Michael and Joanne in the Hondo Mesa Record Studio Syracuse, New York
Video directed by David Coryell
Edited by Tuan Le
Hondo Mesa Records presents "Bitter Tears Sacred Ground," an album honoring Johnny Cash, Floyd Red Crow Westerman and Peter LaFarge and featuring Joanne Shenandoah and Michael Bucher.
"Joanne Shenandoah and Michael Bucher speak from their hearts on 'Bitter Tears -- Sacred Ground’…They've constructed a proud and noble collection…The sounds of their voices and guitars are striking...Shenandoah sings 'The Star Spangled Banner' gloriously a cappella, one voice, soaring…And the CD closes with 'America,' gorgeously written and sung by Shenandoah..."
Mark Bialczak, Music Critic
The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)
February 1, 2009
Management Rep & Public Relations by:
Karla LaRive | PK PRODUCTIONS
Post Office Box 752, Hot Springs South Dakota 57747 USA
On The Net: PK Productions LLC
Influences
Buddy Red Bow, Buffy Saint Marie, Joanne Shenandoah, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, John Trudell, Bill Miller
MICHAEL BUCHER (Artist) is a Cherokee singer-songwriter who was taught from the beginning of his memory the stories, language and legends of his people. His songs are intended to teach, heal and bring an awareness to everyone who hears them. He sings about topics that are important to him and others in Indian Country. From the desecration of sacred sites, to Cherokee legends, to the sometimes seemingly Invisible Indian, there's a passionate quality throughout. With strong vocals and heartfelt lyrics, his music is a blend of acoustic guitar, native and a contemporary drum, flute, shakers, rattles, bass and electric guitars, and cuts a swath through native folk, blues and rock.
MICHAEL BUCHER IICOC Artist of the Month March 2009
..
Michael Bucher writes in his own words....
Photo by KR LaRive 2008
"If this music helps one person to survive, to heal, or helps them on their way to wellbriety, it is all worth the effort. If it helps one person realize they do have a voice and can help stop the desecration, it did what it was intended. If it helps one person understand everyone of us makes mistakes, but it's never to late to return to our center, and in a good way, enjoy the journey we're on, it is complete.
I came from a musical family where almost everyone was self taught. I grew up listening to Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn and all the popular country music artists of the day. As a teenager my musical tastes expanded to include Rock, Blues, and R&B.
By my early twenties I started writing my own songs and through the years have refined my style and approach to music. My influences and inspirations are broad and varied, but some of who include Buddy Red Bow, Johnny Cash, Buffy St.Marie, Neil Young and Bill Miller.
One of my favorite hobbies is Native style drum making. I made my first drum when I was eight years old with the help of my grandmother. Years later I came back to Native drums and now make hand drums and old pow-wow style drums, which are logs that I hollow out and lace various types of rawhide heads to. The Native drum that you hear on this CD, Seven, was made by me. My feelings for the drum are strong. The tree is a gift from the Creator. It is part of the balance and stays true to it's purpose. The drum is a sacred vessel that should not to be mistreated or disrespected. It is the heartbeat of the people."
DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME
from
musicseenPROductions (2008)
2007 and 2008 Native American Music Awards nominee Michael Bucher films his latest music video, DON’T FORGET ABOUT ME at the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, Hot Springs, South Dakota.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT ME was produced and filmed in association by 2007 and 2008 Native American Music Awards nominees (Best Short Form Music Video) Producer, Karla LaRive of PK Productions (South Dakota) and Director/Editor, Christopher Crosby of musicseenPROductions (New York).
This is the third indigenous music video from PK Productions which features additional vocals by Grammy Award and 12 time Native American Music Awards winner, Joanne Shenandoah. Re-enactor performances by Paula Tonemah and Krista K. Knapp.
The music video was shot on location at the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary’s petrogylph site, Badlands National Park, Wounded Knee Memorial, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota along with other regional locations in July 2008.
“The music video deals with the protection of Native burial grounds, Native grave sites and sacred sites. I try to tell people you wouldn’t want your grandmother’s grave dug up…nor do American Indian people. And, yet, it happens every day in Indian Country” says Michael Bucher.
The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary is the largest private non-profit wild horse sanctuary in northern America and has been in continuous operation since 1988. It is home to over 500 wild mustangs plus several film and television projects. Additional productions filmed on location at the Sanctuary are; Touchstone Pictures, HIDALGO; TNT made-for television movie, CRAZY HORSE; and Sean Penn’s INTO THE WILD.
On Location in Western South Dakota for Don't Forget About Me
photo by KR LaRive and C Crosby 2008
DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME
Lyrics and Music by Michael Bucher
I'm the one who has painted on the rock in the desert sun, I'm the one was buried with the small pox blanket on the run, I'm the one who built my burial ground for all to see never dreaming that the grave robbers prize would be me.
(Chorus) Don't forget about me I'm the voice singing in your head. Don't forget about me I told the stories that you have. Don't forget about me take notice of all they do if they do it to me who's to say they won't do it to you.
I'm the one with my heart buried at Wounded Knee, I'm the one who was tossed in the ditch of the Trail of Tears, I'm the one who was buried with my medicine bag in my hand, now my medicine bag is on some collector's stand - don't forget about me - don't forget about me.
I'm the one who has seen all the genocide first hand, they couldn't cheat me fast enough take what I had now, they built their trophy houses right on top of my grave, if they have no honor, than they have no shame. (Chorus)
MICHAEL BUCHER DIRTY WATER
A tribute Music Video to Bear Butte Mountain, South Dakota 2008
Nominated for 2008
"Best Short Form Music Video/DVD"
10th Annual Native American Music Awards October 4th, 2008 Seneca Niagara Hotel and Casino Niagara Falls, NY
"Michael Bucher delivers a straight forward message...Dirty Water is a compelling video...."
Vincent Schilling, Correspondent INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY
PK PRODUCTIONS, LLC Michael Bucher, and musicseenPROductions nominated for a 2008 Native American Music Awards for "Best Short Form Video/DVD" for DIRTY WATER, a tribute to Bear Butte Mountain, South Dakota.
DIRTY WATER is written and performed by (2007) NAMA nominated "Best Debut Artist" and "Best Folk Recording" Native American acoustic singer/songwriter Michael Bucher and produced in association with Christopher Crosby - musicseenPROductions (Videographer/Editor)
and Karla LaRive (Producer) of PK Productions, LLC; (2007) NAMA nominees for "Best Short Form Music Video/DVD" for Native Hip Hop Artist/Activist, Shadowyze BUMPY ROADS.
THE MUSIC VIDEO
DIRTY WATER is a tribute video about the spiritual battle of Mato Paha - Bear Butte Mountain, being threatened by the encroachment of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, South Dakota.
On the Northeastern edge of the Black Hills, just a few miles from the small town of Sturgis, off Highway 34, lies one of the most sacred mountains to the Plains Indians from the United States and Canada.
Up to 60 different tribes traveled to Bear Butte to fast and pray. Separated by about 8 miles of prairie from the greater Black Hills, which are also considered sacred by these same nations of people, Bear Butte looks like a sleeping bear lying on its side with its head pointed toward the northeast. Geologists call Bear Butte a laccolith, or a bubble of magma that did not become a complete volcano.
All the tribes of the Sioux people: Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota, came to Bear Butte to pray. The months of May, June, and July will see families camped at the base while a relative is standing on the side of the mountain fasting in deep meditation. Small colored pieces of cloth containing pinches of tobacco are wrapped around trees and bushes as prayer gifts to the Creator. Larger flags of red, white, black, or yellow, the sacred colors, also are tied to trees to carry the prayers to all the directions.
Bear Butte, the mountain proper, is currently a National Historic Landmark managed by the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department. Although a few parcels of adjacent land have been purchased by some Native American nations, the rest of the surrounding area is ranchland, or is being sold to developers. Two drag racing strips, biker bars, a convenience store, campgrounds, and housing developments are all located within a few miles of this sacred place.
The tribute music video was shot on-location during the 2007 Sturgis Rally in the Black Hills, South Dakota including: Bear Butte Mountain State Park; City of Sturgis; Fort Meade National Cemetery; Reddy Ranch/Wounded Knee; Oglala Nation Pow-Wow/Pine Ridge Reservation; Hartman Ranch/Oelrichs, South Dakota and, Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel, New York.
“The music video deals with the protection of Native burial grounds, Native grave sites and sacred sites. I try to tell people you wouldn’t want your grandmother’s grave dug up…nor do American Indian people. And, yet, it happens every day in Indian Country”
Hey Michael, Good to hear from you! Sounds like you're doing well. Congrats to you too on your ISMA Nomination! Best of luck to you. Keep the music alive! -Jonny L.
Michael - Congratulations on your Indian Summer Music Award nomination for Best Folk Album, Bitter Tears Sacred Ground. We are very happy and excited, Many blessings, Karla
been that way a long time..cant wait to hear the new one........hey go and check out my blog injustice...i emailed russ means,and aim...........but no response..............
Osiyo, Michael Just stopping in to share my video with you and hope everything is going well for you. I've really enjoyed your videos and music!Have a wonderful week brother! Blessings~~
A piece of Waikiki serenity I wanted to share with you. I captured this pic while we were there in April. May your every day be filled with joy! Appearing Day
Thank you so much for honoring us with your precious friendship.... We hope your evening is blessed with Love and that the adventures of your Life feel like a ride on the mystery train of Pure Joy.....Thanks again !!
You've got some great music and a great page here! Thanks for your friendship, and welcome aboard the Redline ship. Looking forward to sharing the journey ahead with you. Take Care, and thanks again. Peace,
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