============================================= *** 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 April 2006 Editor: Emily M. Parris ================================================ http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@parris.net ================================================ Table of Contents April 2006 * Issue #144 John Denver Events..............................2 "Just a Dream Away" by Michael Miller...........5 John Denver Notes...............................6 John Denver Concert Reviews: Brad & Kathy Fitch in Arizona................8 Poetry Corner: John Denver by Rose Smart....................9 John Denver on Television in the US............10 John Denver Want Ads/For Sale..................10 "My spirit will never be broken or caught, for the soul is a free flying thing; Like an eagle that needs neither comfort nor thought to rise up on glorious wings." John Denver ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= April 22, 2006 - Altadena, CA - Earth Day Concert / Phil Christie with Mike Valentine, Steve & Ellen Stapenhorst and Jan Seides / 2029 N. Lake 7:00pm $15 (626) 398-7917 http://www.philchristie.com April 22, 2006 - Bucks County, PA - Chris Westfall at the Churchville Nature Center / 501 Churchville Lane / Churchville, PA * www.churchvillenaturecenter.org 7:00pm $10 April 22, 2006 - St. Paul, MN / River cleanup in Battle Creek Regional Park 8:45am (Bagels, donuts, juice & water will be provided with lunch afterwards at 11:30am). Curtis.Griffy@Guidant.com April 22, 2006 - Minneapolis, MN / Friends of John Denver road cleanup 9:00am Road is located in Maple Grove Linda < dsnifan@aol.com > April 22, 2006 - Asheboro, NC - Earth Day at the North Carolina Zoo / http://www.ncfriendsofjd.com countryroadsnc@bellsouth.net April 28-30, 2006 - PA Friends of John Denver - Annual Spring Retreat - Bitter Goose Lodge $55 - Deposit of $20 required. Make checks or money orders payable to Susan Spohn / 628 Hemlock Street / Pittsburgh, PA 15202 Info: spohn@infionline.net * www.bittergooselodge.com April 28, 2006 - Carmel, CA / Ellen Stapenhorst Concert UU Church of the Monterey Peninsula / 490 Aguajito Road / Donation $10 The church is just off Rt 1 at the top of the hill between Monterey and Carmel. For info email Judy: jht@spamarrest.com * 831-373-7780 April 29, 2006 - UK - Friends of John Denver Spring Denver Day 10:00am - 5:30pm Village Hall, Walton on the Hill, Stafford, Staffordshire ST17 OLD lookingforspacerg@yahoo.com / Send a SASE to Rose Gwilt / 29 Oldcroft Road / Walton on the Hill / Stafford ST17 OLS Tickets: L6 each April 29, 2006 - UK - Friends of John Denver - Steve Brook Concert 7:30pm Steve will be joined by Rene Wingelaar, Arno Cornelissen and Klaas Christian Schukken of the "Nickels and Dimes" band. http://www.nickels-and-dimes.com Tickets are L7 Send a SASE to Rose Gwilt / 29 Oldcroft Road / Walton on the Hill / Stafford ST17 OLS / lookingforspacerg@yahoo.com http://www.stevebrook.com * http://www.fojd.org.uk May 4, 2006 - Owings Mills, Maryland - The Hard Travelers with "Heart of the Rockies" (John Sommers and his band) Gordon Center for the Performing Arts / 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave. $32.50 7:00pm 410-825-7331 www.musicunites.com May 6, 2006 - San Diego, CA - Phil Christie - San Diego Folk Heritage Concert / Solo Acoustic Show Venue: TBA http://www.philchristie.com May 20, 2006 - U.K. - Country Roads Walk - A walk is being planned in Northamptonshire. 10:00am Red Kite Centre, RSPB Barn, Top Lodge in the Rockingham Forest. It is a 5 mile walk. rockymountain.high@ntlworld.com http://johndenverlookingforspace.com/welcome.htm Phone: 01485 570911 May 20, 2006 - Covina, CA - Mack Bailey & Chris Nole will be at the Fret House / 309 N. Citrus Avenue in Covina 8:00pm (626) 339-7020 Tickets $15 May 21, 2006 - Altadena, CA - Mack Bailey & Chris Nole will play at the Coffee Gallery Backstage 2029 N. Lake 7:00pm (626) 398-7917 Tickets $20 June 17, 2006 - Baltimore, MD * 2nd Bi-Annual "Nightingala" "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" Concert for John Hopkins School of Nursing. / Peabody Conservatory of Music / 1 Mount Vernon Place / Peabody Concert Hall 8:00pm / 6:00 - VIP "Great Chefs" Reception in the Peabody Library * http://www.musicunites.com July 1, 2006 - UK - Country Roads Walk - 6 mile walk in Haworth Yorkshire. 10:00am Meet at the car park at the Haworth Church and the Bronte Parsonage Museum. http://johndenverlookingforspace.com/welcome.htm rockymountain.high@ntlworld.com or 01485 570911 July 2-9, 2006 Cruise Alaska with Jim Curry / "Alaska & Me Cruise" - Jim Curry will perform John Denver's Alaska songs and hits in concert with a full band. 800-826-6732 http://www.cruisemust.com / http://www.jimcurrysmusic.com July 7-8, 2006 - Steamboat Springs, CO - Brad Fitch and the Yampa Valley Boys performing the songs of John Denver. (970) 846-0578 http://www.steamboattheater.com www.cowboybrad.com * www.yampavalleyboys.com July 14-15, 2006 UK * John Denver Tribute nights featuring Ray Freeman and Pete Huttlinger in Kirby, North Yorkshire http://www.fojd.org.uk / Look under Events July 15-22, 2006 Princess Cruise to Alaska with Christopher Westfall http://www.newbeginningtour.com It will feature a lot of sing-a-longs, including many favorites sung by John Denver. 732-282-3108 http://www.chriswestfall.com July 29-30, 2006 Netherlands - Proposed Euro Denver Weekend in Holland. August 4, 2006 * Estes Park, CO * Brad and Kathy Fitch and their band will present a tribute to John Denver. Long's Peak Inn on Colorado Hwy 7, just south of Estes Park. Benefit for the Rocky Mountain Nature Association www.rmna.org * (970) 586-0108 http://www.cowboybrad.com August 12, 2006 - Hesston, PA - "Rocky Mountain High in the Alleghenies - 3rd Annual Tribute to John Denver" 6:00pm - 10:00pm at Raystown Lake in Hesston. Performers will include Christopher Westfall, Tim Dabbs, Mark Cormican and others. Free, donations accepted. / spiritwsconnections@yahoo.com http://www.geocities.com/spiritwsconnections/ August 23, 2006 - Liverpool, NY - John Denver Memorial Concert and food Drive 7:00pm - 9:00pm Johnson Park in the center of the Liverpool Village. Alan Taylor will present an evening of John's best loved songs performed live. Free admission - please bring non perishable food donations to benefit the Liverpool Food Pantry guitarman1946@aol.com (315) 299-5512 September 29, 2006 - UK - An Evening with Neil & Gill at Arden Hall, Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, West Midlands. http://www.timberwolf-studios.com neilandgill@timberwolf-studios.com October 13-14, 2006 - Aspen, CO - 9th Annual "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" - Wheeler Opera House. Mike Taylor and the Chad Mitchell Trio celebrating the 40th anniversary of John Denver's joining their group. 7:00pm The M.U.S.E. Foundation * http://www.musicunites.com October 28, 2006 / Annapolis, MD - 6th Annual "Music From the Mountains" - a tribute to John Denver / The Hard Travelers and friends / Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts 8:00pm Tickets not yet on sale / www.mdhallarts.org November 11, 2006 UK "Denver Day" - Coventry / Performances by Brad & Kathy Fitch / Info: president@fojd.org.uk http://www.fojd.org.uk December 3-10, 2006 - Richard Hatch's Jammin' Jamaican Adventure Cruise / From Miami, FL to the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and back. For more information email animatorsteve@netzero.com http://www.richardhatch.com December 9, 2006 - UK - Neil & Gill Sharman's annual songs for Christmas Show. The Scout Hall, Chapeltown, Sheffield, South Yorkshire. http://www.timberwolf-studios.com neilandgill@timberwolf-studios.com Weekends - Every Friday & Saturday - Branson, MO * "John Denver Lives" - Dinner 5:00pm & performance 5:30pm-6:30pm $24.95 Hillbilly Inn & Dinner Theatre / Hillbilly Inn Motel / 1166 West Highway 76 / Branson, MO 65616 info@hillbillyinn.com * 1-800-535-0739 www.johndenverlives.com * rodphil549@aol.com * * * * * * * * * * * "Just A Dream Away: A Solid Gold Memory" by Michael Miller Out of all the performers I've worked with over the years, I was most touched when my song, "Just A Dream Away" was selected to be the song which opened the 1984 Winter Olympics from Sarajevo. John Denver sang it while standing in the snow during the ABC-TV Opening Ceremonies broadcast in February of 1984 - a very special month in my life. Since then, both Placido Domingo and Dionne Warwick have recorded the song. I originally composed "Just A Dream Away" in 1977 (while a student at UCLA) for the Frank Sinatra Awards Concert for which I won the Composing/Arranging Award. Besides being able to perform at this concert hosted by Gene Kelly, I was given a check for $2000 by Frank Sinatra. Many years later-10, to be exact-we had Mr. Sinatra on Solid Gold as a special guest host with Dionne. On the day of taping, when I first appeared in his dressing room to go over the music we had recorded for him, he looked up with a grin on his face and said, "You again? Did you spend all that money already? Well, I'm afraid I can't help you this time-I'm flat broke!!" Needless to say, I had great fun spending the day with him...that's for sure!! On that same day, we also had Joe Piscopo on doing his infamous Frank Sinatra impersonations. It was amazing having the both of them on stage together!! Back to John Denver: After not seeing his performance of "Just A Dream Away" since 1984, I recently found a video copy of it in my storage. Hearing it again after all these years-and after his passing-I was deeply moved by how beautiful and hauntingly ominous his rendition was. He was-and, I'm sure, still continues to be-a very dear Being. Just A Dream Away Music by Michael Miller (ASCAP) Words by Monica Riordan (ASCAP) When a dream is born A dreamer has to live for more Believing what he's never known He stands alone. Where a chance begins Wherever secret hopes pretend Like daybreak on the darkest night He'll see the light... It's JUST A DREAM AWAY You'll know it when you're there one day Keep reaching for the world somehow There's nothing that can stop you now, Dream your way...dream it all. Years of hope within Then feeling what it's like to win This dreamer's gonna find a way To see that day. It's JUST A DREAM AWAY You'll know it when you're there one day Keep reaching for the world somehow There's nothing that can stop you now, Dream your way...dream it all. C 1984 -- Hook, Line and Singer Music/Cherry Mountain Music (ASCAP) ________________________________________________ http://www.johndenverclub.com/Paginas/videos.htm <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= Christine < Christine@fojd.org.uk > Some of you may be interested in the website Brandi has found about the poem "High Flight" on which John based his song "Flight." http://www.highflightproductions.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The "Light A Candle For John" site has a new link: http://www.kbnet.com/book/html/lightacandleforjohn.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Roni Marie Maki < ronimarie@charter.net > I called the local Pizza Pit one night to order supper and while the young man was taking my order, I heard John's crystalline, beautiful voice singing in the background. It threw me for a loop for a second. I had to ignore the young man's questions, "What would you like on that?" "Take-out or delivery?" and really 'tune in' to the sound of John's voice. I realized it was "Dreamland Express", a song you just don't hear every day, let alone at a pizza place! I interrupted the boy's questioning and posed a question myself: "Is that John Denver in the background?" I prepared myself for the worst, thinking the young guy would diss the music and make some obnoxious remark. But he surprised me by being so friendly and saying "Yeah, my manager plays it here all the time." And he said it like he liked the music too! It was just such a wonderful surprise on a cold, winter Wisconsin night! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Karen Morris: I wanted to let you know about a singer-songwriter I recently saw at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. I sat and listened to him for an hour and couldn't stop thinking about how much he reminds me of John Denver. He played about 25 original songs. His name is Paul Larson * http://www.paulelarson.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver Fan Fiction: On this website they wrote John Denver into a pretend "Emergency TV" series episode and called him Jimmy Colorado. www.voyagerliveaction.com/episodes/wherethewindblows1.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - Snowmass, Colorado's Cirque T-Bar Ski Lift is powered solely by wind energy and is dedicated to the one and only John Denver. This lift provides environmental benefits equivalent to planting 17 acres of trees, while delivering riders to a variety of backcountry-like experiences around the Cirque. http://www.newest.net/index.php/main/article/6605/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email Gregory Wilson about a special John Denver Event that he is creating online with MSN Windows Live TM. johndenver101.isabel@spaces.msn.com or wilsons101@yahoo.com John Denver 101 - An Evening with Gregory Wilson //spaces.msn.com/johndenver101/PersonalSpace.aspx?_c02_owner=1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Info from Jean Kendle and research by Christine Moon ( www.fojd.org.uk ): Christopher Canyon's book "Sunshine On My Shoulders" has received three awards: The National Parenting Publication Honours Award, the Benjamin Franklin Gold Award and the ABA Book Sense Selection. http://parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=7573 http://www.pma-online.org/benfrank.cfm http://news.bookweb.org/booksense/1983.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A story about one of John's guitars is mentioned on this page: http://www.fineguitarconsultants.com/inv3.htm - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ==================================== JOHN DENVER C O N C E R T REVIEWS ==================================== "Brad and Kathy Fitch Entertain Green Valley Residents in Arizona" by Carole Campbell < carbellaz@yahoo.com > A crowd of 300+ gathered last Wednesday evening (March 22) in the quiet, mostly retired community of Green Valley, AZ to hear Brad and Kathy Fitch of Estes Park, CO play and sing John Denver's music. The Fitch's are an appealing couple reminiscent of John and Annie in their manner. Both are blond and wore cowboy hats while Kathy sang like a lark and Brad (complete with granny glasses) strummed expertly on his acoustic/electric guitar. Their poise and ability to relate to an audience appeared early when, during their opening song "Wild Montana Skies" a string snapped on Brad's guitar. Brad continued the song using 5 strings, then asked Kathy to get a replacement string from their van. As the expertly installed new string was being tuned it, too, snapped. Again, Brad played with 5 strings until he decided to see what he could do to fix the 6th string. A short time later he was back with all strings functional and in tune. During all this the mainly older crowd waited patiently as Kathy led singing, then cheered the couple when the concert continued. And continue, it did. They played and sang "Poems, Prayers, and Promises", "Grandma's Feather Bed", "Matthew", "Rocky Mountain High", "Back Home Again", "Alaska and Me", "Eagles and Horses", and many more of John's most popular songs of the 70's and 80's. The audience joined in clapping and singing for the choruses just as John would have wanted them to do. The Fitch's are singer/songwriters and played a couple of their compositions which were meaningful and beautifully presented. Like John, they chose simple, everyday life themes for their compositions. This concert was a real treat -- a find! I have attended many live JD concerts and have been reluctant to attend concerts of John's music given by others (with the exception of his band members and concerts at Aspen). Although many entertainers come to the southern Arizona area, most specialize in Golden Oldies or modern show tunes, not the engaging folk music of John Denver. It is wonderful to know that two such talented people are in the west and play concerts in small venues. ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R P O E T R Y ======================================= John Denver by Rose Smart You might hear him in the sunshine Singing songs for sunny days Or see him in the wilderness Reflecting Nature's ways. Is he dancing with the mountains Where ancient Rhymes resound? Or strolling down a country road With some gravel on the ground. His spirit soars with eagles Etched in endless blue Where symphonies are captured In windsongs old and new. But does the spirit of Calypso cry for you And all your fears? Do horses run with heavy hearts Upon a trail of tears? Are the frozen silhouettes of the falling leaves now thawing? Have the haunting hymns of gentle giants Resumed their cosmic calling? Does the fragile forest wall Conceal a magic song? Did he really give you all this joy - Have you known it all along? Perhaps love is in the islands Where the tides were turned for you But for me there was never a doubt As to what this one man could do ____________________________ Copyright 1997 by Rose Smart Reprinted from the JDMAS Australia Newsletter =================================== JOHN DENVER ON Television in the US =================================== April 7, 2006 "Higher Ground" (1988) Made for TV Movie 9:00am Encore True Channel April 11, 2006 "Oh, God!" (1977) Movie 3:05pm HD Movies April 16, 2006 "Higher Ground" (1988) 8:40am - Encore True Channel April 17, 2006 "Oh, God!" (1977) Movie 3:05pm HD Movies Times are Eastern - Check your local listings ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= Mary Ledford < eagleshorses@yahoo.com > It's Spring and I'm cleaning house! I have discovered an overabundance of Wheeler Programs (1998 - 2003) that I would like to unload. They are $5.00 each including postage. Mary Ledford / 139 Watkins Mill Road, Apt. F / Gaithersburg, MD 20879 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Re "Southwest's DWI-to-Denver Flights Take Off" (March 2006 RMH Newsletter) I thought you'd enjoy knowing that this article was a little bit inaccurate about who sang. It was not an airline employee, it was Mack Bailey. On that Saturday, March 4, he woke up early, flew from Denver to Baltimore, entertained during the Flight Inauguration Party at the gate, and flew back to Denver on the Inaugural flight. And, yes, he did sing some John Denver songs...... Karen Tupek < penguins51@aol.com > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mel Steinmetz < MStein100@aol.com > I have the following sheet music with John Denver's photo on the cover for sale @ $12 each. They are all in excellent condition. "Downhill Stuff", "It Makes Me Giggle", "Back Home Again", "Please, Daddy", and "How Can I Leave You Again". - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Melanie Trondson has a new book out called "Never An Empty Stage." There are 3 poems for John Denver in the book and also a dedication to the "World Family of John Denver." Her author name for the book is Melanie D. Davidson and it can be ordered through www.BarnesandNoble.com or www.amazon.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver Espana Club http://www.johndenverclub.com John Denver: A Voice of No Regrets http://home.wanadoo.nl/mtenbrug/denver/ Peace Poem Page http://www.freewebs.com/sweetdreamsplace/peacepoem.html Paul & Val Gilbert's JD Website http://johndenverlookingforspace.com/welcome.HTM Dr. Timothy Binder http://www.doctortimbinder.com/articles/#johndenver Eagle Gallery http://www.cadsoft.de/Gallery/index.htm Eagle Music Hall This collection of songs containing the word Eagle has LOTS of John Denver songs http://www.cadsoft.de/MusicHall/ Emily's Eagle Page http://www.rockymtnhigh.org/eagle.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 April 2006 * Issue #144 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************