Native music a sure win

NOVEMBER 10, 2000

While the rest of the nation awaits the outcome of the Presidential vote, music lovers in Indian Country will finally discover who will take home the top honors in the Native American Music Awards.

On Saturday, the third annual awards ceremony will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is the second year in a row that the event takes place there and looks to be as star-studded as last year's.

A host of performers are scheduled to perform, ranging from flute rocker Robert Mirabal to rapper Litefoot. Special awards will honor the late Jim Pepper, a legendary jazz figure, Rita Coolidge, well known for her hits of the 70s, and the Navajo Code Talkers.

But those who aren't lucky enough to attend the ceremony won't be missing out. The power of radio and the Internet will bring the awards straight to your home or computer this year.

Additionally, the NAMMY web site will display the winners as they are announced.

This year, several favorites are poised to take home quite a few honors. Mary Youngblood, an Aleut / Seminole flutists, has been nominated a total of seven times, including Artist of the Year. Robert Tree Cody, another flutist, is nominated for just about the same seven categories.

Do you have a question you'd like to ask your favorite Native musician? Well, let us know! Post your queries to our message board and we'll do our best to find out the answer this weekend at the NAMMYs!

Relevant Links:
Rita Coolidge - www.ritacoolidge.com
The Native American Music Awards - www.nativeamericanmusic.com