The Cody Blackbird Band brings 'alterNative' sound to White Horse

The Cody Blackbird Band never stays still for long. Along with building their fan base through relentless touring and playing increasingly high profile venues, they received the prestigious “Group of the Year” award at the 2017 Native American Music Awards, also known at the Nammies. 

They’ll return to the  White Horse Black Mountain with their unique “alterNative” musical fusion on Sunday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Cody Thomas Blackbird, whose tribal heritage is Eastern Band Cherokee and Dakota, grew up in an environment rich with with connections to Native American culture. His father is a respected poet and songwriter, and he has family ties to the pioneering Native American rock band Redbone.

He embraced the Native flute at age eight while simultaneously absorbing sounds and styles from popular music, and his personal style emerged as a blend of rock, R&B and funk underpinned by Blackbird's soulful vocals and flute playing.

“Using the traditional flute in contemporary music and blending the two and molding them into one”, Blackbird says, “I have definitely learned to challenge the idea that the flute is only a traditional instrument.”

Cody is joined on stage by his brother Caleb on flute, percussion and vocals, reinforced by Will Benjamin and Adrian D Thomas on guitar, bass and vocals. 

Blackbird and band will soon release a new album, Time, produced by Kenny Lee Lewis, a longtime member of the Steve Miller Band.

There will also be guest appearances from some of their well known admirers in the music industry.

“This eclectic ensemble…this stripped down band of brothers is an entertaining experience, and you can’t wipe the smiles off their faces," Lewis said.