I grew up in the musical world of Detroit and I’ve been writing about it most of my life. p
Here are stories I’ve written on the web, over the last dozen years, new, true chronicles of music, life and labor – and the lack therof- in the formerly Motor City.
P
Here, you’ll find mature, thoughtful observations of life in Detroit – from a Grown Black Woman.
P
I have a unique view of America’s economic and musical explosion of the last half of the 20th century. I wasn’t literally born in a record shop, but I might as well have been, growing up as I did, the daughter of a legendary pre-Motown record producer, Joe Von Battle, and working and playing in his records shops all of my life.
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I grew up during the lush, green days of Highland Park, a city within the city of Detroit, studying classical music and literature.
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However, I spent a good part of my life around my father’s Hastings Street and 12th Street record shops, witness to the intense “street life”, and the excitement of music and life in the tumultuous 1960’s.
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I grew up with a hyper-awareness of music and a lover of many genres, exposed, as I was, to such an unusual amount of music. I was immersed in the blues, soul and gospel of my father’s record shops, laboratories of meter and song; places where bluesmen had a “taste”, smoked cigarettes and cut a record or two before long. The musicality of it all is deep in my bones.
P
As the music of my surroundings began to morph into my own tastes, I spent my young years loving the Beatles and the new sounds, my teens knee-deep in Motown, Soul and R&B, my twenties in the Album-Rock/FM radio world, and later, I lived the Jazz Life.
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Through it all, I’ve had a love and a critical ear for the ”Old School” (and sometimes, a hankering for Opera). Today - Signed, Sealed, Saved and Delivered - my ear is turned towards Gospel.
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I’m a witness to the present economic contraction, and its profound effects on urban – and suburban – life. In addition to my writing on culture and music, I’ve been an activist, labor leader, and speaker - from Birmingham to Bryn Mawr, radio to HBO. Today, I work, pursue Bibical studies and enjoy the ample offerings of the arts, here in Detroit.
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Welcome, and please come back to this place where I’ll tell more of my true stories; writing from Detroit in transition, one of the unique cities in the world.
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Live from Detroit,
Marsha Cusic aka Marsha Music
Photos:
1. Marsha Cusic, aka Marsha Music – Detroit
2. Marsha and Dad, Joe Von Battle, in the back studio of the Hasting Street Shop,
3. Marsha in the doorway of the Hastings Street Shop, circa 1960
4. Marsha and The Thinker, by Rodin in front of the Detroit Institute of Arts. My father always called me “The Thinker”, when we rode past the statue on the way to the Record Shop.
5.. On the tip of Belle Isle, Detroit’s famous island park in the Detroit River between Detroit and Canada. Across the water is the Detroit shoreline and skyline and in the background, past Downtown the Ambassador Bridge to Canada.
6. Marsha at Home in the D
Please do not re-post, reproduce or use content from Marsha Music, without my express permission – but feel free to ask!
SEE LIST AT RIGHT SIDE-BAR FOR FEATURE ARTICLE:
REQUIEM OF A RECORD SHOP MAN
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Please Comment or question below:
{Comments meant for my eyes only will not be posted, just let me know}
I grew up in the musical world of Detroit and I’ve been writing about it most of my life. 
January 9, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Marsha,
I linked to your Elvis piece. I hope you got my message. Please email me.
Thanks,
Hairy Larry
January 11, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I recently came across this blog and I find all the content to be informative, intelligent and most cogent.
January 11, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Thank you Alan, for visiting Marsha Music and for posting such positive comments.
I am making every effort to post content that is worthy of your words.
Keep coming back as I post more about music and Detroit.
Marsha
January 14, 2009 at 6:01 am
Marsha,
I really enjoyed the Elvis article and I linked to it from my website, Delta Boogie. Please send me an email.
Thanks,
Hairy Larry
hairylarry@deltaboogie.com
January 25, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Dear Thinker-woman,
Your website is intelligent, thought-provoking, and beautiful, like you.
January 27, 2009 at 1:09 am
Larry,
Thank you for stopping in and enjoying the Elvis piece. I’ll email you asap.
Marsha
January 27, 2009 at 1:12 am
Tumerica,
Thank for the kind words; I hope to live up to them as I continue this sweet work of writing.
Marsha
August 26, 2009 at 8:06 am
You have a fantastic blog!
Most interesting story. I am a Dutch writer, could you please e mail me?
Leo
October 23, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Hi Marsha,
just now checking out your blog — thanks a lot! anybody from Detroit knows how important music is, and how great Detroit music can be!!!!
cheers, -ig
October 26, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Wow, what a wonderful collection. This is important stuff and I am very glad to have come across it. Marsha, you may remember me from 35 years ago from some classes we attended together. I still have BoBo Jenkins’ photograph on my office wall. I now own a printing company and play a little music from time to time with some 80 year old swing musicians.
October 30, 2009 at 7:57 pm
I love the blog, Honey Marsha! And I love you and The Thinker face to face. I think he’s saying: “This woman has alot to say!”
January 1, 2010 at 8:07 pm
HI LYNN, THE WORLD NEEDS TO HEAR YOU SPEAK. YOU ARE A TRUE LEADER AND MENTOR. HAPPY NEW YEAR LOVE DERRICK
January 13, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Thanks Derrick – I know that must be you! John! Thanks!
January 13, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Hi Honey Marti! Thanks for your kind words. The Thinker is one of my Favorite Things in the D!
March 3, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Tomorrow we reposting a portion of your blog post on your father’s record store. What a wonderful history. We think this is a marvelous contribution, we thank you for all your wonderful work.
The Folk at theblackbottom.com
April 9, 2010 at 1:18 am
Marsha!
Your writing creates a journey! It’s fresh, exciting and makes me want to know more about your life whose soundtrack was the music of Detroit.
Hilda
April 9, 2010 at 7:25 pm
I love the new look of the blog and the ever changing look of its author!
July 28, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Lynn! Nice website!
July 28, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Your blog is beautiful!
September 10, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Thanks; yes I have seen your site and the posting, and I thank you for your attention to Joe Von Battle’s Story.
December 18, 2010 at 10:11 pm
Great site! I will continue to visit.
March 30, 2011 at 2:10 am
this is MASTA TEACHA shizz!!!
April 6, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Thanks Sista Crown! I appreciate your youthful kudos!