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NEWS FROM INDIAN COUNTRY: The Independent Native Journal JUNE 26, 2006PAGE 16

Story and photos by Kimberlie R. HallHollywood, Florida (NFIC)

The Eighth Annual Native AmericanM u s i cAwards was

held on Thursday,June 8th, 2006, atthe Seminole HardRock Live inH o l l y w o o d .Hosted by Navajocomedy duo James& Ernie, thisyear’s programfeatured a magicalevening of prideand musicalexcellence withover 28 awardspresentations and adozen live musicperformances.

Douglas BlueFeather opened thelive performancesof the evening withhis flute instru-mental. Just like inTina Turner’srendition of“Proud Mary”...you start out realslow... then youspeed up... withadrenalin flowingand music gettinglouder... andfaster... and theHard Rock was arockn’ before thenight was out.

In betweena w a r dpresentations andspeeches, moreNative artists rocked the stage. This year’sBest Female Artist of the Year, Pura Fé,founding member of the internationallyrenowned Native women’s acapella trio Ulali,came out with a solo performanceresurrecting the common bond and the

Indigenous influence of the “birth of theblues,” playing a acoustic lap steel slide guitarand belting out the blues.

Violinist Arvel Bird (Pauite), this year’swinner for BestI n s t r u m e n t a lRecording, alsoperformed. Hissound is truly aneclectic musicalexperience. Hecan play any-thing from clas-sical to countryand bluegrass tojazz. Arveladded two newadditions to hisgroup, Eagleand Vlasis, thef o r m e rdrummer andguitarist fromBrulé.

This year, theshow inductedthe late LinkW r a y(Shawnee) intothe N.A.M.A.Hall of Fame.Link is knownas the firstN a t i v eAmerican rockand roll star. Hebegan his careerin the 1940swith brothersDoug andVernon inP o r t s m o u t h ,Virginia. Theyplayed WesternSwing – or asLink put it

“rock and roll before it was rock and roll.”Link’s first big hit was “The Rumble” andafter appearing on American Bandstand thehit went on to sell four million copies.

Link’s other hits included “Rawhide” in1959 and “Jack the Ripper” in 1960. Through

the years, Link hasshared the stagewith the likes ofPatsy Cline, BruceSpringsteen, BobDylan, Neil Youngand many more. Hismusic has beenfeatured insoundtracks forB r e a t h l e s s ,D e s p e r a d o ,Independence Day,Pulp Fiction, Blowand Confession of aDangerous Mind, among others.

Link Wray’s induction was presented byLittle Steven, one of the founding members ofthe Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Bandand star of The Sopranos.

After the presentation, a special tributeperformance was lead by his grandson, ChrisWebb, with guest Gary Small from the bandCoyote Bros.

The NAMMYS also awarded originalDoors drummer John Densmore with a NativeHeart award for his contribution on KeithSecola’s Native Americana, Miami-based 70srockers, Tiger Tiger with a LifetimeAchievement, and GRAMMYS® MusiCares’Harold Owens with a Humanitarian Award.

Leading Award winners included KeithSecola for Artist of the Year and Best FolkRecording, Jana’s Flash of a Firefly forRecord of the Year, Jim Boyd for Songwriterof the Year, Bill Miller for Song/Single of theYear, and Rita Coolidge’s And So Is Love forBest Blues/Jazz Recording.

Oh, and we can’t forget Buddy BigMountain, Windell and Lennord Fire Hair.They always add just a great comic relief tothe evening every year.

And just when you think the show couldn’tpossibly get any better, just beforeintermission, a special All Star Rockperformance took place with Micki Free(Shalimar), Jean Beauvouir (Plasmatics/LittleSteven), Stevie Salas (Mick Jagger/RodStewart), John Brant (Cheap Trick) and DaveAbrusezze (formerly of Pearl Jam) and theyrocked the house.

Other performances throughout the

evenings show included Red Rhythm Band,Eagle & Hawk, Wade Fernandez and GilSilverbird.

Out of all the performances that eveningtwo stood out the most for me and that wasKeith Secola’s “Frybread” song and theclosing performance by Bill Miller. “Why,”you say? Cause just like the veteran Nativemusicians they are, they called upon Pura Fé,Soni and Jennifer... yes that’s right... Ulali, tosing back-up for them on stage. You see thosegirls just can’t show up somewhere and sitback incognito and just watch a performance.Once the likes of Bill or Keith know they arein the house they are always summoned toround out a performance.

This year’s awards show was againbroadcast live on the internet via IndigenousPeoples Music. Overwhelming responseswere received in Australia, Nigeria andVenezuela. An edited version of the Awardsshow is expected to be broadcast nationally bySeminole Broadcasting.

Eighth Annual Native American MusicAwards Rocks at the Hard Rock Live

James and Ernie, the Navajo comedy duo, were the hostof this year’s NAMMYs.

Jana takes home the Nammy for Record ofthe Year for Flash of a Firefly.

Keith Secola performing his famous “Frybread” song with Ulali’s Soni,Jennifer and Pura Fé backing him up.

Family of late Link Wray with Little Steven (center). (l-r) Rhonda Sayen,Beth Wray Webb (daughters), Little Steven, Chris Webb, Tommy Webb(eldest grandsons).

Explore Cover Photo Caption

Clockwise from top left: Jim Boydaccepting his award for Song-writer of the Year, Stevie Salas,Micki Free and Jean Beauvouir,and Marlena with her award forGospel/Christian/InspirationalRecording.

Photos by Kimberlie Hall