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Oklahoma based Blues Nation, is a six piece Native American blues band brought together in 1990 by a common love of the blues and a desire to explore new musical boundaries.   Blues Nation's performances and creativity of rhythm and blues have stood the test of time in a celebration of the blues, and its contribution to American culture and music worldwide.   The members of Blues Nation are all gifted local Native American musicians with many cultural talents, which are known throughout Oklahoma and beyond.

Terry Tsotigh (Kiowa), is an accomplished Native American flutist and blues musician.   He is the bands drummer, harmonica player and co-songwriter for Blues Nation.   Terry has traveled extensively throughout the United States performing in dance shows, as well as, performances featuring his original Native American flute compositions.   Terry’s first flute album, Prairie Rain, was nominated in the Flutist of the Year category at the 7th Annual Native American Music Awards (NAMMYS) in 2004.

Sonny Klinekole (Kiowa, Comanche and Apache), bassist for Blues Nation, started out playing bass guitar in a gospel group called the Trinity Singer’s with his mother. Always open to new ideas and musical techniques, he aspired to learn other types of music. Inspired by the emotional impact of blues music, Sonny went on to join Blues Nation, and his combination of precision and passion is an invaluable contribution to the texture and emotional impact of the bands songs.

Obie Sullivan (Mvskoke Creek), has vast experience ..boards and toured with the world renowned Native American Motown recording group XIT before joining Blues Nation in 1991.   He has played with some of the best Native American musicians throughout his musical career.

Tom Ware (Kiowa and Comanche), lead guitarist and vocalist for the band, is also co-songwriter for Blues Nation, assisting with musical arrangements with other group members.   Tom is an outstanding Native American flutist, having recorded many Indian flute and cultural albums.   His flute music can be heard on Son of the Morning Star, a made for television mini-series and the HBO documentary Last of the Caddoes.   Tom has been playing with diverse musical groups throughout the United States since his early teens, as Tommy and the Chiefs, the Plainsmen and many more.

Cecil Gray (Kiowa), an accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist, has been playing guitar for 35 years starting at the age of 15, playing gospel music for his aunt.   He played throughout the western United States in the mid-seventies with several rock and blues bands.   One of Cecil’s main influences was the late, great Jimmy Reed, that can be heard in some of Cecil’s original material played by Blues Nation.   Cecil Gray took the stage at the 7th Annual Native American Music Awards (NAMMYS) ceremony in 2004 to accept their award in the Best Blues/Jazz Recording category.

John Johnson (Absentee Shawnee), plays saxophone and guitar for Blues Nation.   Jumpin’ Johnny Johnson has been performing with The Blue Cats Band touring throughout Oklahoma and Texas.   Jumpin’ Johnny Johnson’s solid saxophone talents have had other musical groups utilize his talents to enhance the impact of their shows.

The band released an album in 2000 entitled Blues Nation, an all original composition that was nominated for a Native American Music Award in the Best Blues Album category for that year.   Blues Nation plays not only original Native American Blues music, but also memorializes and keeps alive the spirit of some of the greatest blues musicians of the past.   Blues Nation has been in concert throughout the United States and Europe, including Germany.   The charisma of the band is a result of their enthusiastic playing style, musical ability and their vibrant stage presence.   It is Blues Nation's intention to relate to real world emotions, to understand that there is simplicity and power in blues music, which is a perfect representation of what flows out, when you open the human soul to all of its honesty.

Blues Nation's first appearance was in March of 1990, sharing the stage with the Bellamy Brother and CANYON.   They have been in concert with a wide variety of musical groups including Michael Martin Murphy’s Westfest, the Dixie Chicks, Clint Black, Mark Chestnut, Sweethearts of the Rodeo and the Texas Tornadoes.   Blues Nation has played many venues, sharing the stage with Johnny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, The Jeff Healey Band, Edgar Winter, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Santana, Rufus Thomas, Isaac Hayes, Rita Coolidge, Walela, Bill Miller, Brule’, Ulali, XIT, Litefoot and Williams and Ree.   Blues Nation also performed at the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta, Georgia at Centennial Park, The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Miss Indian World, The John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and the “LIVE EARTH” concert in Washington, DC which recently initiated a three year campaign to combat climate change and advocate environmentally-sustainable living.   It was the goal of Blues Nation through their involvement with “LIVE EARTH”, by celebrating their gift of blues music with others around the world and through their cultural heritage as Native American’s as well, to send the message of SOS to everyone, everywhere, who can, and must save MOTHER EARTH.