The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College to stage John Denver: “The Tribute” on Dec. 1

Durango, CO – John Denver: “The Tribute” featuring the John Adams Band comes to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, for a 7 p.m. show. “The Tribute” offers a nostalgia experience with not only the music, but the personal stories of the late John Denver.

Since John Denver’s untimely death in 1997, vocalist John Adams has been committed to keeping Denver’s music alive, performing the iconic artist’s songs true to their original intent and sound to encore-demanding audiences throughout the world.

Born in Utrecht, Holland, Adams grew up singing in the local boys’ choir. At age 10 he learned the guitar with the ultimate goal of performing in a band. By high school, his combo was performing covers of the Beatles and other European bands. In late 1972, Europe discovered John Denver with his popular song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Despite his love for rock ‘n’ roll and Beatles’ music, Adams’ taste in music changed instantly and he dedicated himself to Denver’s work. He was inspired and influenced by the music, but also by Denver’s passion as an environmentalist and humanitarian.

In 1988 Adams won a national song contest in Holland with Denver’s song, “Leaving On A Jet Plane,” which gave him the opportunity to perform the songs throughout Europe and as far as Africa and China. He also had the good fortune to perform with John Denver on a TV special and together they sang “Whispering Jesse,” after which Denver is reported to have said, “He sounds exactly like me.” The pair got together more than a dozen times, and following Denver’s passing, Adams moved to Silverthorne, Colo.
View a live performance of Denver’s “Grandma’s Feather Bed” by the John Adams Band with Jim Connor at The Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, Colo. at www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sarhGsMYGA.

Tickets for John Denver: “The Tribute” – $18/$27 – are available by calling 970.247.7657, on the web at www.durangoconcerts.com, or visit the ticket office inside the Welcome Center at 8th St. and Main Ave. in Downtown Durango. Showtime is 7:00 p.m., with doors to the Concert Hall and concessions, serving beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, opening at 6:00 p.m.

On show day, the box office at the Concert Hall will be open one hour prior to curtain, and remain open through intermission. When no intermission is scheduled, ticket sales will continue one hour past curtain. Purchase tickets to three or more Concert Hall productions in one sales transaction and receive 10 percent off each ticket. Discounts cannot be combined, and all sales final.

The Community Concert Hall is a not-for-profit, multi-use performance venue located on the campus of Fort Lewis College. Its ability to bring a diverse spectrum of shows to Southwest Colorado is made possible through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, and through financial and in-kind contributions from generous members of the community.