Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Last Friday night, at The Luna Lounge Bucerías, we enjoyed an evening of wonderful, down-home music performed by Paul Aleman, an artist who clearly understands and conveys the depth and joy of John Denver.

Annie Denver said it best in November of 2015, when she saw Paul perform John's songs at The Red Room in Vallarta. "I've heard many people interpret John's music… Yours was the best… so magical, soaring, tender, and inspiring. I know John was smiling… a most wonderful, beyond beautiful evening… and in Mexico! Remarkable!"

Paul Aleman, who has mastered the guitar and vocal style of John Denver, performed everything live, with no tracks of any kind. We were treated to an enchanting and stirring evening of authentic music as we quietly sang along to those precious tunes that took us down memory lane. Although John has been gone for over 20 years, his music came alive as we were mesmerized by the songs and stories of this legend!

For five seasons, Paul Aleman and Renee Armand (a former John Denver band member) performed their show, "Rocky Mountain High" (and other music) to Vallarta audiences. This Spring, Paul returned with his solo show featuring all the fantastic hits of the folksy troubadour who was also an amazing advocate for the natural environment.

Paul, who is an accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist, delivered a performance that swept us away with the beauty, authenticity and simplicity of the music.

Throughout the evening we enjoyed songs like, Wild Montana Skies, Rocky Mountain Suite, Perhaps Love, Poems and Prayers and Promises, Sunshine on My Shoulders, Lady, Country Roads and Thank God I'm a Country Boy.

Paul shared many fascinating introductions and background stories for each song. We loved hearing the story of John's uncle, who was the inspiration for his song, Matthew. We also enjoyed Grandma's Feather Bed performed to perfection by Paul and Darrell (an audience member). And we loved the melancholy number, It's Good to Be Back Home Again.

Another highlight of the evening was hearing Paul's story of Annie Denver at his 2015 show in Puerto Vallarta. As the evening was drawing to a close, we thrilled to Rocky Mountain High, and all rose with thunderous applause to the final rousing song, My Calypso. Paul was persuaded to offer an encore number and we were incredibly touched by his version of This Old Guitar.

During his performance, Paul shared with us how he came to love and to perform the music of John Denver. It was a touching story of a mother and son and a chance opportunity to hear this music performed live. Paul's mother saw his keen interest and ended up buying him "John Denver's Greatest Hits" and a guitar… and the rest is history!

Paul's performance profoundly touched our hearts in an experience that we won't soon forget. Make sure to see this show next year when Paul Aleman returns again to the Puerto Vallarta area. You'll be very glad that you did!

What Frank Sinatra was to the 1940's, Elvis Presley was to the '50's, And The Beatles were to the '60's, John Denver was to the 1970's.

Luna Lounge is located at Av. Mexico #27 in Bucerias, Nayarit, about 20 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta International airport.