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NOVEMBER 15, 2000

We are a part of the Jana Nation...

Pop singer Jana would like nothing more than an army of fans chanting such a pledge. And it looks like she is poised to get her wish.

Like many other artists in the Native music world, the Lumbee singer is breaking down barriers in the entertainment industry. But while artists like Mary Youngblood and Robert Mirabal expand the limits of traditional music, Jana is focusing on uncharted territory for Native artists: pop music.

Her latest single "More Than Life," has hit the Billboard music charts. Last year, her "Ooh Baby Baby" also burned up the dance floors, leading her to two nominations in this year's Native American Music Awards.

Although she didn't win this past Saturday, she was excited to perform before the audience in Albuquerque, New Mexico. But she was also there to pay tribute to one of her musical elders, Rita Coolidge, who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

"She's a Native American who has broken through the barriers of pop music," said Jana. "That's an inspiration for me, because that's what I'm trying to do."

Back in the 1970s, Coolidge was perhaps the first, and only, Native American on the pop charts. Her classic "Higher and Higher (Your Love Has Lifted Me)" went all the way to number 2.

At the time, Coolidge's Native American heritage didn't play a central part of her image. Jana, on the other hand, maintains her pride in being Lumbee, a state-recognized tribe in North Carolina, and keeps it a key focus of her career.

But the music is her main passion. She continues touring clubs, mostly in the Northeast, and will make a big splash on New Year's Eve at Disneyworld in Florida.

There, she'll share a bill with Enrique Iglesias, a Latin musician breaking down barriers of his own. Jana will also represent her Native heritage during a "Parade of Nations" in Disneyworld.

She promises, however, her appearance won't be hindered by stereotypes of inaccurate images of Native Americans.

"Disney has had their run with Pocahontas," said Jana. "We're gonna kick it up a notch."

Relevant Links:
Jana Nation - www.jananation.com
Jana, Curb Records - www.curb.com/artists/jana

Ooh Baby Baby