============================================= *** 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 M A R C H 2 0 0 3 Editor: Emily M. Parris ============================================= http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@sky.net ============================================= Table of Contents March 2003 * Issue #107 John Denver Events..........................2 Bill Danoff & the Starland Vocal Band by Emily M. Parris.......................3 Denver Post - Feb 16, 2003 "Is London 'Heaven' Sent?"................5 John Denver Notes...........................5 Poetry Corner: "To John" by Barbara Ofenstein............7 Higher Ground: The Australian Friends of John Denver....................8 John Denver Want Ads/For Sale...............8 "Walking Thunder" - (1997) A family's adventures in the American West. Starring John Denver. Sun, March 16 6:00am - Animal Planet Eastern Time Zone ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= March 15, 2003 * Daytona, FL "Rocky Mountain Memories: A John Denver Tribute." Ron Rich portrays John. 1-800-854-5592 http://cabinsong.com March 16, 2003 * Australia / Virtual Concert screening of "The Wildlife Concert" / Royal Perth Yacht Club / Tickets: $27.50 http://www.bocsticketing.com.au Christine Egli March 29, 2003 * Monterey, CA / Joel Hannel will lead a sing/play-along of songs sung by John Denver. $10 donation (Desert will be served). Email song requests ahead of time or for further info: Judy Therrien Event location: 12 Dunecrest Avenue 7:00pm April 4 & 5, 2003 - Dade City, Florida / "Florida Old Time Music Championship" / Sertoma Youth Ranch (813) 991-4774 Jim Strickland: Mrethnc@aol.com Admission: $5 - $12 http://www.dadecity.com/fotmc/guestofhonor/Jim_Connor/ April 5, 2003 * Stafford, England / "Friends of John Denver" in the U.K.'s "Denver Day" at Walton Village Hall http://www.fojd.org.uk April 19, 2003 * Altadena, CA / Phil Christie Earth Day Concert / Coffee Gallery Backstage / 2029 N. Lake 8:00pm $8.00 (626) 398-7917 http://www.philchristie.com April 26, 2003 * Upland, CA / Jim Curry Earth Day Concert - "A Tribute to John Denver" with Pete Huttlinger, Chris Nole, Richie Garcia and Alan Deremo, at The Grove / 8:00pm VIP Tickets $24 includes Meet & Greet with the band from 6:00-7:00pm / Open seating $12 and $15 at the door. Anne * http://www.jimcurrymusic.com May 2-4, 2003 PA Friends of JD Retreat / Lebanon, PA Gretna Glen Camp, 87 Old Mine Road $50 payment to Patricia Liddic / 533 Lexington Road / Lancaster, PA 17603 by March 5, 2003. May 3-4, 2003 * Claremont, CA * Claremont Spring Folk Festival May 3 - 1:00pm Jim Curry and Timberline / 3:00pm John Denver Sing-Along Tickets $10 presale or $12 at the door. http://www.claremontfolkfest.org doug.thomson2@gte.net May 10, 2003 * Doylestown, PA / Charlie Zahm, Tad Marks and Christopher Westfall 7:30 $10 includes refreshments / Salem United Church of Christ / Info: pahough@aol.com http://www.geocities.com/aneagleflight/doylestown.html Sept 29-Oct 4, 2003 * Lyons, CO / "Journey to Center" program with Tom Crum (585) 924-7302 http://www.aikiworks.com 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 11-12, 2003 * Pacific Grove, CA / John Denver Memorial Tribute and Beach Cleanup * Debra Saturday Evening - Musical Event; Beach Cleanup on Sunday at Noon; Tribute at John Denver Beach on Sunday 5:00pm <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Bill Danoff and the Starland Vocal Band +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ by Emily M. Parris A Grammy-winning songwriter, Bill Danoff is best known as co-writer (along with ex-wife Taffy Nivert and singer, John Denver) of the song, "Take Me Home, Country Roads." He also wrote the Starland Vocal Band's 1976 hit "Afternoon Delight" as well as many songs that were sung by John Denver. Other familiar Bill Danoff songs include "Potter's Wheel", "Friends With You", "I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado", "Late Night Radio" and "Boulder to Birmingham" co-written with Emmylou Harris. Bill Danoff was born May 7, 1946 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Chinese. He formed a duo with Taffy Nivert called "Fat City." The song, "Take Me Home, Country Roads", was written when they were doing a gig at the Cellar Door in Washington, D.C. and John Denver was also playing there. Bill and Taffy's debut album as "Fat City" came out in 1969 and was called "Reincarnation." Other albums included "Welcome to Fat City" (1972) and "Aces" (1974). The album, "Aces" also included Jon Carroll on the vocals and the piano. The couple regularly toured with John Denver and also the Moody Blues. The Starland Vocal Band was formed in 1976. It was composed of Bill and Taffy plus Jon Carroll and Margot Chapman. Their song, "Afternoon Delight" reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 on July 10, 1976. When their song gained national fame they toured throughout the U.S., and appeared on the Tonight Show and the Merv Griffin Show. According to the Artist Facts website, the title of the song, "Afternoon Delight", came from a special dish at a restaurant called Clyde's in Washington D.C. The Afternoon Delight was a plate of shrimp with Brie and almonds. The song "Afternoon Delight" was also included in the movies "Boogie Nights" and "Good Will Hunting". In 1977 they appeared on their own show called The Starland Vocal Band Show. It was on Saturdays on CBS in the 8:00pm time slot. David Letterman was a writer for the show and made his first television appearance on their show. The group made 4 albums: "Starland Vocal Band" (1976), "Rear View Mirror" (1977), "Late Night Radio" (1978), and "4x4" (1980) all on the Windsong Label. In 1995 K-Tel came out with a compilation called "Afternoon Delight: The Best of the Starland Vocal Band". The group disbanded in 1980, and the members went on to solo careers. In 1987 Bill Danoff appeared as a Police Officer in the movie "Tin Men." Bill's first solo recording called "Souvenir" was released in 1990, and in 2002 he released a cd containing a compilation of songs written by him that were also sung by John Denver. The album was produced by John Carroll and is called "I Guess He'd Rather Be In Colorado." Here is the track list for the album: 1. Nobody Can Take My Dream From Me 2. Readjustment Blues 3. Baby, You Look Good To Me Tonight 4. Friends With You 5. Take Me Home, Country Roads 6. Please, Daddy, Don't Get Drunk This Christmas 7. She Won't Let Me Fly Away 8. Dearest Esmeralda 9. We Don't Live Here No More 10. Potter's Wheel 11. Late Night Radio 12. I Guess He'd Rather Be In Colorado Awards: In 1976 the Starland Vocal Band's song, "Afternoon Delight" received a Grammy Award for "Best Arrangement for Voices" and the band also received one for the "Best New Artist of the Year." They also received 3 other Grammy nominations and their song is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2001 Bill Danoff was the recipient of the third annual John Denver Award at the World Folk Music Association. At the present time, Bill owns the Starland Cafe in Washington D.C. with his wife Joan. She is always there running the show and Bill is often there on Friday Nights for a musical show. __________________________________ WWW Pages related to this article: Bill Danoff's Website: http://billdanoff.com Midi file of "Afternoon Delight." http://www.feelingnostalgic.com/afternoondelight.html Artist Facts: http://www.songfacts.com Jon Carroll Home Page http://www.angelfire.com/music3/joncarroll/main.html < < < < < < < < < * * * > > > > > > > > > IS LONDON 'HEAVEN' SENT? Denver Post February 16, 2003 by John Moore "Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of John Denver" producer Hal Thau is putting together a series of productions of the show for outside London, with the goal being a West End finale. He is excited that it also will be remounted by the Denver Center Theatre Company on a new stage with a new director and cast. "We are approaching it like a completely new show," said Thau, who said auditions will be held in Denver, New York and Nashville. "It'll be great to see what (director) Randal Myler's take on it will be. We have taken a lot of suggestions from the first run, and it is a better show now." By the way, "California Dreamin', " Myler's new musical about the Mamas & the Papas starring original band member Denny Doherty, will debut at New York's Village Theatre on March 14. ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= Christine Smith The 5th Annual John Denver Celebration will be October 4-5, 2003 in Salida, CO. We will again have musicians from across the country and guests from worldwide - it's a beautiful celebration of John's music and message and has been covered by worldwide media including the BBC World News and other shows and magazines. http://www.johndenverlegacy.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Christopher Westfall now has an "official" website. He was born in Norristown, PA in 1971 and has been performing since the age of 12. He sings acoustic folk music and often sings the songs of John Denver. http://www.chriswestfall.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sunshine On page 24 of COUNTRY WEEKLY Magazine, March 18th issue, John Denver is mentioned in the Great Outdoors article. The article is naming country music stars who camp and suggests the best "tunes" to take camping. John's "Rocky Mountain High" is among the songs making the list. It would certainly be my first choice. Live on John Denver......Sunshine - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mary April 1 Deadline to Contribute to the It's About Time Fundraiser: This is the final call for sites to be included in the John Denver Tour Book. If you know of a John Denver Memorial site in your area please send the details to Mary Ledford at eagleshorses@yahoo.com by April 1st The John Denver Tour Book is a collection of monuments, trees, benches, sites, adopted highways, etc. around the world dedicated to the memory of John Denver. All proceeds will benefit The Hunger Project. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver Peace Cloth has a new multi-media splash page designed by Nancy Anglin http://www.johndenverpeacecloth.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Subscribe to the WINDSTAR CONNECTION Newsletter There is a new Windstar Connection Program email newsletter. This first issue will be published March 1st. To subscribe send an email to: wsconnecting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com The yahoo group is available only for distribution of the newsletter. We hope making this accessible to all will inspire people to join the Windstar Connection Program. Nancy Holloway * Windstar Connection Program Co-Coordinator 1st issue on web at: http://www.cubica.co.uk/windstar/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Carolyn Churchill Need to know which albums a song is on? Want to find out who else recorded John's songs? Curious which songs made it to #1 on the charts? Search www.allmusic.com for a VERY thorough and concise listing of all JD's works. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - New Songpage for John... Flight - The Higher We Fly http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/ettel/flight.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Barb Breen There is voting going on for the best solo performer. You can vote for John at: http://www.freevote.com/booth/centuryartist - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - David Gorell My John Denver web pages are coming to life again. The new address is: http://www.john-denver.org/Sing-Australia/home.htm - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R P O E T R Y ======================================= TO JOHN by Barbara Ofenstein If I had but one more week with you I'd travel any distance To see your smile To watch the way your head tilts back just before you laugh To hear you tell a favorite story To watch a mountain sunset If I had but one more week with you If I had but one more day with you I'd count the hours in that day To not miss one precious minute To be as close as I could be To listen oh so carefully To understand your prayers To fulfill your many dreams If I had but one more day with you If I had but one more moment with you I'd promise truth to your dreams To help to save a forest To wonder at the sunshine To tell a friend about you To hear "For You" just once more To thank God I knew you If I had but one more moment with you But now my time with you has ended My memories are what I'm left with I hope you have peace I hope you have joy I hope you have understanding of all your life has meant I hope your music is with you always and a guitar is by your side I am content that you are not alone But now my time with you has ended Barbara Ofenstein, Forever a friend < < < < < o o o > > > > > HIGHER GROUND: THE AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS OF JOHN DENVER http://www.highergroundau.com From their web page... Our Mission Statement: To share our love for John Denver, the man and his music. We share his love and beliefs for One World and Peace, the Environment, and Wilderness and all Animals. This group is a non-profit group, there is no membership fee; all we ask is that if you join us, when you donate to your favourite charity you do so in memory of John Denver. It is our vision to continue to encourage peace and good will and also to promote the conservation of our environment and the wilderness. ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= "T" Productions presents a show on March 15, at the SMT Theater in Daytona, FL called "Rocky Mountain Memories/ A John Denver Tribute." Ron Rich portrays the legendary John Denver on stage for an evening of unforgettable memories. A night to remember, laugh, and cry as he takes you through an emotional voyage of John's music. Tickets can be purchased by calling the theater at 1-800-854-5592. For more information: http://cabinsong.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Greg Adams I have acquired an original 16x20 oil painting of John Denver as a child. I am interested in selling the painting. The artist's name is Anna Wege. John looks to be around ten in the painting and it is titled "Henry John Deutschendorf Jr" and appears to be rather old. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - Cynthia Clay Email for a list of John Denver items for sale. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mike Wade I won a silent auction for a John Denver autographed tennis shoe. It was a fund raiser for the Aspen School for the Deaf. I would like to sell it for $200.00 which was the bid I won it with. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Connie Have many John Denver videos for sale, as well as a few books and cd's, and a number of recordings of songs never recorded commercially. For a list, write to me at the above email. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - JDsongs I am 36 years old, female and live in Germany. I am disabled (with wheelchair). I am going to Aspen this October. As this will be my very first trip, I would like to get in touch with some people who have already been in Aspen. I am grateful for every e-mail. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Alanas The ARIZONA Windstar Connection group has been quite active in the Phoenix area for over a year. We are planning an Earth Day Event on April 19th and solicit ideas and participation. If you live in Arizona and would like to become involved in a small organization doing big things to save our planet, please email. I can send information on meeting dates and events. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sheila Ridout John Denver items for sale - many rare. Please email me for a list. I am in London, England - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Christopher Westfall's new website: http://www.chriswestfall.com Other Musicians Who Play John Denver Music: ========================================== Mack Bailey http://www.mackbailey.com Jim & Anne Curry http://www.jimcurrymusic.com Tim & Amy Dabbs http://www.hhstudios.com/tim_dabbs/index.htm Paul Swanton http://www.members.tripod.com/paul-swanton/index.htm Kate Wolf http://www.katewolf.com Keavin Yeargin http://198.143.195.171/kjyeargin/index.html Charlie Zahm http://www.charliezahm.com ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@sky.net http://www.rockymtnhigh.org March 2003 * Issue #107 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************