Edwards and Secola in NAMA Hall of Fame

2011 NAMMY Awards

By Sherrill FulghumThe first induction to the Native American Music Association–NAMA–Hall of Fame went to Nokie Edwards. Edwards began his musical career at age five with the guitar. By eleven there wasn’t a string instrument Nokie couldn’t play, but he stuck with the guitar. In 1959 Edwards became one third of the trio known as The Ventures; a group that went on to sell over 100 million records around the world and record such hits as “Wipe Out,” “Pipeline,” and the theme to original television series “Hawaii Five-O.” Edwards is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a part of The Ventures.

Joining Nokie Edwards as the newest members of the NAMA Hall of Fame is seven time NAMMY winner Keith Secola. Secola is a multitalented guitarist, flutist, singer, songwriter, composer, and producer whose song NDN Kars is the most requested and played song on Native American radio. When not entertaining fans with his music, Secola is campaigning for Native American Rights and environmental concerns.Comment:  Who knew that one of the composers of the Hawaii Five-0 theme song was Native? Not me.

For more on the NAMMYs, see NAMA Endorses Military Book and The 2010 NAMMY Winners.