GRAMMYs and NAMMYs celebrate Native music

by: Brenda Norrell / Indian Country Today

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. - The eclectic sound of Indian country, from rap to rock 'n' roll and traditional, captured awards at the 7th Annual Native American Music Awards (NAMMYs) and the 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Rapper Litefoot, Navajo punk rockers Blackfire, Jim Boyd of XIT fame, newcomer Jay Nez and Felipe Rose of Village People stardom captured top awards at the NAMMYs, held Feb. 10 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

With actor Adam Beech and singer Jana as co-host, the NAMMYs began with words from Seminole Chief Mitchell Cypress. Cypress welcomed the showcase of ancient and contemporary Native music at the VIP-only event in the Hard Rock's Club Showroom.

Meanwhile, at the GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles, Bill Miller captured the award for Best Native American Music Album for ''Cedar Drum Songs.'' The nominees were ''Straight Up Northern'' by Black Eagle; ''Family Traditions'' by Black Lodge Singers, ''Covenant'' by Joanne Shenandoah and ''Feed The Fire'' by Mary Youngblood.

Tom Bee of SOAR Records in Albuquerque encouraged the GRAMMYs to place Black Eagle in the GRAMMY pre-show venue in order to begin the healing process following last year's OutKast performance, which was offensive to many American Indians.

Black Eagle of Jemez Pueblo, N.M. performed three songs with the pow wow drum and hand drums. Although the pre-show performance was not aired on CBS, Bee said it was filmed for later broadcast on VH1 or A&E.

''It went fabulous. I was real proud,'' Bee told Indian Country Today.

Describing OutKast's performance and bizarre outfits at last year's GRAMMY awards, Bee said it was an insult to American Indians - the kind that keeps racism alive. It was no different than if a group were performing as Aunt Jemimas, a parody that would have been equally offensive to blacks, he said.

However, Bee said it is time to move forward and the GRAMMYs were gracious in placing Black Eagle on the venue to reflect true Indian culture.

''It's time to get over it and do something positive. You have to be a shiner, not a whiner,'' said Bee, whose SOAR Records produces Black Eagle, Black Lodge Singers and this year's GRAMMY award winner Rain Song. The husband and wife team of Rain Song, Arlene Wildman and Terry Wildman, Yaqui/Chippewa, won best pop contemporary Christian album for ''Rising Sun.''

Sharing more good news with Indian country, Bee said XIT, the musical bedrock of the '70s American Indian rights movement, is ready to perform in concert again, following rave reviews of a reunion concert in Albuquerque, N.M. three years ago.

''It's time to do some key bookings,'' Bee said.

At the GRAMMYs, Los Lonely Boys of West Texas, popular in Indian country, won best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals for ''Heaven.''

At the NAMMYs this year, seats were $100 a piece for the awards show, which included a rare public performance of the Seminole Stomp Dance. About 800 people attended the event, which included 10 live music performances and the presentation of 30 awards from all music genres.

''This year's nominees feature an eclectic mix of exciting and young artists to the more seasoned musicians who are taking their creative abilities to another level,'' said Ellen Bello, founder/CEO of the Native American Music Awards.

NAMMY award ceremonies were previously held in Connecticut, Milwaukee and Albuquerque. However, Bello hopes the NAMMYs have found a new home with the Seminoles in Hollywood.

This year, Litefoot captured the NAMMY award for Artist of the Year. The Group of the Year was Navajo punk rock group Blackfire, comprised of the sister and brothers trio of Klee, Jeneda and Clayson Benally, who use their music to triumph Native environmental and social justice issues.

Winning the NAMMY award for Best Blues and Jazz was ''Indian Harmony,'' by the Cecil Gray & Red Dawn Blues Band. The Best Compilation recording was ''Honoring Singers & Songmakers, Vol. 2'', by Northern Cree & Friends. The Debut Artist of the Year was Jay Nez and the Best Female Artist was Yolanda Martinez.

Jim Boyd won the award for Record of the Year for ''Going to the Stick Games.'' The Song/Single of the Year was ''One Voice One Cry'' by Jimmy Lee Young. The Songwriter of the Year was Felipe Rose. The Best-Spoken Word Recording was ''The Way We Are'' by Mary Louise Defender Wilson.

The Best Traditional recording was ''Round Dance Blues'' by Randy Wood. The Best Short or Long Form Video was ''Walela Live In Concert.'' The Best World Music recording was Nawi Yarina.

NAMMYs Best Folk/Country recording was ''Through Indian Eyes'' by Qua Ti Si. Flutist of the Year was Billy Whitefox, while Best Gospel/Christian recording went to ''It's Time'' from Rezawrecktion. The Best Historical recording was ''California Pow Wow'' by Cozad, while the Best Independent recording was ''Walkin' n Fire'' by Stan Summers. The Best Instrumental recording was ''Parmly's Dream'' by Joseph Firecrow and the Billings Symphony Orchestra.

Eli Secody captured the award for Best Male Artist, while Best New Age recording was ''Star Nations'' by Douglas Blue Feather. The Best Pop/Rock recording was ''Ruff Masters'' by Micki Free and The 9, while the Best Pow Wow recording was ''Blackfoot Pow Wow'' by Black Lodge, Star Society and Moccasin Flats.

This year's Best Producer award went to Tom Wasinger and Mary Youngblood for ''Feed The Fire.'' The Best Rap/Hip Hop recording was ''Red Hawk Woman'' by Shadowyze. The Native Heart award went to Scott August for ''Sacred Dreams.''

Two albums from Canyon Records received top honors at the NAMMYs. Northern Cree received a NAMMY for their recording ''Northern Cree & Friends-Honoring Singers & Songmakers Vol. 2'' for Best Compilation Album. They were also nominated for Duo/Group of the Year for their album ''Rezonate - Live at Saddle Lake.'' This award marks their second NAMMY, having received their first for Best Pow Wow Album in 2001 for ''Rockin' the Rez.''

Randy Wood, Cree, also a double nominee this year, received his first NAMMY for Best Traditional Album for ''Round Dance Blues.'' He was also nominated for Best Male Artist. In 2002, Wood was nominated for Best Male Artist for his recording ''Round Dance the Night Away.''

Over 150 national music recordings were submitted for nomination consideration for the 7th Annual Native American Music Awards. The NAMA Advisory and Industry members made nominee submissions. Recordings were commercially released from April 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004, with national distribution.

Winners of the 7th Annual Native American Music Awards were determined through membership mail-in ballots and a national voting campaign.

Link to Report

Feb 2005 Reports

Last updated on February 24, 2005