John Luetkemeyer, Jr.

Meet John Luetkemeyer, Jr. from Las Vegas, Nevada.

First of all, Happy Harmony Holiday to all America fans from Las Vegas, NV., one of the regular stops an the annual America tour schedule. I have been an official die hard America an since October, 1972 when I first heard Ventura Highway on the old WLS AM Chicago radio station. I began my career in private security at about the same time, but for the last 6 years I have been employed by Caesars Palace in Las Vegas as a Security Officer, more recently working in our exclusive high roller Villa Suites, where I regularly spend my time protecting such friends as Michael Jordan, Celine Dion and Steve Tyler, who stopped by the other day for a tour of the suites. It was a long struggle achieving this exclusive position, but nothing compared to the accomplishments of our guys in America.

When I first heard Horse With No Name and I Need You, they were fine, but Ventura Highway really stood out. I played guitar at the time and as I told Gerry one time, when I heard that song it was all over for me. These guys were so good I had to stand back and just listen to the experts, so I did. I followed every album, every song, and when the Holiday album came out, I knew these were very special artists. With Georege Martin producing, they could do no wrong. I loved the Harbor album, but was sad to see Dan Peek move out of the group. I remember how excited I was for the group when in July 1982 You Can Do Magic hit the airwaves. The song was so terrific it just flew out of the radio speakers. I continued to collect all the LPs and later the CDs, and I still do, converting them to mp3 on the PC. To this day, I still collect sealed versions of the old LPs, songbooks, sheet music, etc. But the real thrill is when I get to see America live - and talk to them after the shows.

It wasn't until March, 2001 that I saw them live for the first time at the Casablanca Resort in Mesquite, NV. After the show, Brad Palmer came out first and signed some things. I presented Brad with a sealed copy of the first America LP and he was so excited he went backstage and had Willie Leacox sign it. Later, Gerry came out and started signing. He was very nice and patient with all the fans. Later, we saw Gerry at the bar and asked him if we could take some pictures. He said yes, and the picture of he and I has been in the venturahighway.com gallery since April, 2002. In March, 2002, I saw them again with my friend Rich Duclos in Mesquite, and once again we got several things signed and some pictures. I make it a point to give Gerry copies of photos I took at the previous concert as a way of thanking him for signing all my stuff. In August of this year, Rich Duclos and I saw America again at the Sunset Station Chain of Life Concert in Las Vegas. We waited around after the concert and soon Gerry and Dewey came down from their rooms in the hotel tower and we got more things signed and more pictures. Gerry was again super nice, and Dewey was very complimentary of my photo work, asking my full name and e-mail address. The guys have been absolutely terrific every time we see them, and they said they appreciated our loyalty and even noticed we have all our pictures and pens ready for signing with no hassle! So all these years being a distant fan seem to have paid off, since we seem to have regular contact with America when they're on tour.

Explanations: Holiday is a classic, a polished seemless compilation of well crafted tunes with great melody, great lyric and a lot of heart. Dan Peek contributed some great songs to this one, and his musical talents shine on Holiday. Are You There is so good, I'm in awe everytime I play it. I have an original Harbor LP from 1977, and the song still grabs me like it did then. From the edgy music track, to the great lead vocal (no double tracking or echo on the lead), to the extraordinary background vocal arrangement, Willie's terrific drum track, Dan Peek's unequalled lead guitar break, George Martin's string arrangement - It all leads to a classic recording, the one I think is their best. Their raw talents shine. I'll never get over this song. P.S. I asked Dewey about Are You There last August in Las Vegas - he said he probably couldn't play that song any more, and the song would never be played in concert. That's ok. The recording speaks for itself.

She's A Runaway was a song from the Your Move album, written and played mostly by Russ Ballard. I understand that there is little affection for this tune from Gerry or Dewey, but It is another song I literally play every day because it is so well done. Gerry's vocal is so good on this one, and even though his heart wasn't in it when he was recording it, he sure has me convinced that the girl in the song ran away and he has to find her. Many guys have been through this experience and can relate. Anyway, when I think of the talent of Gerry Beckley as a singer, this is the song that comes to mind.

Daisy Jane. The day I told Gerry how much I like this song, I will never forget the smile on his face. I really feel that this tune is his baby, and I can see why. Very few love songs reach the caliber of Daisy Jane. Luckily, George Martin was there to produce to give it the fine tuning. One of the most beautiful songs ever written.

The Story Of A Teenager was a Peek/Beckley collaboration, but Dan Peek's vocal makes the song his. Another beautiful vocal and music combination with great effect. Too bad the tune was lost on a rather obscure movie. But a great example of the contribution Dan Peek made to the America music catalog, which is still being appreciated by fans today. I have dozens of other America songs I truly love, but I really don't want to put any more readers to sleep.

As I conclude, I'd like to thank all the America fans who took the time to read all of the above. God Bless You for your loyalty to America. Most of all, thanks to Dewey, Gerry, Mike, Brad and Willie, the current America lineup and Dan Peek, for the many years of outstanding music for us to enjoy. Without you guys, there would be no America, and without America there would be no fans. Thanks again for taking the time you spend with us on tour. I look forward to the next America concerts in Mesquite and Las Vegas, when once again I'll get to spend a few special moments with guys who are music legends and deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame: America!

Feel free to send your comments or questions to John.