10/8/98

      We arrived at the Aspen airport at 7:30 PM and were greeted by Kris O'Connor and Kenn Roberts, two of the nicest guys I've ever had the privilege of knowing and working with. Kenn has been involved with so many fundraising events and helped more people and their causes than anyone I know.
     When he called and asked if I would want to be a part of the band to play John's music for all the fans and people who will always remember his songs, I said I would love to. He said the proceeds would go to CHALLENGE ASPEN. It sounded like something John would have been a part of.
      Kris O'Connor has worked side by side with John from the very beginning of his career.Kris put a lot of time into organizing the musicians, singers and all the elements that make a concert run smoothly.
     It was like a reunion at the airport seeing old friends and musicians.

    The band backing up the singers included Chris Nole on piano, Pete Huttlinger on guitars, Michito Sanchez on drums and percussion, John Summers on fiddle and mandolin, Steve Wiesberg on guitar and dobro, Alan Deremo electric bass, and Dick Kniss on upright bass.
     We all met at The Motherload Restaurant and saw Annie Denver and some other friends we hadn't seen since last year. The food was great, the conversations covered everything from John, to the concerts which we were looking forward to during the next two-days.

(L to R) Kenn Roberts, Jim and Kris O'Connor

Jim with Michito Sanchez

Rehearsal at The Wheeler

Annie and Jim

10/9/98

     The rehearsal at The Wheeler Opera House ran smoothly, partly because everyone took the time to prepare for the shows. Even though it was an emotional time for all of us, we concentrated on putting together a show that even John would have been proud of.
     The songs were sung by some of the writers who wrote with John--Bill Danoff and John Summers. Jim Salestrom, Mack Bailey, Kenn Roberts, Doris Justis, Sean McGhee and Molly Weaver were the other singers who did a great job singing John's songs.

10/10/98

     The dressing rooms were really humming backstage before the show. We were all hoping that Annie would be there for some support, which we needed. She had said that she probably wouldn't be coming to the show because it would be too hard listening to all those songs John had written. After we played the overture, (which consisted of some of John's most remembered songs), I turned and noticed Annie was sitting in the wings listening and with much emotion, was there for John.
    I felt, and the band felt, as though John were standing there enjoying the whole evening and giving us his support. Having all the fans there, too, made us fee' I right at home. We even met most of them at the fan club gathering at Club Chelsey after the show.