============================================= *** 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 J U N E 2 0 0 3 Editor: Emily M. Parris ============================================= http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@sky.net ============================================= Table of Contents June 2003 * Issue #110 John Denver Events.............................2 "Everything's Comin' Up John Denver" by Emily M. Parris..........................4 John Denver Notes..............................6 Poetry Corner: "Peace" by Cynthia Helen Gullage.............8 "Like the Wings of An Eagle" by T. McCullum........................9 CD Reviews: "On Angel's Wings" - Steve Brook Reviewed by Emily M. Parris..............9 John Denver Want Ads..........................10 ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= June 6, 2003 * Doylestown, PA / Frank DeLaMarre & Chris Nole in concert / Salem United Church of Christ 8:00pm $10 includes refreshments. info@frankdelamarre.com http://www.frankdelamarre.com/schedule/ June 7, 2003 * St. Petersburg, Florida - "Rocky Mountain Memories" show by Ron Rich. 8:00pm Palladium, 253 Fifth Avenue North. (727) 822-3590 Tickets: $18.00 www.palladiumtheater.com or http://cabinsong.com June 8, 2003 * Annapolis, MD - Mack Bailey's CD Release Party for "Why I'm Here" will be held at the Ram's Head Tavern 5:00pm 410-268-4545 * http://www.mackbailey.com Ram's Head Tavern: http://www.ramsheadtavern.com June 27-28, 2003 * Knoxville, TN * Pete Huttlinger with Tommy Emmanuel and Peppino D'Agostino. Pellissippi Community College Tickets: (865) 637-1644 June 28, 2003 * CMT "Inside Fame" Series - Segment on John Denver. Pete Huttlinger and other will reflect on times with John Denver. CMT August 10, 2003 - "Let This Be A Voice" - PBS August 20-28, 2003 * Fairbanks, Alaska / Artic National Wildlife Refuge Adventure / The Murie Center; Moose, WY (307) 739-2246 info@muriecenter.org * http://www.muriecenter.org August 20-Sept 1, 2003 * Anchorage, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia - Arctic Dance Conservation Cruise / 12 day excursion / Offer #10215 * The Murie Center / Moose, WY (307) 739-2246 or http://www.cruisewest.com Sept 21, 2003 * McHenry, Illinois / JD Tribute by Will Kruger is part of the "Shades of Autumn - Sights and Sounds of America" Festival. Noon / Stade Dairy Farm / 3709 W. Miller Road * (815) 675-6396 http://www.stadedairyfarm.com Will Kruger www.mp3.com/willkruger Sept 29-Oct 4, 2003 * Lyons, CO / "Journey to Center" program with Tom Crum (585) 924-7302 http://www.aikiworks.com October 2 - November 29, 2003 * Denver, Colorado / Ricketson Theatre - "Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of John Denver" http://www.denvercenter.org October 3-5, 2003 PA Friends of JD Fall Retreat / Cassville, PA / Bitter Goose Lodge $45 for the weekend. Payment to Pat Liddic / 533 Lexington Road / Lancaster, PA 17603 / Pat Liddic October 4-5, 2003 * Salida, Colorado / Fifth Annual John Denver Celebration / http://www.johndenverlegacy.com Christine Smith 1-719-942-9620 Seating limited to first 200 reservations. October 17, 2003 * Wilmington, NC - Thalian Hall / Hard Travelers with Bill Danoff, John Sommers and Chris Nole / http://www.musicunites.com October 24, 2003 * Annapolis, MD / "Music from the Mountains: A Tribute to John Denver" Maryland Hall Center for the Performing Arts / Annapolis, MD $40 or VIP $100 http://www.musicunites.com JOHN DENVER MEMORIAL EVENTS in ASPEN, CO ======================================== October 9, 2003 * Aspen, CO / Work at the JD Sanctuary 9:30am * Info: Curtis Griffy October 9, 2003 * Aspen, CO / Meet and Greet at the John Denver Sanctuary 4:30pm Info: October 9, 2003 * Aspen, CO / John Denver Sanctuary 5:00pm Worship Service on the Mountain October 9, 2003 * Aspen, CO / Peace Cloth Event with Chris Collins, Ron Rich, Ellen Stapenhorst and the Earthbeat Choir 7:00pm Info: Eve October 10-12, 2003 * Aspen, CO / 5th Annual "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" / Wheeler Opera House http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com October 10, 2003 * Aspen, CO / Assisted Living Songfest / Noon - Pitkin County Senior Center / Mel Trondson & the World Family of John Denver Singers October 11, 2003 * Aspen, CO / Special Music from the Mountains - Mack Bailey with Chris Nole and other surprise guests. Mountain Chalet Ballroom / 1:00 - 2:30pm Tickets $20 include light refreshments / Make check/m.o. payable to Mack Bailey (SASE) Mack Bailey Concert / c/o Karen Tupek / 6300 Wynkoop Blvd / Bethesda, MD 20817 Karen , Mary October 11, 2003 * Aspen, CO / "You Fill Up My Senses: Exploring the Music, the Message and the Magic of John Denver" 9:00am - Noon / Richard Hatch & J.P. McDaniel / Mountain Chalet's conference room. $20 in advance $25 at the door / J.P. McDaniel / 9552 W. Capri Drive / Littleton, CO 80123 Include SASE October 11, 2003 * Aspen, CO / Dinner at The Tower 4:00pm Tickets $26 / Vicki Wells / 420 SW 38th Street / Cape Coral, FL 33914 / Vicki October 12, 2003 * Aspen, CO / Campfire near Maroon Bells 6:00pm * Info: Harold Simpson October 13, 2003 * Aspen, CO / It's Goodbye Again 5:00pm Wagner Park on Durant Ave October 13, 2003 * Aspen, Colorado / John Adams & Friends; 4th annual concert celebrating the life and music of John Denver. 7:00pm Wheeler Opera House $35.00 / $20 Tickets: (970) 920-5770 or www.wheeleroperahouse.com John Adams: http://www.johnadams-music.com JOHN DENVER MEMORIAL EVENTS in PACIFIC GROVE, CA ================================================ October 11, 2003 * Carmel, CA / Chris Westfall in Concert Unitarian Universalist Church / 490 Aguajito Road 7:30pm $10 * Info: October 12, 2003 * Sunday - Pacific Grove, California Noon: John Denver Beach Cleanup / Starts at Ocean View Blvd & Acropolis across from the golf course. 1:00pm Singalong with Chris Westfall in Lovers Point Park. Bring your instruments, songbooks, and lunch. 5:00pm Candlelight Tribute at John Denver Beach Debra (310) 393-8346 <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> "EVERYTHING'S COMIN' UP JOHN DENVER" by Emily M. Parris IN DANCE PERFORMANCES: While doing some research on the web, I have discovered that John Denver's music has been showing up on stages across the country. His music is being used to accompany the dance. In April The Fort Worth Dallas Ballet performed a free performance called "An Evening of Ballet 2003." The interesting thing about this is that it included dances set to the music of John Denver: "The performance closed with 'Let This Be A Voice', dances set to John Denver songs. The entertainment level of that work depended on your tolerance for Denver's greatest hits, but there was certainly plenty of fine, free-form dance in this section. Erin Rivera-Brennand, Michelle Lawyer and Enrica G. Tseng made a fetching trio of cowgirls clad in red and white, fringed Western shirts for "Take Me Home, Country Roads", and Rebekah Raun and Ryan Thomas delivered a fine pas de deux to the strains of 'Annie's Song.'" According to Pittsburgh's "Tribune-Review", the Playhouse Dance Company also danced to the music of John Denver. Their performance was called "Premieres II." A review of the performance by William Loeffler had this to say about the section with John's music: "For the third section, the cast whirled into - no kidding - a thigh-slapping country hoedown, set to John Denver's 'Thank God I'm A Country Boy.' And what do you know, it fit perfectly. The audience loved it." (4-14-03) AT THE RODEO John's music also showed up at the Rodeo in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Edmonton Journal reported that the 43rd annual Leduc Black Gold Rodeo proceeded despite the snow and the show began with John's music: "Before the cowboys jump atop their bucking charges, several women on tamer horses, wearing tight Wrangler jeans and checkered shirts, wave corporate banners to the happy pluckings of 'Thank God I'm A Country Boy." IN TALENT SHOWS The Marion Star in Marion, Ohio reported that John Denver's music was going to be performed at the Panorama Talent Show: "The high school will present its annual Panorama Talent Show on May 3rd. Among acts chosen to perform are a group of 16 freshmen who will perform John Denver's "Grandma's Feather Bed.' Freshman Kiersten Anderson said she was returning from her family's vacation when she got the idea of reuniting the junior high choir that attended the 2001 Ohio Music Education Association Junior High District Festival. They put together anything from plowing motions to spoon and washboard players to accompany the song when they auditioned on April 16. Five judges chose them along with 17 other acts out of about 50 that auditioned." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To Read More about it - Articles: "All Together: Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy" by Dave Ford San Francisco Chronicle 4-25-03 "High-energy piece is standout of Playhouse Dance Program" by William Loeffler - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 4/13/03 "Ballet Troupe Returns Favor in Superb Style" by Punch Shaw - Fort Worth Star Telegram 4/27/03 "Everyone's a cold, wet winner down at the old Rodeo Days" by Todd Babiak - The Edmonton Journal 5-8-03 ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= John Denver was ranked #18 with "Take Me Home, Country Roads" in a list of the top 100 songs in country music history. The list was revealed in a concert yesterday on the eve of Nashville's annual Fan Fair country music festival. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gina Hill... The Claritin for children commercial uses the sounds and sights of the '70s for its advertisement, showing children in clothes of the era with flowers in their hair...and there is one little guy they focus on that looks just like a little John Denver! It's so cute, and it's unmistakable that those responsible for the commercial wanted the little boy to look like John of the '70s - blonde shaggy hair and wire rim glasses. I've only seen the commercial on MSNBC. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Frank DeLaMarre's song, "Take Them Home" was played on the major news stations (FOX, CNN, MSNBC) during a video tribute to Laci Peterson. http://www.frankdelamarre.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rafael Rubio has started a new John Denver Fan Club in Spain. John Denver Espana Club http://webs.ono.com/johndenver johndenver@ono.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE ERIN SIMOVIC EXPERIENCE... Erin Simovic writes for the Oregon State Daily Barometer Telling about her experiences in school, she said: ..."I was crooning over a musician who strung his guitar straight into my heart. What can I say, I'm a John Denver fan. I can't think of anything better than when he sings "Thank God I'm A Country Boy." And some other John Denver fans responded... Nancy Anglin - Arkansas "LOL...I really enjoyed your article but what can I say? I am also a John Denver admirer. For those that roll their eyes...well, maybe one day they'll catch on! Aurelia Wight... "I'm going to steal your line, 'musician who strung his guitar straight into my heart.' John did the same to me. I think you can like many styles of music and have a variety of friends and not have to label yourself as anything...just be the unique, confident individual who knows what she wants from life, just the way John lived his incredible life. In loving JD, you've got the BEST!" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TALK ABOUT OPENING WINDOWS... Hao Jiang Tian has sung with the Metropolitan Opera since 1991 and has had more than 26 roles in 300 performances there. He performed at a benefit concert for the Asian Pacific Development Center in Aurora, Colorado on May 18th. An article (4-25-03) telling about the performance in the Aurora Sentinel said: "When diplomatic relations between the US and China began to thaw in the mid-'70s, Tian glimpsed what he thought would be his future on an imported American variety show. The program featured music by John Denver, performing "Take Me Home, Country Roads." 'I was brought up on revolutionary music', Tian said, singing a marching band-like drum line. (John Denver's) music sort of opened up the window to a different type of music.' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - An article in the Kentucky Post states that... ...in Germany's beer halls, the most requested song is John Denver's "Country Roads." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The 5/6/03 episode of "Watching Ellie" centered around John Denver: "Needing money quickly, Ellie discovers she can pick up a few bucks singing in a Los Angeles subway area. Initially ignored when crooning a bluesy Gershwin ballad, she draws fans - and dollars - when belting out knee-slapping Denver melodies. That was the only pleasure derived from watching Ellie's new look." ...Rocky Mountain News - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Diane May 14, 2003 - Last Monday's episode of "Boston Public" had a nice John Denver reference: They are a newly engaged couple. She puts on a JD cd. He says "Is that John Denver? I don't own any John Denver cds." She says, "That's ok. I have everything he has ever made. He is a God." The whole scene continued with "Country Roads" playing. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - David Orion Apple computer launched a new music service called The iTunes Store. They have over 14 John Denver albums currently available for download for around $10.00 and up per album or single songs for .99 cents. The sound quality is amazing. The service is currently available to Mac users and will be available to PC users this fall. It is truly worth a look for us John Denver fans. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Look for mention of Pete Huttlinger in the May issues of "Guitar Player" and "Acoustic Guitar" Magazines. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - George Zinn There is a website that organizes local meetups from all over the world in any topic of general interest for people to meet, socialize and discuss their favorite topics. We need one for John Denver. http://www.meetup.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - Editor's Note: I signed up for a John Denver meetup but haven't heard back from anyone yet. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Emily There is an article called "Honey, they're playing our song. I mean my song" by John Weeks 4/19/03 in the San Bernardino Sun. The article tells about the fact that you can't copyright a song title. In the article he mentions John's "I'm Sorry" in 1975 and Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry" in 1960. - It's an interesting Article. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Sunshine On My Shoulders" - the first of a series of children's books to be written using John's environmental messages from his songs: www.dawnpub.com/2DetailLinks/UpcomingBooks.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ========================= P O E T R Y C O R N E R ========================= Peace by Cynthia Helen Gullage A gently flowing river, A soothing lullaby, A never ending rainbow, That spans the entire sky. No borderlines or boundaries, All weapons obsolete, No man declared "the Victor", For, none fall in defeat A quiet mountain meadow, The star-strewn sky at night, Bird song, sweet, at daybreak, To welcome morning light. Hands that join in friendship, Voices raised in song, All nations in one circle, Each knowing they belong. No man chained or broken For what he dares to dream. Harsh words left unspoken, Like ripples in a stream. Jewels more rare and precious Than perfect, polished pearls. The dream becomes reality, The vision of ONE WORLD. ________________________________________________________ Copyright 2003 by Cynthia Gullage Like the Wings of An Eagle by T. McCullum Like the Wings of an Eagle I'll take to the Sky Soaring on Currents above mountains High Drifting through clouds to Valleys below, Feeling Forever the suns golden glow. Like the Wings of an Eagle, To the Heavens above, I'll Fly to the Summits on a Journey of Love, And on my Return the Gift that I bring, Is the warmth of the Sun and the Song that I sing ________________________ Copyright by T. McCullum ========== CD REVIEWS ========== ON ANGEL'S WINGS - cd single by Steve Brook Reviewed by Emily M. Parris "So long Henry John - the friend I never knew"... In "On Angel's Wings", Steve Brook sings of his dream to meet John Denver that never came true. It is a beautiful tribute to John sung in a very heartfelt style. He sings of listening to John's music and singing along. I think any John Denver fan would enjoy this tribute. On the "Friends of John Denver - Campfire" Lynne Groves said: "If you haven't yet ordered Steve Brook's cd then let me tell you it is beautiful and both versions of his tribute song to John, 'On Angel's Wings' reduced me to tears." The name of the record company is listed as "Windchime Music" and there are 2 versions of the song on the cd. One of them is an acoustic version. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Steve's Email: Steve Brook 1 John Street / Whitworth / Rochdale / Lancs OL12 8BN U.K. ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= To join the WINDSTAR FOUNDATION founded by John Denver and Tom Crum in 1976 check out the web page at http://www.wstar.org / The mission of Windstar is "to inspire individuals to make responsible choices and take direct personal actions to achieve a peaceful and environmentally sustainable future." Membership is $35.00 per year. Phone: 970-927-5435 Windstar Foundation / PO Box 656 / Snowmass, CO 81654 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Diane I have one each of the 4 styles of John Denver belt buckles left. All are made of pewter. One set has Rocky Mountain High on it with a mountain scene at sunset. The other is of an eagle head and it has the words to "Eagle and the Hawk" on the back. $17-$20 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In the book "Refuge Island" by Savannah Raines there is mention of John Denver's music since the central character likes John Denver. You can order the book through 1st Books at http://www.1stbooks.com ISBN 0-7596-9146-0 Or contact Savannah at - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Carol The Billings Montana Gazette is currently running an opinion poll on whether bison in Yellowstone National park should be protected under the Endangered Species Act. Go to http://www.billingsgazette.com to vote yes to help educate people about the importance of the Buffalo! Buffalo Field Campaign http://www.wildrockies.org/buffalo - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Cabinsong Web Page had this to say about the "Rocky Mountain Memories" show that will be on June 7, 2003 at the Palladium Theater: "Relive the memories, as Ron Rich portrays one of the greatest singer/songwriters of our time, John Denver. Let him guide you through the songs that warmed our hearts and left us with a fulfillment of love for the environment, and love for one another. A show that will take you back to a time when dreams of home and heart merged from the songs that made our world a better place. Laugh a little, and cry a little." http://cabinsong.com * www.palladiumtheater.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Paul I've had numerous requests from my fans that I play some JD tribute concert in Colorado and other places this fall and summer as a means of getting my own music out there and giving John Denver some thanks by singing some of his songs. www.paullarsonmusic.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Editor's note: On Paul's web page you can hear "What's This Talk About War?" - a song that is very reminiscent of John. "Sounds from the Living Room" is available for $13 (includes s/h) by sending a check to Paul Larson Music / P.O. Box 974 / Frazier Park, CA 93225 * The web page mentioned that his cd "Outside the Box" (March 2003) will feature Jerry Scheff on bass and Mark Yeary on the piano. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mary As most of you know, Eve and Paris Saizan lost a loved one. Her name is Laci Peterson. When I posted the address to send cards to her family, Frank DeLaMarre emailed me saying he was going to send them a box of his cd singles "Take Them Home", and if you saw the memorial service, you know they used his beautiful song along with a photo collage of Laci. Frank has graciously sent me a box of his beautiful cd's and I would like to offer this as a fundraiser for the Carol Sund/Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation. The cd was produced by Kris O'Connor and features Jeff Cox on bass, Pete Huttlinger on guitars and Chris Nole on piano. For a minimum donation of $5.00 you will receive a copy of the cd. Email me for more details. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Emily Please email me EVENT REVIEWS, WANT ADS, ARTICLES or information about John Denver to be included in the Rocky Mountain High Newsletter. Email by the 20th of the month for inclusion in the next newsletter. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver Events http://www.john-denver.org/events/aspen2003/ John Denver Espana Club http://webs.ono.com/johndenver JD SLide Show http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/bud1/amazon.html Gregory Wilson http://www.geocities.com/wilsons101/Singles.html ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@sky.net http://www.rockymtnhigh.org June 2003 * Issue #110 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************