Music
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Published: September 29, 2011 4:00 AM
Former lakecity resident and worship leader Becky Thomas has been nominated for a Native American Music Award.
The final awards are presented on the basis of public vote.
Thomas is nominated in two categories, Best Female and Gospel/Inspirational Recording. Thomas has two CDs to her credit, I Delight In You and Miracles of the North. She also appears on Glorious.
Some of her popular songs on the CDs are Spread Your Wings and Fly, Spirit Way, Do Not Gloat, I Will Remember, In Jesus Name, Creator Healer and Elsie’s Grizzly Bear, Fish Every Morning, God of the Moose and Little Native Church.
To vote for Thomas go to www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com/votenow.cfm.
Thomas says she has had a few people say they didn’t have time to listen to all the songs.
She says not listening to all the songs is not a problem. “Just click ‘no’ on whether or not you listened to all the artists. I did the same and the vote still went through. Or you can click ‘yes’ and just vote in the categories you listened to.”
Thomas thanks everyone for their votes so far.
“It is much appreciated. Just to be in the nomination line-up is such an honour,” Thomas says. “I’ll be taking my daughter Kim to celebrate with me in New York on Oct. 7 and am so excited to meet all the other artists and she the show.
“Regardless of the outcome, we are thrilled to be going and are praying we can somehow bring glory to the Great Chief.”
Thomas made a stop in Williams Lake this spring while on tour in British Columbia during May and June.
“We had some really powerful times especially at Ness Lake Women’s Retreat,” Thomas says. “Of all the wonderful times we had, my favourite concert and memory happened in Williams Lake when a native lady fell into my arms weeping because of God’s presence on her. She was so sweet and somehow touched my heart in a deep way.”
The Native American Music Awards will be held, Friday, Oct. 7 at the Seneca Niagara Hotel and Casino in Niagara Falls, New York. - Williams Lake Tribune
Becky Thomas, formerly of Williams Lake and a regular visiting worship leader in the community, has won the 2011 Native American Music Award for Best Female Artist of the Year.
Thomas was presented with the award at ceremonies held Oct. 7 in Niagara Falls, New York.
Thomas won the award for her gospel CD Sacred Ground.
“To be honest, when they called my name out I was so stunned all I could do was cry,” Thomas says. “Thankfully I didn’t have to walk up to the stage as they randomly pick which categories are announced publicly and mine was simply read out in a category of about 10 others.
“So no speeches, but I got to collect my award at the end. You can’t know how big a relief that was to me — I just knew I would fall flat on my face if I had to walk up the stairs — much less come up with a speech!”
Thomas was nominated in two categories, Best Female Artist of the Year and Gospel/Inspirational Recording. The public was also able to vote for their favourite artists on line. Thomas has two CDs to her credit, I Delight In You and Miracles of the North. She also appears on Glorious.
Thomas says the highlight of the awards event was having her daughter, Kim, with her and getting to meet and get a picture with Gabriel Ayala — an amazing classical guitar player who took the Artist of the Year award.
“A friend and sister in the Lord, Yvonne St. Germaine, took the Gospel/Inspirational category, so we will celebrate together — she’s from Saskatoon, another bonus,” Thomas says.
She says she was also able to reconnect with an old friend and meet a new friend from Youth With a Mission.
“So all I can say is thank you to everyone who sent in their votes and prayers,” Thomas says. “I didn’t think it was even possible and I am in awe of the greatness of God and the kindness of my friends. We are praying that this will open new Kingdom opportunities as that is really all that matters at the end of the day.”
For more on Becky’s story go to www.storysongproductions.com.
- Williams Lake Tribune
Saskatoon musician Becky Thomas was named Best Female Artist at the Native American Music Awards earlier this month.
Thomas, who was honoured for her album Sacred Ground, received the award at a ceremony in Niagara Falls, Ont. The album is the second by the gospel storyteller and contains a combination of hymns and original songs.
Sacred Ground was released by the Turtle Island Music label, based out of Saskatoon, in 2010.
Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/Becky+Thomas+wins+NAMA/5578003/story.html#ixzz1dMYGJMVh - Star Phoenix Saskatoon
As Becky Thomas puts it on the back of her CD booklet, for the past while she's been "telling other people's stories, especially my native brothers and sisters," but now, with Sacred Ground, she's put together a collection of her own sacred songs with some old gospel favourites.
She kicks things off by bringing a trembling alto voice to a combination of her own The Beauty of the Lord and a Cherokee version of How Great Thou Art, complete with sax punctuations from Greg Edmunds.
From there she mixes such compositions of her own as You Are My Passion, I Was Made for Love and There's Healing in Your Name with familiar numbers such as a bluesy rendition of This Is My Father's World, a somewhat stirring Nothing But the Blood (though there's room for more excitement) and a nice, easy-going version of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
Thomas does a Native version of the Lord's Prayer, with nice loon-like flute fills and does an original soul stirrer -- with great guitar from Jay Ross -- called My God Can, which owes a great deal to Maria Muldaur's version of I'm a Woman.
Thomas has the Christian joy down in her heart and she wants to share it. This is her trip back to her roots and to Sacred Ground.
Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/Thomas+takes+trip+back+roots/3472156/story.html#ixzz1407QDgst - Star Phoenix
Discography
In 2007, Becky Thomas released an independent solo debut, "I Delight In You", thru Pocketwatch Records, which garnered her four Covenant award nominations from the Canadian Gospel Music Association, including 2 for best aboriginal song (Spirit Way and Heal the Land), 1 for best country/bluegrass song (No HIgh Like The Most High), and 1 for best aboriginal album.
In August 2010, Thomas released her sophomore recording, "Sacred Ground" thru Turtle Island Music. This album is a return to her Gospel and Appalachian roots and features eight original songs and five hymns from her childhood, including a Cherokee translation of "How Great Thou Art". "Sacred Ground" tracks "I Was Made For Love" and "You Are My Passion" have been featured on CTV's "Indigenous Circle". "I Was Made For Love", "Uncloudy Day" and "There's Healing In Your Name" have been enjoying radio airplay in Canada and Australia. "I Was Made For Love" secured her 2011 NAMA win for Best Female Artist.
On December 3, 2010 Thomas released "Miracles of the North", thru her own record label, StorySong Productions. Becky co-produced this album with Malcolm Petch of Pocketwatch Records and Escape Artist Music and Motion.
"Elsie's Grizzly Bear" and "We Are Sekani" have been featured on radio, and "God of the Moose" was nominated for Best Aboriginal Song in Canada's Covenant Awards.
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Bio
Becky Thomas, a storyteller and Gospel recording artist, has been spinning stories and songs since she was knee high to a grasshopper. Drawing from a mixed heritage, her music is a blending of gospel, rock, folk, country and Native American sounds. Known initially as a worship leader and pastor, in recent years she has been drawn back to the stories of her Cherokee ancestors which has had a deep impact on both her life and her music.
Carrying a love for all people and the ability to adapt her presentation to all ages and ethnic groups, she nevertheless has a strong commitment to incorporating the indigenous sound and expression of Native Americans.
"I'm a bit of a mixed up girl - born in the east in Bristol, TN, raised in North Carolina, then southern California, for college I went to Hawaii and met a Canadian, got married and took off with him to Switzerland. After conceiving our first child we headed to his home town, Vernon, BC. It was the west coast people of Canada that began to teach me about what it means to be native, and I learned their way of dancing and expression. Then we moved to Saskatchewan and I've been exposed to prairie culture - native and non. So whether I'm confused or educated widely is up for others to decide but I like to refer to myself as the 'twisted sister' with so many different influences". In recent years, the music of Walela, and Cheryl Bear have been her favourites. She also draws from artists such as Alison Krause and Union Station and contemporary Christian worship artists such as The Jesus Culture.
To attend an event with Becky Thomas, one can't help but feel like one's heart has been stretched a little, maybe even transformed. Her authentic sound and pitch perfect lyrics bring us together, telling us the stories we all need to hear and bringing us into that sacred space where can experience the love of our Creator.
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