This weekend’s tribute to the everlasting music of John Denver is bound to give you a “Rocky Mountain High” on Saturday, Aug. 17. Jim Curry: Take Me Home is the first and only full-length John Denver tribute to headline in Las Vegas and has been celebrated around the world.
The untimely death of the talented singer/songwriter in 1997 was a tragedy felt the world over and created a huge void in the musical world. CBS Television responded by producing a made for TV movie, “Take Me Home: The John Denver Story,” in which Jim Curry was selected as the late singer’s voice. Aside from sounding just like him, Curry holds an uncanny resemblance to Denver, possessing his sandy blond locks and thin wire-rim glasses.
He expresses a heartfelt delivery as well, which envelops the audience when multi-platinum hits such as “Sunshine On My Shoulders,” “Annie’s Song,” and “Country Roads,” fill the atmosphere. This is a show that will truly fill up your senses.
Performing on Sunday, Aug. 18 will be James Hunter Six. James Hunter fell in love with vintage rhythm and blues during his youth in England. He got a break in the early 1990s when Van Morrison heard him singing and invited him on tour as a back-up vocalist. Hunter was eventually brought to America, where his 2006 album “People Gonna Talk” received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album. He was also nominated as Best New/Emerging Artist in the annual Americana Music Awards. Rolling Stone calls him, “unbelievably awesome” and the New York Times praised Hunter’s “tight, slithery groove” and “sweet growl.”
The album “Hard Way” featured a guest appearance by avowed Hunter fan Allen Toussaint, and, like its predecessor, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Hunter toured extensively, both as a headliner and supporting the likes of Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Willie Nelson, Van Morrison, Chris Isaak, Boz Scaggs and others.
The performances are at 8 p.m. and are for Great Neck Park District residents only. Admission is free to Park District residents with a valid park card. Park cards will be checked when parking and at the gate. Each park card holder is allowed to bring two guests into the park, who must be signed in.
There is limited seating and it is recommended that attendees bring a blanket or a chair to sit on. In case of rain, check cancellations.com or call Great Neck House at 482-0355 for location of performance. Either Great Neck North High School or the Parkwood Sports Complex will be the rain location. Free bus service continues to be available to Steppingstone and return buses start 10 minutes after the show ends. Pick up the bus schedule at Great Neck House, 14 Arrandale Ave., at the Steppingstone Park front entrance, or at www.greatneckparks.com. You will not be able to enter without your current Park District park card. The bus is subject to cancellation or change according to public usage.
Street parking in the Village of Kings Point is permitted as posted. Parking rules will be strictly enforced by the Kings Point Police. For the safety and comfort of everyone, it is requested that show attendees follow the direction of the park employees. For additional information visit our website or call 482-0355
