============================================= *** 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 D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 7 Editor: Emily M. Parris ================================================ http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily at parris.net ================================================ Table of Contents December 2007 * Issue #164 John Denver Events..............................1 "John Denver, Wilderness Troubadour" by Cath Meadows..........................4 John Denver Event Reviews: "Friends Gather To Remember John Denver"......4 "John Denver Holiday Concert - Kansas City" Reviewed by Emily Parris...................5 CD Reviews: "Take Me Back to Rainier" by Michael Coon Reviewed by Emily Parris...................6 John Denver Notes...............................7 Poetry Corner: "The Gift of Wisdom" by Carole Romanowski.....8 John Denver Want Ads............................9 ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= December 5-24, 2007 - Seattle, WA - "Back Home Again: A John Denver Holiday Concert" featuring Dan Wheetman. Seattle Repertory Theater / 155 Mercer Street / Seattle, WA (206) 443-2222 * http://www.seattlerep.org December 8, 2007 - Georgetown, Colorado - John Adams concert - 6th Street across from the Post office during Christmas Market 3:00pm free admission http://www.historicgeorgetown.org/spevents/xmarket.htm December 14, 2007 - Silverthorne, Colorado - "A Rocky Mountain Christmas" Silverthorne Pavilion - 400 Blue River Parkway - Silverthorne, Co 80498 John Adams concert 7:00pm with Diane Ireland, Jerry O'Malley, Randy Utterback and Willie Hoevers Tickets: $15 and $30 VIP http://www.johnadams-music.com December 15, 2007 - UK - FOJD "Denver Day" at Pershore, between Worcester and Evesham. http://www.fojd.org.uk Please purchase tickets ASAP or let Geraldine know that you are attending by emailing her at daniels396 at btinternet.com December 15, 2007 - Churchville, PA - "Sounds of the Season" Please join Chris Westfall for a festive evening at the Churchville Nature Center. Reservations: (215) 357-4005 $10 / 501 Churchville Lane / Churchville, PA 18966 http://www.churchvillenaturecenter.org / 7:30pm / For more information contact PattiAnn at pattiannctr at verizon.net December 15, 2007 - Idaho Springs, Colorado - "A Rocky Mountain Christmas" United Center - 1440 Colorado Blvd. 7:00pm John Adams with Jerry O'Malley and Willie Hoevers Tickets: $15 ($17 at the door) www.johnadams-music.com December 22, 2007 - Breckenridge, Colorado - "A Rocky Mountain Christmas" - Father Dyer Church - 310 Wellington Road 7:00pm John Adams with Diane Ireland, Jerry O'Malley, and Willie Hoevers Tickets: $15 ($18 at the door) http://www.johnadams-music.com December 22, 2007 - West Collingswood, NJ - "Sounds of the Season" - Christopher Westfall at Christ Episcopal Church 501 Comly Avenue / West Collingswood, NJ 08107 $10 donation Nick Watts (609) 706-7012 or nickwatts at comcast.net December 24, 2007 - Breckenridge, Colorado - "Christmas Eve Service" - Father Dyer Church - 310 Wellington Road John Adams with Lori Schneider, Mike Schneider and Willie Hoevers 10:00pm < bluetulipmusic at comcast.net > December 31, 2007 - Denver, CO - "John Denver's 64th Birthday & New Year's Eve Concert Celebration 2007" Denver Civic Theater / 721 Santa Fe Drive / Denver, CO 80204 8:00pm / Pre-show reception 7:00pm Mack Bailey, Bill Danoff, Alan Deremo, Pete Huttlinger, Chris Nole, Jim Salestrom, John Sommers, Mollie Weaver, Denny Brooks, and Don Grove. $100 (303) 309-3773 http://www.denvercivic.com TicketsWest 866-464-2626 * http://www.ticketswest.com December 31, 2007 - Haddonfield, NJ - First Night Haddonfield New Year's Event - Christopher Westfall at 6:45pm, 9:45pm and 11:00pm * http://www.firstnighthaddonfield.org January 12, 2008 - New York, NY - Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage "A Recreation of a Live Beatles' Concert, Special Guest: Pete Huttlinger, Guitar" http://www.carnegiehall.org January 31, 2008 - Byron Center, MI - "Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver" 7:30pm Van Singel Fine Arts Center / 8500 Burlingame Ave SW / Byron Center, MI 49315 (616) 878-6801 * http://events.grnow.com February 8-9, 2008 - Pittsfield, MA - "Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver" Colonial Theatre / 111 South Street / Pittsfield, MA 01201 http://www.colonialtheatre.org info at thecolonialtheatre.org (413) 997-4444 $25-$40 February 10, 2008 - Morristown, NJ * Community Theatre at Mayo Center / "Almost Heaven" The Songs of John Denver" www.mayoarts.org (973) 539-8008 February 14-18, 2008 Cruise from New Orleans to Cozumel * 2008 Polyesterfest Cruise with Pete Huttlinger $599 http://www.polyesterfest.com * http://www.petehuttlinger.com Kathy Denis, Cruise Director kathyw at joystarcruises.com (866) 844-8441 Final payment needed by 11-20-07 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 at 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 October 11, 2008 - Aspen, CO - Second Annual Pine Creek Cookhouse event 11:00am - 3:30pm < windwalker at samsco.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 <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> "John Denver, Wilderness Troubadour and Trail Guide" by Cath Meadows Lofty alpine meadows portray unaffected, guileless and spontaneous jubilation for the lavish beauty of diversity. Back in the 70's, John Denver and Tom Crum invited thinkers to draw together under cobalt skies and crystalline stars to contemplate the grassroots of mindfulness. How do we thank an uncommon soul for beckoning 'One World' to hum and harmonize? How do we salute a man for guiding us down back roads, through wood and waterways, for scaling cliffs and canyons and exploring ocean abyss to the Milky Way? John Denver, you cuddled life with fond embrace, childlike joy and curious wonderment. You echoed a reverence for nature and called for humility and peace through compassion. You experienced the shivering fragility and warming tenderness of humankind. You stood-under in order to understand, and delivered poignant and purposeful gifts. Through your music, works and dialogue, you shared concerns that remain crucial and universal. Masks and blinders are falling way and meaningful differences are being made on a global basis. Human-Beings are now challenged to ascend the mountain within. John, you were impassioned to stand-up and forge a path - many now 'seeking grace in every step.' Thank you for your courage, your voice, your resilient spirit and energetic presence... lingering still. Thank you for finding your note and playing it well. May it yodel through towering high country and raise consciousness for generations to come. You were the Voice, Wilderness Troubadour and Trail Guide. We applaud a kind and gentle man as we attempt to 'Live In The Song.' Peace and Gratitude, Cath Meadows <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> "Friends Gather To Remember John Denver" TheKSBWChannel.com Monterey, California October 15, 2007 The past weekend marked the 10th anniversary of the death of musical legend John Denver, who died in a plane crash off the Monterey coastline. Friends remembered the internationally renowned humanitarian and singer-songwriter by teeing off Sunday at Spyglass Hill Golf Course in a tribute to Denver's life and legacy. The three remaining members of his original golfing foursome who played at Spyglass the day that Denver died were on hand to remember Denver not only for his musical talents but for his dedication to the environment and his concern for others. His friends said during the remembrance that Denver was at his best shortly before he crashed his Long-EZ experimental plane - a memory they will hold on to for years to come. <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> Review of the "John Denver Holiday Concert" Copaken Theatre Kansas City, MO November 24, 2007 by Emily M. Parris "'Back Home Again' has the lingering glow of an instant holiday classic." That's what the L.A. Times said, and the production at the Copaken Theatre here in Kansas City was truly a holiday classic in the style of the John Denver Christmas TV specials. When we walked into the very interesting Copaken Theatre, John's picture was there on a huge screen in back of the stage. There were Christmas trees and festive decor all around the stage. It was a very beautiful stage setting. We had never been in the theatre before. It is narrow and deep, but since the seats rise sharply from row to row, there are no bad seats. Each one has a wonderful view and we were in the fourth row. Everyone enters and exits from the left side of the theatre. There is a central walkway at the halfway point, but anyone needing a seat near the right side of the stage has to take that walkway or go down to the walkway near the stage and then up again to their seats. After the show or at intermission, the entire crowd is heading to the left in each row. We were on the left side so we had to exit when everyone coming from the right wanted to exit. It is a little bit limiting, but it is worth it for the excellent view from each seat. I've never seen a theatre quite like that one. This production is very different from the "Almost Heaven" John Denver tribute. It was mellow with a much slower pace. They started out with two of my favorite songs: "Christmas For Cowboys" and "Aspenglow." Gail Bliss really led the way with her enthusiasm and warmth. Wearing casual clothing and with sincerity in her voice she really sounded at home singing John Denver songs. She sang many of the vocals, with Denny Brooks and Dan Wheetman doing solos on some of the others. Denny Brooks was John's background singer and guitarist from 1976 to 1986. Gail sang "Back Home Again" and "Noel, Christmas Eve: 1913". Denny sang "Perhaps Love." It is amazing how he looks and sounds like John. Dan Wheetman sang "Matthew" - a song that is always a favorite in Kansas. He sounded great and he was especially touching with his own song "The Christmas Wish". Everyone sang on "Grandma's Feather Bed". Musicians Nova Devoni, David P. Jackson and David Miles Keenan were great too as the troup rediscovered so many wonderful John Denver songs. After Dan sang "Alfie the Christmas Tree" the screen behind the musicians showed a picture of John laughing and it was almost like seeing him react to the song. At other times the screen showed beautiful scenes from Colorado. The "John Denver Holiday Concert" was truly a great trip down memory lane and a wonderful way to start the Christmas season. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gail Bliss also does a Patsy Cline tribute. http://www.gailbliss.com Denny Brooks does a tribute of his own called "John Denver: A Friend Remembers." http://www.dennybrooks.com Danny Wheetman is in the group "Marley's Ghost" http://sagearts.com/danny.html The "John Denver Holiday Concert" was created by Randal Myler and Dan Wheetman. <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> =============== CD Reviews =============== "Take Me Back to Rainier" Michael Coon cd Reviewed by Emily M. Parris Michael Coon's cd, "Take Me Back to Rainier", celebrates the beauty of Mt. Rainier. One of my favorite songs on this album is the song "Thundering Over Rainier." In it Michael sings about the beauty of the mountains. Another very pretty song on the album is called "Ohanapecosh." It's hard to pronounce, but it's named for a section of Mt Rainier National Park. It is located in the southeast corner of the park and is named for a Taidnapam Indian habitation site along the river. The song "Birth" is about the formation of Mt Rainier from volcanic activity. The song that many John Denver fans might identify with most closely is called "Call Of The Wild": "It's the call of the wild Where eagles fly free A feeling inside you Of forest and trees Of a ridge white with winter Of a cry in the snow Wolves singing to heaven From the forests below" "Song For My Brother" is about an annual camping trip he and his brother take in nature. "Sunrise" is a beautiful song with touching lyrics... "I'm feeling the joy in this place and the voice of my wife and her beautiful face." The feature song is the lively "Take Me Back to Rainier." This album celebrates the beauty of nature and Mt Rainier; the love of family and the joy of living. I would highly recommend the album. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/coon - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= To all John Denver Fans: The 11th Annual Musical Tribute to John Denver will be held October 10 and 11, 2008 at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado. Karmen Dopsloff of the "Expect a Miracle Now" Foundation will be the producer of the show. As the co-producer of several previous Aspen shows and also producer of the John Denver birthday celebrations in Phoenix and Denver, Karmen has a long time relationship with John Denver band members. Her main goal is to retain the Aspen show as close as possible to the first ten year's performance. Start making plans now. "The beat goes on"! Kenn Roberts - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Magnum P.I. - Complete Seventh Season" has been released on dvd. John Denver's song, "Looking For Space" is played in the episode called "Limbo." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ian Sanderson gave the sermon at the Snowmass Chapel Memorial Service recently in Aspen, Colorado. You can hear the sermon on the web at http://snowmasschapel.org/Ian101407.mp3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver's testimony before the Senate on October 2, 1985 (the anti-censorship hearing) can be heard at... http://www.tenbrug.nl/JohnDenver - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - David Suzuki has a new autobiography out. There's a photo of him with John in the photo section. He was a speaker at the "Choices For the Future" Symposium at the Windstar Foundation. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Emily Parris < emily at parris.net > At the Quality Hill Playhouse in Kansas City, Missouri we saw a program called "Christmas In Song." They did 3 songs from "John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together." They were "The Christmas Wish" by Dan Wheetman, "The Peace Carol" by Bob Beers and "Noel: Christmas Eve, 1913" by Lee Holdridge and Robert Bridges. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - =========================== P O E T R Y C O R N E R =========================== "The Gift of Wisdom" by Carole Romanowski < whispjesse at aol.com > "A very Happy Birthday, John" Cried Baby New Year on the Eve "I wish for wisdom in the New Year So I can usher in beliefs!" Then he had an epiphany As if John spoke from Heaven above. "I will listen to John's music And he will teach me about love." "But what if I witness human conflict And not know how to make it cease?" John whispered "Follow my example And I will teach you about peace." Then Baby New Year thought of the needy And saw how sadly they were living. "'What One Man Can Do' will guide me So John can teach me about giving!" Now a happier Baby New Year Realized what a fateful shift. "This evening is your birthday, John Yet you imparted wisdom as MY gift!" So a wiser Baby New Year Now feeling ready to celebrate Cried out "Happy Birthday, John! And Happy New Year 2008!" ______________________________ Copyright by Carole Romanowski ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= 2008 Color John Denver Calendars and Cloisonne' pins (Guitar design) are available. Please contact Carol Blevins blevins at epix.net or Dottie kurthhoner at msn.com for info. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Steve Brook had a new short CD out for Aspen this October. It's a 6 song sampler Called "Aspen, A Special Compilation, ASPEN ON MY MIND." To order, email Judy at jht at pacbell.net $12.00 ($10 for the CD & $2 s/h) Songs include: "Aspen Colorado in the Fall", "Shooting Stars." Also, people in Aspen loved "On Angel's Wings" dedicated to John, and "You Are My Guitar." Check out http://www.stevebrook.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To order the new DVD of "Alaska: America's Child" email < AAP at rof.net > They will need your name, mailing address and credit card # with expiration date to order. To make it more secure, ask for a phone number that you can call. $25 includes s/h. Foreign orders add $10. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Pete Huttlinger's Christmas cd "First Light" is ready to order. http://www.petehuttlinger.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver's Windstar Foundation, headed by Ron Deutschendorf, John's brother, is in need of members. Please visit http:///www.wstar.org to join. They have John's newest cd "John Denver - Live in the USSR" available as well. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Reminder: The John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth is available for all JD-related events. Please email peaceclothinfo at yahoogroups.com for more information or see http://www.johndenverpeacecloth.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Belle Davis < christmas4cowboys at yahoo.com > I have many John Denver DVD's available. They are 2 hours long. http://www.angelfire.com/folk/duncanpumpkin/archive - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "John Denver In Concert" is a 45 song, 3 cd compilation featuring some of John's finest moments on stage. Using recordings from 8 different concerts across his career, John performs all of his most famous songs, including "Rocky Mountain High", "Annie's Song", "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" and "Calypso". It was released on 10-22-07 in Australia. http://chaos.com/1593775-4472 < info at chaos.com > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I have available a sweatshirt, hooded or not hooded, with the words "Still rides in the mountains, Still sings in the canyons, Still lives in my heart" on the front. Maroon Bells, the lake and pine trees on the sides with the sun or moon coming up or going down behind the Bells. Haynes Ultimate. $60 If interested, email Judy in Monterey jht at pacbell.net - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dawn Publications has a Holiday special on 3 book sets of the John Denver Children's Books. http://www.dawnpub.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Chris Nole's "Fly Away" is now available on iTunes. http://www.chrisnole.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Laurie Olson < newspirit28 at sbcglobal.net > YouTube has a video of my book "Shooting Stars." There is a cd that accompanies the book and the primary song is the one on YouTube. It's called "Heaven's Jewels". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w4SQ1ngHNo - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Chistopher Westfall has a new cd out called "Headin' To The Mountains." http://www.chriswestfall.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "First Light - A Pete Huttlinger Christmas" is now available. http://www.petehuttlinger.com * On YouTube you can watch Pete performing with LeeAnn Rimes on Dancing With the Stars. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgrK8lSsSPY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Karin Schmidt would like to hear from other John Denver fans. Karinipsen at aol.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Pete Huttlinger Article - "Home Studio Distinction" in the "Acoustic Guitar Magazine" www.acousticguitar.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=21671 Ron Deutschendorf's speech at Pacific Grove, California http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hwk4Zk7qk8 Pacific Grove Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/553565156yEMCSX John Denver Sanctuary: http://aspenportrait.com/john_denver_sactuary/index.html "Aspen in October 2007 collection" (click on this collection) http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonstarjd To subscribe: rockymountainhigh-subscribe at emissives.com To unsubscribe: rockymountainhigh-unsubscribe at emissives.com ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily at parris.net http://www.rockymtnhigh.org December 2007 * Issue #164 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************