May Your Memory Be Eternal

I Met Tazia Rochelle May when she was 14 at church summer camp. I was 19. She had a spark of life in her. A few years later, when our paths crossed again she was 16, full of rock n’ roll energy and teen angst. I wrote Come To The Mountain, Long Division, and T.M.S. (Tazia May Song) about and for her. We stayed in touch over the years. Sadly she died last week. When I heard she passed this song met my tears. Tazia you will be missed. May Your Memory Be Eternal May your memory be eternal* may your future be your best May the pain that you’ve suffered cause you no further distress May the God of “Our Father”* put your demons to rest May love replace longing, may you be fully blessed May you have a light in the darkest of times (x2) May your memory be eternal please know we miss you May the peace you were seeking, no longer elude May the God of “Our Father” surround and undo The damages of this life, May you know be renewed May you have a light in the darkness In the loneliest of times When all …

Hands Held Together

Hands Held Together by Good Saint Nathanael. This is my first “new songs” since Hide No Truth. Film via Social Distancing in Kansas City, MO’s Swope Park as an entry in the NPR Tiny Desk Contest. You can purchase the track on bandcamp. Video by Kerry Burrow http://www.kerryburrowphotography.com Audio Capture by Two Hue Creative http://www.twohuecreative.com Pink Painted Tree by Dylan Mortimer http://www.dylanmortimer.com/ https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2018-08-17/for-one-kansas-city-artist-open-spaces-means-extra-room-to-breathe Notes about the new song and video: Tessa only agreed to let me film this if we were outside, socially distancing. As parents, it’s been particularly hard to explain why we can’t go to playgrounds because of coronavirus. Rest assured, this is not just about going out to swing but rather about loss & connection. Some songs take years to develop. This is one of them. 2015. I wrote some of these lines. 2018. I took the track to a songwriting panel at Folk Alliance International where Tom Paxton and others have me critical feedback. 2020. The song returned around January when I was contemplating my core motivations as a musician. Lastly, the chorus tumbled out after a therapy session right before covid19 swept the nation. Life and limb I’d give for a friend I’d take a …

In Memory

In Memory from Nate Allen on Vimeo. For my Uncle Ron. May you Rest in Peace. Ronald LeRoy McKinnis died August 8, 2014 in Springfield, Oregon at the age of 67. He was born February 19, 1947 in Eugene to L. B. and Charlotte (Rardin) McKinnis. He went to Oakridge High School and Eugene Bible College. He married Jane on September 15, 1973 in Rogue River, Oregon and was married for 41 years. They had a son Rick and a daughter Robin. Ronald was in the army and worked as an auto mechanic, a police officer and hobby machinist. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and was a slot car enthusiast. Ronald is survived by his wife Jane, son, Rick McKinnis and daughter Robin(McKinnis) Brey and a sister Shirley Sehorn of Eugene, three grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren A Memorial Service will be on Friday, August 15, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Lane Memorial Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to Lane Memorial Funeral Home.