Apr 17 2007
The 2006 Native American Music Awards (NAMMYS) have announced their list of nominees. Many people who are unfamiliar with Native American music are surprised at what a breadth and depth of styles and musicians are out there, playing everything from traditional flute to modern hip-hop.Leading this year's pack of over 125 NAMMY nominees, with four nominations each, are Anishinabe Rock and Roll artist Keith Secola, Cherokee jazz chanteuse Rita Coolidge, Colville alternative singer-songwriter Jim Boyd and a collection of traditional music from Brule Records.
Because voting for the NAMMYs is open to the public, I'm going to refrain on giving my picks for the winners... I don't want to taint anyone's opinion. I will say, however, that there are very few records in this huge bunch that are not fully deserving of an award, and it will be hard to pick.
The Official NAMMYS Homepage has sound samples of all of the records, so if you choose to vote (which you should), you can make well-informed decisions.
And now for the nominees:
Artist Of The Year
- Flash Of A Firefly - Jana
- Them Old Guitars - Jim Boyd
- Skywoman - Joanne Shenandoah
- Native Americana - Keith Secola
- And So Is Love - Rita Coolidge
Group Of The Year
- Tatanka - AIRO
- Raven In The Midnight Sun - Arvel Bird, Deni and Irene Bedard
- Family Traditions - Black Lodge Singers
- Cherokee Sunday Morning - Cherokee National Youth Choir
- Honoring Singers & Songmakers, Vol. 3 - Northern Cree & Friends
Record Of The Year
- More Kids' Pow Wow Songs - Black Lodge
- Time For Truth - Douglas Blue Feather
- Flash Of A Firefly - Jana
- Them Old Guitars - Jim Boyd
- Native Americana - Keith Secola
Song/Single Of The Year
- Sacred Ground - Bill Miller
- Stomp Dance - Brulé
- Sundancer - Eagle & Hawk
- Pow Wow 2-Nite - Gary Small
- Come Rain Or Come Shine - Rita Coolidge
Best Female Artist
- Native Rose - Kansas Begaye
- I'll Run To You - Marlena
- Follow Your Heart's Desire - Pura Fé
- Spirit Of A Woman - Radmilla Cody
- Rhythm Of Love - Tiinesha Begaye
Best Male Artist
- Blues From The Coyote - Gary Small & The Coyote Bros.
- World Peace - Gil Silverbird
- Red Beads - Joseph Fire Crow
- Cherokee Flutes - Tommy Wildcat
- Song Of The Black Wolf - Wade Fernandez
Debut Artist/Group Of The Year
- Rattle & Drum - Asani
- From All Directions - Blue Dog
- Daughters Of The Earth - Feather River Singers
- Gotta Have Your Love - Red Rhythm Band
- World Peace - Silverbird
