/takethemhome/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Susan Leaver We now have a website and on the products page we have things available for purchase. http://www.ijdmf.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kimberly I'm looking for a cd copy of "The Flower That Shattered The Stone" for my mother who is a John Denver fan. She was looking for it to play for my 7 month old nephew, her first and only grandchild. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Christine Egli For Mitchell Trio on CD, and John Denver CD's, go to: http://www.ccmusic.com/item.cfm?itemid=CCM03742 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Len Jaffee I have some sealed John Denver vinyl on RCA. Please contact for a list of what's available. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Roy Jones Looking to buy the John Denver "An Evening with John Denver" vinyl record. It is a 2-record set. Cover needs to be in good condition. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gregory Wilson New Yahoo group: fozziebear-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To post to the group write to: fozziebear@yahoogroups.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MITCHELL TRIO: The new Mitchell Trio CD's mentioned earlier can be ordered from Collector's Choice Music 1-800-993-6344 http://www.ccmusic.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAI-KU by Tyler Kaus This book can be ordered directly from Tyler: Tyler Kaus, 4875 Sioux Drive #102, Boulder, CO 80303 * $18.00 postpaid or from the Publisher, Xlibris 1-888-795-4274 x276 or by email: orders@Xlibris.com. It is also available at other online bookstores. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver Tribute: http://twotoneblue.com/denver24pr.htm Vote for John Denver http://www.freevote.com/booth/centuryartist Christopher Westfall http://www.chriswestfall.com ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@sky.net http://www.rockymtnhigh.org April 2003 * Issue #108 * Editor: Emily M. Parris ************************************************************* Emily M. Parris Rocky Mountain High http://www.rockymtnhigh.org _______________________________________________ Rocky-mountain-high mailing list Rocky-mountain-high@shellworld.net http://mailman.shellworld.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/rocky-mountain-high