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It might take an artist to shake you out of complacency, out of accepting what’s just plain wrong about not being grateful, about not speaking out about injustice. Singer/songwriter/activist Mitch Walking Elk is one of those artists. He has taken some hard knocks and come back better. In the process, he has developed into a well-respected musician and performer. Deep culture comes automatically to Walking Elk, but he never takes it for granted. “The pipe, Sun Dance and the sweat lodge saved my life,” he told Indian Country Today after taking top honors in last year’s Indian Summer Music awards in the Best Blues CD category for his release Time for a Woman. “My commitment to the spirits, the people and myself is to do my utmost to do better than I have in the past.” Walking Elk has taken his activist spirit and his shape-shifting music around the world.
Soaring from Menominee Indian Reservation roots, Wade knows how to both soothe and rock. With versatility, he honors tradition while forging ahead in an ever expanding world of music. Award-winning vocals, guitar, songwriting, native flute & drumming, all flow from deep within a rich blood memory, echoing his words, "Music is a very powerful gift to be returned and shared in a good way."
Combining elements of several musical styles, including blues, traditional singing and drumming, rock, world-beat and jazz, Fernandez has developed a unique style as both a musician and songwriter. His soaring voice can only be described as phenomenal. Within minutes during a live performance, Fernandez demonstrates the skills comparable to any world class pow wow singer or hand-drum competitor. Most recently, He has focused his attention toward performing live, playing under the bright stage lights alongside such artists such as Jackson Browne, Bill Miller, the Indigo Girls and Annie Humphrey. Wade won Best Male Artist of the Year in the Native American Music Awards (NAMMYS) 2006 and is currently touring in support of his new CD "4 the People".
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