The John Denver Celebration has been a tradition in Aspen since the musician died 18 years ago. People from all over the world have come here this weekend to pay their respects and relive the music that they love so much. The event is more than just a concert for the people attending.
Just about every American knows “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. It’s basically the anthem for the state of West Virginia. Even the crowds at Mountaineer football games sing the song to cheer on and salute their team.
West Virginia. Mountain mama. Take Me Home. Country roads.
But if it weren’t for the man behind the song, their singing wouldn’t even be happening right now.
That’s why hundreds of people come to Aspen every October. They celebrate the man that was. John Denver made Aspen his home decades ago, and his legacy continues to live on. Like the John Denver Sanctuary in Rio Grande Park.
Willie Hoevers has been producing the event for more than a decade now. He hosts an internet radio show devoted to John Denver. To him, it’s all about the way John made people think.
“They say John was ahead of his time with environmental causes and love and relationships and everything like that," says Hoevers. "He wrote it accordingly and a lot of his music resonates with everybody.”
Willie runs the sound for the the performances, as well as invites musicians to play. Chris Collins is one of those musicians. He plays with his band, Boulder Canyon, and is regarded as one of the best John Denver tribute acts out there.
Chris says the reactions he gets from the fans are part of what makes covering John’s music worth it.
“To stand on stage and receive the love of his music from the audience is really pretty amazing," says Collins. "That’s not really channeling, but it’s certainly experiencing what he experienced.”
Jane Cook of Des Moines, Iowa is attending the celebration this year. She’s come to the weekend celebration four or five times. She’s met so many new friends and says that the music keeps her coming back.
“John and his music touched my life so deeply, and changed my life," says Cook. "I think I am a different person than I would be. What else could I do but come back and pay my respect to him and the music?”
There are performances all weekend at several locations in Aspen. The celebration ends on Sunday.
