Daughters of the Earth by Feather River Singers

The sound studio was in a natural outdoor setting; microphones were placed in trees so bird sounds became part of the recording. Larry Badger and Curt Burrows of Joyful Sound recorded the album on location. Badger later mixed and mastered the final CD in Joyful Sound’s Yuba City studio. The album insert was designed by the singers, and former member LE Honyecutt is credited with the original artwork. The insert depicts the Great Smokey Mountains of the Cherokee homeland, the sacred cedar tree, with the seven birds representing the seven Cherokee clans.

The CD begins with "Mother Earth," a special song honoring the Creator. Feather River Singers have sung this song after the prayer during Grand Entry at pow wows and at other special events.

"Beautiful World," a Women's Traditional, follows expressing the thought "We thank the Creator for a beautiful world; life is good," in Cherokee.

The "Feather River Flag Song," also in Cherokee, has been sung during Grand Entry of pow wows where the group has performed. The song, loosely translated, means: We honor the flag carried by the warrior. We see the flag. First Nations forever; Red, White and Blue.

The fourth song, "The Old Ways (Men's Fancy)" expresses in Cherokee: "We honor our ancestors; we are grateful for the old ways of the People."

"Come My Love" is a delightful Two Step which says, in English, "Come my love and dance with me!"

"Women of the 507th" is an Honoring Song for all Women Warriors represented by Jessica Lynch, Shoshona Johnson and Lori Piestewa who served in the U.S. Army 507th Company during Operation Iraqi Freedom. This song is dedicated to all military men and women, both past and present, and their families who stand by them.

Featured is "Stai Yu" a Sneak Up Dance song in Cherokee. The song celebrates the warrior and was composed by members of the group.

"Dragging Canoe” (Men's Traditional), the seventh song on the CD, honors Dragging Canoe, one of the greatest Cherokee warriors. It says "Dragging Canoe was his name, a Cherokee warrior. He was Chickamauga Cherokee and we honor him."

The group's first song writing effort, a Tiny Tot song called "Frybread" is sung to a modified "Peas Porridge Hot" tune.

"Eternal Fire (Fancy Shawl)" says in Cherokee: "The Eternal Fire is in the Heart of the People."

"We Are Dancing" is a Round Dance; this social dance is a staple at pow wows. This song says "We are dancing in the Circle and we are happy."

The CD ends with "Having Fun (Intertribal)." This song says: "We are dancing and having fun. This is good!" A sentiment for all; having fun is a good thing.

Feather River Singers first recording effort received national recognition from the 8th Annual Native American Music Awards when their album was nominated for the 2006 Debut Artist/Group of the Year.

Songs from the CD have been featured on NativeRadio.com Stream 7 at http://www.stream7radio.com/, KZFR 90.1 FM "Native Voices" in Chico CA, KVMR 89.5 in Nevada City CA, KRZA 88.7 FM in Alamosa CO and KGHR 91.5 FM in Tuba City AZ as well as other Native radio stations in the North and Southwest. The group sang live on "Take Five" Channel 19 in Yuba City. Feather River Singers were featured artists in the article, "Heart Beats", published Aug. 4, 2005 by the Appeal Democrat, Marysville CA.

Feather River Singers joined DJs Skip Allan Smith and Michael Ben on the two hour Dreamwalk Native Radio Program on KVMR in Nevada City CA. On stage at the Miners Foundry, Nevada City, Feather Rivers Singers were broadcast live over KVMR FM 89.5. for the 6th Annual Indigenous People's Day, Columbus Day weekend in October 2005. They returned again for the 7th Annual program over Columbus Day weekend in October 2006 and took the stage following Nammy Award Winning Yolanda Martinez's live performance.

On October 18, 2006 Christ Unity Church of Sacramento sponsored a musical event, "First Nations Women". Feather River Singers opened for Grammy/Nammy Award winning Native flutist Mary Youngblood, and Grammy/Nammy Award winning Joanne Shenandoah one of America's foremost Native recording artists.

On December 1 2006, the Grass Valley Center for the Arts presented "World of Drumming-Heart Beats for Exiled Tibetans" - a percussion extravaganza featuring Saul Rayo & the Abuelos, Grass Valley Taiko, a joint performance of Da Owaga, Feather River and Awendes women's Native American Drums and more. This benefit performance was a fund raiser for the Tibetan Nuns of Jangchub Choeling Nunnery in India.

Feather River Singers were featured in the opening set of the "Spirit of the Flute" Concert held in Georgetown on April 21. Special guest artists were flutist Scott August, Nammy Award Winner & Nominee and world reknown flute and digeridoo player, David Blonski.

CDs are available for sale at pow wows, cultural events where the group performs and online at cdbaby.com, drumbeatindianarts.com, bondsindiansupply.com, zangomusic.com, and cherokeemuseum.org, as well as by digital distribution through www.burnlounge.com/pamzmusic, iTunes, Sony Music, Pass Along and many other online digital distribution sources. CDs may also be purchased at Pacific Western Traders in Folsom, California.

Check with the Feather River Singers website calendar for future dates and to review their past events at www.featherriversingers.com and www.myspace.com/featherriversingers.

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