While reading this recently refreshed John Denver thread, I saw that PattyG had posted a message about how much she enjoyed the music from John Denver's Christmas Special done with the Muppetts. Several years ago, I made a visit to Aspen with my longest term friend who was a writer on the Mupptett Specials with John Denver. He started out with somewhat dim appreciation of Denver. When they were discussing what the Muppeteers were going to need to set up production on anch, Joe told him that they would need to cut a series of six foot trenches across his ranch so the muppeteers could work underneair puppes who would appear to be at camera level. Joe enjoyed watching him blanche at the thought of a back hoe tearing through his land.

Over the next few weeks, Joe was transformed into a fan. In one show they did, something that impressed him was Denver's ability as a pilot. When they were filming in the air, with Denver at the controls of his biplane and carrying Ralph, the piano playing dog operated by Jim Henson who was scrunched down in the open cockpit, out of the sight of the lens. Since the aerobatics included looping with Henson wedged into the plane, it was necessary that he do consistently so that the camera plane can deliver the lens where it is needed. He also was highly regarded by the other pilots at the airfield. Since many of them were professionals who flew high altitude routes, he'd earned the respect of his pilot peers.

After working on several shows with Denver, Joe decided that he was a real professional and a gentleman. I post this because there was some mention of another side of John Denver and I wanted to help round out the picture even if my story is second hand.

Sourdough

If I remember correctly, Denver was also a good poker player.