John Denver

Tonight John Denver was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame [as their first member] and I got to go watch it happen! Let me explain...

My aunt Glenna and her friend Jill had to pass on these glorious tickets because the show was in Colorado and they both live in California and ended up not being able to make it. Luckily, they offered them up to my mom and I. There was a bunch of awesome people there all singing John Denver's best songs and well, let's just say I may or may not have *almost* ended up in tears several times.

I grew up listening to John Denver, long before I even moved to Colorado. Something about his music has always touched my heart and half of his songs make me tear up for no reason while the other half make me want to jump around and belt out louder than I ever have before. Bottom line is, I'm sad I was never able to see him perform live because that would have been such a dream come true. I've always said, if I ever had the chance to record again I would make an album of all John Denver covers. My parent's even had "Annie's Song" as their wedding song so he's pretty much part of the family by now (figuratively, of course). I could go on and on about my love for him but that could probably fill up another 7 pages...

[had to get a cheesy screen shot]

They chose this night to induct him because it's the eve of "Earth Day" and JD was so passionate about the earth (if that wasn't blatantly obvious in ALL of his songs). Hearing people talk about his love of nature and all the wonders of the world was so inspiring to me. He found beauty in everything. And on top of all the John Denvery goodness of the night, the whole event was hosted by Olivia Newton John (you know, Grease?) and THAT was really awesome. She's just as adorable now and in person as she was back then on the big screen.

[Olivia Newton John and John Oates]

There were some other really cool appearances too. John Oates (^^) from "Hall & Oates" (who lives in Aspen, by the way) was there, Lee Ann Womack was there (with her voice of an angel), and Annie Denver, John's wife (as in "Annie's Song") came on stage in tears. It was just one of those moments you never thought you'd be experiencing with so many different, random people. But that's what made the night so cool.

You have to love John Denver. His music is just so ridiculously epic and inspiring. Having a random experience to celebrate his life and work is the closest I'll ever get to seeing him live and I won't soon forget it. He makes me appreciate Colorado and being able to live and go to school in such a beautiful place.

Carole King changed my life last night.

Last night James Taylor and Carole King were in town and my family and I (minus my dad, sadly) were lucky enough to get FREE tickets! Usually when you get free tickets you can't expect too much, right? Well, we were in the SECOND row. The stage was in the center of the arena and it rotated around in slow circles the whole night so each section of the audience was able to see everything. It was incredible. We were SO close to them! Like I could see details in their faces!

I've seen James Taylor in concert about 7 times now (which is funny because all night my brother and I kept getting asked if we were having fun or if we were forced to be there with our mom) but this was my first time seeing Carole King and let me tell you... I was blown away. That woman is an incredible performer and she has the most amazing chemistry with James Taylor (who is one of my favorite artists of all time).

The whole show just kept getting better and better. They played all my favorite songs of theirs, and being in the second row (this was my FIRST time seeing him/them so close!) made it so much more emotional and sentimental to me. I felt like crying tears of amazement when she sang "So Far Away" because I just felt so connected! It was absolutely amazing.

Of course, I see James Taylor every year with my mom; it's like our little tradition now, rain or shine (and I mean that literally - we've seen him in the pouring rain before) and now I would be thrilled to see Carole King again, but seeing them TOGETHER was unbelievable. Who knows if that opportunity will ever happen again, so I feel so honored to have experienced that. They defined a huge generation of music that I have been listening to since I was a wee little nino, so I will cherish that experience forever.