Gil Birmingham to host 11th Annual Native Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hosted By Gil Birmingham
Ritchie Valens To Be Inducted into NAMA Hall of Fame
Stevie Salas To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

September 4, 2009 – Niagara Falls, NY. Nominations for the 11th Annual Native American Music Awards (NAMA) were announced today by The Native American Music Association & Awards, reflecting the combined votes of the NAMA Advisory Board Nominating Committee.

The 11th Annual Native American Music Awards will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at the Seneca Entertainment Center in the Seneca Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls, New York. The Awards ceremony will be hosted by Gil Birmingham who has received recent public acclaim for his portrayal as Billy Black in Twilight. Birmingham’s other TV and screen credits include; Dreamkeeper, Skins, Nip/Tuck, 10 Items or Less, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and his powerful portrayal of Dogstar in Steven Spielberg's six-part TV miniseries, Into the West. Birmingham will return as Billy Black in the Twilight sequel, New Moon, scheduled for release in November 2009.

“It is with great pleasure that we announce the inclusion of Gil Birmingham to the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel for the 11th Annual Native American Music Awards”, states Karen Karsten, Executive Director of Entertainment for Seneca Gaming Corporation. Gil represents the very best of what NAMA stands for – a formal recognition of outstanding contributions in the arts by Native American performers. We couldn’t be more honored to have Gil join us in Niagara Falls for this very prestigious occasion.”

This year’s Hall of Fame induction will be held for the late Ritchie Valens of Yaqui heritage on his mother’s side. It has been 50 years since the tragic passing of Ritchie Valens who was killed on a small private plane that took off from Clear Lake, Iowa bound for Fargo, North Dakota that never made its destination. The plane crash also claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson and the pilot on February 3, 1959.

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You go Gil!! I think that makes you the FIRST Twilight star to host an award show! I could be wrong, if I am..just correct me. Now all we need is Rob flying through the air in a thong Bruno style to be at the top!

xoxo