Artist description The Cherokee National Children's Choir featuring Grammy Award-winning singer, Rita Coolidge (who is of Cherokee descent). The choir is composed of 15 children (with guests, Kenwood Emmanuel Baptist Church Choir, and the Cherokee Choir, led by J.B. Dreadfulwater). This album was recorded on location at the historic Park Hill Presbyterian Church, in Park Hill, Oklahoma, and at the Cherokee Nation's council chambers in the tribal complex, with overdubs of Coolidge and other featured vocalists and musicians recorded at Cimarron Sound Lab studio, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The project was overseen by co-producer/engineer, Jeffrey Gray Parker (who co-owns the recording studio with his wife, Margarett), and assistant engineer, Don Morris. The CD combines traditional Cherokee gospel music, and original compositions, sung both in Cherokee and English. Coolidge is spotlighted on four songs on the album, including the featured radio track, "On the Road Where They Cried," a song about the Trail of Tears that was created especially for the project (co-written by Program Director, Jamie Geneva, Choir Director, Jan Ballou, and Producer/Engineer, Jeffrey Parker). Other songs feature solo performances by various members of the choir, and a spoken word piece, delivered by Cherokee storyteller and musician, Choogie Kingfisher, which is an introduction to the song, "Orphan Child." The 13-song compact disc concludes with a stirring rendition of "Amazing Grace," sung acappella in Cherokee, by Coolidge.

Music Style Traditional and Contemporary Native American

Musical Influences Rita Coolidge

Group Members The Cherokee National Children's Choir is made up of children between the fifth and eighth grades from all over the Cherokee Nation. Program Director, Jamie Geneva, says: "The Cherokee National Choir reflects the richness of Cherokee pride through music performed in the native language. They are a beautiful group of children who represent our nation through their voices." Under the instruction of Choir Director, Jan Ballou, the group has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds, with regular performances throughout the region since the group was formed in early 2000. While promoting the strength of the Cherokee Nation, the choir is "encouraging to other young kids to learn the language and culture, by our honoring of the children in the choir. Kids always like rewards," states Cherokee Nation Communications Director, Mike Miller.

Instruments Vocal Choir

Albums Voices of the Creator's Children

Additional Info Promotional Campaign services provided by: Cimarrron Sound Lab LLC Email: csl@coyotezen.com and Clif Doyal Agency Email:CDAnashville@aol.com

Location Tahlequah, Oklahoma - USA

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