by Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 16/98) - As far as Chrystal Steedsman is concerned, it's her shot at the big time.

The 25-year-old country singer has been asked to perform at CBC's True North Concert in Whitehorse at the end of March.

"I got a phone call from Prescott-Brown, a country band based in Toronto. Marie Wilson from CBC phoned Randall Prescott and raved about me. They wrote a song they want me to sing at the concert called 'The Red Road.' They played it for me over the phone," says Steedsman while on a break from her job with BHP in Lac de Gras.

Steedsman first started singing with her father and her sister at retirement homes and moved on to follow the NWT talent show circuit.

"I sang at the talent shows in Hay River and Fort Providence and I always do the Fort Smith South Slave Friendship Festival," says Steedsman who has also spent a great deal of time crooning to the residents of Yellowknife.

While she admits to being incredibly nervous, Steedsman says she will use the opportunity to try and break into the world of professional music.

"It's where I'm going and I'll do everything I can to get there. It's definitely what I want to do."

She is particularly optimistic because Prescott-Brown sought her out.

"I think it is my chance, especially since Randall phoned me. He really wants me to do this song and after that, maybe we can record it together and he'll throw it on the radio and see what happens," says Steedsman who hopes to cut her first single after the concert.

Steedsman will be joined by two other NWT representatives, Tudjaat and the Gwich'in Nation Dancers.