Oneida based blues band Big N’ Tasty has been nominated for a Native American Music Association (NAMA) award. Nominations reflect the highest quality of recordings by music makers throughout Indian Country and were selected by the combined votes of the NAMA Advisory Board Membership.
“As one of the co-founders of the Big N Tasty Blues Band, I am very honored to be part of such an amazing group of musicians. Like any other band we’ve had our fair share of ups and downs. The past few years we have been working on and recording original music, this was a very long and time-consuming process to get our music where it is today,” said Brad Skenandore.
An admitted shot in the dark, the band submitted their first ever self titled CD to NAMA. Months later the band learned they were nominated in the Best Blues category.
“I was in total shock. Just to be nominated is such a huge honor considering all of the artist that submit their music from all over Indian country. Also, without the support from our families, friends, community, fellow musicians and most of all our fans, none of this would be possible,” added Skenandore.
Both new and established artists share the list of nominations throughout a diverse array of 25 music categories. Some of this year’s featured nominees include: America’s Got Talent finalists, Lil Mike and Funny Bone, and GRAMMY Award winners, Primeaux & Mike. Multiple nominations went to flutists; Gareth Laffely, Randy Granger, Rona Yellow Robe and the drum group Cree Confederation who all released several recordings within the eligibility period.
General Public voting is now open.This is where Big N’ Tasty needs support. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VOTENAMA16 to vote for Big N’ Tasty.
Music tracks from all nominees are also featured on the Awards’ website at www.NAMALIVE.com.
Winners will be announced live at the 16th Annual Native American Music Awards which will be held on Saturday September 17th at the Seneca Allegany Entertainment Center in the Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel in Salamanca, New York located South of Buffalo, New York on Seneca Nation territory.
The Native American Music Awards & Association is the world’s largest professional membership-based organization committed to honoring contemporary and traditional Native American music initiatives.
BEST BLUES RECORDING
All Our Relations – Blue Mountain Tribe (Chiricahua Apache)
Big N’ Tasty – BNT Big N Tasty Blues Band (Oneida Nation)
Native American Gratitude – Tony Eagleheart Garcia (Tarasco/Purepecna of Michoacan/Huichol/Sierra Madra)
Song of the Wolf – Graywolf Blues Band (Yaqui)
Swingin’ Tomahawk – Billy Joe Green (Anishinaabe Ojibway)
That’s All I Need – Twice As Good (Pomo)
