< >Louie Gonnie
Diné songmaker Louie Gonnie channels the power of prayer and tradition into songs that evoke the mystical blessings of the Peyote ceremony. This is the sound of a dream.
Branson Emerson Gorman, Dine, assists in drumming and singing harmony. All the songs were composed by Gonnie and the two men collaborated on the arrangements.
Ancestry: Native American
Genre: Peyote
Albums
Awards, Nominations & Submissions
| 2010 | Best Peyote CD | Rhythms Within a Turqoise Dream | Nominee |
Biography
My name is Louie Gonnie. I am a Zuni descendant, Tábaahí (Edge Water Clan), born for the Tl'aashchí'í (Red Streak Under Eye) clan. My maternal clan in the Todíich'íi'nii (Bitter Water People) and my paternal clan is the Nát'oh Dine'é Táchii'nii (Tobacco People/Red Streak Running in the Water Clan). I was born in the Diné (Navajo) Nation at a place called Antelope Springs. Singing by the age of five under the guidance of my father and uncles, I was taught to respect my elders and healing ways of my people. A major influence in my life is my grandfather, Haastíín Gonnie, a noted medicine man, for his never ending devotion to humanity. It is his teaching that guide me on this journey through life. The prayer is my canvas and the songs represent the colors that become my art.
In addition to expressing myself through music, I also paint, draw, and write. I enjoy capturing moments in nature, wildlife, and culture using a variety of mediums: oil, acrylic, pastel, pencil, and ink. There are many expressions in life in an ever flowing stream of fine artists.
