By Dana Lance, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
Injunuity
Injunuity, an Ada-based, Native American rock band was named 2008 Debut Group of the Year at the 10th annual Native American Music Awards. The awards ceremony was conducted Oct. 4 in Seneca, New York.
The prestigious award was presented for the band’s first EP "Unconquered," which features members Brad Clonch, Jeff Carpenter, James Monroe, Robbie Blair and Ashton Booth.
Clonch (Mississippi Choctaw) performs the native flute and keyboards, Carpenter, a Chickasaw, plays guitar and alto sax, Chickasaw James Monroe plays bass and trumpet, Chickasaw Robbie Blair on bass guitar, and drummer Ashton Booth.
The band, which formed in 2007, primarily composes its own songs which are described as a "combination of traditional and modern themes."
"It feels good to win and be recognized for utilizing an icon of our culture (the native flute) and preserving it through modern song and music," said Clonch.
"The award this year was a commemorative award for the 10th Annual show for its 10-year anniversary. To date, there have been over 1,500 different Native American musicians and acts nominated for a NAMMY, and over 300 of these have been awarded, so we feel very honored to compete against other native acts across the United States, Canada, and the globe for that matter," he said.
Clonch said the band has had responses from everywhere on the win, all the way from Alaska, the Midwest, to the East Coast and abroad.
"We want to thank the Chickasaw Nation and Governor Bill Anoatubby, Emergence Productions, our families and friends, and God for allowing us the gift and ability to play music," Clonch said.
"It's been an extremely wonderful year for us," he said.
The band’s first appearance was the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame in August 2007, and during the year, the band has made several appearances across the United States.
Injunuity received worldwide exposure when it was featured on the XM satellite radio station channel 76 "Fine Tuning."
The band was also nominated in the NAMMY Best Instrumental Recording category and recently considered in the Best Alternative Native Rock Album in the Indian Summer Music Awards.
Injunuity now has a new goal for the upcoming year, to be nominated for a GRAMMY in the Native American Music category.
For more information about Injunuity, visit the band’s web site at www.injunuity.net.
