New York (NY), USA – The Native American Music Awards (N.A.M.A.), will mark its 10th anniversary with a gala celebration on Saturday, October 4th at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls, New York. To celebrate the Awards’ remarkable growth over the past decade, N.A.M.A. will present 30 music category awards in all genres of music, over one dozen live music performances, and induct four individuals into the Hall of Fame whose music careers have achieved worldwide acclaim.
There has been tremendous growth in the Native American musical landscape since N.A.M.A.’s inception in 1998. When the Awards were launched, there was an unproven “industry” with an estimated 50 recordings being released nationally each year and no other program of its kind. Today, there are over 200 recordings being manufactured and distributed annually by both major and independent record labels. What began as an informal gathering of industry professionals and music makers, has grown into a leading premiere Awards program serving the Native American music community in acquiring mainstream recognition.
The Awards was launched with a modest website featuring show information and ballyhoo lighting. Today, the Awards’ website extensively features thousands of hours of musical recordings and hundreds of photographs of nominees and winners from previous Awards programs. Unique website visitors average 1,000 per day spending on average 10 minutes on the site. Visitors and online voters extend from all parts of the United States, Canada and Europe including; London, United Kingdom, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Frankfurt, Germany, and Tokyo, Japan among other countries.
The Native American Music Awards will celebrate the 10th Anniversary with an unprecedented live show and resultant 10th Anniversary commemorative tour to follow in 2009. The Awards welcomes back many of the artists and industry professionals who have cemented its reputation as the most influential Awards show celebrating Native American music.
Honorees present at the event will be awarded with a limited edition Native American Music Award or “NAMMY” featuring the Awards’ silver musical note logo with a commemorative Kokopelli image. The Silver musical note logo made from a satellite image of North America has become the Awards’ most recognizable trademark.
“The 10th anniversary is a great opportunity for us to reflect on the immense breadth of talent that has graced our stage while continuing to set the standard for new music initiatives throughout the world, “ states N.A.M.A.’s Founder and President, Ellen Bello. “With over 30 traditional and contemporary categories, we have steadily and repeatedly proven that the Native American music community is a viable and impressive industry, which has displayed incredible growth like no other. N.A.M.A. is proud to be the premier Awards show for Native American music in the world and looks forward to continuing our commitment to excellence.”
Music tracks of all artist nominees are currently posted on www.votenative.com. Visit www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com for more information.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
