1. John Denver 1943 - 1997

2. Early History Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. Born December 31, 1943 in Roswell, New Mexico Father was test pilot for USAF Moved around a lot

3. Musician in the Making Grandmothers 1910 Gibson guitar Greatly influenced by Elvis Presley Left college / joined Mitchell Trio Wrote “Leaving, On a Jet Plane” for Peter, Paul and Mary “Jet Plane” went all the way to No. 1 Left the Mitchell Trio for solo effort Arranger, Milt Okun, also arranged for Paul Robeson

4. Finding His Voice Rhythm and Blues Political/Protest Folk Pop Country Western Adult Contemporary

5. Solo Career Contract with RCA Records in 1969 Released several hit songs in 1974/1975 Take Me Home, Country Roads (Billboard No. 2) Rocky Mountain High (First Top 10 Album) Sunshine On My Shoulders (No. 1) Annie’s Song (No. 1) Thank God, I’m a Country Boy (No. 1) I’m Sorry (No. 1)

6. Career Highlights Academy of Country Music - 1974 Album of the Year Country Music Association - 1975 Entertainer of the Year American Music Awards – 1975 Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist American Music Awards – 1976 Favorite Country Album American Music Awards – 1976 Favorite Country Male Artist Inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame - 1996

7. Career Highlights (cont.) Over 33 Million Albums Sold 4 Platinum Albums 12 Gold Albums 12 No. 1 Hits Sold Out Performances Worldwide Dozens of TV and Film Projects

8. John’s Other Interests Flying Bi-planes, Gliders, Jets, Experimental Space Travel Avid Space Shuttle enthusiast Nature Conservancy & the Environment Windstar Foundation Humanitarian Projects World Hunger

9. Song Links http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1jo2vL1uS8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4DBpW-hSns http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZonmQZG0GQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4lhzYPu02o Listen for soaring crescendos, yodel in Calypso Acoustic guitar, band and orchestra accompaniment, choir accompaniment Earnest, sincere lyrics, sometimes pleading messages

10. Citations Castro, Peter & Bane, Vickie “Peaks and Valleys” People. October 27, 1997, Vol. 48 Issue 17, EBSCO Host. Web. 21 July 2013 Flythe Jr., Starkey. “John Denver: Mr. Clean with Hair and Guitar” Saturday Evening Post. Jan/Feb 1974, Vol. 246 Issue 1, p56-85 EBSCO Host. Web. 21 July 2013 Nash, Alanna & Hochman, David. “Take Me Home” Entertainment Weekly. October 24 1997, Issue 402, p18 EBSCO Host. Web. 21 July 2013