A Standing Ovation for Scott George and the Osage Singers and Dancers at the 96th Academy Awards
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ROBBIE ROBERTSON (MOHAWK) AND SCOTT GEORGE (OSAGE) NOMINATED FOR THEIR ORIGINAL SCORES AND SONGS BY THE ACADEMY AWARDS
SCOTT GEORGE TO PERFORM
Indigenous Music Composers Robbie Robertson and Scott George Nominated for their work in Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon
(Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures)
Robbie Robertson (Mohawk), the late singer-songwriter best known for his work with the Band and Bob Dylan, was nominated for an Oscar in the Original Score category for his contributions to
Scott George (Osage) has a made history, becoming the first Native American to land an Oscar nomination for best original song with the Osage Tribal Singers for “Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People),” a celebratory song that soundtracks the film's final scene. Lily Gladstone (Blackfeet/Nimiipuu) who plays Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman married to a key accomplice in the systematic assassination of the Osage people in the 1920s, is also the first Native American nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The 2024 Academy Awards will be presented on March 10th.
RICKEY MEDLOCKE RELEASES SONG DEDICATED TO MMIW
Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynrd and Blackfoot, has released a powerful new single entitled, "Never Run Out Of Road," which is dedicated to supporting the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement. Released on Rock the Cause Records, and distributed by Sony/The Orchard, a portion of proceeds go directly to the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC). Rickey and Rock the Cause aim to sustain change through music while inspiring future generations. The Rickey Medlocke Band is also set to grace the stage for two upcoming and extraordinary shows: Friday, March 1, 2024, Medina Entertainment Center Medina, MN and Saturday, March 2, 2024, Arcada Theatre St. Charles, IL. Join Rickey and his band on an amazing journey of iconic tunes that take his illustrious career full circle and then some! Download and stream the new single, “Never Run Out of Road” now available on all music platforms. Plus, you can help make a difference by spreading awareness on #MMIW. For more info visit https://www.rickeymedlocke.com
KLEE BENALLY PASSES AT AGE 48
It is with great sadness that the Native American Music Awards shared the news of the passing of Klee Jones Benally. Klee Jones Benally was a multiple award winner and multi-talented artist. His family group, Blackfire, which was founded in 1989 in Flagstaff, Arizona along with siblings Jeneda, and Clayson Benally won Best Pop Rock Album in 2002, Group of the Year in 2004, and Record of the Year in 2008. Joey Ramone called their music "Native American fireball punk." Klee’s deep rugged voice and strong lyrics were a featured part of the group as well as on his solo efforts. Blackfire began as a Native American punk rock group performing around the country including NYC’s East Village and then around the world. The musical style of these three siblings was influenced by traditional Navajo Diné music and alternative rock, with political messages about government oppression, sacred sites and human rights. Their mother and momager, Berta, was a folk singer-songwriter of Russian-Polish Jewish descent and their father, Jones Benally, is a traditional Navajo medicine man. In 2012, the members formed the award winning band Sihasin. Sihasin has won three awards including most recently; Debut Group of the Year, Best Rock Recording and Best Producer with Ed Stasium (Ramones, Talking Heads, Motörhead, the Smithereens and Living Colour.) Klee Benally will be remembered as an award winning musician, cultural advocate and land defender. He has passed away at the age of 48. We extend our deepest condolences to the Benally family.
JIMMY PAGE INDUCTS HIS HERO LINK WRAY INTO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME
11/3/2023, Brooklyn, New York - One of the world's greatest guitarists, Jimmy Page, gave a surprise presentation and tribute performance at the 38th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony for his “hero” the legendary guitarist Link Wray (Shawnee). Held at Barclays Center in New York on Friday night, Page's onscreen prerecorded presentaton was followed by a surprise live tribute performance and rendition of Wray's classic instrumental, “Rumble.” This was reportedly Page's first public performance in a decade.
The now 79 year old lead guitarist of Led Zeppelin recalled hearing Wray’s classic instrumental “Rumble” for the first time when he was 14 year's old. Page recalled, “The vigor in it. The strength in it. The power in it. This was something else. It was fearless. It was just phenomenal. It was the essence of cool. Its just a masterpiece that sort of melted its way into the fibers of my body and my consciousness."
Link Wray's eldest children were in attendance, Beth Wray Webb and Link Wray III who met Page after the performance and exchanged their mutual respect and admiration for each other. Beth's two sons, Chris and Tommy are also musicians and coincidentally were also influenced by Page's work in Zeppelin.
The Vigor in it. The Strength in it. The Power in it. .. It’s just a masterpiece that sort of melted its way into the fibers of my body and my consciousness
Jimmy Page on Link Wray's Rumble At the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
JIMMY PAGE'S FULL INDUCTION SPEECH ON LINK WRAY
“I’m really proud and honored to induct Link Wray into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. If ever there was a guitarist to deserve this. If ever there was a guitarist who changed people’s attitude to what they heard, its Link Wray.
I first heard Link Wray’s music by the Rumble and it was when I was 14 years old. It wasn’t necessarily the sort of music that was being played on the BBC radio. But I heard it through a jukebox. The first time I heard it I remember listening to it with such awe because I thought what is this?
In those days there were many guitar instrumentals but as a 14 year old kid barely playing the guitar, it really had an effect on me. The Vigor in it. The Strength in it. The Power in it. There was something else, It was fearless. It was just phenomenal. It’s the essence of cool. It’s just a masterpiece that just sort of melted its way into the fibers of my body and my consciousness, as far as the drama that you can set up with six strings. Its the sort of stuff that can’t be taught. It’s the sort of stuff that you feel and you can take it on board if you like it.
I’m really thrilled and honored to be the one to be able to induct Link Wray, my hero, into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.” - JIMMY PAGE, November 3rd, 2023
For Interviews with Link Wray’s eldest daughter, Beth Wray Webb, please email us at Nativemusicawards@gmail.com.
The 20th Annual Native American Music Awards Show, was hosted by actor Rodney A. Grant, and aired on The Cowboy Channel and their network which is one of America’s fastestgrowing cable networks providing family-friendly entertainment dedicated to serving the needs and interest of rural America.
The 20th Annual Native American Music Awards show was held at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, and celebrated and honored some of the most powerful voices from across the country following a historic snowstorm. Hosted by actor Rodney A. Grant, a member of the Omaha tribe of Nebraska, who was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding work as an actor in the motion picture and television industries. Rodney is best known for his memorable role as ”Wind In His Hair” in the 1990 film, "Dances With Wolves" with Kevin Costner.
The event also honored Paul LaRoche of Brule and Robert Tree Cody as Lifetime Achievement recipients and Wisdom Keeper, Oren Lyons, a member of the Onondaga and Seneca nations, as a Living Legend who is an author and environmental activist for Indigenous peoples worldwide and is also in the All-American Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Grammy Award winner & multiple Native American Music Award winner of Comanche and Cherokee descent, Micki Free, was inducted into the N.A.M.A. Hall of Fame. Originally discovered and managed by Gene Simmons of KISS, Micki was the guitarist in the R&B sensation, Shalamar who boasted mega platinum hit songs like "Dancing In The Sheets" from the movie soundtrack "Footloose" and "Don't Get Stopped In Beverly Hills" from the "Beverly Hills Cop" soundtrack.
This year’s Awards program also featured performances by multiple nominees: Cody Blackbird who won Best Rock Recording, Earl Slick (David Bowie) and the Fabulous Ripcords who won Best Blues Recording and Group of the Year, The Halluci Nation who won Best Animation in A Video, and artist and actor, Sten Joddi, known for his recent role as 'Punkin Lusty' aka Mr. Greasy Frybread, in the Award Winning FX Networks series, ‘Reservation Dogs’ who won Best Rap Hip Hop Recording and Best Male Artist.
You can watch the broadcast on The Cowboy Channel (cable and satellite) by streaming it on their paid subscription service TCC+ (www.cowboychannelplus.com).
www.NAMALIVE.com NativeMusicAwards@gmail.com
Congratulations to all the winners!
Thank you to all those who weathered the storm with us during the
20th Native American Music Awards
A broadcast of the Awards show Program will be announced soon
Congratulations Micki Free on Your Induction into the HALL OF FAME
HOST & LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE
Rodney A. Grant
LIVING LEGEND
Oren Lyons
PERFORMERS
Cody Blackbird
Earl Slick
Ed Koban
Kelly Montijo Fink
Micki Free
Niagara River Dancers
The Fabulous Ripcords
Sten Joddi
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Blanca Iris Acuna
Jack Holland
Just Jamez
Kelly Montijo Fink
Nick Lone
Richelle Darby Garcia
Scott Kalama of Blue Flames
Sandra Sutter
Shibastick
Two Shields
Veronica Johnny
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