South Thunderbird is Isaac Mandamin's spiritual name (Aboriginal name). Isaac was born and raised on the Whitedog Ojibway Reserve (Wabseemoong First Nation 100km North of Kenora ON). He was blown away when he first heard Stevie Ray Vaughan’s music and that’s when he knew he wanted to play the Blues. Isaac was mainly influenced by lots of old and new artists of the blues including all the "Kings"; BB King, Albert King, Freddy King, as well as Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan and Colin James among many others.
South Thunderbird has been nominated for their debut CD "Tough Go" for four national awards;
2007 Native America Music Awards for BEST BLUES/JAZZ recording
2005 Western Canadian Music Awards
2005 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards
2006/2007 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Awards CD
STB were also winners of Best New Artist at 2005 Winnipeg Blues awards
'Chase' was one song for the month of August 2005 on NCI radio (Manitoba Aboriginal radio station) top 30 count down
'Goin in Blind' was 2 in CBC National internet radio count down for September 2005
South Thunderbird also have had the privilege to share the same bill with artists such as Indigenous, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Gary Primich, Joe Bonamessa, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Canned Heat, Nigel Mack, Sue Foley, Roxanne Potvin, and Corey Stevens.
South Thunderbird was in Hamilton Ontario March, 2007 taping a television program for APTN and Bravo Network called RezBluez II which is the second time the band has been invited. STB has also had numerous television appearances on City TV Breakfast Television Winnipeg, Manitoba and was invited to perform in Thief River Falls Minnesota USA for the 2007 International Blues Festival run by Seven Clans Casino. 2008 Souththunderbird played at the Calgary Alberta International Blues Festival & Morden Manitoba Apple & Corn Festival.
REZ BLUEZ TV is nominated for 2 National Aboriginal Music Awards: The Aboriginal Peoples Music Choice Awards; & The Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards for ‘Best Television Program Promoting Aboriginal Music’
The second season of REZ BLUEZ TV included: 2008 JUNO Award winner Derek Miller, Keith Secola, Murray Porter, Billy Joe Green, The Pappy Johns Band, Dalannah Bowen, Shakti Hayes, Helene Duguay, Harrison Kennedy, ISAAC MANDAMIN & SOUTH THUNDERBIRD, The Plateros, Jason Burnstick, Brock Stonefish, Wes Mackey, Jacques & the Shakey Boys, Jared Sowan, Martha Redbone, Dave West, Art Napoleon, Blues Hounds, Mark Laforme, Robbie Antone, The Breeze Band, Ronnie Douglas Trio, Texas Meltdown, and The Old Mush Singers, with Comedians/Hosts Michaela Washburn, Gerry ‘The Big Bear’ Barrett, Drew Lacapa and Skeena Reece!
Also from season two of Rez Bluez TV, we want to congratulate Derek Miller who’s nominated for 5 APMCA’s and one CAMA! Congrats also goes out to Texas Meltdown, who’s nominated for “Best Blues” at the CAMA’s! Best of luck Fellaz!
EVERYONE and ANYONE can vote on-line for an APMCA until October 17, 2008, by signing up at http://www. aboriginalpeopleschoice. com/signup. We encourage you all to vote for our show, and our Rez Bluez musicians who are also nominated! Check out Producers, Elaine Bomberry and Shawn Henry on Facebook & join our Rez Bluez TV group to see a clip of season 2!!
PLEASE VOTE FOR REZ BLUEZ TV FOR THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLES CHOICE MUSIC AWARDS BY AUGUST 15, 2008 AT www. aboriginalpeopleschoice. com/signup FOR BEST TELEVISION PROGRAM/PROMOTION OF ABORIGINAL MUSIC category.
Rez Bluez TV is the only show of its kind in the world that showcases Native blues musicians and comedians from all over Turtle Island!
Our Guests in Season II included: 2008 JUNO Award winner Derek Miller, Keith Secola, Murray Porter, Billy Joe Green, The Pappy Johns Band, Dalannah Bowen, Shakti Hayes, Helene Duguay, Harrison Kennedy, Isaac Mandamin & South Thunderbird, The Plateros, Jason Burnstick, Brock Stonefish, Wes Mackey, Jacques & the Shakey Boys, Jared Sowan, Martha Redbone, Dave West, Art Napoleon, Blues Hounds, Mark Laforme, Robbie Antone, The Breeze Band, Ronnie Douglas Trio, Texas Meltdown, and The Old Mush Singers, with comedians Michaela Washburn, Gerry ‘The Big Bear’ Barrett, Drew Lacapa and Skeena Reece!
