Tommy Wildcat (born May 3, 1967) is a Native American musician and academic.[1]
Background
editCherokee Nation National Treasure Tommy Wildcat is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Tulsa Indian Alliance Lifetime Cultural Achievement Award Recipient, NAMA - Native American Music Award Flutist of the Year 2002. [2][3] His parents are Annie and the late Tom Webber Wildcat Both are Cherokee National Treasures He also has a twin sister named Tammy.[4] Tommy graduated from Sequoyah High School 1985, and he is a 2014 graduate of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. His Bachelor's Degree included a Major in Cherokee Cultural Studies and a Minor in American Indian Studies. His family appeared in National Geographic magazine's September 2005 issue, where one photo showed Tommy holding his young nephew, Skylar Wildcat.[5] His father Tom Wildcat was designated a Cherokee National Treasure in 1995 for his skill in making turtle shell shakers, Mother Annie Wildcat was Bestowed a Cherokee National Treasure in 2018 for Clay Bead Necklaces.[citation needed] Tommy was featured in the American Express commercial Charge Against Hunger 1995, which aired during the Beatles Anthology.[6][7]
Music
edit
A self-taught composer of flute songs, Tommy has learned traditional vocal songs of his tribe from his father, Tom W. Wildcat.[8]
Tommy Wildcat's company, A Warrior's Production, has produced four full-length albums. His first was released in 1995,[9] including Tom Richard's The Real Outdoors on the Nashville Network.[10]
References
edit- ^ "May I Suggest 'Pow Wow Flutes' by Tommy Wildcat," Indian County Today
- ^ Duvall, Deborah L. (1999). The Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah. Arcadia. ISBN 9780738502892.
- ^ "Wildcat featured in 'Spirit Flute' documentary". Cherokee Phoenix. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
- ^ "Tommy Wildcat". Archived from the original on 1997-10-14. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
- ^ Conley, Robert. A Cherokee Encyclopedia. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2007: 264. (retrieved through Google Books, 28 May 2009) ISBN 978-0-8263-3951-5.
- ^ National Treasures. Archived 2009-11-15 at the Wayback Machine Cherokee Arts and Humanities Council. (retrieved 6 July 2009)
- ^ The Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2000: 124. ISBN 0-7385-0782-2.
- ^ Duvall, Deborah L. The Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2000: 124. ISBN 0-7385-0782-2.
- ^ "Wildcat, Cherokee Flutist, Earns Top Honor at Native American Music Awards, "Flutist of the year".Archived 12 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine The People's Path. 2002 (retrieved 28 May 2009)
- ^ McClure, Tony Mack. Cherokee Traditional Music Performed by Tommy Wildcat. Archived 2008-05-15 at the Wayback Machine (retrieved 28 May 2009)