RUSSELL MEANS WALKS ON

Russell C. Means, the charismatic Oglala Sioux who helped revive the warrior image of the American Indian in the 1970s died on Monday at his ranch in Porcupine, S.D., on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He was 72. The cause was esophageal cancer, said Glenn Morris, Mr. Means’s legal representative. 

Russell Means lived a life like few others in this century – a true warrior with remarkable bravery who was a legacy of strength. He devoted his life to eliminating racism of any kind, and in so doing left a historical imprint as the most revolutionary Indian leader of the late twentieth century. The L.A. Times has called him the most famous American Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. An inspirational visionary, Russell Means will remain one of the most magnetic voices in America. 

He encompassed tremendous character and ability in multiple mediums on all fronts; whether as a co-founder of A.I.M., leading a protest, fighting for constitutional rights, starring in a motion picture, or performing his "rap-ajo" music through two national recordings, Electric Warrior, released in 1993  and The Radical ;  released in 2009 which he described as a Tribal Experience that included all genres of music: classical, country & western rock-n-roll, hard rock, hip-hop, rhythm & blues, jazz and the blues.  He also  acted in dozens of movies — most notably in a principal role in “The Last of the Mohicans” (1992).

He rose to national attention as a leader of the American Indian Movement in 1970 by directing a band of Indian protesters who seized the Mayflower II ship replica at Plymouth, Mass., on Thanksgiving Day. The boisterous confrontation between Indians and costumed “pilgrims” attracted network television coverage and made Mr. Means an overnight hero to dissident Indians and sympathetic whites. Later, he orchestrated an Indian prayer vigil atop Mount Rushmore, S.D., to dramatize Lakota claims to Black Hills land. In 1972, he organized cross-country caravans converging on Washington to protest a century of broken treaties. He also attacked the “Chief Wahoo” mascot of the Cleveland Indians baseball team, a toothy Indian caricature that he called racist and demeaning. And in a 1973 protest covered by the national news media for months, he led hundreds of Indians and white sympathizers in an occupation of Wounded Knee, S.D. In the ensuing 71-day standoff with federal agents, thousands of shots were fired, two Indians were killed and an agent was paralyzed. Mr. Means and his fellow protest leader Dennis Banks were charged with assault, larceny and conspiracy. But after a long federal trial, the case was dismissed by a judge for prosecutorial misconduct.

Mr. Means later faced other legal battles and survived several gunshots, and commemorated the centennial of Gen. George Armstrong Custer’s last stand at Little Big Horn in Montana in 1876, the nation’s most famous defeat of the Indian wars. In 1987, Mr. Means ran for president. He sought the Libertarian Party nomination but lost to Ron Paul, a former and future congressman from Texas. Mr. Means retired from the American Indian Movement in 1988. In 1989, he told Congress that there was “rampant graft and corruption” in tribal governments and federal programs assisting American Indians.

Mr. Means began his acting career in 1992 with “The Last of the Mohicans,” Michael Mann’s adaptation of the James Fenimore Cooper novel, in which he played Chingachgook opposite Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe. Over two decades he appeared in more than 30 films and television productions, including “Natural Born Killers” (1994) and “Pathfinder” (2007). He also recorded CDs, including “Electric Warrior: The Sound of Indian America” (1993), and wrote a memoir, “Where White Men Fear to Tread” (1995, with Marvin J. Wolf).

Russell Charles Means was born on the Pine Ridge reservation on Nov. 10, 1939, the oldest of four sons of Harold and Theodora Feather Means. The Anglo-Saxon surname was that of a great-grandfather. He was married and divorced four times and had nine children. He also adopted many others following Lakota tradition. His fifth marriage, to Pearl Daniels, was in 1999, and she survives him.


QUEEN OF COUNTRY MUSIC AND NAMA HALL OF FAMER, KITTY WELLS PASSES ON

Kitty Wells, the "Queen of Country Music" who opened the door for a host of other country female artists, died on Monday at her home in Nashville of complications from a stroke. She was 92.

Wells, born as Ellen Muriel Deason, actually began performing on local radio in Nashville, but her ascent to stage stardom began in 1937 with husband Johnnie Wright, half of the duo Johnnie & Jack. He died in 2011.

Both Kitty Wells (Cherokee) and her husband Johnnie Wright attended the Fifth Annual Native American Music Awards in 2005, where Kitty was inducted into the N.A.M.A. Hall of Fame. The show was hosted by Crystal Gayle (Cherokee).

Kitty Wells was the first female singer to reach the top of the country charts with her 1952 song "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," an answer to Hank Thompson's "The Wild Side of Life".

Wells was born in Nashville to a musical family. While she performed with her husband as a girl singer in the 1940s, he began calling her "Kitty Wells," a name taken from a 19th century folk song.

In addition to her hit song, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," which sold 800,000 copies in its initial release in the summer of 1952, Wells sang "Release Me," "Making Believe," "I Can't Stop Loving You" among other classic songs. She garnered 35 Billboard Top Ten records and 81 charted singles.

Wells was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1976. Among her many honors, she was given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991, the same year as Bob Dylan and John Lennon were honored. She was just the third country singer to be get that most prestigious award, after Hank Williams and Roy Acuff.

Several years after her appearance at the Fifth Annual Native American Music Awards, Kitty finally gave up touring in 2007 and continued to live a quiet life.

Among those mourning her passing was Loretta Lynn. "Kitty Wells will always be the greatest female country singer of all times," said Lynn. "She truly is the Queen of Country Music."

Funeral services were held on Friday, July 20, 2012 at the Hendersonville Church of Christ, 107 Rockland Road Hendersonville, TN 37075

For more information visit, www.KittyWells.com




NELLY FURTADO FEATURES CHAMPION HOOP DANCER & NAMA NOMINEE TONY DUNCAN AT THE MUCH MUSIC AWARDS

After a string of mesmerizing performances at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards and on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Award-winning singer-songwriter, Nelly Furtado, will feature World Champion Hoop Dancer, Tony Duncan once again in her live performance at the 2012 Much Music Awards (MMVAs) on June 17th. The 2012 MMVAs will be broadcast live at 9 p.m. ET, on the Much Music channel in Canada and on Fuse in the U.S..

At the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, Nelly Furtado debuted her new single “Big Hoops (Bigger The Better)” in a live performance and featured Tony Duncan and his brother Kevin Duncan on stage who were wearing hoop dancing in traditional regalia. Furtado also performed “Big Hoops” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno where the Duncan brothers hoop danced in contemporary all black clothing for that appearance.  The official video music video for “Big Hoops” also features Tony Duncan with brother Kevin and Tony’s wife Violet Duncan (Plains Cree). The song, which is about fashion and earrings, will be featured on Furtado’s highly anticipated forthcoming album, The Spirit Indestructible (Interscope), due out in September. “This album is all about positivity, youth, good energy, and the relentlessness of the spirit” says Furtado about her first US release since 2006.

Tony Duncan (Apache/Mandan-Arikara-Hidatsa) has just released his own solo recording entitled, Earth Warrior (Canyon Records). Duncan’s new recording takes you on an endless journey of love songs with the soft blend of the Native American flute. Furtado tweeted about Duncan’s Earth Warrior to her 2.6 million Twitter followers. MP3 Downloads are available from Amazon and iTunes.

Previously, Tony Duncan and his instrumental group, Estun-Bah, a popular Arizona trio featuring Duncan on Native American flute, Darrin Yazzie (Navajo) on guitar and Jeremy Dancing Bull (Mandan-Arikara-Hidatsa) on drums released, Sounds of Beauty, which was nominated for Best World Music Album and Best Instrumental Album by the Native American Music Awards. The word "Estun-Bah" is an Apache word meaning "For the Woman."  Tony Duncan was personally selected by Ms. Furtado after she reviewed video of hoop dancers and found him at the Heard Museum in Arizona. Tony and his brother Kevin are both world championship hoop dancers and regularly perform the hoop dance together. Tony has performed for First Lady Laura Bush at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC. 

Kelly Furtado’s double-platinum debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, and its single "I'm Like a Bird", won a 2001 Juno Award for Single of the Year and a 2002 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Her second studio album, Folklore, featured three international singles: "Powerless (Say What You Want)", "Try", and "Força" (the theme of the 2004 European Football Championship). Her third studio effort released in 2006 was the double-platinum Loose, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, received multi-platinum certification in 32 countries, and sold 10 million copies worldwide. Loose also generated the No. 1’s “Promiscuous” and “Say It Right”, "Maneater", and "All Good Things (Come to an End)". After a three-year break, she released her first full-length Spanish album, Mi Plan, which received the Latin Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Album. The Spirit Indestructible, is Furtado's fourth English-language studio album.

Of Portuguese descent, the Canadian-born singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist has enjoyed a successful career as a multi-language superstar. By embracing different cultures and genres, she has defined musical diversity for a new generation. Ms. Furtado has sold more than 16 million albums and 18 million singles worldwide. She has received a Grammy Award, a Latin Grammy Award, a BRIT Award, World Music Award, and 10 Juno awards.

For More About Nelly Furtado or Tony Duncan, please visit:
www.nellyfurtado.com www.estunbahmusic.com


April 25, 2012

Free Song From NAMA Award winner Gary Small's New CD
Carlos Santana Dedicates New CD To Indigenous Community
Joanne Shenandoah Performs At Oren Lyons Birthday
Robbie Robertson Visits Levon Helm before His Passing
New NAMA Submission Forms Available To Public

NAMA Award winner and member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Gary Small has just released his sixth full length recording entitled, Hostiles & Renegades on Medicine Tail Music. Hostiles & Renegades is Gary's "Native Americana" sequal to his award-winning recording, "Wild Indians". If you love the music traditions of Bob Marley, Santana, and War, you'll love Hostiles & Renegades.

If you order from Gary directly, he will autograph your CD!!! Just request it by going to www.coyotebros.net. The new CD is also available at www.CD Baby.com. There is a free mp3 download code with this email to receive a free copy of the song, "American Icon" off the Hostiles & Renegades CD.

Gary Small has received three awards from the Native American Music Awards; Songwriter of the Year in 2002, Best Rock Recording, in 2007 and most recently, Best Male Artist in 2011. Small's guitar is at the forefront of one of the most incredible percussion sections featuring former 12-year Santana drummer, Graham Lear, oand former Joe Cocker conguero, Bobby Torres. Small's band is always loaded with heavy weight musicians and the sound definitely reflects it.

Small's guitar playing so reminiscent of Carlos Santana it's stunning. In fact it wouldn't be unfair to say Small could become the Santana of Native American music-translating his history through myriad musical forms in a way that speaks on several levels."- John Graham, Willamette Week, July 18th, 2001


Carlos Santana & Joanne Shenandoah at a Party Last Week

Last week, multiple NAMA award winner Joanne Shenandoah attended and performed at a birthday party for Oren Lyons. Oren’s birthday party was held as an outdoor garden party in Southern California with many surprise guests including Carlos Santana and his wife Cindy Blackman and members of the Shumash Nation. Joanne sang the song, "Eagle Cries" before the meal. Joanne also gave Carlos a copy of her Eagle Cries and Peacemakers Journey CDs. The picture of them above was taken at the birthday party.

Oren Lyons, Jr., recognized advocate of indigenous rights, was born in 1930 and raised in the culture and practices of the Iroquois on the Seneca and Onondaga reservations in Upstate New York. Oren R. Lyons, Jr. is a traditional Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, Onondaga Council of Chiefs of the Hau de no sau nee (ho dee noe sho nee, meaning people of the Long House), of the Onondaga Nation. He is Honorary Chairman of the Iroquois Nationals and was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

CARLOS SANTANA DEDICATES NEW CD TO AMERICAN INDIANS

Legendary Mexican and American rock guitarist, Carlos Santana, is releasing his new CD, Shape Shifter, a 13-song all instrumental recording on his new label, Starfaith Records, on May 15th. Shape Shifter is the 36th CD from this superior musician with tremendous notoriety and sensitivity. Shape Shifter features tracks spanning from the late 1990s through the present-day and is powered throughout with Carlos’ instantly recognizable virtuoso lead guitar and the Santana Band’s world-class musicianship. His new CD has been featured on News From Indian Country TV and on Thursday, April 26th, Carlos will be a featured guest on the nationally syndicated program, "Native America Calling."

Carlos is dedicating Shape Shifter to all Native Americans, the first people of this land, and acknowledging Australia's 2008 apology to the Aborigines, and President Obama's signing of the 2009 Native American Apology Resolution. He says, "I encourage any and all countries (that have not as yet done so) to acknowledge the first people of their land, and make this a collective global effort."

Since Santana emerged from the San Francisco Bay Area music scene in the 1960s, the group has sold more than 100 million records, reached more than 100 million fans at concerts worldwide, and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Among other honors, Carlos Santana is #20 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”

Carlos has also been very outspoken against NARAS and the recent dropping of the ethnic Grammy categories including the Native American music category. "You can't eliminate black gospel music or Hawaiian music or American Indian music or Latin jazz music because all this music represents what United States is: a social experiment," he was reported as saying in the Canadian news service, The Providence.

The cover art of Shape Shifter was created by famed Comanche artist Rance Hood. Rance Hood is one of the few Native American artists who still paints in the manner which echoes the traditional Indian culture and spirituality of the past. Hood grew up in the home of his maternal grandparents who taught him Comanche Indian ways and values. Hood’s themes are mystical and spiritual. Today, thirty years beyond his original success as a major Indian artist in the 1960’s, Rance Hood is still considered the most successful Plains Indian artist.

This May, Carlos is beginning a two-year run of performances; “An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live – Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow” at the House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. In addition to this two year residency at House of Blues in Las Vegas, Carlos is performing at music festivals and Native American casinos across the country.


ROBBIE ROBERTSON VISITS DYING BANDMATE LEVON HELM

NAMA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Robbie Robertson, guitarist and primary songwriter for The Band visited his "old band mate" Levon Helm after learning he was in the final stages of cancer just days before his passing.

Helm, 71, who as a drummer became a critically acclaimed artist with The Band and as a solo artist, died April 19 from throat cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Robertson wrote on his Facebook page, "It hit me really hard because I thought he had beaten throat cancer and had no idea that he was this ill....I sat with Levon for a good while, and thought of the incredible and beautiful times we had together. It was heartwarming to be greeted by his lovely daughter Amy, whom I have known since she was born. Amy's mother, Libby Titus, and her husband, Donald Fagen, were so kind to help walk me through this terrible time of sadness. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sandy."

Robertson, 68, added, "Levon is one of the most extraordinary talented people I've ever known and very much like an older brother to me. I am so grateful I got to see him one last time and will miss him and love him forever."

"Thank you, fans and music lovers, who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration," said Helm’s daughter, Amy, and wife, Sandy, in a statement released the day before he died. "He has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the backbeat and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage."

As a young man out of Elaine, Ark., in the early 1960s, Helm hooked up with fellow Arkansan and rockabilly star Ronnie Hawkins (Who Do You Love?), moved to Toronto and recruited four Canadians to join the backing group: guitarist Robbie Robertson, bassist/vocalist Rick Danko, pianist/vocalist Richard Manuel and organist Garth Hudson. Known as The Hawks, they toured with Hawkins, then split and eventually became Bob Dylan's backing band. They and Dylan settled near West Saugerties, N.Y., in the latter half of the '60s where they wrote and recorded songs steeped in old-time country, soul, R&B, '50s rock, gospel, blues and folk ballads — with lyrics that spoke of an older America.

Helm and the four Canadians got a recording contract of their own, and as The Band they released 10 studio albums from 1968 to 1998. Their two highly influential albums, Music From Big Pink and The Band, delivered such timeless songs as The Weight, Up On Cripple Creek and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (Helm sang lead and drummed on all three), and earned the group an induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and a lifetime achievement award at the Grammys in 2008.

NAMA 2012 NEW NOMINATION SUBMISSION FORMS  NOW AVAILABLE!

Download the NAMA 2012 Nomination Submission form To Submit a Recording for Nomination Consideration For the 14th Annual Native American Music Awards

** Extended Period

Submission Entry Deadline June 30, 2012

Fourteenth Annual Awards Show - Tentatively scheduled for November 30, 2012 at Seneca Niagara Casino

1998-2012 Those Who Have Gone Before Us

Russell Means

Queen of Country, Kitty Wells

Redbone's Lolly Vegas

Redbone's Tony Bellamy

Link Wray

Ray Boley & Ed Lee Natay

Floyd Red Crow Westerman

Randy Castillo

Frederick Whiteface

Jimmy Shendo (left)

Kee Chee Jake

Stephen Tiger

Michael Bannister

Ruben Romero

Jim Boyd Jr

Paul Guy Sr.

Rex Redhouse

Leonard Cozad Sr

Ricardo Vavages
Thee Express

Richard Garcia
Southern Scratch

Louis Ballad

"Mean" Gene Bates

Hawk Little John
(right) with late Gene Bates (left)

Joseph Flying Bye

Keith Mahone

Judy Trejo

Jay Emery Pewaush
Tha Tribe

Jack Anquoe

Cat Brown

JANA RELEASES NEW CD THROUGH SONY'S RED DISTRIBUTION

On-sale Now in All Retail Outlets Including Walmart!

MAY 2010 Volume 15 - NAMA NEWS, New York, New York – Miss Molly Records /Sony/ RED have announced the much anticipated release of Jana Mashonee's latest album New Moon Born on May 11th, 2010. As part of the launch of New Moon Born, AOL Music will be streaming the album for one week starting May 11. New Moon Born features 18 tracks showcasing Jana’s powerfully sensitive and soulful vocals in an upbeat rhythm and blues flavor.

An eight-time Native American Music Award winner, Jana Mashonee, is one of the most successful and versatile American Indian artists of today. Her Native American Music Awards include: Best Pop Rock Recording (01), Song/Single of the Year (02), Best Female Recording Artist (03), Record of the Year (06), Best Short Form Video (08), and Song/Single of the Year for "A Change Is Gonna Come" from New Moon Born in 2009. Her stunning, exotic beauty and extraordinarily soulful vocals coupled with exceptional songwriting have put her on a tier all her own.

RED Distribution, an Artist Development Company (formerly Relativity Entertainment Distribution), is a Sony Music Entertainment-owned sales and marketing division that handles releases for 50+ independent record labels. Successful RED acts include; Kottonmouth Kings, Ed Kowalczyk, Nine Inch Nails, Steve Earle, Peter, Bjorn & John, Radiohead, Phoenix, Mandy Moore, Passion Pit and Third Eye Blind. RED was originally founded in 1979 as a hard rock music distributor called Important Record Distributors, and released Metallica's first two LPs in the US. It became RED Distribution by the '90s and changed to RED - An Artist Development Company in 2007.

All the songs on New Moon Born are uplifting and inspiring and the critics are raving. "This is just first-rate feel good music"- Cashbox. "A breakout recording" – Wildy's World "Nothing prepares you for Mashonee's stark beauty & lush vocals"- Editor's Pick, Curve Magazine.

The album will be carried in retail outlets everywhere including select Walmart stores which are planning a unique "8 for 18" promo campaign. New Moon Born is selling for $8.00 and features 18 brand new pop/R&B tracks including Jana's first Spanish language song, "Una Noche".

You can purchase New Moon Born for $8.00 through Walmart by clicking on the following link:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/14138931

In support of New Moon Born, Jana will be performing for her fans as she continues her non-stop touring across the country. Upcoming tour dates include:

Support This Mainstream Retail Effort For Jana.
Buy A Copy of New Moon Born Today!


For more information Contact:
Stephan Galfas Miss Molly Records Phone: 203 531 8111 Fax: 203 531 9444
Email: sgalfas@missmollyrecords.com
Jana Mashonee (www.janamashonee.com)
Miss Molly Records (www.missmollyrecords.com)
RED Distribution (www.REDMusic.com)



REDBONE'S LOLLY VEGAS DIES

Los Angeles, CA - 3/4/10  It has been reported that Lolly Vegas Co-Founder of the group of Redbone, passed away earlier this morning in Los Angeles. His cause of death was from Lung Cancer. He was surrounded by his family and passed away peacefully and without pain.  On January 30th, NAMA received a health report on Lolly Vegas from Advisory member Brian Arra and through Redbone's European management.  The condition of Lolly Vegas was reported to be serious and in anticipation of further treatment, Lolly was temporary placed in a care facility following surgery. NAMA requested that its members send him well wishes and reassure him how important his work with Redbone had been. NAMA inducted Redbone and it original members  into the NAMA Hall of Fame at the 10th Annual Awards show which his brother Pat Vegas and the late Tony Bellamy both attended.  On behalf of the Native American Music Awards and its members, we would like to send our condolences to Pat Vegas and his family on their loss.
For more click on LA Times obituary below:
latimesblogs.latimes.com/afterword/2010/03/redbone-singer-and-guitarist-lolly-vegas-dies-at-70.html

New York, NY – The Native American Music Awards (N.A.M.A.) organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Redbone's Anthony Bellamy, who has died on Christmas morning, December 25th, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada with his family by his side. Anthony, or Tony "T-Bone" Bellamy, who attended the 10th Annual Native American Music Awards and was inducted into the N.A.M.A. Hall of Fame with Redbone in 2008, was a Mexican-American Yaqui Indian who became the lead guitarist, pianist and vocalist for the Native American band.. He was a beloved and endearing friend of the "Nammys" since its inception, and will be greatly missed.

Redbone became established as a Native American rock group in the 1970s. They reached the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1974 with the hit song, "Come and Get Your Love."

Originally formed in 1969 in Los Angeles, California by brothers Patrick Vasquez (bass and vocals) and Lolly Vasquez (guitar and vocals), the name Redbone started as a joking reference to a Cajun term for a mixed-race person ("half-breed"). The band's members were of mixed blood ancestry.  According to Patrick Vasquez aka Pat Vegas, it was Jimi Hendrix who talked the musicians into forming an all-Native American rock group . The band consisted of Patrick Vasquez, Lolly Vasquez, drummer Pete DePoe and Anthony "Tony" Bellamy.

The group signed to Epic Records in 1969, and released their debut album, Redbone, in 1970. The follow-up album, Potlatch, featured the song "Alcatraz," which dealt with the 1969 occupation of Alcatraz Island. Their first commercially successful singles were, “Maggie,” and "Witch Queen of New Orleans" (1971) which also became a huge hit in the United Kingdom. In 1973, Redbone released the political, "We Were All Wounded at Wounded Knee” which reached the #1 chart position in Europe.

By 1974, Redbone had reached the Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100 charts with "Come and Get Your Love”. The Pop/Funk/Disco song was certified Gold by the R.I.A.A for selling over one million copies and is still heard today on radio stations and commercials throughout the country. Drummer DePoe was replaced by Arturo Perez on Already Here (1972). Perez was replaced on Wovoka (1974) by Butch Rillera. In 1998 members of the group appeared as special guest performers at the inaugural Native American Music Awards and returned in 2008 as NAMA Hall of Fame inductees.

Tony Bellamy grew up in a family of dancers and musicians and learned to play the flamenco guitar as part of his musical education. Before joining the band Redbone, Tony Bellamy had performed with Dobie Gray, and a was a member of the San Francisco band, Peter and the Wolves, that evolved into the psychedelic band Moby Grape.

Born as Anthony Avila on September 12 1946 to parents James and Olga Bellamy, Tony Bellamy died at age 63. He has five siblings.(It was originally reported that Tony was born in 1940  and was 69 years of age, but it was later corrected as  1946 and Bellamy passed at the age of 63..  Bellamy's family confirmed that Tony originally used a birth year of 1940 so that he could legally play in the clubs.)

N.A.M.A. and its Advisory Board contingency would like extend their condolences to the Bellamy family. N.A.M.A. will forever honor this legendary performer who has been both a leading force in the mainstream music industry and an inspiration to the Native American community.

http://www.myspace.com/tonybellamyformerlyofRedbone

        
Tony & Pat        Tony w/Eagle & Hawk    Ellen Bello, Tony Bellamy  Tony Bellamy & Donald Kelly center @ Niagara Falls
NAMA 08
Induction

SNOWY ROAD CLAIMS RISING MUSICAL STAR JIMMY SHENDO

Updated: Thursday, 10 Dec 2009, 5:21 PM MST
Published : Thursday, 10 Dec 2009, 12:30 AM MST

Reporter: Crystal Gutierrez
Web Producer: Bill Diven

JEMEZ PUEBLO, N.M. (KRQE) - For decades Jimmy Shendo struggled to get his rock music heard, but just as  he was gaining the national attention his family said he deserved, his life came to an end. Every Sunday Jimmy Shendo’s music would fill radio airwaves in New Mexico; his fans would even ask for him by name. “The listener called and asked for Jimmy Shendo,” Lisa Romero, Shendo’s youngest sister, said as she recalled hearing her brother’s songs on the radio. His audience was growing, she added. This year the Jemez Pueblo musician received the best musical production award for his Native American traditional piece "The Town Crier." It was his latest song, however, that put him in the national spotlight. “Walking the Life Road” was nominated in two categories for the Native American Music Awards for Best Rock Recording and Debut Group of the Year. “We knew he had it in himself,” Romero said. A big-time musician; but to his family he was just Uncle Jimmy. “They say, 'Uncle Jimmy; Uncle Jimmy is singing. He's on the radio,'” Romero said. Shendo learned to sing on the grounds of the Jemez Pueblo when he was very young. He even played the trombone in the high school band. The nationally recognized musician was coming home on Monday when the unthinkable happened. Romero’s daughter called her sobbing that morning. “She said, 'Mom I, have some bad news," Romero recalled. "'Uncle Jimmy has been in an accident." On Monday Shendo had been teaching a choir group his songs and was driving back from Durango, Colo., when his pickup truck hit a patch of icy on snow-covered U.S Highway 550 in San Juan County between Blanco Trading Post and Counselors. Deputies reported Shendo's truck slid into the path of a tractor-trailer rigged headed the other way. Shendo died on impact; the trucker was not hurt.

“It's very hard knowing that you're never going to see him again,” Romero said. Still they know hearing his voice will only be a radio dial away. Romero said his songs will do more than blare across speakers in New Mexico. They’ll inspire generations to come starting with the nephews and nieces who barely knew Uncle Jimmy. “I’m going to tell her this was your uncle, he was a very famous musician,” Romero said. Shendo was 59. He was buried on Wednesday morning.

NAMA NOTE: Jimmy Shendo was a multiple nominee and a presenter at the Eleventh Annual Native American Music Awards. His submitted recordings were:
Jimmy Shendo The Town Crier (Jemez Pueblo)
Jimmy Shendo & Moiety Walking The Life Road (Jemez Pueblo)

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/pueblos_tribes/snowy-road-claims-rising-musical-star

PUT THE HEAT ON! ENGAGES FAMILY OF LINK WRAY
FAMILY OF LATE LINK WRAY DONATES FIRST CHAINSAW TO PINE RIDGE RESERVATION FOR THEIR FIREWOOD HARVEST EFFORT
WOOD WILL PROVIDE EMERGENCY HEAT FOR ELDERS, DISABLED AND FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
THANK YOU!
" WE NEED CHAINSAWS FOR EMERGENCY WOOD & SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF THE PEOPLE"
- Chief Alfred Red Cloud


October 3, 2009
Eleventh Annual Award Winners Announced

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, 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.

See below for a complete list of winners

ELEVENTH ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jan Michael Looking Wolf
The Looking Wolf Project

BEST BLUES RECORDING
Dancing In The Rain
Graywolf Blues Band

BEST COMPILATION RECORDING
Bitter Tears Sacred Ground
Joanne Shenandoah & Michael Bucher

BEST COUNTRY RECORDING
Life Is Calling My Name
Shane Yellowbird

DEBUT ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Skylar Wolf
Devil’s Son

DEBUT DUO / GROUP OF THE YEAR
Will & Lil Jess
Reservation Nights

BEST FEMALE ARTIST
Joy Harjo
Winding Through The Milky Way

BEST FOLK RECORDING
Four Wolves Prophecy
Atsiaktonkie

FLUTIST OF THE YEAR
JJ Kent
Ta Te’ Topa Win

BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL RECORDING
Amazing Grace
Lenape Spirits
Wind Spirit Drum

GROUP OF THE YEAR
Brule’
Lakota Piano II

BEST HISTORICAL RECORDING
Native Pride
Thunder Hawk Singers

BEST INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING
Tango!
Gabriel Ayala

BEST MALE ARTIST
Bryan Akipa
Songs From The Black Hills

BEST NATIVE AMERICAN CHURCH RECORDING
Peyote Ways
Primeaux & Mike

BEST NEW AGE RECORDING
Deep Within
Tony Redhouse

BEST POP RECORDING
Na Unu Nahai (Shape Shifter)
Apryl Allen

BEST POW WOW RECORDING
Band of Brothers
Midnite Express

BEST PRODUCER
Kelly Parker
Out Of The Blue

BEST RAP / HIP HOP RECORDING
All Day All Night
Rezhogs

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Earth Gift
Kevin Locke

BEST ROCK RECORDING
Sirensong
Eagle & Hawk

SONG/SINGLE OF THE YEAR
A Change Is Gonna Come
Jana Mashonee

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Samantha Crain
The Confiscation: A Musical Novella

BEST SPOKEN WORD RECORDING
The Great Story From The Sacred Book
Rain Song/Terry & Darlene Wildman

BEST TRADITIONAL RECORDING
It Is A New Day
Oshkii Giizhik Singers

BEST VIDEO
Movin On
Charly Lowry & Aaron Locklear

BEST WORLD MUSIC RECORDING
Ceremony
Michael Searching Bear

NATIVE HEART
Michael Brant DeMaria
Siyotanka

Lifetime Achievement
Stevie Salas

LIVING LEGEND
Tommy Allsup

HALL OF FAME
Ritchie Valens
.

February 8, 2009

Congratulations To GRAMMY Winner
Come To Me Great Mystery — Native American Healing Songs
(Various Artists)
Tom Wasinger, producer
[Silver Wave Records]
FOLK FIELD Category 70
Best Native American Music Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)

# # #

Wizipan Garriott named Obama's First Americans Public Liaison
Courtesy Indian Country Today
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/politics/36045919.html

After Daschle lost his bid for re-election in 2004, Garriott attended the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in Tucson, and obtained a law degree there in June. In 2005, he also helped incorporate the He Sapa Leadership Academy, a college preparatory school on his reservation for students in grades eight to 12.

As Daschle became involved with Obama's campaign, the longtime politician ultimately recommended Garriott to become a part of the effort.

Daschle's recommendation was helpful, as Garriott ended up joining the Obama campaign for president as a Native American outreach coordinator in Sept. 2007. In June, he was officially hired as the campaign's First Americans vote director. His chief objective was collaborating with tribes and Native groups, trying to get out the Native vote in many states, including New Mexico, Wisconsin, Montana and Michigan.

"For us, the campaign has always been about community empowerment," Garriott told ICT in late-September.

"We've tried to put as many resources as possible into Indian communities so we can help our own people organize and empower themselves. That's what this is all about."

He also predicted in the interview that Indian participation in the election would help sway the vote in close swing states.

Garriott is the son of Elizabeth Little Elk, who works for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in the child and family services arena, and Charlie Garriott, a teacher at Todd County High School, located on the reservation in Mission, S.D.

While in college, Garriott served as a peer counselor to younger Native students. Amid controversy over whether there should be ethnic counselors and cultural houses at the institution, he made it be known that he felt such networks are beneficial, especially for reservation youth.

In a December 2002 issue of The Yale Herald, Garriott noted that the majority of reservation youth hail from economically depressed areas, which can make it especially difficult for Indian students to adjust to mainstream colleges, both academically and culturally.

At Yale, Garriott also worked as vice-president of Night Shield Entertainment, a music-focused company founded by one of his Native friends, Gabriel Night Shield. Garriott assisted with promotion and helped with
efforts on distribution, talent evaluation and music selection.

Upon learning of Garriott's new appointment, Night Shield said he and many other tribal members were "really proud of what Wizi has accomplished."

"We were joking about it the other day – maybe in about 20 years we'll be voting for Wizi as president," said Night Shield, who attended high school at St. Francis Indian School with Garriott in South Dakota.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2008

TENTH ANNUAL WINNERS ANNOUNCED

BLACKFIRE & NATIVE ROOTS TOP THE AWARDS WITH TWO LYNYRD SKYNYRD’S RICKEY MEDLOCKE, REDBONE AMONG THOSE HONORED

Niagara Falls, NY – On Saturday October 4, 2008 the Tenth Annual Native American Music Awards (N.A.M.A.) was held at the Seneca Niagara Hotel & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York and awarded over 35 artists in a four hour event with 12 onstage presentations and special Hall of Fame inductions and performances that had the packed crowd dancing on their feet. The growing success of the Awards show is now setting industry standards for professional Native American musicians who want to achieve greater acceptance and exposure from mainstream audiences.

Taking two honors each was; the New Mexico-based Reggae group, Native Roots and the Arizona-based punk rock/Alter Native band, Blackfire. Native Roots’ recording, Celebrate won for Best World Music Recording and earned them Group of the Year. Native Roots gave a high-energy live performance with their messages of pride, unity, and respect among all nations. Blackfire, is comprised of two brothers and a sister with a style that encompasses traditional Native American music with rock that bears socio-political and human rights messages. Blackfire’s (Silence) Is A Weapon won Record of the Year and their producer Ed Stasium (Ramones) took the Native Heart award.

On hand to receive their awards were: Janelle Turtle for Best Native American Church Recording with New Beginning. Janelle is the first female to receive this award, and the great great great granddaughter of Dog Woman who was the first woman to run meetings among the Cheyenne people; Jan Michael Looking Wolf, winner of Flutist of the Year with his recording, Unity, gave one of the most poignant and genuine speeches that embraced his friend JJ Kent and the recent loss of Kent’s wife; the Cherokee National Youth Choir who took Best Gospel Inspirational Recording and performed traditional Cherokee songs in the Cherokee language. The Choir came into existence from the vision of Principal Chief Chad Smith.

Other Award recipients in attendance included; Nicole for Best Female Artist, Edmund Bull for Best Male Artist who also performed an acoustic song from his album, Follow Your Dreams. After facing one of his toughest personal years with the loss of both parents and best friend, Golana received a nod for Best Instrumental Recording for Mirror Lake. Taking Artist of the Year was multiple award-winner Jim Boyd, with Blues to Bluegrass. This was Boyd's eleventh release which explored many genres - from rock and bluegrass to blues and folk, and was the first recording since the tragic loss of his son, Jim Boyd, Jr.. Carroll Medicine Crow (Best New Age Recording), Jimmy Wolf (Best Blues Recording), Tracy Bone (Best Country Recording), Cheryl Bear (Debut Artist of the Year), Red Hawk (Best Historical Recording) Adrian Brown, Tim Sampson producers for Still No Good, Dago Braves (Rap Hip Hop), NightShield (Song Single of the Year), Star Nayea (Songwriter of the Year), Ken Quiet Hawk (Spoken Word Recording), and Brule & AIRO (Long Form Video) were also on hand to receive their awards.

Special guests included; Buddy Big Mountain, Lifetime Achievement Recipient Johnny Curtis, the great great grandson of Geronimo, Houston Geronimo and Lance White Magpie, a direct descendant of Crazy Horse.

Capping the evening’s ceremonies was a collaborative performance between Joanne Shenandoah and Corn Bred who performed a unique version of “At Last” with two traditionally dressed dancers dancing a romantic slow dance. Internationally renowned and multi-million record selling band members; Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Janice Marie of Taste of Honey, Pat Vegas of Redone & Felipe Rose of the Village People all gave compelling performances following their inductions into the N.A.M.A. Hall of Fame. Rose performed a medley featuring his award-winning, “We’re Still Here” and “Trail of Tears”. Pat Vegas performed “Come And Get Your Love” and was then joined by Janice-Marie Johnson for “Boogie Oogie Oogie.” Show closer Rickey Medlocke performed a five song medley that included “Gimmie Back My Bullets”, “Train Train” and “Highway Song.” N.A.M.A. proudly honors these legendary performers and songwriters who have been leading forces in mainstream music and in the Native American community.

A post-show VIP party followed the Award ceremonies and featured some impressive and memorable collaborations and jams including; “Rumble” by the late Link Wray’s grandson, Chris Webb, and Jimmy Wolf, as well as a chilling performance of “Proud Mary” by Tracy Bone, Cheryl Bear and Digging Roots’ Shoshana Keech.

N.A.M.A. and its Advisory Board contingency congratulate all the winners and look forward to entering a second decade with them as the country’s leading resource for Native American music initiatives. For the past decade, N.A.M.A. has been nominating and awarding prominent national music figures of Native American heritage at its annual Awards ceremony, and has steadily and repeatedly attempted to prove that the Native American music community is a viable and impressive industry that is owed reverence and respect.

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.

TENTH ANNUAL NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS
SET FOR A GRAND CELEBRATION AT SENECA NIAGARA CASINO & HOTEL
ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 4th 2008

HALL OF FAME PRESENTATIONS TO BE MADE TO BAND MEMBERS OF LYNYRD SKYNYRD, VILLAGE PEOPLE, TASTE OF HONEY & REDBONE

New York, NY – On Saturday October 4, 2008 at the Seneca Niagara Hotel & Casino in Niagara Falls, NY, the highly anticipated Native American Music Awards (N.A.M.A.) will proudly commemorate its tenth anniversary with a special celebration that includes over 30 Awards categories from every genre of music as well as Hall of Fame inductions and high energy performances by nationally renowned band members from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Taste of Honey, Redone & Village People.

N.A.M.A. and its Advisory Board contingency would like to congratulate the following inductees; Rickey Medlocke, current guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd and founder, lead guitarist and songwriter of Blackfoot who has sold over 5 million records worldwide with his hits “Train Train” and “Highway Song”; Pat Vegas of Redbone, an original founding member of the Native American rock group that reached the Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1974 with the song, "Come and Get Your Love;" Janice-Marie Johnson, founder and principal songwriter of the internationally acclaimed group A Taste of Honey, with her multi-platinum smash hit "Boogie Oogie Oogie," which was number one on the Billboard Pop, Disco and R&B charts, and recipient of the 2002 “Nammy” for Producer of the Year,” and Felipe Rose, the “Indian” and Co-founder of the world renown group, The Village People whose previous solo efforts representing his Native American heritage have earned him several Native American Music Awards including “Best Historical Recording” for his song ‘Trail of Tears.’ Just this week, the Village People were honored with their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

N.A.M.A. proudly honors these legendary performers and songwriters who have been leading forces in mainstream music and in the Native American community. For the past decade, N.A.M.A. has been nominating and awarding prominent national music figures of Native American heritage at its annual Awards ceremony, a highly celebratory and critically acclaimed event. NAMA President, Ellen Bello states, “Since our inception, the Awards have celebrated the musical achievements of Native American artists from the tip to the toes of entire North America. This year’s program proudly commemorates an entire decade of honoring the artistic accomplishments of both past and present. With over 30 traditional and contemporary music categories, we have steadily and repeatedly proven that the Native American music community is a viable and impressive industry. N.A.M.A. is proud to be the premiere Awards show for Native American music. As we enter our second decade, we will continue our commitment to excellence and nurturing newer artistic expressions.”

Two-time N.A.M.A. nominee, Apache’ Gospel artist, Johnny Curtis, who has penned multiple records in the past three decades, will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Other featured performers include: multiple NAMA award winners, Joanne Shenandoah and Robert Tree Cody, Blues recording artist CornBred, Canada’s Edmund Bull, New Mexico’s Native Roots, South Dakota’s Rap Hip/Hop artists Nightshield and Maniac The Siouxpernatural, female power vocalists Star Nayea & Pura Fe’, The Cherokee National Youth Choir, Iroquois Dancers, Trevor Jones & Young Gunz plus Indian Country’s preeminent comedian and ventriloquist, Buddy Big Mountain, and more.

The Great grandson of Geronimo, Houston Geronimo and Lance White Magpie, a direct descendant of Crazy Horse will serve as special guest presenters. A film screening of Our Spirits Don't Speak English: Indian Boarding School" produced by award-winning RichHeape Productions will be held on the awards premise on Friday, October 3rd as a special pre-show event.

Tickets are $20.00 and up and are available through Ticketmaster and the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel box office. Showtime is 8:00pm. Hotel reservations can be made by calling 716.299.1100 or 1.888.905.4477.
All Winners of the Tenth Annual Native American Music Awards will be announced at the awards pre-show event and throughout the Awards ceremony. A post show meet and greet with autograph signings will take place in the lobby following the event followed by a private VIP Party in the Bear’s Den for winners and nominees.

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.

Music tracks of all artist nominees are posted on www.votenative.com.
Visit www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com for more information.
For press credentials please contact Jillian Fiorella, Seneca Gaming Corporation at 716.501.2324 or JFiorella@snfgc.com






NINTH ANNUAL NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS SHOW SET FOR REPEAT SATELLITE BROADCASTS
TO OVER 18 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS ON COLOURS TV SUNDAY, JUNE 1st & JUNE 8th

New York, NY/May 29, 2008 - On Sunday, June 1st, at 2:00PM, the highly esteemed Native American Music Awards will be broadcast in over 18 million households as a featured two-hour televised special on CoLours TV. CoLours TV can be found in all 50 states in the top 100 TV markets through the EchoStar/Dish Network channel 9407 and on local cable affiliates, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A rebroadcast of the Awards program is scheduled for Sunday, June 8th from 2:00 to 4:00PM.

CoLours TV was created by Black Star Communications (BSC), a non-profit corporation organized to operate exclusively for civic, charitable, and educational purposes. The CoLours TV network has set out to be a voice of authority for America’s multicultural community. Today, they are in over 18 million television households which accounts for more than 40 million viewers. CoLours also features an online presence at www.colourstv.org CoLours’ technical information is Satellite Intelsat Americas 13, Transponder 6.

The Ninth Annual Native American Music Awards show was recently held at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls, New York, and taped in front of a live audience. This two hour broadcast program features award presentations, special guest appearances and live performances in all genres of music by leading artists of Native American heritage from North America. Featured performers include; Lifetime Achievement Award recipients Joanne Shenandoah and Bill Miller, South Dakota’s Brule’ & AIRO (Group of the Year), Buffalo’s own Tonemah (Best Folk Recording), Upstate New York’s Corn Bred (Best Blues Recording) Lumbee pop artist Jana (Best Pop Recording), Gary Small & the Coyote Bros (Best Rock Recording), Drum group Pipestone (Record of the Year), Nightshield with Maniac the Siouxpernatural (Best Rap Recording), the traditional Iroquois Dancers, nominees Digging Roots, and Jan Michael Looking Wolf with renowned Latin music producer, George Noriega. Other special guest presenters include; Beth Wray Webb (Daughter of the late Link Wray), Keith Secola, and Wayquay among others.

Founded a decade ago in May of 1998, the critically acclaimed Native American Music Awards is the country’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.

Support for the Ninth Annual Native American Music Awards’ broadcast was received by the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, the Seneca Nation of Indians (SNI), the Shokopee Mdewankaton Sioux Community and The Seminole Tribe of Florida. The Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel is a premiere entertainment destination and features the largest hotel in Western New York with breathtaking views of one of the most incredible natural sites in the world, Niagara Falls.



SHERIDAN, WYOMING 4/22/08
GARY SMALL & HIS BAND OF COYOTE'S Teamed Up with Rock & Roll Icon, Chubby Checker on  April 19, 2008 at My Buddy's Place in Sheridan, Wyoming.  Small and his band were originally going to open only, but Chubby's manager organized a crash rehearsal with them just hours before the scheduled show. Gary Small played away while Chubby sang "Lets Do the Twist!!!" Gary and his band would like to thank Z94 FM's Russ Davidson and Cathleen and the whole crew at My Buddies Place as the host venue.


TAOS, NEW MEXICO  2/12/08
OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE  FROM ROBERT MIRABAL
Media Contact: Andrew Flack, flack@starroadrecords.com; 1-800-362-1273

New Mexico’s Native Son, Robert Mirabal, Wins  GRAMMY for Best Native American Album of the Year  “Johnny Whitehorse Totemic Flute Chants”

TAOS PUEBLO, NM (February 12, 2008) — On Sunday February 10th, The 50th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS presented its Native American Album of the Year to Robert Mirabal of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico.

The winning album, “Johnny Whitehorse Totemic Flute Chants” on Silver Wave Records, captures a full-fledged Southwest tribal vibe in addition to blending full-on world music influences. The record was co-produced by Mirabal and Larry Mitchell.

Johnny Whitehorse is a character created by Mirabal... an iconic vision of the lone Indian on horseback roaming the desert Southwest. Robert's brother, Patrick Shendo Mirabal, is also featured on the album.

From the liner notes: "All over the world, man has relied on the mystery and power of animals to guide him. Crafted from an array of Native American flutes, keyboards, tribal drums and world music instruments, "Totemic Flute Chants" interprets these animal spirits that have the power to transform lives."

This is Mirabal’s second GRAMMY in three years. In 2006 he won as part of a ensemble recording, “Sacred Ground,” also on Silver Wave Records.

The GRAMMY’S Native American category was initiated in 2000 and category is “for recordings of a more traditional nature, but allowing contemporary recordings containing substantial traditional elements.”

Mirabal's other 2007 release, "In the Blood" has won multiple awards including "Best International Album" at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.

Robert was also voted "Best Male Artist" of the Year at the 2007 Native American Music Awards where his "Pueblo Christmas" release was nominated for "Record of the Year."

Mirabal's first novel, "Running Alone in Photographs" will be published this Spring.

###

LOS ANGELES, CA 12/13/07
FLOYD RED CROW WESTERMAN JOURNEYS TO THE SPIRIT WORLD

12/13/07 - Renowned musician, activist, and elder, Floyd Red Crow Westerman passed on to the spirit world at 5:00 a.m. PST this morning at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles after an extended illness and complications from Leukemia as reported today by the Native American Times and News From Indian Country.

Floyd Red Crow Westerman participated and performed in the First Annual Native American Music Awards in 1998, was the recipient of NAMA's Living Legend Award in 2002, and was recently awarded Best Country Recording for his recording, "A Tribute To Johnny Cash" at the Ninth Annual Native American Music Awards in October 2007.

With music as his first love, Westerman left his home on the Lake Traverse reservation in South Dakota with a suitcase and an old guitar as a young man. He traveled across the country playing country music and his own original songs and then based himself in Denver.

In 1969, he signed his first recording contract and released his first album, the highly acclaimed, "Custer Died for Your Sins" which captured the Indian movement's pathos and ethos during its formative years. In 1970 he released his second recording, "Indian Country".

As a member of the American Indian Movement, and spokesman for the International Indian Treaty Council, he traveled around the world to improve social conditions for indigenous peoples. In 1982, he reflected those sentiments in his third recording, "This Land Is Your Mother."

In 1996, he attended the first Native American Music Awards and performed with Joanne Shenandoah in a tribute performance for Hall of Fame Inductee, the late Buddy Red Bow.

In 2002 he was awarded the NAMA Living Legend Award at the Fifth Annual Native American Music Awards with Keith Secola accepting on his behalf.

In 2006, he was won Best Country Recording at the Native American Music Awards for his last full length recording, "A Tribute To Johnny Cash"released by Henhouse Studios.

During his music career and before his entrance into many films and television shows, he played and collaborated with a number of notable musicians, including; Willie Nelson, Kris Kristopherson, Buffy St. Marie,  Joni Mitchell, Willie Nelsonm Jackson Browne, Harry Belafonte, and Sting.

Westerman's film and television appearances include the role of the Shaman for Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's "The Doors" and as Ten Bears in "Dances With Wolves" His television roles have included playing Uncle Ray on Walker, Texas Ranger, One Who Waits, on Northern Exposure and multiple appearances as Albert Hosteen on the X-Files.

Westerman's numerous other awards include; a Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition, the Award for Generosity by the Americans for Indian Opportunity, was named Cultural Ambassador by the International Treaty Council, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Los Angeles and Mayor Richard Riordan, FAITA, and the Integrity Award from the Multi-Cultural Motion Picture Association.

The Native American Music Awards has been honored by Floyd Red Crow Westerman's support and contributions over the years and will always be remembered with great fondness, admiration and respect.

The Native American Music Awards & Association 

JOANNE SHENANDOAH AND BILL MILLER
TO RECEIVE SPECIAL HONORS AS
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS
AT NINTH ANNUAL NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

New York, NY - Two of the biggest names in the Native American music industry, Joanne Shenandoah and Bill Miller, will be presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards on Saturday, October 6, 2007, at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls, New York.

As the Native American Music Awards leading award recipient with nine awards, Joanne Shenandoah is also a GRAMMY Award-winning artist with 14 albums to her credit. A Wolf Clan member of the Iroquois Confederacy (Oneida Nation) who currently resides in Syracuse, New York, Joanne began her recording career in the late 1980’s. She has forged forward to become one of the top-selling and most widely recognized Native recording artists today. Her legacy has been highlighted by collaborations with Bruce Cockburn and Neil Young and performances with; Willie Nelson, Buffy Sainte-Marie (Cree), Kris Kristofferson, Floyd Westerman (Dakota), Robbie Robertson (Mohawk), R. Carlos Nakai (Navajo/Ute). Her repertoire has spanned the realms of country, rock, techno, gospel, children's songs and folk as well as her best-known traditional Iroquois social songs. Since emerging as an artist in 1989, she has performed at such high-profile shows at Carnegie Hall, the White House, Kennedy Center, Earth Day on the Mall, Woodstock '94, the Parliament of the Worlds Religions in South Africa and the famous Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona Spain. Her music has been used in many soundtracks to include HBO, PBS, Northern Exposure, Bose Systems, and The Discovery Channel. She has just been featured in the newly released film "The Last Winter" starring Ron Perlman and has a principal role in the Discovery Channel/Think Film release of “First Nations - Hiawatha's Story” (Ayenwentha).

Bill Miller has long been one of the most admired figures in the Native American music arena and beyond. A GRAMMY award-winning recording artist, and six-time NAMA award winner, Bill hails from northern Wisconsin (his tribe is called Mahicanuk which means People From Where The Waters Are Never Still). His Indian name, Fush-Ya Heay Ka, means "bird song". He learned traditional songs at an early age and later began to play folk music and bluegrass as well as the Native American flute, which he came to master. He has written songs with the likes of Nancy Griffith, Peter Rowan and Kim Carnes, and shared the stage with national recording artists such as; Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, the BoDeans, Richie Havens, Arlo Guthrie and Tori Amos who he was the opening act for her “Under The Pink” U.S. and Canadian 200 date tour. His long recording career includes such landmark albums as; Loon Mountain and Moon, Red Road, Reservation Road, Raven In The Snow, Ghost Dance and The Art Of Survival. Over the past three years, Bill has produced two projects, Spirit Rain and Cedar Dream Songs that blend Native American and western folk/blues traditions in something wholly new. Spirit Rain and Cedar Dream Songs bought Bill great recognition and earned him a Grammy Award for Best Native American Recording. Bill has an equally active career as a painter and his work has been shown and sold in prestigious galleries around the country. He is currently working with John Carter Cash for his next recording.

The Native American Music Awards’ (N.A.M.A.) Lifetime Achievement Award is a highly prestigious award presented to an individual whose life has been dedicated to music and who has made outstanding artistic contributions in the music recording field. Recipients of this award will be honored at the Awards ceremony on October 6th. Recipients were nominated and elected by the N.A.M.A. Advisory Board.

Hosted by actor, Steve Reevis, this year’s Awards program will feature a night of musical excellence with over 30 awards presentations and a more than fifteen live music performances including; special performances by Bill Miller, Joanne Shenandoah, and Jan Michael Looking Wolf with George Noriega whose other collaborations include: Phil Ramone, Timbaland, Scott Storch, Robi “Draco” Rosa, Desmond Child, Ricky Martin, Emilio Estefan, Jennifer López, Shakira, Jon Secada, and many more.

The Native American Music Awards has been acclaimed for having “all the professionalism and production values of much larger events like the Grammy Awards and the American Music Awards” (American Federation of Radio Television Artists). The Awards has received wide critical praise from both national and international media such as; USA Today, Associated Press, CNN, Wall Street Journal, Billboard Magazine, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, La Voce Italiana and France's International Herald Tribune.

Nominees were selected by the Awards’ Advisory membership committee and winners are determined through a national voting campaign open to the general public. The Native American Music Awards’ Advisory Board is the country’s largest membership of music professionals directly involved in recording, manufacturing, distributing and promoting Native American music.

A Special Nominee & Media Reception will be held on Friday, October 5th in the Bear's Den at the Seneca Niagara Hotel & Casino at 6:ooPM.


HILLY KRISTAL, FOUNDER  OF CBGBS PASSES AT 75

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

When the first whispers of the "NAMMYS" began, it ran from the Black graffitti walls of CBGB to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Those who know our true origins, know this. And Hilly was one of them. A man who for over 30 years, was entirely committed and deeply devoted to showcasing new and original talent. 

I'm shaken and  deeply saddened by the passing of this incredible gentleman and friend.  Hilly Kristal was like no other.  He was a visionary, a kind, calm and humble man that loved beauty and originality. He paved his own way,  founded his own club, created a home for thousands of musicians. and gave life to one of the world's biggest and most historic music scenes.  He did so with a deep and unrelenting love and passion for it all, and for many of us, we felt part of something so much more just being around him and his club.  When he died, a part of my own music career died, and I imagine so did a part in everyone  in the business who knew him.  It was a sad irony that I was the first to learn that the space CBGB's occupied was being put on the market for lease - My heart sank when I had to tell Hilly.  I know his broke. Money was never his motive. But it was his landlords. I couldn't bear much more beyond that. And apparently neither could he as illness set in.

In retrospect, I'm so glad I was able to help Hilly celebrate CBGBs 20th Anniversary.   It was truly a special and happy time. I'm grateful for the many outings and talks we had.  I'm also glad we campaigned together to have CBGB's designated as a Historic landmark in NYC.  The only mistake was that we didn't own the premise.  Maybe someone out there can buy the building from those greedy landlords and resurrect it as the historic landmark CBGBs should be.    Regardless, this great man should never be forgotten, and I believe amongst all us fans and former patrons, that he will not.  Goodbye Great One. May you ride forever in your Mini Cooper!  I will miss you so dear Hilly.

Ellen Bello
NAMA Founder & CEO

www.cbgb.com

news.google.com/news

December 14, 2007 - 8:15pm
By ROBERT JABLON
Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Floyd Red Crow Westerman, an American Indian activist, actor and folk singer who appeared in "Dances with Wolves" and performed with Willie Nelson and other musicians, has died. He was 71. Westerman died Thursday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of complications from leukemia, said his son, Richard Tall Bear Westerman. The entertainer appeared in dozens of movies and television shows, including in recurring roles as Uncle Ray Firewalker on "Walker, Texas Ranger" and George Littlefox on "Dharma & Greg."  His most memorable movie role was in Kevin Costner's 1990 Oscar-winning Western epic, "Dances with Wolves." He played the Sioux leader Ten Bears, who befriends Costner's character.

A respected musician, Westerman worked with Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Harry Belafonte, Jackson Browne and others. His debut album, released in 1970, was titled "Custer Died For Your Sins." Last year he released "A Tribute to Johnny Cash" to positive reviews. "He always said he was a musician first and he just acted for the money," his son said Friday. Westerman completed work in September on the upcoming Costner film "Swing Vote." He was an activist for environmental causes, and for the rights of American Indians and other indigenous people. In the 1990s, Westerman toured the world with Sting to raise money to preserve rain forests. "He was really, really politically conscious," his son said. "He said the Iraq war is just another land grab, like they did with Oklahoma and the Midwest in America. Back then it was about land and gold, and now it was about oil."

Westerman was born Aug. 17, 1936, on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Sioux reservation in South Dakota. He left the reservation as a youngster to attend a government boarding school. In keeping with policies at the time, the school frowned on his culture. "They cut his hair and they wouldn't allow him to speak the language," his son said. "He was a survivor of everything that the government has tried to do to Native Americans."

Westerman graduated from a reservation high school, spent two years in the Marines and earned a degree in secondary education from Northern State College in South Dakota.  He made his movie debut in 1989's "Renegades," playing the father of Lou Diamond Phillips' character. He was a shaman in Oliver Stone's 1991 movie "The Doors." Survivors include his wife, Rosie, and daughters Jennifer Westerman of Arizona, Chante Westerman of Washington state, Nicky Jackson of Minneapolis, and Chenoa Westerman of South Dakota.

Buddy Big Mountain NAMA 5 - play video
Windell Yodelling, Absolutely Awesome!!!

Honoring Redbone's Tony Bellamy - play video
Tony Bellamy of Redbone Playing Their Hit Song "Come And Get Your Love" At The First Awards, and Tony's Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech at the 10th Annual Native American Music Awards.

NAMA 11 Opening - play video
Music Note Fireworks

Young Gunz NAMA 11 - play video
Pow Wow Drum

Gabriel Ayala NAMA 11 - play video
11th Annual NAMA's, This guy is awesome!!

Dallas Washkahat & Fawn Wood NAMA 11 - play video
Great Traditional

Gil Birmingham NAMA 11 - play video
Nice Instrumental by Gil Birmingham from "Twilight" the movie

Joanne Shenandoah NAMA 11 - play video
With Michael Bucher

Gil Birmingham Jimmy Wolf NAMA 11 - play video
Rockin Blues! A little Stevey Ray Vaughn

Jana NAMA 11 - play video
This is Jana at her best!

Jimmy Wolf NAMA 11 - play video
Oozie Suzie!!!!!

Stevie Salas NAMA 11 - play video
Great Rock Performance by Stevie, TM Stevens and Dave Abbruzzese

Richie Valens NAMA 11 - play video
Highlight Clip

Tommy Allsup HOF NAMA 11 - play video
Ritchie Valens Hall of Fame Induction

Tommy Allsup Performance NAMA 11 - play video
Big Boss Man, with Mario Ramirez

Back Yard Blues Band NAMA 11 - play video
La Bamba with Mario Ramirez and Tommy Allsup

Eagle and Hawk NAMA 11 - play video
Winnipeg Manitoba's Vince Fontaine

Buddy Big Mountain NAMA 10 - play video
This is great!!!!

Janice Marie NAMA 10 - play video
Get Down Boogie Oogie Oogie!

Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd - 10th Anniversary - play video
Live at the 10th Anniversary of the Native American Music Awards

Night Shield NAMA 10 - play video
With Maniac The Siouxpernatural

Tracy Bone NAMA 10 - play video
Best Country Recording

FELIPE ROSE at NAMA 5 - play WMV

WAYQUAY & GLEN AHAITTY at NAMA 9 - play WMV

JOANNE SHENANDOAH AT NAMA 9 - play WMV

TONEMAH AT NAMA 9 - play WMV

Sara Weston & Johnny Curtis at NAMA 9 - play WMV

PIPESTONE at NAMA 9 - play WMV

Jana at NAMA 9 - play WMV

IROQUOIS DANCERS AT NAMA 9 - play WMV

GARY SMALL BAND AT NAMA 9 - play WMV

DIGGIN ROOTS at NAMA 9 - play WMV

DEREK MILLER at NAMA 9 - play WMV

BRULE' AT NAMA 9 - play WMV

CORNBRED AT NAMA 9 - play WMV

BILL MILLER at NAMA 9 - play WMV

Tony_Bellamy_2 - play video
Hi Resolution for Michaelina

Tony_Bellamy_3 - play video
Best Quality