Crystal Shawanda: podcast appearances and interviews

Crystal Shawanda, born on July 26, 1983, is an Indigenous singer and songwriter of Ojibwe Potawatomi heritage, known for her work in blues and country music. She gained recognition with her rise to fame documented in the six-part series Crystal: Living the Dream, which aired in 2008. Signed to RCA Nashville in 2007, Shawanda released her debut single, You Can Let Go, in Canada in January 2008. The single achieved notable success, becoming the fastest climbing song on the Canadian Country Singles Chart since 2000 and reaching the Top 10 in five weeks. It was subsequently released in the United States and reached the number two position on the Mediabase chart. Her accomplishments in the country music scene have been recognized through awards such as the CCMA Female Artist of the Year in 2009 and the JUNO Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year in 2013. Shawanda has achieved several historic milestones, including being the first full-blood Indigenous woman to appear in the Top 20 of the American Billboard Country chart, selling over 300,000 records, and performing at the Grand Ole Opry. In 2022, she became the first Indigenous woman to appear in the Top 10 of the American Billboard Blues chart. Her career continues to reflect her significant influence in both country and blues music, as well as her trailblazing role for Indigenous artists in North America.