Gary Small, the leader of The Coyote Brothers, led a music clinic at Lame Deer Public Schools on May 11, 2016. Photo by Clara Caufield
The Coyote Brothers perform at Lame Deer High School
By Clara Caufield
Native Sun News Correspondent
www.nsweekly.com LAME DEER –– The Coyote Brothers, led by guitar wizard Gary Small, Northern Cheyenne, performed on Wednesday, May 11 at Lame Deer High School. Gary and fellow musicians ran a clinic for the high school’s afternoon music class which included lessons on various musical techniques such as blues, rock and roll, and reggae. “This was an absolutely wonderful experience for our music students,” said Bill Parker, Superintendent of Lame Deer Public Schools. “He charged us little to nothing, traveling from Sheridan and was an excellent presenter, inspiring the students. We hope to bring him back next year. He is an excellent role model for our students, giving them an ‘eye’ to opportunities off the reservation as a professional musician It is one thing for us as educators to talk about that, but quite another to have a genuine successful tribal member to tell them about that one-on-one.” “What does it take to make a CD,” one student asked. “Believe in yourself. You have something to sing about,” Small responded. “Others will help you.” Small, who has an M.S. in education formerly worked for years for the Indian Health Service, promoting health scholarships and related job opportunities, for the past decade or so dedicating himself to music. “I was raised off the reservation, though near-by in Sheridan, Wyo., where it was easy to keep ties with my family and friends on the reservation,” Small noted. “We had to make it in the whiteman’s world and I always want encourage other Cheyenne about that possibility. We are a musical people by nature, history and tradition and should be excited about sharing our voices with the rest of the world.”
Student Haden Standing Water performs a bass solo at the music clinic. Photo by Clara Caufield
The Coyote Brothers band has been nominated for and won numerous Native American Music Awards, or “NAMMYS” including Songwriter of the Year 2002, Best Male Performer (2002), and Best Jazz/Blues Recording (twice nominated). They are also popular area performers, getting “gigs” across the region, even Jackson Hole, featured in numerous area, state and national blues competitions. Small and the Coyote Brothers have produced several CDs featuring songs and lyrics arranged by Small and performed by fellow band members, such as the popular “Wild Indians” CD that includes songs such as Morning at Little Bighorn, Wild Indians and Warriors Overture. Natalie Parker, Lame Deer High School music teacher said “We were honored to have Mr. Small’s Band come and perform for us, and we hope he will come back in the future”. After the music assembly Gary Small commented, “Today, we had a musical work-shop for the students at Lame Deer High School. The high school students were so respectful and asked questions about music and asked what it takes to be a musician. I cannot tell you what fine people they were today. They obviously learned respect long before I walked in. What a great bunch of young Northern Cheyenne’s. The parents or guardians of one of these fine young people, should feel very proud of them. I certainly do. Ah-ho.” Gary Small can be contacted at revgsmall@hotmail.com.
For more stories, visit the all new Native Sun News website: The Coyote Brothers perform at Lame Deer High School (Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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