John Denver Tribute, Red Rocks, CO

Jim Curry and his band performed a John Denver tribute concert on June 7, 2012 at the incredible Red Rocks Amphitheater outside Denver, CO. Making the show even better were several members of John Denver's band including composer/conductor Lee Holdridge and "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" writer John Summers.

If you've never been to Red Rocks, I encourage you to see any concert there. It's got to be about the most beautiful performing arts theatre anywhere. With those towering rocks on each side of the seats and the city lights of Denver twinkling over the stage it becomes just magical.

John Denver is my favorite entertainer of all time and Jim's performances of his songs are very well done. Check out more information about the Jim Curry show  by clicking here and watch for his appearance in Pierre, SD next year.

John Denver, Rapid City, SD

Can't tell you exactly when this concert was, sometime in late 1980 or early '81, but John Denver at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City was a great show. Of course I have been a huge John Denver fan from the beginning. In fact, this may come as a surprise to some, but he's my favorite artist of all time.

Just taking a guess here, but judging from the fiddle in his hand and the band clapping along, I think this is "Thank God I'm a Country Boy."

Paha Sapa Festival, Rapid City, SD

Here's another one of those "Did that really happen and was I really there?" kind of events.

The Paha Sapa Music Festival was held July 2, 1989 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, South Dakota. On the bill were Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne, Neil Young, John Denver, Kris Kristofferson, Timbuk 3, John Trudell, Floyd Westerman and Buddy Red Bow.

This was a benefit show for several organizations on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation - KILI Radio, Oglala Lakota College, and the Pine Ridge Alcohol and Family Wellness Coalition.



I remember that those of us with media passes spent the entire show backstage except for the first song or two of each performer when we were allowed to move to the front of the stage and shoot pictures. One of the stranger feelings I've had was standing backstage watching John Denver perform when I realized the guy rubbing elbows with me and also watching the show was Kris Kristofferson.





A reporter friend that was with me was a huge Jackson Browne fan and asked him for an autograph. I figured she would like a picture of her standing next to him as he signed her program, so I fired off my flash in the near-blackness of the backstage area. I wanted to be sure I got the shot, so I took another one. That's when Jackson Browne looked up and directly into my eyes and said very slowly, "Don't...do that...again." I mumbled my apologies and walked away sheepishly.

Here's Jackson in a happier moment on stage.



It's Willie and "Trigger" again!



And Neil Young.



Neil with Willie.



The entire cast of the show gathered on stage at the end to sing a couple numbers.



On the left, that's Timbuk 3 ("The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades"), Neil Young and Willie Nelson in the center, and Kris Kristofferson on the right.

Again, did that really happen and did I really photograph that much talent on one stage at one time? I wish there was a DVD of that night that I could buy.