Joanne Shenandoah/Gabriel Ayala_2009NAMMY Nominees on NAMAPAHH_9-30-09

Nominees Announced for the 11thAnnual NAMMYS-October 3rd, 2009 Hosted By Gil Birmingham FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 3, 2009: Seneca Entertainment Center in the Seneca Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls, NY Full Details: www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com Anyone can vote by visiting the Awards website. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 9-30-09 Nammy nominated guests on NAMAPAHH: Gabriel Ayala – Gabriel Ayala (Yaqui) has received five (5) nominations surrounding his three recordings; Portraits, Allegro, and Tango!. Ayala is at the forefront of a new generation of Native Americans making a career performing classical music. He started playing guitar as a child, studied with Philip Hii and then earned a Master's Degree in Music Performance from the University of Arizona in 1997. Ayala has taught at all educational levels from elementary through college, and serves as a competition adjudicator. Ayala has appeared at the Kennedy Center for the Arts, National Museum for the American Indian, and has recognized by the State of Arizona and Governor Janet Napolitano for his musical achievements. & Joanne Shenandoah -With a total of four (4) nominations for her recording w/Michael Bucher , Bitter Tears: Sacred Ground, Joanne Shenandoah (Oneida) and Michael Bucher (Cherokee)came together for their recording after meeting at the 2007 Native American Music Awards. Together they share nods for Record of the Year and Best Compilation Recording. Shenandaoh, who is a Grammy and 11 time Native American Music Award winning artist has earned Best Female Artist and Song/Single of the year for the track, Riding Free. Bucher earned Best Video for his single, Don’t Forget About Me and for Best Male Artist.