Verdell Primeaux & Johnny Mike, known professionally as Primeaux & Mike, stand as pivotal figures in the realm of Native American Church music. Their harmonious chants, deeply rooted in tradition yet innovative in their approach, have resonated with audiences worldwide, garnering critical acclaim and solidifying their legacy as significant contributors to the preservation and evolution of Native American musical heritage. This article explores the journey, artistry, and cultural impact of this celebrated duo, Verdell Primeaux & Johnny Mike.
Primeaux & Mike are celebrated for their dedication to Native American Church and Peyote songs. This genre, integral to the religious practices of many Native American tribes, involves the use of peyote, a small, spineless cactus with psychoactive alkaloids. The songs are often performed during all-night ceremonies, serving as a conduit for prayer, healing, and spiritual connection. The duo’s commitment to this sacred tradition has not only preserved these ancient melodies but has also introduced them to a wider audience, fostering understanding and appreciation for Native American spirituality.
Their contribution to Native American music reached a pinnacle in 2002 when their album Bless the People was awarded the Grammy for Best Native American Album. This prestigious award, coupled with the Nammy (Native American Music Award) for Best Traditional Recording, marked a significant milestone, bringing Native American music into the mainstream spotlight and acknowledging the profound artistic merit of Primeaux & Mike’s work. The album itself is a testament to their artistry, featuring a collection of harmonized Peyote songs that are both deeply moving and spiritually uplifting.
The Individual Voices: Verdell Primeaux
Verdell Primeaux, one half of the acclaimed duo, brings a rich and diverse heritage to the musical partnership. Born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, he carries the bloodlines of the Oglalla/Dakota (Yankton) Sioux and Ponca nations. This lineage connects him to the Seven Council Fires of the Lakota, a confederation of seven Sioux tribes, and the Eagle Clan of the Ponca Nation, each with their distinct traditions and cultural significance.
His maternal lineage further underscores his deep connection to Native American history and leadership. Verdell’s mother, Delores Arapahoe, an Oglalla Lakota, is a descendant of renowned chiefs Many Horses, Red Cloud, and Crazy Horse. These historical figures played crucial roles in resisting westward expansion and defending Native American sovereignty, their legacies serving as a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of the Lakota people.
Born in 1966, Verdell Primeaux’s life has been interwoven with the sounds and traditions of Native American music from a young age. He is the son of the noted Peyote singer Francis Primeaux Senior and the grandson of Harry Primeaux, both respected figures in the Native American music community. This familial connection provided him with a unique apprenticeship, immersing him in the intricacies of Peyote songs and the cultural context in which they are performed.
Today, Verdell Primeaux resides in Tuba City, Arizona, with his wife and children, continuing to carry on the musical legacy passed down through generations. His personal journey is marked by a profound experience of healing, which has deeply influenced his approach to music and spirituality.
As an infant, Verdell was diagnosed with a severe combination of spinal meningitis and yellow meningitis, a life-threatening condition that cast a shadow over his early days. In a desperate attempt to save his son, Francis Primeaux Sr. embarked on a perilous journey to Texas, where he harvested peyote. At the time, possession of peyote was illegal, even for religious purposes, highlighting the challenges faced by Native Americans in practicing their traditional ceremonies. With the help of Amanda Cardenas and her family, he acquired the sacred medicine and returned home. Through fervent prayer and the healing songs of the Native American Church, Verdell’s illness was miraculously cured.
This experience profoundly shaped Verdell Primeaux’s worldview, solidifying his belief in the healing power of God and Peyote. He considers himself a living testament to this power, dedicating his life to sharing the spiritual and therapeutic benefits of Native American Church music.
Verdell’s musical upbringing was further enriched by his family’s prominence in the Native American music scene. His grandfather, the late Harry Primeaux, and his father, the late Chief Francis Primeaux Sr., were both well-known recording artists, contributing significantly to the preservation and dissemination of Native American musical traditions.
At the tender age of two, Verdell received Holy Baptism, performed by his great-grandfather, Solomon Red Bear, Sr., further grounding him in the spiritual foundations of his heritage. By the age of five, he began singing and learning the Lakota culture and traditions, immersing himself in the language, stories, and ceremonies that define his identity.
By thirteen, Verdell had already recorded four albums with his father, gaining invaluable experience in the recording studio and honing his musical skills. At sixteen, he began composing his own lyrics and rhythms, demonstrating his burgeoning creativity and a desire to contribute his unique voice to the tradition.
The Harmonic Complement: Johnny Mike
Johnny Mike, the other half of the duo Verdell Primeaux & Johnny Mike, brings his own distinct cultural background and musical talent to the partnership. He is a Dine (Navajo) from Kitsili, Black Mesa, Arizona, representing the Near the Water People clan on his mother’s side and the Salt Clan on his father’s side. This intricate clan system is central to Navajo identity, defining kinship relationships and social responsibilities.
Johnny Mike resides in Chinle, Arizona, and is the father of two children, Rachael and Shane. Like Verdell Primeaux, Johnny Mike’s family has a long and deep connection to the Native American Church. His grandfathers and grandmothers were among the first to embrace peyote within the Navajo Nation, a time when the practice was often met with resistance and even legal repercussions. Their courage and commitment to their faith paved the way for future generations to practice their traditions freely.
The "Two in One" Sound
Together, Verdell Primeaux & Johnny Mike pioneered a distinctive style known as "Two in One" music. This innovative approach involves performing Peyote melodies and harmonies without the traditional accompaniment of drums or rattles. This stripped-down approach allows the purity of the voices and the spiritual essence of the songs to shine through, creating an intimate and deeply moving listening experience.
This unique sound caught the attention of Robbie Robertson, the renowned musician and songwriter, who invited Verdell and Johnny to be featured guest artists on his Capitol Records production, Contact From The Underworld Of Redboy. This collaboration exposed their music to a broader audience and further solidified their reputation as innovative and influential artists.
Recognition and Legacy
Verdell Primeaux & Johnny Mike‘s contributions to Native American music have been widely recognized and celebrated. Beyond their Grammy and Nammy awards, their fourth recording, Walk in Beauty, was a finalist for a 1996 NAIRD India Award, and their sixth recording, Sacred Path, was a finalist for a 1998 AFIM Indie Award. Their seventh recording, Peyote Songs of the Native American Church, won the 1998 New Age Voice Music Award for Traditional Native American Music and the 1998 Native American Music Awards for Best Traditional Music. Gathering of Voices was a 1999 finalist for an AFIM Indie Award.
Verdell Primeaux’s individual accomplishments are equally impressive. He has contributed to 41 Native American Church albums and 4 Native rock & roll records, reaching audiences around the world. He is a two-time Grammy winner, multiple Nammy Winner, and AFIM award winner, as well as an NHRD IND award winner.
An accomplished singer/songwriter, Verdell is now pursuing & writing music in the classical realm for all people of the world. Other credits under his accomplishments include co-production of the Robbie Robertson Project of VH1, MTV and numerous sync licensings for major motion pictures. Verdell is also a Native Ambassador traveling worldwide supporting & addressing Native issues & concerns.
Through their dedication to preserving and innovating within the realm of Native American Church music, Verdell Primeaux & Johnny Mike have left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape. Their music serves as a testament to the power of tradition, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring beauty of Native American spirituality. Their legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians and listeners alike.