Ernie Payne

**Ernie Payne** (13th April 1945 - 17th September 2007) was an African American musician from Louisiana's Acadia Parish. His family was large and everyone learnt early to pitch in and help with chores and household duties. Their strict, religious, hard - working ethic thought 'music' essential to a quality life, but hardly something to persue as a way to earn a living.

Over the years Ernie has been employed as a songwriter for various publishers, front man for numerous musical entities, co-front man, civil servant, husband (one wife), father (of two). "Somebody singing is my first memory. Music celebrated and music mourned. Everybody in my family loved some kind of music and they shared it with me. My music attempts to carry on that idea of brotherhood and sharing."

Roots orientated, delta blues. comtemporary folk artist Ernie Payne is probably one of the most comfortable players you will ever hear. Trading of easily between guitar and dobro, his command of the various rhythms and instruments is impressive.

At the core of almost every song are Payne's vocals which are extremely strong, yet soothing. He can sing songs that tear at your heart, nailing the feel of each tune so well, that you instantly know the meaning, without knowing the words. The stories told in the songs are intimate and visual and as he is singing he makes the listener feel as if he is talking to them personally, directly and one on one.

Ernie's debut CD (Coercion Street) was released on Black and Tan Records in April 2004. The record is being played all over the world and was picked up by Andy Kershaw (BBC Radio 3). It got rave reviews in among other BLUES WAX and BLUES REVUE.

During his first European tour in August/ September 2004 Ernie visited Holland, France, Ireland, Belgium and the UK.

## Links to Kershaw

Kershaw discovered the singer via an obscure record label in Holland who sent him his debut album CD in the spring of 2004. He played tracks from Payne's album, Coercion Street and impressed by the singer, he invited the artist to do a session for his BBC Radio Three shows in 2004 and 2005.

Kershaw mentioned on his Andy Kershaw Podcast Episode 6 show that Ernie Payne died after completing a tour with Robert Plant and said that the Led Zeppelin singer discovered Ernie on his BBC Radio Three show and asked him to be the support act of his next tour.

## Sessions

1. Recorded: 2004-09-19. First Broadcast: 19 September 2004

* Ancient Eyes / Curse Of Hamm / Mother's Uncle / Family Relations

2. Recorded: 2005-05-08. First Broadcast: 08 May 2005

* Untitled / Mother's Uncle / Withered & Died / Fingerprint Blues

## Other Shows Played

2004
* 16 May 2004: Mother's Uncle (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 23 May 2004: Curse Of Hamm (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 30 May 2004: Coercion Street (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 30 May 2004: Ancient Eyes (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 06 June 2004: Mother's Uncle (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 27 June 2004: Curse Of Hamm (CD - Coercion Street) Black And Tan
* 08 August 2004: Nothing Wrong With Texas (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 15 August 2004: Mother’s Uncle (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 12 September 2004: Family Relations (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 03 October 2004: Mother's Uncle (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 10 October 2004: Coercion Street (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 28 November 2004: The Curse Of Hamm (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan

2005
* 27 February 2005: Mother's Uncle (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 10 April 2005: Mother's Uncle; Curse of Hamm (session)
* 24 April 2005: Mother's Uncle (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 01 May 2005: Mother's Uncle (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 19 June 2005: Coercion Street (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 23 October 2005: Pissing In The Wind (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 13 November 2005: Family Relations (CD - Coercion Street) Black & Tan

2007
* 12 March 2007: Curse Of Hamm (album - Coercion Street) Black & Tan
* 02 April 2007: Curse Of Hamm (album - Coercion Street) Black & Tan

2021
* Andy Kershaw Podcast Episode 6: Curse Of Hamm (album - Coercion Street) Black & Tan

## External Links

* Discogs
* Official Website