From the moment he steps on stage, clad in a classic cowboy害羞草研究所檚 white floral button down with an acoustic in hand, it害羞草研究所檚 clear that Rick Worrall is a John Denver fan.

And, if the get up didn害羞草研究所檛 solidify that fact, Worrall was the brain child behind Rocky Mountain High 害羞草研究所� An Evening of John Denver, which overtook the Kelowna Community Theatre March 29 and 30 before rocking to a near-full crowd at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre March 31.

With a hand-full of local talent and the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, the night was filled with the famous ditties of the acclaimed American singer/songwriter led by Worrall at the helm.

Worrall fell in love with Denver害羞草研究所檚 sound in the early 害羞草研究所�70s when he first heard the track Sunshine on My Shoulders off Denver害羞草研究所檚 fourth studio album Poems, Prayers & Promises.

害羞草研究所淚 put it (Sunshine on My Shoulders) on, and this song, I wore it out,害羞草研究所� Worrall said, recalling the time he first heard it on vinyl. 害羞草研究所淭here was something about this song.害羞草研究所�

Despite playing the track often in his early years, Worrall害羞草研究所檚 love for the dittie was apparent when he offered the smooth and thoughtful vocals to Vernon audiences.

Enter Mia Harris, whose petite stature does nothing to hide her soprano powerhouse vocals, from which Rocky Mountain High, an already electric performance, was enlightened.

Harris 害羞草研究所� a voice teacher at the Penticton Academy of Music and singer boasting performances with the OSO, Bumbershoot Theatre, Opera Kelowna and more 害羞草研究所� delivered the lines with an educated and sophisticated panache.

Vernon-born Delphine Litke 害羞草研究所� an astute performer in the Okanagan theatre circuit 害羞草研究所� also took the stage, singing alongside Worrall for the majority of the show.

The roughly two-hour performance wound quickly through two-sets, the first of which ended on the high of Denver害羞草研究所檚 fisherman害羞草研究所檚 dream in the form of Calypso, where the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra showed its truest colours.

害羞草研究所淲hen you害羞草研究所檝e got this (OSO) behind you, this song, it害羞草研究所檚 just far out,害羞草研究所� Worrall said.

And, under the baton of the internationally-renowned composer and Denver害羞草研究所檚 own arranger Lee Holdridge, the OSO shone and added a palpable body to the track.

Holdridge, who has worked with the likes of Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond, was invited over the phone by Worrall to lead the 害羞草研究所渇olk symphony害羞草研究所� after Worrall heard that the music charts were no longer.

害羞草研究所淚 scared him because I said, 害羞草研究所業害羞草研究所檓 your biggest fan.害羞草研究所� I had no idea Lee had seen Misery too many times,害羞草研究所� Worrall laughed.

The tracks ebbed and flowed, winding through Denver害羞草研究所檚 expansive discography, before the final guest singer took the stage: Vernon害羞草研究所檚 own Justin Moore.

害羞草研究所淰ernon should be very proud. He害羞草研究所檚 an amazing up-and-comer,害羞草研究所� Worrall said after Moore dropped his operatic vocals that far exceed his years.

Moore, the son of two Juilliard alumni, appeared as comfortable on stage for Rocky Mountain High as he is fronting Vernon rock group Armonia.

And, as Rocky Mountain High gears up for the finally, Harris, Litke and Moore return to the stage to rock Denver害羞草研究所檚 quintessential track, Take Me Home, Country Roads, to a standing ovation.

害羞草研究所淭his whole show has been a pleasure,害羞草研究所� Worrall said as the curtains closed. 害羞草研究所淭his has been an incredible labour of love.害羞草研究所�

entertainment@vernonmorningstar.com
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