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

Background

Cherokee Nation National Treasure Tommy Wildcat is of

Cherokee The Cherokee (; chr, ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯᎢ, translit=Aniyvwiyaʔi or Anigiduwagi, or chr, ᏣᎳᎩ, links=no, translit=Tsalagi) are one of the indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States. Prior to the 18th century, t ...

Natchez Natchez may refer to: Places * Natchez, Alabama, United States * Natchez, Indiana, United States * Natchez, Louisiana, United States * Natchez, Mississippi, a city in southwestern Mississippi, United States * Grand Village of the Natchez, a site o ...

and

Muscogee The Muscogee, also known as the Mvskoke, Muscogee Creek, and the Muscogee Creek Confederacy ( in the Muscogee language), are a group of related indigenous (Native American) peoples of the Southeastern WoodlandsCherokee Nation The Cherokee Nation (Cherokee: ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ ''Tsalagihi Ayeli'' or ᏣᎳᎩᏰᎵ ''Tsalagiyehli''), also known as the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, is the largest of three Cherokee federally recognized tribes in the United States. It ...

. His parents are Annie and the late Tom Webber Wildcat. His father was one of the last speakers of the Natchez language. He also has a twin sister named Tammy. Tommy graduated from Sequoyah High School 1985, and he is a 2014 graduate of

Northeastern State University Northeastern State University (NSU) is a public university with its main campus in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The university also has two other campuses in Muskogee and Broken Arrow as well as online. Northeastern is the oldest institution of high ...

in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. His Bachelor's Degree included a Major in Cherokee Cultural Studies and a Minor in American Indian Studies. His family appeared in ''

National Geographic ''National Geographic'' (formerly the ''National Geographic Magazine'', sometimes branded as NAT GEO) is a popular American monthly magazine published by National Geographic Partners. Known for its photojournalism, it is one of the most widely ...

'' magazine's September 2005 issue, where one photo showed Tommy holding his young nephew, Skylar Wildcat.Conley, Robert
''A Cherokee Encyclopedia.''
Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2007: 264. (retrieved through Google Books, 28 May 2009) . 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.''The Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah''. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2000: 124. .

Music

A self-taught composer of flute songs, Tommy has learned traditional vocal songs of his tribe from his father, Tom W. Wildcat.Duvall, Deborah L. ''The Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah''. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2000: 124. . Tommy Wildcat's company, A Warrior's Production, has produced four full-length albums. His first was released in 1995,
''The People's Path.'' 2002 (retrieved 28 May 2009) including Tom Richard's ''The Real Outdoors'' on the

Nashville Network The Nashville Network, usually referred to as TNN, was an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming included music videos, taped concerts, movies, game shows, syndicated programs, and numerous talk shows. On September ...

.McClure, Tony Mack
Cherokee Traditional Music Performed by Tommy Wildcat.
(retrieved 28 May 2009)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wildcat, Tommy 1967 births Living people People from Tahlequah, Oklahoma Cherokee Nation artists Natchez people Muscogee people Native American flautists Musicians from Oklahoma 20th-century Native Americans 21st-century Native Americans