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The Blessed Blend

About Me

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Nominated for 4 Native American Music Awards 2008!


Best Historical
Best World
Best Inspirational
Song of the Year - Going to Gathering

The Blessed Blend & Albannach Full Set Video

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The Blessed Blend composes and performs music, blending Native American and Celtic sounds, creating a harmony of tribal sounds from these ancient and still-thriving indigenous cultures. The Blessed Blend performs at many various concerts, cultural festivals, powwows, educational events, television news stories, & religious activities.

What is a “blessed blend”?Blessed Blend = Native American + CelticThe 7 Celtic Nations are Galicia, Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man, Brittany, Wales, & Cromwell.

Why blend the two cultures?In centuries past, native people of Turtle Island (America) and the newly immigrated Irish and Scots, came the realization that there were many shared tribal commonalities between themselves and the people of the Native American tribes. From the past through today, we share a deep love for the drums, flutes, dance, language, music, and culture. This is why it is so common to find many people today in the United States with the blended heritage of Native and Celtic bloodlines.

During the 17th century, the term “blessed blend” was coined by the Scots to describe the marriage union between a Native American and a person of Celtic heritage. The same name, “blessed blend” was used to describe the children who were born of these unions. Joseph and Laralyn are both "blessed blends" of Native and Celtic heritages.

About our newly-released CD "Journeys through the Mist":“Journeys through the Mist” guides you on a path through time to the blending of the Native and Celtic cultures. Ethereal vocals entwine with the Celtic harp and Native flute over the gentle background of the bodhran and Native drums to relax and soothe you.


You can now listen to the Blessed Blend on Celtic Radio! Click on the link below and make a request to play one of our songs:)

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 6/21/2007
Band Website: www.theblessedblend.com
Band Members: Joseph RiverWind is an Arawakan Taino Indian of the Jatibonicu Nation of Boriken who's Celtic ancestry comes from his gr-grandfather who was a Galician bagpipe player. Joseph is a vocalist and plays the Native American flute, Native drum, tin whistle, bagpipes & bodhran. His strong, smooth, voice has a quality of age and dignity that captivates the listener. He is a traditional storyteller, songwriter, dancer, actor and U.S. Army veteran.

Laralyn RiverWind is Muscogee Creek/Cherokee/Choctaw and Irish/Scottish: Clan McDonald. She is a vocalist and plays the Celtic harp, Native drum, bodhran, & Native flute. She is a songwriter and artist for numerous medias (traditional pine-needle basketry, painting, pencil, gourd art, corn husk doll making, and more). Laralyn's enchanting, celestial voice mesmerizes the audience and has been compared to Sarah Brightman, Enya, and Loreena McKinnit.
Influences: The ancient sounds of our Native American and Celtic heritages.You may enjoy our music if you like to listen to...Celtic Women, Enya, Carlos Nakaii, Sarah Brightman, Broken Walls with Jonathan Maracle, Loreena McKinnett, Moya Brennan, Ulali, Joanne Shenandoah, Native American flute music, Native American drum music, harp music.
Sounds Like: Unique! Like nothing you've ever heard before! But you might be reminded of the people you see listed under "Influences"... NEW RELEASE! THE BLESSED BLEND: Journeys through the Mist --
THE BLESSED BLEND: Journeys through the Mist

Sound Born of a Native & Celtic Union

Record Label: Bootleg Moccasin Productions
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Next Album Update Spring09

Taiguey everyone!Its been a long cold winter but Spring is finally coming..somewhat. Its snowing here in Murphy, NC. Anways, just wanted to let you all know that we anticipate our next album being tot...
Posted by on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:50:00 GMT

Recording our new album in Buffalo, NY

Hi everyone!We didnt win a NAMMY this year but there is always next year:)We were happy that our debut album got nominated for four NAMMY! It was wonderful to see our friend Cheryl Bear get Debut Arti...
Posted by on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:57:00 GMT

The Blessed Blend - !Nominated for 4 Native American Music Awards!

Its official!! The Blessed Blend has been officially nominated for 4 Native American Music Awards!!Our album, Journeys Through the Mist has tied for the most nominations this year with 5 other bands. ...
Posted by on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:22:00 GMT

Grandfather Mountain update and more

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games was GREAT!! We had an awesome time and met many great new friends and got to see many old ones. We will be uploading pictures or videos little by little and if anyo...
Posted by on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:21:00 GMT

The Blessed Blend & The NAMMYs

WHOOOHOOOO!!! We just recieved word from the NAMMY's..(that is the Native American Music Awards); that we have been nominated in 8 categories this year!!        &nbs...
Posted by on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:12:00 GMT

Trail Where They Cried concert and PowWow

We are in Mt. Juliet Tn now and there is an anticipation in the air. Something is about to happen or let loose this weekend. We are looking forward to hearing the songs of the Cherokee Youth Choir and...
Posted by on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:51:00 GMT

Celtic Radio playing Journeys Through The Mist:)

Tau! We are now being played on Celtic Radio which is one of the largest  Celtic radio stations out there. Click on the Celtic Radio link and put a request for one of our songs to be played:) ht...
Posted by on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:05:00 GMT

TBB - Top New Age Celtic Artist on CD Baby

Thanks, listeners and friends!CD Baby is listing us as one of the Top New Age Celtic artists!http://cdbaby.com/picks/241?skip=10 Celebrate blendedness!Joseph & Laralyn RiverWindThe Blessed Blend:&...
Posted by on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:54:00 GMT

Thanks all!

hello, friends! thanks to all who have referred us to radio stations, TV stations and told their friends about us... thanks for telling your friends to buy CD's and introducing us.  ya'll are kee...
Posted by on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:28:00 GMT

Full video set of The Blessed Blend w/ Albannach

Hi Everyone, just uploaded the video of the whole set with Albannach yesterday. Also, Ill be working on getting the details of our schedule down in the next few days. Let us know what you think:)
Posted by on Thu, 26 Jul 2007 05:30:00 GMT