North Bay musician receives nomination at Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards
After several loved ones close to Esther Pennell passed away in a short period of time, she decided to pick up the banjo to help deal with some of the emotions she was feeling.
"I needed some kind of grieving tool, something to help me feel what I was processing. The banjo just kind of found me," said Pennell.
"I had no intention of being a superstar -- not that I am one or anything -- but I never had any inclination toward that."
Pennell told CTV News her music honours her son Theo, who died in 2015 to an accidental overdose.
She wrote the song ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ for him.
'I've learned how to stand up tall'
"I’ve cried, I’ve faced fears, I’ve learned how to stand up tall and I found my voice. It’s all happened since he’s been gone," Pennell said.
"I used to stand in front of his picture on the wall and sing it to him when I was missing him, which still happens quite often."
Pennell has a new album out called 'Big Dream,' and she said it focuses on "peace and harmony." The album was recently nominated for Country Album of the Year at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards.
"I got an email one day saying ‘Congratulations, you’ve been nominated for country album of the year,'" said Pennell.
"I was like, oh wow. There was over 250 submissions across Canada, so just to be counted amongst them was a real honour for me."
Pennell has now released three albums and said her plans in the near future are to re-record and re-release a few of her favourites.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.