============================================= *** 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 2010 Editor: Emily M. Parris ================================================ http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@parris.net ================================================ Table of Contents May 2010 - Issue #193 KCAA 1050 AM John Denver Tribute..................1 John Denver Events................................2 JOHN DENVER PLAQUE WEEKEND, by Marilyn Strube.....4 Stories of Meeting John Denver: Patrick Mancini.................................8 Jim & Irene Marvel..............................8 John Denver Notes.................................9 Poetry Corner: "Blow Up Your Tv" by Carole Romanowski.........10 < * > < * > < * > < * > < * > < * > JOHN DENVER RADIO TRIBUTE SHOW KCAA 1050 AM John Denver Tribute - Southern California KTAE 1330 AM - Texas 10:00 am - Noon PDT May 29, 2010 On May 29, 2010, my husband, Jim, and I will be on the DNA Radio Show with Vince Daniels talking about John Denver. You can watch the DNA Radio Show with Vince Daniels from 10 a.m. to noon Pacific Daylight Time Saturdays over KCAA's streaming TV feed. www.DNAradioshow.com * (714) 742-4014 Go to www.VinceDaniels.com to listen live online from anywhere in the world. If you miss it live you can catch it anytime "on demand" via Podcast which becomes available anytime following the broadcast. < * > < * > < * > < * > < * > < * > ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= May 8, 2010 - Frederick, MD - Friends With You Band 7:30 pm Weinberg Center for the Arts http://www.friendswithyouband.com May 11, 2010 - Rockville, MD - Chris Collins presents "A Tribute to John Denver" - Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville / 100 Welsh Park Drive / Rockville, MD $15 - Advance tickets - Paypal and Focus Members $18 at the door * Info: Karen penguins51@aol.com www.focusmusic.org or www.chriscollinsmusic.com May 14, 2010 - Vevay, IN - Friends With You Band at the historic Hoosier Theater 7:00pm http://www.friendswithyouband.com May 15, 2010 - Covington, KY - Friends With You Band 7:00 pm Carnegie Visual and Performing ARts Center http://www.friendswithyouband.com May 22, 2010 - Toledo, Ohio - Jim Curry with the Toledo Symphony - "A Tribute to John Denver" 8:00 pm Stranahan Theater / 2245 Monroe St. / Toledo, OH (419) 246-8000 http://www.toledosymphony.com http://www.jimcurrymusic.com May 22, 2010 - Aspen, Colorado - "Journey to Center: A Workshop with Tom Crum and Ali Crum 9 am - 4 pm $125 per person Gant Conference Room / Aiki Works (585) 924-7302 tom@aikiworks.com May 25, 2010 - Elmsford, NY - Jim Curry's "John Denver Tribute Show" - Westchester Broadway Theater / 1 Broadway Plaza / Elmsford, New York 10523 Tickets $75 plus tax includes dinner May 29, 2010 - John Denver Radio Tribute / Emily Parris & Jim Fettgather with host, Vince Daniels * http://www.VinceDaniels.com KCAA 1050 AM John Denver Tribute - Southern California KTAE 1330 AM - Texas http://www.DNAradioshow.com June 4-5, 2010 - Phoenix, AZ - Jim Curry with the Phoenix Symphony - "Rocky Mountain High - A Tribute to John Denver" Lee Holdridge conducting 8:00 pm http://www.phoenixsymphony.org * http://www.jimcurrymusic.com June 18, 2010 - Kennecott, Alaska - "Far Out" in the Wrangells - John Denver Tribute III 6:00 - 10:00 pm Potluck dinner and social / Movie clips from "Alaska - America's Child" / Live concert with local performers info@wrangells.org * www.wrangells.org June 19, 2010 - Denver, CO - Roy Rivers at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre "John Denver - The Tribute" http://www.royrivers.com June 25-27, 2010 - Dix Hills, Long Island , New York - "A Moment in Time" Five Towns College / 305 North Service Road / Dix Hills, NY 11746 tickets are $17 - $20 per person. (631) 656-2148 www.DHPAC.org July 3, 2010 – Wilmington, VT - ROCKY MOUNTAIN MEMORIES / A TRIBUTE to JOHN DENVER – starring Ron Rich 7:00 p.m. Memorial Hall Center for the Arts, 4 West Main Street / Wilmington, VT 05363 802.464.8411 www.memhall.org. July 3, 2010 - UK - The "Poems Prayers & Promises Picnic", at the John Denver Bench in the Dersingham National Nature Reserve in Norfolk. http://www.fojd.org July 29, 2010 - Longview, WA - Ted Vigil as John Denver - Free concert - bring a lawn chair - Lake Sacajawea in Longview / www.tedvigil.com 6:00pm August 7, 2010 - UK - Mack Bailey and Rachel Levy at the Rugby Club, Crediton, Devon. http://www.fojd.org August 27, 2010 - Mount Holly Springs, PA - Chris Collins in Concert 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m Holly Inn / Mount Holly Springs, PA www,hollyinn.com / Chris shares his renditions of familiar songs, cover tunes, and his own great originals! Info: Suzanne srose312@embarqmail.com or Patty pjspiker@verizon.net. August 28, 2010 - Hesston, PA - Friends With You Band: A Tribute to the Music of John Denver 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Raystown Lake Seven Points Amphitheater Hesston, PA http://raystown.nab.usace.army.mil/WhatsHappening/2010/august.htm Info: Suzanne srose312@embarqmail.com or Patty pjspiker@verizon.net September 4, 2010 - Estes Park, CO - Brad and Kathy Fitch and the TropiCowboy Band will present their Seventh Annual John Denver Tribute Concert in Estes Park, Colorado The concert will be sponsored by and is to benefit the Estes Park Lions Club and their programs. The concert will feature John Denver's most loved songs and greatest hits, performed by Brad and Kathy and their band. It will take place in the newly-remodelled rodeo arena at the Stanley Park Fairgrounds in Estes Park during Labor Day weekend. www.estesparklionsclub.org or www.cowboybrad.com September 18, 2010 - UK - A Concert For Jean and Joyce Featuring Timberwolf 7:00pm Start (Doors Open 6:30pm) At The Gatty Hall, Ecclesfield (Near Chapeltown) Sheffield South Yorkshire. October 8, 2010 - Aspen, CO - "CHILL THE DRILLS", a program by the Sierra Club about drilling in Alaska - 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ASPEN/PITKIN COUNTY LIBRARY, lower level conference room FREE for everyone to attend The library is located "kitty-corner" from the Hotel Jerome at Mill & Main St. Info: Jennifer windwalker@samsco.org October 7, 2010 - Aspen, Colorado - "Doin' Their Own Thing" Wheeler Opera House * www.wheeleroperahouse.com October 8-9, 2010 - Aspen, Colorado - 13th Annual Musical Tribute to John Denver - Wheeler Opera House * www.wheeleroperahouse.com October 9, 2010 - Aspen, CO Pine Creek Cookhouse IV -- 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Ashcroft, CO. Join us for another wonderful luncheon event at the Pine Creek Cookhouse. Music provided by the Friends With You Band, a great lunch, and special guests. Full details to follow. Please contact Jennifer at: windwalker@samsco.org for more information. Branson, MO - Monday through Saturday 10:00am "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 http://www.bransonimax.com <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> JOHN DENVER PLAQUE WEEKEND, by Marilyn Strube Greetings from a new JD friend in the USA! I’m glad to have the opportunity to tell you about the weekend events in Pacific Grove and Monterey, California on April 10th and 11th. It was a wonderful experience and especially exciting to me because it was the first John Denver event I ever attended. I reconnected with John and his music only 2 years ago when I watched “A Song’s Best Friend”, a television program about John’s life. I loved John’s music as long as I can remember. His songs were meaningful to me because when I was a girl, I spent several summers in the Rocky Mountains with my cousins who lived in Colorado. I grew up in Illinois among corn and soybean fields, so the Rocky Mountains were the closest thing to heaven I had ever seen. Also, as a young girl, I was fascinated with Jacques Cousteau and the amazing images he brought to us of the underwater world. When I heard the young man from Colorado singing the praises of the Rocky Mountains, Jacques Cousteau and the natural beauty of our wonderful planet, I felt a special kinship to him. Over the years, I forgot just how special he was, but when I saw him singing again on TV, I felt like I had just found a long lost friend. I felt I needed to learn everything I possibly could about John Denver, so for several months, I watched hundreds of YouTube videos, purchased his music, read his autobiography and connected with other JD fans through the internet and discussed every aspect of his life with them. In that time, I became friends with Judy Therrien who was working to complete the memorial plaque for the beach where John lost his life. This project had been particularly difficult, because time after time, images of John were created but looked nothing like him. Judy felt strongly that John deserved better, so when she learned of a new process that used a photograph to produce a bas-relief image, she decided that was the way to go. The result was a stunning image that shows John as he really looked. We are all grateful to Judy for her perseverance and hard work to complete this fitting tribute to John. The weekend events began on Saturday morning with a concert on John’s beach under beautiful sunny skies. From 11:30 till 4 pm, we listened to John’s songs played and sung by the Aspen Meadows Band. Then many of us headed over to the “Rio Grill”, John’s favorite local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we converged at the home of Elizabeth and Hans Jannesch for several more hours of songs by Aspen Meadows and wonderful singer & songwriter, Ellen Stapenhorst. Fortunately, for those of us who can’t get enough music, Sunday started with a service featuring the music of Ellen Stapenhorst at both morning services at the Unitarian church of the Monterey Peninsula. We had planned on more music at John’s beach but nature had different ideas. Heavy rains changed the venue from the beach to Judy and Charlie Therrien’s beautiful home looking over Monterey Bay. I’m not complaining! There we sang along with Jim and Anna Curry, Ellen and the wonderful members of Aspen Meadows. After dinner, we met at a local coffee house for a rousing final concert with Ellen and the Curry’s. It was wonderful to visit a place of such amazing natural beauty and it’s easy to see why John chose to make his second home there. I had some moments of extreme sadness as I gazed over the spot where John’s wonderful life came to such an abrupt end. But the music was amazing, and what was especially wonderful to me was meeting so many people who share my love of John and his music. What brings us all together, I believe, is a common love of great music as well as love and respect for our planet. This is what makes John special to us all and what makes us special to each other. I felt I was home among old friends. John’s Memorial Plaque, me and the Aspen Meadows band Pictures from the event: http://johndenverclub.org/JohnDenverPlaque/ * * * * * * Denver-Inspired A MOMENT IN TIME Musical Gets Premiere at Dix Hills Performing Arts Center, 6/25 Tuesday, April 27, 2010; Utilizing songs from John Denver, one of America's most cherished songwriters and performers, A MOMENT IN TIME, is about a marine in Afghanistan who, moments before a battle, recalls a safer, happier place. The new musical, written by Stewart F. Lane, will get its world premiere at Five Towns College, Dix Hills, New York, on June 25-27, 2010. Four-time Tony winning producer, Stewart F. Lane is set to direct A MOMENT IN TIME. He has directed across the country productions of THE FOREIGNER, AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', THE GOLDEN AGE, FRANKENSTEIN, FINAL APPEAL with Chazz Palminteri and Stephen Baldwin and IN THE WINGS with Shannon Doherty. His playwriting credits include IN THE WINGS \ and IF IT WAS EASY, nominated for the American Theatre Critics Association's New Play Award. "Doing a full scale world-premiere musical at the Five Towns College is a unique opportunity to produce a new musical away from New York City with professional designers, a New York director and writer, and a professional music director. While many workshops only permit the audience to envision a small sampling of a show, the college's Performing Arts Center has the ability to fully stage professional shows," said Mr. Lane. The cast is comprised of professional actors and Theatre Arts students from the Five Towns College BFA Theatre Arts Program. The creative team includes scenic designer Luke Foco, costume designer Sherry Kfare, choreographer Katie Bradley, stage manager Michael Johnson Jr., lighting designer Gary Gifford, and sound designer Matt Ragone. The project's orchestrator and musical director is Christine Riley (Musical Director for Gemini the Musical-NYMF, Romance, Romance-The Glove, AMD on the National Tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie and My Vaudeville Man at the York Theater). With a longer rehearsal schedule at the college, changes can be made daily in rehearsal and the very talented student cast and professional actors can do the work quickly to develop the script. Here we have the extra time to perfect the vision of the show and even do some things that wouldn't be possible because of the costs of Broadway. This affords the chance to see and hear the material and also give more student actors a chance to work in a very professional environment. It also gives Long Island audiences a chance to see a new show prior to a possible run in the city at a fraction of Broadway costs. Producers will be invited to see a very classy and very professional production of the show. A Moment in Time runs June 25-27. For tickets and information, call the Dix Hills Cent Performing Arts Center box office at (631) 656-2193 or online at www.dhpac.org. Stewart F. Lane is a four-time Tony Award winner, as producer for Jay Johnson: THE TWO & ONLY, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, THE Will Rogers FOLLIES, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. He is the recipient of three Drama Desk Awards, a Drama Critics Circle Award, Outer Circle Critics Award and was honored by the Actors Fund of America, the Drama League, Arts Horizons, the Jewish National Fund, and much more. He also serves on the Board of the Actors Fund of America. His current Broadway productions include: COME FLY AWAY, ENRON, PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT, and THE 39 STEPS at New World Stages. Select past credits include LEGALLY BLONDE, ALL ABOUT ME, AMERICAN BUFFALO and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE. Expanding into film, Mr. Lane produced the documentary SHOW BUSINESS: THE ROAD TO BROADWAY and BROOKLYN RULES starring Alec Baldwin and FrEddie Prinze Jr. For television, Mr. Lane produced the Broadway Production of COMPANY starring Raul Esparza, Emmy nominated CYRANO DE BERGERAC starring Kevin Kline for Great Performances on PBS and is currently producing SONDHEIM: THE BIRTHDAY CONCERT with The New York Philharmonic for PBS. Mr. Lane's book LET'S PUT ON A SHOW is now available on DVD. He serves on the board of the Actors Fund of America, is the co-owner and operator of the legendary Palace Theatre in NY, and partners in the Tribeca Grill Restaurant with Robert DeNiro. www.mrbroadway.com. The Dix Hills Performing Arts Center is located at Five Towns College, 305 North Service Road, Dix Hills, New York, 11746-5857. For more information and ticket sales, please contact the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center box office at (631) 656-2148 or visit online at www.DHPAC.org ======================= JOHN DENVER STORIES ======================= Meeting John Denver I met John Denver at the coffeehouse, the Main Point in Bryn Mawr, Pa back in 1970. John was in the staging area in the basement waiting to perform and because my cousin was a reporter, I was able to enter the performance area and talk to him for a while. Before John's performance, he told me that he and a few friends, the Danoffs, recently wrote a song, "Take Me Home, County Roads", and he said he was going to perform it. He asked I would let him know how I liked it. After the performance we had time to talk about the song, and I had an opportunity to play his guitar and share a few of my songs. Regarding his song, Country Roads, I told him his song was great and I knew then it was going to be a hit. The following year almost to day, John performed at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pa. As you and all his friends know, John Denver was a special person and his lyrics & music continue to touch the minds and hearts of all people. To sit down and talk with John Denver and to share a few of my songs was a special day in my life I'll never forget. Thanks for the opportunity to share my story! Patrick Mancini <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> Jim Marvel Subject: Met John Denver December 1, 1989 My wife and I met John before his concert in Saint Petersburg, Florida. We were Windstar members and had been shipped a big box of leaflets to distribute during the intermission. We brought the box in backstage and were told to wait, that someone would come out. John came out and shook our hands warmly and small-talked for 2-3 minutes, then left us and walked, in clear view of us two, onto the stage and did his sound check – about 10-12 minutes of what we remember as a personal concert for us – standing about 50 feet left and 5-10 feet behind. Intermission came and we distributed as many pamphlets as we could! The second half was beginning and I had one of those moments walking back to our seats, and sitting down exactly to the 10th or hundredth or thousandth or millionth of a second before “Christmas for Cowboys” ended…that was one of those instants that are eternal. Jim and Irene ============================================ J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ============================================ Aspen Times May 18, 2010 Aspen, CO Ann Denver sells home for $7M ASPEN — Ann Denver, who was once married to the late John Denver, has sold her Starwood home for $7 million, according to public records. The home was bought by Eugenia and Thomas Carter Jr. of Houston. The sale was recorded Friday in the Pitkin County Clerk & Recorder's Office. Located at 2480 McClain Flats Road, the four-bath, five-bedroom, 4,705-square-foot house was built in 1985. The assessor's office lists its actual value at $8.8 million and its assessed value at $700,670. Ann was the subject of the hit tune “Annie's Song,” written and sung by John Denver. John Denver was killed in a plane accident on Oct. 12, 1997, in the Pacific Ocean. He was flying a plane solo near Pacific Grove, Calif. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rick McIntyre's observations shed important light on the complex relationships among Yellowstone's wolves. His daily monitoring and findings enhance the understanding of wolf population dynamics and behavior. If anyone would like tho help support Rick's work, they can make a donation to: Yellowstone Wolf Eduction Yellowstone Park Foundation 222 E Main Street, Suite 301 Bozeman, Montana 59715 You will also receive Rick's quarterly newsletter updating the status of all of the wolf packs in Yellowstone. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: Dave Snouffer Subject: Plant A Tree Video Hi Emily, I saw your link to the NAtional Arbor Day Foundation in your latest newsletter. They have the full two minute audio of John's PSA announcement there. About a year ago, I put a YouTube video together featuring John singing this song, with a few of his comments at the end. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wT4xP6stCE Thanks for all that you do to keep John's legacy alive, Dave "Teach me the Magic of Wonder, Give me the Spirit to Fly" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ROCKY MOUNTAIN MEMORIES / A TRIBUTE to JOHN DENVER – July 3, 2010 Ron Rich, whose talent in re-creating the sound of John Denver is evident throughout this show of his creation that has toured the U.S., and who has recently returned from touring in New Zealand with the “Whisper the Wind” tribute to John Denver, presents an evening in celebration of the life of one of America’s most favorite singer/songwriter artists, Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. “Rocky Mountain High,” “Annie’s Song,” “Poems, Prayers, and Promises,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Sunshine on My Shoulders,” “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” are just some of the treasures of the evening. 7:00 p.m. Memorial Hall Center for the Arts, Wilmington, VT 802.464.8411 www.memhall.org. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - =============== POETRY CORNER =============== "Blow Up Your TV..." - A True Story by Carole Romanowski On a tract of land In Upstate New York Some people decided to go green. With love and care they grew vegetables. A more bountiful sight was never seen! They watered the seeds and nurtured them On this fertile tract in Upper New York. And when harvest time came they picked the food.. Their mouths watered - but don't grab a fork! For these wonderful "farmers" alerted us In strict words of clarity This harvest was done not for us to enjoy But to feed the poor in charity! This brings to mind John Denver's song But the "farmers" didn't build a country home Nor "have a lot of children," nor "(feed) them on peaches" But simply cared about others "on their own!" (copyright by Carole Romanowski - whispjesse@ aol.com) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Wrangell Mountains Center http://www.wrangells.org Chris Nole www.chrisnole.com 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.johndenver.us May 2010 * Issue #193 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************