Golana

• Genre: Native American
• Hometown: San Diego

About

Golana has a life story for the books -- or at least a made-for-TV movie. Raised as Scott Cunningham in Ontario, Calif., Golana grew up immersed in Anglo American culture and oblivious of his Cherokee heritage. During a period of time spent working in corporate America, however, Cunningham began abusing alcohol and drugs. He sought help and eventually found comfort in desert excursions, flute-playing and Native American spirituality. When an aunt casually mentioned the family's Cherokee history -- one great-great-grandmother was full-blooded Cherokee -- the budding flautist felt everything fall into place. He was renamed Golana at a Cherokee ceremony, and his gentle, exploratory albums -- which range from solo flute to piano-laden instrumentals -- have found a national audience.

- Sarah Bardeen