By L.J. Gambone
For the Leader
“Rocky Mountain High.” “Take Me Home Country Roads.” “Annie’s Song.” These timeless and inspiring songs by the late John Denver continue to capture the hearts of fans around the globe.
Denver’s music is still so popular that numerous singer/songwriters tour the world doing tribute shows. Among them is Tom Becker, who was part of the legendary folk group the New Christy Minstrels for a few years during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
At 7 p.m. Sept. 11, the Hi-Desert Center Spiritual Living in Apple Valley will host Becker’s “Back Home Again: A Tribute to John Denver” concert, featuring many of Denver’s hits, as well as some of his lesser-known songs.
“John Denver is definitely one of my biggest musical influences,” said Becker, 59. “Growing up, I listened to John Denver songs over and over, trying to capture every nuance. He was my teacher, my mentor and my inspiration as I began my musical journey.”
Becker, a native of North Plainfield, New Jersey, began a career in the music business directly out of high school. He honed his skills playing in local clubs and eventually landed the gig of a lifetime with The New Christy Minstrels.
The group was founded in 1961 by guitarist/singer Randy Sparks. In 1962, it released its debut album on Columbia Records, “Presenting: The New Christy Minstrels.” The project won a Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Chorus and remained on the Billboard 200 charts for two years, peaking at number 19.
Of the nearly 300 artists who participated in the revolving lineup of the New Christy Minstrels, several went on to become stars in their own right, including Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes and Barry McGuire. Becker was with the group from 1978 to 1981.
“Things really started to jell for me after I joined the New Christy Minstrels,” said Becker, who has shared the stage with superstars such as Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Gregg Allman and Ray Charles, to name a few. “It was a great time and I had the opportunity perform at some amazing places.
“We toured the country and even performed in France. Going overseas for the first time was quite an adventure for a boy from the Midwest who had never been out of the U.S.”
When Becker’s stint ended with the New Christy Minstrels, he said he moved to Nashville to pursue a songwriting career. But after several years of shopping his original tunes to publishers, he admits the performing bug bit again. He formed a band and hit the road, eventually winding up in Denver, Colorado.
“When I got to Colorado, I finally had the chance to see all the things John was talking about in his songs in terms of the scenery and wildlife there,” Becker said. “I loved it and felt that I could spend the rest of my life in that place being inspired by all the beauty that was around me.”
Unbeknownst to Becker, he would soon leave his beloved Colorado for something even more beautiful — a lovely young singer/songwriter/musician named Michelle.
“I was living in Colorado and had to take a trip back to Nashville for a few days,” said Becker. “I met my wife Michelle on that trip and at first, I thought our relationship was all about collaborating on some songs.
“But over time, we fell in love, got married and decided to make Nashville our home, at least for a while.”
Becker said he got the idea to start doing a John Denver tribute show about six years ago upon the suggestion of a gentleman who had heard him singing a couple of Denver’s tunes. After testing out the show in a Florida theater, things took off from there.
Over the years, Becker and Michelle have toured the country performing at concert halls, private events, dinner theaters and churches. The couple’s critically acclaimed show features many of Denver’s well-known tunes, as well as a couple of Becker’s Denver-inspired originals.
“You can definitely hear the John Denver influence in the song I wrote called ‘Sailor,’” said Becker, who lives in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. “People seem to love it and it was even selected by the US Navy as the official Commemorative Song for the US Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. I enjoy performing the song because it really shows how John has influenced my songwriting.”
Along with Becker, Grammy-balloted folk music singer/songwriter Luanne Hunt will appear on Sept. 11, as well as the popular High Desert-based trio Harmoni By Three.
The Hi-Desert Center for Spiritual Living is located at 18575 Corwin Road. To reserve tickets, visit www.ticketriver.com/event/15944 or call the Center at 760-242-2302.
L.J. Gambone is a freelance reporter for High Desert Media Group. Visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/victorvalleyhappenings.