The 2007 NAMMY winners

Cherokee youth choir wins NAMMYThe Cherokee National Youth Choir has been awarded the 2007 Best Gospel/Inspirational Recording by the Native American Music Awards for its release “Comfort and Joy.”

“The members of the youth choir are wonderful ambassadors for the Cherokee Nation,” said Chad Smith, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. “We are all proud of their accomplishments and look forward to their continued success in years to come. I congratulate everyone involved with the choir on this achievement.Comment:  Curiously, there were several reports on the NAMMY nominations, but none (that I saw) on the NAMMY winners. This is the first report on the winners.

For the record, here's a list of the winners:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Arvel Bird “Animal Totems 2”

BEST BLUES RECORDING
Corn-Bred “Corn-Bred”

BEST COMPILATION RECORDING
“Heart of the Navajo Land” Various

DEBUT ARTIST
Shelley Morningsong “Out Of The Ashes”

DEBUT DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Women of Wabano “Voices”

BEST FEMALE ARTIST
Susan Aglukark “Blood Red Earth”

BEST COUNTRY RECORDING
“A Tribute To Johnny Cash” Floyd Red Crow Westerman

BEST FOLK RECORDING
“Welcome To Your Rainy Day” Tonemah

FLUTIST OF THE YEAR
Robert Tree Cody “Heart of the Wind”

BEST GOSPEL OR INSPIRATIONAL RECORDING
“Comfort & Joy” Cherokee National Youth Choir

DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Brule’ & AIRO “Silent Star Night”

BEST HISTORICAL RECORDING
“Remember Me Grandfather: Lakota Pipe & Ceremonial Songs” Wahancanka

BEST INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING
“Alluvia” Evren Ozan

BEST MALE ARTIST
Robert Mirabal “Pueblo Christmas”

BEST NATIVE AMERICAN CHURCH RECORDING
“Voice of a Dakota” Gerald Primeaux, Sr

BEST NEW AGE RECORDING
“Kinship” Brule’

BEST POP RECORDING
“American Indian Story” Jana

BEST ROCK RECORDING
“Crazy Woman Mountain” Gary Small & The Coyote Bros

BEST POW WOW RECORDING
“Long Winter Nights” Northern Cree & Friends