A teenage athlete in St. Louis puts on glasses and gets told he looks like the biggest star on TV. That small twist becomes a calling. We sit down with Rick Shuler to explore how resemblance opened a door to craft, faith, and a tribute that feels startlingly alive—without losing his own voice. From the first time he saw John Denver perform with his mom to the day the phone rang when Denver died, Rick shares the moments that stitched his story to a legacy millions still cherish.

The heart of the conversation is intimacy: a last‑minute Aspen show, a living room performance for Hal Thau—John’s longtime manager—tears over a cherished guitar, and a friendship that lasted fourteen years. Rick explains why timbre isn’t imitation, how anatomy shapes tone, and why songwriting influences like James Taylor and Dan Fogelberg sit alongside a clear, joyful Christian faith. We talk C.S. Lewis and the three longings of the soul—home, love, and God—and why songs like Rocky Mountain High and Annie’s Song feel timeless, borderless, and endlessly singable. Younger listeners may not know Denver firsthand, but they follow the story through parents, memory, and the communal magic of a room that sings together.

We also preview Rocky Mountain High Christmas at The Factory: conductor and arranger Bill Lennihan, the Starlight String Ensemble, beloved hits, and new originals from Rick’s album Colorado. Expect vivid stories, a warm orchestral glow, and a show built for families to experience together. Rick calls it a gathering more than a concert, a place where nostalgia meets new wonder and where faith and artistry share the same breath. If John were in the audience, Rick imagines a grin and a simple “Far out”—a nod to gratitude over mimicry. Join us, subscribe for more soulful artist stories, and leave a review to tell us the lyric that still brings you home.