John Denver Week in Aspen, Colorado

Aspen, Colorado. It's a place that's known for their amazing powder and high-end community. The rich and famous stroll down the street, while snow bunnies and boarders try to pass as locals. Ski's and boards adorn the roofs of cars, covered in the gunk and the grime from salt-laced streets. Let's face it: The several months that Aspen doesn't have snow, the mountain town doesn't really exist. But, one week in October is a well spent vacation. This year marks the 12^th annual "John Denver Week." Unlike many festivals across the nation, this is one event that happens in, and only in Aspen. Every year since his passing, hundreds from around the world gather in Aspen to celebrate and commemorate the life of John Denver. What's one to do in Aspen without snow? There are several events to attend and things to do that will make the trip a memorable experience.

The Wheeler Opera House is a legendary concert venue that has a history as large as the state it's in. Every October, John Denver's former band members and colleagues gather on stage to hold two nights of concerts. For the first time, the Expect a Miracle...Now Foundation granted the Windstar Foundation and the Aspen Camp of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing beneficiaries of the concerts. "Celebrating the Man and His Music" will feature performers such as: Twirp Anderson, Mack Bailey, Denny Brooks, Bill Danoff, Alan Deremo, Richie Gajate-Garcia, Pete Huttlinger, Chris Nole, Herb Pedersen, Jim Salestrom, John Sommers, Jim Horn and special guest, Michael Johnson, among others. While many musicians are not well known, Mack Bailey is a common name in the folk music realm. Although he was not part of John Denver's regular band, his voice is as smooth as the liqueur is going down. Unlike many bands, these musicians do not have a John Denver Tribute group that they travel with. They only share the stage in Aspen every October. This year, their concerts kick off on Thursday night, with "Doin' Their Own Thing" where the musicians perform original compositions. What this has to do with John Denver, I have no idea. The Friday concert however, will include the presentation of the John Denver Music and Humanitarian Award. If you would like to support the Windstar Foundation, or the Aspen Camp of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, these are the concerts to go to.

"Celebrating the Man and His Music" Friday and Saturday, October 9^th and 10^th, 2009 Wheeler Opera House. 7:30 pm. Tickets: $125 VIP, $75, $55; reserved seating. To order tickets, call the Wheeler Box Office: 1-866-449-0464 or visit: www.wheeleroperahouse.com

Even some of the most sincere, self proclaimed John Denver fans aren't familiar with the Windstar Foundation. Can you blame them? Not really. Making the name well known isn't the nonprofit organization's strongest forte. If you've never heard of it, here's the 411. The Windstar Foundation was started in 1976, by John Denver and Tom Crum. According to their website, the foundation is based on a very simple idea: "Windstar is the recognition and demonstration that each of us is part of, and responsible for, the quality of life on planet Earth; and that which affects any one of us, affects us all. Windstar is a nonprofit environmental education organization which promotes a holistic approach to addressing environmental concerns." All of this is easier said than done, and Windstar is very aware of that. Throughout the year, the Colorado Connection hosts several events at the land conservancy in Snowmass. During the weekend of August 1^st, they were the co-hosts of a mini-EARTHCamp. During that weekend, they pulled together the Aspen Camp for the Death and Hard of Hearing and the Roaring Fork Valley Girl Scouts, where they learned about the environment, habitat, recycling, and participated in arts and crafts. This year in October, they will be hosting the annual "October Celebration." They will feature live music, a silent auction, an environmental presentation by John Fielder, a Windstar History presentation, Q & A's with Windstar President-Ron Deutschendorf, John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth display, EARTHcamp and connections presentations, History walk on the land, Hike to the meditation platform and refreshments. Windstar will also be inviting people to join the Windstar Foundation and become part of John's dream of peaceful coexistence with the environment. The cost is $35 per person, which basically is their way to make you buy an annual membership. Is it worth it? Well, if you don't like the idea of having to be a member to get on the land, make plans to come back on a different weekend. The celebration will last from 10am-4pm on Windstar's land conservancy in Old Snowmass. For more information, visit: www.wstar.org or e-mail, ComingHome@wstar.org

As a young John Denver fan, I have often wondered who was given the short stick when dealing with the fact that it has been 12 years since his death. There are those individuals who had the chance of knowing him personally and spending time with him. Then, there are those who had the opportunity to attend one or more of his concerts. But, that leaves the rest of us. Fans like me, who never got to attend his concerts, and didn't know him personally. Well, call me biased, but I think it's us who got the short stick. All we know is the music he left behind, and the memories that are shared by others. One person that will never be at a lack to recall the times he spent with John Denver is a tribute musician by the name of John Adams. In fact, after hearing Adams perform, John couldn't help but to admit, "He sounds exactly like me!" In 1986, Adams was blessed with the opportunity to sing a duet with John Denver after winning a singing competition in his native country of Holland. During their performance on national television, even John giggled when he realized just how much they sounded alike. From that point on, they developed a friendship that would continue for more than a decade. The two Johns often spent time talking about their common love for acoustic guitars, life, and the importance of environmental awareness. They also discussed the People's Republic in China after John Denver excitedly learned that Adams had also given a concert there. After the world was shocked by John's untimely death, Adams moved to the United States in 2000 with one goal in mind: To keep the music and message of John Denver alive. The admiration, respect, and love that he possessed for John Denver was strong enough to give him the courage and faith to leave his home and his country. Adams has been performing throughout the United States, Germany, England, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Holland for the past 38 years. At "Breck 150" held on July 31^st at the Riverwalk Center, John Adams and his band brought in an attendance of over 600-an amount that Breckenridge has not seen this season.
In his concerts, Adams speaks of times and memories that he has of John. Some happy, some funny, and some that leave the audience digging in their pockets for a tissue. It's clear that he loves what he does and he loves singing John's songs for a live audience. As a person, Adams is no different on stage, then he is off stage. In a recent conversation with who I consider to be the world's best John Denver tribute artist, he threw a very profound statement at me: "It's not about me or you. It's about me and you." This is something that I have found myself pondering since speaking with him. After thinking back to his concert, I now understand that this is the reason why he connects so well to the audience. He draws you in, as part of the group. Even during "John Denver Week," he implements this theory. The reason he says that he only charges $35 is because he realizes that people spend a lot of money on airfare, gas, lodging, and food. He doesn't want someone coming all the way to Aspen and not being able to afford a concert. He refuses to charge anything more, and finds the idea of someone paying more to meet him with the access of a VIP pass repulsive.

I can't say for sure what exactly happens during his performances, but the environment is so thick with nostalgia and bona fide sincerity; it's easy to find my eyes starting to blur while his voice fills the Rocky Mountain air. If you really want to relive a John Denver performance, this is the one to go to. If you never had the opportunity to hear John while he was alive, then this is the concert you must go to. Granted, Adams is not John Denver, but, it's the closest you'll ever get. For more information, please visit: www.johnadamsmusic.com

John Adams and Friends: "Rocky Mountain High" Sunday, October 11^th, 2009

The band: John Adams (6, 12 string guitar, lead vocals) Tim Stroud (piano, keyboard, vocals) Randy Utterback (fiddle, mandolin, dobro) Dave Harding (lead guitar), Willie Hoevers (bass guitar), Scott Misner (drums, percussion), Keely Brown (accordion, vocals), special guest, Dawn Austen (vocals). Wheeler Opera House, 7pm. Tickets: $35, reserved seating. For tickets, call the Wheeler box office at:1-866-449-0464 or visit: www.wheeleroperahouse.com

While a lot of people are unaware of "John Denver Week" in Aspen, it's the perfect time to reminisce about the man who was, is, and will always be present in the wooded acres and rocky cathedrals of Colorado. Whether you're a fan or not, just let yourself go, and experience a natural high that's only possible when surrounded by pure beauty, accompanied by a Rocky Mountain soundtrack.