KEITH SECOLA - NEWS ARCHIVE
August 6, 2007. "ANISHINABEMOIN" CD NOMINATED FOR 2 NAMMYS, WITH SECOLA CONTRIBUTING TO THREE OTHER NOMINATED CDS.
Award-winning musical artist Keith Secola with language teacher Karen Drift receive two 2007 Native American Music Awards nominations for their first collaborative CD "Anishinabemoin", nominated for Best Historical Recording and Best Linguistic Recording. The groundbreaking CD, recorded primarily in the Ojibwe language by Karen Drift, features the music of Keith Secola who also served as Producer. Ojibwe is the second most widely spoken Native American language, by more than 40,000 Ojibwe, Chippewa and Anishinabe people in the United States, with additional tribes in Canada. When he was in college, Secola fulfilled his language requirement at the University of Minnesota by studying Ojibwe, his tribal tongue. With this recording, Secola and Drift, as well as the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa are preserving and encouraging an integral part of their culture for future generations. Keith Secola also appears on three other Nammy nominated CDs this year, as producer of Thoz Women language drum CD, as musician and co-producer of Eli Secody "Rhythm of a Songmaker" (Best Male Artist nominee) and as a contributing musician on Moontee Sinquah "Soul Force" (Best World Music Recording nominee). Preliminary ballots cast by the National Advisory Board members of the Native American Music Association determined nominations. The winners will be determined by final mail-in ballots from the Advisory Board members and voting by the general public at http://www.votenative.com. NAMMY winners will be announced at the 2007 Native American Music Awards Show on October 6, 2007 in Niagara Falls, New York. VOTE AT: http://www.votenative.com
May 14, 2007. KEITH SECOLA AND THE WILD BAND TOURS EUROPE.
See Croatia photos here: secola.com/press/photos-croatia.cfm Opatija photos
Read blogs here: Croatia & Slovenia blog Paris & Sweden blog
February 28, 2007. KEITH SECOA, KAREN DRIFT TEAM UP ON 'ANISHINABEMOIN'.
"The new CD by that name - ''Anishinabemoin'' - is a gift from Drift, award-winning singer/songwriter Keith Secola, and the Bois Forte Band and Akina Records. The CD combines the voices of Drift and her granddaughter, Larissa, speaking words, phrases and short stories in both the Anishinabe language and in English with the supporting music of Keith Secola, a Bois Forte member who most recently won the Best Folk/Acoustic CD award at the 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards for his latest work, ''Native Americana,'' and the Artist of the Year award in 2006 from the Native American Music Awards." (Indian Country Today) CLICK on this link to read entire article
January 9, 2007. BOIS FORTE BAND CREATE LANGUAGE CD WITH
AWARD-WINNING ARTIST.
Keith Secola knows how important language is to preserving one’s culture. So when members of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa discussed the idea of doing an Ojibwe language CD with him, Secola enthusiastically agreed to provide whatever assistance was needed. With Secola’s help as consultant and producer, the first language CD titled “Anishinabemoin by Karen Drift with Keith Secola” is now ready for release under the newly created Bois Fort Band of Chippewa Music & Akina Records label. Karen Drift and her grand daughter Larissa provide the language lessons on the CD, with background music performed by Keith Secola on acoustic guitar and native flute. The repetitive nature of the lessons on the CD mirrors lessons taught naturally through oral traditions with the music providing a peaceful, restive atmosphere for thoughtful listening and learning. “Anishinabemoin” official CD release is scheduled for January 25, 2007, at the Bois Forte Heritage Center, 1500 Bois Forte Road in Tower, Minn., from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Keith Secola is the recipient of many music awards including Best Producer and he recently won Artist of the Year at the 2006 Native American Music Awards. As a singer/songwriter, Secola’s music includes songs in English and Ojibwe, as well as Native American flute, pow wow drumbeats, with a mix of influences from native rhythms, rock and americana roots music. Joining Keith will be Karen Drift. Besides her work on the first language CD, Karen Drift also offers courses in Ojibwe language. For additional information, contact Rhonda Zuponcic at the Heritage Center, phone 218-753-6017.
November 15, 2006. IRON RANGE, MINNESOTA - NATIVE AMERICAN SINGER HELPS THOSE IN NEED. Secola, a group of performers, raise food shelf donations, money for heating costs. "Keith Secola, who feels blessed for his gift of music and his heritage and upbringing on the Iron Range, is once again providing an offering to the community in which he was raised. The award-winning Native American recording artist will merge his talent and bond to the area in two concerts this weekend to raise money to help low-income families stay warm and well-fed this winter. The third annual Keith Secola & Friends Benefit Concert and Silent Auction will take place Friday at the Lincoln School Auditorium in Hibbing and Saturday at Goodman Auditorium at the Virginia High School. Doors will open each night at 6 p.m. for the silent auction; concerts will begin at 7 p.m." (Angie Riebe, Mesabi Daily News)
Keith Secola knows how important language is to preserving one’s culture. So when members of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa discussed the idea of doing an Ojibwe language CD with him, Secola enthusiastically agreed to provide whatever assistance was needed. With Secola’s help as consultant and producer, the first language CD titled “Anishinabemoin by Karen Drift with Keith Secola” is now ready for release under the newly created Bois Fort Band of Chippewa Music & Akina Records label. Karen Drift and her grand daughter Larissa provide the language lessons on the CD, with background music performed by Keith Secola on acoustic guitar and native flute. The repetitive nature of the lessons on the CD mirrors lessons taught naturally through oral traditions with the music providing a peaceful, restive atmosphere for thoughtful listening and learning. “Anishinabemoin” official CD release is scheduled for January 25, 2007, at the Bois Forte Heritage Center, 1500 Bois Forte Road in Tower, Minn., from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Keith Secola is the recipient of many music awards including Best Producer and he recently won Artist of the Year at the 2006 Native American Music Awards. As a singer/songwriter, Secola’s music includes songs in English and Ojibwe, as well as Native American flute, pow wow drumbeats, with a mix of influences from native rhythms, rock and americana roots music. Joining Keith will be Karen Drift. Besides her work on the first language CD, Karen Drift also offers courses in Ojibwe language. For additional information, contact Rhonda Zuponcic at the Heritage Center, phone 218-753-6017.
November 15, 2006. IRON RANGE, MINNESOTA - NATIVE AMERICAN SINGER HELPS THOSE IN NEED. Secola, a group of performers, raise food shelf donations, money for heating costs. "Keith Secola, who feels blessed for his gift of music and his heritage and upbringing on the Iron Range, is once again providing an offering to the community in which he was raised. The award-winning Native American recording artist will merge his talent and bond to the area in two concerts this weekend to raise money to help low-income families stay warm and well-fed this winter. The third annual Keith Secola & Friends Benefit Concert and Silent Auction will take place Friday at the Lincoln School Auditorium in Hibbing and Saturday at Goodman Auditorium at the Virginia High School. Doors will open each night at 6 p.m. for the silent auction; concerts will begin at 7 p.m." (Angie Riebe, Mesabi Daily News)
November 3, 2006. WINNIPEG, MANITOBA CANADA - KEITH SECOLA WINS BEST FOLK/ACOUSTIC CD AWARD AT THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLES CHOICE MUSIC AWARDS.
September 14, 2006. WINNIPEG, MANITOBA CANADA - KEITH SECOLA AND "NATIVE AMERICANA" NOMINATED FOR BEST FOLK/ACOUSTIC CD IN THE INAUGURAL ABORIGINAL PEOPLES CHOICE MUSIC AWARDS. The awards honor the best in Aboriginal music. The APCMA show will take place in Winnipeg during Manito Anbee: A Festival For All Nations on November 3rd at the MTS Centre. Final round voting now underway until October 13th. http://www.aboriginalpeopleschoice.com
June 9, 2006.
HOLLYWOOD, FL -
KEITH SECOLA NAMED ARTIST OF THE YEAR AT THE NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC
AWARDS SHOW. Keith
Secola arrived at the Native American Music Awards show at the Hard
Rock Live venue in Hollywood, Florida, leading all artists with five
nominations for his widely acclaimed CD Native Americana. At the end of
the night, top winner Secola walked away with the Artist of the Year
Award, with Native Americana winning in three categories including Best
Folk/Country Recording. Winning the Artist of the Year award means a
lot to Secola as the Nammys are also voted on by the general public as
well as music industry members. In his acceptance speeches, Secola
briefly recounted the long journey it took to get the recording
released
and also asked Native artists to record more songs in their native
languages. Native Americana includes a version of This Land sung by
Secola in Ojibwe. During the show, Secola performed his debut single
Old Trader, followed by a medley of Frybread with Ulali as backup
singers, and ended with a rocking version of NDN Kars. Later that night
at the VIP Party at Paradise Live, John Trudell and others joined
Secola onstage during the after party impromptu jam session that lasted
till early morning. June 8, 2006. HOLLYWOOD, FL - ARTIST OF THE YEAR KEITH SECOLA BIG WINNER AT NAMMYS, "NATIVE AMERICANA" honored with three Native American Music Awards.
April 17, 2006. "NATIVE AMERICANA" NOMINATED FOR A RECORD FIVE NAMMY AWARDS. SECOLA TO PERFORM AT NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS SHOW AT HARD ROCK LIVE JUNE 8TH. Keith Secola's latest CD Native Americana leads this year's nominations in five categories including Artist of the Year, Record of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Best Folk/Country Recording. John Densmore, who performs on Native Americana, also received a nomination in the Native Heart category. Native Americana is hailed as Keith Secola's best recording to date, a masterful collection of Secola penned tunes and arrangements that weaves the musical fabric of Americana and Native influences throughout each song. Officially released last September, the widely acclaimed CD by music critics and fans alike generated sales throughout the United States and Canada, across Europe and in Japan. Secola kicked off the first leg of the Native Americana Tour last fall and promoted his new release in live concerts from coast-to-coast and on various radio stations throughout the country. One of the premier performers for over a decade, Native Americana marks Keith Secola's fifth full-length CD and fourth recording nominated for multiple NAMMY Awards. Secola is scheduled to perform at this year's NAMMYS Award show.
General Public voting now open. Register and place your votes for Keith Secola Native Americana: http://www.nammys.com/
The NAMMY Awards Show will be held June 8, 2006 at the Hard Rock Live venue in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Tickets available through Ticketmaster.
January/February 2006.
KEITH SECOLA, AUDIO COUP ON AMERICA.
Music critic J. Poet visits with Keith Secola, one of America's finest songwriters, in the latest issue of Native Peoples magazine. Excerpt: "Secola has produced three cassettes and four full-length albums, but NATIVE AMERICANA trumps them all. The album's 16 songs weave blues, rock, swing, folk, country, pop, Latin and Native influences into a politically charged tapestry levened with Secola's sly wit." Read the full article in Native Peoples Jan/Feb 2006 Issue, on news stands now.
November 25, 2005.
COMEDY "CHRISTMAS IN THE CLOUDS," FEATURING KEITH SECOLA'S MUSIC, DEBUTS IN MOVIE THEATERS NATIONALLY BEGINNING DECEMBER 2ND. The award winning indie-film by director and producer Kate Montgomery began its limited pre-release in California on November 4th, with proceeds to benefit California's neediest schools. At the post-movie release party in Los Angeles on November 2nd, Keith Secola and band provided the evening's entertainment. The movie features Keith Secola's signature song "NDN Kars" and a new song written by Secola especially for the movie release, the rocking "Christmas Time" performed by Keith Secola and Wild Band of Indians. A movie review in Oprah Magazine December issue declares, "a funny, spirited December charmer that will put you in a festive mood without leaving you with 'Jingle Bells' overload." Official Movie Website: Christmas In The Clouds
September 23, 2005.
TOWER, MN - KEITH SECOLA KICKS OFF NATIVE AMERICANA TOUR IN BOIS FORTE.
In support of his new release "Native Americana" Keith Secola returns to his roots to begin the first leg of the NATIVE AMERICANA NORTH AMERICAN TOUR. He performs tonight with the Wild Band of Indians at Fortune Bay Resort & Casino in Tower, Minn., joined by John Densmore, founding member of The Doors and an honorary member of the Wild Band. The set will include songs from Native Americana including the debut single Old Trader, Kokopelli Blues featuring John Densmore on drums, as well as a few of The Doors classics.
September 8, 2005. NATIVE SON KEITH SECOLA GIVES NEW MEANING TO AMERICANA. "Native Americana, officially released this Friday, September 9, is Secola's fifth full-length album -- a bouillabaisse of styles, all integrated with American Indian flourishes, whether it's the rhythm, the flute, or Secola singing in Ojibwa, as he does on his cover of Woody Guthrie's "This Land."...Native Americana is just further proof that Keith Secola is far more than a niche artist; he's an amalgamation of this country's musical heritage." Read article, Brendan Joel Kelley, Phoenix New Times
August 23, 2005. NATIVE AMERICANA, NEW KEITH SECOLA CD SET FOR SEPTEMBER RELEASE. Keith Secola's long awaited CD Native Americana is due out September 9th. It's a musical journey from a major American songwriter as he sings the stories from the many trails he's traveled through this North American land. The sixteen tracks on the CD moves your spirit and then lifts your spirits higher. As with all Secola lyrics, songs tend to have a deeper meaning, while some embrace the fun and humorous sides of life. In either case, you'll find yourself swaying to the acoustic and slide guitars while your feet move to the pounding drumbeats. The first two singles from Native Americana are "Old Trader", a ballad to a time that's gone past, and "This Land", a new arrangement of the Woody Guthrie classic ("the earth is our mother, we belong to her"). It's roots music, it's bluesy rock music, it's native music -- when it's from Keith Secola, it's simply Native Americana music.
July 3, 2005. NIAGARA FALLS, NY - Secola Rocks Niagara Falls. During the extended Fourth of July weekend, a huge crowd turned out for the Rock the Falls outdoor concert featuring Keith Secola & Wild Band of Indians and Creedence Clearwater Revisited. Joining the extended Wild Band family, special guests Pura Fé added soulful vocals and slide guitar while Gary Farmer wailed along on his harmonica. The night ended with a spectacular fireworks display celebrating the July 4th holiday. The Seneca Niagara Casino provided the special weekend festivities.
November 12, 2004. VIRGINIA, MN - Benefit planned to help restock food shelves, soup kitchens. Former Ranger, Native American Keith Secola, to perform. "It has not been such a good year for local food shelves and soup kitchens, with donations on the low end. Still there are plenty of children in the area who are “going to bed hungry and getting up in the morning without breakfast,” said Sandy Wallin of the Range Mental Health Center in Virginia. Former Iron Ranger — musician and songwriter Keith Secola — is doing something about it." Read full article, Angie Riebe, Mesabi Daily News
September 25, 2004. WASHINGTON, DC - With the illuminated Capitol Dome in the background, Keith Secola brought hundreds to their feet at the Saturday evening concert celebrating the grand opening of the Smithsonian's new museum. Keith Secola joined thousands of Native Americans in DC, from all over the Western Hemisphere, to celebrate the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian. The museum opening kicked off the six-day First Americans Festival featuring many traditional and contemporary Native American performers and artists. Secola performed three shows throughout the week on the Four Directions main stage, with a special performance in the museum's rotunda during an evening reception. Pura Fé of Ulali and Kevin Locke joined Secola on stage Saturday night, where a high-spirited audience did a round dance on the National Mall grounds to the unofficial Native anthem "NDN Kars."
July 28, 2004. TEMPE, AZ - Keith Secola, 'backwards like a sacred clown.' Long stretch in an Indian car, 500 years is long enough.
"Keith Secola has just put a $20 bill in the stamp machine and now has a handful of Sacagawea coin dollars. Whether Secola is at the post office or onstage singing "NDN Kars" to raise dollars for the return of Wiyot land and fight against new uranium mining on the Navajo Nation, he is the quintessential Anishinabe of folk rock ’n‘ roll..."
Read article, Brenda Norrell, Indian Country Today
July 25, 2004.
VICTOR, NY - Keith Secola and John Densmore celebrate "Earth Rhythms & Beats" at Ganondagan, historic land of the Seneca.
The weekend festival of celebration closed each day with a special concert from Keith Secola and Wild Band of Indians, with guest musician John Densmore, original and founding member of the legendary rock band The Doors. Secola wowed the crowd from a song list of fan favorites and mixed in a small dose of The Doors with Densmore reprising his signature drum beats. Densmore humorously informed the crowd that Secola reminded him of a peyote version of Jim Morrison. During "NDN Kars", musician John Stokes also joined in on the didjeridu, a traditional aboriginal instrument from Australia. Earlier at nearby GrassRoots Festival where Secola is a perennial festival favorite, the surprised crowd of thousands cheered wildly when Densmore joined Secola on stage for his Friday night set.
June
28, 2004.
CANADA - APTN concert series features Keith Secola performing many of his classics. Catch the APTN Mainstage thirteen part concert series, showcasing North America’s top aboriginal artists, on Canadian television. Tonight's listing: "Keith Secola, One of the most established performers on the scene... In this concert he performs many of his classics, including the haunting 4R Ancestors and Innocent Man as well as getting the crowd hopping with Fry Bread and NDN Kars." Check your local APTN program listings for times and additional shows. Upcoming broadcasts: Mon August 9 9PM CST, Sat August 14 10:30PM CST, Sun August 15 7PM CST. APTN.ca
( Migwetch to Brenda in Vancouver BC for the new times. )
May 15, 2004. PHOENIX, AZ - Keith Secola performs at local Bo Wilson Music Festival.
Young children share the
stage as Keith Secola performs at the 2nd Annual Bo Wilson Music
Festival in the Phoenix area. The festival honors the memory of veteran
bluesman Bo Wilson, Arizona Blues Hall of Fame 2000 inductee, and an
enrolled member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
(photo courtesy Lee Hyeoma)
February 6, 2004. FARMINGTON, NM - Bedard, Secola, Native Roots and others - Red Road lyrics for a cause. "Irene Bedard, Keith Secola and Native Roots teamed up with Navajo performers to celebrate fallen warriors and victims of Cold War uranium mining, in a blend of new sound to herald the Diné Bidziil movement." Read full story, Brenda Norrell INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY
February 1, 2004. FROM THE TRAIL. Keith Secola is gearing up for another busy year touring and recording. Keith is always busy writing new songs and expects to release his much anticipated CD "Native Americana" in the next few months. We'll announce the big release date right here on Secola.com. Keith has been playing some of his new songs during his recent concerts, something for fans to look forward to when attending this year's shows. You can also find Keith collaborating on Anishinabe artist Annie Humphrey's new CD "Edge of America", released on Makoché.
November 15, 2003.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Keith
Secola
wins his fourth straight NAMMY award, BEST PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, at The
Sixth Annual Native American Music Awards show, held at the
Isleta
Casino & Resort. Secola through his Akina label plans to continue
producing new artists and work with other musical entities on current
and future projects, as well as on his own music.
During the show, Secola helped
present the NAMA's Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award to his good
friend John Densmore of The Doors, who occasionally tours with Keith
and shares in the 2002 Best Blues Recording NAMMY for "Kokopelli Blues".
RECENT ARTICLES
CANADA - APTN concert series features Keith Secola performing many of his classics. Catch the APTN Mainstage thirteen part concert series, showcasing North America’s top aboriginal artists, on Canadian television. Tonight's listing: "Keith Secola, One of the most established performers on the scene... In this concert he performs many of his classics, including the haunting 4R Ancestors and Innocent Man as well as getting the crowd hopping with Fry Bread and NDN Kars." Check your local APTN program listings for times and additional shows. Upcoming broadcasts: Mon August 9 9PM CST, Sat August 14 10:30PM CST, Sun August 15 7PM CST. APTN.ca
( Migwetch to Brenda in Vancouver BC for the new times. )
May 15, 2004. PHOENIX, AZ - Keith Secola performs at local Bo Wilson Music Festival.
Young children share the
stage as Keith Secola performs at the 2nd Annual Bo Wilson Music
Festival in the Phoenix area. The festival honors the memory of veteran
bluesman Bo Wilson, Arizona Blues Hall of Fame 2000 inductee, and an
enrolled member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
(photo courtesy Lee Hyeoma)February 6, 2004. FARMINGTON, NM - Bedard, Secola, Native Roots and others - Red Road lyrics for a cause. "Irene Bedard, Keith Secola and Native Roots teamed up with Navajo performers to celebrate fallen warriors and victims of Cold War uranium mining, in a blend of new sound to herald the Diné Bidziil movement." Read full story, Brenda Norrell INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY
February 1, 2004. FROM THE TRAIL. Keith Secola is gearing up for another busy year touring and recording. Keith is always busy writing new songs and expects to release his much anticipated CD "Native Americana" in the next few months. We'll announce the big release date right here on Secola.com. Keith has been playing some of his new songs during his recent concerts, something for fans to look forward to when attending this year's shows. You can also find Keith collaborating on Anishinabe artist Annie Humphrey's new CD "Edge of America", released on Makoché.
November 15, 2003.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Keith
Secola
wins his fourth straight NAMMY award, BEST PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, at The
Sixth Annual Native American Music Awards show, held at the
Isleta
Casino & Resort. Secola through his Akina label plans to continue
producing new artists and work with other musical entities on current
and future projects, as well as on his own music.During the show, Secola helped
present the NAMA's Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award to his good
friend John Densmore of The Doors, who occasionally tours with Keith
and shares in the 2002 Best Blues Recording NAMMY for "Kokopelli Blues".RECENT ARTICLES
-
GRAMMY Magazine, FEATURES - Native American Pop Moves Toward The Mainstream. A number of artists have the near-term breakout potential that could springboard the genre... Keith Secola (tribal affiliation: Anishinabe) could be the Native Bruce Springsteen. His music talks about the day-to-day lives of Native Americans in language any working-class American can relate to. Secola's songs "Frybread" and "Indian Cars" are already standards on reservation radio. His fierce performances with Secola's Wild Band Of Indians made fans out of Jerry Garcia, Jim Creegan of Barenaked Ladies, Doors' drummer John Densmore and other rock heavies. He's just finishing work on his seventh self-produced album, Native Americana. (GRAMMY.com, J. Poet) Read full story GRAMMY Magazine
- Ojibwe rocker changes key. "Minnesota's Keith Secola brings music to masses at Fair". (St. Paul Pioneer Press)
- Anishinabe musician proud of Iron Range roots. (Associated Press)
- Part of the circle. "Native American musician Keith Secola comes home to the Iron Range, using his growing fame to help homeless." (Duluth News Tribune)
- Keith Secola performs at 2002 Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City. Read press release Keith Secola brings Alter-Native music to Olympics.
