Rick Schuler's Rocky Mountain High Experience features John Denver’s holiday tunes

Perhaps Rick Schuler was destined to one day be the focal point of the Rocky Mountain High Experience. The name of the John Denver tribute show is from the late iconoclast's hit "Rocky Mountain High."

Schuler, 64, learned early on that he bears an uncanny resemblance to Denver.

"I had to wear glasses when I was 13 years old," Schuler recalled. "As soon as I put those glasses on, people said, 'You look like John Denver!’ I had no idea that John Denver was the biggest star in the world at that time."

Denver was at his zenith when Schuler initially sported those wire rimmed "granny" glasses. Denver was awarded the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year award in 1975. His mid-70s hits were ubiquitous. "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Annie's Song," "Sunshine on My Shoulder," "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" and "Poems, Prayers & Promises" enabled Denver to sell more than 30 million albums. Denver was unique since he combined acoustic-driven folk, pop and country that was coated in optimism.

Denver, an avid pilot, died at the age of 53 in a single-fatality crash while piloting a light plane in 1997. There was a void in terms of live Denver performances, which has given Schuler an opportunity.

Not long after sporting those glasses, Schuler became a rabid fan who decided to pick up a guitar.

"I didn't set out to do what I'm doing, but when I was a teenager I picked up the ‘Rocky Mountain High’ album, and I realized that our vocal timbre is so similar," Schuler said. "We have a similar sinus structure but our texture is different. John had more of a rasp, but I sing in a softer manner. One thing led to another, and the Rocky Mountain High Experience happened. I love it since I enjoy playing John's songs so much. How could I not feel this way since John's music is so classic?"

Denver's songs endure. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is the official state song of West Virginia.

"John was special," Schuler said. "People say all the time that 'There's no one like this person.' But it's so true about John Denver. There was no one like him. It wasn't just about his music but about who he was as a person."

Denver was a humanitarian who donated his time and money to an array of charitable causes for the environmental movement, the unhoused, the poor, the hungry and the African AIDS crisis. President Ronald Reagan awarded Denver the Presidential World Without Hunger Award in 1987.

"John was a great man who did some amazing things, and then there are his songs," Schuler said. "His songs are simply timeless. There's been nothing like playing his songs all of these years."

Schuler didn't start performing Denver's songs until 2011 at a club in Hermosa Beach, California. The show was well received. Schuler, who also writes and records his own material, decided to focus on the Rocky Mountain High Experience.

"I love John's songs," Schuler said. "My songs are harder to play. My songs are more complicated. But the beautiful thing about John's songs is the simplicity."

Schuler doesn't just play Denver's music. He also weaves in Denver's stories from the legend's many memorable television specials.

"John was so good when he was on television, whether it was one of his shows or ‘The Muppets,’" Schuler said. "I don't want people to forget him."

Perhaps the ultimate seal of approval Schuler has received is from Denver's longtime manager, Hal Thau. Denver's close friend told Schuler that he is the best interpreter of his pal's music.

"Hal was amazing," Schuler said. "He was so supportive and so nice. I would walk into his office with all of John's gold and platinum records on the wall, and I would see all of these photos and I just loved that experience. Hal would say, 'Rick, it's so great to see you.' He said I was part of his healing."

Thau, who was always about keeping Denver's legacy alive, passed away in September. Thau passed the torch to Schuler.

"I'm all about having John's music out there," Schuler said. "John Denver's songs should live on forever. I love that I embraced his music. I played the clarinet until I learned 'Sunshine on My Shoulders' on the guitar. I love the guitar. I hated the clarinet, and I love playing John Denver's songs."

Schuler also loves playing Denver's array of Christmas songs. "Christmas for Cowboys" is one of Denver's finest holiday releases. The tune is about a cowboy's Christmas experience on the plains. "Aspenglow" is a tune from 1975's "Rocky Mountain Christmas." "Christmas Like a Lullaby" is a clever Denver original that is featured on the charming 1979 release “A Christmas Together," which features the Muppets.

"John's Christmas songs are so good," Schuler said. "His originals and covers are tremendous. John Denver could do everything."