In The Country With Dave Woods

Award-winning music biographer Jake Brown returns to store shelves nationwide with a shift from the rock world to the country world with his new book Nashville Songwriter: The Inside Stories Behind Country Music’s Greatest Hits which includes exclusive interviews with country legends Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and a long list of hit songwriters.  The book features interviews with the writers behind country's greatest hits like Tim McGraw's Live Like You Were Dying, Lady Antebellum's We Owned The Night, Carrie Underwood's Jesus Take The Wheel, and many more. Songwriters featured, in this 300-plus page book, include Craig Wiseman, Dean Dillon, Bob DiPiero, Bill Anderson, Sonny Curtis, Tom Shapiro, Kelley Lovelace, Rivers Rutherford, Tom T. Hall, Wayne Carson, Chris Dubois, Dallas Davidson, David Lee Murphy, and Freddy Powers.  In addition to these never-before-revealed stories behind the songs, aspiring songwriters will find countless gems of wisdom about the craft and career of songwriting itself. Jake

Born on a farm outside of Hamilton, Ontario, AMY CHURM was destined to be a country singer. At the age of 3, she gave her first performance and belted out a version of Rhinestone Cowboy. By age 7, Amy was performing on stage. Her first musical influences include Tanya Tucker, Loretta Lynn, Don Williams, and Glen Campbell. Amy has performed at local charity shows including the Canadian Country Music Co-op which spotlighted various local musicians on country station 820 CHAM. During her teens, she competed in several competitions including the Canadian Open Country Singing Contest, Ontario Open Country Singing Contest, and the Canadian National Exhibition Rising Star competition. Her new single is called Mess Around written by Amy along with Beau Fuller. With the taunting words “I dare you”, MARK LORENZ turned an adolescent dare into a Canadian Country music career. Born and raised on a farm just north of Airdrie, Alberta, Mark Lorenz lived and breathed the country life. Learning to ride a horse and drive a tr

When it comes to music & songwriting success, Joe West and Jamie Teachenor, are in a rare class.    You may not know their names, but you know their work. With multiple Billboard #1s to their credit as songwriters, they have written smash hits and Platinum Records for artists such as Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Trisha Yearwood, Montgomery Gentry, Gretchen Wilson, Trace Adkins, and many more… with combined sales of well over 20 million albums.   On the production/studio front, there's also a long and distinguished list of credits, working on albums for Justin Timberlake, Shakira, Jewel, Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs, Emmylou Harris, Warren Zevon, Blake Shelton, Steve Earle, 98 Degrees, Mercy Me, Matthew Sweet, The Indigo Girls and many more Grammy Award-winning and Multi- Platinum selling artists.   Now, Joe West and Jamie Teachenor are stepping out from behind the curtain and putting themselves up front: as Lo-Fi.   Lo-Fi’s debut album Lo-Fi-delity features 20-time Grammy Award-winner

Robyn Ottolini is a singer-songwriter who has been immersed in the magic of music since the age of 3. In her home town of Uxbridge, Ontario, she is known for singing throughout the halls of her high school. "Without looking, teachers know it’s me when I get into class," Robyn says with a smile. She remembers coming up with melodic ideas as early as ten years old and wanting to write songs. Piano lessons weren’t enough to satisfy Robyn’s musical interests, playing flute in the school band helped but, it was the introduction of the guitar where Robyn found her writing partner. Her earliest songs were written with her grandfather’s Harmony guitar from the 1950s. "I write songs about what I’m feeling and what’s happening in my life," she explains. Robyn has a fascination with the ocean. She believes ‘what you see on the surface is different than what is underneath.’ Her lyrics reflect her unique view of the world around her. She writes songs with a seasoned eloquence beyond her young age. When the opportunity

HICKS (Miqael Persson) is a country singer and an accomplished songwriter. While in Nashville, he was able to co-write with top songwriters Anthony Smith, Dallas Rogers, Dennis Morgan and Sharon Vaughn. He met with his U.S. publisher and learned that a song he wrote ‘Cuts Like A Diamond’ on his last U.S. visit was picked up by the Little River Band. Not only did they record it, but it became the title of their new album to be released in August when they start a nationwide tour of the U.S. to promote it. Other artists such as Jimi Jamison (Survivor), Giant (Dann Huff), Bobby Kimball (Toto), W.E.T (Featuring Jeff Scott Soto), Grammy nominated Toby Hitchcock and many more have recorded his songs. Born in the southern part of Sweden, Miqael grew up with a dream of making a living with his music. Playing in local bands he wrote music, toured and learned to be a better artist and songwriter. He soon moved to Stockholm to pursue his dream of being a songwriter. His first cut with another artist was the Swedish band

Celine Tellier's debut EP Last One Standing is a culmination of 3 years of writing, feeling, highs, lows, disappointments and achievements! In 2012, she entered a songwriting competition hosted by KICX 91.7 in Sudbury, ON on a dare, and was one of the top 5 finalists. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to host numerous house concerts, and has opened for and shared the stage with many very well established Canadian country artists such as Marshall Dane, Doc Walker, Tonya Kennedy, Ty Baynton, and Tim Hicks. She's also played summer festivals such as Parry Sound Ribfest and the Blueberry Festival in Sudbury, as well as opened the weekend for Country In The Woods. A mutual friend got her in touch with Nashville-based Canadian recording artist Jason Kirkness who, after a few months of phone calls and emails, agreed to produce this album. She's made friends, taken notes and advice, and got to work; and with the support of her husband and children, "Last One Standing" was on its way! Recorded between The H

BLACKWELL is a vocal trio comprised of Carey Blackwell, brother Dan Blackwell & Braiden Turner. They've been busy working on their craft since forming in 2012. The trio has just released a great single called Redneck Style. Carey and Danny were raised in a musical family from Cochrane, Ontario, and Braiden, also from a musical family and, like Carey and Danny, has spent most of her life writing and recording songs and performing live. What they all have in common is the love of vocal harmony and the desire to showcase their brand of originality. As songwriters and singers, they have come together and shown that they have that something extra-special…something fresh and unique. Carey is not only a singer/songwriter but also one of the premier guitarists to emerge onto the world stage; Danny’s voice is a soaring instrument, powerful and compelling; Braiden’s gifts as a versatile singer/songwriter and pianist round out the BLACKWELL sound. Songwriters and producers from Marc Jordan and John Capek, to Nashv

Saskatchewan Country music artist ALEX RUNIONS has just released a brand new single to country radio called Little Bit Of Sunshine. It's the perfect catchy sing-along summertime song. The song is the lead single from his upcoming album. Highlights of his music career so far include: Saskatchewan Country Music Award Nominee (Best Male Vocalist/Rising Star), Opening act for Gord Bamford (New Year’s Eve, 2012, Casino Regina Show Lounge), Radio Star National Songwriting Contest Finalist (Song: Rollercoaster) and Winner of the 2013 Big Dog 92.7FM & SaskMusic's ‘Next Big Thing’ competition. Tune in and get to know this talented Canadian Country artist and his music.

MIKE DENNEY is President of MDM Recordings Inc., an independent recording company founded in 2008 and located in Toronto. One of his biggest dreams for his artists is to help enhance their success by securing them international recognition, and he has made this goal a priority. “My mission is to support, help nurture and grow the careers of the numerous artists that I work with on a day in and day out basis. I want to help them achieve their goals and dreams, while achieving mine with theirs.” A 25 year veteran of the music industry, Mike believes that being passionate and success-driven about music (or anything that you do) supersedes wanting a large pay check and material advances. “I have always been very driven to succeed. Years ago it was material things, now it’s a passion for what I do.” What he looks for in new artists is simple, “I want to represent talent that can really play and perform from their core, their true soul,” he explains. “I want artists that are hard-working and driven by the music,

Listowel, Ontario Country artist KARLI JUNE has been dreaming about - and working at - a career in country music since she first began performing at age 9. In high school, Karli's interest in writing blossomed and she began to write power ballads and quickly progressed into writing music to get people on the dance floor. Her musical education continued at Sir Wilfrid Laurier University where she studied classically and continued her musical journey learning under the talented tenor Brandon Leis. Karli graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Music and became determined to begin a career where she could reach people with her music whether it be to get through a difficult time or to just help them let loose.  She recently had the opportunity to open for Country artists Terri Clark and Chuck Wicks. "I listened to Terri a lot growing and it was so great to see her perform again," Karli explains. "And it was such an honour to share the stage with her. I also had the chance to chat with band members from Chuck Wicks

Canadian Country duo AUSTIN BELLE is made up of lead guitarist and songwriter Jesse Wainwright - and lead singer and songwriter Stacey McKitrick. Jesse comes from the hit-making, award-winning rock band State of Shock while Stacey is known to the Country world as a result of her self-titled album as a solo artist a few years ago. Combined, they have had the opportunity to perform with big acts Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Great Big Sea, and more. Austin Belle is currently putting the finishing touches on their debut EP - to be released in September - and have been busy touring across Canada. Still ahead, there's a Western Canadian tour planned for the end of August and a Central Canadian tour is being finalized for October. Their current single Just Drive - a perfect catchy summer road song - is getting added to country stations across Canada and the video has become a fan favourite since its release a few weeks ago,

The Westbank Country Opry - in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia -  is gearing up to celebrate its 20th anniversary! In The Country is proud to present this 90 minute special featuring many of the Opry artists and their music.  Guests on this episode of In The Country are: Ben Klick, Sharon Heise, Beamer Wigley, Bill Bates, Jeremy Willis, Deb Stone, Pam Ferens, Ken & Linda Johnson, Lavern Panich, Karen Halvorsen. Be sure to check out the Opry's website www.westbankcountryopry.com

The Legendary Soul Man SAM MOORE, voted one of the 100 top pop voices of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine, joins bluegrass group Nu-Blu as a special guest on their upcoming single release "Jesus and Jones" - a song that pays tribute to the late George Jones. Moore, who had been invited personally by George before he passed away, performed at what became Jones' tribute show Playin' Possum: The Final No Show in November of 2013. Sam took no time to agree to participate in recording this song. "I've been a fan of George's music for a long, long time and was fortunate enough that we called each other friends," says Moore. "This song honors him and says what we all have felt about him." "We absolutely love this song and its message," says Nu-Blu's Carolyn Routh. "We played the demo for George's widow Nancy Jones and she loved it. With her encouragement we recorded it and just knew we wanted to add a guest vocalist to the recording. Then we thought back to the November tribute show and remembered it was Sam Moo

Whitby, Ontario-based singer/songwriter BARBARA LYNN DORAN's new CD Love From All Sides finds her displaying even more depth as a vocalist and lyricist. “I’m heavily involved with the Nashville Songwriter’s Association so I’ve learned a lot through that. When I started writing, it was about what I was feeling at that time. I’d write and whatever came out was the way it was. I’m more particular with my lyrics now,” she says, adding that the contributions of longtime producer/co-writer/engineer Murray Daigle have been invaluable in her continuing progress in writing her best songs. Recently, Barbara has qualified as a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition, a finalist in the Great American Songwriting Competition and landed a spot on the Nashville Songwriter’s Association 2014 ‘Ones To Watch’ list. Additionally, as a coordinator with the Nashville Songwriter’s Association, she runs songwriter’s workshops for Canadian-based artists, and regularly travels to Music City to meet and perform wit

Ontario Country artist TIANNA WOODS is a dedicated and talented singer, songwriter and entertainer. She is trained in voice, acting, and dance (tap, hip hop, jazz, ballet and modern.) She also plays 6 instruments: piano, guitar, saxophone, drums, clarinet and fiddle. While in Japan a few years ago performing the lead role in the musical Anne of Green Gables, Tianna also toured the schools with her band performing for the children of Japan. She has just released her 7th single to Country radio. This one is called Rain On The Roses and was written by hitmakers Deric Ruttan & Cyril Rawson. Tianna considers herself fortunate to not only write with - but to also be friends with - hit songwriters Kerry Chater & Lynn Gillespie Chater. KERRY CHATER & LYNN GILLESPIE CHATER have written a long list of hit songs we know and love. Chater Songs include Lee Greenwood's I.O.U., George Strait's You Look So Good In Love, Alabama's If I Had You, Paul Brandt's I Meant To Do That - and many more songs recorded by th

Originally from Estevan, Saskatchewan, CHRIS HENDERSON grew up surrounded by the musical influences of many family members and friends, and mostly his father Donn. Around 2005, Chris realized his voice, sound, and heart was in Country Music and a new and focused direction was established for his career. After releasing a debut album called Follow The Signs, and sending 4 singles to Canadian Country Radio, Chris spent a great deal of time on the road all across Canada promoting his work and his releases.  By 2011, Chris realized that there was only one way to further his career. The high school English teacher decided to put his day job to the side and pursue music on a full time basis. Since then Chris has been on the road more than he's been home, and has been one of the busiest recording acts in the country. He's won several awards and contests over the years including: 620 CKRM Big Country Talent Search, Big Dog 92.7's 'Next Big Thing', and many national features such as the CCMA Fanfest Contest, and the

TANYA MARIE HARRIS admits to being somewhat of a late bloomer as far as Country music goes. “Growing up, we listened to a lot of rock more than anything. My mom never listened to Country – unless it was Patsy Cline,” she recalled of her formative years in Ontario. However, a trip into the southern United States changed all of that. “A little later on, I went on a trip to South Carolina, and they had so many Country radio stations around, so I got my first taste of it then. I went home and started listening to it, and watching CMT. I fell in love with the fact that I could understand it. Country is straight-forward, taking a page out of someone’s life and putting it to song. It was always a story that was relatable and understandable.” Tanya is currently working on a seven song EP with several of the songs already available at iTunes including the current single - now released to US radio - called Second Hand Dreams. WILDFLOWER brings a unique blend of folk-roots & rock to their own brand of Country music

With a music career that has spanned 40 years, Murray McLauchlan writes and performs songs that capture slices of life and the human experience in his songs. From "Farmer's Song" to "Down By The Henry Moore" to "Whispering Rain", you'll find yourself transported into the scenes he's capturing with his voice, melodies and lyrics. Each of those songs has received a SOCAN Classic Music Award.  Born in Scotland, Murray came to Canada when he was five years old. At 17, he began playing at coffeehouses in Toronto's Yorkville area and later attended Central Tech as an art student before deciding to become a full-time musician. Murray has eighteen albums of songs to his credit and has won eleven JUNO awards as well as RPM Big Country and Toronto Music awards. In 1993, he received The Order Of Canada. He was the host of the national CBC radio program Swinging on a Star for five years. With over a quarter of a million listeners every Saturday, this show focused attention on the artistry of distinguished and famous wr

Carleton Place, Ontario Country artist BREA LAWRENSON'S collection of songs reflects her own personal experiences and aspirations. Her musical career has taken her across Canada, and to London, UK. She frequently travels to Nashville to write and record. Brea has released several popular singles to country radio: Honey, With You Whiskey and Bottom Of The Bottle. Her new single Hell On High Heels is being released on July 8th. Spend one night out on the town with singer/songwriter/guitarist DAN ARNOLD (from Saskatchewan, now living in Alberta) and you'll find that there isn't a word of a lie in any of his lyrics. Everything is written by Dan himself and it shows. Weaving catchy hooks with southern-rock style guitars, while keeping true to a certain twang, Dan takes real life experiences and gives listeners a glimpse into a life filled with irony. In September 2013, Dan entered MCC Recording in Calgary, Alberta, with songs filled with memories of actual events of the past nine years, The result was his album T

The Tumblin' Dice are a Country band from Victoria, B.C. currently promoting their debut EP. Even though their live shows feature both covers and originals, the band suffers no identity crisis as their own original tunes provide the same 'feel good' party experience as the songs they cover. Since their formation in 2011, The Tumblin' Dice are widely known as the official house band for the now famous "Gone Country Live" events held at Upstairs Cabaret in Victoria each month. It has been these performances that have enabled the band to gel musically and perfect their signature vocal harmonies. Repeatedly drawing huge crowds to see their live performances earned them spots opening for popular Canadian Country artists Aaron Pritchett and Brett Kissel. Recently back from Toronto where they performed at Canadian Music Week, they look forward to a busy summer highlighted by their second straight invitation to be the house band at Sunfest which is Vancouver Island's largest country music festival.  Ontario Country