Shawanda, an indigenous musician from Ontario, Canadawas raised on the Wikwemikong reserve, weaned on country by her parents but leaned toward the blues albums her brother played. Her first album in 2008, Dawn of a New Day, charted on the Canadian Country Albums at #2, and the Billboard Top Country Albums at #16. She toured with Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley in 2009, then scored two Juno Awards 2013 and 2015 for Aboriginal and Indigenous Album categories. She gave in when the blues came calling, saying the whole time she sang Patsy Cline on stage she was singing Etta James at home. Nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and Recording/Producer of the Year in the 2021 Maple Blues Awards, Shawanda’s latest album Church House Blues showcases her performing power and grit laced with spirited presence and songwriting. Rock & Blues Musesays of Shawanda, “It’s a rare singer who elicits chills.”