Tommy Wildcat

Tommy Wildcat (born May 3, 1967) is a Native American musician and academic.[1]

Cherokee Nation "National Treasure" Tommy Wildcat, playing the flute at the Cherokee Nation Hard rock Casino CCO - Community Cultural Outreach Cherokee Leaders Conference in Catoosa/Tulsa, Oklahoma, 2013

Background

Cherokee Nation National Treasure Tommy Wildcat is an enrolled, full-blood citizen of the Cherokee, Natchez and Muscogee Creek tribes.[2] His parents are Annie and the late Tom Webber Wildcat. He also has a twin sister named Tammy.[3] Tommy graduated from Sequoyah High School 1985, and he is a graduate of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in 2014. 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. In this article, Tommy holds his nephew, Skylar Wildcat.[4] His father, Tom Wildcat, was designated a Cherokee National Treasure in 1995 for his skill in making turtle shell shakers. Tommy was featured in the American Express commercial Charge Against Hunger 1995, which aired during the Beatles Anthology.[5][6]

Music
Turtleshell rattle made by Tommy Wildcat

A self-taught composer of flute songs, Tommy has learned traditional vocal songs of his tribe from his father, Tom W. Wildcat.[7]

Tommy Wildcat's company, A Warrior's Production, has produced four full-length albums. His first was released in 1995,[8] including Tom Richard's The Real Outdoors on the Nashville Network.[9]

References
  1. "May I Suggest 'Pow Wow Flutes' by Tommy Wildcat," Indian County Today
  2. https://books.google.com/books?id=NELdWOv7jvsC&pg=PA124&lpg=PA124&dq=tommy+wildcat+natchez&source=bl&ots=56HqltGQXH&sig=ACfU3U3o_Pcg3GtSfuXppu8j3Rf9WftJJg&hl=en&ppis=_c&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjDhL7_gY7lAhXyc98KHQ9-Do8Q6AEwD3oECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=tommy%20wildcat%20natchez&f=false
  3. http://www.powersource.com/gallery/wildcat/default.htm
  4. 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.
  5. National Treasures. Archived 2009-11-15 at the Wayback Machine Cherokee Arts and Humanities Council. (retrieved 6 July 2009)
  6. The Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2000: 124. ISBN 0-7385-0782-2.
  7. Duvall, Deborah L. The Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2000: 124. ISBN 0-7385-0782-2.
  8. Nammy.htm "Wildcat, Cherokee Flutist, Earns Top Honor at Native American Music Awards, "Flutist of the year". The People's Path. 2002 (retrieved 28 May 2009)
  9. McClure, Tony Mack. Cherokee Traditional Music Performed by Tommy Wildcat. Archived 2008-05-15 at the Wayback Machine (retrieved 28 May 2009)
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