============================================= *** 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 2007 Editor: Emily M. Parris ================================================ http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily at parris.net ================================================ Table of Contents September 2007 * Issue #161 John Denver Events.............................1 Aspen Chronicles: Rocky Mountain High The Huffington Post 9-6-07 by Ellen Susman..............................6 "Almost Heaven" - Off Broadway Booking.........7 John Denver Notes..............................8 Poetry Corner: "Timeless" by Emily M. Parris...............9 "Mother Nature's Son" by Carole Romanowski John Denver Want Ads/For Sale.................10 ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S ======================================= September 2, 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 8, 2007 * Hillsboro, OR - "Livin' Green" Concert and EcoFair - Hillsboro Civic Center 4:00 - 8:00pm Free family event with music, food and green-friendly vendors. Chris Collins and other artists will be performing John Denver's timeless songs to pay tribute to his memory and legacy. http://www.johndenverpnwwindstar.com Chris' web site: http://www.chriscollinsmusic.com PNW Windstar Connection * Aurelia Wight ahwight21 at aol.com September 10-14, 2007 * Peaceful Valley, CO - Tom Crum's "Journey to Center - Finding Power and Purpose in a Stressed-Out World" http://www.aikiworks.com/journey.html info at aikiworks.com / http://www.aikiworks.com September 15, 2007 * Bristol, PA * Christopher Westfall concert at the First Annual Silver Lake Expo - Silver Lake Nature Center / 1306 Bath Road / Bristol PA 19007 Festival 11:00 - 5:00pm * Concert 3:00pm - 5:00pm Tickets $5 in advance $10 at the gate / Bring chairs or blankets for the concert. http://www.silverlakenaturecenter.org (215) 785-1177 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 21, 2007 * Monterey, CA * John Denver Music Jam at the home of Judy Therrien, 12 Dunecrest Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940 * (831) 373-7780 jht at pacbell.net September 22, 2007 - Pacific Grove, California - Beach cleanup at Noon on "John's Beach" at the intersection of Ocean View and Acropolis. Gloves and plastic bags will be provided. All are welcome to join in! Margie: azanekia at sbcglobal.net September 22, 2007 - Carmel, CA * Chris Collins and Mark Cormican will present a concert honoring John Denver through his music / Steve Brook from Cadiz, Spain will be the opening act. 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 * (831) 373-7780 September 22, 2007 - UK - "Remember John Denver - Ten Years On" - Co-operative Theatre, in Watersmeet Road, Wyken, Coventry 7:30pm Neil * Gill Sharman will perform Organisers: Graham & Elizabeth Shelton 024 7647 1157 September 23, 2007 - Pacific Grove, CA - John Denver Memorial Dedication 11:00 AM / Cindydoe at aol.com California Friends of John Denver / 18685 Main Street #453-A / Huntington Beach, CA 92648 * (714) 846-1446 September 23, 2007 - Pacific Grove, CA - John Denver Sing-along at 618 Lobos in Pacific Grove, between Juniper and Gibson 7:30pm Judy (831) 373-7780 jht at pacbell.net September 29, 2007 - Flemington, NJ - Mollie Weaver, Pete Huttlinger and Chris Nole - Intimate Concert at the Little Theater at Hunterdon Central Regional High School 84 Rt 31 / 7:30pm / Tickets $30: Check to Cindy Donaldson / 281 Fairview Avenue / Long Valley, NJ 07853 (with SASE) (908) 619-1738 or cjd1002 at aol.com September 30, 2007 - McHenry, IL - "Shades of Autumn" Festival at the Stade Dairy Farm / Will Kruger will perform many John Denver songs / 3709 Miller Road / McHenry, IL 60050 Will performs at 12:00pm * Festival 10:00am to 6:00pm http://www.willkruger.com * info at willkruger.com * http://www.shadesofautumn.net (free) October 5-7, 2007 Klickitat, Washington * John Denver Peace Vigil Concert at the Windward Center campgrounds. Three days of camping, music, and hiking. $30 http://www.windward.org/denver * ahwight21 at aol.com October 14, 2007 * Pacific Grove, CA * 10th Annual John Denver Memorial Beach Cleanup and Tribute - 2nd Sunday in October 11:00am - 6:00pm - John Denver Beach, Ocean View Blvd. and Acropolis in Pacific Grove, CA. Debra: PixieDmyr at aol.com (703) 723-6633 October 14, 2007 - McHenry, IL - "Shades of Autumn" at the Stade Dairy Farm / 3709 Miller Road / McHenry, IL Will Kruger will perform many John Denver songs 12:00pm * Festival 10:00am - 6:00pm * info at willkruger.com * http://www.willkruger.com * http://www.shadesofautumn.net October 21, 2007 - Albemarle, NC - "Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver" 3:00pm Stanly County Agri-Civic Center / Hwy 24-27 / Newt Road / Albemarle NC * Tickets $20 (704) 986-3666 * http://www.stanlyconcert.com Email: pammedlin at carolina.rr.com (704) 983-1684 Mail: PO Box 1142 / Albemarle, NC 28002 October 26, 2007 * Annapolis, MD - "John Denver Musical Tribute Show" to benefit Maryland Therapeutic Riding http://www.horsesthatheal.org * mtrinfo at mtrinc.org October 27, 2007 - Dumbarton - Scotland - John Denver Tribute concert at the Denny Theatre http://www.myspace.com/boyfromthecountry November 24 - Dec 2, 2007 - Kansas City, MO - "A John Denver Holiday Concert" Copaken Stage / 1 H&R Block Way - 13th & Walnut / Tickets go on sale October 1, 2007 Tickets $55 - $20 (students) / http://www.kcrep.org (816) 235-2700 Braille or large print programs available by contacting the house manager at (816) 235-2780 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 December 15, 2007 - UK - FOJD "Denver Day" at Pershore, between Worcester and Evesham. http://www.fojd.org.uk February 10, 2008 - Morristown, NJ * Community Theatre at Mayo Center / "Almost Heaven" The Songs of John Denver" www.mayoarts.org (973) 539-8008 February 14-18, 2008 Cruise from New Orleans to Cozumel * 2008 Polyesterfest Cruise with Pete Huttlinger $599 http://www.polyesterfest.com * http://www.petehuttlinger.com Kathy Denis, Cruise Director kathyw at joystarcruises.com (866) 844-8441 Final payment needed by 11-20-07 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 ================================ ASPEN IN OCTOBER EVENTS ================================ 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. Info: alaskanchild at msn.com October 10, 2007 * Aspen, CO * "John Denver's Storytellers Unplugged" - Wheeler Opera House - Michael Shore, Tom Crum, Jim Salestrom, Denny Brooks, Jim Horn, Barney Wyckoff, Bill Danoff and John Sommers Tickets $100 (866) 449-0464 (970) 920-5770 http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com All seats are reserved and include hors d'oeuvres, wine and champagne 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. Performers: Mark Cormican, Chris Collins, Kevin Delmolino and Paul Swanton. http://www.pinecreekcookhouse.com / (Event Sold Out) October 11-13, 2007 - Aspen, CO - 10th Annual "A Musical Tribute to John Denver" - Wheeler Opera House Thursday, Friday, Saturday / $55 - $75 - $125 http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com / (970) 920-5770 October 12, 2007 - Aspen, CO - Peace Cloth Event - "From Inner Peace to Outer Space" - Mountain Chalet Ballroom 12:30pm $20 -*- eve at Johndenverpeacecloth.com Jeff Pine, Ellen Stapenhorst, Denny Brooks, Mark Cormican & Chris Westfall. Chris Collins of KPFT Houston will emcee 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 at 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 at yahoo.com Send a check/m.o. & SASE to Pam Beasley / 721 Ravencroft Dr / Garland, TX 75043 Pam's email: firendsky at mac.com October 13, 2007 * Aspen, CO * "Windstar - A Voice For the Future: A Celebration of the Timeless Music of John Denver" Jim Curry and His band featuring Jim Connor, Dick Kniss and John Stewart / Harris Concert Hall / (Two shows) 1:00pm & 7:00pm $45 (General seating) $100/$75 VIP http://www.SpotlightHeroes.com/ASPEN October 14, 2007 * Snowmass Village, CO * Yearly John Denver Memorial Service 9:00am Snowmass Chapel, 5307 Owl Creek Road email: jht at spamarrest.com 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! If you're not a member you can join at the event. http://www.wstar.org Contact Shari or Dreaux for more info cominghome at wstar.org 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 at spamarrest.com * $15 www.chriswestfall.com October 15, 2007 * Aspen, CO * Shooting Stars Concert - An Evening with Steve Brook / Aspen Community Church, corner of South Aspen St and West Bleeker Street 7:30pm $10 email: newspirit28 at sbcglobal.net / Send check & SASE to Judy Therrien; 12 Dunecrest Ave; Monterey, CA 93940 http://www.stevebrook.com <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> Aspen Chronicles: Rocky Mountain High The Huffington Post 9-6-07 by Ellen Susman Usually my weekly blog consists of an interview with one of the fabulous women from "Balancing Your Life". But this week, as I finish up the summer in Aspen, Colorado, I have been reflecting on the past 24 years that I have lived here; 12 of those as a fulltime resident. Hiking up the Ute trail with my husband and 2 dogs in the early morning, listening to my tunes, I came upon a fox. We both startled and froze, regarding each other for a full ten seconds. Then, he moved on, and slowly, I did too. I thought about the magic of encountering a wild thing, and as it happened, John Denver's old, wonderful tune, "Rocky Mountain High" echoed in my ear. John has been dead for almost ten years now; he died in a light plane crash Oct. 12, 1997, but I thought about his commitment to Aspen and to the earth; and the fact that John was so ahead of his time. And a look back at the past shows that the same issues that were with us then are with us today. Let's start with the environment. John was one of the first artists to share an environmental message through his music. In 1993 I interviewed him for an environmental show called Ecologic, that never got off the ground -- premature I guess -- and asked him how he wrote "Calypso," which was one of my favorite songs. "Calypso," if you've never heard it, was an anthem to Jacques Cousteau and the work he and his crew did in and around the oceans. John said he'd been skiing at Snowmass, and all of a sudden, the words came into his head, and as he skied on that crystal clear day, the song just wrote itself. Even now, when I hear the words--I can also hear the whoosh of skis on powder, like the sound of a wave pounding the surf. "Oh Calypso, the places you've been to, The things that you've shown us, The stories you tell, Oh Calypso, I sing to your spirit, The men who have served you so long and so well." Sustainablity: John founded "The Windstar Foundation" to promote a holistic approach toward addressing global issues and to inspire individuals to work toward a sustainable future. For years his annual conference brought together people from all over the world. John's "Plant-It-2020" urged people all over the world to plant as many trees as possible to replenish what we had already destroyed. This weekend a Renewable Energy Conference is being held in town. The paper reported that second homes, in use less than 2 months a year, use more energy than the homes of full time residents. Not so sustainable. World hunger: Think Sudan, think Darfur, think Africa. John was one of the five founders of the Hunger Project, which was committed to the end of chronic hunger. He toured Africa as part of a fact-finding delegation, which toured countries devastated by drought and starvation. His song, "African Sunrise" spoke to his experience. "It is not the sun that gives the seasons. It is not the sun that brings the rain, Our throats are choked with dust but we're still singing. Our song will not be silenced by the pain." John would have been among the first to stand up and protest this war in Iraq. He would have been horrified. He was a pacifist and against any form of violence. Just listen to "Sail Away Home," or "You Say the Battle is Over." I was privileged to know John, and my fondest memory of him occurred one fine cold day in early December 1990. John Wilcox, who owned the place, had invited a few of us up to the Pine Creek Cookhouse with our children. Two horse drawn carriages were waiting for us, and we bundled the kids and ourselves up in the rugs and set off. The sky was blue, the snow sparkled, the horse's bells jingled, and John began singing. The entire way to the cabin, he sang. No guitar, just his crystalline voice in the space. He sang "Annie's Song" and "Aspenglow" and of course, "Rocky Mountain High." All of us were rapt. The music and that moment in time are etched in my memory forever, epitomizing everything Aspen was and could be, a place where people cared about the land, and our children and our future. The John Denver Sanctuary is nestled in a park in the center of town. A winding path leads to a Zen garden where big boulders are inscribed with words from John's songs, and rounded stones represent musical notes. I go there sometimes to pay homage to a man who truly was at heart, a country boy. <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> <*> ALMOST HEAVEN: THE SONGS OF JOHN DENVER Currently booking dates for 2008-09 "Almost Heaven - A Musical Tribute to John Denver" is a live musical experience that reinvents and reinvigorates the music you thought you knew...like you've never heard before. This new musical event weaves together the songs of John Denver to create an evening that reflects upon the country during the years in which he wrote them. The show features 28 Denver songs, including "Rocky Mountain High", "Sunshine On My Shoulders", "Annie's Song", "Leaving On A Jet Plane", "Calypso", and more. The national tour has been remounted to fit into any size venue with different arrangements to suit the needs of outdoor amphitheaters, small blackbox theaters and large traditional proscenium theaters. Call us to make ALMOST HEAVEN a part of your 2007-2008 season. _________________________________ http://www.offbroadwaybooking.com ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S ======================================= Three of the Dawn Publishing Company books in the "John Denver & Kids" book series have won awards: * The book "Sunshine On My Shoulders" won the Benjamin Franklin Gold Award * "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and "Sunshine On My Shoulders" both won the National Parenting Publications Awards * "Sunshine On My Shoulders" won the American Booksellers Association Book Sense Selection Award The "Grandma's Feather Bed" book appears on the cover of the Dawn Publishing Company catalog. http://www.dawnpub.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There is a Reader's Digest CD compilation featuring some John Denver tracks. "80 Country Classics by 16 Hit-making Superstars!" The songs are "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Sunshine On My Shoulders", "Rocky Mountain High", "Calypso" and "Annie's Song." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 8:00pm - Aspen, Colorado Challenge Aspen supporters, old friends and fellow music makers will gather for "John Denver's Storytellers Uplugged" at the Wheeler Opera House. It will be an intimate, living room experience highlighted by rare recollections and music by some of John's closest friends, colleagues and confidants. The conversation will center on personal accounts of life on and off the road with John Denver. Michael Shore, Tom Crum, Jim Salestrom, Denny Brooks, Jim Horn, Barney Wyckoff, Bill Danoff and John Sommers will share their memories. $100 http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com 866-449-0464 Hors d'oeuvres, wine and champagne will be served. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ======================================= J O H N D E N V E R P O E T R Y ======================================= Timeless by Emily M. Parris In the quiet moments John's words are there Between the notes of music He has love to share So soft and heartfelt So loving and true His words are timeless Always brand new In the quiet moments In his songs so sweet There is honesty Between each beat Between the laughter And the tears He shares his love Throughout the years ___________________________________ Copyright 3-8-07 by Emily M. Parris < * > < * > "Mother Nature's Son" by Carole Romanowski If you should ever feel downhearted And your dreams turn into dust And friends would soon forsake you Know nature's all that you can trust For Summer always bronzes shoulders Fall still paints landscapes red, gold And Spring surely ushers in rebirth While ivory snow's Winter's gift of cold. So test the inner strength within you Seek self-discovery, ponder on "...yourself reflected in the seasons" "...understand (your) need to carry on." Trust in nature's continuity It's a lesson for everyone For no one knew this more than John Since he was Mother Nature's Son ______________________________ Copyright by Carole Romanowski < whispjesse at aol.com > ================================================= JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E ================================================= The "John Denver Anthology" (Sheet music) has "54 songs celebrating the music of one of the world's most popular artists". $15.61 at http://www.amazon.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "John Denver - The Complete Lyrics" - has lyrics only, no music. It has a forward by Tom Paxton and an introduction by Milt Okun as well as comments about the songs. $11.53 http://www.amazon.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The "John Denver Songbook" has the sheet music for 21 of John's most popular songs. $16.46 at http://www.amazon.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Julie Serocki < julieser at juno.com > I am looking for John Denver people to socialize with. I live in St Joseph, MI - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Terry Blosser < tcblosser at yahoo.com > In the late 1970's John and a film crew visited McCarthy and Kennecott, Alaska to film sequences for a TV program. In the program, John is featured on the steps of Kennecott's iconic copper mill, and reportedly does a Keystone Cops-style chase in the building. I'm looking for a copy of this program on DVD or VHS. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Courtland Crocker < tiocourt at earthlink.net > Ever since I saw/heard it performed, I've been looking for the text or video of John Denver's prose/poem entitled "An Endangered Species," as performed (I believe) on his 1974 ABC special "John Denver & Friends." Can anyone shed some light on this? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Any vinyl album cover on a purse can be ordered from... RetRo Image / (612) 306-8444 Sky Athmann / Custom Handbag Designs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mark Robinson's new cd "Once In A Bright Blue Moon" will be out shortly. http://www.markrobinsonmusic.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 911 Video made by Stephanie Dubick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-vES3prXJE Chris Nole http://www.chrisnole.com Mollie Weaver http://www.mollieweaver.com Pete Huttlinger http://www.petehuttlinger.com Celebrity Stationery - has John Denver Stationery http://stationeryheaven.com/celebs.htm To subscribe: rockymountainhigh-subscribe at emissives.com To unsubscribe: rockymountainhigh-unsubscribe at emissives.com ************************************************************* Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club emily at parris.net http://www.rockymtnhigh.org September 2007 * Issue #161 * Editor: Emily M. Parris *************************************************************