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*** R O C K Y M O U N T A I N H I G H ***
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The John Denver Internet Fan Club
Monthly Newsletter

A P R I L 2 0 0 3

Editor: Emily M. Parris

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http://www.rockymtnhigh.org * emily@sky.net
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Table of Contents
April 2003 * Issue #108

John Denver Events..........................2

New Production of "Almost Heaven: Songs
And Stories of John Denver"
in Denver, Colorado......................3

Book Review:
"Rocky Mountain Hai-Ku" - Tyler Kaus
Reviewed by Emily M. Parris..............4

New Zealand John Denver Collections.........5

New Lyrics to "Leaving On A Jet Plane"......6

John Denver Notes...........................6
Letters to the Editor.....................7

Poetry Corner:
"Venue" by Cynthia Gullage................8
"Tiny Lullaby" by Emily M. Parris.........9

John Denver Want Ads/For Sale...............9

"In my mind, I hear,
While gazing at soaring peaks:
'Rocky Mountain High'...
Tyler Kaus
Rocky Mountain Hai-ku

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J O H N D E N V E R E V E N T S
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April 4 & 5, 2003 - Dade City, Florida / "Florida Old Time
Music Championship" / Sertoma Youth Ranch (813) 991-4774
Jim Strickland: Mrethnc@aol.com Admission: $5 - $12
http://www.dadecity.com/fotmc/guestofhonor/Jim_Connor/

April 5, 2003 * Stafford, England / "Friends of John Denver"
in the U.K.'s "Denver Day" at Walton Village Hall
http://www.fojd.org.uk

April 5, 2003 * Emily's birthday. <emily@sky.net>

April 11-13, 2003 * Roaring Gap, NC * North Carolina's
"Friends of John Denver" Annual Spring Camping Trip.
Stone Mountain State Park (336) 957-8185
email: stonemtn@infoave.net or Laura Bollinger, President,
NC Friends of John Denver <CountryRoadsNC@aol.com>

April 12, 2003 * Florida - "Keep It Clean and Green" Earth
Day Event / Florida House Learning Center 11:00-3:00pm
941-371-8223 * Sherry Cook <backhomagain@yahoo.com>

April 14, 2003 * "Oh, God" (1977) 7:45am - Cinemax 2

April 19, 2003 * Altadena, CA / Phil Christie Earth Day
Concert / Coffee Gallery Backstage / 2029 N. Lake
8:00pm $8.00 (626) 398-7917 http://www.philchristie.com

April 26, 2003 * Upland, CA / Jim Curry Earth Day Concert -
"A Tribute to John Denver" with Pete Huttlinger, Chris
Nole, Richie Garcia and Alan Deremo, at The Grove / 8:00pm
VIP Tickets $24 includes Meet & Greet with the band from
6:00-7:00pm / Open seating $12 and $15 at the door.
Anne <jbcurryiam@msn.com> * http://www.jimcurrymusic.com

April 26, 2003 * Cincinnati, OH / Heart of Ohio Windstar
Connection presents "What One Can Do Earth Day Concert:
A Tribute to John Denver" with Mark Cormican and Cottonwood
Stone. 7:00pm, First Unitarian Church, 536 Linton Street
Donation #4 - Info: Mev Wilson <macaddict@fuse.net>

April 27, 2003 * "Oh, God" (1977) 6:30am - Cinemax #2

May 2-4, 2003 PA Friends of JD Retreat / Lebanon, PA
Gretna Glen Camp, 87 Old Mine Road $50 payment to
Patricia Liddic / 533 Lexington Road / Lancaster, PA
17603 by March 5, 2003. <tigersnwolves@comcast.net>

May 3-4, 2003 * Claremont, CA * Claremont Spring Folk Festival
May 3 - 1:00pm Jim Curry and Timberline / 3:00pm John Denver
Sing-Along Tickets $10 pre sale or $12 at the door.
http://www.claremontfolkfest.org doug.thomson2@gte.net

May 3, 2003 * near Waukesha, WI / "Wisconsin Friends of JD"
Spring Highway Cleanup / helpers needed! meet 10:30am /
Kettle Moraine Golf Club - 4299 Highway 67 (Dousman, WI)
Group "Field Trip" afterward to Nature Center. Carolyn
Churchill <The_Family_Churchill@msn.com> 847-356-0074

May 10, 2003 * Doylestown, PA / Charlie Zahm, Tad Marks and
Christopher Westfall 7:30 $10 includes refreshments /
Salem United Church of Christ / Info: pahough@aol.com
http://www.geocities.com/aneagleflight/doylestown.html

May 23, 2003 * CANADA / Port Colborne, Ontario - Dan Monroe
Triple Header Tribute Show - Roy Orbison, John Denver, and
Elvis - Roselawn Centre $15.00 7:00pm (905) 834-7572

Sept 29-Oct 4, 2003 * Lyons, CO / "Journey to Center" program
with Tom Crum (585) 924-7302 http://www.aikiworks.com

October 2 - November 29, 2003 * Denver, Colorado /
Ricketson Theatre - "Almost Heaven: Songs and Stories of
John Denver" http://www.denvercenter.org

October 3-5, 2003 PA Friends of JD Fall Retreat /
Cassville, PA / Bitter Goose Lodge $45 for the weekend.
Payment to Pat Liddic / 533 Lexington Road / Lancaster,
PA 17603 / Pat Liddic <tigersnwolves@comcast.net>

October 4-5, 2003 * Salida, Colorado / Fifth Annual John
Denver Celebration / http://www.johndenverlegacy.com
Christine Smith 1-719-942-9620 <Christinesmith@amigo.net>
Seating limited to first 200 reservations.

October 11-12, 2003 * Pacific Grove, CA / John Denver Memorial
Tribute and Beach Cleanup * Debra <PixieDmyr@aol.com>
Saturday Evening - Musical Event; Beach Cleanup on Sunday
at Noon; Tribute at John Denver Beach on Sunday 5:00pm

<+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+> <+>

NEW PRODUCTION OF...
ALMOST HEAVEN: SONGS AND STORIES OF JOHN DENVER

Press Release
Denver Center Theatre Company
February 3, 2003

A new production in association with Harold Thau of
"ALMOST HEAVEN: SONGS AND STORIES OF JOHN DENVER"
Written and adapted by Peter Glazer; Directed by Randal Myler;
Orchestrations and Vocal Arrangements by Jeff Waxman
October 2 through November 29, 2003 - The Ricketson Theatre

"Annie's Song," "Sunshine On My Shoulder" and "Rocky
Mountain High" were only three of the songs that swept away
Denver audiences during the 2001-02 season. 'Almost Heaven'
proved Denver audiences loved their "Country Roads" boy. And
now, DCTC director and artistic associate Randal Myler brings
John Denver back in a brand new production with added songs
and a new cast. Only 28,000 cheering fans saw our world
premiere production; thousands more were turned away. Did you
get your ticket to 'Heaven'?
http://www.denvercenter.org

==========================
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAI-KU
==========================

Review of ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAI-KU by Tyler Kaus
by Emily M. Parris

This is not a book to rush through. It is one to be
savored, slowly like a cup of tea. For each little snipet of
haiku poetry is complete in itself. Spring, nature, animals,
fly-fishing - these are all subjects for Tyler's haiku. Since
each one stands alone there is much to ponder. Each one brings
you visions of the scene being described. It's like a little
snipet of life.
In the book, Tyler tells about haiku:
"HAIKU: a Japanese poem (usually unrhymed)
recording the essence of a moment keenly
perceived by the author, in which nature
is sometimes linked to human nature. It
usually consists of 17 onji (Japanese
symbol sounds). Haiki are often written in
three lines of five, seven, and five syllables."

One of my favorites is one about the Rocky Mountains:
"The Rockies are lost
In a thick blanket of fog,
Then the sun finds them."

Here's another one that John would have liked:
"Colorado skies...
A kaleidoscope of clouds
Never once the same."

The illustrations in this book are beautiful too. They
are by Leia Andrea Pope and my favorite one shows an eagle
flying with the following haiku poem:
"An eagle soaring
High above a lake...sees trout,
Swoops down...a fresh fish dinner."

The book is dedicated to John Denver with the following
words:
"'Rocky Mountain Hai-ku'
is dedicated to the memory of John Denver -
a true American legend."

There is a haiku poem dedicated to John on page 91:
"In my mind, I hear,
While gazing at soaring peaks:
'ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH.'"

Since I had never heard of Haiku, I was at first kind
of curious as to what the book was about. But when I sat down
and read Tyler's explanation and the examples of haiku from
the Japanese Masters, it inspired me. It was interesting how
such a picture of an event could be brought forth in so few
words. The simplicity of it was inspiring and I wrote a haiku
for Tyler's book:
This book by Tyler
Has a rhythm of its own
Of nature and sky

Birds and animals,
Sunshine melting all the snow,
Clouds floating on by

Mountains majesty
Colorado scenery
Inspiring joy

His thoughts on nature
In 'Rocky Mountain Hai-ku"
Are here to enjoy

If you like poetry, I think you'll enjoy Tyler's book
with scenes from the Rocky Mountains and nature. Tyler has
also written two other books called "Colorado Haiku" and
"Puns-A-Poppin'".

_______________________________________________________
Excerpts from "Rocky Mountain Hai-ku" by Tyler Kaus are
copyright 2002 by Tyler Kaus <tykaus@earthlink.net> and
the poem by Emily M. Parris is copyright 2003.
Info on ordering the book is in the "Want Ad" section.

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NEW ZEALAND JOHN DENVER COLLECTIONS
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We are very proud and grateful to Jake Shand and the
staff of BMG New Zealand Limited for the production and
releasing of the "New Zealand John Denver Collections" compact
disc released January 27, 2002. This cd which is exclusive to
New Zealand has become a Gold Album. It is 73 minutes long and
contains 21 of John Denver's greatest hits selected from the
choices of our members.
International John Denver Memorial Foundation
New Zealand http://www.ijdmf.org

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NEW LYRICS TO "LEAVING ON A JET PLANE"
======================================

BASEFORCE Press Release
3/21/03 - Las Vegas, Nevada

In early January 2003, teacher James Lippitt heard
rumblings in his classroom that a number of his students'
military parents were being deployed overseas. Realizing this
was a hot topic prompted him to assign an essay on military
deployment and what it meant to them. James was so amazed by
the touching responses that the assignment became the
emotional trigger for him to ask, "How can I possibly help
these kids?"
One day while driving to work, he heard the John Denver
song "Leaving On A Jet Plane," and had the proverbial 'light
bulb' go off in his head. "The song seemed to have the
elements needed to express the emotions of my students," says
Lippitt, so he rewrote the words to reflect the experience of
a child sending a parent off to war. Lippitt then turned his
passionate pleas to the publisher of this classic ballad. In
an unheard of amount of time, he had secured the rights from
the publisher and the blessings of Denver's family. James soon
related this experience during a casual conversation to fellow
teacher, Melody Mayer, and through their conviction and
dedication to a common cause evolved Base Force Foundation, a
Las Vegas, Nevada based non-profit organization.

http://www.baseforce.org

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J O H N D E N V E R N O T E S
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The ECOLOGY HALL OF FAME has a really nice biography of John
Denver written by Steve Gosden. Their main page is
http://www.ecotopia.org/ehof/index.html and the page linking
directly to John's info is:
http://www.ecotopia.org/ehof/denver/index.html
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
There is a Natal Interpretation for Jesse Belle Denver on
the web at http://www.rightplace.net/a/c/denverjesseb/
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Emily <emily@sky.net> * Attention STAMP Collectors *
I wanted to tell everyone about the John Denver Stamps
produced by Tanzania in 2002. They are very beautiful and
come in a set of 4 stamps on a large sheet with one additional
sheet with 1 stamp. The large sheet shows John playing the
guitar in the mountains. Within that sheet are 4 close-ups
of John which are the stamps. Then a separate sheet has
another closeup of John that is a stamp. They are very nice.
They still have some available on Ebay for $7.50. The item #'s
are #2920179358 / #2920760135 / #2920974595 / #2921168728
The seller is: alex@stampcenter.com * www.stampcenter.com
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Dan Monroe of Niagara Falls, NY is currently doing a 1-man
John Denver tribute show. His first show in March was sold
out with a crowd of John Denver fans remembering John's music.
http://www.DanMonroe.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Christine Weaver <weaver35@charter.net> At least twice a day
they play a JD song!!! http://www.boomerradio.com/
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Alan Sokoloski <AlanSoko@aol.com> The Taylor Guitar Company
has just produced a limited edition John Denver Commemorative
guitar. It's a striking all Hawaiian Koa instrument, with an
inlay of John on the fretboard, launching an eagle. It is very
tasteful. The inlay was patterned after the bronze statue of
John at the Windstar Foundation. I've ordered several of these
guitars and will be making them available on Ebay. For more
information or to see pictures please email me or call
(315) 652-7425. I'm in Syracuse, NY (EST)
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======================
Letters to the Editor:
======================

Dear Emily,
I wanted to make you aware that six old Mitchell Trio
albums from their Mercury Records days are being reissued by
"Collector's Choice Music" in April 2003 as "two-fers." One of
them contains John Denver's first "official" commercially
released recordings, "Violets of Dawn" and "That's The Way
It's Gonna Be." These albums that are now being reissued on
compact disc are long overdue, and, as someone who got to see
John work with Mike Kobluk and Joe Frazier in the 60's, it
feels like a little bit of my past has been recovered. The
other two-fers that are being made available, with Chad
Mitchell instead of John as part of the trio are "Singin' Our
Minds/Reflecting" and "Typical American Boys."
Len Jaffe <Sngwrtr525@cs.com>

Collector's Choice Music
http://www.ccmusic.com

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Dear Emily,
I just wanted to tell all the members of Rocky Mountain
High about the Harbor Lights album, a live double album
recorded in Boston. I think it is the best live album I have.
John is in fantastic singing voice. All the tracks are
fantastic, but particularly when he sings "Today." It is just
beautiful.
"For You" - Has to be the best I've heard John singing
this. It makes me tingle every time I listen to it. When the
track is finished I always have to play it again. At the end,
when the applause finally stops, John comments "I'll be a
romantic old fart, until the day I die, I guess." Poignant!
He also sings a new 'country song' that he wrote which is
really funny. The whole album is so John, so obviously, having
fun and the band, including Pete Huttlinger and Chris Nole are
fantastic. I just felt that if anyone hasn't heard it, they
are missing out!
Sandra Taylor <staylor@sova38.fsnet.co.uk>

=========================
P O E T R Y C O R N E R
=========================

VENUE
by Cynthia Gullage

Sydney, Australia, sails in the harbour,
Roos and koalas bid you "G'Day"
Opera house concert, great adulation,
Rapt faces raised, as he sings "Moreton Bay"

Up, up to the Northlands, wide open spaces,
Fishing and flying, wheeling and free,
Sing for the Wrangells and Little Mulchatna,
Spirits unbroken, "Alaska and Me"

Jasper, Alberta, Canada's cold nights,
Two men and four horses, seeking retreat,
"Looking For Space" 'neath the mighty cathedrals,
Pictured perfection, happy, replete.

"Amsterdam", London, Red Rocks, Hawaii,
Mystic New Zealand, San Francisco,
Adored and applauded, but lonely, and longing
For roads leading back home to Colorado.

Star light in Aspen, freezing cold fingers,
A gondola car, concert over, "Goodbye",
"Sing one more song, John, come on - just one more!"
Notes on the night wind, "Rocky Mountain High"

Monterey, California, rugged waves crashing,
Still he is soaring, still wants to roam,
Gone like an ebb tide, to peace everlasting,
"On The Wings Of an Eagle", he finds a new home.

Sunshine on his shoulders, or a place green and shady,
His "Spirit" embraces, he always belongs
The singer is silent, a legacy given -
Lives on in the sweet melodies of his songs

_________________________________________________________
Copyright 2002 by Cynthia Gullage <cynsere9@hotmail.com>

TINY LULLABY
by Emily M. Parris

Haiku makes you slow
Down to observe every word
Little moments fly

Each one a comment
On an event passing by
Tiny lullaby

So small a record
Of the world's own symmetry
Words to sooth the soul

Little poems view
Aspects of the passing scene
Yet each one is whole

_______________________________________________
Copyright 2003 by Emily Parris <emily@sky.net>

=================================================
JOHN DENVER W A N T A D S / F O R S A L E
=================================================
Sandra Taylor <staylor@sova38.fsnet.co.uk>
If anyone was at the Harbor Lights concert in Boston, MA, I
would love to know if there was a video made of the concert.
On the sleeve of the cd it says there is a video, but I have
not found it. Please contact me, if anyone knows of one.
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Frank DeLaMarre <frank@frankdelamarre.com>
I've updated my web pages and added a special tribute page:
http://frankdelamarre.com/takethemhome/
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Susan Leaver <susanleaver@yahoo.com> <info@ijdmf.org>
We now have a website and on the products page we have
things available for purchase. http://www.ijdmf.org
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Kimberly <pongratz1818@yahoo.com> I'm looking for a cd copy
of "The Flower That Shattered The Stone" for my mother who
is a John Denver fan. She was looking for it to play for my
7 month old nephew, her first and only grandchild.
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Christine Egli <ausjdclub@hotmail.com>
For Mitchell Trio on CD, and John Denver CD's, go to:
http://www.ccmusic.com/item.cfm?itemid=CCM03742
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Len Jaffee <Sngwrtr525@cs.com> I have some sealed John Denver
vinyl on RCA. Please contact for a list of what's available.
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Roy Jones <misha3269@aol.com> Looking to buy the John Denver
"An Evening with John Denver" vinyl record. It is a 2-record
set. Cover needs to be in good condition.
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Gregory Wilson <wilsons101@yahoo.com>
New Yahoo group: fozziebear-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To post to the group write to: fozziebear@yahoogroups.com
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MITCHELL TRIO: The new Mitchell Trio CD's mentioned earlier
can be ordered from Collector's Choice Music 1-800-993-6344
http://www.ccmusic.com
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAI-KU by Tyler Kaus <tykaus@earthlink.net>
This book can be ordered directly from Tyler:
Tyler Kaus, 4875 Sioux Drive #102, Boulder, CO 80303 * $18.00
postpaid or from the Publisher, Xlibris 1-888-795-4274 x276
or by email: orders@Xlibris.com. It is also available at other
online bookstores.
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John Denver Tribute:
http://twotoneblue.com/denver24pr.htm
Vote for John Denver
http://www.freevote.com/booth/centuryartist
Christopher Westfall
http://www.chriswestfall.com

*************************************************************
Rocky Mountain High: The John Denver Internet Fan Club
emily@sky.net http://www.rockymtnhigh.org
April 2003 * Issue #108 * Editor: Emily M. Parris
*************************************************************

Emily M. Parris
Rocky Mountain High
http://www.rockymtnhigh.org

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