Mwalim Makes History At The 12th Annual Native American Music Awards

Nov. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- MASHPEE, MA – An air of excitement filled the Seneca Casino Event Center in Niagara Falls, NY, from the first day of rehearsals to the Friday night as the audience, performers, nominees, their families, and friends filed into the hall. Traditional and contemporary Native American musical artists from all over the USA, Canada, Central and  South America were represented. For the first time ever, the Wampanoag people were represented at this prestigious event by Mwalim (Morgan James Peters) who was a finalist nominee in the Pop and World Music categories for his latest CD, “The Liberation Sessions” featuring the underground dancehall hit, DEM BIG GIRLS and the deep soul sensation, “Ain’t Done Yet – feat. Amaris.”

In the initial round of nominations, Mwalim was a nominee in ten of the 21 categories. “As a first timer at the awards, to receive two nominations is far from shabby,” said Donald Kelly, Executive Director of the Native American Music Awards. Aside from being a nominee, Mwalim was tapped to be a presenter for the Best Rock Recording category, engaging the audience with his wry and extemporaneous humor. “He came with a grace, poise and dignity that exemplifies a winning attitude,” said Kelly who noted that Mwalim embraced Gabriel Ayala, winner of the World Music category saying, “it was a privilege to lose to you, bro.” That night, Ayala gave a performance on guitar that mesmerized the live audience of close to 2,000 people as well as an estimated 800,000 who watched the event on the Internet via the NAMA website.

The ceremony was followed by a VIP after-party that featured performances by nominees including Mwalim who, by request, performed DEM BIG GIRLS for an enthusiastic audience of the who’s who of the Native American music world. “Lets face it,” said Kelly, “there are no losers at the NAMMYs. Being nominated means you are one of the top five artists in the business.” A highlight of the event for Mwalim came when he signed in at rehearsal and was spotted by members of a western drum group who started singing the chorus to DEM BIG GIRLS. “At that moment I thought,” recalls Mwalim, “forget the award, I’ve arrived!!!” In April, Mwalim won Best Jazz Vocalist in the New England Urban Music Awards for the same recording.

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Liberation Music - MGM is a music production company and record label specializing in soul, funk, jazz and spoken-word recordings. Liberation Music - MGM was formed in 1991.