============================================= *** 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 2009 Editor: Emily M. Parris ================================================ http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@parris.net ================================================ Table of Contents December 2009 - Issue #188 John Denver Events..............................1 A John Denver Around the World Live Concert Review! by Carole Romanowski.........................4 CD Reviews: "First Light" - Pete Huttlinger...............5 John Denver Notes...............................6 Poetry Corner: "Whimsical Birthday Wishes" 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, 2009 - Doylestown, NJ - "Rocky Mountain Christmas" - Chris Westfall 7:30pm - Salem United Church of Christ / The show will include a variety of holiday tunes, JD favorites, and Chris’ original holiday songs. Tickets $10. For more information, contact kurthhoner@msn.com December 5, 2009 - Gilbert, AZ - The Limeliters with Glenn Yarbrough www.limeliters.com 7:30pm December 5, 2009 - Big Bear, CA - Chad Mitchell Trio with Jim Curry / Big Bear Performing Arts Center * http://www.jimcurrymusic.com http://www.citybigbearlake.com/cityGovt/performingArts.html December 6, 2009 - Upland, California - "A John Denver Christmas" Jim Curry 8:00 pm Grove Theater http://www.grovetheatre.com (909) 920-4343 http://www.jimcurrymusic.com December 12, 2009 - Audubon, NJ - Chris Westfall at the Auction House 7:30, Celebrate the holiday in song! Tickets $12.50 in advance or $15 at the door. 856-546-7755 http://www.aauctioneers.com. December 12, 2009 - Annapolis, MD - Hard Traveler's Christmas Concert 7:00 pm Ramshead Tavern / 33 West Street / Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 268-4545 $22.50 http://www.ramsheadtavern.com/annapolis/index December 13, 2009 - Sykesville, MD - Hard Traveler's - Baldwin's Station 7618 Main St / Sykesville, MD 21784 7:30 pm (Dinner available before the show) http://www.baldwinsstation.com December 31, 2009 - Haddonfield, NJ - Returning for his 6th year, Chris Westfall will be singing at First Night in Haddonfield, NJ. He will be performing 3 one hour sets that night … times to be announced. One price, $12, buys you a button which will get you into all the evening’s events, including fireworks at 9 and midnight! www.firstnighthaddonfield.org. January 2, 2010 - Raleigh, NC - North Carolina John Denver Fan Club - Annual New Year's Eve / JD Birthday Party - friends, food, fun and lots of great music Info: Laura - countryroadsnc@bellsouth.net January 9, 2010 - New York City - Pete Huttlinger at Carnegie Hall with special guest, Mollie Weaver. Opening for "1964: The Tribute" - Stern Auditorium - Perelman Stage 8:00pm Tickets $30 - $80 February 21, 2010 - Largo, Florida - Ron Rich, The Rocky Mountain Memories, a John Denver Tribute show will be held at the Largo Cultural Center / 105 Central Park Drive / Largo, FL 2:00 pm Tickets are VIP $25, advance $22, day of show $25, Group $18 (10+), and Senior (60+) Box office 727-587-6793 February 21, 2010 - Apache Junction, AZ - Brad Fitch and the Arizona Opry - A Tribute to John Denver - Dinner and Show $29 / Arizona Opry 2275 Old West Highway / Apache Junction, AZ 85119 (480) 982-7991 Dinner 6:30 pm / Showtime 7:30 pm http://www.azopry.com * http://www.cowboybrad.com March 7, 2010 - Apache Junction, AZ - Brad Fitch and the Arizona Opry - A Tribute to John Denver - Dinner and Show $29 / Arizona Opry 2275 Old West Highway / Apache Junction, AZ 85119 (480) 982-7991 Dinner 6:30 pm / Showtime 7:30 pm http://www.azopry.com * http://www.cowboybrad.com March 15-23, 2010 * IRELAND CRUISE * Bill Danoff, Mack Bailey and Rachel Levy - Traveling Troubadour Cruises and Tours / P.O. Box 3189 / Staunton, VA 24402 (540) 887-8491 or 800-584-6724 They will be re-visiting one of their favorite places, Galway, where they will join in the celebration of St. Patrick's Day! The tour will end in Dublin. lynette@travelingtroubadour.com www.travelingtroubadour.com/Bailey-Levy,_Danoff_Ireland_2010.htm March 21, 2010 - Apache Junction, AZ - Brad Fitch and the Arizona Opry - A Tribute to John Denver - Dinner and Show $29 / Arizona Opry 2275 Old West Highway / Apache Junction, AZ 85119 (480) 982-7991 Dinner 6:30 pm / Showtime 7:30 pm http://www.azopry.com * http://www.cowboybrad.com April 17, 2010 - Santa Rosa, CA - Jim Curry with the Santa Rosa Symphony "A Tribute to John Denver" 8:00 pm http://www.santarosasymphony.com http://www.jimcurrymusic.com April 18, 2010 - Santa Rosa, CA - Jim Curry with the Santa Rosa Symphony "A Tribute to John Denver" 3:00pm http://www.santarosasymphony.com http://www.jimcurrymusic.com May 8, 2010 - Frederick, MD - Friends With You Band 7:30 pm Weinberg Center for the Arts http://www.friendswithyouband.com May 14, 2010 - Vevay, IN - Friends With You Band at the historic Hoosier Theater 7:00pm http://www.friendswithyouband.com May 15, 2010 - Covington, KY - Friends With You Band 7:00 pm Carnegie Visual and Performing ARts Center http://www.friendswithyouband.com May 22, 2010 - Toledo, Ohio - Jim Curry with the Toledo Symphony - "A Tribute to John Denver" 8:00 pm Stranahan Theater / 2245 Monroe St. / Toledo, OH (419) 246-8000 http://www.toledosymphony.com http://www.jimcurrymusic.com May 25, 2010 - Elmsford, NY - Jim Curry's "John Denver Tribute Show" - Westchester Broadway Theater / 1 Broadway Plaza / Elmsford, New York 10523 Tickets $75 plus tax includes dinner June 4-5, 2010 - Phoenix, AZ - Jim Curry with the Phoenix Symphony - "Rocky Mountain High - A Tribute to John Denver" Lee Holdridge conducting 8:00 pm http://www.phoenixsymphony.org * http://www.jimcurrymusic.com October 7, 2010, Location and exact time to be confirmed later. Kit McGurn from the National Headquarters of the Sierra Club is their expert on mineral extraction in Alaska. His program, "Chill the Drills" will discus ANWR, new drilling pads coming on line in the North Slope, and the very real possibility of strip mining coal in the central interior of Alaska. Please contact Jennifer for more details: windwalker@samsco.org October 9, 2010: Pine Creek Cookhouse IV -- 10:30 - 3:00 p.m. Details to follow. Please contact Jennifer at: windwalker@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 http://www.bransonimax.com <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> A John Denver Around the World Live Concert Review! (by Carole Romanowski – whispjesse@aol.com) I just finished watching in installments the “John Denver – Around the World Live” DVD set spanning 13 years in John’s career and, in my opinion, it was sheer dynamite! Thousands of Australian JD fans gathered in Sydney Australia to see the first astounding concert (Disc 1 – Thank God I’m a Country Boy-1977) performed by John, so young and fresh with his long sandy hair, wearing a white and flowered tunic shirt, plus sporting what seemed to me a version of “granny glasses”, sing his heart out! He was accompanied by a fabulous band, with Renee Armand as one of the vocalists, and had the audience clapping to many of his songs! John brought me to tears with “I Want to Live”, which showed the beauty and sensitivity of the artist embodied in his message in the song. And while singing “Rocky Mountain High”, John’s voice was young enough to reach even the high notes and yodelling! John entertained well, singing “Follow Me” even without accompaniment from the band half way through the concert during break! He kept the energy going, especially when he sang blue grass with “Pickin’the Sun Down.” Throughout the concert, John had the audience in the palm of his hands! What a delightful walk through the ‘70’s! Moving further north, the Live in Japan concert ( Disc 2 – Rocky Mountain High – 1981)found John with shorter hair and a shorter concert, but was very long on entertainment! John, wearing a red oriental shirt, sang most songs that, in my opinion, were dedicated to Annie – “Follow Me”, “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” Goodbye Again”, “Back Home Again”, (with singing accompaniment from the audience which delighted John!),”Annie’s Song”, etc. Nice touch! There was also more video coverage to view on a screen behind the band while John sang. And John had the audience rocking with “Dancing With the Mountains”! Fans from the audience presented John with bouquets of flowers – one fan gave him a blue shirt! – and John bowed to all of them! The Country Roads concert (Live in England – 1986 – Disc 3) was performed in Birmingham and filmed for BBC television. It portrayed John with a deeper, more mature voice and came from a more serious and sensitive venue. It was easy having more interaction with the audience since they spoke English! John introduced his great “One World” album, and in a more serious stance, paid tribute to the Challenger victims by singing “Flying for Me” – plus he performed a moving moment with “Let us Begin” – so powerful I was moved to tears! John invited the women in the audience to join him by singing Olivia Newton John’s part in “Fly Away”, plus these participants were asked to sing with him half way through “Annie’s Song”! John related “When you speak from the heart, it is heard from the heart; then only the truth exists from the heart” as his intro to singing “Heart to Heart”. He then ended his concert with “The Peace Poem”, thereby ending a beautifully sensitive and poignant concert performed by a beautifully sensitive artist! Disc 4 (Live in Japan – 1984) showed John with his 2 small children at Lake Biwa amid fireworks alighting off a boat , very upbeat! Singing solo, he soon had the audience clapping to “Rocky Mountain High”! You could see the joy on John’s face – so “high” in spirit – even though he sang in the pouring rain! This concert exuded energy – he had the whole audience hand-clapping to “Grandma’s Feather Bed” and to “Country Roads”! John vocalized with a Japanese singing artist and once again performed the Lord’s Prayer in Indian sign language! Disc 4 also included Farm Aid Performances of John singing 8 songs with country and agrarian settings - “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”, “Country Roads”, “Matthew”,etc. in 3 appearances (l985, ’87, and ’90) with thousands of people in the audience. “What Are We Making Weapons For?” was sung with the accompaniment of a Russian singer and was very poignant. Disc 5 ended the DVD set with Earth Day 1990/ At the Bighorn documentaries, 1 hour each. Earth Day presented sustainability of the earth with biodiversity, and Day at the Bighorn was a walk through nature. What a beautiful documentary of the Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep while John’s music played intermittently throughout the footage. In conclusion, the sound and picture quality of all 5 DVD’s was very professionally remastered and was a great tribute to John Denver. To everyone connected with the production of this set – especially Barry Ehrmann, producer, who spent months dedicated to the fine quality of this production – and, of course, John Denver! – stand up and take a bow! <*> <*> <*> <*> "First Light: A Pete Huttlinger Christmas" - Pete Huttlinger cd Review from ChristmasReviews.com by Carol Swanson Fingerstyle guitarist Pete Huttlinger has crafted a first-class instrumental holiday album. "First Light" presents 12 well-loved favorites and two winning Huttlinger originals, including the title track. The music is low-key and lovely; this is the perfect album to play while you (and your friends/family) enjoy roast goose or sip eggnog around the fire. The recording nicely captures Huttlinger's incredible precision and soulful artistry. Every interaction is cleanly presented, putting the listener in the room with Huttlinger, who performs flawlessly. Everything is excellent here, although I especially loved "Angels We Have Heard on High", a spirited rendition with a bluesy twang and a "drumming" foundation. The layers of guitar magic on "My Favorite Things" were also sweet, and his dynamic "Christmas Song" had me "dancing" in my chair. Best of all is the smokey, exotic "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", which is deservedly the album's longest track. It shows many faces during its run, all beautiful. Pete Huttlinger's "First Light" is an outstanding acoustic instrumental album for the holidays. Of the many Christmas releases featuring solo guitar, this one is definitely a top contender < * > < * > < * > < * > < * > < * San Bernandino National Forest Association from KBHR933.com SBNFA’s Music in the Mountains Series Wraps With Sold-Out John Denver Tribute–and Some Special Announcements September 9, 2009 by Catherine Sandstrom The San Bernardino National Forest Association is celebrating a successful Music in the Mountains concert series, the proceeds from which will benefit the Forest Aid tree restoration program and the Lighthouse Project’s Peace Garden project at local elementary schools. Kathy Clapsaddle, event manager for the SBNFA and the outdoor concerts at the Big Bear Discovery Center, tells KBHR that in terms of dollars raised, a figure is not yet available, but with the huge success of the Labor Day weekend’s finale concert, which featured Jim Curry in a John Denver tribute, ticket sales from the sold-out show will ensure that the SBNFA meets its financial goals, while also being able to support Forest Aid and the Peace Gardens. Those lucky enough to enjoy Saturday’s show at the Discovery Center were treated to the addition of St. Columba’s Father Joe Frazier singing with Curry, which is notable in that Frazier used to sing alongside John Denver when both were in the Chad Mitchell Trio. In fact, the trio will be performing at the Performing Arts Center on December 5, as a fundraiser for St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, and Jim Curry will be the trio’s opening act here in Big Bear. Saturday’s show at the Discovery Center also included a special acknowledgement of local youth volunteers, and the announcement that the SBNFA’s Alison Bates has been promoted to Deputy Director, given the pending retirement of the Discovery Center’s Denis Thomas. <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> ============================================ J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ============================================ In 1998 and 1999, IAT created Cyber Cookbooks as part of fundraising efforts. We are making these cookbooks available again to you if you can help your neighbors! If you make a donation to a local food pantry or other charity that helps feed the hungry in your community we'll send you a cookbook. If you don't know where there is a food pantry, check with a local church or community center. Most do food baskets this time of year. You can also search online for food pantries in your community. We're sure all of our JD friends out there can find creative ways to help! Once you donate please let us know! You can do this via the IAT Facebook group page (please post a note on the wall or the discussion area with the details) or send an e-mail to Sandy (tybrenn@yahoo.com) with the details of your donation. Either way, please also make sure you contact Sandy to request either the 1998 or the 1999 cookbook! The PDF formatted cookbook will be e-mailed directly to you. That's it! To help you decide which book looks the tastiest, a list of the recipes can be found on the IAT website here: http://www.facebook.com/l/39522;home.comcast.net/~tybrenn/iat/recipes_toc.html. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) A 73 year old New York cabaret singer and one of Bernard Madoff's jilted investors is finding catharsis - and some pay back - in her one-woman show "John Denver, Bernie Madoff & Me" which opened in New York on November 30, 2009 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I just returned from a public hearing here in Denver regarding the proposed permit renewal of Denver's dirtiest coal-powered power plant. The public was allowed to voice their opinions regarding this proposed permit renewal. A man approached the podium and spoke about how he literally lives closest to the plant of anyone in Denver and voiced his concerns about this dirty coal plant. Then in closing he sang "It's About Time". I was totally blown away! I am sure John was up there watching and was happy to hear his song at such an appropriate time. Marie Morrissey - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2010, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. -- location and exact time to be confirmed later: Barry Ehrmann, who brought us the 5-DVD boxed set (which premiered at the ISIS Theater in Aspen this year), is hopeful that a new set of DVD's will be ready for October 2010. Please keep in touch with Jennifer for details as they become available: windwalker@samsco.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - < * > < * > < * > =============== POETRY CORNER =============== Whimsical Birthday Wishes by Carole Romanowski Three Christmas elves met at the North Pole With heads as empty as a sieve. "What should we gift John for his birthday? If he were us, what would he give?" One cried, "I know what John would love! Since he bestowed charity on the poor, He would surely gift them with a check So in John's name, I'll help Darfur!" Elf #2 knew John loved nature So he cried, "I will plant some trees. They will grow so tall and sturdy And they'll all be Aspens please!" Now the 3rd elf was in a quandary 'Til he had an epiphany! "John was environmental, so we'll sled-pool! Then we will save on energy! (?) !" Now the joyous elves on New Year's Eve With no more reason to ponder, then Merrily carolled "Happy Birthday,John!" And "Happy New Year 2010!" _____________________________________________________ (copyright by Carole Romanowski - whispjesse@aol.com) ============================================ J O H N D E N V E R W A N T A D S ============================================ Now Available through The Windstar Foundation: * 1995 Choices for The Future Symposium on DVD, remastered with a new introduction. * Bob Sirois "Rocky Mountain Christmas" - a lovely partial instrumental CD of one of our favorite John Denver holiday recordings... just lovely! * New Windstar Logo T-shirts * 2009 Wheeler Tribute Concert T-shirts Great for holiday gift-giving! Visit www.wstar.org to order yours now! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2010 COLOR JOHN DENVER CALENDARS IT’S TIME TO ORDER YOUR 2010 CALENDARS! These exclusive wall calendars are professionally printed on heavy paper and feature 13 color photo pages of John through his career. Format: full size color photo page above and the calendar page below, year 2011 on the back. Non-US orders send an international money order in US funds, USA cash, or Pay Pal. These prices include postage. US & Canada - $30.00 for one, $56.00 for two Overseas - $34.00 for one, $65.00 for two Name ____________________________________ Address _________________________________________ City/Country __________________________________________ State Zip ____________ Phone _____________________ Email ________________________________ Number ordered:_______ Send payment to: Carol Blevins / 1213 River Road / Quarryville, PA 17566. There are no deadlines on orders, but, when the calendars are gone, they’re gone. We ran out last year and I am only going to order 125 this year. Please order early. We accept PayPal at no cost to buyers. Go to www.paypal.com, click on “send money”, and make your payment to me using blevins@epix.net. Contact Carol by email with details of the order. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - J. D. merchandise available at REDUCED prices: various shirts in extra large, 2X and 3X (no small, medium or large left), there are assorted designs, and colors, Guitar Lapel Pins, some of the back issues from the Fan Clubs (The J. D. Connection and Hearts in Harmony) and 2007, and 2008 Color Calendars. Contact Dottie Honer at: 215-766-7363, kurthhoner@msn.com or 5214 Stump Road / Pipersville, PA 18947 for what is still available. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Donna Hoyle < dlh4@aol.com > I have a like-new VHS set of the John Denver Memorial Concert at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia It is from December of 1997 and features the Starland Vocal Band reunion. It is a 2-tape set. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I have a black Windstar hooded sweatshirt, size L, from the 90's that I would like to sell for $20 (includes shipping). It was worn maybe twice and I remember the neck being a little tight, so might be better for a small/medium size. It has a red Windstar going down one arm and the logo on the front. Also has the handwarmer pockets. Please email me at patpalka@verizon.net. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WEB PAGES of Interest: John Denver Archives http://www.youtube.com/user/JohnDenverArchives Eagle Rock Entertainment http://www.eaglerockent.com "Merry Christmas little Zachary... Merry Christmas Everyone" 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 December 2009 * Issue #188 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************