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October 26, 2001

INDIANZ.COM MAKES US CRAZY WITH LAUGHTER -- If you are not reading Indianz.com everyday...I just don't know what we're going to do with you. They give you all the news you NEED to read and have the most kickin' sense of humor this side of Charlie Hill. Those crazy kids put the Diva in their "In The Hoop" section today as "Eric Von Star" -- and there was much laughter at the Wacky Productions offices. If you're wondering what that's all about, scroll down to the section where we humbly apologized to Indianz.com staffer Todd for misidentifying him!

October 25, 2001

THE DIVA MAKES THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WIRE SERVICE-- We were pleased to learn that Arigon's quotes about winning the Nammy for "Junior Frybread" made the story about the Native American Music Awards issued by the national wire service, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Arigon was nabbed right after the awards ceremony by reporter Mary Parea. Read and enjoy!

OCTOBER 22, 10:41 EDT

Mirabal Tops Native American Awards

By MARY PEREA
Associated Press Writer

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Robert Mirabal was the big winner at the Native American Music Awards, taking artist of the year, songwriter of the year and record of the year honors for ``Music from a Painted Cave.''

The fourth annual awards ceremony took place Saturday night at Sandia Casino's new 3,000 seat amphitheater near the Sandia Mountains.

Rodney A. Grant, who co-starred as Wind in His Hair in the 1990 film ``Dances with Wolves,'' was the host. Country music star Crystal Gayle was among the performers and was inducted into the NAMA Hall of Fame.

Other performers included Keith Secola, a crowd favorite with his electric guitar, and 8-year-old flute player Evren Ozan, who later was honored as the ``future of Native American music.''

Arigon Starr's ``Junior Frybread'' won the song of the year award. She said the song, based on a popular American Indian food, started out as a joke.

``I am so excited,'' Starr said after the ceremony. ``It's kind of a little anthem.''

Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills received the Thorpe Sports Award for his win in the 10,000 meter race at the 1964 games in Tokyo. Other winners included Annie Humphrey as best female artist, Delphine Tsinajinnie as debut artist of the year, Northern Cree for best pow wow recording and Robert Tree Cody as male artist of the year.

Attending the show and seeing her own people recognized for their music was an inspiration for aspiring songwriter and rapper Danielle DeClay.

``The entertainment industry is a good way for Native Americans to gain recognition,'' said the 18-year-old DeClay, the current Miss Indian Teen World who was a presenter at the show. ``I think it's just a matter of time until we start shining through.''

Performances were taped and will be featured as part of the pay-per-view music benefit ``Concert For America.'' The goal is to raise $100 million for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, survivors and recovery efforts.

On the Net: http://www.nativeamericanmusic.com

WELLNESS CONFERENCE IN BARONA -- The Diva was on the road again, this time as a guest performer at the Fourth Annual Native American Men and Women's Wellness conference at the Barona Indian Reservation near San Diego, California. Folks enjoyed Cecilia Fire Thunder's rousing speech, Danny Tucker's smooth soul stylings...and the cool sack lunch! Arigon, her mom & dad, Ruth and Ken Wahpecome welcomed new friends and old, including TIDE's Terrie Restivo, who gave a presenation about the Cancer Survivors Wellness Circles program she's involved with. It was another beautiful afternoon out on the Rez, and "Junior Frybread" brought down the house again. Has anyone see the nutritional stats on Frybread? I think I really don't want to know! AAAY!

A BIG apology to Indianz.com's TODD, not TROY as was previously mentioned. Yes, we KNOW your name is Todd, it's just hard for us to type with greasy, frybread-scented hands. Here's a photo of Acee, Todd, the Love Monster and Arigon from last year's awards show. Honestly, Arigon knows how you feel. Her favorite misspelling of her name was Eric Von Star. AAAY!

FOUR MORE DAYS TIL' SMILING JAY -- We hope to see many of you at the upcoming BR549 shows in Southern California. Key Club on Monday, October 29th, Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, October 30th....and on Friday, November 2nd at the Bash on Ash in Tempe, Arizona. Watch out, ya'll! Indian girls coming through!

WHAMMY NAMMYS! -- We KNOW you all wanted to KNOW what happened on Saturday night at this year's Native American Music Awards. The short story is that Arigon's song JUNIOR FRYBREAD was named SONG OF THE YEAR. You can check the Native American Music Awards website (www.nammys.com) for the complete list of winners. Sadly, Arigon didn't take home those other awards -- but we know she's a winner in our hearts! Arigon had fun connecting with her friends Delphine Tsinajinnie (a winner for Debut Artist) and Casper, the Hopi Reggae sensation. Many friends from around the country were on hand to meet and greet with the Diva -- including radio folks from KUYI in Hopi Country, KWSO/Warm Springs, Oregon, Earthsongs' Gregg McVicar and Native America Calling host Harlan McKosato. Yes, Arigon stopped to chat with Lifetime Achievement Award winner CRYSTAL GAYLE. She had fun asking her if she enjoyed her lunch with radio host Art Bell! The band's performance at the Sandia Casino was a huge hit -- and they will be returning to the Casino for their own show in the near future. We all hope you listened to the broadcast on AIROS and heard Arigon give you her special message -- "Ee-nee-nah-koch-ah-hey!" -- which is Sac & Fox for "That's All Folks!"

Arigon also spoke with lots of radio and press -- including the New York Times and the Associated Press wire service. The Diva caused a scene during Casper's performance and had folks dancing in the aisles after she picked up her trophy. Arigon also met some new fans -- the Alaskan group PAMYUA (www.pamyua.com) - who listen to her music on Anchorage's KNBA-FM. She also caught up with some original Diva fans, including winners Joanne Shenandoah, Robert Tree Cody, Rita Coolidge and show host, Dale Old Horn. Also spotted hovering near the Diva were Navajo rapper Natay, the Los Angeles world-fusion group Aztlan Underground, Indianz.com's Acee and Todd (you were missed, Love Monster!), Rodney Grant (!!), Wes Studi and Lakota rockers Wakinyan. Photos to come!

October 11, 2001

SATURDAY GALA -- We hope to see lots of you at the show to benefit the Indian Cultural Musuem this Saturday in San Diego. Musician Tyler Grant is the latest addition to the Diva band. Tyler hails from the hills of Jamul, California and plays guitar, mandolin and bass. He's also a fine singer. Tyler appears regularly at local Bluegrass gatherings and is a musician in demand. The band is also set to debut THREE new songs from the upcoming album. The ticket price for the show is high -- but it's going to a worthy cause! Hope you'll join us on Saturday!

POW-WOW GIRLS, AAAAY -- Arigon and her family were guests at the San Marcos Pow-Wow last Saturday. MC Randy Edmonds gave Arigon a nice welcome -- and she greeted some of her diehard fans. One fellow had come all the way from Window Rock, Arizona to help out and told the Diva he had heard her music on KTNN and was a big fan! Right on, Navajo Nation!

ANOTHER JAUNT TO JOLLIE'S? -- Rumor has it that the Diva is returning to Jollie's Pow-Wow Lounge in La Center, Washington in January! We'll have more information on this very, very soon.

ANOTHER BR549 ROAD TRIP COMING UP -- Speaking of other places you can spot the Diva -- you can see her cutting up and cutting a rug at the next round of BR549 shows. They are coming back to Southern California on Sunday, October 28th to the Key Club in West Hollywood (the Diva's hometown!) and the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, October 30th. Come down and join us and support our friends Don, Chuck, Gary, Shaw and Jay!

Arigon also recently took another trip to Portland, Oregon for fun and for profit! She was a guest at Gary Bennett's family/school reunion in Cougar, Washington; performed live at Jollie's Pow-Wow Lounge in Battle Ground, Washington; and was interviewed and performed live on Portland's community radio station, KBOO-FM. She caught up with many of her friends including Native performer Spider Moccasin, those great country pickers Kevin and Ray, and her pal Heather Johnson. It was a fun trip -- and we're sure she'll be back up that way again soon!

It's finally time for a new CD! Arigon and the band will be returning to the recording studio in late August to begin recording their third CD. Keep up with us -- we'll let you know when the record will be released.

Something else to keep you amused -- Arigon's article about the radio station controversy in San Diego will be included in an upcoming Introduction to Sociology course at San Diego State University. How's that for making a noise?