We had a great weekend, with 4 planned concerts and a bonus one as well (more about that later).
The Friday and Saturday night Tribute concerts were both fabulous. Friday I was not sure how they could top the prior one where the band members spoke about John, but it did, in a different way. Great songs, super musicians, and a great time.
Aspen had their first winter storm watch out from Friday evening until Saturday noon and our Saturday morning concert was 12 miles up a mountain road so we got up early. The storm turned out to be a dud, leaving a little snow at the higher altitudes. We had dry roads that morning and arrived quite early. We sat at a table with Mary’s JD friends (three of which were with us on our British Isles cruise) and enjoyed an excellent trout dinner and good entertainment.
That evening we had the last Tribute concert. Last in more ways than one since the Wheeler Opera House is being renovated next fall and the guy who did such a great job of producing it the last 3 years has said “never again”. So the future of this very special week is in doubt and emotions ran very high during the concert for both the performers and attendees. But that also served to make it a very energetic and memorable show. Several performers used their final song to pay tribute to John and to the fans who have come to these shows and singer Mollie Weaver got so choked up during her very emotional song that she could not continue. The consummate gentleman, singer Denny Brooks, stepped out, hugged her and they danced for the rest of the song. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the audience. Later on Pete Huttlinger gave her a retry and she sang it beautifully.
Sunday morning brought a church service/concert, followed by a trip to Windstar, a conservation foundation which John started that is closing down and merging with a similar organization, then back to the Aspen Chapel for the Chris, Pete, and Mack show. What a concert that was!!!!!!!!!! The guys sang their own songs, both familiar and new, and had great on stage chemistry. Their musical styles blend so well together that it was a treat to watch them interact and perform.
Since it was now supper time, we headed to Woody Creek for our traditional visit. This is a small, out of the way bar that John frequented. While we were there, the owner called out "is there a Mary Schuut here? Some guy with a foreign accent want to talk to her." Mary stood up and they brought the phone over. It was a singer named John Adams! He had a concert that evening and heard that Mary, who had gone in the past, had not bought tickets so he called to tell her two were being held for us! If you get a call from the performer and 2 free tickets, how could we turn that down? So after finishing our burgers and beer, we head back to Aspen and then to the John Adams concert. This was just one of the very special moments Mary had this time (she always has at least one) but this time she had several.
Today we went to "Goodbye Again", a closing ceremony for the week's festivities at the JD Sanctuary, then headed back to Denver via Independence Pass on a most clear, crisp, and beautiful day under a cloudless, azure blue sky.
We are now back in Denver waiting for our early morning flight tomorrow. It’s been a great trip, but time to get back to the real world (with the Tigers leading the Yankees 2-0 and looking to wrap up the ALCS in Detroit this week).
The Friday and Saturday night Tribute concerts were both fabulous. Friday I was not sure how they could top the prior one where the band members spoke about John, but it did, in a different way. Great songs, super musicians, and a great time.
Aspen had their first winter storm watch out from Friday evening until Saturday noon and our Saturday morning concert was 12 miles up a mountain road so we got up early. The storm turned out to be a dud, leaving a little snow at the higher altitudes. We had dry roads that morning and arrived quite early. We sat at a table with Mary’s JD friends (three of which were with us on our British Isles cruise) and enjoyed an excellent trout dinner and good entertainment.
That evening we had the last Tribute concert. Last in more ways than one since the Wheeler Opera House is being renovated next fall and the guy who did such a great job of producing it the last 3 years has said “never again”. So the future of this very special week is in doubt and emotions ran very high during the concert for both the performers and attendees. But that also served to make it a very energetic and memorable show. Several performers used their final song to pay tribute to John and to the fans who have come to these shows and singer Mollie Weaver got so choked up during her very emotional song that she could not continue. The consummate gentleman, singer Denny Brooks, stepped out, hugged her and they danced for the rest of the song. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the audience. Later on Pete Huttlinger gave her a retry and she sang it beautifully.
Sunday morning brought a church service/concert, followed by a trip to Windstar, a conservation foundation which John started that is closing down and merging with a similar organization, then back to the Aspen Chapel for the Chris, Pete, and Mack show. What a concert that was!!!!!!!!!! The guys sang their own songs, both familiar and new, and had great on stage chemistry. Their musical styles blend so well together that it was a treat to watch them interact and perform.
Since it was now supper time, we headed to Woody Creek for our traditional visit. This is a small, out of the way bar that John frequented. While we were there, the owner called out "is there a Mary Schuut here? Some guy with a foreign accent want to talk to her." Mary stood up and they brought the phone over. It was a singer named John Adams! He had a concert that evening and heard that Mary, who had gone in the past, had not bought tickets so he called to tell her two were being held for us! If you get a call from the performer and 2 free tickets, how could we turn that down? So after finishing our burgers and beer, we head back to Aspen and then to the John Adams concert. This was just one of the very special moments Mary had this time (she always has at least one) but this time she had several.
We are now back in Denver waiting for our early morning flight tomorrow. It’s been a great trip, but time to get back to the real world (with the Tigers leading the Yankees 2-0 and looking to wrap up the ALCS in Detroit this week).
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