American Indian Flute Performer and Recording Artist
Multi-media Artist, Poet and Teacher
2002 Awarded theGrand Heritage Award at The Five Civilized
Tribes Museum in Muskogee, OK
2005 ISMA (Indian Summer Music Awards) Finalist in the
Spiritual Class
Finalist in the Eighth (NAMMYS), Native American Music
Awards for 2006, in the Best New Age Recording category
Also, in 2006 - 2nd place in a World Music Awards, "Just
Plain Folks Music Awards", Class- Native American Music
For 2006, 2007; Art chosen for the Cherokee Heritage
Calendar
2008-Pendleton Woolen Mills
"Record Keeper" painting chosen for the 2008 Legendary Series
Blanket and 18oz. coffee mug, (artist picked ONLY every
10 years for this honor)
2008-NAMA's; CD-Best of the Best, Finalist for Best CD of
the Year and Best Compilation
2007 -------Pendleton ® Woolen Mills has chosen TerryLee's
"Record Keeper" painting to go on a 2008 Blanket design
2006 - Board member of GNAFC (Global Native American Flute Circle).
"I was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri. As an adult I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of living in Oklahoma. Once known as Indian territory, Oklahoma is still home to more American Indians than any other state in the Union. In fact, 39 tribal headquarters and members of at least 67 tribes make their home in the state. It's a place where time-honored traditions, cultural experiences and artistic expressions are components of everyday life. I resided in South East Kansas for awhile, out with the cows and Mr. Coyote and other wild life. I am back in Missouri now and looking to make a move to the St. Louis area. I lost the ability to walk, the ability to play the flute and the ability to hold a paint brush. I was diagnosed with a B12 deficiency, which disconnected all nerve endings in the hands and feet. I realized I was in trouble without my hands which led me to begin giving away my flutes, seven in all. A few of my mentors heard of me giving away my flutes, and began contacting me telling me the Creator gave me the gift to play and reach out to the hearts and souls of many people. They told me my gift would be given back, and to stop giving our flutes away! With this advice I stopped giving up my flutes and began being gifted more flutes receiving an additional 10 flutes. I went back to my roots, t hrough American Indian healing ceremonies and going to the Tree at the Sun Dance. I am playing flute again and walking beyond belief! The flutes continue coming in to me as I also lost most of the songs I knew, I am feeling the new woods and listening to what the flutes are saying to me and the SONGS or VOICES are coming though the new flutes and the 90 plus flutes I did not give away."
TerryLee is a self-taught, talented American Indian Flute Performer and multi-faceted artist by the gift of the Creator. He reflects the history of his Native people in his music and art. He recognizes a deep Spiritual connection and acknowledges these talents as gifts given to him from the Father. His Spiritual connection guides him in all endeavors, painting, poetry, jewelry design, and through the melodies he produces when playing the American Indian Flute. "I proclaim It is of the Father, my hands and eyes are guided by the heart and then the mind. My art is directed Spiritually.”
TerryLee's original compositions are Spiritually directed from his state-of-mind and his surroundings. Many times he utilizes the flute as a gateway linking the past with the present. Believing that music is a universal language, he asks “what better way to utilize the flute to tell a story?”
"The American Indian Flute music has no titles or boundaries. Throughout history music has been an integral part of everyone’s life. It is heard in the gentle breezes blowing through the trees, or in the babbling brook as rustling waters flow upon the rocks. Everywhere you go music is with you, all you need to do is listen with your heart and a story will unfold. Come unite with me on a journey through my music and art. Let us not forget that friends become our chosen family. Welcome my friend. May we continue to journey together with music in our hearts united by the one Father and our Mother below our feet."
His programs are arranged around the teachings of the medicine wheel many times. He demonstrates his gift of utilizing energy through participation with the audience and then composes an original melody using the audience’s energy. He also invites children on stage to perform a flute song with him at times.
"I enjoy working with the youth. I have worked with Twin Arrow Boy Scouts in Tulsa, Kansas City’s Young Audience Program since Fall of 2000, and Mid-Continent Public Library in Independence providing flute performance and educational programs."
TerryLee has an International audience in the followingmany countries including; Austria, Australia, Bosnia, Canada, England, Germany, Japan, Romania, Russia, South America, Spain and Ukraine. He recently did an interview to be aired on a radio program in Russia.
He has won numerous awards for his art and sculpture. One of his greatest has been the Grand Heritage Award at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum for his painting titled “Good Medicine.”
TerryLee's music and artwork can be found on his website at www. terrywhetstone. com, www. myspace. com/terryleewhetstone, or in Alabama at Moundville Archaeological Park, in Arkansas at The Circle Of Art Gallery, L.L.C. in Mammoth Spring, at Cherokee Mountain Gallery and The Cherokee Store in Eureka Springs, in Oklahoma at National Cherokee Museum in Tahlequah, Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee, and Pat’s Gallery in Bartlesville, in Missouri at S & S Western Outfitters in Joplin, Three Trails in Independence, in Illinois at Cahokia Mounds Interpretative Center at Collinsville, and in Kansas at the Haskell Indian Art Market, South West and More in Lawrence Kansas, Cherokee Accents in Corpus Christi Texas, THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM GIFT SHOP IN DC, and at One Feather in Ft. Walton Beach Florida.
"I believe that all life is precious. It is critical that we, as a people, take care of each other and nature, and in turn all living things." His beliefs are demonstrated intensively in each of his paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and his music. "A Belief from the Heart, any player will sound only as good as the spirit of the flute that they are playing, but must also have a connected Spirit within. It is all of the Creator, giving me the ability to see and hear things in the spiritual way. It is through Him that all things are possible.” TerryLee
*******************************2007********************************
Oct. 21st - Here the year is about past us all. There has been so much happen this year within my family and personally to myself. I know there has been lot of problems within my extended families also.
Here are my words to hopefully help us all for the years ahead of us:
"Walk in a Beautiful manner and with Freedom of Heart"
Osta Nahwahtea
To All My Relations
*******************************2006********************************
Osiyo,
Every year I take the time to put into words a thought of where I am in this Wheel of Life. It helps me to have a clearer picture of where I have traveled and the pathways ahead of me. It is usually about a 2-3 liner but this time it seems to have taken a few more words.
What follows is it, and I think I have traveled far and yet still have a long way to go.
Blessings.......
Wa-do' for being my Friends and Family on this journey in this Wheel of Life.
Thoughts………
“Art is to me a part of my Life. No different than taking a breath or getting out of bed. It is not something that is separated from day-to-day life. It all has to do with my life and the need to share in a beautiful way. It does not matter if it is painting, composing music, recording music, playing music, and/or talking and sharing with children or elders. Everything I do seems to be so natural and in tune with all of Life. I believe this is because everything to me is art related and is a part of my own Life Walk, as well as to the lives of all living things, our relatives. For All Life is of the Creator and so is the True Art.”
Osta Nah wah tea (Good Medicine)
TerryLee WHETSTONe
Copyrights ã February 19, 2006
No one had gotten back to me on the balloon fiesta info. By now the deadlines are probably past. I tried checking with the city and they said that all that was handled by individuals who own the properties - I tried asking who they were and got the run around. Sorry :( Hope you are doing well - see you on the market trail!!
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