Ernie Payne

1945 - 2007




Ernie Payne passed away on September 17, 2007 in Los Angeles. This is a great loss to his family and friends. He would not want me to ramble on about him so I won't. What Ernie Payne was all about can be found in his music.

"anything you want to know about me is in my music"
-EP

---

I was born on coercion street
rocks and bottles and fists and feet
ruled the path I daily climbed
all up-hill, all of the time
my folks were poor folks who did all they could
to stand on that righteous rock where Moses stood
and I memorized every word
but noise is all I think I heard
barstool, church pew, a handshake, a clenched fist
I made my choices aware of the risk
street muscle, blues shuffle
honed into skills
came in real handy climbing that hill
and each step shortened taht climb
'till I found the voice that was mine
each man is shaped by his deeds
I survived coercion street

-ernie payne


www.erniepayne.com