Oneida Indian Nation Homelands (February 17, 2022) – Last week, veteran Central New York musician and Oneida Indian Nation Member, Irv Lyons Jr., was nominated for seven Native American Music Awards (NAMMYs) for his latest solo work as well as his work with the popular local blues rock band, The Ripcords.
His nominations include Artist of the Year, Best Male Vocalist, Best Rock Recording for “Private Invitation,” and Best Song from an Album for “Save the Planet.” The Ripcords also received nominations for Group of the Year and Best Blues Recording for their live-in-studio album, Unmasked (Live). The final nomination is also for Best Blues Recording with the group West Side Social Club, which includes legendary guitarist Earl Slick, Pete McMahon and Liz Strodel in addition to all The Ripcord members.
“It is an honor to be nominated with all of these great artists, and represent the Oneida Indian Nation and the Haudenosaunee,” Lyons said. “It’s not just a national award, it’s international, which just shows how much talent there is in Indian Country.”
Private Invitation features an infusion of blues, jazz and rock chords with Irv’s signature Latin riffs. The 5-song EP was released in July of 2021 and is the latest in a flurry of activity he’s produced for his solo project, Irv Lyons Jr. and The Light. Lyons’ music catalog is available on most streaming platforms.
“This is my best work to date,” he added. “I wanted to showcase my songwriting, and the collaborations on this album fit each song perfectly.”
You can vote for Irv Lyons Jr., The Ripcords, and The West Side Social Club on the NAMMYs website HERE.
Irv Lyons Jr. is also a retired U.S. Army veteran. His latest full-length album, Sisters and Brothers, was recorded at SubCat Studios in Syracuse. Read about Irv’s life in music here.
FOR MEDIA USE: To download images of Irv Lyons to use for a story about his NAMMY nomination, click HERE.
About the Oneida Indian Nation
The Oneida Indian Nation is a federally recognized Indian nation in Central New York. A founding member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (also known as the Six Nations or Iroquois Confederacy), the Oneida Indian Nation sided with the Americans in the Revolutionary War and was thanked by Congress and President George Washington for its loyalty and assistance. Today, the Oneida Indian Nation consists of about 1,000 enrolled Members, most of them living in Central New York. The Nation’s enterprises, which employ more than 4,750 people, include Turning Stone Resort Casino, YBR Casino & Sports Book, Point Place Casino, The Lake House at Sylvan Beach, Maple Leaf Markets, SāvOn Convenience stores, RV Park and three marinas. Proceeds from these enterprises are used to rebuild the Nation’s economic base and provide essential services, including housing, health care, and education incentives and programs, to its Members.
###
Media Contact:
Joel Barkin, VP of Communications
Oneida Indian Nation
315.361.8173
jbarkin@oneida-nation.org
