2021 AWARD NOMINEE
COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Esther Pennell
Big Dream
Esther Pennell is a self-taught banjo player and innovator of banjo music. She is determined to make a name for herself in folk and blues music. Esther takes every song she plays and makes it her own without turning to traditional banjo styling. She takes your traditional idea of the banjo player, and throws them out the window. Esther Pennell is a founding member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland and Labrador, and wants to use music to honour her native background. Esther got her feet wet in the music arena in 2013 at the Temagami Girls Night Out concert as a member of the Ladies Outfit band, a bluegrass/country ladies band. Since that first performance, she has been on a path of musical self-discovery. Esther has played on Canada Day at the Temagami waterfront, at the Temagami Community Market and at the New Liskeard Fall Fair in 2014 alongside David Laronde, an Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music nominee. Esther has also performed with her fiancé and guitar man Pete Fex at various other small local venues. Esther continues to play at Girls Night Out annually as a member of The Ladies Outfit and looks forward to expanding her repertoire of music and polishing her skills while sticking to her bluesy folk roots.
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