Northern Ontario’s own Crystal Shawada is nominated, not for one, but two Juno Awards this year.
Shawada, who hails from Wiikwemkoong on Manitoulin Island has been nominated for Blues Album of the year, and Indigenous Artist of the Year for her album released last year titled Churchhouse blues.
The artist, who began her career singing at family gatherings, churches and roadhouses, won the Aboriginal Artist of the Year at the Junos back in 2013.
CMT documented her rise to fame in the six-part series Crystal: Living the Dream, which was broadcast in February 2008.
Signed to RCA Nashville in 2007, she released her first single, “You Can Let Go”, in Canada in January 2008. It was the fastest climbing single on the Canadian Country Singles Chart since Carolyn Dawn Johnson’s “Georgia” in 2000, reaching the Top 10 in five weeks.
But her heart loved the blues, so she turn her music to another direction and has not looked back since.
The 2021 edition of the Canadian awards show is marking its 50th anniversary and a return to its original home in Toronto. But instead of inviting the industry to the city, the 2021 Juno Awards will be virtual for the second straight year.
Nominees for Indigenous Album of the Year:
Burnstick (Kîyânaw)
Leela Gilday (North Star Calling)
Crystal Shawanda (Church House Blues)
Julian Taylor (The Ridge)
Terry Uyarak (Nunarjua Isulinginniani).
Rock Album of the Year Nominee:
Crown Lands (Crown Lands)
Contemporary Roots Album of the Year Nominees:
William Prince, (Reliever)
Leela Gilday (North Star Calling)
Julian Taylor (The Ridge)
Nominated for Blues Album of the Year:
Crystal Shawanda, (Church House Blues)
Nominated For Album Artwork of the Year:
Lido Pimienta and Orly Anan (art directors)
The 2021 Juno Awards will take place on May 16, 2021 and will air on CBC TV, Radio One, Music and Gem.