Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation
Copyright © 2003 CNO
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - The Cherokee Nation is pleased to announce that Building One Fire, the second album by the Cherokee National Youth Choir, has been nominated by the Native American Music Awards in the categories of "Album of the Year" and best "Gospel/Christian Recording."
Winners are determined through national membership mail-in ballots and a voting campaign open to the general public on the Nammys.Com web site. Fans and supporters of the Cherokee National Youth Choir are urged to vote.
Winners will be announced at the Sixth Annual Native American Music Awards ceremonies, to be held at the Isleta Casino Resort Showroom in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Saturday, November 15th. The choir's first album, Voices of The Creator's Children featuring Rita Coolidge, took the top award for "Best Gospel/Christian Recording," at the Native American Music Awards, in September of 2002.
Since its release in December 2002, Building One Fire has fortified the Cherokee National Youth Choir's position as the preeminent native language youth choir in America. The choir is made up of Cherokee youth from across the Cherokee Nation and is helping spread a cultural renaissance through their music and language skills. Building One Fire continues the mission that was envisioned for the choir by Chadwick "Corntassel" Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Smith established the Cherokee National Youth Choir to be "ambassadors" for the Cherokee Nation and to promote Cherokee language and culture.
In the three short years since it was created, the choir has developed a national presence. Building One Fire has created new opportunities for the choir to add to their already impressive resume, including performances at Dollywood with the legendary Dolly Parton, Ground Zero in New York City and at the Inaugural for Oklahoma Governor, Brad Henry.
As with their first record, the choir worked on Building One Fire with a featured entertainer, showcasing the talents of Gil Silverbird, a noted musical performer, composer, actor, entertainer, and musical director of Navajo, Apache and Cherokee descent. Silverbird has toured nationally and internationally, and his resume includes voice-over credits for commercials for MTV, TV Guide, and McDonalds.
The two Native American Music Awards nominations for Building One Fire will most certainly bolster the reputation of the Cherokee National Youth Choir. The Native American Music Awards has been acclaimed for its professionalism and production qualities in such national media outlets as; USA Today, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. Artists are recognized and honored for their outstanding music contributions in a diverse range of 30 traditional and contemporary music categories. Previous honorees have included; Crystal Gayle, Bill Miller, Joanne Shenandoah, R. Carlos Nakai, Robert Mirabal, Indigenous, Litefoot, Robbie Robertson, Rita Coolidge, Tom Bee, John Trudell, the Navajo Codetalkers (Living Legend), the late Jimi Hendrix and Hank Williams. This year, over 145 national recordings were submitted for nomination consideration.
To vote for the Cherokee National Youth Choir, visit http:www.nammys.com.
See also the Voices of The Creators Children, by the Cherokee National Children's Choir. Rita Coolidge is spotlighted on four of the songs on this album.
| Related contact information: |
|
Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |