Crystal Shawanda: from Wikwemikong to Nashville

She wrote her first song when she was only nine years old, received her first standing ovation at 13 and had earned a permanent gig at Nashville's Tootsie's Orchid Lounge by the time she was 16.

Growing up on Manitoulin Island's Wikwemikong reservation, country singer Crystal Shawanda used music as a means to escape the hopelessness that surrounded her and affect positive change in her life.

She spent a large portion of her formative years attending high school in Sault Ste. Marie in order to have access to suitable a music program.

Unable to pick up and move to Music City at the time, she would travel to and from Nashville with her father who worked as a truck driver.

Inspired by the life and music of Loretta Lynn, Shawanda's sincere approach and powerful vocals on her RCA Nashville debut release Dawn of a New Day have garnered high praise from fans and critics alike.

The record debuted at No. 2 on on the Soundscan Top Country Albums chart in Canada, and the first single You Can Let Go is currently in high rotation on country radio stations across North America.

Her rise to fame was profiled in a six-part series, Crystal: Living the Dream, which aired early this year on CMT.

Like Loretta Lynn's rise to fame encouraged her to follow her dreams, Shawanda's own success story is sure to inspire many budding artists.

Visit Crystal Shawanda on MySpace  

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