Tommy Wildcat

Tommy Wildcat (born May 3, 1967) is a Native American musician and academic.^[1]

Cherokee Nation "National Treasure" Tommy Wildcat, playing the flute at the Cherokee Nation Hard rock Casino CCO - Community Cultural Outreach Cherokee Leaders Conference in Catoosa/Tulsa, Oklahoma, 2013

Background

Cherokee Nation National Treasure Tommy Wildcat is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Tulsa Indian Alliance Lifetime Cultural Achievement Award Recipient, NAMA - Native American Music Award Flutist of the Year 2002. ^[2][3] His parents are Annie and the late Tom Webber Wildcat Both are Cherokee National Treasures He also has a twin sister named Tammy.^[4] Tommy graduated from Sequoyah High School 1985, and he is a 2014 graduate of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. His Bachelor's Degree included a Major in Cherokee Cultural Studies and a Minor in American Indian Studies. His family appeared in National Geographic magazine's September 2005 issue, where one photo showed Tommy holding his young nephew, Skylar Wildcat.^[5] His father Tom Wildcat was designated a Cherokee National Treasure in 1995 for his skill in making turtle shell shakers, Mother Annie Wildcat was Bestowed a Cherokee National Treasure in 2018 for Clay Bead Necklaces.^{[citation needed]} Tommy was featured in the American Express commercial Charge Against Hunger 1995, which aired during the Beatles Anthology.^[6][7]

Music

Turtleshell rattle made by Tommy Wildcat

A self-taught composer of flute songs, Tommy has learned traditional vocal songs of his tribe from his father, Tom W. Wildcat.^[8]

Tommy Wildcat's company, A Warrior's Production, has produced four full-length albums. His first was released in 1995,^[9] including Tom Richard's The Real Outdoors on the Nashville Network.^[10]