The Legacy Lives On: A Tribute
To John Denver
featuring:
John Adams
In 1988 I won a song-contest
in Holland called "The Sound-Mix Show"; a show where
people imitate their favorite artist. I sang "Leaving On
A Jet Plane" and used the same GUILD-guitar John wrote most
of his songs on. The contest winner would be chosen by a telephone
vote. I  won
with 21% of all the votes by almost 1.2 million viewers!
On May 4th 1988 I did a TV show and sang
"Whispering Jesse" together with John Denver. After
this, I had the privilege to visit with John every time he was
in Holland. Somewhere in one of these meetings he offered me the
chance to record "The Flower That Shattered The Stone"
together. He wanted to sing part of it in Dutch and part in English.
The recordings would take place in Holland. After all the arrangements
had been made, the Gulf-War started (January 17, 1991). John was
afraid to fly to Europe at this time so instead sent me the master-tape
of the song. I recorded my part and he would record his part after
finishing the album "Two Different Directions". Unfortunately
his second marriage broke up during this time. I soon received
a very sad fax in which he said he couldn’t record it any
more.
I will soon have the opportunity to sing in the
US, in Aspen, John’s hometown. I can’t tell you how
sad my feelings are, knowing that we can’t change the past,
but on the other hand, I’m more than pleased to bring with
my singing and with John’s music, memories back to life,
to those who miss him so much. I can’t replace John Denver,
no one can and I am not his substitute. But what’s the reason
that I started to play and sing his music 25 years ago and never
played anything else? I like to sing John’s songs for
you.
Tim Dabbs
 Tim’s finger-style guitar playing is very much his
own; a product of over 25 years of playing, teaching and performing
acoustic music. His melodic playing style adds a welcome richness
to his tenor voice, and is well suited for the topical songs,
as well as the tender ballads that make up his repertoire. Tim
cites Gordon Lightfoot, Harry Chapin, and John Denver as influences
on his songwriting and performance style. Tim writes in the topical
style much of the time, reminiscent of Chapin or Lightfoot.
Tim has opened for some
well-known artists on the contemporary folk circuit, including,
David Mallett, Tom May, Erica Wheeler, and Michael McNevin. Recently,
Tim aired a one hour special of interview and music for National
Public Radio’s River City Folk, with host, Tom May.
Tim was also invited to participate in a tribute album for Gordon
Lightfoot, an international collaboration being produced by Wayne
Francis of Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Tim often performs with
his wife Amy, an accomplished musician in her own right with a
degree in Flute Performance. Amy’s flute and piccolo playing
lends a Celtic flair to the music. She also sings, and plays piano,
percussion, and the guitar.
"Juniper Light" is the
debut CD from Tim Dabbs, an independent release on the Hands and
Harmony label. The album is primarily original music, with covers
by Steve Goodman, David Mallet and Clint Black. The album is a
scrapbook of Tim’s travels, loves, and musical influences.
Tim and his wife recorded Michigan Christmas in 1991, and are
currently working together on a new release of holiday music for
the 1999 season.
Mark Cormican
 Music was not a big passion
in Mark’s life until his senior year in high school. That
year, he signed up for a guitar class. That was in 1973, about
the same time that John Denver’s popularity was on the rise.
"I knew right from the start that playing the guitar
and singing for people was something I wanted to do, but I had
no real direction or style until I heard ‘John Denver’s
Greatest Hits’ album. After that, I knew I had found a musical
Hero."
In the 25 years since then,
Mark has been performing and writing songs in the Greater Cincinnati
area. Mark lives in northern Kentucky with his wife Tracy, daughter
Hannah, and son Tucker.
Jim McCrain
 One of my fondest childhood
memories is working side-by-side with my father, helping to run
the family business. Sometimes, we would work until mid-night
or later, even on a school night! On these late-night sessions,
we would put a stack of John Denver records on the turntable,
crank up the volume way-too-loud, and sing together for
hours. Just the two of us, long into the night. My father has
a wonderful singing voice, and I love to hear him use that marvelous
instrument. I only wish we had recorded some of those evenings
together. My father lives several thousand miles away now, and
I don’t get to see him that much anymore. However, every
time I hear a John Denver song, I am reminded of my father, and
our wonderful times together.
In 1984, I met Keith Reynolds
and joined his band "Paige Two." Keith
and I have been steadfast friends ever since! He realized that
I was beginning to get bored with the drum-set (having played
them for 15 years!), and encouraged me to try a "stringed"
instrument. I tried bass guitar, but found it limiting. Soon I
was picking up the acoustic 6-string guitar, and learning as much
as I could from Keith. That was a couple of years ago. Now, I
have made my first recording as a guitarist. I hope you like it.
Of course, I play a lot of John Denver songs!
Thanks to an angel named Pamela Beasely,
I finally got the opportunity to meet John Denver. That was on
September 27, 1997, after a show with the Houston Orchestra. For
the first time in my life, I was at a loss for words! He took
the time to meet every person in the room, and made us all feel
as if we were old friends. Of course, I asked if my wife and I
could take a picture with him. He said "Sure, but put
the pretty lady in the middle. Always put a pretty lady in the
middle of a picture!" I will never forget how friendly
he was, and his kind remarks about my wife will live with me forever.
Keith Reynolds
 Keith has been playing the
guitar since the age of ten. His musical skills are as varied
as classical, rhythm and blues, bluegrass, and rock-n-roll. He
lists his major musical influences as Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton,
Dan Fogelberg, and Andre Segovia. He has taken each of these influences
and adapted them into his own unique style. He has honed his country
music skills by playing in country bands throughout the Dallas/Ft.
Worth metro-plex. In addition to being a talented player, Keith
is also a prolific writer. Several of his songs have won critical
acclaim, and have been performed by a multitude of artists.
Keith’s playing is
in great demand across the country. He has been featured on several
albums with Margaret Gravitt from Lexington, Kentucky, performing
Gospel and traditional Appalachian folk tunes. He has performed
on stage with some of the legends of Scottish Folk Music at the
Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games, held annually in Arlington,
Texas. He lives in Denton, Texas, with his lovely wife, Shirley,
his three children, Devin, Brooke, and Taylor, and two tattered,
old dogs.
Greg Short
 At age 13, I made a decision.
I was going to play guitar and sing. This was quite a big deal
because at age 11, my music instructor told me that I did not
have any musical abilities! I didn’t know at the time that
my father played guitar! Cool! During that time in my life I was
challenged to play just for me...to prove to myself that I could
play, just like Dad! Guess what? No one could get my hands off
the guitar.
My Uncle Kenny was a big
John Denver fan because we lived in "Almost Heaven"
West Virginia. He is the one that introduced me to the music of
John Denver. Uncle Kenny, although he loved the songs I knew,
insisted that I play "Take Me Home Country Roads". I
didn’t mind playing that song over and over again that night
for him. In fact, it ended up being my first paying gig! Soon,
through the encouragement of my Uncle Kenny, John’s songs
rang through and definitely seasoned the walls of our home. During
Uncle Kenny’s funeral, the speaker sprang forth with "Take
Me Home Country Roads". I think that’s really when John
began affecting my life seriously.
By the late 80’s and 90’s, I
had written several hundred songs, but I had never written a song
out of admiration for someone. When John died, something came
over me. I wanted to give something back to my mother, who had
passed away, my Uncle Kenny, and for John. The song would be simple,
one of those that almost the minute you’ve heard it, you
can begin to sing along. This would be a gift for John for helping
our family and me. Oh yes, John Denver touched and changed many
folks’ lives. "As for me, I’m proud to say
I almost knew him. I can only hope I can touch a few hearts with
some words and music. If I could, I wouldn’t need a dime,
as I would have already been paid in full!" May the
songs and memories keep John alive in our hearts always!
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