J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~J O R O C K Y M O U N T A I N H I G H O H =============================================== H N The John Denver Internet Fan Club N D D E M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R E N N V D E C E M B E R 1 9 9 4 V E E R Written by: Emily Parris Email: emily@sky.net R ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TABLE OF CONTENTS DECEMBER 1994 Articles: "Back in the Limelight and Touring Again"............2 DAILY MAIL 3/14/94 "I Was Raised on Country Music"......................4 Country Song Roundup - August 1976 Are You A Closet John Denver fan?....................6 Comments by Corinne Smith John's Flesh-eating book tour........................7 "Take Me Home, Country Roads" with guitar chords.....8 Recipe from the Tower Restaurant.....................9 Poetry: "A Day Before Christmas"..........................9 "Snow: A Tiny Miracle"............................9 "Christmastime Is Here"..........................10 Lyrics: "Christmas Like A Lullaby" by John Denver.......11 M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S BACK IN THE LIMELIGHT AND TOURING AGAIN by Corinna Honan "Daily Mail" 3/14/94 There was no escape from it once. Annie's Song filled up our senses all right; it seemed to invade every restaurant, every bar, every radio station on the planet. The boy who wrote the song and gave us the original nasal version was John Denver, a former folkie with round wire glasses and a haircut like a haystack. For two years, he was the best-selling singer in the world. Denver mixed a potent brew of saccharine and sincerity, singing happy, uncomplicated songs that acted like an unguent on the post-Watergate Seventies. In the space of one month 1,000 strangers knocked on his front door just to say "Hi!" And there was a real Annie, a college girl he'd met at a gig in Minnesota. He'd fallen in love at first sight of her dark hair, red-checked shirt, jeans and penny-loafers. On honeymoon John proved so enthusiastic that he broke one of her ribs. He designed Annie a glass-and-wood house high in the Rocky Mountains. And when she failed to become pregnant, they adopted a baby boy and girl called Zachary and Anna Kate. Denver quickly became a billionaire but still sang about eagles, mountains, forests - and most of all, about his passionate love for Annie. Then in the early Eighties, everything went wrong. The marriage fell apart after a series of acrimonious splits and reconciliations. Divorce proceedings began. His records stopped going automatically gold. The Denver dream seemed to be over. The 50 year old man who sits beside me now, shirt straining against his paunch and cowboy boots planted squarely on the floor, looks more like a Midwestern truck driver than a soulful romantic. He has a befuddled "Why me?" kind of expression which comes into play whenever he talks about women. Which is hardly surprising, since his second stab at matrimony ended only recently after two years of bitter wrangling over money and custody of their four year old daughter Jesse Belle. 'Divorce is the worst goddam thing that every happened to anyone under any circumstances' he says. 'I don't think I'll ever marry again. I don't know what it is about me and marriage. Men are from Mars and women are from Venus and it seems incredibly difficult for one to understand the other.' 'I haven't allowed myself to get close to anyone since my last marriage broke up. Right now I couldn't even have a platonic friendship with a woman. I'm scared to death, I'm not capable of being hurt again. I feel woefully inadequate in my capacity to love, though I'm sure that will eventually change. God knows what would happen if I never wrote another love song...' He pauses, as if mournfully contemplating the unthinkable. "The world would end" I suggest, with a helpful chuckle. But this falls on barren ground. Denver has never been noted for his sense of humour and can glare like a rattlesnake when he thinks someone is taking the mickey. He injure the Monty Python team for putting out a song called "And now for the sound of John Denver being strangled, to the tune of Annie's Song." ('I don't want anyone screwing around with that song' he growls.) He split up with Annie partly because she didn't like the spotlight of his fame and refused to go on tour with him. 'She just preferred to stay home and that meant we had different friends and did different things and an enormous gulf developed between us. When I got home, it wasn't home anymore.' Living in a guest cabin in the grounds, to be near his two children, did not prove the best of compromises. Annie would throw parties in the house, he says, and then somehow neglect to invite him. So he gave Annie the house as part of the divorce settlement and went off to Britain on tour. Then he heard Annie had put the house up for sale. 'I realized that every time I sang or thought or dreamt of home, it was that place in the Rocky Mountains. And if she didn't want it, then I did. The day I planned that house, I went to the site with the builders and I said: 'I want an imaginary line through the main room to run straight through those two sets of scrub oak trees and those mountains out there.' Those trees were as much a part of his home as the glass in the windows. So what did he find when he arrived home from Britain? Stumps. Annie had had the trees cut down. The next morning, Denver walked straight up to Annie's house with a chainsaw. 'I told her: '"I didn't appreciate what you did. You have all these people up here for parties whom I don't even know and I just want them to know who built this house for you. So I'm going to sign a couple of things here with my chainsaw." 'First I made a little passway through the kitchen table' he continues, grinning demonically. 'Then I went and took the chainsaw to the headboard on the bed. It was a greyish purple and I'd never liked it.' And he got his house back. After Annie, he wasn't that keen on becoming involved with a woman again. 'Every time I started feeling "Oh-oh, I'm getting in too deep here" I'd run away. Pretty soon I didn't even allow anything to start.' Then in 1986, while on tour in Australia, he met Cassandra, an actress and singer nearly 20 years his junior. It was head-over-heels love at first sight. (Again) So when it was time for him to go home, he asked her to travel with him. And she did. At first everything went swimmingly. She shared in all the 'heartache and angst' that he says goes with him on the road. Then they married 'because she wanted to', had a baby, and the same thing that had happened with Annie started all over again. She wouldn't travel anymore, she developed separate friends and wanted her own career. By the time he and Cassandra saw a therapist, it was too late. He banned her from his home (yup, the same one) and wrote the song "Is It Love?" which went: 'It was magic but somehow you've broken the spell. It was heaven but somehow it's turned into hell.' Just how bad were the past couple of years? 'Very much like the War of the Roses' he groans. 'But Annie was great. During the divorce, she was just about the first person to come up and give her full support. She is actually a therapist now and lives down the hill.' His divorce from Cassandra was concluded last August, when a friend told them to stop being silly and sat over them while they hammered out a compromise. They went out to celebrate - and ended up in nearly every newspaper in the world. A police officer pulled John up in his 1963 Porsche on the way home. He was arrested for drunken driving, but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and agreed to do 28 hours' public service. No album has been added to the existing 31 for a couple of years. But now he has released a collection of 12 original tracks called 'The Flower That Shattered the Stone.' A video about him is on sale and he is in the middle of a 15 venue British concert tour which will end in London on March 24. One dream remains: to be a civilian astronaut. And this is not as unlikely as it may sound. He flies his own Lear jet, has successfully completed NASA training and was high on the short-list for the Challenger shuttle that blew up and killed the teacher Christa McAuliffe. At one stage, the Russians offered to blast him up to the space station Mir. He had the written permission of the American Secretary of State but then Cassandra got pregnant, so he dropped out. Now he is negotiating with NASA and the Russians once more, and remains quietly confident of being granted lift-off. 'What I'd like very much' he says, 'is to host a live three-hour TV show in space which would be broadcast while he circumnavigated the globe. That would be far out.' "I WAS RAISED ON COUNTRY MUSIC" Country Song Roundup August 1976 John Denver, who is an example of the overlapping worlds of country, pop, rock and folk music, says country music will never lose its identity. "It's as much a part of America as Mom and apple pie" he declared. The 29 year old Denver - America's biggest selling pop recording artist - won the country music industry's highest accolade last year, the Entertainer of the Year award. "There's always going to be country music" said the blond, bespectacled singer. "I don't think there's anything anybody could do about it." The Colorado poet laureate is now making country music his life. And an appearance on the Grand Old Opry would fulfill a dream. "I'd love to," he smiled. "I've always wanted to do just that. It's such a natural thing. I was raised on country music." The seemingly always smiling singer-songwriter - who also garnered the Song of the Year honors from the Country Music Association for "Back Home Again" said he thinks of himself as a country entertainer. "I really do." "I think I'm a good example of the evolvement that's going on in country music. There's a kind of crossover. More and more, country artists are having more acceptance. This is true not only in the United States, but all over the world. And I feel like I'm a part of that. Country music is a part of my life. It is a very thrilling thing for me." He said at different times, different artists have held down his "favorite" spot. Then he asserted with great voice, "Hank Williams is tops. He's the greatest. He's the father of it all as far as I'm concerned." He also remembers pleasantly listening to Ernest Tubb, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and on down the years to Glen Campbell, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Today he listens mainly to "new young" artists such as Olivia Newton-John, but he still "idolizes" Loretta Lynn. John Denver rose to fame with a philosophy about performing that may well have been the key to his success with audiences of all ages. A portion of it dealt with his accompaniment - a slide projector, movie clip and screen that was hung behind him on the stage, flashing colorful scenes of his mountain home area while he sang. "I don't want to entertain people. I want to touch them" he said recently. "I'm hardly what you call prolific. I really have a hard time writing songs. If I can write one a month, I feel good. But I do think I'm a very good performer." His public - and other entertainers - agree. "I love this work" Denver declared. "I love meeting people - and I love being on stage. I have so much fun up there." "But as soon as all that stops or reaches a level, I'll stop, pack up and go back to the mountains. " And you can believe it - if John Denver says so. The mop-haired, pied-piper of the Rocky Mountains is truthful. And he doesn't drink and doesn't smoke. He could be tagged the "Mr. Clean of Show Biz." Sometimes, even, you can catch him preaching about the good things - not the bad - concerning his native land, "the good ole U.S.A." That's "true - to - fashion" for country folks, as the old saying goes. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ===================== ARE YOU A CLOSET JOHN DENVER FAN? - - - Here are some of Corinne Smith's views on being a John Denver closet fan. From: Corinne Smith, Penn State AVS To: emily@tyrell.net Subject: Re: rec.music.john-denver I had intended to post an affirmative message to news.groups about your recommendation for a JD list there, and I just haven't done it yet. Sorry! I had mixed emotions when you initially posted the info. Part of me says "Yes, that's a neat idea." The rest of me says, "Nobody'll ever go for it and you'll never get enough response to make it work." It's the same kind of feeling you get when you're meeting people or with friends or with a new group of people -- you certainly don't bring up JD's name in casual conversation unless you get a feel for whether or not he's "accepted" by the other folks, so to speak. I believe very strongly that John Denver fans are generally "closet fans" who deliberately don't let their fandom show in public. There are only two places where JD fandom is appreciated and encouraged -- at one of his concerts, and at the Windstar Choices conferences in Aspen. Don't get me wrong -- I love John Denver with all my heart, and I've loved him for 22 years. I'm an obsessive fan, complete with scrapbook and every album he's ever made. But let's face reality here -- it's not fashionable to be a JD fan in public. Maybe in the late 1970s it was, because all the good songs were on the radio and he reached what we can now consider the height of his career. But it's not that way anymore. And I'm even talking pre-DUI charges. The DUI stuff just adds more to the "closetness" of the JD fan now. Oh -- another place where JD fandom is accepted: around the evening campfire with a bunch of Girl Scouts, with someone playing the guitar. That's how *I* spent part of the 1970s. ;-) So I'm not surprised at all if you're getting a) a low number of responses to your request or b) nasty comments about John. You may have to face the fact that he's just not as popular as he used to be. And fans who were out there before may pull back on their loyalty now because of the DUI charges and/or because of the things revealed in the autobiography. I guess I'm saying I don't have much hope for the success of your rec.music group. It's a great idea in theory, to get all JD fans together, and that's why you already have your electronic newsletter. Unfortunately, in a public electronic forum, you'll be exposed to the many many people who *don't* like JD and who feel free to voice their opinions loudly. Keep in mind, too, that the newsgroups seem to appeal mostly to college students, and they missed the boat as far as John Denver is concerned. All they see today is a has-been mountain singer who drinks and drives. A better and more-controlled environment might be to set up a discussion group like the Windstar one, but make it for the fans and not for the organization. I hope these paragraphs don't offend you, 'cause that's not my intention. I'm just trying to face reality here. I tell you, one of the greatest feelings in the world is to be at a Windstar conference with like-minded individuals, able to quote the same JD songs you can and able to wear JD concert shirts, etc.etc. I have *one* JD concert shirt, (even though I've been to at least six or seven concerts) and I feel I can only wear it to another concert or to Windstar. Wearing it "out in public" is torture. NO, I KNOW, IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT WAY AND I SHOULDN'T FEEL THAT WAY, but I do. I'd rather be a "closet fan" than expose myself to public ridicule. It's a form of self-preservation. BTW, feel free to quote any of these ramblings in your newsletter, with the intent of prodding other people to voice their opinions. I know I'm not alone on this one. THE FLESH-EATING BOOK TOUR ========================== Many people have not had the opportunity to go to any of the book-signings that John has had in various cities through the U.S., so if you have a report about one please send it in. Apparently it was done in assembly line fashion and John himself commented on the impersonality of it by calling it the "flesh-eating book tour." Nevertheless, I wish he had come to Kansas City. TAKE ME HOME by John Denver ============================ Have you read John's new autobiography yet? Send in your comments. Send in your reviews and let me know if you find it under your Christmas tree. TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS with Guitar chords Words & Music by Bill and Taffy Danoff and John Denver G Em 1) Almost heaven, West Virginia, 2) All my mem'ries, gather round her, D C G 1) Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River. 2) Miner's lady, stranger to blue water. Em 1) Life is old there, older than the trees, 2) Dark and dusty, painted on the sky, D 1) Younger than the mountains 2) Misty taste of moonshine C G 1) Growin' like a breeze. 2) Teardrop in my eye. G D Em C Ref.) Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong. G D C G West Virginia, Mountain momma, take me home Country roads Bridge) Em D G I hear her voice in the morning hour she calls me, C G D The radio reminds me of my home far away Em D C And driving down the road I get a feeling G D D7 G That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday. =========================================================== John Denver owns THE TOWER RESTAURANT in Snowmass at Aspen, Colorado. Here's a recipe from the chef. =========================================================== Recipe from Michael P. Shore The Tower Restaurant THE TOWER'S HOMEMADE FRENCH ONION SOUP One dozen sliced onions 3 tsp. butter or margarine 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. sugar 1/4 tsp. white pepper 1 tsp. Worcester Saute the above ingredients in a heavy saucepan, slowly, until the onions are a golden brown. Add 2 quarts of beef stock or consummee to the onion mixture. Simmer on low heat for 6 hours, then add 1/4 cup white wine. Serve with croutons and topped with Monterey Jack or Grated Parmesan cheese. ============================================================= MAY THE WARM SPIRIT OF THE SEASON FILL YOUR HEART WITH LOVE ============================================================= A DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Emily M. Parris 'Twas a day before Christmas And all through the house The silence was so golden That even a mouse With his soft little scamper From under the sink Marred nothing of the quiet But caused me to wink The soft whir of an airplane Or a passing car Seemed no more than a murmur From somewhere afar The noise only added to The calm that was there And gave that day a stillness Just that much more fair The tree was all shimmering With sunlight it shone And under it packages Addressed to my own The boxes from ornaments Were lying aside And presents as yet unwrapped And bows yet untied A warm spirit of Christmas Was here in the air I had only to feel it - I knew it was there c 1966 by Emily M. Parris SNOW: A TINY MIRACLE by Emily M. Parris Snow is such a delicate thing It floats with an easy grace Falling so gently down to earth Like dainty crocheted lace Each flake of snow is different Each one a wondrous design Each is a tiny miracle Of symmetry, form and line c 1991 by Emily M. Parris CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE by Emily M. Parris Christmas trees and soft lights shining Fill the nights with cheer Such a wondrous, happy season Christmas time is here Happy shoppers look at gifts For ones that they hold dear Such a joyous time of loving Christmas time is here Christmas carols; sounds of laughter Music in the air A feeling of community Is flowing everywhere Magically this happy season Brings us close together Amid the blustry, blowing winds And snowy wintry weather For love pervades the season And it warms up all our hearts A glowing sense of unity Is what the season starts We find a way to show the love That other times we hide This season brings together What the other months divide For now it isn't you and me But more a sense of "we" Amid the season's glitter And the glad festivity The Christmas carols in the air Proclaim a time of cheer Love and presents to be giving Christmas Time is here c 1991 by Emily M. Parris ========================================================= PEACE ON EARTH ========================================================= CHRISTMAS LIKE A LULLABY Words & Music by John Denver Christmas like a lullaby steals across the land A breeze upon the waters, rain fall on the sand We celebrate a baby born from spirit into man And Christmas like a lullaby steals across the land It's morning in Australia; In fact, it's Christmas day And Colorado never seemed so very far away Back where night has fallen and it's still Christmas Eve And snow is in the mountains that I always hate to leave But here I am down under with a brand new family Christmas bells are ringing There's presents 'neath the tree I know that it's been said before and now I know it's true That home is where the heart is And Christmas lives there too And on this morning Peace on Earth Is still your fervent prayer And I can feel it being Whispered softly everywhere And guns are called to silence And anger called to still And brotherhood and sisterhood Surrounded by goodwill Christmas like a lullaby steals across the land A breeze upon the waters, rain fall on the sand We celebrate a baby born from spirit into man And Christmas like a lullaby steals across the land Copyright 1990 Cherry Mountain Music Co. From the album - "Christmas Like a Lullaby" - John Denver ======================================================= ENDFILE - December 1994 - Newsletter #8 Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@sky.net =======================================================