‘The Poems, Prayers & Promises Of John Denver’
Considered one of Australia’s most masterful storytellers, Darren Coggan takes audiences on a journey through the poems, prayers and promises of the life of John Denver, an uplifting celebration of one of the most inspiring artists of our time, Sunday July 27 at The Arts Centre Cootamundra, at 3pm.
Music fans will share in an evening of singing, laughter, and reflection as Darren performs all of John Denver’s universal anthems, from Take Me Home Country Roads, Rocky Mountain High, Annie’s Song, and Perhaps Love, Thank God I’m A Country Boy, Calypso and Leaving On A Jet Plane, to name a few.
A revered country artist and multi-award winner in his own right, Darren delivers each performance with an authenticity and level of respect for songs that shaped generations. “The show celebrates the close relationship and fondness that John Denver had for Australia, which I think helped inspire much of his work,” says Darren. “I hope that I can deliver the same sense of joy and yearning that John Denver had for performing and indeed living life to the fullest. I hope that the audiences emerge from the theatres feeling uplifted and inspired by the songs, taking with them a sense of moral concern to strive for a better world for our children.”
For Darren, there has always been something about John Denver’s songs and song writing that has always inspired him. Even from an early age, the music resonated with him. “I have been a fan of John Denver’s for as long as I can remember,” he says.
“The very first songs I learned to play on the guitar at age six were John Denver songs. The first big concert my parents took me to at age 13 was John Denver in Canberra, and after that night, the whole world started to spin in a different way for me. It was just John on stage, with his guitars and a voice full of sunshine. He filled the room with love and seemed to have a personal connection with every single person in the audience. I thought, that’s what I want to do. He was the reason I wanted to become a country singer-songwriter. I found great refuge in his albums and there was a spirit in his music that resonates with me to this day.”
It isn’t just Darren who finds solace in John Denver’s music. As one of the world’s most prolific songwriters, he made an indelible imprint on the 1970s music scene, and beyond. Music historians attribute his influence to the 70s akin to what Frank Sinatra was to the 1940s, Elvis was to the 1950s, and The Beatles were to the 1960s.
He effortlessly traversed folk, pop and country music and brought people together.
“John’s timeless songs and his messages of love, peace, tolerance and understanding are just as important in our world today as when they were first written, perhaps more so,” says Darren. “In some kind of almost spiritual way, his music unites us, it brings together and reminds us to love one another, and in the world that we live in today, being reminded to love each other is not such a bad thing.”
As for his songs and the stories behind them, Darren feels there is something in the songs that seems to resonate with each person on a different level, regardless of their beliefs. “I think John was a masterful songwriter,” he says. “He had the ability to not only entertain his audience but also reach out to them and sing about them. I think it’s the simplicity in which he delivers his lyrics, they are almost conversational and touch on universal themes of home, love, hope and things that are the essence of what we are all searching for. John’s passion for love and life was so infectious that you can’t help but get swept up in his enthusiasm. John spoke for the environment before it was popular to do so, and his songs have become voices for our planet, they offer us a vision of living in harmony with nature and with each other.”
Tickets to Darren Coggan’s The Poems, Prayers & Promises of John Denver are on sale now.
“What is so impressive about Coggan is that he is able to channel authenticity and excellence at the same time. His mellifluous vocals are intoxicating. His voice has maturity, depth and resonance. He is assured in his delivery and wins us over from the first note.” Alex First (Australian Arts & Entertainment theblurb.com.au)
THE ARTS CENTRE COOTAMUNDRA
Sunday July 27 – 3pm
TICKETS: PH (02) 6942 4773
www.theartscentrecootamundra.org.au
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