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It was almost 10 years ago Beth and I lived in Clarence 2 miles from Penny Lane, a bar run by Ann and Angel Valby that focused on local, mostly original music.
We were regulars.
One day as I perused the listings of bands booked by Adrian Ziolkowski, I saw “Tonemah”.
I Googled and went down a rabbit hole.
Darryl Tonemah is Kiowa/Comanche/Tuscarora and grew up on the Standing Rock Reservation in the Dakotas before finding his way to Niagara County.
We went to see him that night, and several times since. Much of his musical experience came from outside our region. He had already recorded 6 CDs before we met him. A 7th came shortly after. His most recent CD, “Cardinal” will be available at an album release at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Lewiston Opera Hall. Tonemah renovated the upstairs performance space last year.
As accomplished as he is as a musician, Tonemah is also a prominent indigenous voice and expert on trauma with a Ph.D. in counseling psychology and cultural studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a master degree in community counseling and bachelors in psychology, sociology and gerontology. If you are still counting at home that is 5 degrees.
Ray Berry of Youngstown promotes Tonemah and sent a press release about Cardinal.
It is reproduced below:
“Some albums are more than just a collection of songs—they are a window into the artist’s soul, a reflection of their life’s journey, and a testament to their story. CARDINAL is one of those albums.
“Tonemah, the Native American Music Award Winner, and Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame Inductee presents his most personal and compelling work to date. Describing his latest project, Tonemah says, “This new record took a lifetime to live and a few years to write and to record! It was pared down to how I want to present these stories to the listener. It was a labor of love.”
“CARDINAL is not your typical album. It’s a musical memoir—a chronicle of Tonemah's journey through love, loss, joy, pain, and redemption. He doesn’t shy away from the dark and difficult moments but also finds space to celebrate the light and beauty that life brings. His storytelling is raw, honest, and deeply emotional. This is not music created for the sake of it; this is music born from necessity—a way for Tonemah to share his experiences in the most authentic way possible.
“With 9 tracks, CARDINAL offers a diverse range of stories, each encapsulating a different chapter of Tonemah’s life. He sings of the MMIW Epidemic in “Sleep Well”, loss of loved ones in “Moon”, and “Both Sides of Leaves”, and tells deeply personal stories in “The Missouri” and “At Sundown. Each song is its’ own journey. The songs are now available on all streaming platforms. Fans can expect to be captivated by Tonemah’s intimate songwriting and powerful vocals, which invite listeners to reflect on their own journeys.
“CARDINAL doesn’t blink—it stares directly at the truth and invites you to connect, feel, and experience life alongside the artist.
“Follow Tonemah on social media for behind-the-scenes insights and updates. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover one of the most authentic and original voices in music today.
