Awards

The John Denver Music and Humanitarian Award

Karmen prepares to present the award at one of the ceremonies.

Expect A Miracle . . . Now, Foundation donates the award and $10,000 annually to benefit the featured charity.  The award is bestowed in the name of the honoree and John Denver at the annual tribute concert in Aspen's Wheeler Opera House. 

 Through this award, John's spirit continues to live on and inspire others.

To date, the Foundation has given $70,000 to benefit children.

The award, a gallery-quality bronze maquette of Windstar's "Spirit" statue of John Denver by noted artist Sue DiCicco, is given to the individual who best exemplifies the music and the positive impact John Denver has had on our society.

Stewart F. Lane

(aka "Mr.Broadway")

is the recipient of Starsong Foundation's

John Denver Spirit Award for 2011

It is a Marquette of John Denver and was presented on

October 12th, 2011

Central Park, near Ladies's Pavilion

77th St. and Central Park West entrance

(in the vicinity of the John Denver Memorial Bench)

New York City

Link to NEW PHOTOS

Award was presented by Karmen T. Dopslaff, Ron Deutschendorf, Sue DeCicco, and JoLynn Long

This award is given to Mr. Lane for promoting John Denver's music and making it known to old and new fans alike through a Broadway stage show.  He is writer, director and producer of A Moment in Time, with music and lyrics by John Denver. 

Utilizing songs from John Denver, one of America's most cherished songwriters and performers, A MOMENT IN TIME, is about a marine in Afganistan who, moments before a battle, recalls a safer, happier place. The new musical received its world premiere at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center in New York, June 2010.

This musical will be presented on Broadway in New York City in late 2011 or early 2012.

2011

Stuart F. Lane

Producer, writer and director of "A Moment in Time," a Broadway musical featuring John's songs.

2009

Terry Lipman

Producer of documentary film about John's life and power of human spirit, "What One Man Can Do."

2008

Joe Henry

Longtime friend and co-writer of many of John's most memorable recordings

2007

Bill Danoff

Composer of 12 of John's recorded hit songs

2006

Erma Deutschendorf

John Denver's mother

2005

Kenn Roberts

Founder of the M.U.S.E. Foundation and co-producer of John Denver tribute concerts nationwide

2004

Hal Thau

John's business manager

2003

Tom Crum

John's friend and co-founder of Windstar

2002

Kris O'Connor

John's road manager and friend and co-producer of tribute concerts in Aspen

Images of Past Presentations:

photo by:  Dario Cantatore/Stringer, Getty Images

Stewart Lane receiving greetings from Ron Deutchendorf, with Karmen Dopslaff looking on, during her presentation of the award in Central Park, NYC.

Donna Lipman receiving the John Denver Spirit award from Karmen, on behalf of her late husband, Terry Lipman

Joe Henry (left) accepting the award

from Tom Crum in 2008. 

Karmen is behind them.

(Photo by Mary Ledford)

Bill Danoff listens as Karmen reads the inscription during the award's presentation in 2007.

Erma Deutchendorf receiving the 2006 Award from Karmen, with Houston Cowan (of Challenge Aspen) and Kenn Roberts on either side

Kenn Roberts receiving the 2005 Award from Karmen, for his continued support of using John's music through concerts to help others.

Karmen T. Dopslaff is President and co-founder of Starsong Foundation, (originally First Light Huger Foundation and later, 'Expect A Miracle...Now, Foundation). 

A native of New York City and currently residing in Snowmass, Colorado, Karmen Dopslaff proudly produces benefit concerts for charities.  Karmen has spent the better part of her professional career dedicated to making a difference for those in need.  Today, she continues to serve as a tireless champion for improving the quality of life for others through the Starsong Foundation (formerly called the Expect A Miracle….How Foundation, an organization she co-founded). 

Karmen first met John Denver in Aspen in 1981 and their friendship would span 16 years.  Since John’s passing, she has produced over a dozen concerts in celebration of his memory, both in Arizona and Colorado, including four Tribute concerts at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen on the anniversaries of his death, with all proceeds providing food for the homeless and programs for challenged children.  Most recently, she produced a New Year’s Eve tribute concert held in 2007 in Denver and a Colorado Mountains Music Extravaganza in 2011 to benefit "Lift Up Foundation" supplying food to the needy.  In addition, she produced two CD’s; “Wish You Were Here” and “Live At The Casa!,” a concert celebration of John’s music recorded New Year’s Eve, 2003, on the occasion of his 60^th Birthday. 

Karmen is truly dedicated to helping perpetuate the legacy of John Denver and welcomes everyone this special weekend, all in loving tribute to this great man, his music, spirit and work for humanity.

Also contributing towards this award:

Information on Previous Awardees:

 

2011 Stewart F. Lane Producer, writer and director of "A Moment in Time," a Broadway musical featuring John's songs Mr. Lane (aka "Mr. Broadway) is honored for promoting John Denver's music and making it known to old and new fans alike through a Broadway stage show.  He is writer, director and producer of A Moment in Time, with music and lyrics by John Denver.  Utilizing songs from John Denver, one of America's most cherished songwriters and performers, A MOMENT IN TIME, is about a marine in Afganistan who, moments before a battle, recalls a safer, happier place. This award is given to Mr. Lane for promoting John Denver's music and making it known to old and new fans alike through a Broadway stage show.  He is writer, director and producer of A Moment in Time, with music and lyrics by John Denver.  Utilizing songs from John Denver, one of America's most cherished songwriters and performers, A MOMENT IN TIME, is about a marine in Afganistan who, moments before a battle, recalls a safer, happier place. The new musical received its world premiere at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center in New York, June 2010. This musical will be presented on Broadway in New York City in late 2011 or early 2012. www.amomentintimemusical.com STEWART F. LANE is a five -time Tony award winning producer for War Horse, Jay Johnson: The Two & Only, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Will Rogers Follies La Cage Aux Folles, as well as a nominee for The Merchant of Venice, with Al Pacino, Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps,  Sunday in the Park with George (revival), Fiddler on the Roof (revival) starring Alfred Molina, Gypsy (revival) starring Bernadette Peters, 1776 (revival), The Goodbye Girl starring Martin Short, and Woman of the Year starring Lauren Bacall.  Other productions include: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Cyrano De Bergerac starring Kevin Kline, Legally Blonde, Wait Until Dark starring Quentin Tarantino and Marisa Tomei, and many more.  He received four Drama Desks; a Drama Critics Circle, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama-Logue awards.  He is co-owner/operator of the Palace Theatre in New York. In London, Mr. Lane was nominated for an Olivier Award for Thoroughly Modern Millie and Ragtime. He also produced Lobby Hero & JFK-A Musical Drama in Dublin. For movies, he produced Brooklyn Rules, A Nanny for Christmas, The Dog Who Saved Halloween, and the documentaries Of Horse and Man, and Show Business: The Road to Broadway.  For Great Performances on PBS, he produced the Broadway Productions of Company, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Sondheim: The Birthday Concert with the NY Philharmonic. Published plays include In the Wings and If It Was Easy (nominated for Best New Play by American Theatre Critics Association).  He wrote and directed A Moment in Time, with music and lyrics by John Denver.  He also wrote the critically acclaimed Jews on Broadway and Lets Put on a Show: How to Produce for the Theater (McFarland Publishing.) Lane and his wife, producing partner and Tony award winning Bonnie Comley, were the Drama Leagues Gala honorees and Arts Horizons Paul Newman Award recipient in 2009, and given the 2008 Medal of Honor for the Actors Fund of America.  Lane sat on the Board of Governors of The Broadway League for eleven years and remains a member today.  He serves as Chairmen of the Board for The Theatre Museum, and sits on the Boards for American Theater Wing, The Actors Fund of America, and Friars Club. www.mrbroadway.com	2009 Terry Lipman Producer of documentary film about John's life and power of human spirit, "What One Man Can Do." Terry is honored, posthumously, for producing the documentary film "WHAT ONE MAN CAN DO" based on the extraordinary life of the late John Denver. The film is to demonstrate the power of the creative spirit in all humans. After retiring from business, Terry worked for a number of years with John Denver in Australia and in the USA assisting him with the development his environmental foundation, Windstar, producing John's "Higher Ground" in Australia and, after moving to Aspen Colorado in 1989, he assisted with the co-production of a number of Denver's "Choices For The Future Symposiums." By producing "What One Man Can Do," (MORE INFO) Lipman was fulfilling a promise he made to John the week before his tragic death, to make a film that would spread John's message of peace and sustainability around the world.   Donna and Terry Lipman with John Denver	2008 Joe Henry Longtime friend and co-writer of many of John's most memorable recordings Although formally educated, poet, author and lyricist JOE HENRY attributes much of his learning to his many years as a laborer, rancher and professional athlete. His lyrics have been performed on over a hundred recordings by artists ranging from Frank Sinatra and Roberta Flack to John Denver and Olivia Newton-John—and more recently, Garth Brooks and Rascal Flatts. In addition to Henry's many music awards, he also received a National Conservation Achievement Award from the National Wildlife Federation "for the celebration of the natural world in his work," and the Colorado Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts. "A writer can only write with his hands and his heart," says Anthony Zerbe. "Joe does this. He will always do this. He does it beautifully." Joe Henry with John Denver
2007 Bill Danoff Composer of 12 of John's recorded hit songs Bill Danoff has been extraordinarily successful on the international stage. He has been singing and writing songs since the late 1960s when he performed and co-wrote songs with John Denver at the Cellar Door in Georgetown, an historic area of Washington, DC, When Bill and his then partner, Taffy Nivert, invited Denver to help them finish writing a song, little did anyone know that the song would soar to the top of the charts. "Take Me Home Country Roads" catapulted John Denver into national prominence. Another Danoff-Nivert song, "I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado" was recorded by Denver and it became the theme song of Colorado. And with Emmylou Harris, he wrote her hit, "Boulder to Birmingham." Bill Danoff (and Taffy Nivert) with John Denver	2006 Erma Deutschendorf John Denver's mother	2005 Kenn Roberts Founder of the M.U.S.E. Foundation and co-producer of John Denver tribute concerts nationwide Kenn is founder of the MUSE Foundation, whose purpose is to share the love and power of music as a conduit to raise funds and public awareness for worthwhile charitable causes.  The Foundation produces concerts, directing all proceeds to the chosen charity and has raised in excess of $8 million dollars for various worthy causes.  Kenn co-produces with Kris O'Connor the annual John Denver tribute concerts at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen each October which benefits Challenge Aspen. Kenn Roberts with John Denver
2004 Hal Thau John's business manager             Hal Thau with John Denver	2003 Tom Crum John's friend and co-founder of Windstar             Tom Crum with John Denver	2002 Kris O'Connor John's road manager and co-producer of tribute concerts in  Aspen           Kris O'Connor with John Denver