Jana
“I would like to thank NAMA for putting on a great show this year. The performances were amazing, and the stage, lights and sound were outstanding. We watched as the NAMA and Seneca staff busted their backs to put everything together. The NAMMYS brings honor to native people everywhere. And hope to our children by providing an credible outlet for role models and recognition of native talent. Please accept my gratitude for the honor of Artist of the Year for my rock flute CD ‘The Looking Wolf Project’. Congratulations to all of the entrants, nominees, and winners this year. The Unity shared by all has deeply touched many hearts and provided inspiration for our next project which will reach out to native youth drug prevention programs through a new rock CD and music video.
Truly NAMA’s voice rings clear – WE ARE ALL RELATED!” Jan Michael Looking Wolf 2009 Artist of the Year Native American Music Awards www.lookingwolf.com Chi miigwech for the opportunity and honor of participating in and being selected the "best traditional recording" in this years' Nammys. We were thrilled and humbled to have been chosen. Thank you so very much! Please let me know if there is anything we can do or need to do for the organization. It's our first award of such distinction. But we are very appreciative. Chi Miigwech, miinwaa! Lyz Jaakola & Oshkii Giizhik Singers The midnite express singers would like to thank all our relatives friends and powwow families for all their support. Also special thanks to Bear Traks for making this album possible. It has taken a lot of hard work and dedication to be where were at today and we could not have done it without the guidence of our elders and teachers. We dedicate this award to the remembrance of our late brothers jerry dearly jr and randy tawawino. Aho migwitch Midnite Express I want to pass along my thanks and congratulations to you and your staff for a successful NAMA weekend. It was an honor to be involved and Shane was thrilled to win an award. Best Regards, Louis O'Reilly Manager for Shane Yellowbird I was able to speak with Mario a couple hours ago and Sam late yesterday, regarding their trip to Niagara Falls for the NAMA event. Mario, Irma, Sam, Harry and Mike want to thank you for honoring Ritchie for HOF induction and allowing Mario's band to participate in this historic event. Irma was having such a great time at the show, she grabbed a nearby mike and sang, "La Bamba" as Backyard Blues Band jammed on stage. Mario, Irma, Sam, Harry and Mike said that NAMA organization is a class act and the event was spectacular. My regret was not being able to attend, due to business matters here in LA. The band and Irma would also like to thank Rosemary for her hospitality, friendship and were pleasantly surprised when she greeted everyone at the airport. We all agree that we have a new friend in you Ellen and are hopeful to be part of NAMA, down the road. Our Best, Brian J. Arra, Agent Black River Entertainment Thanks again for a memorable and exciting musical experience!! Just to be amongst so many talented Native artists was an honor in itself. To be among the winners of the night was a gift that we will never forget. Thank you very much. Thanks for being so professional and easy to work with. Your correspondence throughout the nomination period was greatly appreciated as well. Have a nice day. -Charly Lowry Best Video What a fantastic job you and Don did with the Nammys. I have heard nothing but good things about the show. Again, great job! Jody Roberts Rep for Gil Birmingham It was a great adventure and a fun weekend. It is a truly great event you have built. You and Rose are both like energizer bunnies, and there is a lot of positive energy and camaraderie surrounding the whole event. I can't even imagine trying to organize something of that size. Y'all are always welcome at our Backyard Blues campfire. Love and Respect, Sam Backyard Blues Band Ritchie Valens Tribute THANK YOU, THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! We heard the news last night as we were traveling home from our concert. Paul and I want to thank you for this, it really means a lot to us and we felt bad that we couldn't be there in person. I'm sure all went well and that you had a successful night. BRULE' Group of the Year Well you did a wonderful job. I have heard nothing but good things about the event from everyone. Darryl Tonemah Performer & Best Folk Nominee Thank you all for your votes and appreciation of my music. It was such an honor for me to receive the "Best New Age" award for the "Deep Within" CD on Oct.3, 2009 @ the Native American Music Awards Ceremony in Niagara Falls. This was a wonderful time to become acquainted with other artists' work and to renew former connections with friends too. Bless each of your lives with peace.. Sincerely, Tony Redhouse. Best New Age Recording Hi its Jace Martin. I just wanna say how much fun I had performing at this years Nama's...it was so great. Jace Martin Debut Artist Nominee & Ritchie Valens Tribute Performer Congratulations on yet another successful Native American Music Awards Show. Thank you for letting me be a part of it. Ms. Bo Johnson, Producer & Host NATIVE NATIONS KRFC, Fort Collins, CO "CONGRATULATIONS"... "CONGRATULATIONS"... "CONGRATULAIONS"... SENDING YOU AND YOUR CREW, CHEERS ON ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR WITH THE NAMMYS. SORRY I MISSED THE SHOW, I WOULD HAVE LOVED, TO HAVE ATTENDED THIS YEAR. BUT, I LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT YEARS BIG SHOW. BE BLESSED AND TAKE CARE... HOUSTON GERONIMO Words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation for the phenomenal show you put on this year. From the moment I arrived the warmth, care, support and welcoming spirit from everyone made me feel right at home. The music, the venue, the performers, and everyone involved in the show touched my heart and nourished my spirit. I am deeply honored to have been able to participate in the Native American Music Awards this year as a nominee and presenter. Winning the Nammy in the Native Heart category was a dream come true. The whole experience was a great gift I will treasure the rest of my life. Blessings, Michael Brant DeMaria On behalf of our performing artists; Michael Bucher and Wind Spirit Drum, we send a heartfelt thank you for all you do for Native American people, culture and music industry. It is a sincere honor to receive the awards. With much respect, Karla Studio West Management I want to thank you for giving me an opportunity to perform, most importantly all the other indigenious artists in our nation that are so talented. I was so proud to see such an array of talent in Indian Country. I also made some new friends and inspired in my own musical endeavors. It was a pleasure to work with the crew, meet everyone, and experience something new. I'm used to singing with pianos with no mics in auditoriums and churches...so the stage and monitors were a whole new experience for me. Wonderful growing experience for me. I'm so used to performing here in Oneida that is nice to spread my wings and meet so many wonderful people during my travels. Again, thanks for the opportunity, sincerely appreciate it. Sincerely, Jennifer M. Stevens Soprano from Green Bay! :) wakohsiyostudio.com Arriving at this wonderland event is the start of a memory for a lifetime. It was almost dreaming -- here to rehearse and hob-nob with some of the big names in Native American music. There I was, a 76-year-old composer about to be on stage. As a representative of the Mohawk Community of Tyendinaga, I was greeted with traditional greeting words, embraces, and well-wishes. I began to walk proudly among the many Native Nations in attendance. There was so much absolute brotherhood at this event -- everyone happy to be a part of this historic happening. Soon other Mohawk were coming to me to greet me and to wish this "Ista" (aunt) the best. Astikyonke from Akwesasne greeted me and I him--"we are one people" he said to me. Later in the evening he was awarded his NAMY for-Best Folk Recording--and still he came to The soprano, JENNIFER M. STEVENS, an Oneida-Lakota from Green Bay Wisconsin sang and I accompanied her at the keyboard in the aria: "But, What of My People?" from my opera Molly of the Mohawks.(the opera was up for an award in the category: Best Historical CD). Her clear soprano voice soared and the words of the aria reached the audience -- the powerful message of the song -- "But What of My People?" Later that night and even the next day, so many people came to her and myself to praise the performance and the song's meaning -- The message had been delivered!!! A door opened and we knew that the Native world heard our call -- Molly had asked --"who hears our plea? and what of our people?" ---Here the NAMA was telling the world--music is the great healer. Tonight an Oneida and a Mohawk had delivered that message. --Willow Wind (Augusta Cecconi-Bates) October 5th, 2009
Send Us Your Photos & Comments Nammys@aol.com |
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Special thanks to our Eleventh Annual Awards Show Host, actor Gil Birmingham for his many talents and contributions - and what a musician he is!
Thank you to all our extremely talented, professional and awe-inspiring top notch performers who were nothing short of first class! And to our flawless staff who brought our Awards show to a new level! We'll see you next year! On behalf of our national membership and entire organization, we thank each and every one of you for your support and contributions for over one decade. 2009 RECORDINGS SUBMITTED FOR NOMINATION CONSIDERATION BY ARTIST 00 Buck, J Dawg/Vice Versa In Tha Dayz – Better Dayz (Ojibwe) Annie Humphrey-Jimenez The Sound of Ribbons (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) Antonio/Gregory Woody Traveling Through Life (Navajo) Apryl Allen Na Unu Nahai (Shape Shifter) (Comanche) Arvel Bird Tribal Music Suite, Journey of a Paiute (Southern Paiute) Atsiaktonkie Four Wolves Prophecy (St Regis Mohawk) Benjamin Grimes Truth (Dine) Bigg B Lifestyle Muzik (Warm Springs/Paiute & Nez Perce) Black Lodge Spo Mo Tiin Nan (Blackfeet) Black Stone Bring Your Feathers In (Cree) Blackhorse Mitchell Don’t Let Go (Navajo) Brian Hammill Generations (HoChunk) Broken Walls The Father’s Dance (Mohawk) Bruce Hamana Rattle Snake (Hopi) Brule’ Lakota Piano II (Lower Brule’ Sioux) Bryan Akipa Songs From The Black Hills (Dakota Sioux) Chase Manhattan The Backside (Muscogee Creek, Ojibwe) Cherokee National Youth Choir For Our Future (Cherokee) Colby Thomas Excerpts From Molly of the Mohawks (Cree/Mohawk) Dallas Around Picking Sweetgrass (Cree) Darrell “Boots” McCallum Old Country Church (Cree) Dawn Avery Tulpe (Mohawk Haudenosaunee) Delbert Blackhorse Humbly We Pray (Navajo) Desert West Live At Totah Theater (Navajo) Douglas Blue Feather Sacred Space (Cherokee) Eagle & Hawk Sirensong (Ojibway) Eagle River Campfire Blues (Intertribal) Eli Secody Sunrise Love – Happiness With Wifey Over Coffee (Navajo) Ethel Begay Turquoise Singer (Navajo) Feenix (Shawn Bernard) On Tha Rise (Cree/Metis) Gabriel Ayala Portraits (Yaqui) Gabriel Ayala Tango! (Yaqui) Gary Small I Don’t Play By The Rules (Northern Cheyenne) Gerald Primeaux, Sr Into The Future (Yankton Dakota) Golana First Light (Echota Cherokee of Alabama) Graywolf Blues Band Dancing In The Rain (Intertribal) Great Mystery Here & Now (Dine) Gvwi - Dusk To Dawn ( Cherokee) Jace Martin Jace Martin (Mohawk) Jackie Tice Morningsky Drum Song (Cherokee) James Peshlaka Songs of the Navajo (Navajo) Jan Michael Looking Wolf The Looking Wolf Project (Kalapuya – Grand Ronde Tribes) Jana Mashonee New Moon Born (Lumbee) Jana Mashonee & Derek Miller A Change Is Gonna Come (Lumbee) Janelle Turtle New Beginning Vol II (Navajo/S. Cheyenne) Jay Begaye Night of The Northern Lights (Dine’ Navajo) Jerod Tate & San Francisco Symphony & Chorus Works By Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate Jim Boyd Harley High (Colville Confederated Tribes) Jimmy Shendo The Town Crier (Jemez Pueblo) Jimmy Shendo & Moiety Walking The Life Road (Jemez Pueblo) JJ Kent Ta Te’ Topa Win (Lakota) Joanne Shenandoah Bitter Tears Sacred Ground (Oneida/Cherokee) Jonathon Maracle Christmas On Turtle Island (Mohawk) Joy Harjo Winding Through The Milky Way (Muskoke) Kevin Locke Earth Gift (Lakota/Hunkpapa Sioux & Anishinaabe) Kevin Yazzie Faith (Navajo Dine’) Komplex Kai About The Rez (Tulalip) Leanne Goose Anywhere (Dene/Inuvialuit) Lenape Spirits Wind Spirit Drum (Cherokee/Mic Mac/Lenape) Lietsoiitah Ye’ii Bi Cheii Singers Lietsoiitah Ye’ii Bi Cheii (Navajo) Mac Lopez & Grandaughter Kendra Muro Gift of the Grandchildren (Shoshone/Cherokee) Makardi Warrior Line (Navajo) Mary Youngblood Sacred Place (Seminole/Aleut) Matthew S. Montour No – Rez-Ervations (Mohawk-Kahnawake) Maxine & Guy Tishie Thoughts & Prayers (Navajo) McClellan, Robedeaux & Stoner Blessings (Intertribal) Michael Bucher Bitter Tears Sacred Ground (Oneida/Cherokee) Midnite Express Band of Brothers (Ojibway, Sioux, Menominee, Ho-Chunk, Taos Pueblo, Algonquin) Mike Serna Warriors Last Breath (Apache/Gabrileno) Monroe/ByJoe/Turtle/Egawa Songs of Strength & Beauty (Navajo/S Cheyenne/Lummi) N8 Wasted Talent (Yakama) Nikki Begay The Best of Life (Navajo) Nomadic Relentless (Blackfeet) Northern Cree Red Rock (Cree) Northern Wind November Winds (Ojibway) Oshkii Giizhik Singers It Is A New Day (Intertribal) Out of the Blue Out of the Blue (Cree) Pappy Johns Band Having A Good Time Now (Iroquois) Porcupine Singers Traditional Shoe Game Songs (Navajo) Primeaux & Mike Peyote Ways (Sioux/Navajo) Quese Imc Bluelight (Pawnee/Seminole) R. Carlos Nakai Talisman (Navajo Dine’) Randy Granger A Place Called Peace (Mayan/Apache) Randy McGinnis Ancient Voices of the Smoky Mountains (Eastern Cherokee) Ray St Germain Life Aint Hard (Metis) Red Hand/White Hand Shakin Sounds (Apache) Red Hand/White Hand Soothing Spirits (Apache) Red Hawk At The Cross Roads (Cherokee) Red Hawk The Cheyenne Dog Soldiers (United Cherokee) Red Hawk These Were Their Words (United Cherokee) Rezhogs All Day All Night (Yakama) Sacred Winds Sacred Winds Samantha Crain The Confiscation: A Musical Novella (Choctaw) Shane Yellowbird Life Is Calling My Name (Cree) Shanise Okeymow Maskiki II (Cree) Skylar Wolf Devil’s Son (Navajo) Stevie Salas Be What It Is (Apache) Tagaq Auk/Blood (Inuit) Team Rezofficial The World & Everything In It (Cree) Tha Tribe Tha Quiet Storm (Navajo/Menominee/Assinaboine/Pima) The Story Tellers Ancient Wisdom (Abnaki) Thirtyseven featuring Gregg Analla Trial By Design (Isleta/Laguna Pueblo) Thunder Hawk Singers Native Pride (Micmaq/Cree) Thunder Hill For The Love (Intertribal) Tinesha Begaye Night of The Northern Lights (Dine’ Navajo) Tonemah Ink Blots and Random Thoughts (Kiowa/Comanche/Tuscarora) Tony Redhouse Deep Within (Dine) Tritt Smith Just Another Show (Navajo) Tumivut Tumivut (Inuit) Warscout Scouts (Cree) Will & Lil Jess Reservation Nights (Oglala Lakota) Wolf’s Robe aka Flute Man Ancient Dreams (Shawnee/Cherokee) BY RECORDING A Change Is Gonna Come Jana Mashonee (Lumbee) VIDEO A Place Called Peace Randy Granger (Mayan/Apache) All Day All Night Rezhogs (Yakama) Allegro Gabriel Ayala (Yoeme) Amazing Grace Lenape Spirits (Cherokee/Mic Mac/Lenape) Ancient Wisdom The Story Tellers (Abnaki) Anywhere Leanne Goose (Dene/Inuvialuit) At The Cross Roads Red Hawk (Cherokee) Auk/Blood Tagaq (Inuit) Band of Brothers Midnite Express (Ojibway, Sioux, Menominee, Ho-Chunk, Taos Pueblo, Algonquin) Be What It Is Stevie Salas (Apache) Bima a’ doon & The Little Big Horn Jiiniikwe (Bay Mills) Bitter Tears Sacred Ground Joanne Shenandoah & Michael Bucher (Oneida/Cherokee) Blackfeet Legends of Glacier National Park Jack Gladstone (Blackfeet) Blessings McClellan, Robedeaux & Stoner (Intertribal) Bring Your Feathers In Blackstone (Cree) Campfire Blues Eagle River (Intertribal) Ceremony Michael Searching Bear (Cherokee) Chase Manhattan The Backside (Muscogee Creek, Ojibwe) Christmas On Turtle Island Jonathon Maracle (Mohawk) Clear Water Reflections Various Artists (Ute/N Cheyenne/Lakota/Huichol/Ojibwe) Climb The Mountain Jiiniikwe (Bay Mills) Come To Me Great Mystery Various Artists (Intertribal) Dallas Around Picking Sweetgrass (Cree) Dancing In The Rain Graywolf Blues Band (Intertribal) Deep Within Tony Redhouse (Dine) Desert West Live At Totah Theater (Navajo) Devil’s Son Skylar Wolf (Navajo) Don’t Forget About Me Michael Bucher (Cherokee) VIDEO Don’t Let Go Blackhorse Mitchell (Navajo) Dusk To Dawn - Gvwi - ( Cherokee) Eagle River Campfire Blues (Intertribal) Earth Gift Kevin Locke (Lakota/Hunkpapa Sioux & Anishinaabe) Eli Secody Sunrise Love – Happiness With Wifey Over Coffee (Navajo) Ethel Begay Turquoise Singer (Navajo) Faith Kevin Yazzie (Navajo Dine’) Faith, Loyalty & Love Youngbird (Pawnee) Family Pride Family Pride (Tohono O’odham) Feenix (Shawn Bernard) On Tha Rise (Cree/Metis) First Light Golana (Echota Cherokee of Alabama) For Our Future Cherokee National Youth Choir (Cherokee) For The Love Thunder Hill (Intertribal) For The Love of Music Wabs Whitebird (Paq’tn Kek) For The Love Thunder Hill (Intertribal) Four Wolves Prophecy Atsicktonkie (St Regis Mohawk) Generation 2 Generation 3 Gilbert Tyner (Commanche) Generations Brian Hammill (HoChunk) Gift of the Grandchildren Mac Lopez & Grandaughter Kendra Muro (Shoshone/Cherokee) Hand of Jesus Yvonne St. Germaine (Cree) Harley High Jim Boyd (Colville Confedeated Tribes) Having A Good Time Now Pappy Johns Band (Iroquois) Here & Now Great Mystery (Dine) Honor Songs Various (Intertribal) Humbly We Pray Delbert Blackhorse (Navajo) Hustle Blues JSK & Off One VIDEO I Am Donna Kay (Mètis) VIDEO I Don’t Play By The Rules Gary Small & the Coyote Bros (Northern Cheyenne) I’ve Been Driftin From Door to Door Jimmy Wolf (Mohawk) In Tha Dayz – Better Dayz 00 Buck, J Dawg/Vice Versa (Ojibwe) Ink Blots and Random Thoughts Tonemah (Kiowa/Comanche/Tuscarora) Into The Future Gerald Primeaux, Sr (Yankton Dakota) It Is A New Day Oshkii Giizhik Singers (Intertribal) Jace Martin Jace Martin (Mohawk) Jiiniikwe Bima a’ doon & The Little Big Horn (Bay Mills) Just Another Show Tritt Smith (Navajo) Kevin Yazzie Faith (Navajo Dine’) Kontiwennenháwi(Carriers of Words) Ratirista Kehronon – Skywalkers (Awkesasne Mohawk) Kumeyaay Cool Guyz Dago Braves (Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation) Lakota Piano II Brule’ (Lower Brule’ Sioux) Lenape Spirits Wind Spirit Drum (Cherokee/Mic Mac/Lenape) Lietsoiitah Ye’ii Bi Cheii Singers Lietsoiitah Ye’ii Bi Cheii (Navajo) Life Aint Hard Ray St Germain (Metis) Lifestyle Muzik Bigg B (Warm Springs/Paiute & Nez Perce) Molly of the Mohawks Augusta Cecconi Bates (Willow Wind) Morningsky Drum Song Jackie Tice (Cherokee) Movin On Charly Lowry/Aaron Locklear VIDEO Na Unu Nahai (Shape Shifter) Apryl Allen (Comanche) Native Anthem (Yall Aint Know) Sandy & Chris Hunt, Kash Kow, Lou Nice, Chief, Stoney Creek Native Pride Thunder Hawk Singers (Micmaq/Cree) NBA Vol 1 JSK Presents (Warm Springs/Wasco/Modoc) New Beginning Vol II Janelle Turtle (Navajo/S Cheyenne) New Moon Born Jana Mashonee (Lumbee) Night of The Northern Lights Jay Begaye & Tinesha Begaye (Dine’ Navajo) No – Rez-Ervations Matthew S. Montour (Mohawk-Kahnawake) Nomadic Relentless (Blackfeet) Northern Wind November Winds (Ojibway) Now Is The Time Sapokniona Whitefeather (Apache) Okeymow Maskiki II Shanise (Cree) Old Country Church Darrell “Boots” McCallum (Cree) Our Spirits Don’t Speak English: Indian Boarding School Rich-Heape Films, Inc VIDEO Out of the Blue Out of the Blue (Cree) Papago Warrior P-dub Style Papago Warrior (Tohono O’odham) Peyote Ways Primeaux & Mike (Sioux/Navajo) Portraits Gabriel Ayala (Yaqui) Quese Imc Bluelight (Pawnee/Seminole) Randy McGinnis Ancient Voices of the Smoky Mountains (Eastern Cherokee) Rattle Snake Bruce Hamana (Hopi) Red Hand/White Hand Soothing Spirits (Apache) Red Rock Northern Cree (Cree) Reservation Nights Will & Lil Jess (Oglala Lakota) Road Song The Awakening (Dine) Sacred Place Mary Youngblood (Seminole/Aleut) Sacred Space Douglas Blue Feather (Cherokee) Sacred Winds Sacred Winds Scouts Warscout (Cree) Shakin Sounds Red Hand/White Hand (Apache) Shane Yellowbird Life Is Calling My Name (Cree) VIDEO Sirensong Eagle & Hawk (Ojibway) Something About The Awakening (Dine) Songs From The Black Hills Bryan Akipa (Dakota Sioux) Songs of Strength & Beauty Monroe/ByJoe/Turtle/Egawa (Navajo/S Cheyenne/Lummi) Songs of the Navajo James Peshlaka (Navajo) Spo Mo Tiin Nan Black Lodge (Blackfeet) Sunrise Love – Happiness With Wifey Over Coffee Eli Secody (Navajo) Ta Te’ Topa Win JJ Kent (Lakota) Talisman R. Carlos Nakai (Navajo Dine’) Tango! Gabriel Ayala (Yoeme) Team Rezofficial The World & Everything In It The Backside Chase Manhattan (Muscogee Creek, Ojibwe) The Best of Life Nikki Begay (Navajo) The Cheyenne Dog Soldiers Red Hawk (United Cherokee) The Confiscation: A Musical Novella Samantha Crain (Choctaw) The Father’s Dance Broken Walls (Mohawk) The Great Story From The Sacred Book Rain Song/Terry & Darlene Wildman (Ojibwe/Yaqui) The Hand of Jesus Yvonne St. Germaine (Cree) The Legend of Tillamook’s Gold Jan Michael Looking Wolf & Floyd Westerman VIDEO The Looking Wolf Project Jan Michael Looking Wolf (Kalapuya – Grand Ronde Tribes) The Making of Bitter Tears Sacred Ground Dennis Kinsey VIDEO The Sound of Ribbons Annie Humphrey-Jimenez (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) The Story Tellers Ancient Wisdom (Abnaki) The World & Everything In It Team Rezofficial These Were Their Words Red Hawk (United Cherokee) Thirtyseven featuring Gregg Analla Trial By Design (Isleta/Laguna Pueblo) Thoughts & Prayers Maxine & Guy Tishie (Navajo) To Walk In Beauty Spirit Wing (Munsee) Traditional Shoe Game Songs Porcupine Singers (Navajo) Traveling Through Life Antonio/Gregory Woody (Navajo) Tribal Music Suite, Journey of a Paiute Arvel Bird (Southern Paiute) Truth Benjamin Grimes (Dine) Tulpe Dawn Avery (Mohawk Haudenosaunee) Tumivut Tumivut (Inuit) Una Noche Jana Mashonee (Lumbee) Walking The Life Road Jimmy Shendo & Moiety (Jemez Pueblo) Warrior Line Makardi (Navajo) Warriors Last Breath Mike Serna (Apache/Gabrileno) Wasted Talent N8 (Yakama) Whats Done is Done Komplex Kai (Tulalip) Winding Through The Milky Way Joy Harjo (Muskoke) Wolf’s Robe aka Flute Man Ancient Dreams (Shawnee/Cherokee) Works By Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate Jerod Tate & San Francisco Symphony & Chorus NATIVE HEART ARTISTS Ancient Sounds/Gary F. Leatham Resonance Brian Shroeder Generations Charles Button Here & Now Chris Jones Soothing Spirits Colby Thomas Colby Thomas Sings Molly Brant Dail Martin In The Spirit of Peace Darlene Wildman The Great Story From The Sacred Book Doc Holiday At The Cross Roads Jan Seiden Memory Of Time Johnsy Gonzales Spirit of the Flute Jonny Lipford Cross Roads: The Beginning of a Brand New Day Kris DeLorenzi The Father’s Dance Mark Holland Reflections Matthew J. Ruffino The Sound of Ribbons Michael Brant DeMaria Siyotanka Michael Longrider Son of Owls Richard Soaring Owl Taking Flight Richie Cannata Na Unu Nahai (Shape Shifter) Apryl Allen Robert Weingartz Airplay Direct Sarah Davol Tulpe Scott Tweedie Seeking Vision Will Clipman Here & Now |
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Eleventh Annual Awards
Niagara Falls, NY – On Saturday October 3, 2009 the Eleventh Annual Native American Music Awards (N.A.M.A.) was held at the Seneca Niagara Hotel & Casino in Niagara Falls infront of a packed house that featured consistently outstanding live music performances along with an emotionally charged Hall of Fame induction in honor of the late Ritchie Valenz.
Taking this year's top honors are; Joanne Shenandoah & Michael Bucher's Bitter Tears Sacred Ground for Best Compilation, Jana Mashonee's rendition of Sam Cooke's, A Change Is Gonna Come with Derek Miller for Song/Single of the Year, Jan Michael Looking Wolf for Artist of the Year, Skylar Wolf for Debut Artist of the Year, Will and Lil Jess for Debut Duo/Group of the Year, Kevin Locke's Earth Gift for Record of the Year, and American Idol Semi-finalist Charly Lowry for Best Video for her long form video featuring her song, Movin On. Hosted with grace, class, style, humor and even professional music talent by actor Gil Birmingham, others on hand at the Awards ceremeony included: Shane Yellowbird who won for Best Country Recording, Atsiaktonkie who won for Best Folk Recording, Flutist of the Year JJ Kent, Wind Spirit Drum whose recording Amazing Grace took Best Gospel Inspirational Recording, Thunder Hawk Singers for Best Historical Recording, Gabriel Ayala for Best Instrumental Recording, Bryan Akipa For Best Male Artist, Eagle & Hawk for Best Rock Recording, Rezhogs for Best Rap Hip Hop Recording, Oshkii Giizhik Singers for Best Traditional Recording, Michael Searching Bear for Best World Music Recording, and Michael Brant DeMaria for the Native Heart Award. Other nominees in attendance included; Benjamin Grimes, Kelly Montijo Fink, Jackie Tice, Mike Serna, Pappy Johns Band, Jimmy Shendo, Augusta Cecconi Bates, Douglas Blue Feather, Yvonne St Germaine and Donna Kay who all participated in the program. Capping the evening’s ceremonies were consistently transcendant and flawless performances beginning with drum group Young Gunz, Dallas Washkahat and Fawn Wood, classical guitarist Gabriel Ayala who received a standing ovation Eagle & Hawk, soprano opera singer Jennifer M Stevens accompanied by composer Augusta Cecconi-Bates, Joanne Shenandoah and Michael Bucher who performed material from their award-winning recording, Lifetime Achievement Recipient Stevie Salas pumped it up with original Pearl Jam drummer Dave Abbruzesse and bass player TM Stevens of Shocka Zooloo and the late James Brown, and a spectacular rendition of Stevie Ray Vaughn's Pride & Joy by the show's host Gil Birmingham and nominee Jimmy Wolf. Darryl Tonemah gave a rising performance in his trademarked barefeet, Jana's riveting vocals were unmatched, Shane Yellowbird showcased material for his upcoming Grand Ole Opry appearance, and new artist Jace Martin captured the audience with his Ritchie Valens tribute song, We Belong Together. Tommy Allsup, original guitarist of the Buddy Holly band who flipped a coin with Ritchie Valens for the last seat on their ill-fated plane, bought the audience to tears as Allsup, who became emotional and choked up as he recapped and retold the story of his tour mate Ritchie Valens and his tragic end. Following the Hall of Fame induction and Ritchie's sister, Irma's acceptance speech, Tommy Allsup, who is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, joined Ritchie's little brother, Mario, and his group, The Backyard Blues Band, who rocked the house and performed a special extended rendition of “La Bamba”. N.A.M.A. and its Advisory Board contingency would like to congratulate all the winners and nominees and proudly honors these legendary performers and songwriters who have been leading forces in the Native American music community. The Native American Music Awards & Association, founded in 1998, is the world’s leading membership-based association consisting of music industry professionals directly involved in the recording and distribution of traditional and contemporary Native American Music initiatives. The growing success of the Awards show now features over one hundred and fifty nominees annually, with at least one third of those nominees being new artists. For the past eleven years the Awards has set industry standards for professional Native American musicians who are gaining greater acceptance and exposure from both national and international audiences. |
