In The Country With Dave Woods

RIKI KNOX is a singer, songwriter and entertainer who’s unique sound and genuine lyrics have seen her blazing a new trail in the country music scene. She has a style that is authentically her own. With the term ‘Bro Country’ at its peak, she offers a strong reminder that being “raised country” is a way of life…without gender attachment. “I grew up as one of the guys” she recalls. "Sure, I was happy to sit on the passenger side of the pick up, or on the back of the four wheeler, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t doing my fair share of the driving” She’s a girl who values and appreciates the ‘little things in life’. That grounded mindset has seen her go from playing church and charity events, to sharing the big stage with artists like Dallas Smith, Marc Jordan, and Justin Hines - to name a few. 2014 found Riki filling her travel book with trips between Toronto and Nashville, and into Western Canada to lay the groundwork for her forthcoming album. “I wanted to write songs that really spoke to who I am as both an a

The Western Swing Authority is a unique collaboration of seasoned professionals whose bios include multiple Canadian Country Music Awards (band members hold at least six CCMA awards and over 20 nominations among them), Juno nominations, and resumes that span from working with Gordon Lightfoot, to Ian Tyson, to George Canyon. They have been spreading the gospel of Western Swing around the world, being named the 2014 CMAO Roots Artist of the Year as well as picking up nominations for CCMA Group of the Year and Roots Artist Of The Year. The WSA recently completed their new album called NOW PLAYING -  produced by Jason Barry at Barrytone Studios. The project's release date is set for February 3rd, 2015. The Western Swing Authority is: Shane Guse, Stacey Lee Guse, Ed Ringwald aka Pee Wee Charles, Paul Chapman, Dan Howlett, Matthew Lima and Jim Boudreau. They were signed to eOne Music Canada in 2014. Visit www.thewesternswingauthority.com for more information.  

A group of three friends who made music in a house in Lubbock, Texas, recorded an album that wasn’t released and went their separate ways into solo careers. That group became a legend and then - twenty years later - a band. The Flatlanders - Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Butch Hancock - are icons in American music, with songs blending country, folk, and rock that have influenced a long list of performers, including Robert Earl Keen, the Cowboy Junkies, Ryan Bingham, Terry Allen, John Hiatt, Hayes Carll, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, and Lyle Lovett. In The Flatlanders: Now It's Now Again, Austin author and music journalist John T. Davis traces the band’s musical journey from the house on 14th Street in Lubbock to their 2013 sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall. He explores why music was, and is, so important in Lubbock and how earlier West Texas musicians such as Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison, as well as a touring Elvis Presley, inspired the young Ely, Gilmore, and Hancock. Davis vividly recreates the Lubboc

BLACKWELL returns to radio with their latest single called Welcome To The Country which has already became a huge favorite when the band performs live! BLACKWELL is a vocal trio led by singer/songwriter Braiden Turner along with singer/songwriter/guitarist Carey Blackwell and brother Dan Blackwell. All three are from musical families. Although Braiden is from Ottawa, much of her life has been spent in the small towns of southern Ontario where her family is from. Carey and Dan are from Northern Ontario where they began their musical lives  “Small town Ontario gives us the perspective of everyday people just like us” says Braiden, “We know how they think, because that’s how we think…and we can relate to them and they can relate to us! We’re all really very proud of our roots". What else that all three have in common is their love of vocal harmony, original songs, the richness of their roots and their desire to showcase their brand of originality. Carey is also adamant that Braiden be featured out front and t

CCMA award-winning country star Aaron Pritchett ("Hold My Beer", "Let's Get Rowdy", "Boat On The Water") is joined by special guests Cory Marquardt and newcomers King & Cash on the West Coast leg of their Outlaws & Outsiders tour this winter. Beginning last week in Victoria, BC, the tour will continue east with more dates to be announced soon. Outlaws & Outsiders promises rowdy, high-energy shows from both Aaron Pritchett and Cory Marquardt, who is set to release his sophomore album in the new year, and making their touring debut will be King & Cash, an Invictus Entertainment collaboration matching Faber Drive's Jordan Pritchett with country singer Dan Arnold. "The Outlaws & Outsiders tour is something I've been dreaming of for a long time," says Aaron. "Not only is it a headlining tour but I also get to be on the road with some very cool company. Cory Marquardt is a killer performer so that's going to be a fun set to watch every night! The other reason I love the Outlaws & Outsiders

Country artist JAMIE WARREN lives in Kitchener-Waterloo, but was raised in Hanover Ontario, where he pursued an adolescent dream of playing hockey professionally in the NHL, with music as a background distraction. When he realized that his natural abilities for singing and playing guitar might make it easier to attract the attention of girls, he hung up his blades. It was a logical progression for a sensitive guy who wrote poetry and short stories throughout his high school years. His interest in music was likely genetic, since his mother sang and played piano, and his father played guitar and mandolin. Jamie had piano lessons at age 5 and guitar lessons at age 8, and by the time he was 10 years old, it was traditional for the Warrens to entertain after Saturday night euchre games in their smoke-filled basement. His earliest influences were whatever his parents listened to on the radio, and the only thing his parents radio seemed to play was country music. To this day, he’s still a huge fan of Merle Haggard,

Nova Scotia's E.B. Anderson & The Resolutes derive their sound from a vintage country foundation, a keen sense of blues, and songwriting skills that catch the ear of even the most hardcore folk fans. Their latest album is called Broken Down Horse. Here are a few of their recent accomplishments:  2014 Music Nova Scotia "Americana/Bluegrass Recording of the Year" Nominee 2014 ECMA "Rising Star Recording of the Year" Nominee 2014 The Coast "Best-Of" Survey - "Best Country Band" Silver Winner Here are some reviews of their music: “A whiskey-soaked, dusty-booted throwback vibe.” - The Coast “Broken Down Horse is an admirable mix of blues, roots and rock ’n’ roll.” -The Chronicle Herald

AMELIA MARCUS was born and raised in the small town of Bothwell, Ontario. Ever since she was a little girl, her interest in singing and performing was quite evident. She started singing at the age of 4 and every night she would sing along side her Dad while he played away on the keyboard. Amelia also took piano, drum, guitar and modeling lessons throughout her childhood years. In 2008, Amelia got in touch with Lake Effect Studio (Jim Hopson) and started working on a 3-song demo. She is now releasing her debut album Take Me Back featuring the current single Just Another Day (Trying Not To Love You). Mississauga, Ontario's KAITLIN KOZELL was one of the top eight finalists in the Emerging Artist Showcase at the 2014 Boots & Hearts music festival. Since being added to the roster of Leafs anthem singers in the late fall of 2011 and performing at her first game in January of 2012, Kaitlin has had the opportunity to perform at numerous Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Marlies, and other MLSE events and functions. K

MIKE CASE is the owner of Case Music Store in Sault St. Marie. He is the NOCMA 2014 recipient of the Carol Patterson award. Mike is an important part of the continuing success of the NOCMA (Northern Ontario Country Music Association.)

CCMA Award-winning country star Aaron Pritchett will be joined by special guests Cory Marquardt and newcomers King & Cash to kick off the West Coast leg of their Outlaws & Outsiders tour this winter. Beginning on January 15, 2015 in Victoria, BC, the tour will continue east with more dates to be announced soon. Outlaws & Outsiders promises rowdy, high-energy shows from both Aaron Pritchett and Cory Marquardt, who is set to release his sophomore album in the new year, and making their touring debut will be King & Cash, an Invictus Entertainment collaboration matching Faber Drive's Jordan Pritchett with country singer Dan Arnold. North Bay, Ontario's Cory Marquardt will release his debut album entitled This Man in 2015. It will feature his recent single "Smart Phone." Cory was named the 2012 Havelock Country Jamboree Showdown winner and has since performed at major festivals including the Kipawa Country Fest and The Truck Rodeo in Quebec. He has opened shows for rock legend Brian Howe (Bad Comp

Northern Ontario recording artist and entertainer Sacha-Lee is a singer songwriter with an edge. Her music is a mixture of Country, Rock, Blues and Pop, which reflects the different styles she was raised listening to.  Born into a family of musicians, Sacha-Lee has been performing since the age of seven which would explain her comfort on stage. Her ever ready smile and intoxicating energy makes everyone feel like a part of the party.  Her second and latest album entitled The Music Made Me Do It really reflects those different styles with “Forever Thing” a Country-Pop song about knowing when a love will last through the ages, and for the die-hard Country fans out there, there is the haunting “Alone and Waiting”. Tune in to get to know Sacha-Lee and her music.

Hamilton, Ontario's ROSLYN WITTER had the chance of a lifetime to sing on stage with country superstar Keith Urban this past September. She was given the opportunity after winning a contest through radio station KX94.7 - she entered a video in which she sang the hit Keith Urban/Miranda Lambert duet We Were Us. Roslyn grew up surrounded by country music. Her father is award winning country singer Jim Witter. As a child, she made an appearance in her Dad’s music video for “Tough As A Pickup Truck”. “I’ve been singing since I could talk, so I’ve been performing with him since I was three or four years old," she explains. "And he’s been such an influence, so supportive of me.” Roslyn has just released a new song she wrote called Your Christmas Song which is available at iTunes.  

“At 14 I booked myself into a studio and recorded a demo and it was sent to a producer in Nashville. He liked it and I flew back and forth to Nashville a few times. So Nashville was the very first place I ever made music in a studio,” Toronto's Meredith Shaw explains. “And I know I have come back to this place very naturally. Every moment of putting these new songs together has felt right. I just feel very at ease and at home.” Her passion for country music was rekindled over the past few years through writing trips back down to Nashville, working with The Stellas and Carolyn Dawn Johnson - among others. Meredith's debut country single is called Better Than This - a song she co-wrote. “For much of the past couple of years most of the people I was writing with, talking with, and dealing with on a regular basis were in country music. I know I am in the right place,” she said adding that she has always been drawn to female singers who not only had powerful voices but powerful personalities, regardless of their

Tune in to hear conversations & country music with Jessie Tylre Williams, Codie Prevost & Koreen Perry! Eclectic singer/songwriter Jessie Tylre Williams - Manitoba born, and now an Alberta girl - surrenders her strong sense of ability through authentic acoustic sounds and melodies derived from the deepest realms of an intimate and personal journey. In both her writing and performance, Jessie demonstrates her raw and inspiring experience of survival and determination that drives her to create original, empowering material. Each song, like a separate chapter, unfolds a story of continual hope and courage, moving each listener through her lyrical exposure of emotion. Saskatchewan's Codie Prevost is a Canadian country music sensation. When he was 14, he picked up his first guitar, and since then his career hasn’t stopped accelerating. He began his journey on the path to fame by playing guitar, and writing songs simply to entertain his friends and family. Little did the world know that those family conce

Tune in to hear conversations & Christmas music from Leah Daniels, Barbara Lynn Doran & Nancy Laberge. Leah has steadily been building a fan base for the past couple of years. She credits the on-line social media world for much of the audience she’s already secured and it shows. She’s a two time CCMA Award nominee for “Interactive Artist” and the winner of the 2014 CCMA Spotlight Performance determined entirely by fan votes across Canada. She's also had a tour with Alan Jackson, a Green-carpet performance at the 2014 CCMA Awards and shows for the Maple Leafs (Air Canada Centre). Leah’s latest single “Go Back” was released in October and a new album is on the way in early 2015. Since her debut, Barbara’s brand of country has garnered her a number of opportunities and accolades, including nominations for the first round ballot at the inaugural 2013 CMAO awards in four categories, and the chance to perform at The Diamond in the Rough Showcase in Saskatoon at Canadian Country Music Week. More recently,

Join us for this special Christmas episode of In The Country featuring Country artists Riki Knox, Mike Biggar & RyLee Madison. Each of them has a Christmas song to share. A true performer, Riki has been described by her audiences as charismatic and highly entertaining. Whether she’s getting people up on their feet dancing, or engaging them with the strength of her original songs, Riki has a knack for drawing in the crowd and creating an unforgettable musical experience. She’s a girl who values and appreciates the ‘little things in life’. That grounded mindset has seen her go from playing church and charity events, to sharing the big stage with artists like Dallas Smith, Marc Jordan, Carole Pope, Jack DeKeyzer & Justin Hines to name a few. Mike is an award-winning Country-Rock artist from Canada’s East Coast.  His infectious melodies are well-spiced with lyrics of life, love, and loss. Powerful, punchy anthems with generous helpings of clever hooks and smart writing sit opposite intimate, tender ball

Holiday Extravagnaza 2014 is your opportunity to hear holiday favourites performed by Tori Hathaway and Friends: Shay Lee, Kasey Kohring, Grace Micallef and Heydon George, with a professional five piece band. These talented Barrie youth bring you the very best holiday entertainment this season! Bring an unwrapped gift for CTV-Barrie Toy Mountain in support of the Children's Aid Society of Simcoe County.  This event takes place Dec 12th & 13th at The Mady Centre for the Performing Arts located at 1 Dunlop Street West in Barrie, Ontario.  Tickets are available at the box office, online at www.theatres.barrie.ca or by calling 705-739-4228. Holiday Extravaganza 2014 is presented in partnership with The City of Barrie Tune in to this special edition of In The Country with Dave Woods to hear my conversation with Tori about Holiday Extravaganza 2014. You'll also hear her original holiday song called Christmas Without You.

When The Stellas took their first trip to Nashville in 2008, they were still a relatively unknown husband-and-wife duo from the Toronto suburbs, armed with little more than two voices, one acoustic guitar, and a catalog of smart, catchy songs.  These days, The Stellas are songwriters who have written 90% of the material on their own albums, as well as songs for other artists. They’re parents of Lennon and Maisy, who star as Maddie & Daphne on ABC's "Nashville."  For Brad and MaryLynne Stella, the turning point occurred during a short trip to Nashville. While there, they talked their way into playing an impromptu show at the Commodore Grill, which led to a second show the following night. A publisher was in the audience that evening, and he liked what he heard. The Stellas were offered a deal on the spot. A year later, they were on the hit CMT show "Can You Duet?", moved to Nashville and signed a record deal with EMI Canada. They took home the CCMA trophy for "Duo of the Year" in 2013.  Back in Ameri

No matter what you call him - genius, recluse, friend, foe, outgoing, unapproachable, giving, kind, or thoughtful - there is so much more to Nova Scotia's J.P. Cormier beneath the surface. Celebrated as a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, recording artist, teacher, collaborator, innovator, and award winner, J.P.’s talent is comparable to none. He’s praised in superlatives, but even these don’t do the man justice. The best way to get to know J.P. is to listen to his music. His latest song is called Hometown Battlefield. Alberta's Don Gammie is country singer/songwriter from Lucknow, Ontario but has called Edmonton, Alberta home since 1994. When attending an open mic session where he received great response to his performance from fellow musicians, he was approached by Laurence Pugh to work together on a couple of original songs. Within days, Don was in a recording studio for the first time, with seasoned studio musicians. Don is attracted to and influenced by a wide range of music from soul

For Jack Connolly, the song is everything. Free of pretensions or pomp, his Country folk-tinged tunes are all about vivid storytelling, and this talent shines on his latest album, Great Big Soul. The Toronto-based songwriter has been involved in the Canadian music scene for more than a decade. Having grown up playing coffee houses on Vancouver Island, he released his debut Indie album Open Stage in 2001. His sophomore full-length The Empty Cafe followed in 2004, and its rootsy full-band sound earned Jack the title of Songwriter of the Year at the Vancouver Island Music Awards. Seeking new experiences, he relocated to Toronto in 2009 and quickly took part in the vibrant local music scene. In addition to regularly performing his own songs around town and on the road, he formed the country 'covers' group the Gas Station Cowboys covering Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Garth Brooks and others. He drew on these influences - in addition to old favourites like Bruce Springsteen & Tom Cochrane - when penning th