============================================= *** 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 SEPTEMBER 2004 Editor: Emily M. Parris ============================================= http://www.rockymtnhigh.org ============================================= Table of Contents September 2004 * Issue #125 John Denver Events............................2 John Denver Lives! in Branson, MO.............6 CD Reviews: "Music From the Mountains" - Jim Salestrom Reviewed by Jason Star Summit Daily News - July 29, 2004.........6 New John Denver Items.........................7 John Denver Notes.............................8 POETRY CORNER: "Into The Blue" by Emily M. Parris.....................9 John Denver Want Ads.........................11 "More than anything else, I'm sorry for myself, I can't believe you went away"... John Denver ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= September 1, 2004 - December 15, 2004 * Branson, MO - "John Denver Lives!" at the Artfolk Theatre in Engler Block Mall. 1320 Highway 76 - Branson, MO * Rod Phillips & Rick Quincey 12:00 Noon * $15 or $20 with lunch / 1-800-635-3688 September 4, 2004 - Kearneysville, West Virginia - 11:00am Country Roads Folk Music Festival with a special tribute to John Denver / Almost Heaven Farm / $19 advance / $23 at the gate. Mail a check to MoFolk Music Productions, 177 Elsie Drive, Kearneysville, WV 25430 (SASE) maureen@workings.com http://www.mofolk.com * (304) 267-7963 September 10-12, 2004 - South Lake Tahoe - "Dancing With the Mountains - Celebrating the Music of John Denver." CA Windstar will be co-sponsoring the event. Bill Templin 916-601-9954 or kingsriverwet@hotmail.com September 11, 2004 - PA Friends of John Denver Highway Cleanup and Picnic * Pat Lidic tigersnwolves@comcast.net September 17, 2004 * Reading, Pennsylvania - 5:00-10:30pm "Music Extravaganza II" - 5 1/2 hours of Bluegrass, folk, and country featuring the music of John Denver. Cliff Eberhardt, The Travis Wetzel Trio, Tim & Amy Dabbs and East Side Dave. $25 includes AYCE Pizza (610) 371-9122 The Inn at Reading, Park Road, Wyomissing, PA http://www.johndenvermemorialfoundation.com Email: jdfoundation@comcast.net 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 Village, CO * Windstar Foundation: NEW Choices for Your Future Symposium 8:00am - 4:00pm Snowmass Conference Center 970 927-5430 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 / http://www.musicunites.com Hard Travelers with Bill Danoff, John Sommers, Molly Weaver, Chris Nole, Gary Muledeer and friends. $40 / VIP $100 September 25, 2004 * Encinitas, CA * Phil Christie in Concert with Special guest Mike Valentine 7:30pm / San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena (858) 566-4040 http://www.sdfolkheritage.org * www.philchristie.com 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 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 8-10, 2004 * Australia * John Denver Memorial sponsored by Higher Ground Australia / Boonah http://www.highergroundaustralia.com Janette Frawley < jfrawley@highergroundaustralia.com > October 10, 2004 - Denver, CO - Spiritual reading by Britain's "Elizabeth" / Swallow Hill Cafe / 71 E. Yale Avenue / Doors open 8:30am / Reading at 9:00am * Tickets $15 (Seating limited to 65) Peggiedalrymple@aol.com 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 10, 2004 - Pacific Grove, CA - 7th Annual John Denver Memorial Beach Cleanup and Tribute. 1-day event. Beach Cleanup at 11:00am Picnic, sing-a-long, and raffle at Lover's Point. Candlelight Tribute at 5:00pm. Debra - PixieDmyr@aol.com 310-490-0126 October 15, 2004 - Berkeley, CA - David Mallett performs at Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, CA. $16.50 in advance / $17.50 at the door. Info: itamazesus@aol.com 510-234-8843 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 October 23, 2004 - First Annual Windstar Day - A day set aside for like-minded individuals to do something positive for the environment in their local area. Register your event by emailing Shari at Apokey1@aol.com November 6-7, 2004 - Scottsdale, AZ * Making the Connection Symposium sponsored by the Arizona Windstar Connection. $50 480-600-8924 azwindstar@yahoo.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 December 31, 2004 - Scottsdale, AZ - John Denver Benefit New Year's Eve Concert at the Casa / 5802 E. Lincoln Drive / Scottsdale, AZ 85253 < casa@thecasa.org > 800-356-3247 http://www.thecasa.org * 480-948-7460 <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> JOHN DENVER TRIBUTE EVENTS in ASPEN, COLORADO: October 7, 2004 - Aspen, CO - Aspen "Meet & Greet" / Worship Service / Meet & Greet 4:30 * Worship service at 5:00 at the Sanctuary October 7, 2004 - Aspen, CO - A spiritual reading by Britain's "Elizabeth." / Mt. View Room at the Mountain Chalet / Doors open 8:30am / Reading 9:00am / Tickets $15 Peggiedalrymple@aol.com 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, 2004 - Aspen, CO / Peace Cloth Concert, Silent Auction and Presentation of 2004 Vision Award / Mountain Chalet / 333 East Durant / 1:00pm / with Chris Collins and friends. $20 / Eve Kleinfeld < EEEEEKL@aol.com > October 8, 2004 - Aspen, Co - Assisted Living Center Sing-a-long / Practice in Wagner Park at 9:00 am Sing-a-long 12:30 Pitkin County Assisted Living Center. Sign up by emailing Shari Sullivan at apokey1@aol.com For info email Melanie Trondson - peaacefuleagle@aol.com October 8 & 9, 2004 * Aspen, Colorado - "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" at the Wheeler Opera House 7:00pm (970) 920-5770 / Tickets: $45, $75, $125 http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com / VIP tickets include a post-concert reception with band members on each evening. (October 10 performance will feature Noel Paul Stookey). 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 - Old Snowmass, CO - "A Windstar Celebration" 10am - 4pm at the Windstar Land Conservancy. ($35 Membership to Windstar) Music by John Adams, Mark Cormican, and Chris Collins / Silent Auction / Book signings / Windstar Land History Walk. Info: Shari at APokey1@aol.com October 10, 2004 * Aspen, Colorado - "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" at the Wheeler Opera House - featuring Noel Paul Stookey. 7:00pm * Tickets $45, $75 & $150 (970) 920-5770 * http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com October 11, 2004 - Aspen, CO / "Seeing the World Thru Granny Glasses II" / Presenters: Richard Hatch & J. P. McDaniel 9:00am - Noon / Mountain Chalet rooftop Conference Room; Special Music by Chris Collins, and others. Special healing activity by Georgiann McDaniel, CMT $20 at the door or $15 pre-registration / Send a check to Granny Glasses in October / c/o J.P. McDaniel / 9552 W. Capri Drive / Littleton, CO 80123 * Info: < Jequitap@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 * $20 Email: penguins51@aol.com http://www.mackbailey.com/schedule.htm#Aspen October 11, 2004 - Aspen, CO - John Adams and Friends - 5th Annual Tribute to John Denver with Steve Weisberg, Diane Ireland, Randy Utterback, Guido Bos, Tom Paxton, Dave Harding & Rusty Speigle. Wheeler Opera House / 7:30pm Reserved seating $35 / $20 (child/senior) http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com (970) 920-5770 info@wheeleroperahouse.com October 11, 2004 - Aspen, CO - It's "Goodbye Again" 5:00pm Wagner Park < < < < < < < < < * * * > > > > > > > > > "JOHN DENVER LIVES!" - in Branson, MO by Emily M. Parris Rod Phillips does a show called "JOHN DENVER LIVES" at the Artfolk Theater in Engler Block Mall in Branson, Missouri. It is at 1320 Highway 76 in Branson. I wrote to him and received a very informative letter about the show: "I am a professional musician and have been singing John's music since the early days of his career. I play many instruments, but piano is my most accomplished. I was a voice major in college so I have a more or less trained tenor voice - but enough like John's that the perception is there. I don't actually try to impersonate John - just sing his music. Actually, I feel more in tune with his ideas and beliefs, in terms of connection with his music because I am actually a classical and jazz musician, but I play guitar and banjo well enough to appreciate folk music. I was a member of the New Christy Minstrels in the early 70's; I played banjo and 12-string. I have nine albums of my own music, which I feature in the off season at a Songwriter Showcase also at Engler Block. I do have an affinity for the nature elements and conservation efforts of JD's life, and I sing his music with my whole heart when I perform. I have one other business partner, Rick Quincey, who plays about 8 instruments in the show. We pack in about 25 song titles in the 50-60 minute program, and there is also a video presentation with the concert. The theatre seats about 50 people, in porch swings, rocking chairs, and church pews. It is a very cozy little space with a great ambience. The show is at Noon 6 days a week (no Sunday) April (2004) to December 15. Tickets are $15 or $20 with lunch. We will do a special John Denver Christmas show in November and December." http://www.englerblock.com http://www.artfolkmusic.com Tickets: 1-800-635-3688 * * * "Colorado Music" - a review of Jim Salestrom's cd, "Music From the Mountains" by Jason Starr Summit Daily News - July 29, 2004 There's a lot of love on Jim Salestrom's 2003 release "Music From the Mountains." Most of all, it is love for Colorado. What is Colorado music? John Denver certainly nailed it with "Rocky Mountain High," which Salestrom covers on the album. It's music that attempts to mirror the natural beauty of the state. To the extent that Denver did it, so does Salestrom with his smooth, soft rock 'n' roll. The first song, "My Colorado Home," gets specific, mentioning the Ten mile Range, Boreas Pass, the Blue River and other local landmarks. For Summit County residents, this album touches a nerve, which may explain why Salestrom has made a living playing local bars and other venues. He plays the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge on Sunday - the show is billed as a tribute to John Denver and Tuesday at the Silverthorne pavilion. Speaking of Denver, have you ever really listened to "Rocky Mountain High," aside from the memorable chorus? Salestrom's album allows another listen. The song tells the story of probably the majority of Summit County folks. You leave home behind to come to the mountains, you seek grace in the hills, then you lament growth and try to close the gate behind you, so to speak. Same old story, done seminally by Denver and covered well by Salestrom. Salestrom is cut out to sing Colorado songs - most are original works - because of his straightforward delivery. There are few frills in his voice and not much raw power - it's the voice of a story-teller. The album features fellow Coloradans and Colorado lovers Tim O'Brien, Mollie O'Brien, Michael Johnson, Taylor Mesple, Steve Ivey and Jerome Golmer. The ensemble of strings and piano brings a twinge of bluegrass and country. But Salestrom's guitar work is always at the fore. Other songs of note "The Rainbow Connection" popularized by Kermit the Frog, "Sunshine on My Shoulders," another Denver classic, and "Daddy's Girl" and "The Daddy Song" - emotional tunes about parenthood in the mold of Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle." <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> ===================== NEW JOHN DENVER ITEMS ===================== "John Denver Greatest Hits Live!" DVD: Mexican Import Run time: 53 minutes / 15 live JD performances from around the globe. DVD Tracks: "And So It Goes" - Texas - 1989 "Matthew" - Amsterdam - 1979 "Grandma's Feather Bed" - London - 1974 "Rocky Mountain High" - Aspen 1995 "Calypso" - Boston - 1985 "Take Me Home, Country Roads" - Tokyo - 1983 "Sweet Surrender" - Australia - 1994 "Leaving On A Jet Plane" - Japan - 1984 "Goodbye Again" - Japan 1984 "Follow Me" - Japan - 1984 "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" - England - 1974 "Annie's Song" - Tokyo - 1983 "It Amazes Me" - Amsterdam - 1979 "Boy From the Country" - Japan - 1984 "Fly Away" - London - 1974 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver: "Let This Be A Voice" DVD+R Format from PBS-WNET 1-800-336-1917 $19.95 + $4.95 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - John Denver Christmas Ornament: It is a beautiful likeness of John sitting on a rock playing his guitar. "Country Music Series" / It features an excerpt from "Annie's Song." It is 4 3/4" high x 3 1/4" wide. $21.95 Product ID: CXOR-096L Item # 865220 http://www.carltoncards.com/shop/product_details.cfm?dept_id= 2609&prod_id=990578 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "A Song's Best Friend": BMG is also releasing a new John Denver album on September 20, 2004. It is a 2-cd set called "A Song's Best Friend: The Very Best of John Denver." It features "Leaving On A Jet Plane", "Annie's Song", "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and "Rocky Mountain High." It also features 5 newly discovered and never released tracks as a special bonus disc. http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/bmg/john_denver.htm It is being released by BMG UK & Ireland. For more information and track listing see August 2004 RMH Newsletter. <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= DeGeneres to Star in "Oh, God!" Remake...AP Comedian Ellen DeGeneres is getting a promotion - to supreme being. DeGeneres will star as God in a remake of the 1977 comedy "Oh, God!". The original starred George Burns as the creator and John Denver as a supermarket manager tapped as a new prophet. "Ellen is a strong comedian and she has always done material about God and questions about God," said Jerry Weintraub, who produced the original movie and also will oversee the remake. Weintraub said he'll hire a screenwriter and director with the aim to shoot the movie during a break in DeGeneres' schedule from her talk show next summer. Though successful on the small screen, DeGeneres misfired in an earlier transition to film with the romantic-comedy flop "Mr. Wrong." She helped score a hit with her voice work on last year's animated tale "Finding Nemo." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - When he was at Arlington Heights High School, John Denver (Deutschendorf) tried out for the track team. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Interesting John Denver Story: http://www.ecobb.net/Denver.htm - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The April Issue of "American Baby" had an article about napping and it mentioned that in helping her daughter to nap every afternoon, a Houston lady sings "Country Roads" to her 2 year old. (from Linda E)... http://www.ncfriendsofjd.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jean Kendle < jbk944@yahoo.com > I'm in a magic bubble this a.m. Our Notre Dame radio station D.J. had the program "Words & Music Remembered": John Denver's Harbor Lights CD, and it turned out wonderful. Since the show he had last January was almost all "serious" songs, this time he wanted to play some of his more humorous songs. So among the 17 that he played, were "Saturday Night in Toledo, Ohio" and "Forest Lawn", and then "Druthers", "Grandma's Feather Bed", "Spanish Pipe Dream" and he played most of John's "intros" from the CD including "Kissing You Goodbye"!! So it did get played on the radio. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In the comic strip "For Better or Worse" on August 25th, "Leaving On A Jet Plane" was mentioned. In the strip the couple's daughter is leaving home to teach school in northern Canada, and as she is packing her suitcases it says.. "Sometimes a song is just a song...and sometimes, it says EVERYTHING." The strip's creator is "Lynn". - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Carole Romanowski < whispjesse@aol.com > Watching the Olympics this past August, a Coca Cola commercial aired with the young and upcoming British singer Sharlene Hector singing "I Wish" (I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free). I immediately thought of John Denver, the first person I've ever heard sing the song on his "Rhymes and Reasons" album (Oct '69). I've played the song so many times & I feel the song held significance in view of global unrest so it was very appropriate to air it during the Olympics with a large viewer audience. In addition, I watched the August "The Best TV Shows That Never Were" and viewed JD in "Higher Ground" which never made it, but if you saw it you would agree with me it was on much "higher ground" than any of the other shorts presented that evening! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bob Buford < bobbuford@earthlink.net > The power of John's music is so evident and still moves people worldwide. The John Denver Tribute concert held in Estes Park, CO on July 29, 2004 featured Brad Fitch. The concert was held in Performance Park and sponsored by the Estes Park Arts Council. The park filled to overflowing and fans filled the parking lot and backed up traffic into downtown Estes Park in an attempt to hear the music. Pictures are at: http://www.tropicowboy.com/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R P O E T R Y ======================================= Comments from Emily Parris < emily@parris.net > ... In December of 2003 I was setting up a database to keep track of the poetry used in the Rocky Mountain High newsletters. And in doing that I was looking back at a lot of the newsletters to verify either that they had no poetry in them or to see what poems were used. I was looking through the newsletters and in a lot of cases I hadn't included a poem because there were so many concert reviews used. In August and September of 1997 we were all busy going to John Denver concerts - writing happily of the exhilarating experiences in them and looking forward to more. Who could know that it would all soon change? And even the October 1997 newsletter was there - innocently containing a John Denver concert schedule and again, more reviews ... with no inkling in the pages of the fact that John's death was to be only a few short days away. Somehow I started thinking about it all (again...sigh) and I wrote this poem... Into the Blue by Emily M. Parris In 1997 we were so hopeful Reviewing concerts with eager glee Who could know that in October John would leave for Eternity Who could know that way too suddenly All the concerts would be no more Who could ever believe that John Denver Would fall from the sky near the shore He seemed so eternal - like his songs; Like a rock in our fragile world And not someone who could fall from the sky To be into the water unfurled He seemed so solid - so everlasting For his songs are inspired and true Who could think that such a beautiful person Could disappear into the blue In October we were so excited With concerts and an album brand-new Who could imagine that our beloved John Could disappear into the blue? _____________________________________ Copyright 12-11-03 by Emily M. Parris ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= You can be one of the first to order the 2004 Peace Cloth T-shirt. I love to wear my JD shirts - almost every time I do, I end up getting comments and sharing with someone. The T-shirt will also be available at our event in Aspen on Oct. 8th. For more info email Eve at EEEEEKL@aol.com http://johndenverpeacecloth.com/peaceclothstore.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Aspen Memory Books 2004! Now taking orders for the 2004 Aspen Memory Books for those going to Aspen this October, or for those who wish to be a book buddy for someone unable to attend. Your Aspen Memory Book will be a treasured memento of your trip to Aspen, and has a John Denver/Aspen theme including color photos. $8.00 check or m.o. ($8.50 via Paypal). AspenMemoryBooks@aol.com - Beth Swanton http://members.tripod.com/elfelizabeth/memory_books.htm - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dave < diverdave95@aol.com > I'm from Cleveland, Ohio and would like to meet fellow fans of a great singer and lover of our environment. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - David Stemple < dstemple@cstone.net > Wanted: One person with a digital camera who is going to the John Denver events in Aspen this October to share their photos with me. I am looking for scenes around Aspen with a focus on John Denver events and musicians especially those who played with him. Would prefer images put onto a CD-Rom disc for me. Will pay you for time and shipping cost to do this for me. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Aspen John Denver Events List http://www.john-denver.org/events/aspen2004/ "Rocky Mountain Minstrel" by Emily M. Parris www.ncfriendsofjd.com/EmilyParris-RockyMountainMinstrel.html Colorado Scenics http://www.coloradoscenics.com ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily@parris.net http://www.rockymtnhigh.org September 2004 * Issue #125 * Editor: Emily M. Parris ************************************************************* ^Z _______________________________________________ Rockymountainhigh mailing list Rockymountainhigh@emissives.com http://emissives.com/mailman/listinfo/rockymountainhigh_emissives.com