John Denver Mardy Murie Film Benefit Concert

Charlie Craighead, film producer, held a benefit concert on August 6, 1997 at Jackson Lake Lodge, Jackson Lake, WY, to raise funds for a film he was doing about Mardy Murie, sometimes called the "grandmother of the conservation movement," because of her writings and work in saving our natural resources. John Denver came to play and sing a ballad he had written about Mardy and her husband, Olaus, "A Song for All Lovers," but Mardy wasn't there because it was her potluck bridge night. Mardy was the recipient of the Medal of Freedom, this country's highest honor for civilians and many other awards from the Sierra Club and other environmental groups.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• John Denver
• Mardy Murie
• Olaus Murie
• Jackson Lake Lodge
• Charlie Craighead
• Jackson Hole
• Song for All Lovers

[jmm1929]

Having discussed this with John shortly before his death, I think the fault was in those who put together the concert not choosing a time when both John and Mardie could be there. We discussed more than that but let's leave it there.

[kaftanimp]

I am one of the unlucky ones who never got to see John perform live so this is a real gem for me, many thanks for posting.

[jmm1929]

There comes a time when most celebrities meet their match and when Mardie chose the potluck bridge club supper over hearing JD sing a song about her and her husband, there you go.

[codydeer]

Never seen this one , it was a blessing to see, He will forever be missed and loved.

Thanks John, Thanks for all you did and the lives you touch, I know you touched mine, more than anybody will ever know.

[jmm1929]

It was John who touched us with his music. Those of us who knew him well also knew his flaky side. But you just read the words of some of his songs, even without the music, and they are quite poetic. Bil Danoff, who wrote 12 of John's hits, and I both very much like "It's Good To Be Back Home Again." Very touching.

[jmm1929]

At that point in her life Mardie was not impressed with any celebrity though she loved music and was a regular at the Dornan Hoot. In Jackson Hole, unlike Aspen, celebrities are just like other people. Her crossword puzzle group would go on and on, John was just passing through. It was the film producers who pissed him off, he told me, not Mardie.

[Earthlinked]

So much to tell us - and so little time to sing!!

To live in the hearts of those you have left behind - is to never die!! I will always miss the music that was to be!!

[jencom1971]

Thanks for sharing! This was beautiful!...such an intimate setting..love to hear John and just his guitar.

[VeryFineWhine]

@cidspimms Another post I couldn't agree w/more. One of my greatest hopes is that by now John has some amazing new songs to go with his classics. (Though I've long felt much of his best work never were "hits") And that very shortly after I cross over he'll be singing his heart out, as always. After all, it wouldn't be heaven to me if there was no John Denver music or concerts! And somehow I don't think it would be heaven to him if he wasn't singing to "everyone who'll listen to him sing" :)

[VeryFineWhine]

@cedartree696 ITA! Of course, having seen JD perform w/full symphonies, to his tour band, to just him and his guitar on his last acoutic tour, I felt his clear as a bell voice was always most brilliant when stripped down. I don't think he agreed, as his concerts typically had his vocals WAY too low and far too much orchestration going on.

That said, there was no such thing as a "bad" JD concert-- just some were more brilliant than others. And I'd give anything to be at one tonight. Sigh

[cedartree696]

This is a perfect test for the actual talent of a singer. How do you sound when recorded via home video with no effects or editing? Well, he still sound pretty damn good. He sings in tune and maintains the emotion & presence regardless of the poor acoustics, coughing and crying babies.

[cidspimms]

His voice was still so strong; what gems were there still to be written. He is still greatly missed.

[mtsthelensgirl]

The story of Mardy Murie and her husband, Olaus is amazing. I watched the video, "Arctic Dance - The Mardy Murie Story". It was the most touching video I've seen since "A Song's Best Friend" about John Denver. She was an amazing woman and she and John were very good friends. John would not have been hurt by her no show. Knowing all about Mardy makes this song so much more special. Her book "Two in the Far North" is a book that everyone should read.

[dianad26]

I was at this concert, thank you for posting this!