Jim Salestrom - Guestbook

Thank you for visiting my website. I would love it if you would add to this guestbook we are keeping!

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Jim... And so, I am the woman who went through a blizzard to see you and Chris, Jim, Pete, Alan and the rest of the group in Boston for the Rocky Mountain High Concerts....but to no avail as you all couldn't make it....it was bittersweet...knowing how wonderful all the comments were about the fantastic entertainment and feeling John alive again and so many of us who never got to see the show. So, please, please try to all do it again next year...give Boston two night in case snow comes again...so we can show all of you how we loved John Denver.... I was living in New Hampshire at the time when his children were going to school...Anna Kate at Dartmouth and Zak at Proctor...he played at Dartmouth and once a long time ago he played in North Conway NH...he looked at our White Mountains...and using his hand as gesture...he fanned the vista...and said..."you call these mountains?" They are small in comparison to the Rockies...I was at the Harborlights Concert in 1995 and was honored to be at the tapings of the Wildlife Concert for both nights....and of course, to the home of homes...Aspen Colorado....where in 1995, I met my hero at the top of Aspen Mountain and learned what a true 'Rocky Mountain High' was really all about....countless concerts in between and then after that horrible day in 1997, you all gave us John Denver once again in Aspen in October...some of the best memories...bringing us together from around the world....to meet family, friends and hear the wonder of John's songs echoing through the Wheeler Opera house........this and so much more.... His music and legacy of person continue....thank you.... So as the song goes..."Please come to Boston" next year....to let all of us who were going to be there this year...have another shot at going down Country Roads... You are speical and I enjoy your singing, your sensitivity and your showmanship...and your stories...your site is FAR OUT... My heart to yours, Jim.... Jane

Jane McLaughlin - myhrt2yours@hotmail.com
Wayland, NY USA - Saturday, April 06, 2013

Jim - Clem and Cynde here (Annie's Song) we saw you at the Duchin Room the last couple nights...the first night your demeanor and talent immediately shot both of us back to our days at Montana State - .... But the best was yet to come....the next night you saw us in the the back of the room, dedicated Annie's Song to us AND remembered the year that it was sung at our wedding...we both had tears in our eyes...your talent is obvious BUT your character is exceptional! Thank you for making a memory for us. Sure hope we are lucky enough to have our paths cross again! The Pelletts www.clemcpellett.com

Clem Pellett - pellettcc@gmail.com
Bellevue, WA USA - Monday, March 18, 2013

Hey Jim, My husband and I attended your John Denver tribute in Dallas yesterday (2/20/13) and thoroughly enjoyed it! John Denver (and his music) has been our favorite musician over his long career and we were delighted to be able to see and hear the fabulous tribute concert! We also were very impressed with you. You have a wonderful voice and are quite musically skilled! Kudos to you and the others who did such a great job!! Shirley Harwood

Shirley Harwood - smharwood@sbcglobal.net
Irving, TX USA - Thursday, February 21, 2013

Hi Jim...wow! went to the JD tribute. I was so in love with the moment. Thank you for helping me and all of John's fans have another tender moment with John again. Most of us never got to say good-bye or put closure to his life. It took 15 years, but it was worth waiting for. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I was so impressed with the "Band". I am so excited to have discoved you too! Your voice hit a chord in my heart. I bought your CD, "Music from the Mountains", and am lovin' it!!! Please keep the music coming and please come back to Milwaukee!

Linda Hartman - lkindhrt@sbcglobal.net
Milwaukee, WI USA - Saturday, February 16, 2013

My husband and I so enjoyed the concert last night (2/9/13) in Lancaster. Thank you so much for being a part of bring John back for one more concert.There were tears of joy last night....

Kim Rosencrance - farout132@hotmail.com
Clarks Summit, Pa USA - Sunday, February 10, 2013

Attended the "Tribute to John Denver" concert in Lancaster, PA on 2/9/13. It was fabulous and really enjoyed your singing voice as well. The entire band was wonderful and the tribute presentation was and will be forever memorable. Thank you for bringing John's memory back to life!

Marilyn Rosenbaum - amaze1951@comcast.net
Exton, PA USA - Sunday, February 10, 2013

My husband and I attended your tribute to John Denver concert this evening on Feb-06-2013 in Easton, PA at the State Theater. We throughly enjoyed ourselves. You did a superb job entertaining everyone. Loved your singing. Your tribute was very special and brought together a wealth of talent. Thank you for a wonderful show.

Nancy M. Reilly - fnreilly@msn.com
Phillipsburg, NJ USA - Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Great show in Westbury last Friday! The stuff with John on video is awesome, but the band by itself is a tribute alone. Your vocals and stage presence are so heartfelt and real. Hopefully, I'll catch you again. It was cool that Long Island was the opening night of the tour--I felt honored to be there! "Ponies" such a highlight for me. Thanks to everyone!

Jeff Jensen - jjthedj@optonline.net
plainview, ny USA - Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Hello, Jim What was my joy to be able to applaud the Wheeler Opera House Aspen Saturday, 13/10/2012! This week John Denver and FABULOUS CONCERT are forever in my memory. When I think of when I watch or (still) pictures or videos of this concert I have tears in my eyes, hiding unfortunately I could not go back to Colorado (being unemployed) but your memories and music music remain, and there are facebook . THANK YOU JIM

BATTINI Marie-Hélène - vattini_usa@hotmail.com
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Monday, January 28, 2013

Jim, I just listened to the Cherry Mash song, my father's song. He was Charles Chase, owner and manager of Chase Candy Co. I had a wonderful childhood in St. Joe, MO. attached to the Chase Company which made many different kinds of candy. Your song was great! When did you compose it? (Incidentally, I am a piano teacher and a frustrated composer.) Nancy

Nancy Cnase - nancyhiker1@yahoo.com
Goleta, CA USA - Friday, January 18, 2013

Went to your concert in Wood River, NE today and said hi to you and your Mom. What a great concert. I played with Chuck in Stage Band at Holdrege back in the late 60's. He was a bass guitar player and I was baritone saxophone. I went to as many Timberline shows as I could. It is great to know your talent was brought to Wood River today. Keep up the great music. Thanks. Have a Great Thanksgiving. Ron

Ron Gewecke - rcgewecke@hotmail.com
Grand Island, NE USA - Sunday, November 18, 2012

Enjoyed seeing you on GOOD LIFE Friday would love to make it over to Wood River this afternoon but not going to work out. Could listen to you sing all day long know your CD by heart!!! (smile)

Connie LIenemann - nebcountrygirl@yahoo.com
Blue Hill, NE USA - Sunday, November 18, 2012

As a junior at the University of Nebraska in 1974 I was invited by a group of friends to go to Little Bo's to hear some guys called Timberline. It was a great time and awesome show. Bought the vinyl and still have it. Glad to see it is available on disk, the tuntable is getting weak. Thanks for all you do with the students and Boy Scouts.

Ron Feuerbach - Zahnrad@cox.net
Omaha, Ne. USA - Thursday, September 20, 2012

Jim, Purely by happenstance, I searched for "Timberline Band" and found your site. Fell in love with the album back in college at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Have looked for it off and on since my college days to no avail. Am ordering the CD tomorrow and can't wait for it to arrive. Small world story, purchased a home in Colorado and will be moving there in the near term. Looks like we about 20 minutes from Field of Daisies, Inc. All the best,

Mike Kitson - ma_kitson@yahoo.com
Nappanee, IN USA - Monday, July 16, 2012

Hi, Jim! Just started out a beautiful summer morning listening to "The Great Timber Rush," thanks to a great friend, Dan Daigle. Dan dropped off one of your CD's for me last evening, and I could hardly wait to listen to it this morning. Growing up in Tomahawk, Timberline was naturally something we all listened to and loved. Every party, wedding, prom dance, and pickup truck had Timberline playing, and it helped mark some very special moments in a lot of our lives. You're a great musician and musical talent, and I just wanted to thank you for all the great music. You probably think we're all stuck in the 70's up here, but the truth is that Timberline has proven to be timeless. Have a great day! Joan Hurtis

Joan Hurtis - joanhurtis@yahoo.com
Tomahawk, WI USA - Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Hi Jim, sounds like my sister just ordered a CD this week. She said she received a call from you (she is Jackie Nelson) and was so excited at the remote thought of you guys coming to Wisconsin. The story of your music started when we were young.......middle school into high school. We had friends out on a Silver Lake that listened to your music. They and all their friends and family around the lake introduced us to your music. Our Junior Prom in 1984 was entitled "Someday". In fact that was my husband and my song when we first started dating. We know the words to all the music on that great album (The Great Timber Rush) and now our kids listen to it and know all the words. Your music was a huge hit back in the 70s, 80s and still ongoing. Many many people in Northern Wisconsin have listened to and know your music . Would it be amazing to come here and do a concert? There is a program that our city puts on in the summer called "Music on the River" and they have music once a month (would do more if we had a great band (hint hint). Jackie will be calling you soon I'm sure as she was just as excited as I to hear that you had called. Thanks for "years" of great music!!!!!!

Paula Randall - 905tfd18@charter.net
Tomahawk, WI USA - Tuesday, June 05, 2012

I remember the 7 year old Jim, walking into our Christmas Youth Choir party with his guitar, and he suggested we sing some carols and he would play along. As choir director, I agreed. I asked him what songs he knew, as this was a new instrument. He said any song was fine. We chose a song and I asked him what key we should sing it in. He replied "Just start singing and I will join in!" I thought he had a lot to learn. But we started singing our song of choice, he joined in, and all was perfect. This continued several times. I was amazed!! It was a Party I will always remember. He wowed me any times with his musical skills at his young age. My daughter and I were watching The Late Show last year, and we both recognized Jim and his guitar. We decided you hadn't changed a bit. Love you, Jim. Thanks for everything! Sandy

Sandy DeSelms - sandyd2134@att.net
Spring, TX USA - Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Brother Chuck wrote a nice note about the Thomas Fredholm guitar I now play- I met Thomas in Goteburg Sweden and I love this guitar so much!

Jim; You and I have been playing together for our entire lives. I think I can safely say that I've probably heard you play every acoustic guitar you've ever owned - and then some. But I must say that your new Swedish guitar is the best sounding guitar I have ever heard. The sound is so big coming out of that little box is amazing. You now have a guitar that equals the power of your voice. And in my 60 year old years - it is the most balanced across the entire frequency spectrum. It's bright without being "tinny" with a bottom end that is not overwhelming. And like a formula one race car, you do a terrific job in playing it with the reckless abandon required to make it perform properly.

And most especially - its Swedish.

Please convey my congratulations and profound respect to Mr. Fredholm for creating an instrument that defies description. It was just great to play with you and your brand new "friend." ~Chuck

Jim Salestrom - jim@jimsalestrom.com
Arvada, CO USA - Monday, May 07, 2012

Posted: Tuesday, May 1, 2012 12:00 am
By DIANE WETZEL

When Dolly Parton's microphone went on the fritz during a live concert in Melbourne, Australia, last November, the singer turned to a member of her band and said, "go!" Jim Salestrom launched into the opening chords of "Love the One You're With," and the crowd went wild. "There were 16,000 people standing up and dancing," Salestrom said. "It was just amazing."

During his 40 years in the music business, Salestrom has toured with Parton, played for presidents and sung with John Denver, yet remains close to his Nebraska roots. He will be performing at Da Buzz Coffee House on Thursday, May 3.

"My brother Chuck and I started a band called Fresh Air in 1971 in the basement of our house in Kearney," Salestrom said during a telephone interview from California on Monday morning. "We changed the name to Timberline and signed with CBS Epic records. We did an album in 1977 that sold about 50,000 copies." In the early days, Timberline toured constantly, performing 250 dates a year. "That was back in the days when every place had live music," he said. "We played them all. We played for school dances, at dives, everywhere. It was a great time for live music and gave us a chance to follow our hearts and pursue a dream."

After the band disbanded - "disco was taking off then," Salestrom said - he began a solo career. His song "It's Too Soon to Let Love End" was selected by producer Peter Yarrow for Mary McGregor's gold album "Torn Between Two Lovers." In 1979, at age 22, he joined Parton's band as a singer and musician, playing acoustic, electric and high string guitars and banjo. He toured the world with Parton, appearing on television in two HBO specials, The Tonight Show, the Academy Awards and the Country Music Association Awards.

After 11 years with Parton's band, "she kicked us out of the nest," he said. "She said, go do your own thing."

In his long career he has performed with a variety of top performers, written and produced songs and traveled the world.

During his performance in North Platte, Salestrom will include songs from his latest CD, "Nautilus" that celebrates Dr. Robert Ballard's research exploration vessel that has been featured in several National Geographic specials. While touring with Parton, Salestrom was asked by Ballard to write a song about the Nautilus. The CD's 11 songs includes original songs written and performed by Salestrom along with "Calypso" by John Denver and a re-make of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea song, "A Whale of a Tale." The album was recorded at Sound Kitchen Studios in Nashville with Parton's band and her producer Kent Wells.

"Playing music is something I have always known I wanted to do," Salestrom said. "I've been fortunate, as things have worked out pretty good. I'm 56, an age when things can start to wind down. But I always seem to keep finding ways to reinvent the wheel and Nautilus was one way to do that." His show will feature music and conversation and photos from the recent tour that includes Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United States. "To create music is a passion and second nature for me," he said.

Jim Salestrom - jim@jimsalestrom.com
Arvada, CO USA - Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Jim Salestrom has been making music professionally for 40 years. Jim and brother Chuck started their band Fresh Air in 1971 in the basement of their home in Kearney. They changed the name to Timberline, signed with CBS EPIC RECORDS and recorded a national released album The Great Timber Rush in 1977. The band toured and opened for Dolly Parton- Jim joined her band and toured for 11 years until 1991.

He has always been writing music and recording his own albums. Jim has 22 released and is promoting a new one called Nautilus. Jim has been with Dolly on an 8 month world tour.

Jim has a deep rooted love for Nebraska and the Minden Opera House and would like to invite you to hear a few new songs, a few old songs, some songs by his friend John Denver and stories from a happy life making music. Brother Chuck will join him on the bass!

May 3rd North Platte Nebraksa Coffee House
May 4th Frank House Ice Cream Social Kearney Nebraska 3-5
Minden Opera House Minden Nebraska 7:30

Jim Salestrom - jim@jimsalestrom.com
Arvada, CO USA - Sunday, April 29, 2012

A First Hand Review, April 28, 2012
By Jimbob

This review is from: Different Directions (Audio CD)
I am a big fan of John Denver. I can sing his songs and still help people remember his voice.

I met John when I was 16 at the Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver CO. I was his monitor mixer that day moonlighting for Stanal Sound.I had a great time and heard Rocky Mountain High for the first time with the rest of the world.

In 1991, John's producer and road manager Kris O'Connor called me and asked if I would like to sing on Different Directions. My wife Pam and I flew to Omaha (my birthplace) and we stayed at the Red Lion and recorded at Sound Recorders---this is the same studio that CW McCall and Chip Davis used-Chip plays the drums and founded Manheim Steamrollar.
I remember singing on many of the tunes and playing banjo on Foxfire Suite. John was gracious and funny and it was amazing for me to see how he and Kris created a record. I was responsible for John Denver hiring Colorado musician Gordon Burt to play violin. He was replaced by George Colorado and he still tells the following story to this day. The credit to George Colorado on the album is really violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman. I also remember the black choir Kris and John hired to sing on Tenderly Calling Me Home- I sang on that too. And I remember the first time John heard the Omaha Symphony play charts that were written by Jimmie Haskell for Bill Danoff's tune Potter's Wheel (a song I recorded on my album Step In Time)

John had a funny little habit of borrowing my Shubb capos and not giving them back. At the end of the week, he had borrowed 4 - I was tapped out and asked him for them back. (he begrudgingly gave them back and I laughed inside and still do) I loved JD's positive message and I will always be grateful to K.O. for arranging for me to sing with him on this record. I sang with John many times and still sing with his band on tribute concerts around the country. It is hard to imagine but John has been gone 15 years this Oct 12th. Come to Aspen this year to celebrate our friend's life and music! Thanks for buying this album and thanks for letting me give my first hand review.

Jim Salestrom (Dolly Parton's Band - Timberline - Various CD's)

Jim Salestrom - jim@jimsalestrom.com
Arvada, CO USA - Saturday, April 28, 2012

Jim, Thanks so much for making our evening so special at the RFB show. It was so nice to see you there. I have loved your music for years. I listen to Timberline whenever I need a lift with some great music. That and Step in Time are my favorites. Thanks again, hope to catch one of your live shows this summer. Maybe the John Denver Tribute if you do it again. God Bless, Van and Evelyn Carara

Van Carara - vcarara@comcast.net
littleton, co USA - Friday, March 02, 2012

I saw you in concert several times at WV Wesleyan college in the late 70's. I still have your "Timberline" album that I bought for $2.00 back then. I still play it and my 18 year old son loves it. I found this link on my college alumni website where everyone still remembers your great performance. I'm glad you're still making music!

Linda Teter - te7446@yahoo.com
Chester, Sout USA - Friday, January 06, 2012

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