Posted By PowWows.com September 16th, 2013 Last Updated on: September 16th, 2013

Under the stars at the 2013 Indian Summer Music Awards, many of the musical Stars of Native America experienced their dreams coming true as they heard their names and CDs  announced as winners.  While hundreds of hopefuls had submitted their musical selections for consideration, only a select group of musicians made it to the Nominee stage.  I enjoyed the privilege of serving as a Judge for the 2013 Indian Summer Music Awards and delighted in the vast array of talent that distinguished themselves in this year's competition.

Focusing on the powerful Native Nations, Tribes and Communities of the Great Lakes region, Indian Summer Festival features a powwow, educational activities and cultural traditions.  The Indian Summer Music Awards honors the musical gifts found in a variety of styles of music.  Entertainers submit songs, which are judged without knowing the identity of the performer.  This year, many outstanding musicians competed. This is a list of those rewarded  on September 8,2013, for their excellent work and skill:

INDIAN SUMMER MUSIC AWARD WINNERS 2013:

Blues: Good Evening, Good Night (from the CD Back to Clearlake Oaks) Twice as Good

Central and South American Indigenous Music: Los Peces en el Rio (from the CD Season of Joy) Yolanda
Instrumental (Contemporary/Modern): Thunder Dance (from the CD Bridge) Rushingwind and Mucklow
Country: Turn These Grey Skies Blue (from the CD Heart On My Sleeve) Don Amero
Folk: Sawaenemiyah (from the CD Breathe and Flow) Wade Fernandez
Hip Hop: On The Run (from the CD Future X Wife) Lady Xplicit
Native American Flute: Coyote's Dream (from the CD Flute Medicine) Douglas Blue Feather
Native Spirit (Non-Indian entrants): Rhythm of the Rain Horse (from the CD Rhythm of the Rain Horse) Jonny Lipford
Pop: That's What She Said (from the CD Breathe and Flow) Wade Fernandez
Rock: Surrounded (from the CD Never Surrender) Sihasin
Spiritual Tears for a Warrior Fallen (from the CD Bridge) Rushingwind and Mucklow
Spoken Word: Winds of Time/New Dawn (from the CD D.R.U. M. (Do Respect Universal Music)) Wind Spirit Drum
Instrumental (Classical/Traditional): Northwest Voyage (Drops of Brandy) (from the CD North West Voyage Nord Ouest) Metis Fiddler Quartet
Traditional Native American Drum: Together Again (from the CD Right Now) Bear Creek
Traditional Native American Vocal: Love is Real (from the CD ISKWEWAK) Fawn Wood