Native Music


 
Introducing Pat Cardinal




Review written by Gina Moore specifically for Indian Rodeo News.com


For those Indian Rodeo Cowboys who have been down the road in Alberta for the past 15 years, you know this guy!  Pat Cardinal in the late 80's and early 90's was known as Pat Cardinal and the Nightwind band.  I had the pleasure of seeing Pat perform one Friday night in July of 1991, during the Kainai Indian Days Rodeo celebration that was held at Stand Off.  Pat and his band, were performing at a small tavern style honky tonk called the American Hotel, in Fort McLoud Alberta.   Though that evening Pat didn't know who I was, but I was there, trying to track down his sound and lighting guy,  Pernel Bruised head.  I must say, after seeing Pat perform Friday night, I was shocked of why this guy isn't signed by a label and in a recording studio?  

He played and sung his heart out, you could tell that this guy put his soul in to his music.  The dance floor was constantly full and the place was packed!  All you could see was Cowboy hats with Eagle Feathers attached, and those cowboys dancing with some of the most beautiful Canadian Indian cowgirls.    It was a night I have never forgotten.  The next night, I had hopes to arrive early and get a interview with Mr. Cardinal, when I did arrive, I was told by the bar tender, that Pat's father had became very ill, and he would not be performing that night and headed back to Calgary to be with his Dad and Mom.   I later learned that Pat's Dad passed away.  
Nightwind's drummer had passed away about a few months  before I seen them in Ft. McLoud.  

Since then, after a few years and my desire to help promote Indian Country musicians, I was able to reach Mr. Cardinal, and he gave me a copy of his current songs, and again after hearing his demo tape, I was floored by this musician, his song 'Indians & Cowboys'  just left me with a inspiration of Indian Rodeo Fever, it's a song that a 3 year old could sing to, it's a song that you would hear playing on the radio, which you can hear that song playing on Alberta Native radio stations to this day.   I tried to help Pat by doing what your not suppose to do in the music business and that is giving Clint Black a woven bag, (used for medicine) that had Pat's demo tape in it.  Clint of course could not accept it, and said he would give the bag to his wife, Lisa, but suggested that Pat attend a Fan Fair to help get him some exposure.
Clint was 100% in support of Indian Country Music singers finally getting recognized for their talent in the business.  

Below, a picture of me taken in 1995, at a pre-show autograph signing event at 
the Union Gap, Shopco store, giving Clint Black a demo tape of Pat's music.







Because in the mid 90's, the opportunity for Indian Musicians here in the United States was limited for exposure, even the actors and actresses could not get in the business.  Nashville, as it still is today, is a hard place to get "noticed" , I had advised Pat, to take the chance and attend a Fan Fair that is held every year, and had hoped he'd take the trip to check it out.  I told Pat not to give up and keep up with his song writing and performing, and some day, there will be more doors opened for Native Musicians.  Well, with the NAMMY's and continuing major productions in Canada, "some day" is here!

With the exposure of Native Musicians on Indian Rodeo News, and seeing fellow Canadian Indian band "Stray horse" being featured on Indian Rodeo News.com,
Pat contacted us and sent us his demo tape, and new bio, full of letters of recommendations  from several Alberta organizations and clubs.  

Below is Pat's Music History

I was raised on the Tsuu Tina Nation in Alberta Canada which is situated in the rolling foothills of the Canadian Rocky Mountains just west of Calgary Alberta.  It is truly cowboy country at its finest.

With my father working as a ranch hand I quickly learned to live and appreciate the country style of living and this  included the music.

Our family owned a small transistor radio that I swear to this day would only play country music was through that old radio that I began to sing along with such great country music artists as Hank Williams, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, and Merle Haggard and many others.  I guess you could say I was country wans'nt cool, something I never understood.

Between school and chores throughout my younger years I could be most often found at local rodeos riding steers and later on bull riding.  This all seemed to come naturally as it was the cowboy way of living where I grew up.

It was also at a early age that I began to teach my self how to play the drums and guitar with some local buddies that had formed a local country band.  It was also where I would begin to sing publicly at community functions.  Over the past few years I've been very fortunate in being able to perform with various bands and have toured through out western Canada performing at such great venues as Calgary's performing Arts Center, Olympic Plaza, Edmonton's Annual Klondike Days, Camrose's Big Valley Jamboree as well as numerous Rodeo events community gatherings and many others.

Due to the demans of many fans over the years I have begain writing and performing original songs and I am currently working toward the release of my first album wihich is titleld "Indian Cowboy's Hall of Fame".  It should be completed this year and should be available in retail record stores shortly.

All the songs on the album are a reflection of my personal experiences and views growing up in a country atmosphere and surroundings.  Such songs as 'Indian Cowboys Hall of Fame, Bobby's Final Ride, Ain't That What Cowboys Do, Even My Cowgirl Gets the Blues, and Please Please Mr. Medicine Man, are all written from the heart and pay tribute to our countries unsung heroes, the cowboys and cowgirls of the land.

My career goals are many with the ultimate being able to continue writing and performing for people throughout Canada, thus maybe make a comfortable living within the country music industry of Canada.

With the good Lord willing and a lot of hard work I may one day reach that dream.  George Jones once wrote "Whos' gonna fill their shoes?"  Well I don't know if I could ever fill their shoes but I'd sure like to try em on! 

God Bless

Patrick L. Cardinal

 We would like to feature any Indian musicians with a profile and possible sample audio file of your music.  

 

Also, if any of you singers/songwriters would like to post a article about your
work or recordings please email gina@indianrodeonews.com