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 J U L Y 1 9 9 9 V E E R Emily Parris emily@sky.net http://www.sky.net/~emily R ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Table of Contents July 1999 * Issue #63 John Denver Events.....................................2 John Denver Memorial Bench Dedication: Carole Romanowski....................................3 Donna Pinto..........................................3 "John Denver Best (Country Roads)" Released by Zounds by Jochen Michalak...................................4 "Come Travel With Me To the Other Side" New book by David Ladewig.......................4 Ann Schnitz becomes new President of "It's About Time" by Marce Orswell..............5 John Denver Stories: Emily Boote.........................................6 Laura Freeman.......................................6 John Denver Notes......................................7 Poetry Corner: "Nature's Symphony" by Jennifer Bell.................9 John Denver Want Ads...................................10 THE CHRISTMAS GIFT will be shown on the Family Channel at 9:00 pm (CDT) on July 14, 1999. This is a Christmas family movie that stars John Denver and Jane Kazmarek. It was filmed in Georgetown, CO. * * * ===================================== JOHN DENVER EVENTS / JOHN ON TV ===================================== July 4, 1999 - Weissenobe near Nuremberg, Germany "Music and Communication" Info: Klara 09192-997731 July 6, 1999 - "Walking Thunder" 8:45 pm HBOF - HBO Family July 10, 1999 Stanhope, NJ - Cleanup & Sing-along with Paul Swanton - For more info: July 10, 1999 - "Walking Thunder" 2:50 am HBOF - HBO Family July 14, 1999 - "The Christmas Gift" 9:00 pm Family Channel July 17, 1999 - "Walking Thunder" 5:00 pm HBOF - HBO Family July 23-25, 1999 John Denver Summer Celebration / Camp Mary Orton / Columbus, Ohio. Speakers include Lou Gold, Ellen Stapenhorst, Steven Newman, Rainbow Eagle, Chris Reynolds and Tom Burns. JDSC Hotline: (614) 861-5539 http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Boulevard/2376 Aug 18-19, 1999 Tribute to John Denver / Breckenridge, CO Jim Salestrom, John Sommers, Molly Weaver and Friends September 25, 1999 - 2nd Annual JD Vision Walk / Stokes State Forest / Branchville, NJ $10.00 (Check to NY Windstar) Mail To: Kim Faley / 510 Davina Ct. / Lakewood, NJ 08701 njplantit2000@webtv.net (732) 367-0587 Oct 2, 1999 - Washington, D.C. George Mason Univ. Center for the Performing Arts Tickets: (301) 657-8444 Oct 2, 1999 - A private luncheon for JD Fan Club members Only at the Starland Cafe in Washington D.C. Attendance is limited and reservations are necessary (202) 244-9396 October 2-3, 1999 - Sinzig near Bonn, Germany "Music and Communication's" Denver Weekend * Gabi October 9-10, 1999 "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" / Wheeler Opera House / Aspen, Colorado All proceeds to benefit Challenge Aspen (970) 923-1128 October 9, 1999 Snowmass, CO - Dinner at the Tower Restaurant $23.00 per person - Debbie Wood http://john-denver.org/web/events/aspen99/tower.html Debbie Wood 8284 Tarragon Dr. / Mechanicsville, VA 23111 October 10, 1999 Aspen, CO 11:00 am - 6:00 pm $55.00 "A Celebration of Life" sponsored by HEARTS IN HARMONY Dottie Honer / 5214 Stump Road / Pipersville, PA 18947 (215) 766-7363 October 10, 1999 - Pacific Grove, CA - JD Memorial Beach Cleanup and Tribute Concert. Also other events. For more info: Debra Sanderson October 11, 1999 World Family Jerome Event - Aspen, CO $50.00 9:00am - 10:00pm w/3 hour break / For tickets write Pam Beasley / 721 Ravencroft / Garland, TX 75043 Info: Mary Ledford October 12, 1999 - Snowmass, CO - Tower Restaurant Dinner $26.00 Debbie See Oct. 9th for more info. October 12, 1999 - Salida, CO - Christine Smith's John Denver Celebration. $23 covers live music, food & gratuity. 11:00 - 2:00 For info - Mary October 12, 1999 - Utica, New York - "An Evening with john Denver" $12 tickets - All money goes to Plant-It 2000 3 hour show on a 12 foot screen with actual JD concerts. Bill (315) 797-1334 / 797-8747 or Cindy November 1-5, 1999 "Calypso Cruise" aboard the M.S. Ecstasy 4 days/3 nights Deb Perry / P.O. Box 42 Carver, MN 55315 (612) 368-7550 * * * JOHN DENVER MEMORIAL BENCH DEDICATION * Central Park, NYC ========================================================= From: Carole Romanowski I had the good fortune of attending the JD Memorial Bench Dedication ceremony on June 5th at 1 PM. About 150 fans attended and I must congratulate Jo Smith for her success in planning such a wonderful memorial for JD plus such a great day! I understand the money for the bench dedication was raised in only two months by fans. The bench is the first in a row in front of a beautiful lake where a flotilla from the Central Park Model Yacht Club sailed to honor John. Beautiful floral bouquets were placed on the bench by fans and JD's picture was placed near a metal plate inscription of his name on the back slat of the bench. Jo Smith welcomed us while JD's "Andromeda" greeted us through speakers in the background. John's music played the rest of the afternoon while Henry Stern, NY Parks Commissioner, Jack Hoyt from the Sierra Club, and Dan Wharton from the Wildlife Conservation Society spoke to us about environmental matters such as saving the rain forests and the plight of endangered species. Max Langstaff from Wildheart Entertainment, and the President of Cherry Lane Music Company shared their memories of John with us. Plus a member of the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary displayed a peregrine falcon, a red tailed hawk, and a golden eagle on his gloved hand. The weather was gorgeous - sunny and breezy - and at the beginning of the ceremony, two rainbows appeared in the sky, so we know John was there with us. I could feel him looking down and smiling at all of us as we joined together in spirit and celebration. Thank you Jo for an unforgettable afternoon, and thank you John Denver for having lived such a purposeful life that left a lasting legacy for us to follow and celebrate. I felt my soul soar today and left feeling happy, renewed and uplifted by this wonderful experience. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Donna Pinto The celebration at New York City's Central Park bench dedication was just marvelous... very emotional and lots of opportunities to "meet and greet" good friends old and new! It was a simply glorious day to bask in the sunshine... which looked lovely on the water! And we even had TWO rainbows so "John was there." Cathie Silvers' huge photo of JD hugging his guitar was "the main picture" framing the bench and also used in the program for the event. The bench is in a most beautiful location... right near a lovely lake... there is an inscription on the plaque with lyrics from "On The Wings of a Dream"... but today, it and two accompanying benches were covered with flowers! There were all kinds of speakers... the Director of the NYC Central Park Commission said the spot was "prime" and gave a nice little speech (with the traditional thank you to the mayor), someone from Cherry Lane Music was there, as were representatives from the Wildlife Conservation Society, a gentlemen speaking about the rain forests (save those lemurs!), and we even received a "demonstration" of a red-tailed hawk and golden eagle. The magnificent animal had been hit by a truck in Montana and only had one wing but he was a glorious site! Poor Larry Junior (the bean bag lemur), who also accompanied us, hid in my pocket for this part of the presentation! Hawks eat ring-tailed lemurs, you see...They played John's music extensively throughout the day in between each speaker. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "JOHN DENVER BEST (COUNTRY ROADS)" Released by ZOUNDS ===================================================== Jochen Michalak NG From: Music and Communication (Germany) Audiophile Record label "Zounds" based in Stuttgart, Germany has released a CD titled "John Denver Best (Country Roads)" in May. According to their brochure, the series "Best" has one goal: "To edit the most important - and most beautiful - songs of legendary grand masters of pop music as pleasant-sounding as possible for collectors" whereby each compilation has "a comprehensive and well-informing booklet on top." For John's "Best" CD, Zounds asked me (Jochen) to choose the songs from the vast RCA catalogue and write the German liner notes (the English translation was provided by the record company, but unfortunately their text has some major faults, which do not derive from the German original). Both versions are reprinted in the extensive booklet. I had to focus mainly on the big hits, so the selection was somewhat limited. Especially when you compare this to the various existing "Collections", many won't find this particularly exciting. The sound quality, however, is really excellent. Here's the list of songs, for which I usually chose the original version, except if I like later versions better: Jet Plane (from "Greatest Hits 1") / Country Roads / Sweet Surrender (single version) / Looking For Space / Back Home Again / Annie's Song / My Sweet Lady (from "Greatest Hits 2") / Shanghai Breezes / Like A Sad Song / I'm Sorry / Seasons Of The Heart / Dreamland Express / Perhaps Love (solo) / I Want To Live (from "Greatest Hits 3") / Sunshine On My Shoulders (from "Greatest Hits 1") / Rocky Mountain High / Calypso / On The Wings Of A Dream / This Old Guitar / Life Is So Good (single version). Both single versions are available on CD for the first time ever. They are significantly different from the album tracks. For more information write to * * * COME TRAVEL WITH ME TO THE OTHER SIDE OF SUNSET From: David Ladewig Well, I've finally gotten this book done and the publisher is releasing it early and ahead of schedule. I am including a description for your information and the chapter 'Rocky Mountain Songs' is dedicated to John Denver plus other people who I've had the pleasure to know about since his passing. "Travel books do not have to be boring accounts of what hotel costs 50 cents a day less than the hotel next door. This new work, "Come Travel With Me To The Other Side Of Sunset", brings travel to life and reads like a mini-series of adventures, romantic dinners, and encounters with people around the world. The book is about 300 pages and includes over 100 photographs." From page 166: "Until I went there, I had no idea what he was singing about. I had been singing "Rocky Mountain High" and "Rocky Mountain Suite" for years, but I had never experienced what Henry John Deutchendorf Jr. had experienced up there in Alberta. That was about to change. This chapter is dedicated to the memory of this talented man who lived what he sang about. He wasn't just a singer to many of us who knew him. To my friends Angela Brown, Margaret Moore, Emily Parris, Sharon Carr, Valerie Williams, and Martin Schwartz, this one is for you too." There is something for every traveler in this book. Chapters about car travel, rain forest hiking, fishing, mountain hiking, horseback riding, and special chapters about events that occurred along the way. The book can be ordered from Trafford Publishing by calling 1-888-232-4444 or by contacting www.trafford.com. * * * ANN SCHNITZ BECOMES NEW PRESIDENT OF "IT'S ABOUT TIME" ====================================================== From: Marce Orswell It is with GREAT pleasure that I announce to all of you that Ann Schnitz has agreed to replace me as the President of IAT. Ann brings an incredible amount of enthusiasm and dedication to this position. I know that she will continue to grow this organization and keep it true to John's vision. Ann is one of the earlier members and has always been a great source of information to me. Her involvement with other World Family organizations and events will be a great asset to IAT. Also, we will have a new newsletter staff as well. Ellen La Corte Quinn (elq@mciworld.com), and Beth Briggs (ebbriggs@yahoo.com) will be joining forces as the new staff. I will, of course, never be too far away. Peace to you all, Marcelle * * * ========================================= J O H N D E N V E R S T O R I E S ========================================= From: Emily Boote The last concert I attended was in December 1996 - John's Christmas Concert in Minneapolis, MN. I remember everything about the day. I bought 1 ticket as soon as I heard they were available. It was front row balcony just like in 1973. I worked like a maniac all day long at the school's holiday fair, and then dressed for the concert. It was a snowy day; the kind that gets very quiet when the big flakes muffle the noise. I got to the parking lot early and got the closest space when the attendant saw I was alone. As we waited in front of the theater the crowd was chattering back and forth sharing stories of past concerts they'd seen of John's, and the time he had given one guy a ride in his new Porsche when he was a little boy, and another guy got a ride on JD'd motorcycle. Remember, John and Annie lived up here for awhile. It's also where he wrote Sunshine. Anyway, as we moved into the gloriously restored concert, I loved being alone in the group. I could feel the peace, respect, and spirit of everyone and gave my soul into swirling into the energy. After it was over, the crowd left, a bit reluctantly, but the kindness as we all sang down the sidewalk to the parking lot was a wonderful ending to a day I had looked forward to for months. I can still smell the air as the heavy snowflakes covered my hair and coat. They brushed my cheeks and I didn't want to wipe them away. They were part of being alive on that special evening. * * * LOOKING FOR SPACE-A PERSONAL ODYSSEY Laura Freeman For many years, I lived in a small town much like the ones described in many of John Denver's songs, but circumstances made it necessary for me to move to a big city in the south. It was there I saw my first John Denver concert in 1976, with a friend accompanying me. He was doing his "Evening With John Denver" tour. I can remember being so excited and privileged to not only have my first "girl's night out," but to have the opportunity to hear John "live." Everyone stood up, flames visible from lighters as was the practice in those days. Most fans were quite rambunctious but I just sat back and in his words "Let the music take me wherever." My friend thought me unaffected but I was anything but. When he stepped out on the stage, I was absolutely mesmerized by not only his music but his outlook on life. He was so positive, I couldn't help but be affected by it. By the time it was over, I realized it had been more than just an evening of song, it was an awakening which would color the rest of my growing up years. The next few years, John's music was the glue that held me together. Then in my senior year of high school, I finally had the opportunity to visit Colorado and knew exactly how John felt about the Rocky Mountains. While others in my group were out socializing, I was soaking up the local sights, seeing bits of Johns music everywhere; from the abandoned strip mining towns to the local wildlife and even in the ski slopes. When I returned from the trip and over the next few years John's music became more important to me because of an illness I was diagnosed with, shortly after I married, Bi-Polar Disorder. Although this is not fatal, it is still considered a life-threatening illness because of the rapid mood swings. Listening to John's music became a type of therapy for my and in addition to medication, helped me find the courage to leave the surroundings that were not allowing me to heal. The year before he died, I had the opportunity to see him again but had no way of knowing it would be for the last time. Again, I took a friend with me and although it wasn't the same friend as in 1976, all I had to do was look in the seat in front of me and there she was. We all had the opportunity to enjoy an evening of song once again. John, I know you're up there watching over things. I never got the chance thank you then for the years your music brought back to me and for your zest for life. Never will I forget you nor will your music stop. ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= From: Mary Ledford There will be an unveiling of an exhibit of the 23-year history of "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" sung during the 7th-inning stretch at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD. The exhibit will be a part of the Babe Ruth Museum. The unveiling will be August 26, 1999 and attendance is not open to the public, but the exhibit can be viewed any time after that. The Baltimore Magazine will be running a feature article in their August edition. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Inge "Music and Communication" now has a Homepage and email address. http://www.John-Denver.fanclub.ms - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Randy Announcing the formation of a New John Denver Webring: "John Denver, from Beginning to End" Formed from an idea at a foreverjohn chat at deja. www.homestead.com/johndenverrcalypso/jdfrombeginningtoend.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Kim Marie I was one of the many lucky JD fans to attend Jo Smith's JD dedication in beautiful Central Park in New York City. What a picture perfect day for our John! I Love New York!! I had a wonderful time there and visiting my sister in Washington D.C. The bench and plaque are so beautiful. I feel really blessed to have been there. It was incredible. The Rainbows, the birds all in sync with nature and John's spiritual music on his special day. Thank you again, Jo Smith and to her husband for making it another memorable day to remember about our DEAR SWEET JOHN. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - From: Diane I put together a web page with some of the photos I took at the JD Bench Dedication in NYC. http://john-denver.org/web/events/bench/photos1.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Jo FallingRock Just received a THANK YOU from the President of Cherry Lane Music. She attended the dedication and spoke about John. The thank you said: "On behalf of Milt, Peter and the entire staff of Cherry Lane, thank you for keeping John's music and spirit alive." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Margie I recently read Nichelle Nichols' book "Beyond Uhura: Star Trek and Other Memories". On page 221 she tells of being approached by NASA to spread the word about recruitment of non-pilots into the space program. When asked who should be the one to do this she told them...."John Denver! He has always been a supporter of the space program. He is highly respected for his humanitarian work. He's a beautiful person; everyone loves him." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Patricia Brown Tonight I sat with friends and listened to an entertainer whom I've listened to for five years stand up on stage after a series of classic tunes and announce that he was going to do some John Denver songs. "I really love that man", he said. I, of course, about fell off my seat. With that, Tom commanded the attention of an otherwise noisy crowd belting out "Country Roads", "Annie's Song", "Rocky Mountain High", "Poems, Prayers and Promises" and "Thank God I'm A Country Boy." It was the latter that got the crowd stompin' and singin'. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - People Magazine recently advertised a new album that has been released entitled "Sing America". The proceeds will benefit "National Treasures." John sings "Take Me Home, Country Roads" on the album. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Virginia Found this article in our newspaper yesterday: "DENVER SONG FOR TOURISM"....."West Virginia wants to use its unofficial anthem - John Denver's 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' - to promote tourism. The State Bureau of Commerce plans to pay $85,000 for the use rights to use the 1971 hit in tourism promotions for three years. The plan is subject to approval by the attorney general. 'It's a universally recognized tune which we feel is a great asset for us," Commerce Commissioner Robert Reintsema said Wednesday." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Barb I'm passionately involved in family genealogy. Recently, one of the gurus of Yorkshire, England genealogy started a theme about what bad stuff the US exported to England. Among the items were McDonalds, and Jerry Springer. He then posted a list of GOOD things we gave them. This list included CNN, the Eagles, Johnny Cash, Simon and Garfunkel, WC Fields, Time Magazine, Sam Adams Beer, and of course JOHN DENVER!!! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Melinda Gindes "Time" is doing their Man of the Millenium cover for December. Vote for John: http://cgi.pathfinder.com/time/time1000/artists/index.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: David J. Stemple TNN's Century of Country (8pm 6/9/99), had some pictures of John Denver and a little clip of John singing "How Can I Leave You Again". - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - ============================== P O E T R Y C O R N E R ============================== From: Jennifer bell in October some friends and I on Perth are holding a celebration of John's life. I wrote a song for it that I'd like to share with everyone! NATURE'S SYMPHONY by Jennifer Bell VERSE 1 The stars still shine at night the sun still shines all day Snow falls on the mountains as eagles hunt for prey The leaves still rustle quietly as they fall down to the land The wind still blows its symphony making patterns in the sand CHORUS: So spread your wings and soar fly way way way up high Look down on us, your friends who will never say goodbye VERSE 2 The trees hang down their boughs as if they were in prayer Natures way of saying it wishes you were there The forests clump together standing strong and tall streams flow through the mountains in an endless waterfall CHORUS: So spread your wings and soar fly way way way up high Look down on us, your friends who will never say goodbye VERSE 3 But your soul is all around us your spirit will never die And the eagle with it's majestic wings is teaching you to fly CHORUS: So spread your wings and soar fly way way way up high Look down on us, your friends who will never say goodbye =================================================== JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E =================================================== Site for a John Denver Screen Saver: http://galttech.simplenet.com/ssheaven/d0026.html Demo Trial with 18 pictures is good for 10 days.... and then choice of purchasing it for $10.00 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Greg The SpinAuctions Collectable Records and Music Magazines Website has just been updated with fresh material including items by John: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~spinauctions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Jo FallingRock A full color Program from the John Denver Bench Dedication in New York City is available for $5.00: Jo Smith / 32 West 23rd Street / New York, NY 10010 I also have a tape of all the radio shows by DJ Larry Bear from New Country Y107FM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Donna Pinto The 1972 "Midnight Special" along with a few 1983-1984 tv appearances (Bob Hope on NASA, Statue of Liberty, Metropolitan Opera House 100th Anniversary) is the latest John Denver video offer for charity. Email me for details. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dave There are new John Denver concert posters at: http://www.concertposters.com/artifact.htm - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Randy Porter I'm looking for a video copy of the Memorial Service for John that was on MSNBC. I'll pay for video and shipping. (804) 823-8537 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - David Stemple If anyone is interested in coming to Lake Monticello near Charlottesville, VA for a JD get together, please let me know. I'm also interested in starting a Central VA chapter of JD Friends. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - Last month's story by Debora Richey ("My Rocky Mountain High: Looking For Closure") was edited and she would like everyone to enjoy the FULL story. For a copy write to "emily@sky.net" and ask for it or go to: http://www.sky.net/~emily/txt/Richey.txt WWW PAGES: "Music and Communication" WWW Page: http://www.John-Denver.fanclub.ms Meanings of John Denver Songs can be found at: http://mancos.austin1.com/JD/David/Song/meaning.htm JohnDenver.net Message Board http://www.johndenver.net/mess.html John Denver, From Beginning to End www.homestead.com/johndenverrcalypso/jdfrombeginningtoend.html ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@sky.net http://www.sky.net/~emily July 1999 * Issue #63 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************