Poems from Willow Creek
Inside the album
Meet my Papa, L. Joseph Spear.
In 1996, he wrote a book of poetry titled Poems from Willow Creek: a collection of stories and childhood memories growing up on our family farm in Chardon, Ohio.
I didn’t find out about this book until October 16th, 2020 at my brother’s wedding rehearsal dinner. He pulled me aside, sat me down, and began to read one poem after the other.
For the first time in my life, I saw our similarities— not our differences.
We’re both storytellers. We both soothe our suffering through writing. We both think freely and find God in nature. We both care about studying, honoring, and preserving Native American culture.
When he finished reading the poems, we embraced and he left me alone with the book.
I flipped back to the beginning and began to read the Preface. As soon as I read the words…
This attempt, I am sure will have no literary impact on the world!
…a wave of chills washed over me and I burst into tears. I knew I was being called to turn this book of poetry into my next album as a way to honor him.
If I could somehow show him how impactful his words are, I had to try.
Kahrin on Cleveland NPR
“Singer-songwriter Kahrin Spear discovered a new side of her grandfather that would inspire her work on a new album.
Typed on a typewriter and bound loosely together with a paperclip, his “Poems from Willow Creek” reflected upon life growing up on the Geauga County farm the Spear family has owned for three generations. This was a side of her grandfather she knew nothing about.”
- Amanda Rabinowitz, Cleveland NPR
Album Release Show
I love creating worlds for others to heal + play in. To celebrate the release of my sophomore album, Poems from Willow Creek, I curated an immersive concert experience including print photography, super 8 film , up-cycled vintage apparel, hand-painted murals, and willow branches from our family farm.
Photos by Diana Galay Photo
CHAPTER THREE
THE FAMILY FARM
Full circle
Poems from Willow Creek is a collection of stories and cherished memories of my Papa’s childhood growing up on the Willow Creek Farm, The Family Farm.
What an honor to perform the final chapter on the very land it’s written about.
Full performance video coming soon.
CHAPTER TWO
OUR OLD SWING
Watch the full performance of Poems from Willow Creek, CHAPTER 2 at The Shoreway Rooftop
First Look Inside
Before the last song, I shared the meaning behind it. Sharing a bit about my personal journey in asking the questions…
Who am I?
Why am I here?
What am I here to contribute?
CHAPTER ONE
SNOWBOUND
Watch the full performance of “Poems from Willow Creek, CHAPTER ONE” at Lekko Coffee
Scavenger Hunt
I wanted this show to be immersive and interactive. So, while Papa was still in Florida, I went up to his house to dig for old photographs. My hope was to find anything that would enhance the stories within the music. I envisioned them being made into prints and hung around the room like a gallery.
I also wanted each person to receive a Poems from Willow Creek booklet like the one Papa gave me, so I created one to serve as a guide around the room…almost like a scavenger hunt.
Walking Papa through the exhibit and seeing his raw emotion was one of my favorite parts (see video).
Watch me take Papa through the gallery exhibit of his old photographs
Papa’s Remarks
At the end of the show, Papa came up on stage and shared an important lesson for everyone to hear.
Listen to Papa’s important lesson
