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 M A R C H 1 9 9 7 V E E R Emily Parris emily@sky.net http://www.sky.net/~emily R ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Table of Contents March 1997 - Issue 35 Reviews of John Denver Concerts Charlotte, NC 2-20-97 Lisa Sherril...............1 Atlanta, GA 2-21-97 Gina Carpenter................2 Birmingham, AL 2-22-97 Stephen Borden............2 Atlanta & Birmingham - Maria J. Casolero...........3 Atlanta & Birmingham - Diane Wunder................3 Atlanta - Ron Grainger.............................5 John Denver's Current Concert Schedule................5 John Takes First Place With U.K. Drivers..............6 Ordering Information on John Denver Media.............6 J.D. Videoke on Lasardisc from BMG Int'l...........6 John Denver Stories "The Day I Played a Gig for John Denver" by Mike DeShazer..............................7 "Calypso Dream" by Gill Leach.......................7 John Denver Notes.....................................8 Poetry Corner "Stewardship" by James Francis......................9 "Songs of the Wind" by Emily M. Parris..............9 John Denver Want Ads/For Sale........................10 ======================================= JOHN DENVER CONCERT REVIEWS ======================================= From: Lisa Sherril Subject: John's concert in Charlotte, NC Hi Emily! I thought I would tell you about John's concert in Charlotte, NC on 2/20/97. This was the third time I had seen him in concert and it was as thrilling as ever. He showed up about 20 min. late and that seemed to have rattled him just a bit. By the second half of the show his voice seemed to have become stronger and more confident. John's sense of humor was apparent when he sang the song "Get your tongue out of my mouth while I'm kissing you goodbye." He laughed and said in a fairly cynical voice that it didn't reflect any personal experience of his. Everyone seemed to enjoy his humor. He sang several of the songs he did for the "Wildlife Concert" and some that came from very early albums. He also did a sing-a-long of "Home of the Range" that seemed a bit unusual at the time, but it worked for him. After the concert, a crowd had gathered at his car awaiting his departure. When he came out, he waved to the people but didn't speak to us or allow any autographs at all. I was a bit disappointed in this. I felt he could have at least given us a minute of his time. But overall, I enjoyed the concert very much and I hope to have the opportunity to see him again. Lisa ------------------------------ From: Gina Carpenter Subject: John's Atlanta Concert on 21 Feb 97 John Denver was at his best vocally Friday night. His voice was richer and truer than it was twelve years ago, when we saw him last in Saratoga NY. He sang to us like he was singing his songs to his first audience, full of emotion, and his humor was in top form, too! John sang some oldies but goodies, some songs many of us hadn't heard before, and a tune I wonder if he made up just for us Atlantians ("Get Your Tongue Out of My Mouth Because I'm Kissing You Goodbye")!! He ended the concert 2 1/2 hours later with a fantastic rendition of "Calypso", doing an encore once with the band and then finally with his solo of "Perhaps Love". I was high when we walked out of the theater, wishing we hadn't waited so long to see him in concert again and vowing to catch every concert from this point on if they came anywhere in Georgia. ------------------------------ From: "Steven R. Borden" Subject: John Denver Concert in Birmingham, Alabama This past weekend (02/22/97) my wife and I attended John's performance in Birmingham, Alabama. This was his first visit to Birmingham since 1976. I also attended the 1976 concert and I think it still holds the attendance record at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center (BJCC) for a concert (18,000+). His concert this past weekend was held at the BJCC Concert Hall which holds about 3000 people. The attendance at the concert was about 2700. The concert was great. His voice sounded as good as ever. He began with "Take Me Home Country Roads" and ended with "This Old Guitar". There was a good mixture of his more well-known songs with his lesser-known songs in between. "Grandma's Feather Bed", "Sunshine On My Shoulders", "Back Home Again", "Calypso", "Annie's Song", "Rocky Mountain High", and "I'm Sorry" were just a few of the old favorites. He was also quite funny. He told the story of "Aunt Lou" from "Grandma's Feather Bed" and did a song called "Get Your Tongue Outta My Mouth - I'm Kissing You Goodbye", which was a funny parody of country music song titles. I was also impressed with his band. Very professional and very competent in their roles. My wife particularly enjoyed watching Mr. Sanchez on percussion and other assorted "sounds". In short, I would give the concert a 9 on a scale of 10. I would give it a 10, but he didn't sing a couple of my favorites; "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" and "Poems, Prayers, and Promises". But my wife and I really enjoyed his show and I hope that we will have the opportunity to see him again someday. It was great to leave the kids at home and just enjoy honest, clean, refreshing music; something you don't hear much of these days!!!!! ------------------------------- From: "Maria J. Casolaro" <104450.2544@compuserve.com> Subject: John's Concerts in Atlanta and Birmingham I took a little trip down south this past weekend to see John in Atlanta and Birmingham, and he was just wonderful! His spirits seemed to be soaring, and that voice!! He is indeed singing better than ever...there's a confidence and strength to his voice now, along with tons of emotion...plus he's having FUN! It really made my heart happy to see him this way...he looks quite well too..tan and rested..golf agrees with him :-) ------------------------------- From: MRS DIANE I WUNDER Subject: JD concerts in Atlanta and Birmingham What a concert! John was spectacular as always. The selections were great. I never get tired of the beautiful "For You". The audience got to sing the chorus of Dreamland Express with John. He's right. It sticks in your mind. Toby has been singing and whistling it all weekend. The only thing I didn't understand about the concert was the way people were up and walking around the whole time. There were always people going up and down the aisles. The people next to us didn't seem enthused and actually left during the break. I think a John Denver concert is so special and precious that I can't imagine taking my eyes off the stage for a minute, let alone leaving in the middle. We had already been told that there would be no backstage visit after Atlanta so we headed back to our hotel and crashed for the night. The next day Barb and Charlie White offered us a ride to Birmingham. We were delighted to accept and thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent with them. They had pictures to share of John at Pebble Beach. During the ride we learned about them, about golf and about John. It sure beat a Greyhound bus! We arrived at the beautiful Sheraton Civic Center around noon and checked into our room. The only problem was that the lock on the door was broken and even the maintenance man with his passkey couldn't get us in. When we went back to the front desk to get another room we were upgraded to club level! I felt like Alice in Wonderland when she fell through the rabbit hole! What a great addition to an already fabulous weekend. We had been told we would be able to go backstage in Birmingham. So many emotions were running through my mind! I was excited and terrified at the same time. I had heard that John could be moody. Would he be abrupt during the backstage visit? Would I do or say something really dumb? The concert in Birmingham was spectacular. We had 7th row seats, the closest we have ever been. Although most of the selections were the same, the concert had a whole different feel. The audience seemed more attentive and wildly appreciative. There were several well-earned standing ovations. It always amazes me at the warmth and intimacy you feel in the audience of a John Denver concert. So unlike other concerts I've been too. I really had mixed feelings when John started on "Calypso" that night. I love the song. I hate knowing that it means he's closing the concert and I will have to go back into the real world. You can image my emotions at Birmingham. In just a few minutes I would be meeting John in person! After an encore of "This Old Guitar" we all met at the side of the theater and a security guard took us backstage. The room was small and crowded. We all waited and milled around. One by one we saw the band members walk through the area. Then suddenly, I heard his voice - a soft "hello folks". I turned to the corner of the room and over the crowd saw his beautiful blonde hair. My heart was pounding right out of my chest! I wanted to wait while he talked to others so I could watch him for a longer time. I noticed after people met him they were just leaving and I certainly wanted as much time as possible to be in the same room with John Denver! He was incredible. As he met each person he looked directly at them and called them by name. His handshake was warm and welcoming like a hug. Each person had his completely undivided attention. He made you feel like no one else was in the room. Toby and I had handcrafted a spearhead out of polished aluminum. It was engraved on the back with "What One Man Can Do is Love" and put on a sterling silver rope chain. Toby has one like it and John noticed it right away. Toby said he had made it and that John could have one of his very own. I lifted it from the box. John's eyes lit up and he reached for it and said "far out!". Immediately he put it on and thanked us. The moment could not have been better! Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture, but nothing will erase the beautiful memory. I practically floated back to the hotel that night. In fact, I was still so thrilled the next morning that I could have flown home without the plane. ------------------------------------- From: "Grainger, Ron" Subject: JD. IN ATLANTA After 53 concerts could it be possible that John Denver can get any better? The answer is yes. The Fox Theatre in Atlanta was a beautiful venue for JD! His voice was like spun silk, absolutely perfect! The theatre was jam packed and the audience was great! John seemed in a different mood that evening. The concert was shorter than the other 52 I've been to. John went from one song to another very quickly like he had somewhere to be after the show. I talked to several people after the show and they were shocked that he can still sing like this! He hit every high note with ease and extreme clarity. One lady I talked to said that she cried most of the evening. It was her first John Denver concert! Well, I hopped on the plane and headed back to Cincinnati but I will never forget this particular evening! Simply wonderful!! ============================================ JOHN DENVER CONCERT SCHEDULE ============================================ March 11, 1997 Edinburgh - Usher Hall (Tel: 0131-228-1155) March 12, 1997 Glasgow - Royal Concert Hall March 13, 1997 Glasgow - " " March 15, 1997 Birmingham - N.E.C. (Tel: 0121-780-4133) March 16, 1997 Nottingham - Royal Concert Hall March 18, 1997 Cardiff - Cardiff Intl Arena March 19, 1997 London - Royal Albert Hall March 21, 1997 London - Royal Albert Hall March 22, 1997 Manchester - Apollo (Tel: 0161-242-2560) March 23, 1997 Dublin - The Point March 24, 1997 Belfast - Waterfront March 26, 1997 Skieve - Skievehallen March 27, 1997 Aarhus - Muikhuset March 28, 1997 Kopenhagen - Falconer Theater March 30, 1997 The Hague - Het Congresgebouew - Holland March 31, 1997 Antwerp - St. Elisabethzaal April 5, 1997 Honolulu, Hawaii - Waikiki Shell April 8-9, 1997 Wailea, Hawaii - McCormack Estate May 16,17 1997 Thousand Oaks, CA (818) 708-8855 May 23-25 1997 Cerritos, CA (310) 916-8510 June 21, 1997 Kelseyville, CA - Konocti Harbor Resort June 22, 1997 Saratoga, CA - Villa Montalvo Arts June 24, 1997 Livermore, CA - Wente Brothers Winery June 26-27, 1997 Jacksonville, OR - Britt Festivals Sept 26-28, 1997 Houston, Texas - Jones Hall For a more detailed schedule write to "emily@sky.net" or look on the www page at http://www.sky.net/~emily =========================================== JOHN TAKES FIRST PLACE WITH U.K. DRIVERS =========================================== From a UK Newspaper: DRIVERS AT EASE WITH MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD MELODIES "When it comes to drive-time music, Britain's motorists are relentlessly middle-aged and middle-of-the-road in their tastes, it seems. A survey of the songs listened to behind the wheel shows most drivers reject life in the musical fast lane and prefer safer easy-listening music of the seventies over more cutting-edge melodies... Out of 700 motorists surveyed, the most popular song for driving was "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver." ========================================== Information on Ordering John Denver Media: ========================================== A lot of the companies that have JOHN DENVER Merchandise for sale have 800 numbers. The following is a list: ========================================================== Aztec Corporation 1-800-232-7328 - "Mitchell Trio Reunion" cd and "Folk Essentials" Brookside Media 1-800-934-4336 Video: "A Portrait" Cherry Lane Music 1-800-934-4336 Various media Music Dispatch 1-800-637-2852 Various media Sony Signatures 1-800-767-7160 JD Tour Merchandise TCL Imports 1-800-728-2614 "An Eve With JD" -2cd set ------------------------------------------------------------ Info on John's Autobiography on cd and a video, "Montana Christmas Skies" From: Katie Leland Hi, Emily! I have located the place that carries John's 3-CD box set of "Take Me Home" and also the "Montana Christmas Skies" video. The cd set is $19.99 + $4.75 shipping. The video is $9.99. Send orders to: Delta Music Inc., 2500 Broadway Ave. Suite 380, Santa Monica, CA 90404-3061. Phone = (310)-453-9504, Fax=(310)-828-1435. Delta Music carries the Laserlight products. They also have a web page at . ============================= John Denver Videoke Laserdisc ============================= Clive Gardiner of BMG International has the J.D. Videoke Laserdisc for sale and is offering us a special fan-club price of $15.00 (plus $4.00 shipping). He will only mail to a single address in the US, so I have to pack them individually and mail them out again from here. Send $19.00 to Emily Parris / 3820 Baltimore / K.C. MO 64111. Deadline is March 30, 1997 so that I can place the order. (This price applies to U.S. only - others please email) ================================================ J O H N D E N V E R S T O R I E S ================================================ From: Mike DeShazer Subject: The day I played a gig for JD. When I was a high school senior, I think it was right after Christmas '71, I got a call from a local minister asking me to play a song at the funeral of a teenage girl who had been killed in a car/pedestrian accident near my home town of Arvada, Colorado. The minister had called my school choir director and asked if he knew a student who played guitar and sang folk music. I was recommended. It turns out that the young lady's favorite song had been "Take Me Home Country Roads" and the family wanted it played at her funeral. Her uncle had met John Denver only recently and of course was the first choice to play the song. But John was unavailable so I was called as his substitute! Only a month before, the newspaper had printed a story about a Denver girl who died and the family had John Hartford play "Bridge Over Troubled Water" at her funeral. So I wasn't surprised to hear that this family wanted John Denver to sing at their daughters funeral. Though I had been playing John's songs for a year or so by then, I hadn't learned "Take Me Home Country Roads". I got the call on a Sunday and the funeral was the next day so I pulled out my "Poems, Prayers and Promises" album and learned the song that afternoon. It was cold and cloudy that day. It was an open casket funeral and I stood by it and sang the song. I did the best I could and the family was appreciative, but it was one of the strangest gigs I ever played. I met the uncle and he asked me how much I wanted as payment. I said that I didn't want any money but it would be nice if he could work it out so that I could meet John Denver sometime. Well, I never got that payment, but I learned another JD song that I added to my repertoire. And I'll never forget that I played a gig for John Denver. ----------------------------- From: Gill Leach CALYPSO DREAM I first remember 'Discovering' John Denver in the early 1970's. I was cooking an evening meal at the time, and then heard 'the voice'. I rushed into the lounge to watch the TV and it was love at first sight. John Denver was singing Annie's Song - and ever since then John's music has meant everything to me. One of my dreams has been to breed dogs. I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniel bitches (Cindy and Lisa). I wanted Lisa to have puppies. In November '95 Lisa gave birth to eight puppies!!!!!!!!! Alas one was still born but the other 7 grew and thrived. I have thought about having 'Calypso' as my affix at the Kennel Club. I wanted to give each puppy a Kennel club name - significant with the songs that I so love. These are the ones that I originally chose although a couple of them had to be changed: Puppy 1 - Calypso Dream - because as my first born pup she was my dream come true. I have kept her and called her Jesse. She really is a little dream too. Puppy 2 - stillborn Puppy 3 - Shanghai Breeze - pet name Holly and now owned by a breeder of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in Wales. Puppy 4 - Colorado Cowboy - pet name Mr Chekov and owned by a retired Scientist in Wiltshire. Puppy 5 - Windsong Rocky - pet name Rocky and now living in Cheltenham. I had to change his registered name to Benhall Morning Star. Puppy 6 - Spirit of Apollo - pet name Hawk; now in Reading. Puppy 7 - Whispering Jesse - pet name Cassie Puppy 8 - Stonehaven Sunrise - pet name Casey. Living locally but I had to change his registered name to Casey's Delight. As long as John Denver continues to sing his songs I shall have a never ending choice for names for any more puppies that Lisa and Jesse may have in the future. ============================================== J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ============================================== From: Tom Subject: John Denver Responds The final chapter has been finished in our book of John Denver Memories. A fan asked John about the book at one of his recent concerts. John was asked if he received our book. He replied: "Yes, It knocked me out, I sat up one night by a fire and read it." Congratulations to all of you who participated! John read and enjoyed all of your letters! --------------------------------------------- From: Mar Subject: John Denver Chat The address to use to log into an IRC program: AnotherNet IRC Network ----> sunrise.ca.us.another.net The channel name to "join" is #Denver ------------------------------------- From: MS LYNN R TOENNESSEN Subject: JD in midwinter 1997 Aspen Magazine Hi Emily, In the people section of the latest issue of Aspen Magazine there was a picture of JD with the mayor of Aspen, John Bennett. The caption reads: Aspen's favorite John's: Bennett and Denver. In the column off to the side it says: "Townies and visitors gathered at the gondola to celebrate the Silver Queen's 10th birthday, complete with serenade by local swooner John Denver." ---------------------------------------- From: Karen Sable Subject: JD in Concert in Pittsburgh, PA I saw JD in concert here in Pittsburgh last week. I lucked out big time and had front row center seats for both nights. It was incredible!!!!! Talk about a Rocky Mountain High!!! ----------------------------- From: Sam Leland Subject: TV Guide Online Listing I've found a new address on the web. It's called TV Guide Online Listing. The address is www.tvguide.com/tv/listing. You can select your area and name of person or event you are searching and they will search your TV Guide for you for about the next 2 weeks. No more reading the fine print each week to see if John will be on TV. ---------------------------- REUNION: MIND AND NATURE The first three topics for John's show "Reunion: Mind and Nature" are , , and . More information on this can be found on the first page of the RMH WWW Page. ======================== POETRY CORNER ======================== STEWARDSHIP by James Francis The spirit of the forest whispers from the trees Asking all that hear it, "Take more time to see" She tells of God's gifts of nature, The mother to us all And beckons us to listen and hearken to the call That the beauty which surrounds us is not of infinite source Yet slowly, but very certainly, we've embarked upon a course Of uncaring plunder, and caring little how The forest of the future, Perceives "Then".... compared to "Now". Copyright James Francis 1996 -------------------------------------------- This poem is dedicated to John and his wonderful album "Windsong". SONGS OF THE WIND by Emily M. Parris You assembled for me the songs of the wind Flying free; soaring over the plain Whenever I want to capture that feeling I listen to them again You were looking for space and you found it In the freedom of the air Your album captured the essence Of the inspiration there ==================================== JOHN DENVER WANT ADS / FOR SALE ==================================== From: Daniel W Monroe ATTENTION JOHN DENVER FANS!!! Been searching for a copy of those "rare" John Denver albums? My name is Dan M. and I own many of the original JD records including "Rhymes & Reasons", "John Denver:Live In London", and "Whose Garden Was This". The copies are guaranteed the highest possible quality (from source) and come in a full color cassette case with the album cover on the front. For more information on titles available, please write to me at ---------------------- From: "L. Avataria" I have some albums that I'd like to sell.. A bit of the story.. My best friend and I grew up loving JD.. we've been together and best friends since we were 3 years old.. her mother was a very stable influence on me as we grew up.. she died this past year and when we cleaned out her house, we found my girlfriend's albums, JD amongst them.. after the estate sale etc., there was not enough money to pay for a headstone.. so we're just finding some ways to keep collecting enough for that.. my girlfriend has replaced her albums with CDs and gave them to me to try to sell.. I've checked them all and they are in good shape.. they are: "Windsong", "Farewell Andromeda", "Aerie", "Poems, Prayers & Promises", "Beginnings", "Spirit", "Back Home Again", and "An Evening with John Denver". ------------------------------- From: PReeves563@aol.com Subject: John Denver TV Specials & Movies I am new to AOL, and am reading the information regarding John Denver (my FAVORITE performer!) and his television specials and movie appearances. I'd like to have any information as to where and/or how I can get copies of these, especially his TV specials? ------------------------ From: Julie Subject: Re: John Denvers Movie!! Hi, everyone! I am new to all this E-mail. I love to hear what people have to share about John Denver. Does anyone have information about the movie he did called "Higher Ground" ....or a copy of it? ------------------------ From: SrPastrTim@aol.com Subject: John Denver Do you have any way for me to get a copy of the live video of his "Evening with John Denver" album? If is available I would like to get a copy of it. --------------------------- From: Teresa Subject: Silent Auction of JD Items I have a nice collection of JD items I have accumulated over 20 years and am going to liquidate via a silent suction. Anyone interested in receiving a copy of the auction items can e-mail me. ------------------------------ From: Michael Jones Subject: Photographs of John Denver In 1976 I attended a concert featuring John and the Starland Vocal Band and I was able to get photographs of the performance. Last year John appeared here in Salt Lake City to promote the 2002 Olympics and I was able to acquire autographs on three enlargements of these photo's. I still have the entire photo collection of both John and Starland and if anyone is interested in these please contact me. Mike Jones 3440 S, 500 E #103 / Salt Lake City, UT 84106 ---------------------------------- From: "Seth E. Irwin" Subject: John Denver Movie, Higher Ground Is there any source for a video copy of the John Denver movie "Higher Ground"? Mine was destroyed and I'm looking to replace it. ---------------------------------- From: Kym Deisenroth I'm looking for recordings of "Spirit" and "Whose Garden Was This" I don't necessarily need the albums - unless someone would be willing to part with them. I'd be willing to supply the cassette tape and postage if someone would be willing to take the time to record those albums for another loyal fan. I'm also I'm desperate for a copy of the tv movie "The Christmas Gift". -------------------------------------------- From: "Bill O'Brien" Would also like a copy of "The Christmas Gift." -------------------------------------------- From: Virgacloud@aol.com (Please???) do you know where I could find a copy of Autograph? My favorite song is St. Anne's Reel. ------------------------------------------- From: Vicente Solivelles Talking about this, may I ask you how could I find the video "An evening with John Denver"? I have been looking for it for years, and would pay anything for it. ------------------------------------------------------ From: Peter Stam Searching for: Aerie, JD, Rhymes & Reasons, Rocky Mountain Holiday, Take Me To Tomorrow and Whose Garden Was This. Endfile ********************************************************** Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club http://www.sky.net/~emily * emily@sky.net March 1997 * Issue #35 * Editor: Emily Parris **********************************************************