============================================= *** 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 March 2002 Editor: Emily M. Parris ============================================= http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@sky.net ============================================= Table of Contents March 2002 * Issue #95 * * * John Denver Events................................2 John Denver on Television 5 Times in March........3 John Denver Inducted into Colorado Performing Arts Hall of Fame - Denver, CO.................4 Stories Behind the Songs: "Darcy Farrow" by Sherril Steele-Carlin.........5 John Denver Stories: Javier A. Lifa - Buenos Aires...................6 John Denver Notes.................................7 Poetry Corner: "For John" by Kaye Rains........................9 John Denver Want Ads/For Sale....................10 <<<<< o o o >>>>> John Denver on Television in the U.S.: March 1 "John Denver: The E! True Hollywood Story 9:00am E! March 3 "John Denver: Let This Be A Voice" 8:00pm PBS March 10 "Walking Thunder" 6:00am - Animal Planet March 10 "Oh, God" - A&E 1:30pm March 20 "Foxfire" - 9:00pm VISN - Hallmark-Odyssey ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= March 1, 2002 * "John Denver: The E! True Hollywood Story 9:00am on E! (TV) March 2, 2002 * Third Windstar Chat with Ron Deutschendorf 9:00am - 12 noon PST. http://windstarchat.john-denver.org March 3, 2002 * "Let This Be A Voice" - on PBS 8:00pm PST http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/denver/index.html March 9, 2002 * WI Friends of John Denver annual Spring meeting. Cheryl March 10 "Walking Thunder" 6:00am - Animal Planet March 10 "Oh, God" - A&E 1:30pm March 16, 2002 - Altadena, CA - Launch of Phil Christie's new CD "Summerstown" at the Coffee Gallery Backstage 8:00pm Mike Valentine will also appear. Reservations: (626) 398-7917 http://www.philchristie.com March 20 "Foxfire" - 9:00pm VISN - Hallmark-Odyssey March 21-April 27, 2002 * Denver, CO * World Premiere of a new musical by Peter Glazer "Almost Heaven" / A Denver Center World Premiere / Stage Theatre / http://www.dcpa.org (Discounted tickets for the March 28 performance are available through Colorado Friends of JD - Contact Evelyn Pinney ) Single tickets go on sale February 3, 2002. March 22, 2002 Steve Gillette in performance - Culver City, CA Boulevard Music 8:00pm $15 - (co-writer of "Darcy Farrow") (310) 398-2583 http://www.sover.net/~gillette/index.html April 1, 2002 * Denver, CO - John Denver to be inducted into the CO Performing Arts Hall of Fame / Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom at Denver Performing Arts Center April 5-7, 2002 * Sedona, AZ * Journey to Center, Turning conflict into powerful relationships; presented by Thomas Crum. First Light Huger Foundation (602) 728-0710 firstlight@qwest.net April 13, 2002 * Arvada, CO / Pomona High School / John Adams benefit concert for the Front Range Center for Assault Prevention-Child Assault Prevention Project / Tickets $20 303-266-9019 / (303) 673-9558 http://www.geocities.com/childassaultprevention April 20, 2000 * 11:00-3:00 4th Annual Earth Day Celebration / Ram's Head Tavern / Annapolis, MD / www.ramsheadtavern.com Mack Bailey, Chris Westfall, Side by Side and Rachel Bissex $30 includes buffet lunch and donation to Kids F.A.C.E. Check to: Ann Schnitz c/o P.O. Box 483 / Lionville, PA 19355 April 20, 2002 - Ontario, California / Bethel Congregational Church / 536 N. Euclid Avenue 8:00pm * John Denver Tribute Concert featuring Jim Curry and Friends $12 or $15 at the door 909-987-5701 A benefit for the Claremont Spring Folk Festival April 27, 2002 - Austin, TX - Dedication of the John Denver Nature Exhibit and Memorial 2:00pm Austin Nature Center http://www.john-denver.org/austin/ May 3-5, 202 John Denver Spring Retreat - Lebanon, PA at Camp Gretna Glen. JD Fellowship and inspiration. $50 due by April 1, 2002. Pat Liddic June 28 & 29, 2002 "A Tribute to John Denver: The Man and His Music, 2002, Hibernia County Park - 4 miles North of Coatesville, PA / Info: Judith http://www.judithgabriel.com July 20-21, 2002 - Third Annual Country Roads Folk Festival, Almost Heaven Farm, West Virginia with a special tribute to John Denver http://www.mofolk.com October 5th & 6th, 2002 - 4th Annual John Denver Celebration / Salida, Colorado http://www.johndenverlegacy.com Christine Smith 1-719-942-9620 October 12, 2002 - Aspen, CO - Auction/concert/lunch at the Mt. Chalet 11am-3pm Mack Bailey, Chris Westfall, Mark Cormican, Frank DeLaMarre & Twirp Anderson. $20.00 per person. Info: Mary October 12-13, 2002 - Pacific Grove, CA / Fifth Annual John Denver Memorial Beach Cleanup and Tribute Weekend. Candlelight vigils on the beach both evenings 5:00pm Info * * * JOHN Denver on Television 5 times in March! =========================================== In a rare treat, many classic John Denver performances, and biographies are being repeated on television in the U.S. this month. JOHN DENVER: LET THIS BE A VOICE The PBS special "John Denver: Let This Be A Voice" is the one that features his song "Yellowstone, Coming Home". It is a documentary that was made shortly before John's death and in it he discusses the natural surroundings that inspired some of his music. It airs on March 3rd at 8:00pm and to read more about it you can go to the PBS website at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/denver/index.html OH, GOD In this 1977 movie, John plays a supermarket manager who talks to God. George Burns plays God, and Teri Garr is the flustered wife who doesn't know what to make of it all. With humor the film delivers a message of hope for the world. It's a classic John Denver performance that you won't want to miss taping if you don't already have a copy. It airs on March 10 on A&E (1:30pm). FOXFIRE This classic, Hallmark Hall of Fame movie features John Denver with Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy. The movie, filmed in 1987 is set in the Appalachian Mountains. John plays the part of a young man who is trying to get his mother to sell her land in the mountains and move away. It's an honor for John to be part of the Hallmark Hall of Fame Legacy. Hallmark Cards is based in Kansas City, Missouri. The film airs on March 20th at 9:00pm on VISN - Hallmark-Odyssey. WALKING THUNDER This 1997 movie stars John as the father of a family that gets stranded in the American West. It is the last movie John appeared in, and the film was actually released after his death. It airs on March 10th at 6:00am on Animal Planet. JOHN DENVER: THE E! TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORY This John Denver biography features interviews with Annie Denver, family members and actor Dennis Weaver. It is 60 minutes long and airs at 9:00am on E! Channel on March 1st. <<<<< o >>>>> THE LATE JOHN DENVER TO BE INDUCTED INTO COLORADO PERFORMING ARTS HALL OF FAME Denver, CO - Colorado's adopted son, singer/songwriter John Denver, will be inducted into The Colorado Performing Arts Hall of Fame, an affiliate of The Denver Center for the Performing Arts. The ceremony will take place on Monday, April 1 in the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom at Speer & Arapahoe in downtown's Denver Performing Arts Complex. Guests will include members of the DCPA's Directors Society and Best of Broadway Society, as well as John Denver's friends, business associates and family members. During his career, John Denver earned international acclaim as a singer, songwriter, performer, actor and humanitarian. His first major break came when he was chosen as lead singer for the Chad Mitchell Trio and his songwriting talents became evident when Peter, Paul and Mary hit number one with his "Leaving On A Jet Plane." Before long John found himself at the top of the pop charts with "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Rocky Mountain High," "Sunshine On My Shoulders," "Annie's Song," "Back Home Again", and "Thank God I'm A Country Boy." John's popularity can be measured in record sales: seven multi-platinum albums, 13 platinum albums and 20 gold albums in the U.S. alone. John Denver's "Greatest Hits" is still one of the largest selling albums in RCA Records history with sales exceeding ten million. The cumulative U.S. sales from his 30 albums exceeds 32.5 million units. His numerous awards include the prestigious Albert Schweitzer Music Award, given to him for "a life's work dedicated to music and devoted to humanity." It was the first time a non-classical musician had been so honored. And, in 1996, he was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. It is with great pleasure that The Denver Center for the Performing Arts will induct John Denver into its Colorado Performing Arts Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held in The Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom. Mr. Seawell, Founder and Chairman of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, will preside over the award ceremony at which a short video of John Denver's life will be presented. Relatives, friends and business associates of Mr. Denver's are expected to attend and never-before-seen memorabilia from John Denver's tremendous career also will be on display. As part of the ceremony, guests will attend the Denver Center Theatre Company/Harold Thau world premiere of "Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of John Denver." Established in 1997, the Colorado Performing Arts Hall of Fame, Inc. was created (a) to honor Coloradans who have made major contributions to the advancement of one or more of the performing arts disciplines, and non-Coloradans who have made substantial contributions toward the advancement of the performing arts in Colorado, and (b) to enhance interest and participation in the performing arts by honoring these inductees. = * = * = * = * = * = * ======================== STORIES BEHIND THE SONGS ======================== "Darcy Farrow" by Sherril Steele-Carlin "Where the Walker runs down to the Carson Valley plain" is the legendary opening line of a 1965 folk song first recorded by Ian & Sylvia, and since recorded by dozens of country and folk musicians including John Denver, Nanci Griffith, and Jimmy Dale Gilmore. This haunting lament is part star-crossed lover's story and part mini-travelogue through much of northwestern Nevada. The Walker River begins its run in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains and crosses into western Nevada near Topaz Lake, south of Carson City. From there, it meanders through juniper-sprinkled hills and alfalfa-green valleys until it vanishes into the desert lake called Walker, near the town of Hawthorne. In between the river runs through some of the most beautiful country in eastern California and western Nevada - through the Walker River Canyon near Bridgeport and past the old mining town of Yerington, which is also mentioned in the song. The heart-tugging saga of Darcy Farrow has inspired some creative legends about its beginnings. The most common is that songwriters Steve Gillette and Tom Campbell wrote the song for a class while students at UCLA, attempting to mimic an old Celtic folk song. Some folklorists have called it a 19th-century "gold-rush era" song. The real roots of the tune, however, are even better than the myths. "The song is based on something that happened to my little sister, whose name is Darcy," says Gillette. "At 12 years old she was running behind her horse, chasing it into the corral, when she was kicked. She broke her cheekbone but had no other lasting effects; there was a three-day period where she was in the hospital and we were all concerned she might have a concussion. "During that time," Gillette continues, "my friend, Tom Campbell, my co-writer on that song, took a melody I had written and came up with a story about the two young lovers and the tragic fall. I was a little horrified about the idea since it was so dark and involved my sister's name, but as we worked with it and took it in the direction of the old cowboy songs, I was much more comfortable with it. So many of the old cowboy songs take their melodies from Scottish-Irish musical traditions." Campbell's roots are in Nevada. Born in Las Vegas, his father lived in a log cabin homesteaded by Tom's grandfather along the East Walker River. Campbell's father went to high school in Hawthorne, and this unique location became the setting for the song. "I've always loved songs about the land," Campbell says, "and the Eastern Sierra corridor holds a special place in my heart. I worked up something from a riff that Steve had written, and I played it for Ian and Sylvia at a party one night after they had performed at the Golden Bear in Los Angeles." The rest is history. Ian and Sylvia's rendition of the song became a modern folk classic and many other musicians have since recorded the tune. "John Denver's version on his Rocky Mountain High album probably popularized the song more than any other," Gillette says. "It sold more than 4 million copies." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ J O H N D E N V E R S T O R I E S +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Javier A. Lifa - Buenos Aires My teen years were very much permeated by John Denver, his music, his lyrics, his voice. It's been awhile since I last stopped to listen to his songs but the other day my wife, our 3.5 y/o son and myself walked into a very interesting record store here in Buenos Aires. We wanted to try some new records but - God knows why - I went straight to the shelf where three of his cd's were waiting for me. I didn't buy them, courtesy of Argentina's present financial hardships, but an innovative trial system with a bar code reader (no need to pry the nylon open) allowed me to listen to some of my long-lost favourite songs. Interestingly, my son insisted he stand next to me and try the songs himself. He ended up listening to John's songs for longer than myself so I passed the bar code of one of the cd's under the reader of the trial system just next to me and the two of us just stood there absorbed by the experience. For Alan it was a first, but for me it was sort of a re-connection to some of the most intimate moments of my past (I'm 40). Meanwhile, my wife stood in awe without knowing what was going on. I left the record store with the firm decision to retrieve my big old Pioneer stereo set from the wardrobe, have it repaired and let John fill our house with his soul art for everyone's sake. ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= Mary Ledford Pam and I once again invite you to join us as we approach the 5th anniversary celebration of the life and music of John Denver. We will be having an auction/concert/lunch at the Mt. Chalet on Saturday, October 12, 2002 from 11am - 3pm. The lunch will be catered by our own Connie Young. Our guests this year will feature Mack Bailey, Chris Westfall, Mark Cormican and Frank DeLaMarre with special guest, Mr. Twirp Anderson. The cost will be $20 per person, or $10 at the door for the concert/auction only. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Harlean Peterson You are all invited to the 3rd Live Chat with Windstar President, Ron Deutschendorf on March 2nd 9:00am - Noon PST. At the last chat Ron spent most of his time in the question answering area while everyone else was chatting in the chat area. We are asking that anyone with a question post it in the next 2 weeks and then Ron will answer the questions before the chat so that he can spend more time in the chat area interacting with the people in the chatroom. http://windstarchat.john-denver.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Aspen Parks staff was honored by the American Society of Landscape Architects. The John Denver Sanctuary earned a merit award for "outstanding accomplishment in the design profession." http://www.aspentimes.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Phil Christie For all the JD fans, one of the sample audio clips at the CD BABY website is "Dream of Colorado", the song written after my trip to Aspen in 1998 and dedicated to John's memory. Our official launch is March 1st, for both the CD and my new web site www.philchristie.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver TV Special "Alaska America's Child" coming soon - Arthur Jackson: I have been working with the producer of this great old special John did in Alaska and it looks like we will have it at http://www.naturemusic.com in a few weeks. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - David Stemple Tonight the local community access TV station played a 45 minute slide show of the big events that happened in our community over 2001. I coordinated the music for this program and used several John Denver songs. I used "Seasons of the Heart" from JD's last recording; "Windsong" from 'Earth Songs' and when we did our little thing about September 11th I had "Annie's Song" playing in the background. It was beautiful. It made you kind of want to cry... I also used the Olympic Theme, Esteban, Charlie Brown Cartoon music and we ended with music from the movie "ET". - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kathy Lill This was on the "John Denver Peak" Expedition web page! This is great news! - "Update 2/2002 - We have received John Denver Peak Support Letters from all 50 states. Thanks everybody!" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - New kids4Peace Group: The John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth Board of Directors is proud to announce the launch of the new Yahoo group "kids4peace." Here kids can get together in a moderated space to talk about peace, the environment, or anything else that affects their lives and their worlds. To subscribe your children, send an email to: kids4peace-subscribe@yahoogroups.com The Peace Cloth Board of Directors http://www.johndenverpeacecloth.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sherril Steele-Carlin Hello! We've added lots of new quotes to the John Denver Quote-a-Day List! We all miss John and his magical voice. let his words, songs, and thoughts inspire you every day with this list. You'll get quotes from John and others who make a difference in this daily email from John Denver Quote-a-Day. To subscribe, just send an email to: Quotes-subscribe@john-denver.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Emily * Rocky Mountain High Guestbook * The original Rocky Mountain High Guestbook has moved to: http://www.mowchuk.net/family/rmh.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Donna Young The M.U.S.E. Foundation is proud to announce the launching of its new website http://www.musicunites.com 888-384-5054 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ====================================== P O E T R Y C O R N E R ====================================== For John... by Kaye Rains They tell me he is gone now, His time on Earth is through. And I find I cannot mourn him, And I know these thoughts are true. As I sit here and remember All the times I shared with him... I tell you they were happy times, And some I've shared with you. Remember how he made us cry, And then again to laugh? Though these times are gone now - The joy he brought us past, Whenever I remember him, The joy that fills my soul Reminds me that without him, I never would be whole. Although his passing took a part of me I never will get back, The pieces that he left me with Are all the things I lack. The joy, the sorrow, laughter and tears, Is what helped me make it through All these lonely years. His message and his gift to me Are all of you and more. I know now that is what I loved him for. And if he had not gone, Would we all be here, And would we have even thought about These things which we hold dear? The fact that he loved us and we loved him With all our hearts, Lets me know now and forever, We will never be apart ____________________________________________________ Copyright 1997 by Kaye Rains, 1997 John Denver Memorial Service / Portland, Oregon Mary Ledford Just got this track listing from RCA for "Harbor Lights." Release date is April. DISC ONE: Eagles and Horses / Children of the Universe / Rocky Mountain High / I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado / Druthers / Today / Wild Montana Skies / Intro for Darcy Farrow / Darcy Farrow / El Paso / Whispering Jesse / Me and My Uncle / Intro for Band and Fox Fire Suite / Fox Fire Suite / Amazon DISC TWO: Take Me Home, Country Roads / Back Home Again / Grandma's Feather Bed / Spanish Pipe Dream / Dreamland Express / I'm Sorry / Intro for Shanghai Breezes / Shanghai Breezes / For You / Intro for Kissing You Goodbye / Kissing You Goodbye / Annie's Song / Calypso ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= John Frank I am trying to locate a program from the 2000 Tribute to John Denver in Aspen at the Wheeler Opera House. They sold out before we got ours. If you have an extra one, please contact me. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Helene Rioux I have 2 tickets for sale for "Almost Heaven" in Denver, Colorado on April 26th - 2nd row from the front - center. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Connie Willens JD follower out of work for a year and has to sell collection - videos; books including most Out of Print JD Biographies, home-taped concerts and speeches by John, HIH journals, tour programs, cd's, dvd's, t-shirts and other JD items. Send email for detailed list or info on specific items. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Michiel & Dolly's JD Page http://home.wanadoo.nl/mtenbrug/denver/denver_1.htm Darcy Farrow Article at American Profile www.americanprofile.com/issues/20011014/2001101423_1413.asp Denver Center for the Performing Arts http://www.dcpa.org ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@sky.net http://www.rockymtnhigh.org March 2002 * Issue #95 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************