Lookin’ Forward, Lookin’ Back
What’s been happening –
The past few weeks have been busy! The main focus has been the Assembly Line Concert at AJ’s Cafe in Ferndale. This has been madness for the past few days. I was supposed to play Saturday (day 2), but a scheduling snafu prevented that. A couple days later I showed up for my 4am shift and Monday and had a blast.
Had a bit of a run in with the local law that morning. Pulled into my parking spot on 9 mile at 3:30am and got out of my car to see a Ferndale police car do a u-turn, put his lights on, pull up behind me and spot me. Needless to say, this was not a hassle I needed at that hour! A couple seconds later, the car pulled next to me and rolled his window down. My buddy Ed Ungerman, instructor for the PFDC and one of Ferndale’s finest, decided to wish me a good morning in his own way. What, Ed, you’re not gonna pull your taser on me? No pepper spray? Weak, man! Hahaha…
Tuesday night I went out to the Solid Grounds open mic like always and played a few tunes to warm up for my midnight shift later. One of the songs I played was a new one called Home (Momma was a Cross to Bear). See the post below for info on this new one!
Jim Humphries came out and played some awesome harp for me out at AJ’s that night! Also, thanks to Rick, Nichole and Tina for coming out so late to catch the set. AJ was very cool and jumped up at the beginning of my set to say a few very kind words about me. Thanks AJ!
Dar and Jim break it down at the Assembly Line Concert
Thursday night, Jim and I headed out to catch Darwin Mamassian, host of the Solid Grounds open mic, do a set out at AJ’s. He did a great job! I took a bunch of photos and Jim got up and played some harp with him. Lots of Tuesday night regulars were there!
Last night was a show at the South Lyon VFW Hall with my friend and fellow musician AT Smith. AT is a bluegrass,-old-timey wonder to behold. We played for over four hours and had a ball.
What’s happening -
Tonight will be the second of three straight shows in three days for me. Jim and I will be playing at Solid Grounds from 6-9pm. Tomorrow night is going to be a real treat! John D. Lamb has invited me to play at his Songwriters Showcase at Memphis Smoke. I’ll be performing alongside a few other amazing talents. Not to mention the man himself! JDL.
Thursday, April 2nd I’ll be at the Assembly Line Concert again doing a set from 3-4pm. I think this will be the LAST ONE! Haha…
Friday, April 3rd is going to be a very fun evening! I’ve been asked to play at a wonderful store in downtown Northville called Gardenviews. Jim and I will be rocking out during the First Friday Art Walk from 6-9pm!
I’m really excited to be hosting an open mic fundraiser for the Plymouth Fife & Drum Corps on Friday, April 10th at Solid Grounds. We hope to have a bunch of performers from our various corps families. Fun goes from 6-9pm!
On May 16th, I’ll be doing an open mic spot right before the Kitty Donohoe show. Jim Bizer hosts an open mic show called Mama’s Coffee House.
Also, a couple of music/arts festivals have booked me for the summer. First, I’ll be playing at the Ella Sharp Art and Wine Festival in Jackson Michigan on Saturday, June 13th. I hear that Jan Krist and Jim Bizer will be there, so you KNOW it will be a great show! Not sure what time I’ll be going on. Stay tuned.
And finally, I’ve been asked me to host the open mic show on Friday night of the Nor-East’r festival in Mio on Friday, June 12th. Thanks for thinking of me for this Craig! Looking forward to a fantastic summer full of music, fellowship and fun!
Hope to see you soon!
John
March 28, 2009
Home (Momma was a Cross to Bear)
Awhile back I was hitting the “random article” button on Wikipedia (very addictive) and came across a very troubling story. I read it over a few times and saved the link. Maybe someday I’d write a song about it. Recently, I found my notes and began to consider doing just that. More research gave me a few more bits of information and clarified some of the misinformation that was out there. All of which deepened my interest in this incredible story.
As I began to write, it became more challenging. It was daunting to try to write about true events. Especially THESE events. I paused writing a number of times. Sometimes I thought I’d never get it written. Other times I felt I just needed to be sure I got it right. But, in each case, I would come back to it within a day or two… determined to finish it. To me, this was a story that needed to be told (in whatever way I could).
Why write a song about this? I honestly don’t have the answer. Perhaps it’s just my way of trying making some sense out of this sometimes hard to understand world. And if a few more people know about what this family went through, that’s ok by me too.
The Murder of Suesan and Shiela Knorr – Wikipedia Article
Thanks for taking the time,
John
March 16, 2009
Home (Momma was a Cross to Bear)
words and music by John Natiw ©2009
Fire burnin’ down on highway 89
Near the Squaw Creek Bridge
I could see those flames and smell the awful smoke
Comin’ up the ridge
Stopped the car, got out and made my way on down
Not knowin’ what I’d find
First a scarf, some jeans, then the body of a girl
She’d been shot then burned alive
And as I struggled with the smell of gasoline
I wondered who it was could do this kind of thing
Home… x 3
Should be a place of tender lovin’ care
Not a den of pain and fear
Her momma was a Cross to bear
Cardboard coffin layin’ in a little field
Just along the interstate
Sinking feeling as I walked along the weeds
Another mystery of fate
She was curled up in some blankets all alone
Wasn’t nothin’ left
She’d been beat, hog tied stuck in the closet of her room
Three days later, she starved to death
As I staggered at the thought of what I’d seen
I wondered who it was could do this kind of thing
[CHORUS]
They were sisters, livin’ with a curse
Just tryin’ to stay alive
She killed the first in 1984
The next in ‘85
[CHORUS]
Dedicated to the memory of Suesan (d.1984) and Shiela (d.1985) Knorr.
