================================ *** 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 MAY 2004 Editor: Emily M. Parris ====================================== http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@parris.net ====================================== Table of Contents May 2004 * Issue #121 John Denver Events.............................................2 Tenth Anniversary of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH Newsletter..........5 Cherry Lane Music: "Poems, Prayers & Promises: The Art And Soul of John Denver".................................6 "Thank God for John Martin Sommers: His Song Is Popping Up Everywhere" by Emily M. Parris..................................................7 John Denver Notes...............................................8 Event Reviews Chris Westfall Concert - Reviewed by Mary Kushneir.............................9 Poetry Corner "Just A Man" by Cynthia Gullage...................9 "His Sunshine" by Emily M. Parris......................10 John Denver Want Ads.......................................11 ======================= This is the Tenth Anniversary of the Rocky Mountain High Newsletter!! ======================= ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= May 1, 2004 * Claremont, CA - Claremont Spring Folk Festival / Larkin Park 1:15pm Jim Curry's band, "Timberline" 3:00pm Jim & Anne Curry lead a 2 hour John Denver Songs Sing-Along $12 Presale ($15 at the festival) www.claremontfolkfest.com * doug.thomson2@gte.net (909) 987-5701 http://www.jimcurrymusic.com May 1, 2004 * Georgetown, Texas * "Picnic in the Park / Tribute to John Denver" San Gabriel Park Gazebo / Meet & Greet at Noon / Country Road Singers 1:00pm Bring your chair/blanket, drinks and lunch. kworley@mail.utexas.edu Bob & Kathy Worley (512) 930-9531 May 8, 2004 * Doylestown, PA - Second Annual Spring Folk Concert - Christopher Westfall, Charlie Zahm & Ted Marks. 7:30pm * Salem United Church of Christ * 186 E. Court Street / Info: honer@erols.com May 15, 2004 * Marlton, NJ * Christopher Westfall - Perkfection Coffee House (Route 73, Sagemore Drive) 7:30pm http://www.perkfectioncoffee.com (856) 810-7375 May 15, 2004 * U.K. / Mark Robinson will perform a free concert. St. Joseph The Worker Church Hall / Demontfort Way, Coventry. Info: christine@fojd.org.uk http://www.fojd.org.uk May 16, 2004 * Monterey, CA - John Adams in a House Concert at 12 Dunecrest Avenue 7:00pm / RSVP (Important) (831) 373-7780 email: jtherrien@pacbell.net May 22, 2004 - Tiburon, Ca - John Denver Memorial Concert 7:00pm Community Congregational Church, 145 Rock Hill Dr. Jim and Anne Curry performing. (510) 234-8843 George Schumer: Itamazesus@aol.com http://www.singingskies.org * http://www.jimcurrymusic.com May 22, 2004 - Portland, Oregon - Kyle Vincent in Concert / 3:00pm Debra Chilton wilco@pacifier.com June 5, 2004 * Baltimore, MD "Nightingala: A Musical Tribute to John Denver" / Peabody Concert Hall / One Mount Vernon Place / The Hard Travelers / 8:00pm $40 (410) 955-4284 www.son.jhmi.edu / M.U.S.E. Foundation & KO Productions / Benefit for Johns Hopkins School of Nursing June 9-20, 2004 - Arrow Rock, Missouri - Missouri Premier of "Almost Heaven: Songs & Stories of John Denver" / http://www.lyceumtheatre.org / Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre / High Street / Arrow Rock, MO 65320 / $30 / 660-837-3311 June 19, 2004 * Ormond Beach, FL * Rocky Mountain Memory Show, A John Denver Tribute concert with Ron Rich and the Stone Tree band 7:00pm Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 339 N. US1 * $15 (386) 676-3375 * Info: lvscoy@aol.com June 25-27, 2004 - Snowmass, Colorado - 2004 Windstar Colorado Connection Summer Retreat "Restoration & Renewal" on the Windstar land in Snowmass. Registration $40.00 Dreaux: dreuxdog@comcast.net June 25-27, 2004 - Virginia - Joint Campout - NC Friends of John Denver and the PA Friends of John Denver - Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park / 16 Recreation Lane / Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579 $25 per night / 1-800-258-9532 http://www.campnbr.com Pat Liddic < tigersnwolves@comcast.net > July 24, 2004 - Princeton, NJ * Christopher Westfall - Cafe Improv, 102 Witherspoon St. http://www.cafeimprov.com John Irving: (609) 921-3857 July 29, 2004 - Estes Park, CO - "John Denver Tribute Concert" Brad Fitch. 7:00pm - Performance Park in Downtown Estes Park. http://www.tropicowboy.com/gigschedule.htm Info@TropiCowboy.com August 1, 2004 - Snowmass, CO - Snowmass Chapel Benefit Concert / Snowmass Village Rodeo Grounds / Mack Bailey with John Sommers, Twirp Anderson, Tom & Julie Paxton 11:00am http://www.mackbailey.com August 5, 2004 - Banning, CA - Jim Curry & Friends at the "Laura May Stewart Bowl Building Concert Series" http://www.jimcurrymusic.com (909) 922-3243 Banning, CA Web Page: http://www.ci.banning.ca.us/ August 15, 2004 * NH Friends of John Denver Barbecue and Highway Cleanup / Cleanup 1:00pm / Barbecue 3:00pm Diane dnilsson@tellink.net / Barbecue will be at McDowell Lake in Peterborough, NH / gerrich@crosswinds.net http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/eml/emlhome.htm Paul Swanton & Friends will perform. September 11, 2004 - South Lake Tahoe JD Tribute Event is being Organized. Bill Templin 916-601-9954 For information: kingsriverwet@hotmail.com September 19, 2004 * Spring Grove, IL / "John Denver Tribute" at the Shades of Autumn Music Festival / "Will Kruger & Cross Roads" 12:00 Noon / Info: wilbil@quixnet.net September 24, 2004 * Snowmass, CO * Windstar Foundation: NEW Choices for Your Future Symposium http://www.wstar.org WindstarCO@wstar.org September 25, 2004 * Annapolis, MD / 4th Annual "Music From the Mountains - A Tribute to John Denver" Maryland Hall Center for the Performing Arts / Tickets & Ordering information to be announced. JOHN DENVER TRIBUTE EVENTS: October 1-3, 2004 - Salida, CO - John Denver Celebration / Seating limited to 200. $65 christinesmith@amigo.net Check or money order payable to "JD Celebration LLC - Christine Smith / 1115 E. Rainbow Blvd. / Suite 206 / Salida, Colorado 81201 http://www.johndenverlegacy.com October 3-17, 2004 - U.K. "Friends of John Denver" Trip to Aspen, Colorado * http://www.fojd.org.uk janet.wakeman@ntlworld.com / Janet Wakeman / 93 Woodlands Avenue / West Byfleet / Surrey / KT14 6AP October 7, 2004 - Aspen, CO - Aspen "Meet & Greet" / Worship Service / More information as it becomes available. October 7, 2004 - Aspen, CO - "Rocky Mountain Memory", a John Denver Tribute Benefit concert starring Ron Rich and his band. Aspen District Theater 8:00pm $20 (970) 920-5770 Benefits the Windstar Foundation / lvscoy@aol.com http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com October 8-10, 2004 * Aspen, Colorado - "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" at the Wheeler Opera House (970) 920-5770 Fundraiser for Challenge Aspen. Tickets on sale 7-1-04. http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com October 8-10, 2004 * Australia * John Denver Memorial sponsored by Higher Ground Australia / Boonah http://www.highergroundaustralia.com Janette Frawley < jfrawley@highergroundaustralia.com > October 8-9, 2004 * Blackhawk, CO * Rocky Mountain Memory Show, a JD Tribute concert with Ron Rich and the Stone Tree band / Mountain High Casino Info: lvscoy@aol.com October 8, 2004 - Aspen, CO / Peace Cloth Concert, Silent Auction and Presentation of 2004 Vision Award / Mountain Chalet 1:00pm / with Chris Collins and others to be announced. $20 / Eve Kleinfeld < EEEEEKL@aol.com > October 9, 2004 * Aspen, Colorado * "Let This Be A Voice" Auction/Lunch/Concert 11:30am - 3:30pm Mt. Chalet Ballroom $20 (or $10 for just the concert/auction) Check/M.O. payable to Pamela Beasley / 721 Ravencroft Drive / Garland, TX 75043 Performers include Mark Cormican, Mack Bailey, Pete Huttlinger and Chris Nole. Mary < eagleshorses@yahoo.com >, Pam < pamela.beasley@airmail.net > October 10, 2004 - Denver, CO - Rocky Mountain Memory Show, a JD Tribute concert with Ron Rich and the Stone Tree band / Swallow Hill Music Hall, 71 E. Yale Ave, Denver, CO 80210 / 3:00pm (303-777-1003 $20 Info: lvscoy@aol.com October 11, 2004 - Aspen, CO - Mack Bailey Concert with Chris Nole and other guests. Mountain Chalet Ballroom 1:00pm Karen (301) 229-9191 * Email: penguins51@aol.com http://www.mackbailey.com/schedule#Aspen October 16, 2004 * Wilmington, NC - "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" - Hard Travelers & friends / Thalian Hall / Benefit for Yahweh Center Children's Village / (410) 825-6873 http://www.musicunites.com November 13, 2004 - Flanders, NJ - Christopher Westfall at Crossroads Coffeehouse 8:00pm http://www.crossroadsmtolive.org/coffeehouse.htm November 13, 2004 - U.K. - Autumn Denver Day at the Avenue Bowling Club, Gaveston Road, Coundon, Coventry. http://www.fojd.org.uk <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> TENTH ANNIVERSARY of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH NEWSLETTER by Emily M. Parris I began writing and editing the "Rocky Mountain High Newsletter" in May of 1994. That first Newsletter went out to 16 people, and today we have over 7,000 recipients of the newsletter via email. In those early days information was scarce but when I was contacted by Mark Stern, John's publicist, things began to change. He sent me mailings and told about John's concerts over the phone. So I was able to publish lists of the concert dates. The best news, however, happened in 1995 when I received a call about the WILDLIFE CONCERT to be filmed in New York City. I was able to attend and publicized the event so that many other fans were able to attend as well. Our membership really ballooned just before and after the concert. We went from 94 members in January of 1995, to 247 members in February of 1995. In March we had 373 members and in April of 1995 we had 432. In the months that followed the membership grew more slowly. In April of 1995 the Rocky Mountain High website was created. This further bolstered our membership since people had a place to come to get information about John Denver. Other John Denver websites came online very quickly. The first John Denver Want ads were called "Member Corner: John Denver items for Sale." That was in issue #10 in February of 1995. Later the regular John Denver Want Ads called "John Denver Memorabilia" started in Issue #18 in October of 1995. The first "John Denver Notes" were in issue #24 in April of 1996. At first the newsletter was only published by email, but in October of 1995 I started producing a print copy as well. The June issue will have more statistics about the newsletters in celebration of our tenth anniversary. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cherry Lane Music Presents "Poems, Prayers and Promises: The Art and Soul of John Denver" - New Songbook with Bonus CD of Unreleased Songs Now Available HL02500566, ISBN 1-57560-617-8 NEW YORK Few artists earn the enduring adoration of fans around the planet. John Denver is one of the deserving ones. he is well respected not only for his folk rock compositions that remain radio favorites decades later, but also for his environmental activism, and popular tv and big screen appearances opposite co-stars as varied as George Burns, Placido Domingo and The Muppets. Nearly ten years after his untimely death in a plane crash, his admirers clamor for more. Cherry Lane Music is very proud to present "Poems, Prayers and Promises: The Art and Soul of John Denver." Years in the making and loaded with bonus material, this songbook/cd pack is a must for John Denver fans who will treasure the large color section featuring his never before published nature and travel photography, concert memorabilia, and new interviews about his songwriting craft with the people who worked with him and knew him best. One such person is Milton Okun. The founder of Cherry Lane Music, Okun was John Denver's original publisher and producer, as well as his lifelong friend and confidante. Okun and others close to John, including partner and manager Harold Thau, wives Annie and Cassandra Denver, Olivia Newton John, Teri Garr, Tom Paxton and Ed McMahon, weigh in with their recollections. Needless to say, this publication is near and dear to the hearts of everyone whose lives Denver touched. Among the book's 23 songs are all Denver's beloved classics, including "Annie's Song", "Calypso", "Leaving On A Jet Plane", "Rocky Mountain High", "Sunshine on My Shoulders", "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" and more. To appeal to his vast following of fans, the songs are arranged in a variety of notation formats, from piano/vocal/guitar to guitar transcriptions with tablature. All songs feature his complete, poetic lyrics so even non-musicians can enjoy the selections. Sure to be a special treat, the bonus cd that accompanies the songbook contains previously unreleased tracks of three tunes "Calypso", "Mother Nature's Son" and "Take Me Home, Country Roads" from a live acoustic show Denver did in 1987. This songbook/cd pack is the second release in Cherry Lane's Art and Soul series. "Time and Love: The Art and Soul of Laura Nyro" was the first. Comments Cherry Lane President Peter Primont, "We are very excited to present the Art and Soul of John Denver. Both books in this series have been real labors of love, and we hope John and Laura's devotees will come to regard our folios as more than just songbooks. Lori Hagopian lhagopian@halleonard.com Director of Publicity Hal Leonard Corporation http://www.cherrylane.com Available through www.musicdispatch.com 1-800-637-2852 <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> "Thank God For John Martin Sommers: His Song is Popping Up Everywhere" by Emily M. Parris "Thank God, I'm A Country Boy" was written by John Martin Sommers, and the song is popping up on albums and singles everywhere. The song was first sung on "The Tonight Show" when he appeared with John Denver. He had written it only a few weeks before. The song has gone on to become one of John Denver's most beloved songs. It was first recorded on an album in 1974 for John Denver's classic, "Back Home Again." It was not until 1975 that the song was released as a single. Then it became a #1 hit on both the country and the pop charts. Billy Dean has a single of the song that is currently #38 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles Chart and is being played on the radio. Billy was born on April 2nd in Quincy, Florida. On his website there is a list of radio station request lines so that you can easily request that the song be played. In 1992 Billy won the Academy of Country Music Songwriter of the Year award and the New Male Vocalist award for the song, "Somewhere In My Broken Heart." Roy Rivers has an album called "Thank God, I'm A Country Boy" that has just been released. It features a duet with Dolly Parton and it has his own compositions and songs written or made famous by John Denver. Here are the cuts on his album: 1. "Rocky Mountain High" 2. "Dreaming My Way Home" by Roy Rivers (Tribute Song) 3. "Back Home Again" 4. "Thank God, I'm A Country Boy" 5. "Sunshine On My Shoulders" 6. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" 7. "True Love Is..." by Roy Rivers 8. "Oh Railroad" by Roy Rivers 9. "My Sweet Lady" 10. "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" (Solo Bonus track) 11. "Hi Mom, It's Me" by Roy Rivers On Roy's web page it says that he has written 110 songs. "Leaving On A Jet Plane" was the first song he ever sang in public, and the musicians who have inspired him are John Denver, Glen Campbell, Mac Davis, Johnny Cash and the Eagles. Roy has a monthly email newsletter to which you can subscribe. Jim Salestrom also has the song "Thank God, I'm A Country Boy" on his album called "Safe Home." Jim was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Both Jim and Roy Rivers started accomplishing things at an early age. Jim attended a musical pre-school at age four, received his first guitar for his seventh birthday and put a rock 'n roll band together when he was in the fourth grade. Roy Rivers bought and raised 7 calves, 2 pigs and 500 baby chicks at age 15. He owned a 3-county garbage service in Arkansas at age 17 and wrote a "jingle" for his business that was played on the radio. http://www.johnsommersmusic.com http://www.billydean.com http://www.royrivers.com http://www.jimsalestrom.com ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= Cancellation of the Aug 6-8, 2004 Jim & Anne Curry Concert in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Silverton Casino: Jim & Anne Curry: EEEKKK!! The Silverton made a big mistake with us and booked another band (a KISS tribute) on the weekend they promised us. http://jimcurrymusic.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Emily < emily@parris.net > The MISSOURI Premier of "Almost Heaven: Songs & Stories of John Denver" will be at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater in Arrow Rock, Missouri / 660-837-3311 http://www.lyceumtheatre.org * June 9-20, 2004. $30 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - Janette < jfrawley@highergroundaustralia.com > Higher Ground Australia (formerly known as Higher Ground, the Australian Friends of John Denver) has a new website at: http://www.highergroundaustralia.com Since 2001 we have celebrated the life and music of John Denver in October on a weekend to coincide with the Aspen events. Each gathering is held at a different site in Australia and this year's event will take in the beautiful mountains west of Brisbane, Queensland at a place called Boonah. The gathering will be held between 8th and 10th October. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jennifer Anderson < jenniferanderson812@hotmail.com > Pete Huttlinger is filming a 3rd installment of his "How to Play the Songs of John Denver" guitar series. He hopes to have it ready to be released by the fall. http://www.petehuttlinger.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There was a Windstar Foundation chat with Ron Deutschendorf on April 24, 2004. You can read a transcript of this and earlier Windstar Chats at http://www.john-denver.org/chat/start.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kyle Vincent's song "Sierra" is about both John Muir and John Denver. He will be performing in Portland, Oregon on May 22nd. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PixieDmyr@aol.com * "The Terminal": This upcoming movie starring Tom Hanks as a man living in an airport terminal has a nice new arrangement of "Leaving On A Jet Plane" playing during the TV spot that I saw. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ========================= John Denver Event Reviews ========================= Chris Westfall Concert - "An Evening of Acoustic Music with Christopher Westfall" - April 17, 2004 - Ovid, N.Y. Review by Mary Kushneir Syracuse, New York < mmk@twcny.rr.com > Last Saturday evening my husband and I attended this concert at the South Seneca High School. The concert was awesome! Chris sounds so much like JD. He sang a lot of John Denver songs: "Back Home Again", "Rocky Mountain High", "Sunshine On My Shoulders" and many others. During intermission I talked with him about the Denver Day at Carol Blevins house in Pennsylvania back in the summer of 1993; that was the first time I heard him play guitar. At the school my husband purchased two of his CDs for me: "Kindred Spirits" and "I'm Coming Home." "Kindred Spirits" has a lot of nice JD songs on it and "Coming Home" has most of Chris's own music compositions. His website is... http://www.chriswestfall.com ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R P O E T R Y ======================================= Just A Man by Cynthia Gullage Just a man and his old guitar Following his dreams. Just a man with a poet's heart, And a voice like mountain streams. Just a man who saw this Earth As a very special place. Just a man with a singer's soul Searching for his own space. Just a man who saw tomorrow As better than yesterday. Just a man who said that we Should let PEACE be the way. Just a man who soared aloft Into the bright, blue sky. Just a man now softly singing A Heavenly lullaby. Copyright 5-12-04 by Cynthia Gullage < faroutfan2002@yahoo.ca > * * * * * * * * * * * HIS SUNSHINE by Emily M. Parris Like a babbling brook He flows through our lives His messages reach out to touch Each song, like a flower Renews and refreshes us Each of them means so much For like fresh, clean water He flows all around Inspiring hope every day In my life; in our lives I am so grateful That his sunshine came our way Copyright 9/16/95 by Emily M. Parris ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= Paula < Paulablinky@bellsouth.net > I am looking for JD's "Higher Ground" Video. If anyone has an extra copy, or knows where I can buy one, please email me. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Christine Moon reports that..."Anna Kate got married last August. The ceremony was at Annie's house and all the music was John's. Apparently she walked down the aisle to 'Perhaps Love' and there were no dry eyes to be found." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Larry < Lvscoy@aol.com > Buyer beware: I won an auction for a John Denver poster "Tulips in the Snow" on Ebay from Marti Norberg of Littleton, CO. (Ebay id: martinorberg) I sent a money order but never received the poster nor a refund. So if anyone sees this poster come up for auction or for sale the seller is just taking your money. I am so disappointed that someone would do this to another JD fan. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Peggy < PeggieDalrymple@aol.com > While at a Rocky Mountain Memory Show in Daytona, FL I met an amazing woman from England named Elizabeth. She is a medium who happens to channel John Denver. She has agreed to do a group reading of John Denver fans in Aspen. The group session will be on October 7, 2004 from 9:00am - 1:00pm at the Mountain View Room at the Mountain Chalet. Tickets are $15 Peggy (727) 398-2649 Elizabeth < Angellight2344@aol.com > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Peggy Doering < dnvrfan1@hotmail.com > I have a huge JD collection comprised of LPs (imports and other rarities), 45s, posters, pictures, books, et. al. My strong preference is to sell everything in one lot. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mary < eagleshorses@yahoo.com > If anyone wishes to donate an item for "Let This Be A Voice" in Aspen, please let us know. All auction items must be at the Mt. Chalet no later than 9:00am on 10/9/04. Any photo donated must be your own or must have a release from the photographer. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - VOLUNTEERS: We will need volunteers for the following positions: Security, auction room, registration, assisting with lunch and selling of merchandise. Volunteers will receive a complimentary t-shirt OR JD dog and lunch. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Higher Ground Australia http://www.highergroundaustralia.com MO Premier of "Almost Heaven" in Arrow Rock, MO http://www.lyceumtheatre.org ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@parris.net http://www.rockymtnhigh.org May 2004 * Issue #121 * Editor: Emily M. Parris ************************************************************* ^Z _______________________________________________ Rockymountainhigh mailing list Rockymountainhigh@emissives.com http://emissives.com/mailman/listinfo/rockymountainhigh_emissives.com