Bill Miller

Bill was the recipient of the "Life Time Achievement Award" three weeks ago at the NAMMY's (Native American Music Awards.)

Spirit Rain & Cedar Dream Songs

Over the past three years, singer/songwriter Bill Miller has produced two amazing projects, SPIRIT RAIN and CEDAR DREAM SONGS that exemplify his artistry by blending the Native American and western folk/blues traditions in something wholly new. These are works of a man who knows first-hand life's keenest joys and sorrows, a man who distills experience into a potent musical style.

CEDAR DREAM SONGS brought Bill great recognition by winning this year's Grammy Award for Best Native American Recording. This instrumental CD contains nine beautiful songs which, as the subtitle suggests, are perfect examples of ‘Musical Portraits on the Native American flute.'

A Mohican Indian from northern Wisconsin, Bill Miller has long been one of the most admired figures in the Native American music arena and beyond. As an award-winning recording artist, performer, songwriter, activist, and painter, he's been a voice for the voiceless, a link between two great and clashing civilizations. On SPIRIT RAIN, he walks the path of reconciliation in a set of fourteen heartfelt songs and evocative instrumentals.

www.billmiller.net

Arvel Bird

9th Annual Native American Music Awards Artist of the Year!

"I couldn't feel more honored to have been voted Artist of the Year by the public AND the Advisory Board. Last year I fulfilled another dream when I performed at the Nammys and won my first NAMA award, but I think this trumps even that! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I've known for a long time that I have the best fans any artist could have, Thank you, thank you."

And there you have it, a quote from YOUR Artist of the Year! All of your efforts paid off and we truly appreciated your taking the time to vote and to making your voices heard loud and clear. The competition gets keener each year and that's a good thing. It continues to ensure the bar is raised each year and quality of music in this broad-based genre improves and diversifies.

You can see the complete list of winners on the Nammys site. If you'd like more of our journey to the Nammys, please read the MySpace Blog.

www.arvelbird.com

Okefenokee Joe

"Swampwise," Joe's Emmy-award winning program about the Okefenokee Swamp made in 1990, has aired hundreds of times. "Okefenokee Joe and Friends" and "The Joy of Snakes," with footage of snakes sleeping, hunting, swimming and fleeing, are requested almost as frequently. "They're some of the most popular programs we ever produced, if not the most popular," says Marcia Killingsworth, GPTV's spokeswoman in Atlanta.

Since Joe's emergence from the swamp in 1981, he has been an unlikely celebrity, marked by contradictions. He is both a snakecharming showman and a grizzled loner, an ardent NRA supporter and conservationist, a lukewarm fan of Rush Limbaugh but a detractor of every politician.

After years as a near-hermit, he now spends hundreds of hours on the highways with his snakes in tow.

On screen he strokes toads, pats a bobcat and sings his songs about them. But he approaches all the swamp animals without sentimentality.

"He's no Dr. Doolittle," says his producer, Carol Fisk, referring to the storybook character who babbles to animals.

Joe's contrasts account for his success on screen, Fisk adds. "Every man wants to be him and every woman wants to marry him. He's got charisma. He's artistic but tough. Sensitive but capable with all the outdoorsy types of activities".

www.okefenokeejoe.com

Tommy Wildcat

Tommy Wildcat, a full blood Cherokee from Tahlequah Oklahoma, is an award winning nationally promoted performing artist, flute player, flute maker, lecturer, and historical story teller.

He has traveled all over the United States, including Hawaii, as a featured artist at festivals, pow-wows, historical sites, and major college events. He has performed in Europe many times. He is self taught in both the art of flute making, and playing.

His musical performances and credits include the film industry, television, and publications.

Tommy received his 4th nomination as a flutist in the Native American Music Awards! The presentation was held Saturday, October 6th, 2007 at the
Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel Niagara Falls, NY

www.tommywildcat.com