Wade Fernandez still singing ‘4 the People’

Bryan G. Pfeifer, 17.03.2007 23:07

Fernandez says, “I don’t think of myself as ‘gifted’ as ‘I’m gifted and you’re not.’ It’s more like, ‘we all have all these things but we have to find a way to get them out and to use them in a way where we develop them so they’re stronger and then when we do share them they are that much more powerful’.”

Wade Fernandez

Wade Fernandez still singing ‘4 the People’

By Bryan G. Pfeifer

The world of Wade Fernandez is one of a troubadour. Never quite planning for the next curve around the bend. Always receptive for that spirit song or message despite never knowing where inspiration might take hold. And walking down a many-faceted winding road no matter the rain, wind, snow or sunshine for the sake of the song.

Fernandez, of Menominee/Mexican/European ancestry, grew up on the Menominee Nation reservation in the area now known as Wisconsin. He and his family now live both on the reservation and in Milwaukee. Fernandez will receive a bachelor’s degree and a teacher certification in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in May.

Becoming a musician as a young child and later blossoming into a multi-dimensional cultural worker, Fernandez’ unique mix of traditional and contemporary is now known throughout many parts of the world. His art, as embodied in his new CD release, “4 The People,” is rooted in his people’s humble, yet fighting, collective spirit.

After accepting Fernandez’ gracious invitation to his family’s home in Milwaukee for an interview which was more like a warm conversation, I was immediately struck with the surroundings which clearly express the love and respect of many family and friends.

We plunked down on the comfortable living room couch amid diverse memorabilia, musical instruments and kids toys with a Miles Davis special silently playing on the TV all while Fernandez’s and his spouse Paula’s four children aged 1-6 rambunctiously enjoyed their day.

‘Helping in a good way’

“We need to share our gifts with each other so they can flower and blossom. And in dealing with each other on a daily basis, we need to do the simple and subtle, yet powerful things like bringing out a smile or just giving a hand,” began Fernandez when asked about the focus of his artistic and life message which to him are inseparable.

The year 2006 was a watershed year for Fernandez with many highlights including winning the “Best Male Artist” of the year award in June at the Eighth annual Native American Music Awards or NAMMY’s.

Although Fernandez, whose traditional Menominee name Wiciwen Apis-Mahwaew means “Runs with the Black wolf,” is proud of his NAMMY award and the possible opportunities it offers, he said his children, as they often do, put things into perspective for him.

Upon arrival at his Milwaukee residence after winning the NAMMY award trophy, Fernandez put it down and answered the door for a friend looking to see the trophy. When they started looking for it they saw the kids were using it for a water tower inside their toy railroad tracks.

“I thought, ‘hey, that puts it into perspective.’ It’s not worth anything unless it’s worth something to my children. If I can use it to help them somehow then that’s what makes this whole thing worthwhile,” said Fernandez.

He added, “That was the thing that drove it home; my kids making use of it made me ok with it. It needs to be something for them and also for the youth. It needs to mean something to people on a level like that, something people can really use as opposed to the ‘star’ thing that is good for nobody. If I can use it to help my family and our people in a good way, then and only then is it valuable.”

Other 2006 highlights include a broadcast of Fernandez and his Black Wolf group performing at the NAMMY awards ceremony that was aired in November through MHZ Networks Worldwide. Repeat broadcasts are scheduled on this network in the coming year and others are expected from Black Star Communications’ Colours TV that broadcasts on the Dish Network (for times see: www.ColoursTV.org).

After the NAMMY’s Fernandez, an enrolled member of the Menominee Nation, in August played the lead male character Ricky Horsefeather in the national radio theatre broadcast of “Melba’s Medicine,” and composed the Native Radio Theatre theme song that is broadcast at Native Voice One on Sirius Satellite Radio. As an actor Fernandez has won a number of national film awards for his tongue-in-cheek music video “Commodity Cheese Blues.”

And on Nov. 4 a live public interview of Fernandez and performances with his band was broadcast on Jonathan Overby’s “Higher Ground,” a well-known weekly program on Wisconsin Public Radio.

‘Letting the light come out’

Fernandez, on his six self-financed and produced CD’s ranging from a solo Native flute CD to five with his Black Wolf Band, melds his musicianship with content that pulses with refreshing truth. His art, including many tender children’s lullabies and honor songs such as “Blessed” off his new CD, are all infused with beauty, humor and deep love for Indigenous/Native people and other disenfranchised people worldwide.

He and Paula have both received the Medal of Honor from the Menominee Nation for their work in helping to save the sacred Wolf River from the threat of a multinational mining company, a battle that a broad based coalition of progressive individuals, organizations and Native Nations won-at least for now (www.wolfriverprotectionfund.org).

Environmental destruction and racism, homelessness, the genocide of Indigenous and Native people’s internationally, and honor songs to elders such as Leonard Peltier, O'Peqtaw-Metamoh, Ingrid Washinawatok El Issa and his grandmother “Nokomaeh Kemanon Nokomaeh,” are all themes running through Fernandez’ previous work. A
verse from “Cry of the Wolf” off the new CD with a message to those destroying the earth sums up his heartfelt spirit: “Poison up the land with your pesticides / Claim everything has its price / How long ‘till you come to realize your fate? / The world you make may be your suicide/Listen to the wolf as he cries….”

“We have all these things that have oppressed us and still bring us down today. But we need to find ways to deal with them in a positive way by opening up doors for each other so we can let the light come out,” says Fernandez.

Fernandez’ bilingual (Menominee and English) lyrical skills are accompanied by superb musicianship and are as eclectic ranging from traditional to blues, country, flamenco, gospel, jazz, jam band, Latin jazz, folk, R & B, rock, hip-hop and more.

On “4 The People,” as on earlier efforts, Fernandez displays his multi-instrumental talents by singing as well playing guitar, Native flute, mandolin, bouzouki, and percussion. As always, many well-known Milwaukee-based musicians contribute to the mix. It’s all quite a ride from the touching songs “Love Remains” and “Take Me Home,” to the Hendrix-inspired scorching blues tune, “Rez Dawg Blues” and the coda “Jam 4 the People.”

Influences are ever expanding but foundational ones include Fernandez’ Native roots music and performing in African American churches in Milwaukee continuing the centuries-long tradition between Native/Indigenous people and people of African descent.

Fernandez has toured regionally, nationally and throughout Europe performing with “The Honor The Earth Tour,” and with progressive artists such as Bill Miller, Mitch Walking Elk, Jackson Browne and the Indigo Girls. His gigs are solo and/or with various ensembles of his band including at times traditional Menominee dancers in full regalia, a traditional drum group and a multimedia show depicting the Menominee people.

Fernandez is also a youth educator speaking and presenting to classes from North American reservations to internationally.

Of all these activities Fernandez says, “I don’t think of myself as ‘gifted’ as ‘I’m gifted and you’re not.’ It’s more like, ‘we all have all these things but we have to find a way to get them out and to use them in a way where we develop them so they’re stronger and then when we do share them they are that much more powerful’.”

As we were wrapping up our interview/conversation one of the children had just bumped his head and ran towards his father for comfort.

Just another day in the life of a warrior named Wade Fernandez.

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See www.wadefernandez.com to purchase CD’s, booking information, tour dates, to view “Commodity Cheese Blues,” and much more. See also: www.myspace.com/wadefernandez.

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© 2007 Bryan G. Pfeifer

e-mail:: bgpfeifer@sbcglobal.net
Homepage:: http://www.wadefernandez.com