New York, NY (Top40 Charts) 16-year-old Native American flute sensation, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, producer and rising star Gareth Laffely has received two Native American
Music Award (NAMMY) nominations, Best Debut Artist and Best Rock Recording categories respectively, it was announced Thursday, October 9th, by the Native American
Music Association (NAMA), a membership based organization for the advancement of Native American music initiatives and expressions around the world. The 15th Annual Native American
Music Awards ceremony will be held at the
Seneca Allegany Events Center at
Seneca Allegany Casino, 777
Seneca Allegany Blvd., Salamanca, New York, on Friday, November 14th, 2014 at 7:00pm. The NAMMY's will also be available to view online at FNX.org. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.
Fans and music lovers of all ages interested in participating in the NAMMY Award voting process are invited to vote for their favorites by visiting the Native American
Music Awards website at https://www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com/. Register to vote by entering a valid e-mail address where requested ("Join our mailing list as an E-Member for the latest news and to register to vote") [wait to receive an e-mail confirming subscription to the NAMA LIVE mailing list and click 'yes, subscribe to the list']. It will direct you back to the Native American
Music Award home page where it says "Thanks, you are now a member of the mailing list". Scroll down and click 'Vote Now' to access the NAMMY Award ballot.
Gareth, of Mi'kmaq/Cree descent and from Gallatin, Tennessee near Nashville, has been capturing much fan excitement with his music and live performances across the United States and Canada. He is completely self taught on the Native American flute and combines rock, pop, and world music into a revolutionary style all his own. He released his debut album entitled, "
The Journey", on July 17th, 2013, (whose title song was written to honor those who lost their lives on the Trail of Tears) and was recorded with two-time GRAMMY Award nominated hit songwriter and Dove Award winning producer Robert White Johnson (Celine Dion, the Beach Boys, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cheap Trick, .38 Special), and GRAMMY Award winning engineer, Gary Dales.
Gareth's live performance on
Music City Roots, Nashville's highly acclaimed variety show hosted by two-time GRAMMY Award winning country singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale; his participation in a GRAMMY U Amplifier contest, sponsored by the Recording Academy and Hyundai Motors, where he finished in 3rd position for popular fan voting; several TV and on-air radio appearances; and extensive touring during "
The Journey" Tour 2014 have only helped to solidify his popularity. He is the youngest member of the Nashville Chapter of the Recording Academy. Prior to his two NAMMY nominations, Gareth received four nominations from the prominent Indian Summer
Music Award organization.
~ "[Gareth] exhibits the promise, passion, and dedication necessary to carry on the tradition of the Native American flute." Dr. Kathleen Joyce-Grendahl,
Overtones | Quarterly Publication of the World Flute Society ~
~ "He's a rare talent, and he's still just a kid. Compared to a lot of what's going on in Nashville these days, he puts the 'music' in 'Music City'. Check him out." - Rick Moore, Writer -
Music News Nashville ~
~ "This eleven song debut release [The Journey] is as interesting as it is refreshing; a very impressive and solid first outing. Mention flute music in any combination with rock or pop and you naturally think of Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. And, it's apparent Gareth's musical vision combines the spiritual and healing influences of the Native American flute with the edge of Ian Anderson. Gareth has an exceptional command of the Native American Flute as an instrument..." -
William Kelly Milionis,
Chicago Live
Music Examiner - Examiner.com ~
Remarkably talented well beyond his years, Gareth has been touching lives and moving souls by tugging at heartstrings of many all over the world. In his short lifetime, he has shown a unique, rare, and undeniable innate ability to make others happy through his music. Whether expressing an emotion or simply conveying an important message for change, Gareth has faced sensitive issues head-on to great aplomb and challenges teens everywhere to get involved with a cause to help make their community a better place. His unquestionable sincerity and thoughtfulness in wanting to make a difference in the lives of others is truly heartfelt, infectious, and very influential and persuasive! "
This Time", features Gareth on vocal and Native American Flute and was co-written by Gareth with Robert White Johnson and Susan
Oliver and promotes an anti-bully message which he takes into schools; performing and teaching what bullying is and its prevention. "
Move On" was written after a dear family friend passed away from Cancer. Gareth penned the song to help the family deal with the loss. Gareth went on to gain national attention with his music video for "
Move On", and began performing at Cancer events around the country. He donates all proceeds from the song to Cancer.
For updated concert listings, please visit Gareth's Website at: https://www.GarethMusic.com
Gareth Laffely is also online at: https://www.facebook.com/GarethMusic;
https://www.twitter.com/GarethLaffely; and https://www.soundcloud.com/GarethLaffely
NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC ASSOCIATION (NAMA): Native American
Music Association was founded in 1998 by music industry professional,
Ellen Bello, and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of our nation's first people and promotes cultural preservation and renewal on a national level. The Native American
Music Awards (NAMMY's) were created as a method to provide Native
Music and it's artists proper respect on a national level and prove that there is a viable and professional mainstream industry. It was also created to give Native Youth on reservations the needed inspiration and opportunities to pursue a professional career and garner greater exposure.
Website: https://www.garethmusic.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GarethMusic
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/garethlaffely
