Highlight Reel
Presenter – 19th Annual LA Music Awards
Exterior Production Assistant – 21st Annual LA Music Awards
2011 Nominee – Instrumental Artist of the Year – 21st Annual LA Music Awards
2012 Production Assistant – 22nd, 23rd Annual LA Music Awards
Start Date
Founded on November 15, 2009
Release Date
January 4, 2006
Genre
Progressive Native Rock
Band Members
Daniel Hicks on Native American Flutes,
Gonzo Sandoval on Percussion,
Phillip Sandoval on Guitars,
Chris O’Brian on Keyboards,
Louis Metoyer on Bass,
Mike Smothers additional Guitars
Evan Perlman on Didgeridoo
Hometown
Sedona, Arizona
Record Label
BlackRaven Music Productions
Short Description
Pogressive Native Rock coined BlackRaven’s style and sound which have earned them international demand, acclaim and awards!
Bio
Daniel Hicks & The BlackRaven Band
The BlackRaven Band is in the final stages before our new album is released… It is our intention to offer this new form of music to heal the human conditioning that permeates all humanity… Also, to bring these traditional indigenous instruments from the Native Americans to the main-stream platform for all to hear… Heal and Rock on! Thank you from The BlackRaven Band
BlackRaven has a new line up, a new sound, and a new album “Native Knight” due out 7-1-2014! It will feature Daniel Hicks on Native American Flutes, Gonzo Sandoval on Percussion, Phillip Sandoval on Guitars (both Sandoval brothers are from the legendary Hollywood rock band Armored Saint) and Chris O’Brian on Keyboards, Louis Metoyer on Bass, Mike Smothers on Guitars and Evan Perlman on Didgeridoo
A message from BlackRaven’s Percussionist Gonzo Sandoval
Let’s Rock this… This Record was made, recorded, written, how ever you look at it, it was done with the support financially of other people outside of us. and of course whatever we can come up with, as well. … The grace of the Lord and our Music shines together. … If it touches your heart to contribute …go for it! … Rock it! and so many Thank yous are due! Any Amount is Immensely appreciated! Lets do this! the record was conceived to help heal the human condition. This Record involves us all! Peace and Love and Music be with you all! Thank You from the bottom of our Hearts!
REVIEWS
Whispering Wind Magazine 11/27/07
Audio Review: by Gene M. Bates
‘First Flight': Blackraven
Category: Contemporary/ New Age/ Instrumental
Buttonhooks Music CD/Copyright 2007
One of the best contemporary flute CD’s of 2007; Blackraven’s debut is dazzling! A clever confection of contemporary instrumentation and Native American flute, Blackraven’s music is full of color and light. Dan Hicks’ flute sails above each alluring track, drawing us into the lush musical landscapes painted with each and every note. The playing is clean, the songwriting impeccable, and the accompaniment balanced and restrained.
A well-deserved nod should be given to producer/engineer Charles Button as well as special guests, world percussionist, Will Clipman and guitarist extraordinaire, Aaron White (of ‘Burning Sky’ fame) for their contributions.
What an amazing album! Favorites ‘cuts’ include “Running Horse”, a marvelous track entitled, “My Love” and the colorful Button/Hicks composition, “The Irish in Me”. A marvelous mix of ‘today and traditional’, Blackraven’s “First Flight” is ‘first rate’!
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On its debut CD First Flight, Blackraven (the Native American Music Award® nominated duo of Daniel Hicks and Charles Button) takes the unique sound of the Native American flute in imaginative new directions, weaving its evocative melodic voice as the unifying thread into a fresh sonic fabric that embraces elements of folk, rock, and world music. The highly personal flute stylings of Daniel Hicks blend seamlessly with the guitar, bass, and keyboard textures of co-composer and producer Charles Button, ably accompanied by multiple Grammy® Nominees Will Clipman on pan-global percussion and Aaron White on guitar, along with a stellar cast of supporting players. As Gene M. Bates of Whispering Wind Magazine writes: “First Flight is first rate!”
Will Clipman/Copyright 2007
Awards
BlackRaven’s Debut Album “First Flight” – AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
2007 Native American Music Awards Nominee for “Debut Group Of The Year”
2007 Native American Music Awards Nominee for “Native Heart”- Daniel Hicks for BlackRaven’s First Flight album
2008 Los Angeles Music Awards Nominee for “Producers Choice Instrumental Artist of the Year”
2009 Los Angeles Music Awards “Instrumental Album of the Year” BlackRaven’s Debut Album “First Flight”
2009 West Coast American Indian Music Awards “Traditional Instruments” award for “Wolf Tracks” from BlackRaven’s Debut album “First Flight”
2009 Phoenix Music Awards “Instrumental Artist of the Year.” BlackRaven Band
2010 www.errorfm.com Buddhaman’s International Radio Experience “Band of the Year” presented to the BlackRaven Band
2010 Los Angeles Music Awards – Producer’s Choice “Spiritual Artist of the Year”
2011 Phoenix Music Awards “Film Score of the Year” for Sedona The Motion Picture, Recipients Ebony Tay – Producer/Music Composer and Daniel Hicks – Native Music Coordinator
2012 Phoenix Music Awards “National Instrumental Artist of the Year – Sedona” The BlackRaven Band
2012 Los Angeles Music Awards “Producers Choice Instrumental Album of the Year – Native Knight” The BlackRaven Band
2013 Los Angeles Music Awards “Instrumental Artist of the Year” The BlackRaven Band
Gender
Plural (male)
Personal Information
Musician
Personal Interests
Music
Current Location
Sedona, Arizona and Los Angeles, Cali
General Manager
Daniel Hicks for BlackRaven Music Productions 928-301-6232
Artists We Also Like
All of them, except a few that are ban for life…
Influences
BlackRaven expands with our 2nd album release “Native Knight” in 2014
Band Interests
With national critical acclaim BlackRaven’s debut album “First Flight” (produced by Charles Button) went above and beyond our expectations. With all of the encouraging and complimentary responses we received, we send back a big “thank you.”
Blessings to all & to all a good Flight!
Contact information for booking is as follows: Phone # 928-247-4038,
Email: blackravenband@gmail.com visit us at: www.facebook.com/BlackRaveMusic
Phone
928-301-6232
Email
blackravenband@gmail.com
Website
www.facebook.com/BlackRavenMusic
Press Contact
Christa Dozier for BlackRaven Music Productions 949-226-4650
Booking Agent
Daniel Hicks 928-301-6232, Gonzo Sandoval 323-767-9776 for BlackRaven Music Productions