A community request answered, Ted Vigil comes to Glenwood

There are only a handful of singers as beloved and instantly recognized in both voice and appearance as John Denver. Throughout his career, he recorded nearly 300 songs, about 200 of which he wrote himself. Many of his songs are deeply embedded in the American consciousness—who doesn’t know all the words to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” or “Rocky Mountain High”? In 1974, he was named the Poet Laureate of Colorado, the state that served as the muse for so many of his songs and the place he famously called home.

In response to repeated community requests, Central Square is hosting the fourth show of its 2024 Concert Series, Ted Vigil: Remembering John Denver, this Friday evening, October 11th, at 7 p.m.

Central Square’s executive director, Marie Chan says “John Denver has been, by far, the most requested tribute show by our patrons. Being not just a fan but also knowing John and a few members of his family, I knew there was only one performer who could truly fit the bill—Ted Vigil. I saw him at an event a number of years ago, and the show was incredible. It’s uncanny how much he looks and sounds like John, but there was also something more—something pure in his performance that reminded me of John’s spirit, his music, and his voice. I didn’t think we’d be able to book Ted, but to our great surprise, we did! We’ve had two shows this year that felt like they were beyond our reach, and this is one of them (the other was Alice Wallace). We are so excited to bring this show to our community.” 

John Denver tragically died in 1997, at the age of 53, when the light plane he was piloting crashed.

While visiting the John Denver Sanctuary—a stunning park nestled next to the river in the heart of Aspen, Colorado, featuring large memorial stones etched with Denver’s song lyrics and other writings inviting visitors to appreciate the surrounding natural beauty—Ted Vigil, inspired by the setting, took out his guitar and played some of Denver’s most well-known songs. A large crowd soon gathered around him, mesmerized by how much Vigil looked and sounded like John Denver. It felt as though time had turned back, as if Denver himself stood there amidst a shrine dedicated not just to his music, but to his many years of activism in conservation—a cause that deeply connected him to the landscape he loved and inspired him.

Born in Seattle and raised in the Olympia area, Vigil has been performing since the age of 10. He developed his talents as a drummer and singer in school bands, including concert, symphonic, and jazz ensembles. In 2006, Vigil competed in Talent Quest 2006 in Laughlin, Nevada, a competition involving contestants from 28 states, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, and took first place. He has performed twice for John Denver’s own Windstar Foundation in Aspen, Colorado.

In 2012, Vigil was honored with the Rising Legend Award by the National Traditional Country Music Association. He also performed with the late Steve Wiesberg, John Denver’s lead guitar player, from 2010 to 2014. Wiesberg once remarked, “Apparently the audience thinks they all look and sound like John. I don’t see it. I see it with Ted. A very strong physical resemblance… Uncanny!”

Tickets to this show are available online at centralsquare.org.  They can also be purchased at the Central Square office Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or Fridays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.