J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~J O R O C K Y M O U N T A I N H I G H O H =============================================== H N The John Denver Internet Fan Club N D D E M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R E N N V S E P T E M B E R 1 9 9 6 V E E R Emily Parris emily@sky.net http://www.sky.net/~emily R ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Table of Contents September 1996 - Issue #29 John's Concert Schedule............................1 CD's Available from the Netherlands................2 John Denver Essay Contest: Catherine Meadows ..............................3 Jenny Bell......................................6 David Chinoski..................................6 Gina Hill.......................................7 Joy Watkins.....................................7 Steve Peifer....................................8 Pamela Minnick..................................8 John Denver Notes..................................9 Spotlight on "FREE SPIRIT" - the U.K. Fan Club....10 Poetry Corner "A Thousand Summers" by Kathy Buettner..........11 "Rustling, Fallen Leaves" by Emily M. Parris....11 John Denver Want Ads..............................12 * * * ========================================== John Denver Concert Schedule ========================================== Sept 15, 1996 Rose Garden - Portland, OR Sept 16, 1996 Spokane Opera House - Spokane, WA Sept 17, 1996 Paramount Theatre - Seattle, WA Sept 20-21, 1996 Walk Festival Hall at Teton Village Jackson Hole, Wyoming Sept 25-26, 1996 Majestic Theater - Dallas, TX Sept 27, 1996 Majestic Theater - San Antonio, TX Nov 2, 1996 Ruth Eckherd Theatre - Clearwater, FL Nov 3, 1996 Jacksonville, FL Nov 4, 1996 Kravis Center - West Palm Beach, FL Dec 2, 1996 Valley Forge Theatre - Devon, PA Dec 3 & 4, 1996 Westbury Music Fair - Long Island, NY Dec 7 & 8, 1996 Orpheum Theatre - Minneapolis, MN Dec 10, 1996 Morris Civic Auditorium - South Bend, IN Dec 11, 1996 Embassy Theater - Ft. Wayne, IN Dec 19 & 20, 1996 Constitution Hall - Washington, DC Dec 22 & 23, 1996 Las Vegas Hilton - Las Vegas, NV May 16-17, 1997 Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Thousand Oaks, CA May 23,24,25, 1997 Cerritos Center - Cerritos, CA For more details request a concert schedule from "emily@sky.net" or check http://www.sky.net/~emily/concert.txt ============================================================== ======================================= CD's Available from The World of JD in the Netherlands ======================================= A special CD single with the songs "For You", "The Gift You Are" and "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is available through the World of John Denver. The CD itself is in the shape of a heart and is colored red. The price is $10.00 including postage to the U.S. and can be ordered from: Carla Brok The World of John Denver Rijperwaard 106 1824 JN Alkmaar The Netherlands There is also a 3-cd box set that is available through mail order. The Box is part of a series on Country Music and the cd's have several songs that have not previously been available on cd. Here are the songs: CD 1 "The Very Best of John Denver" ------------------------------------- Annie's Song / Perhaps Love (with Placido Domingo) / Leaving On A Jet Plane / Shanghai Breezes / To The Wild Country / Calypso / I'm Sorry / Baby You Look Good To Me Tonight / Sweet Surrender (live) / Poems, Prayers and Promises (live) / Like A Sad Song / Love Again / Sunshine On My Shoulders / Friends With You / WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND / Please, Daddy (Don't Get Drunk This Christmas) / Follow Me / Back Home Again / Annie's Other Song / This Old Guitar (live) CD 2 "Dreams and Reflections" ------------------------------- Rocky Mountain High / Windsong / Rocky Mountain Suite / Wild Montana Skies / Along For The Ride / Dancing With The Mountains / Fly Away / DOWNHILL STUFF / Grandma's Feather Bed (live) / Eagle and the Hawk (live) / Hold On Tightly / Farewell, Andromeda / Dreamland Express / How Can I Leave You Again / Looking For Space / Some Days Are Diamonds / Starwood in Aspen / THE WINGS THAT FLY US HOME CD 3 "John Denver - Country Boy" --------------------------------- Thank God I'm A Country Boy / Take Me Home, Country Roads / For Baby / I'd Rather Be A Cowboy / It Amazes Me / It's About Time / Seasons of the Heart / Song of Wyoming / Today (live) / Cowboy's Delight / EVERYDAY / IT MAKES ME GIGGLE / Thought of You / Heart to Heart / I Remember Romance / Autograph / I Want To Live / I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado / My Sweet Lady / Rhymes and Reasons / Goodbye Again This 3-cd set can also be ordered from "The World of John Denver" and the price is $52.00 including postage to the U.S. Orders for the CD Single should arrive in the Netherlands before October 1st, and orders for the 3-cd box set should arrive before September 23rd. =============================== The ESSAY CONTEST =============================== The Winner of the RMH Essay Contest is Catherine Meadows. She wrote this wonderful essay that was also sent to the Windstar Mailinglist. I've included her essay and a number of others since they so poignantly show the impact John has had on so many lives.........Emily ------------------------------------------ From: Cath Meadows Seize the Eagle : a name bestowed upon John Denver by the Assinaboine Tribe. John Denver, is perhaps a microcosm of man. He represents what we strive for and are capable of. He is a searcher whose voice is 'our voice', I relate to him because, all parts are the whole, - he is you - he is me. Beyond that, he is a voice "for the mountains, rivers, children, dreamers...." He is a father, son, friend, brother, lover, intellect, pilot, climber, sailor, golfer, skier, student, philanthropist, teacher, poet, singer/songwriter, healer, seeker, and thankfully a Dreamer, he is an 'Eagle' who "reaches for the heavens"-"hopes for the future" and "all that we can be-not just who we are". His messages serve as an experience of Ahhh and enlightenment! John Denver is a man of foresight and courage. I listen to 'Eclipse', 'Children of the Universe', 'Ancient Rhymes', 'Let us Begin'... I become pensive. I hear 'All this Joy', 'Windsong', 'Foxfire Suite'... my faith is revived; I sing 'To the wild country', 'Amazon', 'Alaska and me', 'Eagles and Horses'... I am transformed - by the words of a man who has chosen to "rise to the Vision". I have traveled this country and his music has blessed the waterways, mountains, plains, skies and breezes. "I want to Live" inspired the process of healing my sister's cancer. "Searching for Space" encouraged my own choice for growth.... A butterfly flutters, a robin twitters, the sun glistens; I am grateful and nostalgic. I experience wild running stallions, crashing shores, a soaring eagle, a breaching whale, phosphorescence, a meteor shower, a smiling moon, 'clear waters - laughing', mountains rising, grains of soil.....I am Awake! I feel the cool breeze against my cheek, smell the fragrance of the meadow, hear the sweet laughter of the children and the crunch of the footprint in the snow...I am present, blessed and so lucky; held in the 'Rapture' of silent screams of colour surrounding dawn and dusk. Some moments, I manage to capture momentarily on film, others eternally with my heart and soul. Denver's words are the 'ripple effect' of the stone tossed into 'still' waters. They inspire creativity, questioning, thought-full-ness, compassion, conscious growth, co-operation and participation. Personally, that ripple effect is more like a tsunami. We are all 'eagles and horses'.... We all are 'One' - John Denver asks us to 'act' on that! I too ponder 'serenity' and a staggering loss of 'balance' within myself and our complicated and distressed world, I too seek Peace. I think that J.D. is a complicated man who strives to bring our attention to 'Simplicity'. To understand his sentiment, is to 'Come Alive' in the moment! He is an environmentalist who has his own mentors (Bucky Fuller, Brower, Crum, Huang, Poe...), he takes responsibility for his choices, actively seeking peace and sustain-ability. He strives to rid the planet of hunger while nourishing and stimulating the 'best' in each of us. He is a family man who has publicly suffered loss and disappointment. We demand so much from those who lead. Perhaps their courage intimidates most of us. I perceive him as a perfectionist and perhaps his sternest judge, but I do not see a 'victim', as he once mentioned. We are all born to trip over our own feet occasionally. "But First - Magoomba!" "Such is life"! I think he would agree. He has played the hand that life has dealt him and has acknowledged and shared his awareness and gifts 'par excellence'. He has a brilliant laugh and sense of humour that serve him well. This man has 'presence'! John Denver perseveres because he believes in 'dialogue' and 'standing forth'. That is the path he has chosen and to my mind, he is "seeking Grace in every step he takes". This is a serious and earnest individual with a 'zest for life' that stretches from the depths of the ocean -"the places you've been to"....to the "far-out" expanses of the universe -"rainin fire in the sky". He explores his yearning to taste and to understand as much as he can; and perhaps at times, learns too much for his own good. I believe he realizes that 'to teach is to know', and that 'we actually know very little indeed'! It's all about the lesson of inherent irony, paradox and the underlying humour in it all. We take ourselves so seriously and often forget the larger picture and 'cosmic laughter'-"I do believe he's been laughing all the while". Well, as Patti Page sang "If that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing"...... Children are our future "the Children and the Flowers.."; "Seek the Wisdom of the Children"... I was fortunate to have shared some time with John's youngest daughter at the symposium. This child is so beyond her years and a pleasure to be near. She is a true 'Earth Saver' and clearly 'her father's daughter'. I never look at a 6 yr. old girl without a sudden twinge that reminds me of 'proud' Jesse, also stepping in grace, an elusive butterfly. Her eyes are as big as her dad's curiosity. She is alert, caring, fun, compassionate, concerned and precious. I hope she always carries her dreams "in a sparkling crystal jar". John Denver once "ached for people to sing to" and now with 'all being said and done', I think he still has appreciation for the overwhelming interest that his talent and undertakings have attracted. I assume he realizes that his messages are imperative today more than ever before. So he begins again; touring and touching our hearts, minds and indeed our 'very core'. Hope-fully people will extend themselves beyond 'nostalgia' and appreciate the mature quality that has enriched his voice. His recent lyrics and music are even more meaningful and powerful than the 'treasures' he gave us (from what seems like) 'yesterday'. I see an ancient tree in a rainforest and I really see a man from the East - roots grasping and extending in all directions. I sense it's age, wisdom, culture, and teachings. I envision the storms it endured and the symphony of it's many dances with the wind. I heed the music and words of John Denver, and for a moment, I seize an 'Eagle'! I salute and applaud this man and his vision. I thank him for endeavoring to 'make a difference' and for encouraging us to do likewise. John Denver, I wish you a wealth of memories and friendships with 'no regrets'. I hope for you, the kind of love that Olaus and Margaret Murie shared in Alaska; the strength, peace and serenity that the 'wild country' brings. I see that "Boy from the Country who Loved the Sun", and pray that your eyes always "find the sun" and that the 'will-full' Spirit of the Eagle remain 'within'. You are a 'gift', you are a 'flower that shattered the stone'. ------------------------------------------------------------ From: Jenny Bell I always loved John's music, because I was brought up with it. At the age of 7 I knew the words to "Country Roads" by heart. Through the years I went through different phases of listening to different music, but nothing quite gave me the feeling that John Denver's music did. I didn't know why I just knew that when I listened to it, it touched me like nothing else has. I never knew how much until at the age of 18 I moved to live in a small country town 3000 miles away from home. I was so lonely and one day someone gave me a John Denver record that they were going to throw out, I sat in my lonely caravan and put on the record. All of a sudden this lonely caravan wasn't lonely, it had a warmth to it I never thought it would have. I played "Back Home Again" and when I closed my eyes my friends and family were no longer 3000 miles away they were in this little caravan with me. Now I am married with a family but still if I am feeling down, I play my JD Cd and I know he'll sing my blues away. From Jenny Bell -------------------------------------------------------- From: David Chinoski Away From the City... Growing up in Detroit, I consider myself a city-person. Fortunately, my parents grew up on a farm and we still have relatives that make their living directly off the land. During one of those visits I found myself walking down a dusty country lane that passed between wheat and corn fields. I was only about twelve at the time, and someone had a radio playing a tune that fit right into the scenery that was before me. That song was "Country Roads." I listened further to the words, and as the sun shone overhead, I realized that someone else knew how it was to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of city life. Everything just seemed to fit together - the view before me and the music filling my ears. I now have some property of my own, and I go to "recharge" the batteries by getting back to nature. One step in that process is to play a John Denver tape before getting to my land. My thoughts go back to that day in my childhood when I heard that song the first time... David Chinoski ---------------------------------------------- From: Gina Hill Why I Like John Denver If it weren't for John Denver there is the possibility that my family wouldn't exist. The man who was to become my husband noticed me only because I was playing his music when we first met. You might say John Denver "opened up (my husband's) eyes and ears to me." The lullabies I sang to the babies who blessed our lives were John Denver songs. My children heard his music from birth, and at young ages could sing many of his songs word for word. My husband often accompanied me on the guitar as I sang the songs we loved so well. When my husband died from a rare form of cancer, the music died too. Our tapes and CDs went untouched for several months because I couldn't hear John Denver's voice without weeping. One day when one of my children unthinkingly played a CD, I braced myself for the usual flood of tears, but found I was comforted instead. Now I am able to listen to his songs without heartache. For the most part, I hear only the beauty of the man who created them. But on those days when I wish for the company of my husband's memory, I can play our favorite songs, and it's as though he comes back home for awhile. Gina Hill September 1, 1996 -------------------------------------------------- From: Joy Watkins THE LIVING OF THE "SPIRIT" At a time when things were changing so rapidly I didn't seem to make those transformations as everyone around me had. John Denver was introduced to me (at a tremendous low point of my life with thoughts of ending it), when my brother gave me his record as a Christmas gift. I looked at the record reluctantly as being quite young I wasn't very familiar with John Denver. The first word I saw on the cover was "Spirit"....something I had felt I had lost. On opening the case and removing the album cover I found a picture of him sitting on a rock and looking to the heavens.....some place I hadn't thought about turning to. At last I played the first song, "Come And Let Me Look Into Your Eyes" , .....and cried. For over 20 years I have turned to John Denvers music to keep my "Spirit" whether I am happy or sad. I look to God because of Johns inspirations of life. And a young teenage girl that wanted to die....lived......because John Denver said "Come And Let Me Look Into Your Eyes", and made growing up bearable. Joy Watkins ------------------------------------- From: Steve Peifer When I was 17, I wanted to live on the land and enjoy nature. When RMH came out, it was so alive to me. I just saw JD as a kindred spirit; someone who loved music and nature and life. He was such a breath of clean air at that time. More than his music, his appeal to me lies in the relationships that I formed around his music. When I hear an old JD song, I think of Tom, and Nancy, and Charlie, and Cindy and the kind of friends that are so unique when you are 17. When I hear those songs, I see my old friends and think on those old times. I'm very lucky- my whole life has been a good one, and I am happier now than I ever have been, but there is something about the intensity of your friendships when you are 17 that make them such special memories. When I read JD's autobiography it tarnished it a bit for me. But when I hear those old songs, they bring back sweet, sweet times. That's why I like JD. Steve Peifer ----------------------------------------- From: Pamela Minnick Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to share with everyone why I have such respect and admiration for John. Everyone knows that John has been working for many years to make the world a better place for all of us but I wonder if people appreciate how rare this is. The people I know can't even eke out enough social concern to try to make Milwaukee a better place. They're just too busy with their own lives. If John never did anything else he would be a special human being just for that. Lucky for us that's not all he does. I would like to quote from John's autobiography, "Take Me Home" (I sure hope he doesn't mind)..... "Art serves as a catalyst for us to see ourselves. It might be the art of Michelangelo's David, which puts you in touch with your own spirituality, or it may be hearing a song like "Seasons of the Heart" and recognizing that you never really let go of that woman you divorced some years ago. They work on different levels but they have the same intention. One's art isn't for everybody, but in front of art you can't help what comes to the surface--and what comes to the surface is you, who you really are." Well, I've stood in front of Michelangelo's David and his Pieta and the Sistine Ceiling but they never did for me what John's music has, which is to make me look inside myself, to re-evaluate my life and to inspire me to improve the person that I am. If I can continue with this art metaphor (since John started it). I've forgotten the details, but there is a story about a letter written by Leonardo Da Vinci in which he listed his qualifications for a job he wanted and at the end, almost as an afterthought, he adds 'Oh yes, I can paint a little too'. So 'Oh yes, John can sing a little too'. ---------------------------- Thank you to everyone who sent in an essay. I'll run some more of them in the October issue. So feel free to mail them to "emily@sky.net". If there's anything you've sent me in the past that you'd like to see included, send it to me again....... :-) Emily ================================ JOHN DENVER NOTES ================================ * According to John's new publicist (via Mary Ledford), John is in the recording studio. * Congratulations to Jochen and Birgit of "Music and Communication" in Germany. They got married on September 6, 1996. * Congratulations also to Catherine A. Smith who is a member of Rocky Mountain High. On Aug. 29th she gave birth to a 9 lb 4.6 oz baby boy named Jeremy Davis Smith! * From the Boston Herald: JD was seen in Boston Copley Plaza at SkipJacks restaurant having a 2 lb lobster and some chowder. He also had 3 glasses of wine. Later he was at the Black Rose (an Irish pub) and did a couple of numbers with the featured singers. He was staying at the Marriott Long Wharf. It was reported he was in Boston for no particular reason. (Article sent by Timothy Bowen) * The most current edition of "Sheet Music" Magazine carries a small picture of John and a few lines related to his induction into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. (from Rhonda Bailey) * Two John Denver songs are on an album from Eric Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops. The album is called "Down On The Farm" and it includes "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" and "Take Me Home, Country Roads" as well as a lot of other country oriented songs. * There are also JD songs on the following albums by James Galway: "Perhaps Love" and "Annie's Song" are on "Galway's Greatest Hits" (1988). "Annie's Song" is on Galway's 1978 album called "Annie's Song". "Perhaps Love" is also included on Galway's album called "The Wind Beneath My Wings". James Galway plays the flute. * There's a CD out called "Folk Essentials" and JD sings "Four Strong Winds" on it. It's a various artists cd. It's available in local record shops or can be ordered. The price is $6.99. (From Cindy of "The Higher We Fly") * On AmericaOnline (AOL) there is a John Denver chat at 8:00 PM CST every Tuesday Night. For more info . ========================================= Spotlight on FREE SPIRIT, The Official U.K. John Denver Fan Club ========================================= From: Karen Richmond, President of "Free Spirit" "Free Spirit" was started in 1973 as The John Denver Fan Club. In 1979 Judy Pashley took over as President and she named the club "Free Spirit." It was also about this time that the World Family of John Denver was formed by John's Clubs in existence at that time. Beryl Fitzgerald became President of "Free Spirit" in 1983 and I took over from her as President in 1987. Up until (the time of the release of the "Portrait" video) "Free Spirit" with 800 members was the largest of John's Clubs. Our membership remains at the 800 mark although at times of concert tours this rises for a while to 850 or 875. Among our members we have 39 from overseas. My assistant in "Free Spirit" is Linda Albrow who is responsible for the overseas members and who also helps me with the Club's correspondence and dispatching of our Newsletters. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> POETRY CORNER <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< A Thousand Summers by Kathy Buettner Inspired by John Denver You have given me lilies and a dove as soft as the dew tucked inside a gilded cage You have given me lilacs and a lark, whose voice is pure music surrendered, eloquently made You have given me daisies and a sparrow, as tiny as a moment with wings fragile, as a turning page You have given me roses and a swan white as snow and the magic of 1000 summers each and every day - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rustling, Fallen Leaves by Emily M. Parris It was an autumn oh so sweet The leaves were on the ground And the sweetest breeze like summer Was blowing all around It was oh so quiet With that gentle, mellow breeze There was only the sound of the rustling Of all those fallen leaves Why is autumn so quiet this year? With such a mellow, gentle way? It makes it feel like summer Is trying very hard to stay Who would think that after This soft sweet zephyr breeze With only the sound so quiet Of all those fallen leaves There would come the ice and snow And cold winds of December To make these peaceful autumn sounds A thing we can only remember =============================== JOHN DENVER WANT ADS =============================== DeWayne Weaver is looking for "Whose Garden Was This" on LP or cassette. Dan Wright is looking for "Take Me To Tomorrow" and Rhymes and Reasons. (LP or cassette) Guitar and other experts: I receive many questions relating to the guitar/midi files/etc. that I don't know how to answer. Is there anyone who would like to assist me and allow me to forward questions to them? Just send me an email to tell me your area of expertise and your willingness to answer questions concerning that subject. Then when I get questions that I don't know the answer to, I'll be able to forward them to someone who does know the answer. Emily Thanks to Mary of R&R, Cindy of The Higher We Fly, Carla Brok of The World of JD, Karen Richmond of "Free Spirit", Ann Schnitz, Kathy Buettner, the authors of the Essays and everyone else who provided information and inspiration in this issue of Rocky Mountain High. Thanks also to Takeru Tanaka of the John Denver Fan Club in Japan who sent a John Denver Video Karaoke tape. (Kansas City JD Fans: Let me know if you'd like to stop by to see the tape and sing along.) An article about The John Denver Fan Club in Japan will be featured in the October Issue of Rocky Mtn High. ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@sky.net http://www.sky.net/~emily September 1996 * Issue #29 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************