============================================= *** 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 Y 2 0 0 7 Editor: Emily M. Parris ================================================ http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@parris.net ================================================ Table of Contents May 2007 * Issue #157 John Denver Events................................2 "Author's Visit to Edgerton Teaches Many Ways To Tell A Story" - Janesville Gazette...........5 John's Music at Reader's Digest by Jean Kendle.................................6 "Living An Uncommon Life: Essential Lessons from 21 Extraordinary People" by John St. Augustine.........................6 John Denver Event Reviews "A Tribute to John Denver" - Branson, MO Reviewed by Rene Cavett......................7 Poetry Corner: "John Denver 1943-1997" by Lynne Groves.........8 "Saga of Whispering Jesse" by Carole Romanowski......................9 John Denver Notes.................................9 John Denver Want Ads/For Sale....................10 ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= May 2, 2007 - Pacific Grove, CA - Ellen Stapenhorst - House concert 7:30pm $12 * http://www.ellenstapenhorst.com Judy Therrien (831) 373-7780 or jht@spamarrest.com May 4-5, 2007 * UK * Pete Huttlinger, Mack Bailey & Chris Nole in a 2-night special John Denver Tribute / Tickets: Check or cash to Jackie Freeman, Feet First, 53 High St., Stokesley, North Yorks, TS9 5AD include SAE Venue is Kirkby Church Hall, Kirkby in Cleveland, North Yorkshire (Near Stokesley) Info: 01642 713575 or 714061 May 12, 2007 - Atlanta, GA - The "Friends With You Band" has added a new concert to the tour. 7:30pm. Chris, Mark, Paul and Kevin will perform for the benefit of "Spirit of a Child Foundation." $20 UU Metro Atlanta North Church / 11420 Crabapple Road / Roswell, GA 30075 holliecwoodstock@aol.com or stephdubick@aol.com May 25, 2007 - Londonderry, NH - "Friends With You: A John Denver Tribute" 8:00pm Chris Collins, Mark Cormican, Kevin Delmolino and Paul Swanton will perform many of Denver's tunes as well as their own compositions. $15 Tupelo Music Hall * http://www.tupelohall.com * 888-688-7356 Info: Richard info@nhfjd.org June 23, 2007 - Mt. Holly Springs, PA - "An Evening of Acoustic Music with Christopher Westfall": 8:00pm - 11:00pm Holly Inn / 31 Baltimore Avenue / Mt. Holly Springs, PA 17065 Tickets: $10 Reservations Suggested. A truly special evening of music from this gifted artist. Along with Chris' own heartfelt songs, the show will feature songs of John Denver, Dan Fogelberg, James Taylor and many others. Info: srose@pa.net * http://www.chriswestfall.com August 11, 2007 - Hesston, Pa - "Rocky Mountain High in the Alleghennies: 4th Annual John Denver Tribute Concert - 6:00pm Seven Points Amphitheater at Raystown Lake Visitor's Center / Heston, PA / Donations accepted. Sponsored by the Spirit Windstar Connection of PA / MD. Christopher Westfall and the Friends With You Band (Chris Collins, Mark Cormican, Kevin Dolmolino, Paul Swanton and Dave Howard). Info: spiritwsconnections@yahoo.com http://www.geocities.com/spiritwsconnections 1-888-Raystown August 18, 2007 * Estes Park, CO * Fourth Annual Estes Park John Denver Tribute Concert / Estes Park Fair Grounds / Fiddlin' Foresters 5:30pm / Brad and Kathy Fitch and the TropiCowboy Band 7:00pm $15 in advance $20 at the door Children 10 and under free http://www.cowboybrad.com August 18, 2007 - Peterborough, NH * Annual New Hampshire Friends of John Denver barbecue / Cleanup at 1:00pm followed by barbecue at McDowell Lake Richard info@nhjfd.org http://www.nhfjd.org August 31, 2007 - Vancouver, WA * Jim Curry's "Alaska and Me Cruise - 2007" * Join Jim and his guests (original JD band members and tour managers) on Holland America Line's Volendam sailing August 31, 2007 from Vancouver north to Anchorage, Alaska. debbie@odonnelltravel.com (800) 274-2453 / http://www.odonnelltravel.com http://www.john-denver.org/default.asp?nc=35868&id=507 September 1, 2007 * Fort Collins, CO / Brad and Kathy Fitch and the TropiCowboy Band 7:00pm Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive near the intersection of Drake and Shields. $15 (970) 221-6645 http://www.cowboybrad.com September 22, 2007 - Carmel, CO * Chris Collins and Mark Cormican will present a concert honoring John Denver through his music / UU Church of the Monterey Peninsula, 490 Aquajito Road 7:30pm $15 Send SASE to Tickets, JD Weekend Concert, Judy Therrien, 12 Dunecrest Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940 September 22, 2007 - UK - Concert by Neil & Gill Sharman plus Special Guest "10 Years On - Remembering John Denver" at the Wheatsheaf Co-Operative Theatre, Wyken, Coventry http://www.timnberwolf-studios.com September 23, 2007 - Pacific Grove, CA - John Denver Memorial Dedication 12:00 Noon Info: Cynthia Doe (714) 846-1446 October 10, 2007 * Aspen, CO * "Friends With You" Concert * Aspen Community Church / 200 E. Bleeker St / Aspen, CO 81611 * 7:30pm Tickets: $10 Send a check & SASE to Sharon Carr / PO Box 912 / Yucaipa, CA 92399 Band members: Mark Cormican, Chris Collins, Kevin Delmolino, Paul Swanton & Dave Howard. Info: alaskanchild@msn.com October 11, 2007 * Aspen, CO * John Willcox will present his 1970's John Denver video "Alaska: America's Child" and share photos taken during the filming at a fund-raising luncheon Pine Creek Cookhouse www.pinecreekcookhouse.com / Note: ** This event is SOLD OUT ** October 11-13, 2007 - Aspen, CO - 10th Annual "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" - Wheeler Opera House Thursday, Friday, Saturday October 12, 2007 - Aspen, CO - Assisted Living Center SingAlong. Rehearsal at Wagner Park at 9:00am and then meet at Pitkin County Assisted Living Center at noon to sing. To sign up email Shari at apokey1@aol.com October 13, 2007 * Aspen, CO * "Let This Be A Voice" Concert / Lunch / Auction 9:30am - 2:30pm at the Mt. Chalet $25 for the lunch/concert/auction or $15 for just the auction and concert. eagleshorses@yahoo.com Send a check/m.o. & SASE to Pam Beasley / 721 Ravencroft Dr / Garland, TX 75043 Pam's email: firendsky@mac.com October 14, 2007 * Aspen, CO * John Adams and Friends - "Rocky Mountain High" - Wheeler Opera House 7:00pm Tickets: $20.00 and $35.00 at the Wheeler Box Office (970) 920-5770 Band members include: Guido Bos, Tom Paxton, Diane Ireland, Rusty Speigle, Dave Harding, and Randy Utterback. http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com October 14, 2007 - Aspen, CO - Christopher Westfall presents "A John Denver Musical Retrospective" - Mt. Chalet Ballroom 8:00pm For tickets send SASE to: Tickets, CRW Concert c/o Judy Therrien / 12 Dunecrest Avenue / Monterey, CA 93940 * jht@spamarrest.com * www.chriswestfall.com Tickets $15 October 14, 2007 - Aspen, CO - "Coming Home - A Windstar Celebration". Celebrate John Denver's legacy at the Windstar Land Conservancy from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Music, history, fun and a few surprises! Free concert. If you're not a member you can join at the event. http://www.wstar.org Contact Shari or Dreaux for more info cominghome@wstar.org October 26, 2007 * Annapolis, MD - "John Denver Musical Tribute Show to benefit Maryland Therapeutic Riding http://www.horsesthatheal.org * mtrinfo@mtrinc.org December 5-24, 2007 - Seattle, WA - "Back Home Again: A John Denver Holiday Concert" featuring Dan Wheetman. Seattle Repertory Theater / 155 Mercer Street / Seattle, WA (206) 443-2222 * http://www.seattlerep.org Single tickets will go on sale in August 2007. December 15, 2007 - UK - FOJD "Denver Day" at Pershore, between Worcester and Evesham. http://www.fojd.org.uk Branson, MO - Monday thru Saturday 10:00am * NEW * "A Tribute to John Denver & Country Music Legends" James Garrett sings John Denver's best-loved hits. IMAX Little Opry Theatre / 3562 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway / Branson, MO 65616 (800) 419-4832 <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> "Author's Visit to Edgerton Teaches Many Ways To Tell A Story" Janesville Gazette Janesville, WI April 21, 2007 by Stacy Vogel Fourth-graders generally aren't a big audience for John Denver music. But a library full of them - many of them not even born when the folk singer died - sang "Take Me Home, Country Roads" at Edgerton Community Elementary School on Friday morning. Leading the bunch was children's book illustrator Christopher Canyon. He visited the school Thursday and Friday to talk about his work and the many ways kids and adults can tell stories and express themselves. Canyon connected with the students on many levels. He spends his time writing stories, drawing pictures and singing songs - typical elementary school pastimes. He bounded in front of his audience, talking a mile a minute in his effort to convey his love of storytelling in any form. "It's really cool, all the ways we have to share our ideas," he said. Canyon mainly shares ideas through visual art, but he also incorporates music. For the past five years, he has created books by illustrating lyrics from John Denver songs. He used sketches, photographs and drawings to explain his creative process to the Edgerton students. The artist travels from his Ohio home to give presentations to schools around the country. He encourages students to appreciate art in all its forms and tries to inspire them to continue their art as they grow up, he said. "It's just wonderful to kind of initiate the creativity that children innately have," he said. He also wants to bring Denver's work to a new generation, he said. He told the students that "Take Me Home, Country Roads," was one of the first songs he learned to play on the guitar and his family's favorite song to sing at reunions. He had his guitar Friday, and the session ended with a rousing rendition of the song. The students were well prepared for the visit. They had read and talked about Canyon's books in their classrooms and during library time since February, said librarian Patty Wargula, who organized the visit. Students at Yahara Elementary, where Canyon also stopped, drew pictures imitating the artist's style. Some even learned sign language for "Sunshine On My Shoulders," another Denver song Canyon has illustrated. The district has brought an author to visit every year for the past decade, funded by parent organizations at both elementary schools, Wargula said. She hopes the visits inspire budding writers. "You never know when you might have a Hemingway (in your class)," she said. Canyon had a simpler goal for the students, expressed in the advice he offered as they filed out of the library: "Keep using your imagination and keep telling your stories," he said. <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> John's Music at Reader's Digest by Jean Kendle Just thought I'd let you know, from the catalogs I get in the mail, John's music is still there. Somebody at the Reader's Digest organization must like him, because in their new Spring Catalog they have: * "John Denver: The Collection" - 2 hours of music, 3 cd's $40. (This is not the same as the 1998 collection called "Best and Greatest Performances.") * "From Sea To Shining Sea", a musical tour across the country, a 75 song salute to the U.S. John is shown on the cover with 7 other artists. * "Time In A Bottle" also contains some John Denver songs. * "Sweet Memories of the '60's" has "Jet Plane" as one of the selections. The "Rediscover Music" catalog still has a half page of John Denver items. "Collector's Choice" catalog has in their "Top 40": "The Essential John Denver" - 2 cd set of 36 songs for $19.95. They also list 3 "Chad Mitchell Trio" cd's: * "Singing Our Mind / Reflection" * "The Slightly Irreverent Mitchell Trio / Typical American Boys" * "That's The Way It's Gonna Be / Violets of Dawn" I'm just happy to see that John's music must bring good sales for them which means many people are still interested in it. Sincerely, Jean Kendle < jbk944@yahoo.com > <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> "Living An Uncommon Life: Essential Lessons from 21 Extraordinary People" by John St. Augustine In "Living an Uncommon Life", nationally syndicated talk radio host John St. Augustine distills a decade of interviews with more than 5,000 guests into a road map for living an extraordinary life. St. Augustine saw a pattern in the lives of the exceptional personalities that have appeared on his show. Each of them refused to let negative circumstances dictate their life and instead found the inner strength to achieve great things. He insists we all share these remarkable strengths and traits and offers 21 principles for unlocking your personal best. Each principle is reinforced with a powerful story from the lives of people whose paths have crossed with St. Augustine including Oprah Winfrey, John Denver, Walter Payton and best-selling authors Cheryl Richardson and Wayne Dyer, among others. John St. Augustine hosts Power! Talk Radio and his motivational, one-minute "Powerthoughts" radio spots are heard daily on stations across the country. - - - - - - - - The book is available at http://www.amazon.com HB, 218 pages, Hampton Roads Publishing Co (October 2006), ISBN: 1571745262 http://tinyurl.com/23sbyf <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> ========================= JOHN DENVER EVENT REVIEWS ========================= "A Tribute to John Denver" Show in Branson, Missouri Imax Lil Opry Theater Reviewed by: Rene Cavett To say this show is "Far Out" is a major understatement. James Garrett and his group of multi-talented friends transport you to a place where you can laugh, cry, sing along and most of all... remember. "Rocky Mountain High", "Sunshine on My Shoulders", "Calypso", "Matthew", "Grandma's Feather Bed" and "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" are just a few of JD's songs that the group presents to the audience each morning at the IMAX Theatre in Branson, Missouri. In addition to JD's music, Garrett throws in some Jim Croce, Crystal Gayle, Linda Ronstadt, Merle Haggard, and even some Gospel and mountain tunes. Between songs, James Garrett, a long-time friend of John, shares favorite stories with the audience of days both on and off the road. Garrett recalled the first time he met JD backstage after a concert; He was surrounded by people and he looked up and saw me standing over against the wall trying to stay out of the way. He walked right up to me and stuck out his hand and said, "Hi. I'm John Denver." At that time my brain lost all function and all I could say was "I know." Garrett doesn't try to be JD, he simply pays tribute to a musician, a man and a friend that he still misses and highly respects. James Garrett, is the former lead guitarist for the beloved country artists The Kendalls and is joined by current lead singer for the Sons of the Pioneers, Randy Rudd on vocals and guitar, a member of the legendary Gospel group the Plummer Family, Randy Plummer on vocals and stand-up bass, former Baldknobbers lead singer, Lori Locke on vocals and multi-talented Rick Quincy on "everything else" including vocals, banjo, steel guitar, mandolin and even the hammer dulcimer. (Just a note - Rick also creates and sells the hammer dulcimers!) A gathering in Branson is in the works for June 2007. In addition to the incredible line-up of vocalists and musicians already on hand, James has invited singer/song writer/musician Steve Weisberg to join in. It promises to be a fantastic weekend! We hope you can join us! Rene Cavett < cowboythangs@yahoo.com > ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R P O E T R Y ======================================= John Denver 1943-1997 by Lynne Groves Somewhere beyond the mountains, where heaven meets the skies, Where eagles soar and rainbows end, is where your spirit flies. In a place of no tomorrows, in serenity and peace, Where sunshine fills your every hour and pain and sorrow cease And in the arms of angels is where you now belong, But when you went you left behind your legacy of song. A legacy of love for us that ever lingers on, It's in our hearts and in our souls, it never will be gone. We'll hear it on the breezes, a whisper in the night And always in our memories, for each, a guiding light. And I look toward the mountains, through tears that fill my eyes, And far beyond where I can see, your wondrous spirit flies. ______________________ Copyright Lynne Groves Reprinted from the Higher Ground Website http://www.highergroundaustralia.com * * * * * * * * * The Saga of Whispering Jesse by Carole Romanowski < whispjesse@aol.com > Whispering Jesse tames the wild horse She's a top-notch horsewoman, of course She'll ride past the corral To raise cowhands' moral Breaking stallions using gentle force. Whispering Jesse "has always loved Springtime" As does John in his song's pretty rhyme. Ol' Man Winter has passed And the "new leaves" green fast Making "long days of summer" sublime. Whispering Jesse woke up John with a start Dreamt of her "by his side" - not apart. Riding horseback she'd bow Just to touch "his fevered brow" Even now she "still lives in (his) heart." ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= Christopher Canyon has a new children's book scheduled for publication in September. It is called "Grandma's Feather Bed." The cover and a sample page can be seen on the web at http://tinyurl.com/2agaly * Dawn Publications - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Students at William Wood Elementary School planted a tree for Earth Day as students and faculty sang along to the John Denver song "Plant A Tree." The school is located in Victoria, Texas. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - On April 27th, the Graceful Guidance radio talk show interviewed Tom Crum. The interview could also be heard online. He discussed his new book "Three Deep Breaths." http://www.gracefulguidance.net Tom's web page is... http://www.aikiworks.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver e-cards are available from American Greetings http://www.americangreetings.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There are new video clips at... http://www.tenbrug.nl/JohnDenver - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "The Essential - John Denver (RCA/SBME) cd is at #8 on the Australian Country Charts http://www.thewest.com.au - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= Joe < jmrpianojoe@aol.com > I'm trying to find a copy of John's special from 1976 with Dennis Weaver, Joanne Woodward and the Starland Vocal Band. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Julie < JMJJulie@cs.com > I'm looking for copies of John's TV Shows or his Memorial in Aspen. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Belle Davis < christmas4cowboys@yahoo.com > I have many John Denver DVD's available. They are 2 hours long. http://www.angelfire.com/folk/duncanpumpkin/archive.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> Luigi's Discography Page http://www.denveredintorni.com/john_denver/default.htm Linda's "Goodbye Again" Page http://www.sweetdreamsplace.com/goodbyeagain.html <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> To subscribe: rockymountainhigh-subscribe@emissives.com To unsubscribe: rockymountainhigh-unsubscribe@emissives.com ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@parris.net http://www.rockymtnhigh.org May 2007 * Issue #157 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************