Shelley's Brand New Single!

ZUNI PUEBLO, N.M. - June 26, 2023 - PRLog -- Around 80 percent of Indigenous women have experienced violence. They are three times more likely than their white counterparts to be murdered.*

Award-winning Native-American musician Shelley Morningsong is now shining a light on these statistics through her newest song.

As a musician and storyteller, Morningsong channeled the spirits to share the story of a "daughter of a great nation" whose light was snuffed out by violence.

"She was Beautiful" raises awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's Movement (MMIW), which advocates for the end of violence against Native women.
In 2019, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues recommended that North American governments convene to address issues of violence against Indigenous women and girls, including trafficking and the continuing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Morningsong's new song is a collaborative effort with other New Mexico artists, including Ken Riley at Rio Grande Studios, who recorded, mixed, and mastered the song;  Julian and Philip Baca, who produced and arranged the song; percussionist Fabian Fontenelle; and award-winning rap artist Brenda "G Precious" Atencio from the Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh, who is featured in the song.

"She was Beautiful is intended to honor our thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women," Morningsong said. "It was an honor to be able to bring together this talented group to give voices to women whose stories need to be heard."

Listen to the full track for She was Beautiful now at https://shelleymorningsongonline.com/single/76691/she-was...


 

PRESS RELEASE

 

Contact:

Shelley Morningsong

shelleymorningsong@yahoo.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Award-winning Native American recording artist releases new children’s book

‘She Talks to the Animals’ by singer-songwriter Shelley Morningsong brings readers on an inspiring journey to sacred places

 

Zuni Pueblo, N.M. — Jan. 30, 2021 — In these turbulent times, one independent Native American songwriter and artist wants to sweep readers away to Mother Earth’s sacred places in her first illustrated children’s book inspired by one of her award-winning songs.

 

In "She Talks to the Animals," singer-songwriter Shelley Morningsong tells the story of a young girl who lives in harmony with deer, butterflies, dolphins, and other creatures. The girl is gifted with the power communicate with her “brothers and sisters of the animal nation.” The illustrated picture book includes full-color artwork from acclaimed artist Susan Oliver.

 

She Talks to the Animals was inspired by the lyrics from Morningsong's track of the same name from her award-winning album, "Love Medicine." The album won the Artist of the Year award at the 19th annual Native American Music Awards in 2019 in Niagara Falls, New York.

 

Morningsong said she is thankful to see her vision to create a children’s book for readers of all ages come to life.

 

“After years of dreaming of writing a children's book, I’m so excited that my first book is finished and ready for the public to enjoy,” Morningsong said.  “I thank all the people who supported this project along the way and invite everyone to come along on this magical journey to a timeless place where the spirit wind reminds us of who we are.”

 

View a video about She Talks to the Animals at https://youtu.be/SIK2RT_aj74.

 

About the Author

Shelly Morningsong is a recording artist and songwriter of six full-length albums. As a performer, she has traveled to perform her songs in theaters and at festivals around U.S. She is an alternating host of the "Deer Tracks Radio Program" on Gallup Public Radio (KGLP 91.7 FM) in Gallup, New Mexico.

 

Learn more about Shelly Morningsong and order She Talks to the Animals online at http://www.shelleymorningsong.com.

December 6, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shelley Morningsong Wins Big at 2019 Native American Music Awards
Renowned artist charts new territory, wins Artist of the Year, Best Blues Recording awards

NIAGARA FALLS, NY, [Date] – Shelley Morningsong’s latest album, Simple Truth, is an artistic departure from her previous work. Fans and critics went along for the ride, making Simple Truth the best-selling album of Morningsong’s14-year career and earning her the Best Blues Recording and Artist of the Year awards at this year’s Native American Music Awards.

It’s fitting that Morningsong’s NAMA triumph recognized her most daring work to date. Simple Truth collects 11 intensely personal songs written and reworked over the last 20 years.Originally written for accompaniment by the Northern Cheyenne artist’s celebrated flute playing, they took on new life when Morningsong reimagined them for guitar.

The resulting set of blues- and R&B-infused songs, recorded with a full band, was something of a curveball for long-time fans. Morningsong is no stranger to critical acclaim: this is her second Artist of the Year NAMMY, and her 2010 album Full Circle was named Record of the Year at the 2011 awards. But she couldn’t be sure how Simple Truth would be received.

“By the time I decided to release these songs, I knew that they’d come as a surprise to my fan base,” Morningsong remembers with a smile. “Musically, my previous work was deeply traditional, and I’d always written about Native American themes. Living with these songs for so long, turning them over and over, encouraged me to try some new things, some new settings.”

Blending Native American and blues-based musical traditions is something of a tradition in and of itself, as artists from Bo Diddley to Indigenous have recognized. 

“What I found is that even in a nontraditional setting, a Native American song is a Native American song,” Morningsongnotes. “And by the same token, a good song is a good song, no matter what history it draws from, no matter who’s listening. I’m grateful that my fans seem to have heard the same things, and that NAMA did, too.”

Morningsong continues to tour behind her full catalog of songs, performing with her husband, Zuni/Omaha dancer, drummer, and storyteller Fabian Fontenelle.

Shelley Morningsong Announces Her Soulful New Album Called “Simple Truth”


 

Zuni, New Mexico Release: December 3, 2018 For Immediate Release

Shelley Morningsong announces her return, bringing a new soulful sound to fans with the release of her long-awaited sixth album, Simple Truth.

This new recording is destined to be another award winning album! Simple Truth is a collection of songs Shelley has written over a period of 20 years along with two cover tunes that are close to her heart, California Dreaming, written by John & Michelle Phillips and originally recorded by the Mama's & Papa's and also Wade in the Water, an old gospel song written in 1901.

Simple Truth tells the story of some of Shelley's deepest joys and painful experiences over the years. In this collection of songs she sings of the joy of becoming a Mother and Grandmother, the pain of lost relationships, the true love she found in her soul mate and husband Fabian Fontenelle. This collection of songs is sure to move your soul with it's heart laid open and honest lyrics. Shelley loves contemporary music and has written these new songs in several styles including blues, reggae and folk. Simple Truth is truly a journal of experiences, suffering and joy. As with all songs that Shelley Morningsong writes and sings she wishes Simple Truth to be an offering of love and hope for those who need redemption and healing.

Some Upcoming Tour Dates:

December 15 & 16, 2018 - Santa Fe Winter Market

January 18-20, 2019 – Denver Indian Market

January 26 & 27, 2019 – Albuquerque Indian Pueblo Culture Center

March 29-31, 2019 – Gainesville, Florida Native American Festival

 

    Simple Truth is composed of 10 tracks of which you'll hear songs like “Fatherless Child” a straight up blues tune with an outrageously spine tingling guitar solo. Morningsong also belts out an old gospel song written in 1901 called “Wade in the Water”

    Simple Truth is a soul filled collection of raw, honest and mature, contemporary songs for today with incredible lyrics that show the master song writing talents of Shelley Morningsong.

    And while each song varies in tone, they all circle back to one universal theme, that of healing. You will fall in love with the album from the very first song

    Like many before her, Morningsong came to New Mexico to make music. She’s collaborated with everyone from the infamous Producer, Guitar virtuoso Larry Mitchell, Producer Shane McConnell, R & B Singer Philly B, Violin Player and teacher Chase Morrison and New Mexico's Jazz Workshop Bass Player Maude Beenhauwer to name a few.

    Morningsong is the recipient of the 2007 Debut Artist of the Year for Out of the Ashes, 2010 record of the Year for Full Circle and 2016 Artist of the Year for Love Medicine in the Native American Music Awards out of New York.

    You can learn more at: www.shelleymorningsong.com

    Contact info:
    Name: Shelley Morningsong
    Organization: Shelley Morningsong Music
    Address: P.O.Box 58, Zuni, NM 87327
    Phone: +1-505-508-8104