People STILL ask if Jim had ever met John Denver…..it is one of our most frequently asked questions – so please forgive me for repeating an old story that has been repeated before. I originally wrote this story in 2012, but I updated it and posted it here so I can tell people to read it in the blog when they ask.
Jim and Anne Curry, 1978 – This is the oldest photo I have of us on my computer. I know there’s another photo from when we dated in 1974, but it’s buried somewhere I can’t find it….I’ll keep looking.
As long as I’ve known Jim (almost 50 years now) I’ve known that the one person in the world he most wanted to meet was John Denver. It’s a common question we get at every one of our concerts, and we’ve met so many people and heard so many stories of how they met John and how nice he was to them. Jim has never met John, but not for the lack of trying.
The summer after Jim graduated from high school, he bought tickets to see a John Denver concert near his home in Houston, TX. Somehow he obtained a precious backstage pass….this was his chance to meet John! Jim went to the concert with a girlfriend and two other friends from high school. Being a gentleman, Jim handed the pass to his girlfriend and said, “We’ll take turns, you go first.”
But she didn’t return to share the backstage pass.
Jim and his two other friends found themselves waiting for her in the parking lot after the concert. They were an hour away from home, and they didn’t know if they should leave her there, and how they were going to explain to this girl’s parents how they lost her in Houston. After about a half hour, she finally returned to where they were waiting in the parking lot. She was overjoyed and full of stories about how she met John Denver and the entire band, and how nice everyone was, and what a wonderful time she had…..
Not too long after that Jim moved to California to resume a relationship with me (we had dated earlier, before Jim’s family moved to Texas). The rest is history, MY history. I kind of think it’s possible that if this girl had not been selfish, Jim might have been able to realize his dream to meet John Denver. But then again, he might have stayed with that girl in Texas instead of moving back to California.
Thank you John Denver, for changing my life.
What a great story. And I’m sure if truthbe told, Jim is much happier with the outcome… you for life over a half hour with John Denver. He definitely came out ahead… and ended up with a wonderful career, getting to pay tribute to John, something he might not have done without you. So all is as it should b
I , too , would have loved to have visited with John and missed my chance.
1985- Snowmass Club , Aspen . While heading into the shower in men’s locker room, I passed John coming out ( robe on ) and we exchanged hello’s. Just the two of us there . It took a couple of seconds for the encounter to sink in and not wanting to infringe on his privacy, I did not pursue a conversation. When we were flying out a couple of days later , he was at the airport with his family and was carrying his nephew ( in leg braces ) on his shoulders. On both encounters I saw a very down to earth , personable guy . I have regretted not talking with him but am glad I had the experience. Thank you for keeping his memory and spirit alive .
I agree wholeheartedly with the comment that Jim makes one feel like you are visiting him in his living room. I was fortunate to have attended a Denver tribute concert by Jim, Anne and the crew in Arlington Hgts (IL) and then later in Carmel, IN. I was very impressed and honored that during the break in the Carmel concert, Jim acknowledged that he had received my email earlier and had played my requested song. He then came over to where my brother and family were seated at the outdoor venue and was talking to us like next door neighbors, but was very personally interested in our families and that he was glad we were able to make the concert. Both he and Anne are as down to earth, kind and friendly as you would have any close friend to be. Can’t wait for the next concert.
I never met John either, though went to many of his concerts, and always felt someday I would. The closest I ever got was on an early date with with my now husband Bill( of 52 years now!!) We were just getting to know each other and both students at NIU in Dekalb, Illinois. Like many I had been an avid follower of the Chad Mitchell Trio. Chad had recently left the group to go out on his own, and the Trio appeared at NIU of course as the Mitchell Trio, and I wanted to go to see if this “new guy” could measure up to Chad Mitchell. Silly me. Somehow Bil lhad acquired front row seats, and John was on the left,(or would that be stage right?) so he was right smack in front us, not fifteen feet away. He smiled down on us a couple of times. This would have been about 1968-69.I was hooked. But I did not get to talk to him or anything.But I wrote him a couple of letters over the years.
Thanks, Anne for reposting this. Jim might have never met John in person but believe me he meets him every time he sings his songs and so does his audience, at least I do. Anytime you come to San Diego area, I will be there. Thanks for all you do.