Scott Payne spent nearly two decades working undercover as a biker, a neo-Nazi, a drug dealer, and a killer. But his last big mission at the FBI was the wildest of all. Had to burn Bibles. I have never had to burn an American flag. And I damn sure was never with a group of people that stole a goat, sacrificed it at a pagan ritual, and drank its blood. And I did all that in about three days with these guys. Listen to Agent Pale Horse, the second season of White Hot Hate. Available now.
This is a CBC Podcast. Hello, I'm Marcus Schwabe. This is the Last Morning North Podcast. It is the Morning North Podcast for the week of April the 7th, 2025. And yes, I was not there for the podcast last week. I was in a meeting with our manager for small stations in Ontario. And there was a meeting about podcasts. And this is the final podcast for Morning North. For now, I will explain momentarily. And like all of the podcasts that I've put together over the last many years,
It's a highlights package. Some of the stories that were broadcast on Morning North this past week. But as I was explaining to them. manager last week that I like to add a little personality to the podcast, sort of talk a bit about what's going on behind the scenes. And yes, this is going to be the last podcast. For now, the word that... management uses is that we're going to sunset the podcast.
And that means that I won't be contributing each week to the podcast. I think Roger might be putting up the mystery game still on Fridays as a podcast. So I haven't really talked to him about that. It doesn't take, like I say, just a minute to do that, frankly. And I've explained that it only takes me like 20, 25 minutes to put this podcast together, even though it is around 45 minutes in length.
The audio I just drag into the player and I talk in between, which is what I'm doing right now. And so CBC... I started this podcast just a little. You're going to get a little bit more from me on this. The CBC started this podcast. I can't even remember when I started this. like 10 years ago or so when podcasting started becoming a thing and there was a push to make sure that we were where people were listening and people were listening to programming in different ways.
So I said, okay, I'll do a podcast. I really did it on my own. Talked to the manager and they said, yeah, go ahead and do it. And we had the technology, so it doesn't take much to put it together. And it's evolved. It was a little more formal in the beginning where you would introduce each story and play it. But in many ways, it is very similar. I like to say it's also a bit behind the scenes where I talk about...
what's been going on at the station, what's been going on around the world, and then share some of the stories that were on our program. Now, CBC, in recent months, has launched a pilot project for regional podcasts. Of course... Digital audio is going to be around forever, I suspect. And they've got this pilot project where regional stations are putting together a podcast.
I think it's called This is Saskatchewan or This is British Columbia or This is Vancouver. And so they will take an issue and they'll focus on that one issue and they put together a weekly podcast. They had a couple of different versions. And I said I'd love to be involved, but for whatever reason, we weren't involved. And I just continued on with the podcast. So I said, so what's going to happen with this podcast now?
the news last week, that we're just going to sunset this one. And I set my hands up for whatever. whatever comes of the pilot project. And we'd love to be involved and share some stories. And I tried to explain how this podcast... and others out there, and the number's okay. Like, it's not millions of people listening, but there are some people listening. You're listening right now, so, but...
That's the way it's going to be, which is okay. It gives me a little extra time on Friday, so I'm going to miss it, though, because I kind of... I like reflecting back on the week that was and share some of those stories. And I think there was some value to it. people to connect to northern Ontario or, you know, even if you're in the north. I sort of talk to often, I think, an audience that doesn't necessarily live here but wants to find out what's going on.
in the last week in Northern Ontario. But I suspect there's some people who don't wake up at six in the morning to tune into our program. And this is a way they get a little summary package while they're doing whatever they're doing. Like I listen to podcasts coming in and out of work if you've got a long commute. 45 minutes, this is perfect, right? So... The CBC, actually. This is something that we did on our program this week. The CBC and the election campaign.
Third week of the federal election. And we've been talking about a variety of issues on our program. And while it is a bit awkward, one of those issues is funding for the CBC. And if you're listening to this podcast... it's safe to assume that you care about the more than $1 billion that is spent on the public broadcaster.
including our station at CBC Sudbury. So we asked candidates from each of the three major parties running in northeastern Ontario to give us a recorded statement laying out their position. Now, all six candidates running for the Conservatives either declined to speak with us or they didn't respond. One local party organizer suggested that the only Conservative who could speak on this was leader Pierre Polyef.
So here he is speaking at a rally in Hamilton in the first few days of the election campaign. And then we will sell off 6,000 federal buildings and thousands of acres of federal land to build beautiful homes. And you know something, it just warms my heart to think of the beautiful U-Haul truck rolling up. with a wonderful family. to move into their wonderful new home in the former headquarters of the cbc Yeah!
So we're going to get rid of the taxes on new homes. And we're going to get rid of the word. That is Conservative leader Pierre Polyev speaking at a rally in southern Ontario last month. Now, he's been calling for the defunding of the CBC for years now, while promising to not touch the French language service, Radio Canada, something he reiterated last week. But his message has fluctuated at times. Here is Polyev speaking at a news conference in February.
We have to cut waste and mismanagement in this country. After 10 years of the Kearney Trudeau Liberals, they've increased government spending by 80%. They've increased the debt by over 100%. And much of it has gone to waste. For example, almost nobody watches CBC television. They have among the worst ratings of any network. And yet, Trudeau gives them billions more. We're going to cut wasteful spending. not just there, but across the government to bring down inflation.
Again, Conservative leader Pierre Polyev speaking at a news conference in February. And as I mentioned earlier, all six Conservative candidates in the Northeast either declined to speak about the CBC or didn't respond to our request. Now, one local party organizer did point to a 2023 policy document that says the Conservatives will like to see the CBC reformed to better serve Canadians and become less dependent on government subsidies.
Back in October, I did speak with Perry Sound Muskoka Member of Parliament, Scott Aitchison, about the CBC. Here's how he summed up the party position. We as a party believe that the CBC doesn't address the Canadians' concerns anymore. The fact of the matter is there's bias in the media and we think that that exists throughout.
And we think that, you know, the traditional mandate of the CBC that needs to knit Canadians together doesn't do that all that effectively anymore. And so we talk a lot about... We don't talk a lot about it. We just say that we will transform the CBC. There are all kinds of examples where...
You know, CBC seems to be, and the leadership of the CBC seems to be out of touch with Canadians, whether it's, you know, huge bonuses while they're laying people off and they're struggling to eat. There's a huge amount of reform that's needed, we think. Scott Acheson, Perry Sound, Muskoka Member of Parliament, speaking on Morning North in October, and he is the Conservative candidate running in that riding.
He mentioned in that interview that a Conservative government would also cut funding for private news media. That includes the local journalism initiative that's seen dozens of reporters hired at local news outlets in northern Ontario in recent years. Now, last Friday, a week ago, Liberal leader Mark Carney announced his party would boost annual CBC funding by $150 million and maybe more in the years ahead.
Terry Sheehan is the Liberal candidate for Sault Ste. Marie Algoma. It's really important, especially with the disinformation that is out there, that, you know, there's a reliable... trusted news source to get the correct information. There's a sea of misinformation out there. And CBC helps people to understand what is real and what is misinformation. So we made an announcement to strengthen the CBC.
mandate by developing the governance plan with CBC Radio Canada to improve accountability and power leadership, streamline processes, and tap into the institution's innovative spirit. And we recognize that CBC is independent of us, of any government. but it's important to continue to support them, as do other countries such as England with the BBC. We've announced funding of $150 million. And that will help enhance CBC Radio Canada available resources and secure, stable, long-term funding.
And it's going to do that by enshrining and protecting their funding by making it statutory, thereby empowering Parliament and the Canadian people, not ideology people, to decide the future of this critical institution. So we're providing an initial $150 million in funding while directing CBC Radio Canada to develop a strategic plan consistent with this new mandate.
That is expected to require a long-term funding level in line with the average funding of other national public broadcasters over time. Terry Sheehan, Liberal candidate in Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma. And for the New Democrat perspective... Valerie Kennedy, NDP candidate in Nipissing to Miskaming. The CBC is not just about broadcasting. It's part of our national identity. It connects Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
telling us stories, keeping us informed, and bringing us together. And the idea of defunding the CBC is unthinkable. Public broadcasting is essential in a country as vast and diverse as Canada, and the CBC provides crucial news, coverage especially in rural and remote areas where private broadcasters won't go because it's not profitable. The NDP has clear and they oppose the defunding of the CBC and instead want to strengthen it.
Jagmeet Singh has said that the CBC is essential for protecting local journalism and Canadian culture. The NDP is committed to restoring funding, ensuring financial stability for the broadcaster, and stopping the privatization of our public airways. They also proposed reforms to make the CBC more independent by changing how its board of directors is appointed preventing political interference. I wake up with the CBC.
And I go to sleep with the CBC. It's a part of our tradition as Canadians. And I can't imagine Canada without it. So this is a full stop issue for me. The idea that... Defunding the CBC is just wrong. It's dangerous for democracy or culture and the ability to stay informed. The CBC is a unifying force and defunded. It would only serve those who divide and misinform.
Valerie Kennedy, new Democrat candidate in the writing of Nipissing to Miskimming. And the goal here is to inform you about what the parties are saying about federal funding for the CBC as well as other issues. And you're welcome to share your thoughts, even if you plan on voting to defund the CBC. would like to see other major changes, including what you hear.
on our podcast, which you won't hear anymore, but our program. You can text your thoughts. You can call our TalkBack line. If you want to call TalkBack, the direct number is 705-6888. 705-688-3216. Our text line, 249-377-4153. Of course, we're checking that all the time while we're live on the air, not necessarily on the weekends or whenever you listen to this. You can also send us an email, morningnorthatcbc.org.
Well, let's move on to another issue, a big issue. Well, trade. It's like a global issue these days. And Vic Fidelli's job time. is Ontario's Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Let's face it, it's a bit tricky being a trade minister in the midst of a trade war with your largest trading partner. On Thursdays, we check in with different MPPs from Northern Ontario, and Vic Fidelli is the MPP for Nipissing, just happens to...
be in charge of trade for the province. And this week he crossed the border, met with officials in Washington to try to bring... This trade war to an end, and we had them live this week on Morning. Good morning, Marcus. So what was your mission on this most recent trip to Washington? Well, a couple of things. Number one is to continue to remind all of the people that we met with, members of Congress, the U.S. Trade Representative's Office.
That, you know, when you hear President Trump continue to say we don't need anything from Canada. I invoke my inner Sudbury. I tell them 80% of all the nickel the entire United States buys for their aerospace sector comes from Ontario. I tell them that 56% of all the nickel they need in the United States for defense. comes from Ontario. So this is how I start all my meetings.
And are you making any headway? Can you report on any victories down south? Yeah, I think the fact that on April 2nd when the tariffs came out, our auto sector, especially the parts sector, the damage was diminished. Not permanently. And, you know, heavens knows it could change every hour like it did yesterday. But, you know, we've escaped some of. what the rest of the world went through. When you think about autos coming from Germany or Japan or Korea.
they automatically have a 25% duty when they come into the States. Ours don't. He's got a clause that he put in a few months ago that he wants, this President Trump, wants 50% of all... parts of all autos to be American-made. Well, it turns out all five manufacturers in Canada use about 50% American parts. And so we were diminished down to about 12.5%. So, you know, we've been spared a few things and our parts are not tariffed yet because they can't quite figure out how to do it.
Well, and it's so complicated. Yesterday, as you mentioned, Donald Trump changed things again. China, 125% tariff, most of the rest of the world down to 10%. Stock markets did rebound yesterday, but what... How do you deal with that? What's going on here? Well, it's really all about the money. The one thing is we've determined it's all about he's got a tax cut.
that he's trying to get through. And he's got about 30 members of the Freedom Caucus that continue to say, show me the money. And these are Republicans. How are you going to pay for it? And so he needs this revenue stream to be developed. And so it's, you know, it's not about fentanyl. It's not about a border. It's not about NATO, although those things are all important and will help his bargaining chip. It's really he needs the money. And so that's why he's gone worldwide.
But it's his citizens who are paying for those potential tax cuts down the road, aren't they? Yeah, they don't know that yet. It hasn't hit their pocketbooks yet. It'll take a month or two before all of these things wind their way down to their pocketbooks. Look, 50% of Americans do not own stock. So the stock crash and then the rebound, it doesn't affect a lot of everyday Americans. If you've got...
If you're an American and you've been putting money away in what they are, our RRSP would be their 401k. If they're tucking money away in their 401k, it's crap. But there's at least 50% that don't own stocks. And those aren't his people. Or those are his people. The ones who are owning the stocks aren't necessarily his people. So he's certainly...
Working towards an audience and working towards a goal, we think we have it figured out, but look, it's almost impossible. Every day there's another zig and another zag. Are we feeling the impact of these tariffs here in Ontario yet? Yeah, there are families who are feeling the impact. Right now, if you're importing a product from the states, you could be in the middle of our counter tariffs, our retaliatory tariffs.
You know, I've got a friend who imports houses, modular homes built in the States. He's getting whacked now. tens of thousands of dollars per house. It's real. That's why the province of Ontario put $11 billion together last week. $9 billion is for tax delays. You can pay your business taxes six months later. That's a $9 billion savings. And if you're a larger company, you pay WSIB for your employees.
you're going to get $2 billion in cash back to help you continue to keep those employees on the payroll. So those checks are actually going out now. How frustrating is this for you, a trade minister, dealing with an administration that has a completely different concept of how trade should work?
Yeah, this is not how trade should work, right? This is exactly how, you know, when we took office, our trade with the U.S. was $400 billion. We worked hard around the world to increase trade everywhere. I'll give you two examples. In the States, we're now at $500 billion a year, 50-50. Incoming and outgoing are almost to the penny balance. So we've done a great job of increasing with our largest trading partner, which is where you go. But we have last.
Last year that the numbers came out, so 2023, because the 24 numbers aren't out, we had 137 international companies land in Ontario that we attracted here. They brought $11 billion with them and hired 12,200 people. Or I look at outgoing to India. When we took office in 2018, today our trade with India is up more than 50%. Because we've been there a couple times a year. It's all about, it's just all about relationships. And we've been building relationships around the world, Germany, Asia.
We've got increased trade everywhere. I was with the former president or premier of Australia yesterday at breakfast. And, you know, we're up. $300 million in trade with Australia. So we've been doing that job as well. That's trade. That's real trade. Are you worried spending all this time dealing with trade issues is having an impact in your home riding, like dealing with local issues in Ipissing? Well, thank God, Marcus, I've got a phenomenal staff.
who've been there with me for years. I've always said this. It's no secret. They really do all the work. I'm the political head. They have always met with the constituents. ironed out all the problems. They have all the phone numbers of who to contact. When somebody comes in, and they're always in crisis when they come in the office, they come in because they need something.
And boy, our team just pounces, gets it done, gets them out the door. And there's always like a box of cookies there the next couple of days from the constituents are so gracious. So our office really does. bloody remarkable job with our constituents. I don't get home very often, Marcus, as you can imagine. Speaking of politics, though, we've got a federal election campaign. Are you involved at all helping out in North Bay?
No, I've been all around the world. I've been in a couple of countries already this month. I've got two or three more countries this month. I'm going back to Japan and Korea before Easter. And then in the month of May, I'm in six or seven different countries. We're working on building our trade.
So, you know, thank God Patty's at home taking care of the home front. And thank God the office is taking care of the office front because this is, we're in wartime right now. We are actually in a wartime right now. But we're in a federal election campaign as well, and Conservative leader Pierre Polyev was in Northern Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie this week. Any thoughts on his campaign?
Now, I haven't followed it. I got to be very frank, Marcus. I have not followed the federal election. I just haven't had an opportunity. I mean, you know, I'm on different time zones all over the place. But you got to appreciate. And Premier Ford reminded our cabinet this yesterday. We need a wartime sense of urgency to return in the country. We are fighting for our lives here. And, you know, we just had no choice. but to get this done. And so that's where all our focus is right now.
Appreciate you joining us this morning. Thanks so much. Thanks, Marcus. Good to talk to you. That is Vic Fidelli, MPP for Nipissing, and he is Ontario's Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. And you are listening to the final... Podcast. Morning North podcast. Mind you, as I mentioned earlier, you may still get the mystery game in the feed if Roger continues to post that.
Let me see. I'm just checking the scripts. That's how I do this. I just grab a couple of scripts of things that I think were good, worthwhile, interesting. Here's a good, another, actually, a news story for people in Espanola in particular. But I think anybody... interesting. And we're going to wrap things up with
Feature conversation with Crystal Shawanda and her partner, D. Wayne Strobel. Musical couple living down in Nashville, but Crystal is Indigenous from Wikwemagon originally, and so had a nice chat with her about... She's got a new album out, so we're going to wrap up the podcast with that. But in Espanola, about a year and a half, Domtar shut down the pulp and paper mill there, and a new buyer has emerged, a BMI group.
It's a property redevelopment company. They announced this week that they've closed a deal for the centre pending regulatory approvals. BMI Group recently worked to redevelop the St. Mary's paper mill in Sault Ste. Marie. They also own a paper mill in Iroquois Falls. So this is big news for Espanola. Domtar was the biggest employer at one time with about 450 jobs there. Paul Veldman is CEO of the BMI Group, and we had him on Morning North this week.
Good morning. So why are you interested in the Espanola Mill? That's a great question. And just to speak to your point of light dusting near Toronto, I'm looking out of my window at light dusting here in Stratford, Ontario. I'm happy to be with you. And we're also happy to have struck this agreement with Domtar and Espanola. The mill's a wonderful asset. It's in a fiber basket that's plentiful with lots of opportunity to, again, as we say, put the wood back to work.
in a picturesque setting in a town that offers so much. with First Nations communities that we hope to work with, like the Sagamook Anishinaabek. and others and uh and so we're very excited to uh to work with espinola to look at repurposing as we say refuturing So you're getting the mill property, and you mentioned fiber basket. Does that mean you get timber rights as well?
through all the all those details there are some that are attached to the property you're correct There's also contracts with suppliers from the local industry. And so we hope to engage in conversations with those folks as well, as many other sawmills did supply to the mill. And so we were encouraged and we're looking forward to. initiating chats with those folks and seeing how we can put that resource back to work as well. So what are your plans for the mill?
So the way we look at mail development is to, you know, generally speaking, diversify it away from sort of one single use to multiple users. So that's the core premise. How can we ensure that in the future? in uncertain times or economic changes, you know, the impact isn't as devastating. But in principle, we call it a biohub. So we think that the fiber basket can be used for future fuels. Renewable diesel is a topic across the world. Bio coal is a topic.
that is very relevant these days for steel mills to green up their process. So using that woody biomass for, let's call it alternative fuels. and alternative products is a theme of our redevelopment. Would you still make paper as well? All the cards are on the table. The team at Espinal has done a fantastic job at what they call keeping the mill warm. So we're going to explore everything. We want to be careful not to make any specific promises.
but most certainly the greater paper that was made in Espanola is one that's sought after. and was very sought after when they closed. I think the pulping side of this operation would not continue. There's hope for the paper side, so we're going to explore that carefully, and we'll do that transparently as well.
Again, we don't want to make promises, but we're definitely going to very much look into that. And you mentioned renewable diesel. What about timber products? Could that be something added to that property? Well, what you see in the world, really, but certainly in North America, is the popularity of products like CLT. We're working on a few projects like that. Hang on, what is CLT? Cross-laminated timber. So it takes a traditional timber product.
And there's a wonderful plant in St. Thomas, Ontario doing that now. So there's alternative sort of, let's say, future products that certainly we're going to throw in the mix. and see how that might work. They obviously need a... a different kind of product, not a chip. But I would say everything in that regard is on the table. So will you sort of manage all this as owner of the property or would you welcome businesses into rent space? How is that going to work?
We very much, what we hope our phone starts ringing as of, you know, this call this morning. We're very much open to industry knocking on our door saying, hey, how can we participate? How can we... How can we be part of this wonderful redevelopment? We've already fielded some calls. Yesterday, as the news came out and are working with other industry partners, we certainly hope to work with the town. We know that they've started a...
a master planning process as well. And we are hoping to engage fully with them on that. to ensure that, you know, as they make plans for the future, the mill's future is embedded right within those plans. You think of things like the golf course that's been used for over 70 years. Those are things we do not want to impact in any way. Very much business as usual.
for that activity to continue and for that relationship to continue. So we hope industry, the regional partners, the provincial government, federal government, we're saying everybody's welcome. Let's work together. and let's create a bright future for Espanola. This is something that me and my group has done before in other communities, hasn't it? We have, yes. Most notably here, we're making a connection through the name to our Niagara project.
So in Niagara, you know, a former paper mill as well. turned multimodal hub. So we've got many tenants there today, moving goods by rail, soon to be by vessel. And also some partners in that. bioeconomy in that biohub space. So we're hoping that... we can bring them along as we make our plans in Espanola as well. Well, and you've got the property in Iroquois Falls, but you've had that for quite some time and not a lot has happened. Will things move faster in Espanola?
I believe, yes, they will. I will say about Iroquois Falls, one thing that I note about that, these things can take time. We had a breakthrough last year by really being able to attract a significant amount of investment in Tirico Falls. Things are moving there. This year, we hope to very soon actually make quite a nice announcement for that project. But you're right, it's taken a long time, and other projects move quicker, like the project in Niagara.
It's proximity, obviously, to markets. Toronto, you know, lots of population. So certainly allowed it to accelerate. I think in the case of Espanola, what we've seen... Even as the mill shut down, you know, folks have been able to find alternative appointment to some degree. because of its proximity to Sudbury as well, I think. And that's a growing mining market. And so we see that as a benefit in the sense that there's other economic drivers in the region that can help.
diversify the activity at the mill. There were some 450 people who used to work at Domtar in Espanola. Do you think you'll see the equivalent of jobs in all sorts of areas because of your redevelopment? I would say let's have another chat in five years and see how we did. I think that's an overarching goal, and hopefully it's sooner.
But that's a watermark for us, is to gain the jobs back that once were there, and hopefully more. We've got to reach for the stars. So we don't want to stop there, but 100%, we want to bring those good, meaningful jobs back to the community. All right. Well, Paul, we may talk again. Appreciate you joining us this morning. Thanks for your time. Thank you. Paul Veldman, the CEO of the BMI Group, and they've got the mill in Espinal. We'll see what they do.
One more chat for you on this podcast, and it is a conversation about the blues. Frustration. That's what blues music is all about. Frankly, I am a little sad that this podcast is coming to an end. But, you know, the blues can be beautiful. even when you're singing your heart out. And that is reflected in the title of Crystal Shawanda's new album. It's called Sing Pretty Blues.
It's out this weekend. Crystal's from Wakwemacon on Manitoulin Island. Lives in Nashville now. And I spoke with her and her husband slash musical partner D. Wayne Strobel about their new release. Unfortunately... You're going to have to search out the music yourself for podcast reasons. We're not allowed to play the music, but we can listen to Crystal and we had a nice chat.
My new album is called Sing Pretty Blues, and it was inspired by a conversation I had with a photographer after I was walking off stage. I just finished the show. And he said, hey, Crystal, that was a great show. I think I got some good pictures, but I'm not sure because you don't really sing pretty. And I could have taken that either way, but I decided to take it as a compliment because he's right. I don't sing pretty.
I'm on stage. I scrunch up my face because I don't really care what I look like because I am releasing. I am healing myself. When I sing on stage, it's like medicine. I'm singing the words like I mean every bit of it because I want the people in the audience to know that I've been there and I've made it through and you're going to make it through too. So what are some of the stories in some of the tracks? you know it's been three years since my last album
And so I've done a lot of living in that time. So, you know, the songs are about, you know, hope and resilience. And unfortunately, I've experienced some loss in the past couple of years. You know, a dear fan friend overdosed, unfortunately. So a couple of songs, you know, touch on the subject of addiction. And what goes with that and how when somebody is an addiction, it's not just that person, it's everybody who loves them who's going through it.
And then there's also songs about, you know, me and my husband. You know, we work together. My husband, D. Wayne Strobel. He's my guitar player and my producer and engineer and my partner in business. And, you know, so some of the songs are actually us walking down memory lane because I think that's one of the things that keeps our marriage strong is. We remember what it was that brought us together. And then some of the songs are just pure fun.
where we get to just rock out and have a good time. Now, D. Wayne's on the line as well. What is that story? What's the origin story of you as a couple? How did you guys meet? Well... I'm real good looking. No, to be quite honest, we were both working on Broadway in Nashville in 2003. And I was in a late band. She was in an early band. And I walked in the front of the club and I heard this voice and I went and stood in front of the stage.
And I just fell in love with her at first sight. And my knees started kind of knocking together. And I asked her for a phone number. told her she didn't act like she wanted to give me her phone number so i said well here's my phone number in case you ever need a guitar player and she just like side-eyed me you know but i kept coming back and I talked her into going and getting a cheeseburger, and I had her from that on. Is that accurate, Crystal? Mostly accurate.
What did you think of this guy? I actually told him, I said, well, I don't know about the guitar player part, but I'll give you a call. Oh, so you had a little bit of interest. Which was surprising to me because I was a very shy person at that time. and kind of awkward. So the fact that I said that surprised me and it let me know that, you know, there was something there immediately. And you've been making music together ever since.
Yes, absolutely. We started writing songs and playing in a band together and, you know, having somebody, you know, because he believed in me so much right from the very start. And when you have somebody believe in you, it's like wings to fly. So, you know, on stage I went from being this shy. singing tree because i would close my eyes and just sing to all of a sudden dancing on stage and flipping my hair and stomping around the stage
It was like I was fearless because I knew I had him right beside me, believing in me. Dwayne, talk more about your role in this collaboration because you're definitely behind the scenes. But when you're creating music together, there must be more to it than that. Well, I take her ideas and I try to frame them up. for the best representation of what she's trying to put out there. And she's, you know, she's an amazing songwriter, but sometimes she'll write an idea.
And it'll be seven minutes worth of this idea. And I have to convince her into turning that into a three and a half minute song. And it's easy for us to make a really good record. What's not easy is to write the type of songs that make an organic connection with people. So that's why I have to leave that up to Crystal because we can make a great record. The hi-hats and the kick drum is going to sound amazing. But is the message there?
Family is important to the two of you as well, and I've seen you, Crystal, bring your daughter on the stage as well. Yes, this past year was in 2024 was our first year where our daughter joined us on stage for every show. where she's actually a part of the show. She sings backgrounds, and she does a solo on two songs in the show, and she plays her little tambourine and dances her little heart out. And it's really inspiring at our concerts when we play and when other little kids see her on stage.
come swarming around the stage and after the shows we have all these little kids who want to come get their picture taken with jaja and get her autograph and they're like they look at me and they're like yeah you're cool but we're here for her Are you worried about getting her into this business though? Because it's a tough business.
It is a tough business. And, you know, I do think about that sometimes. But I think everything is tough, no matter what you want to do. And, you know, and right now she loves it. You know, she started so young. You know, my dad. was our nanny for a long time, ever since she was a newborn baby. And as soon as she started to walk, she wanted to come to where the music was backstage, and they would watch from backstage.
she would dance and stomp and she would copy my motions and finally my dad said you know eventually you're gonna have to let her on that stage because that's where she wants to be This isn't something that we push on her. This is what she wants to do. She loves to sing. And I think in this life, the most important thing to do is to be happy, you know, and if this is something that makes her happy, then I'm glad that.
I have the experience to tell her and warn her about what's in store. So I already tell her that, you know, I always prepare her that, you know, not everybody is going to like our music or what we stand for or what we do. But as long as it makes you happy, you have to focus on the other people you are making happy. And now you've got your own label, New Sun Records. D. Wayne, why don't you start and tell us the story about how this came to be.
Around 2010, the two heads of RCA Music Nashville called Crystal into their office and said, And Joe's exact words was baby. I'm going to retire, and I don't know what's going to happen to you after I leave. There's a new label head coming in. He's got his own roster. They're going to keep Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, and everybody else is going to go.
We walked away from that meeting and I thought she would be upset, but she said, you know what? I'm going to start my own label so I can get my music out. And I said, well, what do you want to call it? She goes. Well, my last name, Shawanda, actually Shawanda means the first light of a new sun. And I said, well, what about New Sun Music, New Sun Records? She goes, that's exactly what my record label is. And that's how it came about. And how's it going, Chris?
It's going amazing, you know, and the goal of mine with this record company was always to be an artist friendly record label. And so that's what we try to do is we try to give mental support to our artists. And we try to give them support so that they can make a living. We want them to be successful. And the only way for them to be successful is if they are happy and providing for their children and their families. and we work with inspiring people we work with artists
who we believe will inspire others to follow their dreams and build the life they want. We hear the Southern drawl, D-Wayne. You are an American. Crystal, you are from Northern Ontario. I don't want to get too political here, but there's a bit of a... a trade war going on between our two countries. Crystal, has this been an issue at all for you? What's going on in the state?
Not really, you know, I just keep doing my thing. I play music, I write, I work, we travel. You know, I am a dual citizen, Indigenous person. You know, I was raised to know this. My grandfather, always in our front yard, he flew a Canadian flag and an American flag. because he always wanted his kids and grandkids to know that we are dual citizens, that we have the right to live and work freely in both countries. Me and DeWayne are from two totally different worlds. It shouldn't work.
You know, he's from the South and in their culture, you know, is very different from as an Indigenous woman, as an, you know, Anishinaabe, you know, very much so in our world, the women run the household. We are leaders in our communities. And so, you know, but if me and D. Wayne can get together and make it work.
then I think everybody else can get together and figure it out and make it work. Music is medicine and that's our job is to come in and we try to heal the spirits and motivate people and inspire people despite. what's going on in the world. Well, you're singing the pretty blues, right? That's right. Sing Pretty Blues. I appreciate you both. Thanks so much for your time. Thank you so much. Thank you. You have a wonderful day. Thank you so much.
D. Wayne Strobel and Crystal Shawanda. Nice couple. Saw them live, I think, last year at the Jazz Festival in Sudbury. And they've got that great album out that you can search online. I can't play it for you on the podcast. performance rates and all that sort of stuff. What can I tell you? That's going to do it. for this podcast. We are done. And this is the last podcast, as I've been mentioning.
You can always find information about what's going on in Northern Ontario by going to our website, cbc.ca slash Sudbury. And the CBC Listen app does have individual stories from Morning North. You can also go directly to cbc.ca slash Morning North and listen to individual stories. Hopefully, we'll be back with a podcast at some point.
in the future depends on what happens with this pilot project but it's been a pleasure talking to you I do really really appreciate you taking the time to listen to this podcast and any previous that you may have listen to from Morning North. I'm Marcus Schwab, and I hope to talk to you again soon. For more CBC Podcasts, go to cbc.ca.