Thursday, January 12 - Music Maker: Tanya Gillis:
Tanya Tagaq Gillis is a throat singer from Cambridge Bay off the coast of Victoria Island in Canada. She is best known for her collaboration with Bjork on the Medulla album released in 2004. Tanya has also worked with other musical greats such as the Kronos String Quartet. Her latest CD, “Sinaa” was nominated for five awards at the 2005 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. She captured the award for Best Female Artist. Tanya is Inuit and her CD, “Sinaa” is our Music Maker for January.

Friday, February 17 - Music Maker: Quese IMC:
Born in Oklahoma City, Marcus Frejo, otherwise known as “Quese IMC” is Seminole, Pawnee, and Mexican-American. He is a Hip-Hop artist now living in Los Angeles, California. His musical influence was the “old school” rappers: RUN DMC and Public Enemy. Quese was performing his own lyrics by the time he was fourteen and he has shared his energy at MC Battles in the Midwest and Oklahoma. His music is a blend of traditional stories with a Hip-Hop beat. His latest CD is entitled: QUESE IMC, the Betty Lena Project. Join us as we talk to Marcus “Quese IMC” Frejo on the Music Maker Edition on Native America Calling.

Friday, March 17 - Music Maker: One Little Dream:
"One Little Dream" features the music and songwriting skills of Mihana Souza, a Native Hawaiian. She is the daughter of the late Irmgard Faden Aluli, one of Hawaii’s most prolific songwriters and performers of all time. Mihana and her siblings were surrounded by music and their mother taught them how to compose music while cleaning house. As children, they were often pulled from their playing to perform music for visitors to the family household. Performing since the age of four, Mihana enjoys singing her mix of Country and Hawaiian music. Join us as we talk with Mihana, our Music Maker for March!

Wednesday, April 26 - Music Maker:
“Tha Tribe,” has been making their way around the powwow circle for a number of years. The drum group consists of singers representing the Cherokee, Hopi-Tewa, Apache, Oneida, Menominee, Shoshone-Bannock, Sioux, Northern Ute, and Hallwa-Saponi Tribes. Their music is all northern style singing. Tha Tribe’s latest release features four Ojibwe Women’s songs in memory of their fellow friend and singer. The CD is titled “Emery” in honor of Emery Jay Pewaush who passed away in April 2004. The music was recorded at the 2005 Milwaukee Indian Summer Festival Powwow and features a nice introduction by Vince Beyl. Guest: Wayne Silas, Jr. (Oneida/Menominee), lead singer and founder of Tha Tribe.

Friday, May 19 - Music Maker: Tamara Podemski:
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Tamara Podemski is recognized as an actor, singer and songwriter. She’s known for her role as “Lucy” in the film, Dance Me Outside. Her stage credits include The Baby Blues and the musical Rent. In 2001, while still a student at the University of Toronto, she was selected as the lead singer in the band “Spirit Nation.” She is Ojibwe and wrote and sang all of her songs in her Native language. A second CD followed in 2003 and now Tamara has her own publishing and promotion company. Her fourth and latest CD, “Tamara,” is our Music Maker pick for the month of May.

Friday, June 16 - Music Maker: Eli Secody- Rhythm of a Songmaker:
Eli Secody’s fourth album is called "Rhythm of a Songmaker- A Beginning of a New Chapter." The music is a mixture of hand drumming and traditional Navajo singing with a touch of Native American Church harmonies. The 29-year-old Navajo from Lechee, Arizona received the Best Male Artist Award at the 2005 Native American Music Awards. Where does he get his inspiration? Eli Secody is our June Music Maker.

Friday, July 14 - Music Maker: “Raising Cane”
For more than 23 years, Cocoa Creppel has put out fires as a firefighter in Louisiana and now he’s starting fires with his hot swamp rock’n blues music. Cocoa Creppel and his band, the Cannes Brulees, released their CD “Raising Cane” this year. The music was recorded one month before Hurricane Katrina hit. The disaster put the music on hold so the band leader could help with the rescue and relief efforts. Now, the band is ready to share their songs all composed by Cocoa Creppel from the Houma Nation. Cocoa Creppel and the Cannes Brulees is our Music Maker for the hottest month of the year- July!

Friday, August 25 - Music Maker: Heavenly
Evan Lee grew up in a Christian home. And for the past six years he has traveled to communities everywhere singing and playing in his family’s ministry group. He was born on the Ft. Peck Indian reservation in Montana and is Crow Indian. His third CD “Heavenly” reflects his Christian beliefs. Evan is in his twenties and his music speaks straight to Native youth. He confronts issues head on telling the youth those challenges can either tear you apart or make you great. He sees the challenges as opportunities to overcome and make reservation life better. Evan Lee’s CD “Heavenly” is our Music Maker for the month of August.

Friday, September 22 - Music Maker: Pima Express
(Listen to the MP3...)
The music known as “Chicken Scratch” is music from indigenous peoples of southern Arizona and Mexico blended with Polka music. It’s upbeat and fast paced. The members of Pima Express grew up dancing to this unique blend of music. In 1980 they started making their own music. Though they have strong roots in “Chicken Scratch” music, they are also influenced by rock groups like the Beatles. The newest release from Pima Express is “Time Waits for No One.” What makes this music so timeless and likeable? Join our conversation with Lloyd Brown, a Pima from the Gila River Indian Community and the lead singer of the group Pima Express.

Thursday, October 12 - Music Maker: Shelley Morningsong
Silver Ware Records has just released the CD “Out of the Ashes” by Shelley Morningsong. She is a Northern Cheyenne woman who has been performing on stage and screen since she was a young girl. Shelley has worked alongside artists such as Robert Mirabal, Juice Newton and Charlie Daniels. She writes her own music and lyrics with influences from her Native heritage. Her pop music uses both electrical guitar and traditional drums. Shelley Morningsong is our October Music Maker.

Friday, November 17 - Music Maker: Brad Clonch
25-year-old Brad Clonch is a self-taught composer and performer. He began playing the piano at age 12 and later wrote many pieces that went on to win major awards. But it wasn’t until several years later that he decided to play an instrument that was native to his Choctaw culture. It led to his new release “Finding Windsong.” His music has been described as melding the best of both worlds, a musical bridge between his Choctaw heritage and his exploration of the contemporary. His music is thought-provoking and at the same time relaxing. Brad Clonch is our November Music Maker.

Tuesday, December 12 – Music Maker: Robert Mirabal:
After taking some time off to be with his family, Robert Mirabal is back on the music scene. Robert's latest release, "Pueblo Christmas" comes just in time for the holiday season. Hear favorite holiday classics set to Native instruments with a certain flair only Mirabal can produce. In addition to your favorite holiday tunes, Robert also has a new song entitled "Green Chili Christmas" that is destined to become one of your new holiday favorites. Robert Mirabal of Taos Pueblo will be live in Studio 49 for our Music Maker edition!

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