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 N E 1 9 9 8 V E E R Emily Parris emily@sky.net http://www.sky.net/~emily R ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Table of Contents Issue #50 - June 1998 John Denver Events.....................................2 "Mask Made by John Denver Breaks at Charity Auction" Reuters - May 10, 1998.............................3 "Bidder Moved by John Denver Spirit"....May 12, 1998...3 News from the UK - "Free Spirit".......................4 News from Germany - "Music and Communication"..........4 News from the Japanese Fan Club........................4 Reviews of John Denver Cd's............................5 John Denver Notes......................................5 John Denver Want Ads/For Sale..........................8 Poetry Corner: "Parting Words" by George Spendley"..................9 The E! Special on John Denver will be aired again on June 22, 1998 at 8:00 PM Eastern/Pacific. * * * The Rocky Mountain High WWW Site http://www.sky.net/~emily From: David Gorell Dear Emily, I think congratulations are in order - 300,000 hits on your site - well done. Keep up the good work. Peace.... David Gorell <<<< JOHN DENVER EVENTS >>>> June 20, 1998 Leicester, UK "Summer Gathering" http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~moonstar/index.html Email: Christine Moon June 22, 1998 E! Cable Channel - Repeat of the E! Special on John Denver 8:00 PM Eastern/Pacific June 27, 1998 NY Windstar Connection's "John Denver: A Tribute to Life" - Pier 63 New York City 2:30 PM For more info Maria (718) 761-2071 <104450.2544@compuserve.com> June 27, 1998 Modesto, CA - State Theater $15.00 "Wolves & Trees" Tour / benefit for Plant-It 2000 (209) 524-0324 http://home.earthlink.net/~briantaylor July 2, 1998 - John Denver Tribute at WESTFEST http://www.michaelmartinmurphey.com July 8, 1998 Dallas, TX - Peter, Paul and Mary concert which will include an orchestral tribute to John Denver by the Dallas Symphony. July 25-26 Columbus, OH Camp Mary Orton /JD Summer Celebration P.O. Box 1815 / Westerville, OH 43086 Aug 1, 1998 Doylestown, PA - "A Celebration of Life" sponsored by "Hearts in Harmony". (215) 766-7363 August 14-16, 1998 Camp Shepherd / Mt. Rainier, WA For info email Cheryl Fritz August 14-16, 1998 Snowmass Village, CO "A Rocky Mountain High Celebration of Life" - For info August 27-30, 1998 Estes Park, CO "Northern Ohio Windstar Connection "mini" symposium - A tribute to John Denver For info: jimtoth@stratos.net August 29, 1998 Branchville, NJ - First Annual John Denver Vision Walk - Stokes State Forest Email: yewko@juno.com Or SASE to: Kim Faley 510 Davina Ct. Lakewood, NJ 08701 Sept 19, 1998 Wakefield, England/John Adams sings John Denver (01924) 211311 Oct 2-4, 1998 Second Annual "Windsong" Gathering / WA For info email Cheryl Fritz Oct 10-11, 1998 Aspen, CO "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" Wheeler Opera House - A benefit for "Challenge Aspen" $30.00 For more info: possibilities@challengeaspen.com http://www.challengeaspen.com Tickets: (970) 923-1931 Oct 11, 1998 Aspen, CO - Pete Baker - "The Inn At Aspen" $15.00 Send a SASE to Pete Baker / 79 Canal St. Apt. #1 Lyons, NY 14489 (315) 946-9917 Oct 12, 1998 Aspen, CO 11:00 - 4:00 Hotel Jerome Ballroom "A John Denver Reunion" $50.00 (972) 495-9327 Oct 12, 1998 Dinner/Concert at the "Inn at Aspen" $45.00 6:00 PM HIH (215) 766-7363 - Dottie * * * Catherine Garland of ASPEN/PLACESTOSTAY.COM has offered to help JD fans find housing for the John Denver event in October. She has lived in Aspen for over 30 years and has been in the rental/real estate business for a long time. Email her for more information. ** Rory's JD Events Page: www.austin1.com/JD/jdevents.html ** More info on events: Ask for MORE-RMH.TXT * * * "Mask Made by John Denver Breaks at Charity Auction" DENVER, May 10 (Reuters) - A mask painted by singer John Denver weeks before he died in a plane crash was dropped and broke shortly after it was sold at a charity auction, a newspaper reported Sunday. The plaster mask was sold Saturday night to Bill and Rita Bass Coors of the Coors brewery family for $7,000 -- the highest bid at a charity auction to raise money for a local hospice. Shortly afterward, it was dropped and broke into several pieces, the Rocky Mountain News reported. Denver, known for his songs about the Rocky Mountains, died in October when the small experimental plane he was piloting crashed off the California coast. He painted the mask, of a face with a tree depicting the eyebrows, and sent it to the Mask Project charity several weeks before he died. It was among about 40 masks painted by artists and celebrities auctioned for the charity on Saturday. The newspaper quoted benefit organizers as saying they hoped the mask could be repaired, but it would be up to the buyers if they wanted to accept it. * * * "Bidder Moved by John Denver Spirit" May 12, 1998 The Associated Press - DENVER When a mask painted by John Denver two weeks before his death fell and broke after being auctioned for $7,000, the bidder didn't go to pieces.``I don't believe for a minute that mask just suddenly fell,'' said socialite Rita Bass. It was ``just John saying, `Hi there! I'm still out here.'''The folk singer died last fall when his plane plunged into Monterey Bay off California. Ms. Bass, a longtime friend of Denver's, and her husband, Adolph Coors Co. chairman Bill Coors, got the mask at Saturday's auction to benefit the Hospice of Metro Denver. It broke into six pieces when it fell off a counter shortly after it was auctioned. Ms. Bass plans to frame the pieces with photographs of Denver and her family together. * * * NEWS from the UK: "Free Spirit" ================================ From: John Thorogood There is now a "lasting memorial for John Denver in the U.K. at The Swan Sanctuary. There will be a plaque with John's name alongside one of the recovery pens for sick swans - a special are chosen so that members will be able to sit and peacefully watch these beautiful birds while remembering John." (Quote from Karen Richmond, President of "Free Spirit") Email for more information on this tribute to John. NEWS from Germany - More about "Music and Communication" ======================================================== From: Inge Kaminski Our John Denver Fan Club, "Music and Communication", was founded on January 10th, 1981 and today we are the only official John Denver club in Germany. The main reason for founding the club all those years ago was to create a possibility for interested fans to be able to always get the newest information about John's concerts, cd's, tv appearances etc. Now, after John's fatal accident on October 12, 1997, of course some things have to be changed. Nevertheless, we have decided to go on in any case, to ensure that his music as well as his commitment for a better world won't be forgotten. Our newsletter comes out every three months. It will now include album reviews, memories, photos, information which may not be that well know, etc. Of course we also - as far as possible - are happy to answer each question about John, his music, etc. We will also keep alive a "tradition" of the club - once a year, we organize a "Denver Weekend", a club meeting. It is meant for everybody as a chance to get to know each other, chat, sing, watch videos...the proceeds go to "Menschen fur Menschen" (People for People), a Germany organization supporting starving people in Ethiopia. In 1992 and 1997 we even made the joint effort, along with the other three clubs in Europe, to have a "European John Denver Weekend". If you'd like to join us email me for more information. News from the Japanese John Denver Fan Club =========================================== Apparently I had an old address on the www page for the Japanese Fan Club. Their English contact is: Ms. Fuyuko Fujino / N 803, 36-3, Nihonbashi-hakozaki-cho Chuo-ku / Tokyo 103-0015 / Japan The President of the Fan Club is Ms. Kinue Negishi ========================== REVIEWS of JOHN DENVER CDS ========================== BEST OF THE CHAD MITCHELL TRIO: The Mercury Years ================================================= From: Rancy Cecil I just found a new cd titled "The Best of the Chad Mitchell Trio - The Mercury Years" (314 534 400-2). It has 25 songs, 6 of which are JD performances. They are "For Bobbie", "Your Friendly, Liberal, Neighborhood Ku-Klux-Klan", "Dark Shadows and Empty Hallways", "Stay With Me", "Like to Deal with the Ladies", and "She Loves You". "Dark Shadows..Stay With Me" was a single released in June of 1966 and is in true Stereo for the first time. John wrote "Stay With Me." "Like to Deal with the Ladies" and "She Loves You" are in true Stereo for the first time also. The sound is really great compared to the old vinyl I have. COLORS IN TIME ============== From: Cath Meadows "Colors in Time" by John's friends and band members, Pete Huttlinger and Chris Nole, is a most gently and sweet memory and very much a healing journey. It was gracious of them to share their own process and I would like to see what we could do to have this CD receive 'air time' in our individual communities. It is a poignant instrumental moment. It is never too late and I believe it is our turn to bring the music and message forth. I'd like you to consider bringing a cd to your local radio station, University stations, etc. and request 'air play'. Milt Okun asked folks to think of ways to bring John's music to the foreground where it belongs to make it his legacy. To my mind, this is one way. I am so grateful to Chris and Pete. I can't think of two finer musicians to express sweet simplicity. Thank you Pete, Thank you Chris. (Instar Records / P.O. Box 90244 / Nashville, TN / 37209 $15.00 plus $1.50 shipping/handling) ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= From: Dorothy It is with extreme sadness and a heavy heart that I must inform everyone that our friend, Buddy Renfro, passed away early this morning after a short but brave battle against cancer. For anyone who is not familiar with the song, "As the First Snows Fell in Colorado", Buddy wrote this song for his dear friend, John Denver. Buddy will be missed by so many people. He was a kind and generous man who was always full of happiness. Just being in his company made you feel wonderful - full of love, full of laughter. Most notably, Buddy along with the Heart Travelers performed benefit concerts. His beautiful tribute to John Denver now also stands as a legacy to remind us of the wonderful human being that Buddy was. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <<<< From Eric Shepard of E! Entertainment >>>> From: Eric Shepard I wanted to thank the hundreds of people who have emailed, called and written letters to me about how much they enjoyed the JD biography special on E! Entertainment Television. The one-hour show was a big ratings hit and well received. Because of all the requests, E! will rebroadcast the show on Monday, June 22 at 8:00 pm Eastern/Pacific time. It may air earlier, so please check your local listings. Again, thanks to all of those viewers who positively responded to me.... Eric Shephard - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Emily Many people have asked me where they could get the cd of HIGHER GROUND. I found out from Gregory Levin that it is available from Intl Disc - http://www.sarahsplace.com/intldisc ($19.00) or CD Now - http://www.cdnow.com ($14.00) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Val Correction from last month's newsletter: The Frank DeLaMare cd is not a single, but includes 6 of his own songs besides "Take Him Home". http://www.delamarcorp.com/mint/mint.htm - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Diane Novak... I just heard on CNN that after much bad publicity, Cassandra Delaney has dropped her intent of securing John's estate monies and the judge awarded it to Zachary, Anna Kate and Jesse Belle to be divided equally. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Angie Wishart The movie that Richard Hatch is working on will be called "Reaching for Higher Ground". He was interviewed in the 5/26/98 issue of Soap Opera Weekly. http://www.pair.com/iwc/RichardHatch - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Gina The cds that are being offered on the Sony Collectibles site for $15.00 can be purchased at K-Mart for $5.99. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Nyteowl 5/31/98 Doonesbury has been running strips on JD this past week. Duke's Aspen house is for sale and another folksinger wants to buy it because it is next door to JD's house. This is a follow-up to the funny 1970's strips that GBT did on Duke and JD. Pretty good, so far. If you still have last week's newspapers on hand, check it out. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: I attended a Tribute concert for John Denver at the Lakeland Sun and Fun Fly In that I learned about in the newsletter. The performer was Mr. Ken Dravis and he was excellent. When he sang the tribute song that he wrote for John there was not a dry eye in the house. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- From: Mary Ledford Bill Danoff (formerly of the Starland Vocal Band) has a cafe: STARLAND CAFE, 5125 McArthur Blvd, Washington, D.C. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - Brian Taylor, from Taylor, Michigan with over twenty years of performing experience of JD music is taking his "Wolves and Trees" JD tribute Tour all over this year. He will be in Modesto, CA on 6/27/98 and in Columbus, OH on 7/25/98. http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Boulevard/2376 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - From: Ann Schnitz To add to the confusion, Delta has put out a 'new' cd they called "The Very Best of John Denver: Rocky Mountain High". It was culled from the 5-cd set "The John Denver Collection" - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -- From: Rose I was driving on the highway in the Netherlands, listening to the radio. They had a special guest from Ireland, Terry Gordon, singing some songs. You wouldn't believe it, but he sang "This Old Guitar" and "Follow Me". His style is different from John's but his voice is very similar. He says he hopes that his singing and songs will help slow down the rat race. When I read your messages from other people, young and old, I feel so hopeful about the world. Just hearing John's message so many miles away from Colorado was just wonderful. Peace to all! Rose - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Marcelle 5/4/98 I want to thank Michael P. and Miriam for putting together a wonderful gathering for "It's About Time" yesterday here in Massachusetts. Everything was just great. The music was a real treat - everyone got involved, even the little kids. It was nice to get a sneak preview of what our IAT Benefit concert will sound like this August as well as getting a preview of Brian Taylor's "Wolves and Trees" tour. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Judy With the Windstar Foundation going through enormous changes, we still need to remember that there is a lot of monetary need for the Windstar Land Conservancy. One of John's last wishes was that it outlive all of us for our children and their children. Windstar Land Conservancy c/o Rocky Mountain Institute 1739 Snowmass Creek Road / Snowmass, CO 81654 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - From: Tracy Rudolph Last November a Spruce tree, about 8 feet tall was planted in John's name and dedicated in a really sweet (but cold!!) memorial service. It is in Jacobson Park and has a granite market at the tree that states "In Loving Memory / John Denver 1943-1997" set in the ground. We planted crocus bulbs around it too and 30 fans attended from 4 different states. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Sally Sullivan I wanted to share about the Earth Day Week my friend, MamaSaki and I did for our preschool class last week. MamaSaki brought in all kinds of little trees and plants and placed them around the room...for show and tell we had them bring in garbage and we talked about recycling. Did you know that a used yogurt cup makes a great "worm holder" to hold fishing worms? Our kids did! We planted flowers and listened to John Denver...sang along to his Earth Day Song. We made a contribution to the Nat'l Arbor Day Foundation for trees to be planted in honor of each child in our class in the John Denver Memorial Grove. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - =============================== JOHN DENVER WANT ADS / FOR SALE =============================== From: I have two very lucky friends who are coming to the "Hearts in Harmony" Celebration on 10/12/98 but as these ladies are traveling on a low budget from England they are seeking accommodation in Aspen for 10 days while on their dream visit to JD country. Please email or write to: Shirley Davey / Higher Ground. 30 / Meadowside Road / Sandford. Crediton / Devon EX17 4NN England - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Gregory Neal We are now offering the 1986 John Denver film "The Christmas Gift" on video. We also have several copies each of some of the RCA LP's. All the titles in the RCA-Japan "remasters" series on CD are now $23.00. These include "Spirit", "Rhymes and Reasons", "Aerie", "Take Me To Tomorrow" and "Whose Garden Was This." 800-280-2990 http://www.sarahsplace.com/intldisc - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Emily: was sent the lyrics to "Annie's Song" by me at Rocky Mtn High. He says he is going to use the words to propose to a very special lady. :-) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Sharon *Penpal/Friend Wanted* I'm Sharon from England and my mum is looking for people who are fans of John who would like to write and share their memories and thoughts with others, who would like a penpal. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Randy May 22, 1998 On behalf of the Forestry Department at Michigan State University, I would like to dedicate the 20,000 plus white pine seedlings we planted this spring to John. His love for people and the outdoors will touch generations to come. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Peggy Jane I am looking for LP's of the albums "Higher Ground", "Greatest Hits 2", "Greatest Hits 3" and "Christmas Like a Lullaby". I already have the cd's but would love to have the albums in order to complete my collection. - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Rob Cohen How can I get a copy of "The Garden Song" from the album JOHN DENVER (1979). Rob Cohen / 765 Oaksedge Drive / Gahanna, OH 43230 614-478-2755 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Paul Hardman Good news! Our commemorative video sleeves finally arrived from the printers and we will start shipping videos in the order we received payment on Monday 6/1/98. Videos ($14.95 plus $4.00 s/h) http://www.caravan.com/johndenver Backstage Tonight / c/o Caravan Electronic Publishing / 900 Lafayette St., Suite 710 / Santa Clara, CA 95050 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Desiree I'm looking for a video copy of The American Journal Program with Cassandra Delaney. It aired on February 1998 16th or 26th. I also have JD concert pictures for sale. Email for information. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Joyce I'm interested in getting a copy of the E! Entertainment special and also a copy of "The Christmas Gift", the movie filmed in Georgetown, Colorado. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Paul Hairsine I will make copies of the out-of-print JD albums from Vinyl for $2.00 postage plus an audio tape. Email me for more information. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Lee Marcus Wanted: The albums "Rocky Mtn. Holiday", "John Denver", and "Autograph." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Howard Lieboff - I'm looking for a video of the Rocky Mountain Christmas Special from 74-75. Guests were Valerie Harper and Steve Martin. I'll trade with somebody! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Carole Nordgren I'm looking for a video of the Aspen Memorial Service. We were there, we were interviewed, we know people were filming...where is it? Also looking for a video of "JD & Muppets: A Christmas Together" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- From: Marcelle Orswell "It's About Time" is still taking orders for the Cyber Cookbook. It's $5.00 and proceeds go to Plant-It 2000. Marcelle Orswell / P.O. Box 47 / Medfield, MA 02052 or email for info. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Grace Sylvan I'm looking for the Cherry Lane Sheet Music books for any John Denver albums from "One World" on forward. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Wendy I'm looking for the audiotape of John's book "Take Me Home". <<<<<<<<< POETRY CORNER >>>>>>>>>> From: George Spendley Over the past several months I often read John's words transmitted to the tower before the accident, which were "do you have it now?" In all the times I've read these words nothing notable ever happened until this past Friday afternoon. I read the words again and some unknown force prompted me to write this poem in a matter of about four minutes. The easiest way to explain how something is written is that the words come floating by and sometimes I just can't write them down fast enough. That's how it happened with this one. - George PARTING WORDS by George Spendley It's about love, it's about life, it's about sharing, and it's about strife. It's about people, it's about dreams, it's about forests, and it's about streams. It's about stars, it's about sea, it's about you, and it's about me. It's about war, it's about peace, it's about gladness, and it's about grief. It's about children, it's about earth, it's about flowers, and it's about birth. It's about caring, it's about how, and it's about giving, "...do you have it now?" Copyright 1998 G. Spendley ==================================================== From The Editor: Emily Parris This month there were so many things to include that I had many left over, plus there are longer documents about each of the events that are to take place in August and October in Aspen, CO. So if you'd like more ask for MORE-RMH.TXT If you'd like to be a "supporting" member of Rocky Mountain High you can send a check for $5.00 to Emily Parris / Rocky Mountain High / 3820 Baltimore / Kansas City, MO 64111 ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@sky.net http://www.sky.net/~emily June 1998 * Issue #50 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************