01/29/2025
"Owosso Musicale Hosts Johnny Z’s 'A Collaboration of Song,'
Bringing Poetry to Life Through Folk Music”
On February 8, 2025, at 2:00 pm, Owosso-based singer-songwriter Johnny Z (Johnny Zawacki) will present “A Collaboration of Song” at Redeemer Lutheran Church 2510 North Michigan 52, Owosso, MI. This unique performance will feature songs from Johnny's latest album, Verses, which is inspired by the poetry of Emily Wilhelmina Jersey. Born in 1861 in Dublin, Ireland, Emily Wilhelmina Jersey emigrated to New York, where she settled in a rural farming community. Her poems reflect the Victorian values of the time and offer a window into the world of farm life in America during the late 19th century. Her works are filled with vivid imagery, capturing both the joys and struggles of life on a farm, as well as themes of family, nature, and religious devotion.
Johnny Z was introduced to Emily’s poetry by her grandson, James Stafford Jersey, who sent him an electronic booklet of her poems. After reading the collection, Johnny was struck by the lyrical beauty of her verses and felt compelled to set them to music. Over the course of a particularly productive week in July 2023, Johnny composed 18 songs based on Emily’s poetry, each rooted in traditional folk music. The result is an album that weaves together Emily's timeless words with Johnny’s evocative melodies, creating a modern interpretation of historical poetry.
The poems that inspired Verses explore a wide range of topics. Emily wrote tender odes to her family pets, reflecting her love for animals, and her poetry often explored themes of nature, rural life, and the simplicity of everyday moments. Some of her poems reflect on the joy of traveling by horse and buggy to the fair, while others offer a loving tribute to her son or a deep sense of religious devotion, particularly to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Emily’s poetry also includes a patriotic anthem written from the perspective of an immigrant, offering a nuanced take on American ideals.
The album Verses was recorded in Johnny Z’s home studio in Owosso, Michigan, where he played all of the instrumentation. For this performance, Johnny will showcase a selection of songs from the album, performing live on acoustic guitar and vocals, accompanied by select tracks from the album for a fuller sound. Johnny’s career, which began in the folk music scene in the late 1960s, has spanned several genres, including rock, pop, jazz, and blues. He has shared the stage with numerous musicians, including Maruga Booker of Weather Report and Peter “Madcat” Ruth, as well as opened for legendary performers like Jerry Lee Lewis and Steve Goodman.
This free event offers a unique opportunity to experience a powerful collaboration of folk music and historical poetry. Whether you are a longtime fan of Johnny Z’s music or new to his work, “A Collaboration of Song” promises to be a memorable exploration of family, history, and the enduring power of music and poetry. The event is open to the public and offers an accessible way to engage with these two art forms in a meaningful way.
