Experience the artistry of legendary singer-songwriter John Denver with Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon on Thursday at Boot Barn Hall.

Made up of four musicians, the band Boulder Canyon has been together for about 15 years, performing the songs of Denver.

“I started writing my own music, and had planned on just pursuing a solo career. Someone heard me performing and they said, ‘You look and sound like John Denver,’ and the rest is history,’” said Collins, the band’s lead singer.

At first, Collins was uncertain of building a musical career paying tribute to Denver. But he quickly discovered just how much he enjoyed the widespread appreciation for Denver’s music.

“I was very resistant. I wanted to be my own musician. I wanted to play my own music and make it on my own, but did not have that in store for me. And I soon find out the breadth and depth of John Denver’s appeal across the nation,” he said.

Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon will be performing this Thursday at Boot Barn Hall. Made up of four musicians, the band has been together for about 15 years, performing the songs of John Denver to his likeness.

Courtesy photo

But it’s not just an imitation tribute band, Collins said. Instead, he brings to the stage an authentic admiration of Denver with his already similar style.

“He is so loved everywhere we go, and the funny thing about John’s music is, it’s a bit like my own music. And because of the timbre of my voice and kind of my appearance and my presentation, I don’t have to do an imitation. I pretty much sing like myself and I tell my own stories and the audiences really seem to like that authentic presentation of the music,” he said.

Collins resonates with Denver’s warm tone, connecting with the beloved singer not just with his love of nature, but also his love of people.

“For me personally, it’s nature. Talking about how we’re part of it. It’s not just nature, though. It’s the way he relates to other people. There was always kindness and gentleness in his music, and I was always attracted to that, because I think that’s a big part of my personality too,” he said. “I’m one of those people that likes to see other people happy and help other people. So John’s music was a natural fit for me.”

As for his favorite song, while he of course loves the classics “Rocky Mountain High” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” it’s Denver’s “Poems, Prayers and Promises” that will never get old to Collins.

“It’s the only song I’ve ever heard that says everything that I would like to say in a song. It talks about friends, how sweet it is to love someone, how right it is to care,” he said.

“When you get right down to the end of the day, all you really want to do is hang out with the people you like and love and let them know.”