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Native Land, Mahala (2002)
	The Journey · Sacred Path · Eagle and the Dove · Tunkashila · Cherokee Road · Creator's Song · My Destiny · Bluebird · Wind of Echoes · Mother's Child · Mother Earth · NDN Angels · Stardust · Moon Song · Native Land · Amazing Grace (Choctaw)
Sacred Ground, Mahala, Chris James, White Eagle (2001)
	Indian Heart · White Eagle · Eagle Dance · Blue Mountain · Prelude · Medicine Man · In a Good Way · Mourning Dove · Sacred White Buffalo · Vision Quest · Totem Pole · Pipe of Peace · Rain Maker · Sacred Ground · Medicine Bird

Here are some song samples in mp3 format. A broadband or other fast connection is recommended for streaming. To download, right click (or ctrl-click for Macintosh) and save the file(s) to your computer.

CDs may be purchased from Spirit Dove Records for $17.00 each (includes shipping and handling). Major credit card or eCheck payments are accepted through Paypal (below), or contact mahala@mahalamusic.com for other payment options.

Mahala is of Cherokee, Choctaw, and Irish descent, and was born in Winfield, Kansas. Her father was a foreman and a welder for the Santa Fe railroad. During those years, Mahala and her family lived in a boxcar and traveled around to where ever her father was needed.

Later, she lived in Phoenix, Arizona for about a year. While there, Mahala studied different forms of musical expression. Returning to Kansas, this time to Wichita, Mahala started to express herself through her compositions.

In 1980, she made the decision to leave Kansas for a shot at "the Big Time". So she packed up everything and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Early on, Mahala was a tour guide at Twitty City, Conway Twitty's home and museum. While working for Conway, she met Harlan Howard, one of Nashville's top country songwriters. He told her "Be true to yourself. Write what you know and write what you're good at."

She had some minor success writing country songs in Europe. To help sustain her, Mahala worked for several bands and worked solo in small clubs in and around Nashville. She was the lead female singer in a country band called Odessa. Then she worked as the female singer for a big band called 1941. It was during these years that Mahala realized she needed to go back to her writing.

In 1994, Mahala was honored by having her picture placed on the wall of the Blue Bird Cafe along with 22 other up-and-coming songwriters in the Nashville area, as well as being included in Dee Davis's book called Looking for Number One.

After having met initially in 1990, Mahala and Chris James met again in 1997 at the Broken Spoke. Renewing their acquaintance, Mahala and Chris decided to start writing some songs together. They agreed to write what was in their hearts. Shortly thereafter, Mahala learned officially of her native heritage. Burial grounds being desecrated in the Nashville area led Mahala to participate in the ensuing Native American protests where she met Luther Medicine Bird Black Bear White Eagle, a Cheyenne Medicine Man, who is very active in bringing about awareness of the plight of the Native American Community. Mahala's heart and spirit were moved to write the CD Sacred Ground.

Mahala has won awards for her music at the International Windsong Film Festival for Best Song for "Sacred Ground" in 2002, and for Outstanding Musical Contribution for the films "Patrick", "Animal Totems", and "Magic Chalk" in 2003.

Mahala has appeared at the Native American Convention at Pinson Mounds near Jackson, Tennessee and performed for the delegates. She also appeared at the Native American Cultural Circle Pow Wow at Port Royal State Park near Clarksville, Tennessee and the NAIA (Native American Indian Association) Pow Wow at Four Corners marina in Mt. Juliet, just outside of Nashville.

Mahala was honored with a nomination for Song/Single of the Year for "Native Land" for 2003 with the NAMA's (Native American Music Awards).

Currenty, Mahala is working on a book called Dreamtime about dream interpretations.

Native Land, available through this website, was recently reviewed by Patricia Martin, publisher of Health & Wellness magazine, for the October-November 2003 issue. Patricia had this to say:

The effect of this music is immediate and magical. You will be transported by the vocal as well as instrumental effects. You will imagine yourself in a world of ancient beauty, of incredible lyricism and magic. Don't miss this fantastic CD. Titles include: Cherokee Road, Wind of Echoes, Native Land, Moon Song, Bluebird, and much more! Check it out.

As seen in Cowboys and Indians magazine, May 2001, by Kelly Roberts

Sacred Ground is a tribute and labor of love for a group of Native Americans who are defending the rights of their ancestors to rest in peace in their own sacred ground. Producer O'Daniel became involved in The Native American Spiritual Alliance after she was moved to tears by the callous treatment the Indian community received from state prosecutors during a courtroom hearing she attended.

Afterwards she decided to produce this album project and wrote all of the music in collaboration with Chris James, Sandy Dickson, and White Eagle, a Cheyenne medicine man. O'Daniel credits White Eagle with valuable input — opinions, advice, ideas, and vocal performances that give substantial credibility to the album itself. Inspirational, entertaining, and thoughtful, Sacred Ground offers as much for the soul as it does the ear.

From Annie Price and Dee Davis's book Looking for #1: Portraits and Passions of Nashville Songwriters

She's Rebel's daughter. Rebel rolled on tracks over ties across plains and hard times. A Santa Fe Railroad boxcar was her home. It is no wonder that years later and miles away, she writes songs about trains, broken love, and homelessness. She has a social agenda ratified by experience.

(Links open in a new window.)
American Indian Film Institute
Native American Shopping @ Buffalo Trails - Native American music, videos, books, language programs and more
Native Nashville
Native Spirit Circle
NativeWeb - Resources for Indigenous Cultures around the World
Turtle Island Native Network