Niagara Falls, NY - The 14th Annual Native American Music Awards will be inducting the late American Indian activist, actor, and musician, Russell Means, into the NAMA Hall of Fame on May 10, 2013 at the Seneca Niagara Hotel & Casino in Niagara Falls, NY.

The NY Times described him as, “the charismatic Oglala Sioux who helped revive the warrior image of the American Indian in the 1970s with protests that called attention to the nation’s history of injustices against its indigenous peoples”. The LA Times called him, “the most famous American Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.” Means is remembered as an “Oglala Lakota patriot and freedom fighter,” by his family.

An inspirational visionary, Russell Means, passed away in October of 2012 at his ranch in Porcupine, South Dakota at the age of 72. He will remain one of the most magnetic voices in America. His vision was to create peaceful and positive images celebrating the magic and mystery of his American Indian heritage. He was committed to educating all people about the preservation of the earth. He encompassed tremendous character and ability in multiple mediums on all fronts; whether as a co-founder of A.I.M., leading a protest, fighting for constitutional rights, starring in a motion picture, or performing his "Rap-ajo" music.

As a musician, Means released two national recordings, the 16 track Electric Warrior, on Warrior Records in 1993, and The Radical, released on the American Indian Music Company, Inc., in 1995. He described his music as a Tribal Experience that included all genres of music; Classical, Country & Western Rock-n-Roll, Hard Rock, Hip-Hop, R&B, Jazz and the Blues. He called his own music and words, Rap-ajo because he said, “It’s my version of Rap”. Means entered the entertainment business in both film and music to try to change mainstream attitudes toward American Indians. His recordings contained songs entitled, “Nuclear World”, “Paha Sapa”, “Wounded Knee Set Us Free”, “Chief Joseph”, “Consipiracy To Be Free” and more. These recordings preserve the life and legacy of Russell Means through music and spoken word and serve as a timeless reminder of his courage, inspiration and teachings now left behind for us.

His wife Pearl Means will be present to receive the Hall of Fame Induction. A musical tribute, accompanied by images of Means throughout his life, will be performed by Native American Music Award winner CC Murdock. CC Murdock, who won Best Country Recording in 2011, will be performing the Song, Go Rest High On That Mountain. During his final journey, the ashes of Russell Means were spread at Yellow Thunder Camp in the Black Hills.

Copies of Russell Means’ CD recordings will be available at the 14th Annual Native American Music Awards and at: http://www.russellmeans.com

The 14th Annual Native American Music Awards is scheduled for Friday, May 10, 2013, at 8 p.m. Guests may retain their tickets for this new date. The Show is sold out with limited seating available. All attending nominees should RSVP at NAMALIVE@aol.com.

Public voting will continue on our website through the Awards show date.  When the upcoming Native American Music Awards resumes on May 10, 2013, it will mark the sixth consecutive time the show takes place at Seneca Niagara Events Center. The event will feature more than 35 diverse awards categories. 
 

New York, NY – Folk singer, activist, and famed opening act at the 1969 Woodstock music festival who was part Blackfoot Indian, Richie Havens, died of a heart attack on April 22, 2013, Earth Day, at the age of 72.

Richie Havens offered his commitment both as a Blackfoot Indian and as a performer at Native American Music Awards. He proclaimed his Native American heritage at the lower Manhattan at a press conference announcing the launch of the Native American Music Awards on April 22, 1998, exactly 15 years ago. He was also asked by the family of the late Jimi Hendrix to perform a musical tribute for Hendrix’s induction into the N.A.M.A. Hall of Fame at the First Awards ceremony held in May 1998 at the Foxwoods Resort & Casino. Havens gave a magical and stellar performance of "All Along The Watchtower" that “catapulted the Awards show into something truly spiritual and spectacular” recalls N.A.M.A. President and Founder, Ellen Bello. His mesmerizing and unforgettable performance included a medley of Hendrix songs.

Havens said his Native American heritage came from his father’s side of the family who came from the Montana and South Dakota area. In an interview with National Public Radio he stated, “They were Blackfoot Indian. They came with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, got off in New York City, and left the show there and ended up on the Shinnecock Reservation in Long Island and moved to Brooklyn. And that’s how my father was born in Brooklyn and how I ended up being born in Brooklyn as well.”

Havens’ Mixed Bag II Cd released in 1974 on his own label, Stormy Forest Productions also hinted at his Blackfoot heritage. The song, “Indian Prayer” celebrates and embraces his Native American roots.

Standing at 6 feet 6 inches, Havens was best known for distinctively intense, rhythmic guitar style and soulful songs. He recorded 30 albums and toured for over 40 years before retiring from the road 3 years ago. Those who have met Havens will remember his gentle and compassionate nature, his light humor and his powerful presence.

He told Billboard Magazine that that his breakthrough at Woodstock came after the opening acts’ equipment got stuck in traffic. He was supposed to be the fifth act. He became the first act and played for three hours. Havens remembered, " They're gonna kill me if I go up on stage first. Give me a break. I need those four people in front of me to warm up the crowd. But the people were great. I was supposed to sing 40 minutes, which I did, and from the side of the stage they go, 'Richie, four more songs?' I went back and did that, then it was, 'Four more songs...' and that kept happening 'til two hours and 45 minutes later I had sung every song I know." He played a galvanizing set that included "Motherless Child" that merged into his song "Freedom," which he said came from “a totally spontaneous place.”

Havens’ Woodstock appearance earned him widespread notoriety and proved to be a major turning point in his career and gave him his highest-charting albums -- "Richard P. Havens, 1983" in 1969 (No. 80 on the Billboard 200) and "Alarm Clock" in 1971 (No. 29).

Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills and Nash said Havens was an inspiration for the natural gravel in his singing voice. "He lit fire when he started playing within the first song and burned exactly the same way throughout his set. And it never stopped, it never changed," Stills said.

According to media reports, a public memorial for Havens will be announced at a later date. More information can be found at Havens' official website, www.richiehavens.com.  Havens is survived by three daughters, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 
 

CARLOS SANTANA  RELEASES NEW CD,
 SHAPE SHIFTER, DEDICATED TO THE AMERICAN INDIAN

   

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