Matt James wins NAMA Country Album Of The Year

A musician with roots in Mattagami First Nation has won Best Country/Americana Album Of The Year award at the 19th-annual Native American Music Awards (NAMA).

Matt James received the award on Saturday before a sold-out crowd at the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

The gala event honours Native America’s newest and brightest entertainers in the field of music.

“Winning the award for best Country/Americana Album of the year makes me feel so proud and it is a reward as I worked extremely hard putting this project together,” said James. “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, who is a member of Mattagami First Nation, has been experiencing accolades in the music industry for the past few years. He is a multi-award winner, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, now living in Sudbury. He was nominated for three categories for NAMA including Upcoming Star, Best Country/Americana  Album and Best Video Concept.

“I want give a great big shout out to my home Mattagami First Nation for consistently being there for me in family, friends and fans,” said James. “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.

James also credited his music distributor CD Baby as well as the production people who worked on his album at Imaging Studios in Nashville. He also thanked Juno Award winner Lawrence Martin, an Indigenous recording arts from Moose Factory musician now living in Cochrane, for his ongoing support.

“CD Baby has been so important for me and they really work at helping their artists and promoting them,” said James. “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.”

James released his first album in summer of 2018. Three singles from the album “A Miner’s Prayer” reached No. 1 on the True North Country Independent Canadian Music Countdown. James has also won the True North Country Canadian Independent Artist of the year for 2018.

In addition he also debuted at spot 39 for Indigenous Music Countdown International, reaching up to the Top 20. He was recently also 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.

For more information about this artist online, go to www.mattjamesmusic.ca or search “Matt James Official” on Facebook and Instagram.