Bay Mills Indian Community 19th Annual Honoring Our Veterans Competition Pow Wow

[ajcameron]

Just dropping a quick note to let everybody know that this pow wow has taken steps to be better than ever! Adult category prizes have been increased. Drum Competition prizes have increased as well. New specials have been added! Mark your calendars! June 25, 26, 27 2010.

[n8v_singer 4_life]

Head Singing Judge

OK, so fair to say Rusty can dance, play basketball, and "'Record" drum groups via his company Drum Hop Productions. All good...... He's a great athelete no doubt.
Now, does that qualify for a Head Singing Judge job? I have never seen Rusty sing but maybe he does? I don't know....
Hey Rusty, how bout putting a video up on YouTube or somewhere so we can see you bust one out with a crew or maybe with a hand drum...
Guess I'm a little "Old Skool" and have an opinion that a Head Singing Judge should have some time behind the drum stick to be a head judge. And, should be able to take up some kick a$$ leads....
Again just my opinion.....so don't every get your buck-skin thongs all up "there" over it.....
If anyone has any insight or maybe a recording or video of Rusty singing.. Post the link and let me see for my self. Then maybe I'll shut up.....NOT!

n8v_singer 4_life

[ajcameron]

Bay Mills Head Drum Judge

Hey N8V_Singer4_Life,

Thanks for expressing your thoughts and concerns and I hope that this response will provide an understanding of the role that the Head Drum Judge plays at the Bay Mills Pow Wow. The primary function of the Head Drum Judge at the Bay Mills Pow Wow is to coordinate the most objective group of judges possible for each round of judging. The Head Drum Judge then collects the ballots and passes them along to the tabulators where the points are then tallied.

The Head Drum Judge also coordinates with the rest of the Head Staff to keep the Pow Wow moving in an efficient and effective manner.

Ultimately, we always attempt to provide competitions that are fairly judged and are coordinated by a respected Head Staff.

[n8v_singer 4_life]

I see....

Essentially what your saying is that practically anyone with knowledge of how a pow-wow is "run" wether it's a dancer, singer/hummer/drummer, or other that is somehow annointed to be "pow-wow'fied" can run a singing contest right?

I can see your point as to the "integrity" of the pow-wow committee to choose people that will protect the pow-wow committee's integrety as well as their own and run a contest fair. OK got that and agree 100%

I believe your choice for a Head Singing judge can/will be fair, honest, and competent while performing his duties during your event.

Now, does this nullify the point I was getting at of: Should a Head Singing Judge at least know how to sing? Not so sure at this point....

Now, not just the basic knowledge of Lead, Second, First Part/Chorus, PAUSE, Second Part/Chorus with proper Honor Beats, and End of Song. But the ability to hang with the best, bust out some killer leads, and simply hold your own as a singer.

Sure the judges do play a huge part and there is no doubt your choice for this position know's plenty of perspective judges to help him out.

I was just trying to get some input from some other's here on what their thought's might be on this subject is all...... Any thoughts out there from anybody???


If so, please post your "opinions".....

Hey N8V_Singer4_Life,

Thanks for expressing your thoughts and concerns and I hope that this response will provide an understanding of the role that the Head Drum Judge plays at the Bay Mills Pow Wow. The primary function of the Head Drum Judge at the Bay Mills Pow Wow is to coordinate the most objective group of judges possible for each round of judging. The Head Drum Judge then collects the ballots and passes them along to the tabulators where the points are then tallied.

The Head Drum Judge also coordinates with the rest of the Head Staff to keep the Pow Wow moving in an efficient and effective manner.

Ultimately, we always attempt to provide competitions that are fairly judged and are coordinated by a respected Head Staff.

[injunboy]

hmm i got no prob with him being selected, very credible dude i would say..

goodluck with the pw aj

[WhoMe]

Who's the head judge for the Bay Mills Jig Saw Puzzle Contest? (A jig saw puzzle contest is listed on their powwow poster)

[n8v_singer 4_life]

My Point

OK, all I am asking if some agree that if one is appointed to run a Singing Competition...especially a $23,000 Singing Contest.

Should they or Shouldn't they:
1, Know how to sing...
2, Be able to hold their own with the best of them...
3, Have some years of experience behind the drumstick..so to speak....

I don't see anywhere in my posts that I had a "prob"....LOL

Just wondering what some skinz thought's were on this....is all.

Maybe some feel being a Champion Dancer and often asked to help run pow-wow's around the "trail" constitutes being a Champion Singer too....don't know?

Sounds like a good pow-wow to go to though!!

Any positive or negative input out there??

hmm i got no prob with him being selected, very credible dude i would say..

goodluck with the pw aj

[WhoMe]

n8v,

I see your point. $23,000 is a lot of money. Should Rusty be able to hold his own with the best of them and have some years of experience behind the drumstick..so to speak....before serving as a head drum judge? In my experience, EVERY JUDGE has some bias - whether it be choosing a friend, adopted family member, drum group a person has sang with in the past, traveling partner(s), people owed a favor to, competitors from the same tribe, etc., etc., etc.

I know Rusty. I have used him on our head staff, I have seen him sing at Schemitzun (not sure if he started any of the songs) with a drum that placed and he even came to visit me couple of weeks ago. *L He is active in the powwow world. He is a member of one of his tribe's ceremonial societies. Rusty is knowledgable, I can vouch for this.

As a head drum judge, does this qualify him to pick knowledgable drum judges to do the actual judging and pick up their tabulation sheets?

I believe so.


I don't know if this is postive or negative input?

Anybody else???

[n8v_singer 4_life]

Got ya...

Excellent feedback Whome!

Exactly what I was looking for. Some insight, knowledge, opinions, etc...

Maybe some don't realize the purpose of a "forum"...

It's not to put down, let down, or tear down anyone.

It's an opportunity listen, laugh, and learn from each other.

And, a reason to exercise your right to "free speech" in a good way....anonymously of course.

Thanks!

Anyone else????

[sltate]

Okay....lets approach this from two different viewpoints: A head singing judge should be knowledgeable of of the songs, drumbeats, etc. This is usually given to a person who is a singer, point well taken.
Drum groups will feel they are given a fair chance when the person in charge of the singing is one of their own, so to speak....especially when a lot of money is on the line. The same stands true for hiring a dance judge who has not danced, or isnt known to be a dancer...would they be able to choose judges who are knowledgable of the dancing styles and rhythms, regalias, etc...
Okay, now when you have someone like Rusty, who is a well known dancer, well traveled, belongs to societies back in North Dakota where diffrent styles of songs are sung, and he is drumhop so he knows the drums, songs and styles....does that qualify him? I believe it does for this reason...to be a good dancer, you also know your drums, you know the drumbeat each drum has, you know thier rhythm, their style, thier speed, their quality....you know which one you would pick (if given a choice) for your straight song or your change up song...you already know. It doesnt take holding a drum stick to be able to listen to how well a drum sings and beats the drum, whether they are knowledgeable of the diffrent styles of songs for each category, if they are straight or contemporary....thats just common sense and common pow wow sense.
And he knows who knows this so he will choose judges who know what to look for...thats the main thing, you will be judged by people who know what to look for.
Its different though, I believe, when you pick a dance judge who has never danced....i dont know...most good singers are good dancers also so you could reverse that role of a singer being a head dance judge???....lol....

[Strugganona]

SO..........
1) whats a jig saw puzzle contest?

AND

2) what-exactly-is an Indian Bling contest?

*L* i need to pow wow waaaaaaay more

[ajcameron]

Strugganona's questions

Hey Strugganona,

Just a quick note about some of the events. The Jigsaw puzzle contest is an event being sponsored by the only person that has worked on ALL 19 of our pow wows. She is having custom puzzles made of the pow wow flyer. It was her way of trying to offer up something fun for those that may not be able to get out there and step much anymore. This is an event that she is really looking forward to and hoped would be on the flyer, thus it is on the flyer.

Indian Bling! is a competition that was developed by one of our Tribal Council Leaders. Indian Bling! as I understand it involves beadwork, silverwork, etc. It is a competition that recognizes the work of our incredibly skilled artisans and/or the current holders of the pieces.

Hope you are able to join us this year!

[elk_dik]

Who cares, that's why I don't like going to powwows n singin at em too much anymore, always gotta be getting too technical and too much about the money.every once in a while I get the itch to hit the road but it doesn't take more than a few weeks to remember why it doesn't interst me anymore.that's too bad, I remember the days when it was all about having fun.

[n8v_singer 4_life]

Whooaaalaayyy!

Who cares, that's why I don't like going to powwows n singin at em too much anymore, always gotta be getting too technical and too much about the money.every once in a while I get the itch to hit the road but it doesn't take more than a few weeks to remember why it doesn't interst me anymore.that's too bad, I remember the days when it was all about having fun.

A little bitter bout things there Chief.

Guess the last part of your name says it all. Ayyee! j/k

It's all about good sportsmanship and competing, just the turn contest pow-wows took. Hit a couple of Traditional Pow-wows maybe?? I don't see it changing anytime soon.......

[BizDawg]

Excellent feedback Whome!

Exactly what I was looking for. Some insight, knowledge, opinions, etc...

Maybe some don't realize the purpose of a "forum"...

It's not to put down, let down, or tear down anyone.

It's an opportunity listen, laugh, and learn from each other.

And, a reason to exercise your right to "free speech" in a good way....anonymously of course.

Thanks!

Anyone else????

OK, I'll play along Singer...

What about the opposite of the intended purpose happening? Say the head drum judge is a well known singer and sings with a number of drums, but it is kinda obvious who his bros are... then what? Does it discourage other drums from coming?

I don't know if that happens, so I'm asking. Maybe a having a knowledgeable person not necessarily known as a singer makes it more impartial... thoughts?