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Windspeaker.com Contributor
Matt James, a member of Mattagami First Nation near Timmins, Ont., won Best Country/Americana Album of the Year for “A Miner’s Prayer” at the 19th Annual Native American Music Awards (NAMA) held Nov. 2.
It was a sold-out crowd for the event at the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino in Niagara Falls, New York. The gala celebrated and honoured Native America's newest and brightest entertainers in the field of music.
Winning the award “makes me feel so proud,” said James. “I worked extremely hard putting this project together. I had to deal with the passing of my father, James Naveau, which took me so low, but with the spirit of my dad in my heart I found the strength and motivation to go and follow my dream.”
James has been gathering accolades in the music industry for the past few years. He is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter living in Sudbury where he has become popular over the years as a hair stylist.
He was nominated in three categories for NAMA, including Upcoming Star, Best Country/Americana Album and Best Video Concept. He was competing with thousands of artists for these nominations.
“When I close my eyes at night I think of my dad, James, and my mom, Linda Baulne, and I am grateful to them for bringing me into this wonderful world and for being my inspiration. I promise you mom and dad that I will do everything I can to someday stand on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. I also thank the Creator for everything and everyone in my life,” said James.
James released ‘A Miner’s Prayer’, his first album, in summer of 2018, and it went up the music charts. His album has had success with three of his singles reaching number one on the True North Country Independent Canadian Music Countdown.
James also won the True North Country Canadian Independent Artist of the Year for 2018. In addition, he debuted at spot 39 for Indigenous Music Countdown International, reaching up to the top 20. He was recently nominated for the Music and Film in Motion Awards for most outstanding Indigenous artist and also nominated for Country Album of the Year at the Indigenous Music Awards in Winnipeg.
James has been active and appearing at many live venues and was an opening act this past summer at the Mattawa Voyageur Days, headlining with Lonestar, and making front page news in The North Bay Nugget newspaper.
James is heading to Toronto for Nov. 14 to Nov. 18 as a featured artist for CD Baby, a music distribution site. He will occupy an Artist Spotlight for the months of December and January, which will be available to view at www.cdbaby.com and on their YouTube channel.
“CD Baby has been so important for me,” James said, “and they really work at helping their artists and promoting them. I look forward to many more successes with my work as a CD Baby artist. I also give my thanks to Lawrence Martin for taking me under his wing as a mentor and a guide. Cindy Babcock, I will always remember as that person who pushed me when I needed it most,” said James.
He will perform at The Hughes Room and a few other places in Toronto during the week.
“I want to give a great big shout out to my home Mattagami First Nation for consistently being there for me in family, friends and fans. This energy and support really helped me be motivated and dedicate so much hard work to make all this happen.
“Thank you especially to Lee D Roy for showing me that I could be whatever I want to be in this world, and for proving to me what true friendship is really all about. I owe so much of my life to you for all you have shown and given to me. For placing that guitar in my hands so long ago,” said James.
New York based iHeartRadio declared James ‘The New Music Challenge Grand Champion’ as he won five consecutive Knockout Challenges beating out such artists as Dan & Shay, Charly Major, The Recklaws, Aaron Pritchett and Kadooh.
James can be found at his website at www.mattjamesmusic.ca and with the tag ‘Matt James Entertainment’ on Facebook.