From The Shoebox Blog, this:
They’re trying to get a mountain named after John Denver, because apparently having a bathroom and a city named after you isn’t enough.
Well of course I was intrigued, seein' as how Mr. H. J. Deutschendorf Jr. is one of those guys I love to hate (not him, specifically, just his music. I'm sure Henry was a great guy and fun to be around... until such time he burst into song, at which point I'd have bludgeoned his ass to death.). So I went and looked at the linked item and read this:
The AP reports the U.S. Board on Geographic Names said federal policy is to avoid adding names to peaks in federal wilderness areas. And that some people say "why bother?" when the song is an official state song. And the story said some folk just don't cotton to Denver's music, which has been called syrupy at times. The petition is under review.
"Syrupy?" Shit, I've known people who came down with diabetes simply by listening to "Poems, Prayers, and Promises" one too many times (once bein' MORE than enough, actually). That kinda thang just isn't good for yer health, yanno? And "Sunshine On My Shoulders" only gives me sunburn, besides.
Dat dere dood pretty much fuqued up the musical landscape (radio-scape) of the 70's. Every one of his songs was like an invitation to go make a head call and use the musical playing time creatively.
ReplyDeleteAs for Colorado, which seems to be the renamed state of New California, they can do whatever they want.
Next up; Mt. Cougar-Mellencamp!
ReplyDeleteHappened to golf with a guy out in Monterey who had flown and knew the previous owner of the plane that Mr Deutschendorf put in the water. He told me it was a really dumb-shit move.
ReplyDeleteAs for the music, you nailed it.
OK kids, there you go, that is the G-chord of your guitar. Now strum it.
ReplyDeleteVery good!
You can now start singing John Denver songs. Go out and make a million...
I've said it before, and I'll say it again...
ReplyDeletePersonal remembrances of Mr. Deutschendorf, and his music, are ALWAYS colored by the fact that a particular chick you were sitting next to on a seat in the "choir bus," who found him "inspiring" ...and was peeling a peach and offering you a section of it...
Denver was bitchin' at that moment.
Just sayin'...
Actually, that "someone" (who was hotter than hell) ended up marrying a very fine man. He is the conductor of the Symphony in a major US city. They never could have children. So, that "someone" went and adopted a blind child in China, one of Ceausesu's Romanian cage children, and a couple of others from here in the US.
She was/is a true believer. Some really good people like Denver. I'll never forget how much she loved John's music. And, for one brief moment...
Nope! Not gonna admit to it...
Darryl: We're of the same mind.
ReplyDeleteFlugelman: You, too, Sir.
Anon: A recipe for success, no doubt.
Andy: We've waltzed around this rosebush before. There's no accounting for taste... I know some fine folks who like JH Deutschendorf and I still respect them, even as I find their musical tastes rather suspect. No, wait. Substitute "sucks" for "rather suspect" and all is well. ;-)
Heh!
ReplyDeleteBut, you weren't sitting in that bus seat next to her...while she was peeling a peach...and offering you a "bite."
Nyuk! Too soon old, too late smart.
I drove right by that mountain and didn't even notice it. I think I've heard ol' JH Deutschendorf and didn't notice him, either.
ReplyDeleteSounds to me like the perfect match.
Andy: I have my own "missed opportunity" stories; too many to relate, actually. I was SO freakin' oblivious as a kid/young adult...
ReplyDeleteSkip: This could be the ultimate "mountain out of molehill" story...
He was BFF's with Jimmy Carter, a flaming lib, so there is that going for him...
ReplyDeleteOh wait.
I betcha Sunny luvs John Denver though.
Nyuk! Too bad Jimmuh wasn't helping him test that plane out.
ReplyDeleteOr too bad that Johnny boy wasn't with Carter during the mad rabbit attack. Would have had a hit song with some angst!
ReplyDeleteJohn Denver, don't care enough about him to comment.
ReplyDeleteGood grief, don't we have enough stuff named after famous or rich dead people? Leave the mountain peaks alone.
I don't know about his politics and I heard he had a liquor problem (could account for flying his plane into the ocean), but I did like his music. I never sat next to Andy on any bus.
ReplyDeleteNope, Lou! It was not you.
ReplyDeleteIt was some other hot teenage chick.
I'm with you on this one Lou. And nope, I didn't sit next to Andy either.
ReplyDeleteA pattern is emerging here...hot chicks that refuse to admit they had it bad for me back in the day.
ReplyDeleteSigh...
The ONLY John Denver song I EVER liked was his version of "City of New Orleans." And, strangely enough, his version is my favorite..
ReplyDeleteI know some fine folks who like JH Deutschendorf and I still respect them,...
ReplyDeleteWell, ahem, I'm hoping I'm one of those fine folks who still has your respect Buck. Cuz you know I do now and will always enjoy me a few JD tunes.
But I do think I redeem myself with Frank Sinatra and Thin Lizzy though ... right? :-)
Oh and Andy - that girl with the peach? She was me. (I figured one of us hot chicks had to admit to some random desire of Andy...if only to give comfort and solace where needed. Cuz I'm giving like that...).
Kris, I'm blushing...
ReplyDeleteAnd, thanks. No, really thanks. REALLY, REALLY, REALLY THANKS!!!!
You were hot! Probably still are.
Ummmm...I reckon I'd better just stop now.