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Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2009 > July > 08 > Entry
Goudie ‘eternally grateful’ for arrest in mother’s murder
Austin musician Johnny Goudie never talked about it. Only his closest friends were aware that his mother, Natalie Antonetti, was beaten to death at their home in Barton Hills in Oct. 1985, when Goudie was 16.
And now, more than 23 years later, a suspect has finally been arrested. Antonetti’s ex-boyfriend Dennis Davis, who owned a recording studio on South Lamar Blvd. in the ’80s, was charged with murder July 2 in Nashville. He’s currently in Tennessee waiting extradition.
Miami native Goudie, who first made a name in the Austin music scene as the leader of popular Steamboat band Mr. Rocket Baby in the early ’90s, said he’s “eternally grateful to Detective (Tom) Walsh,” who reopened the case in 2007 after an anonymous tip led detectives to Antonetti’s jilted ex. The new information which led a Travis County grand jury to indict Davis on June 30 has not been made public.
“How would you feel after 23 years, dude?” Goudie said when asked for a reaction to the arrest. “I’m elated. You can imagine that part of your life is an open wound when something like this happens to your mother. I feel like it’s closing up.”
Goudie currently fronts the Little Champions and plays in the ’70s/ ’80s cover band Skyrocket!
Studio D hosted recording sessions by such Austin acts as the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Toni Price. “He was just Dennis, the guy who owned the studio,” said guitarist Charlie Sexton, who played on the Price sessions. “I knew him, but I didn’t know him.”
Goudie said he saw his mother before the ambulance arrived, but did not want to talk about the incident. Antonetti died 18 days after the attack.
Davis sold Studio D in the early 1990s and moved to Nashville. He was interviewed after the murder, but was not considered a suspect, when the Austin Police Department closed the case 20 years ago.
“I would’ve never guessed that Dennis could’ve been capable of something like this,” said producer/ studio owner Stuart Sullivan, who worked at Studio D on several projects. “He was a pretty mellow guy, though he was somewhat disorganized. He never seemed to be looking too far into the future- he was always thinking short term- and in retrospect that may have been because he had this hanging over his head.”
Here’s more on the story from the Statesman’s Metro section.
Comments
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By RAYMOND
July 9, 2009 1:08 AM | Link to this
Let it be known I said this Johnny has a film and a book inside of him, he is truly a beautiful person, I love you bro…raymond. I have known Johnny about 5 years now at first you will know him by showing him love and to have him in your life is so beautiful. We collaborated and did a fundraiser for the Capital Area Food Bank by doing a live concert with Exile to Naples, Chris Gates and Gatesville and Johnny Goudie. The music was the best and the evening a success. We did this at Hooters on Riverside during Christmas time 2006 to a packed house, unbelievable. I want to hear from the Rest of you who know him.
By Dee
July 9, 2009 9:19 AM | Link to this
I hope they are able to find justice and help this family heal finally. It’s difficult to live your best life with something like this hanging over you all the time.
By Britt S.
July 9, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this
I’m so happy for Johnny and glad that Det. Walsh didn’t let this case go unsolved.
By M Price
July 9, 2009 1:40 PM | Link to this
It is never fair to assume a person’s guilt based solely on an arrest. I pray that the real killer is found and that an innocent person is not convicted in a public arena before having even one day in court.
By Jason
July 9, 2009 1:45 PM | Link to this
You have know idea what this means to me. Johnny has been a close friend of mine for over 30 years. Played soccer together, hung out, drank, played music, general youthful mayhem. He was the reason that I started coming to Austin in the late 80’s and eventually moving here. We dont see each other as much as we used to but, whenever I do, I love every minute of it. Saw him a couple of weeks ago and had a blast. I knew his mom although I was a teenager but, I remember this beautiful long haired woman at soccer games yelling and screaming for Johnny to do well. She was a really sweet person and I remember all too well when she died. It was awful coupled with the fact that they never arrested anyone. Johnny…I love you bro and I hope this helps put it all to rest.
By keiv
July 9, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this
Just wanted to say I love Johnny. This is a long time coming.
By Taylor
July 9, 2009 7:31 PM | Link to this
I love you Johnny!!!
By A.Reed
July 22, 2009 11:58 PM | Link to this
I too would like to see resolution for this family.However, I would say ,that an arrest is hardly the same thing as a conviction or closed case. Since no evidence has yet been presented to a jury,who will have a burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt,we must allow Mr. Davis the presumption of innocence.It seems the Austin Media has overlooked that possibility.I have known Mr. Davis for more than twenty years and while I have no knowledge of the evidence against him,my personal knowledge of his character and the circumstances of the case lead me to believe that the Prosecutor may not have as strong a case as they would like us to believe. A beyond a reasonable doubt kind of case.I know the Police care very much about solving cold cases,and I respect their dedication to the victim’s families.I hope in their sincere desire to close this case at last that a mistake is not made that could cause an innocent man to lose his life as well.I’m sure Ms. Antonelli wouldn’t want that either.