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 8 V E E R Emily Parris emily@sky.net http://www.sky.net/~emily R ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Table of Contents December 1998 * Issue #56 John Denver Events....................................1 Reviews of "Let This Be A Voice": Dan Slusser........................................2 Greg Hager.........................................2 Mary Schott........................................2 Georgetown, CO Events: B.J. Haussler......................................3 COLORADO DAILY Article by Clint Talbott...............4 Canberra Memorial Park by David Gorell................5 John Denver Notes.....................................6 Poetry Corner: "Christmas Cheer" by Emily Parris...................8 "Through His Music" by Debora Richey................9 John Denver Want Ads..................................9 * * * * * "The Christmas Gift" will air on the Family Channel on December 10th and 21st. 8:00 pm Central Time (Check local listings for your area). * * * To order a copy of "Let This Be A Voice" call 800-336-1917 $24.90 Item #WX321 WNET Video / P.O. Box 2284 South Burlington, VT 05407 ================== JOHN DENVER EVENTS ================== Dec 5, 1998 "Behind the Music" biography on JD 9:00 pm Dec 6, 1998 "Let This Be A Voice" on PBS Check local listings as your PBS channel may broadcast another time. Dec 6, 1998 E. Walpole, MA "It's About Time" Holiday Party $10.00 plus covered dish Dec 31 - Jan 3, 1998 - JD Retreat at Camp Sheppard in Washington State Info: Cheryl Fritz Jan 16, 1999 2nd Annual JD Memorial Concert / Ross Valley Masonic Auditorium 1122 Magnolia Ave. Larkspur, CA lerm33a@prodigy.com or (510) 234-8843 March 6, 1998 "Let This Be A Voice" on PBS Reviews of the PBS Special, "Let This Be A Voice" ================================================= From: Dan & Laurie Slusser Just finished watching the Nature special of John Denver, "Let this be a Voice." I do not have the words to express my thoughts about the show, John has brought me to tears again. It is a very enjoyable and emotional film about John's involvement and commitment to nature and the environment. It was especially moving to hear his thoughts about the places he has visited and what they mean to him. A very special part of the film was the creation of the song Yellowstone to be used in the completed film. Part of the film shows John creating the song. At the end of the special they play the completed song and mention that this is a home recording because John was killed before being able to record the song in the studio. To me that makes the song even more special. This was a wonderful tribute to John and I am sure all will enjoy it very much, even though it makes me miss him even more and all of his new songs that will never be heard. Dan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - From: Greg Hager Subject: JD Nature Special... Wow!!! No other words can describe it. Last night our local PBS station aired the JD nature special as a highlight of the pledge drive. Wow! John sang several songs correlating to the places that they showed...John's favorite places. Here's a little of what I remember....They showed wild horses in Wyoming ("Eagles and Horses") they did a couple of spots on Alaska (Alaska and Me, To the Wild Country) and showed footage of the work that John did there in the 70's with the preservation act. They also had much beautiful footage of the lakes, and caribou and mountains where John spent a lot of time...in fact they filmed John and a friend of his just sitting quietly in the middle of a massive herd of caribou. They ended the clip with the very last song that John wrote, but only had recorded on his home recorder called "Return to Yellowstone." Greg - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - From: Mary Schott Re: "Let This Be a Voice" Hi, everyone -- "Let This Be a Voice" was on in southeastern MI last night, and it was EXCELLENT. Do NOT miss it, you will love it, I guarantee it. There were clips from the Cousteau special and the Alaska special. John sang the first few lines of the very first song he ever wrote, when he was 12. He swam with Jesse in the Colorado River, and went whitewater rafting there with Zak and Jesse. At one point John said "If I can come back, it will be as an eagle...count on it". He even said "Far out"! I don't want to give it all away, but I just loved every minute of it, and I know you will, too.It is great to be able to share this with people that I know feel the same. I only wish John was here so I could write and tell HIM how much I enjoyed it. At one point, John sang "Here's to Alaska" which I seem to remember hearing one time as "Here's to Australia". Anyone else remember this? I believe it might have been at a celebration in Australia, and I think I have it somewhere on a videotape of JD clips. My heart to yours, Mary Events in Georgetown, Colorado ============================== From: BJ Haussler Just got back late Tuesday from my five days in GEORGETOWN, COLORADO!! What an absolutely marvelous time I had in this Christmas town. My first 'family' meeting was with Harold Simpson and wife Cathy and we've become great friends; such lovely people. Saturday morning we helped decorate the TWO JD trees the mayor and town allowed to begin this annual in-memory-of-John weekend. I have a zillion pictures and Deb Perry will be using some of those to give you, our family, a gander...........you will love it all! Harold took video of everything. I WAS FIRST IN LINE ON LETTER DAY at the Post Office!!!! Okay, so I felt like a bully so I allowed two sweet little girls in front of me. Strange how the postmaster, Patty, looks like John's girlfriend in the movie. We decorated 'Jake's' truck with a bit of greenery (yes, it wasn't like that in the movie) and I think it was Vicky Bittner who made a wonderful sign "BUSY BEE CAB" and we decorated the Cab like in the movie minus the music and speakers. The Christmas Gift was shown on a big-screen t.v. at the school after Earthbeat sang, then John Sommers, Cash Cashman, and Twirp Anderson did a short show.....later jamming on down at the Red Ram. The towns folks are already looking forward to next years Letter Day weekend and the postmaster will try to get John's name on the cancellation stamp. To clear up any misunderstandings: there was no actual 'stamp' to purchase...just the rubber cancellation of what was sent to Santa; then it is destroyed. Most of the shops still have the decor donated by John's movie and I heard SO MANY stories of the filming itself. My favorite: Janice Moore's house was used for the 'John walking girlfriend home' scene. Janice, on the last night of shooting, went home later so the 'crew' could get packed, etc. When she got home, there was one cameraman and John. John told her that he didn't really want to leave just then and asked if he could play her piano for a few minutes. He played for two hours with good company and enjoyment. I spoke to about 20 out-of-state fans and lots from Denver........This is the beginning. I believe approx. 35 'large' ornaments were sent in that we put on the trees and there were more coming two days later. Harold and I figured we should 'dedicate' each ornament as we put it on the tree, so each was filmed. Well, my soul is still in Georgetown but to work I must go. : ( --------------------------------------------------------- COLORADO DAILY (October 1997) Article by Clint Talbott Does a relatively common human frailty negate the substantial good work of someone who is charitable, sweet and idealistic? In the jaded eyes of many, it does. Such lopsided salvos were fired at the late Princess Diana a few weeks ago, and now they are being aimed at the late John Denver. What fun it must be to pick on the deceased, especially the deceased who practiced philanthropy. If you search carefully enough, you're sure to find some chinks in their armor, and that will allow you to label the dead as self-absorbed, shallow and fraudulent. This revelation can be accompanied by appropriately haughty chortling about the dolts who admire cultural icons. Ho, ho. In some ways, such mean-spirited sniping at the dead is as shocking as the death itself. John Denver rocketed to fame in the early 1970s with a string of hits that put him in the Top 40 constellation and kept him there. He is perhaps best known for "Rocky Mountain High," which was an autobiographical ode to his new home in Colorado. In recent days, the papers have been filled with quotations from people who said that John Denver prodded them to move to Colorado, that he made them feel better about life, that he offered a sense of wonderment and naivete that was a soothing antidote to the bewildering nastiness of this world. And just what is wrong with that? What's wrong with dwelling on the beauty of nature, even ruminating on "the many varieties of wind," as my colleague Bronson Hilliard sniffs? In musing on the wild, Denver was in good company. William Wordsworth rhapsodized over daffodils. William Blake exulted over the fields and beasts. Even Beethoven's Sixth Symphony was a paean to the splendor of nature. But if we applied the Hilliard Human Purity Art Test to Beethoven, we would conclude that Ludwig was an irascible man who drank every night and who repelled people with his ravings as surely as he seduced them with his music. Obviously, therefore, Beethoven's music is "mostly nonsense." That's an air-tight syllogism, for sure. John Denver was no Beethoven. He was a man of his time. And he was also a man. This was revealed in his songs, for those who cared to listen. His loneliness and despair were evident throughout his work. So was his anger at cruelty and suffering. Even his marital infidelities, which he explicitly revealed in his 1994 biography, were apparent two decades earlier, when he sang about "all the lies I've told you," and "so many times I've played around." Those who loved John Denver appreciated his honesty. And they appreciated his willingness to do something radical: to extol the joy and beauty of simple things. In making such observations, John Denver made people happy. In a very real sense, he brought some joy to the world. But Denver did more than sing happy, sweet songs. He was an activist who employed his considerable talent to make people face the damage they do to the Earth. Denver sank a substantial chunk of his fortune into the Windstar Foundation, a research and educational enterprise dedicated to environmental preservation. He traveled all over the world to fight hunger. He served on the president's task force on hunger. He crusaded against nuclear weapons and war. He was the only non-classical musical performer to win the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award. Denver's compassion for and concern about the hungry, the refugees, the ravages of war and the destruction of the environment prodded legions to champion these causes. Underlying his music and life was the recognition that we are all connected: "There's a man who is my brother. I just don't know his name. But I know his home and family, because I know we feel the same. And it hurts me when he's hungry, and when his children cry. I too am a father, and that little one is mine." Critics dripping with attitude are free to dismiss music that they deem saccharine and insubstantial, to berate Denver's fans as simpletons and saps, to argue that Denver's all-too-human personal struggles negated the good he did in life. But such prattling suggests a couple of questions for the critics: Just what good works do your musical heroes do? And what good deeds can you credit to the person you see in the mirror? John Denver was a sincere humanitarian, an active environmentalist, a powerful poet, and an incurable idealist. In death as in life, critics love to bash a caricature they created. Friends prefer to praise the man he was. "And the spirit fills the darkness of the heavens. It fills the endless yearning of the soul. It lives within a star too far to dream of. It lives within each part and is the whole. It's the fire and the wings that fly us home." Canberra Memorial Park in Australia =================================== From: David Gorell The Canberra Memorial Park was opened today. It was a very nice ceremony, and the weather held off. It is located in the Belconnen area of Canberra, about 10 kilometres north of the city. Please note that this is a general park that anyone can leave a memorial to anyone else for any reason. If you are interested here in Australia, Contact Landcare Australia on 1800 63 8733. Unfortunately, a tree had been planted by Landcare for John. The JDMAS tree was not visible. I checked all sites. There are 8 rows of trees and plaques - 24 in each row. The JDMAS tree may still be planted at a later date! John's tree and plaque are presently located in row 1 position 2 - but this will eventually be row 22. I was told that it was John's memory, etc., that inspired this park. All in all, a very moving ceremony. The wife of a present federal minister was one of the honoured guests who opened the park. She was very emotional, and at one stage could not continue. She and her husband lost a son at a very early age in August this year. She later planted a tree in her son's honour. I have taken some photos, but will have to wait until the film is developed. I hope to borrow a digital camera soon for a number of reasons. If I am successful, I will take some photos again of the park - peace David Gorell Canberra, ACT Aus ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= NATURE "John Denver: Let This Be A Voice" Explore the American West beloved by singer-songwriter John Denver with this companion site. Learn more about Denver's love for the wilderness and his conservation work, see raptors in flight in Idaho, virtually travel down the Colorado River and access useful Web and print resources. http://www.pbs.org/nature/denver - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - Pat Rison On November 23, 1998 a new radio station was established in Arlington, TX. An article in the Star-Telegram of 11/24/98 states" "John Denver lives - on 96.7/KNKI FM. The 100,000 watt Arlington based station rolled out a new format at noon yesterday..." It's format is "Classic Memories." I listened to it on the 24th and heard JD songs throughout the day. It was wonderful. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - John's guitar from the early years is for sale. http://www.greatdividemusic.com/johndenverguitar.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- From: Eric Diltz Sometimes people ask about the photos of John on the "John Denver Collection". There were taken on March 6, 1997 and as far as I know this was the last photo session of John. They were taken at John's residence in Carmel Highlands, CA near Monterey. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - From: Jim Fettgather If you have the Real audio player installed on your system, and click on the following url you'll hear Emily Parris interviewed on radio KFIZ in Wisconsin. http://home.earthlink.net/~jimkc/emily.ra - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - Mary Ledford There is a video available of the Chad Mitchell Trio Reunion concert that was shown on PBS some years ago. It is available from Rediscover Music and contains additional interviews/footage with John. 800-232-7328 $30.00 plus $5.00 p/h Order Number CMT5150V Overseas (630) 305-0770 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Diane Did anyone lose a film while attending the events in Aspen, Colorado in October? One was found in the Music Tent. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - Carolyn Denny Is was just doing a little surfing and came upon the Aspen Times website. I came across a letter from the Chairman of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He said that every year they had a big fundraiser in Maryland and that many people donate their time and talent but the most money ever made was on Sept 20, 1997 when he asked John to appear. John did appear and also talked to the kids and parents with CF very compassionately and made a generous personal donation. That brought tears to my eyes as my daughter suffers from this dreadful disease and John's music often helped me keep my sanity during her hospital stays (which were frequent). I never knew John had any involvement with the CF Foundation and I want to express my gratitude. [Editor's Note: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation:http://www.cff.org Aspen Times: http://www.aspentimes.com ] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - On the Aspen Times WWW Page there's a letter to the Editor from Dianne Hooper about the proposed John Denver Museum. To lend your support to the Museum write to: mail@aspentimes.com http://www.aspentimes.com/dex/120498/let2.htm - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - Chantel Kreviazuk has a version of "Leaving on a Jet Plane". It is available on a maxi-single: Columbia/Sony Music Soundtrack release #LC 0162/COL 666443-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - The song "Leaving on a Jet Plane" is on the self-titled album of Drivin' N Cryin'. There's a soundbyte of Kevn Kinney singing "Country Roads" at: http://www.drivinncryin.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - ====================================== P O E T R Y C O R N E R ====================================== CHRISTMAS CHEER by Emily M. Parris I wish it was Christmas every day Because of the love it starts Because it opens up the channels Here within our hearts At Christmas we remember That we are a family All people all around the world Have a sense of unity People give to each other To their family and friends And there's a sense of unity That opens and transcends The boundaries that other days Are there between our hearts I just love the joyousness That every Christmas starts People write more letters And mail packages away Remembering your loved ones Is the order of the day Even in shops and businesses The cookies and coffee are free There is no limit to the Christmas Cheer that you may see For everybody turns away From the hustle and bustle of living Instead, they concentrate on love And efforts to be giving There couldn't be a season More wonderful to view Than Christmas and the way it Brings together me and you Copyright 1992 by Emily M. Parris http://www.sky.net/~emily/poetry.html - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Through His Music by Debora Richey Through his music, I soared like an eagle I touched on the mountaintops in rocky cathedrals Through his music, I sailed on blue ocean waves, I rode among canyons and on bright stars gazed. Through his music, I saw clear lakes shining bright, I saw forest shadows in a glowing campfire's light. Through his music, I hiked along steep rocky trails, I recalled his wondrous stories and glad magical tales. Through his music, I heard the vast prairieland's song I felt the power of love and the wind blowing strong. Through his music, I felt sunshine on my face, I sought with every step God's wonderful and glorious grace. Through his music, I learned of nature, wildlife and man, I visited the world, admired its' beauty and its' land. Through his music, I took rising endless flights, His words gave me comfort through the long and lonely nights. Through his music, I heard the children cry, "I Want To Live" echoed across the land and up to the sky Through his music, I learned about true living, It starts with "you and me" and the joy of giving. Through his music, I found dreams can come true, That all of life's choices really do begin with you. Through his music, I felt the passionate gift of love, His spirit brought me peace and solace from high above. Through his music, I felt his pain and heartfelt sadness, In the final days, I cherished his moments of hope & gladness Through his music, I received gifts far beyond measure, His love, his heart, his life, forever will be my treasure. _______________________________________________________ Debora Richey / 1550 Indian Hills Dr / Lenoir, NC 28645 ================================================== JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E =================================================== There is a audio tape of Hal Thau being interviewed about John on Radio Station WDBC. It is $15.00 and $10.00 of it goes to Plant-It 2000. John St. Augustine / WDBC Radio / 604 Ludington St. / Escanba, MI 49829 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Glo I have all of John's Christmas Specials. Email me for my video list. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Riviere Records We have John Denver's "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" cd in stock and priced to sell. 800-607-0701 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bev I would like copies of videos of/with John Denver and am willing to trade a copy of anything I have on cd's on an item for item basis. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Beth I would like to purchase copies of the VH1 and E! Channel Specials. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - Angela I am looking for the VH1 program on John. If anyone would be willing to make a copy for me, I'd really appreciate it. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - I'm looking for a copy of JD's "Rocky Mountain Holiday." I'd be happy to furnish a blank tape. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - Greg Neal We have JD Tour Programs from 1984, 1986, 1990, 1992 and 1994. Also the Music Score to "Walking Thunder". John Adam's disc "Wandering Soul" is available and there is a cd-single of the Ellen Stapenhorst song "All of My Skies." New cd from RCA-Japan "The Best Hits Remastered" http://www.ImportMusic.com/jdenver 800-280-2990 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - Wayne Harrison I have a collection of JD vinyl albums that say "Promotion Only: Not for Resale". Let me know if this is something you would be interested in. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - To subscribe to the egroups John Denver Mailinglist write to john-denver-subscribe@egroups.com You'll receive email with conversations about JD related subjects. (Sorry that the md.gen.com mailinglist went down). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - Emily Parris The "Walking Thunder" video is still available through RMH & Rated Gee Entertainment. Write and ask for "walking.txt". It is $24.99 + $3.00 ship/handling. or call (816) 943-0330. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - RMH New Mailing Address: 608 E. 96th Street * Kansas City, MO 64131 Phone: (816) 943-0330 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S F r o m R o c k y M o u n t a i n H i g h * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@sky.net http://www.sky.net/~emily December 1998 * Issue #56 * Editor: Emily M. Parris ************************************************************* mily December 1998 * Issue #56 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************