Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The voices of three generations of Cherokees filled the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council Chambers, singing Cherokee gospel songs in perfect harmony. Somewhere in the middle of the group of preteens stands two-time Grammy Award winner Rita Coolidge, blending her famous voice with other Cherokees on a soon-to-be released CD.

"I’m singing four songs on the CD", Coolidge said at a recent recording session. "Some of the songs are with the adult choir, some with the children’s choir, some with both. The end result is that it’s great."

Coolidge says singing with the Cherokee National Choir has been a project that she and Principal Chief Chad Smith have discussed since before the choir even came into existence.

"We talked about a children’s choir and about starting one and developing it. Chad asked me if I might want to sing with the group and now it’s come to fruition. The blessing is all mine."

Coolidge spent a busy week in Tahlequah recording, learning and listening. She attended Smith’s Cherokee history class during the day, and participated in community events during the evenings.

"I don’t think there are words that can speak from my heart what I’ve experienced this week", Coolidge said. “When I spoke to Chad and he invited me to come to the history lesson and to sing with the choir he said, ‘I feel like it will change your life,’ and it has."

"Ever since I saw her in concert when I was in college, I’ve always been a huge Rita Coolidge fan", Smith said. "We’re very grateful that she could spend a week with us and sing with the choir."

Last fall, Coolidge added the Native American Music Awards "Lifetime Achievement Award" to the Grammys in her trophy case. Her 1974 album, Anytime...Anywhere featured some of her biggest hit singles, including "Higher & Higher" and "The Way You Do The Things You Do". She has sung on albums with such diverse talents as Eric Clapton, Glen Campbell, Jimmy Buffett, and now, the Cherokee National Choir.

"It's not about being a celebrity, or being somebody, it’s about what is in my heart and what I feel", Coolidge said about singing in Cherokee. "It's about singing music with my people. It’s the best thing that could happen."

Coolidge’s current project is Walela, a group that includes her sister, Priscilla Coolidge, and her niece, Laura Satterfield. In Walela’s self-titled debut album, the trio sings "Amazing Grace" in Cherokee. Walela’s newest release is entitled Unbearable Love.