December 31 is John Denver’s Birthday! He was born in 1943 so today he would have been 79 years old! Here is a video of John at 51. This is one of the best videos made of John at an “older” age (the Wildlife Concert- 2 years before he died) When you watch it, imagine what he would have looked like and sounded like 28 years older!
I know he would still be perfect! To me, John’s voice improved with age, his breath control seemed effortless and his tone mellowed. John shines with confidence and is obviously very comfortable performing for a live audience – something learned from years of experience.
Happy Birthday John Denver! May your legacy live on and on.
Watch John Denver, 51 years old sing “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
Jim Burton is playing the dobro, Alan Deremo is playing bass. Pat Hawk (Alan’s wife) is singing harmony, Pete Huttlinger on banjo, Chris Nole on piano and Machito Sanchez on drums.
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This October 12th marked a very special commemoration for fans of John Denver all over the world. It’s been 25 years since the terrible accident that claimed John Denver’s life in 1997. Throughout the month, there have been special gatherings, concerts, radio shows and podcasts, etc. John’s legacy continues after all this time.
Memorializing John and his music is one thing that Jim and I set out to do when we decided to perform John Denver tribute concerts and in doing so we’ve been greatly rewarded by the support we’ve gotten. The music of John Denver continues to bring people together and it uplifts them in remarkable ways.
At this special time, we recognize and celebrate John Denver for bringing us all together, and we thank each one of you who have made our journey part of yours. Earlier this month, we received this letter, which is a great example of the connection we feel sharing the love of John Denver with others.
Dear Jim and Anne, I don’t know if you remember my dad…. He was a huge John Denver fan, as well as a huge Jim Curry and company fan after your band started. Dad’s health declined, and he could no longer attend your concerts, yet he continued to follow your music and newsletter every month. I wanted you to know that my dad passed away, and we scattered his ashes back home as he had wished. He was a country boy at heart, and we played John Denver songs as we celebrated his life. Thank you for filling a void in my dad’s life with the beauty of your music. He loved your music, and turned me into a huge fan as well. He will be missed.
Do you have a memory of John Denver to share, or a comment about his legacy? Feel free to post it here.
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We’ve all heard of destination weddings (a wedding that is held in an area that everyone travels to). It’s usually an exotic or fun location or something that suits the personalities of the bride and groom.
Well, what about destination concerts? I’ve been thinking all month that most of our concerts are held in very beautiful locations or places worth seeing! For those of you that can travel or can spare a little extra time out on the road, it might be a great idea to use our concerts as an excuse to get out and explore! Some of our friends already do this – they show up and surprise us in random places. Sometimes all you need is that extra little push or reason to go someplace new…..and what better than knowing you will also be hearing your favorite music! (You might even be blasting it in the car all the way there and back….you know who you are!)
This was a GREAT Destination Concert at the Silverton in Las Vegas many years ago!
These past couple of month, we have played concerts in major tourist areas: Lake Tahoe, NV, Rapid City, SD, Des Moines, IA, Townsend, TN and Berlin, OH. Even the smaller concert locations (Oakley, KS and Coggon, IA) have beautiful landscapes, wonderful people and provide a nice break from the same ol’ same-o!
Every place we visit is unique and has its own reason to be special. We have some very exciting places to visit next month too! So check out the shows below and consider joining us at a destination concert!
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I took the opportunity to fly home during a break in our schedule. I was flying solo – something I’ve only done twice in my lifetime, but I’ve flown numerous times with friends, bandmates and family, no big deal, I know the ropes.
When we booked my flight, Jim and I took the opportunity to upgrade to the aisle seat in the emergency exit row. Those seats cost more but Jim thought I would enjoy the extra leg room (lol, totally wasted on me and my short little legs!) I should note that the airline I was flying on charges extra for everything. I think they even installed pay toilets on the plane (not sure though, short flight).
As we were all being seated, I heard at least one gentleman look at the two empty seats beside me and tell the flight attendant that he would be happy to sit in the emergency exit row if needed – the attendant quickly told him that the plane was full and directed him to his seat.
As I waited for the rest of the passengers to board, I read the pamphlet to re-familiarize myself with how to remove the door to the plane. The door weighed 30 pounds – no problem – my guitar and case weighs 25 pounds, so 30 pounds should be easy peasy for me…but the scenario I have always had in my mind the few times I’ve sat in an emergency exit row was that my job was not to remove the door, my job at the aisle seat was hold back the stampede of terrified passengers while the person sitting next to the door removed the door. You see, the door has to come inside the plane sideways before you throw it out…impossible to do if people are pressed up against it, right?
I waited to see who would be sitting in the seats next to me, who would share in the life and death duty that we promise (audibly) to fulfill and who would share my responsibility of saving the lives of the people on the plane. But the plane was not full. The doors closed and I still had 2 empty seats next to me (and LOTS of legroom) so as the flight attendant went through the pre-flight rules, and told everyone to locate their nearest emergency exit, several people turned around and looked to ME as their savior. I was picturing a whole new scenario now as I imagined myself opening the emergency exit (a two –handed operation by the way) and holding back passengers with my leg extended behind me. Can I lift a 30 pound door standing on one short leg and holding back passengers with my other short leg? (Take a moment to visualize this, it’s worth it). Every scenario I imagined ended up with me smooshed up against the unopened emergency exit door with a pile of passengers pressed up against me.
Seems that if the airlines are going to take this emergency exit thing seriously they would put a minimum of 2 people in each exit row, and give those folks a discount (or maybe a drink coupon – or a toilet pass) to thank them for taking on this vitally important responsibility.
I am happy to report that everyone lived under my watch. The question I have for you: “Is it a good idea for airlines to charge extra for an emergency exit row?” Let me know what you think by writing in the comment box below.
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I often get asked where I would live if I could pick anyplace that I’ve been….
I’ve tried to imagine living somewhere else, but picking a favorite place is like picking a favorite song…. It’s impossible.
It’s much easier to name some of the favorite things I’ve seen on the road, like Niagara Falls, Mt. Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Hubbard Glacier and Quebec City. That list goes on and on and on.
Of course the ‘big’ things are spectacular! But I am also thrilled by things that may seem ho-hum to others. For instance, I remember the first time (14 years ago) driving through Alberta, Canada, and how mesmerized I was by the seemingly endless fields of canola. The vibrant yellow of the canola against the blue sky as far as the eye could see was AH-Mazing!
Fast forward to today, my friend Harvey (who lives in Vulcan, Alberta, Canada) posted a picture on Facebook. He is standing (yes, standing) in a field of canola! I would love to see those canola fields again, but more so I would love to see my friend Harvey and his beautiful wife Shirley.
Suffice it to say, that to me, the treasures we find on this earth are wonderful to behold – but the people we meet along the way are the hidden treasure, just like Harvey hiding in that canola field. If you know me, you are probably not surprised to hear me say this!
I’d like to know of some spectacular thing YOU’VE seen…send me a comment below. You might give me something to look forward to seeing on my future travels!
"It was an amazing evening. We have had many different performers at our conferences; The Beach Boys, Tony Bennett, Three Dog Night, America. Jim Curry ranks among these acts. I would book Jim and his band again in a heartbeat."
Daniel Young Corporate Function, Keystone, CO
"I have to tell you I don't know when we've enjoyed a show as much as we enjoyed yours. It just swept us away and we did not want it to end! You are all so gifted. And the music of John Denver speaks for itself. It touches the heart."
