ABOUT ETE
Eagle Thunder Enterprises (ETE) is an independent company owned and operated by artists under the divisions of Eagle Thunder Records, Eagle Thunder Pictures, and Eagle Thunder Publishing. Founded by Robby Romero, the enterprise supports the initiatives of Native Children’s Survival (NCS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grassroots Indigenous Peoples Organization (IPO) in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Our history began in 1989 when Robby entered into an agreement with Island Records. At the time, Island and A&M Records were the leading independent labels. When PolyGram, a major record label and entertainment company, acquired Island, Chris Blackwell, Island Records founder, suggested contacting Bob Dylan so Dylan’s attorney, David Braun, could help Robby exit the deal without debt. Braun successfully negotiated Robby’s release and secured his master recordings.
During the exit, Robby launched his first music picture campaign, IS IT TOO LATE, in January 1990, through a multinational television broadcast which included Onondaga Clan Mother Audrey Shenandoah, a featured speaker and adviser to Native Children’s Survival and the United Nations. The premiere was prefaced by Mikhail Gorbachev and took place at the Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders held in the Kremlin, Moscow. Gorbachev, the first President of the Soviet Union, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and founding President of Green Cross International, hosted the event.
IS IT TOO LATE went on to screen in the General Assembly Hall at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and was broadcast globally on the 20th anniversary of Earth Day. The song was recorded at Island Records' storied Fallout Shelter in London, and the music picture was filmed at the Nipponzan Myohoji Peace Pagoda in Milton Keynes, England, directed by Julien Temple with postproduction directed by Heart Perry in New York City.
In 1993, Robby introduced Native Rock Music to the music television generation. This was accomplished through a series of stereotype-breaking and award-winning Public Service Announcements (PSAs), music pictures, and a World Alert film special in collaboration with MTV Networks. In response to increasing demand, Robby released his innovative debut EP, RED THUNDER, through Eagle Thunder Records, followed by the critically acclaimed “Indian Country Tour.”
Following numerous international film broadcasts, music releases, campaigns, and tours, Eagle Thunder Records commemorated the 25th anniversary of RED THUNDER. The release includes the 2018 single “BORN ON THE REZ,” produced by multi-Grammy winner Don Was and engineered by multi-Grammy winner Ed Cherney at Capitol Records Studios in Hollywood. The music picture was directed by Robby Romero in solidarity with the Indigenous youth-led movement at Standing Rock. With a crew from the Institute of American Indian Arts, “BORN ON THE REZ” was shot across Indian Country, capturing the essence of various historic locations such as Sand Creek, Standing Rock, Wounded Knee, and Geronimo’s prison cell at the Old Post Guard House, Fort Sill Army Post established in 1869 during the ‘so-called’ Indian Wars. Post-production ensued at Dennis Hopper’s El Cortez Theatre and the University of New Mexico in Taos.
From our inaugural musical production to our most recent true-crime ballad, additional film and music initiatives are currently in the works. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements.
Robby Romero/Alan Houser, Indian MarkeT, PHOTO: Seth Roffman
A NATIVE ROCK MUSIC MOVEMENT
From the heart of Indian Country to the United Nations, we have created a series of music and film productions that have premiered at Indigenous grassroots gatherings, global events, and broadcasts around the world, generating awareness and support for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Mother Earth, and All Our Relations.
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