In The Country With Dave Woods

ROBYN OTTOLINI is a seventeen year old singer-songwriter who has been immersed in the magic of music since the age of 3. In Uxbridge, Ontario - her home town - 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.’ When the opportunity to sing on demos for a local recording studio presented itself, Robyn jumped right in. Her original songs caught the producer’s attention. Her debut album is called Fairytales and Open Doors featuring the first two singles Ring Around The Roses

Tune in for this one hour Magna Hoedown Radio Special featuring Marshall Dane, Leah Daniels, Chris Seldon, Adrian Gross (from The Slocan Ramblers) and the Showdown Winner 2013Johnny Green! All these artists - along with popular & award-winning Country artist Terri Clark (who just won the CCMA's Fan Choice Award) - will perform at the Magna Hoedown in Aurora, Ontario on Saturday, September 14th from 5 PM until midnight. Along with the musical entertainment, this event also features a Texas-style BBQ, Prospector's Raffle Draw, a silent auction & more! Each year, the Hoedown raises money for charities, not-for-profit organizations & community groups. In 2012, they raised an amazing total of $543,000. Experience the Hoedown - and help them celebrate 25 wonderful years! For more info & tickets, call 905-726-3737 or visit www.hoedown.ca

STEVE WARINER has hit the #1 spot on Country radio 14 times with hits like The Weekend, Small Town Girl, Life's Highway & Holes In The Floor Of Heaven. He's also written hit songs for other artists like Garth Brooks (Longneck Bottle), Keith Urban (Where The Blacktop Ends) & Clint Black (Nothin' But The Taillights). Steve has won 4 Grammy awards, 4 CMA awards, is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and is an acclaimed guitarist mentored by the legendary Chet Atkins. On September 10th, he releases his brand new album It Ain't All Bad which he produced and wrote or co-wrote all 12 tracks. The album reflects Steve's varied musical styles - a mix of country, rock, pop and jazz. All are soon-to-be fan favourites including Arrows At Airplanes, Don't Tell Her I'm Not & '48 Ford. Tune in to hear Steve discuss the new album (he'll share three of the songs with us) and hear him tell stories about his good friend & songwriting partner Bill Anderson, finding his hit song The Weekend, playing the Opry for the fi

With the release of her debut solo album Stronger Now in 2012 - produced by Grammy & Juno Award Winning Producer Kevin Doyle - SARAH SMITH proved that she is in fact stronger than ever. A London, Ontario native, Sarah earned national recognition with her rock band The Joys who achieved certified GOLD status, charted nationally on College Radio in 2009 & 2010 and won Best Rock Act at the Jack Richardson Music Awards, also in 2010. By stepping outside the boundaries of The Joys to bring audiences her own voice, Sarah has cultivated a sound built on her experiences. She enjoyed immediate success as a solo artist, claiming awards for Best Singer/Songwriter in 2009 and 2010 at the London Music Awards, Fan Favourite at the 2012 Jack Richardson Music Awards and was host of the Jack Richardson Music Awards in 2011. Her CD Stronger Now was picked as the #1 Album of 2012 by The London Free Press. With comparisons to the likes of Sheryl Crow and Melissa Etheridge, Sarah's own powerhouse vocals will make you stop

LEE GREENWOOD has quite a list of hit songs including Ring on Her Finger (Time on Her Hands), It Turns Me Inside Out, Somebody’s Gonna Love You, Holdin’ A Good Hand, I Don’t Mind the Thorns (If You’re The Rose), She’s Lyin', and Dixie Road. He has won numerous industry awards including Male Vocalist of the Year from the Academy of Country Music in 1983, two Male Vocalist of the Year awards from the Country Music Association in 1983 & 1984  - and a Grammy for Top Male Vocal Performance in 1985 for I.O.U.  Also in 1985, he took home the CMA Song of the Year honour as the writer of God Bless the USA. Lee started playing the piano when he was seven and the saxophone at 12. In junior high, he started his first group, called the Moonbeams. The Sacramento, California native was discovered in 1979 by Larry McFaden, who saw him performing in a show at the Nugget Casino in Sparks, Nevada. He brought Lee to Nashville and got him signed to MCA Records. He began working with producer Jerry Crutchfield - with whom he r

GARRETT WALKER'S mom and dad were both singers and musicians. When he was a very young child they would often take him to gigs with them. He'd hang out in the back room and listen to the show - breathing in the music like air. After the break up of his parents at age 8, his life changed forever, and he uses his songs to paint the pictures of his journey since - songs about love and pain, hope and faith, and always about reality. Garrett's goal is to use his talent for all the right reasons. And talent he has - you'll hear it in the songs he writes and sings. From the heartfelt Wasn't Done Loving You and All The Above to the fun and cool vibe of Leave My Guitar Alone, you will be moved and entertained. This talented singer/songwriter is making his dreams happen in Nashville and will chat with me about his music career, his songwriting, performing - and much more. Tune in and get up close & personal with Garrett and hear three of his songs signed with Crowe Entertainment.

Winnipeg, Manitoba Country artist LEANNE PEARSON's current single & video is called Get Outta My Heart - and it's a hard one to get out of your head once you hear it. It's the second release from her debut album Serendipity. The project was produced by Bart McKay. There are no boundaries for this female Country rocker, who is not afraid to play songs by male artists like Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Tom Petty, and Luke Bryan. In fact, on her album, she covers Bryan Adams' The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You. Leanne made her first appearance on CMT in 2009 on Karaoke Star. She was a top ten finalist for Winnipeg, then based on fan votes was chosen as the winner for Winnipeg. Leanne advanced to the National Top Ten final show. She was then a Top 6 finalist in Country Music Television’s Big In A Small Town which was yet another important step for her personality and talent to be showcased to the Country music fan base across the country.  At 23 years of age, this talented Canadian artist continues to

Canadian Country artist CHARLIE MAJOR'S songs celebrate the blue collar hero the way Springsteen and other roots rock artists do but it's the Country music format that Charlie calls home. He started sending songs up the charts in the mid-nineties - hits like I'm Gonna Drive You Out Of My Mind, Tell Me Something I Don't Know, It Can't Happen To Me & For The Money. In addition to radio & video success, Charlie has won 3 Juno awards and 7 CCMAs. At one point, he was signed to a big US label with a marketing department that wanted to change Charlie's look and sound. Always true to himself, he refused to sell out. Over a decade later, Charlie is as successful as ever, he headlines his own tours and pairs up with the likes of ZZ Top to rock arenas full of fans from coast to coast. Now, Charlie is about to release (on September 10th) a greatest hits album called Best 20 of the Last 20. The album includes two new tracks including his current single (Let's Make It)A Night To Remember. Tune in to get up close &

Born in Montreal, Quebec, PATRICIA CONROY was raised in a strong musical environment, influenced by the French culture, her mother’s Maritime country background and her father’s Irish roots. She credits her early years of performing with her family band, singing in church, and the always visiting musical guests in her home, as being her real musical training. “There was always a fiddle, accordion or guitar being played, and I absolutely treasure those years.” Fast forward: Patricia went on to win CCMA awards and release hits (and videos) like Bad Day For Trains, Mary On The Dashboard, Keep Me Rockin' & My Baby Loves Me. She's had success as a songwriter writing for/with other artists including Here In My Heart (a single recorded by Jimmy Rankin which she co-wrote with him), The Day I Fall (recorded by One More Girl - Patricia co-wrote it with Steve Fox & Lisa Brokop) among many other songs - including ones written with and for fellow Country artist Michelle Wright. Recently, Patricia joined Michelle,

CRYSTAL SHAWANDA'Scountry roots run deep. Born Native American, she was automatically Country - joined to the land and the real stories of everyday people. To Native Americans, music is everything. It’s their history, their dance, and used to remember and to forget. It’s a way to celebrate life and mourn death. At 12, she accompanied her truck-driver father on a long haul to the southern United States, and visited Nashville for the first time. At 13, she recorded her first album in Nashville, all of which were songs that she wrote. Over the next several years recorded 3 more independent albums, traveled back and forth to Nashville, honed her craft, and finally got a full–time gig at the famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Nashville’s world famous Broadway. While working at Tootsie’s, Crystal began to work with producer Scott Hendricks (who has produced Faith Hill, Brooks and Dunn) and it was then that Nashville music-business legend Joe Galante signed Crystal to RCA Records/Sony Music Nashville in 2007. Crystal

Born and raised in London, Ontario, TANYA MARIE HARRIS grew up listening to a variety of music genres. She recalls her mother always listening to Patsy Cline while doing the housework - then cranking up the radio for The Eagles or AC/DC in the car. Tanya wrote her first song at just 8 years of age called More Than I Can Stand. She remembers the exact moment she fell in love with Country music: She was 12 years old on a trip to South Carolina and heard Joe Diffie's hitJohn Deere Green - and her pursuit of a Country music career began. She has performed with several bands over the years, won a few singing contests and even performed many times as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator. Tanya has recorded two songs/singles - A Woman Scorned and Second Hand Dreamsat Daredevil Production in Nashville with producers Kelly Schoenfeld and John Dwinell. Tune in & get to know Tanya and her music. For more Country music interviews, visit www.inthecountryinterviews.com

Ottawa-based Country artist & teen hearthrob JORDAN MCINTOSH is making a big name for himself through great performances at various venues this summer and through his singles at radio - and his videos. By now you've probably heard Walk Away, Let Me Love You & his latest Grew Up In A Country Song. Music is his passion and he's pursuing it with 100% determination. “I obviously had a dream of this growing. That started to become a reality over the past year. That might seem quick but I've been working at this for about seven or eight years,” Jordan explains.“There was always that hope but I keep an open mind and stay grounded. There's a one-in-a-million chance that you'll make a career of your ability. It keeps you focused.” With initial influences like Carrie Underwood and Mariah Carey, he now credits the likes of Luke Bryan, Johnny Reid, Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean for further inspiring him. Still in his teens, Jordan is wearing 'two hats' - that of a student and that of an upcoming Country star. “It

Toronto-based Country singer/songwriter MIKE BUTLER is making all the right moves in launching his music career. For his first ever recording experience, he headed to state-of-the-art Toronto facility Noble Street Studios with Juno-nominated producer/keyboardist Doug Romanow and an all-star cast of players. This is contemporary Country music full of heart, soul, high energy, and an upbeat sense of humour. Mike's self-titled debut album kicks off with the rousing party anthem There Goes The Weekend - a co-write by Mike and veteran Canadian hit writer Tim Taylor.

Fourteen year-old Barrie, Ontario Country singer/songwriter TORI HATHAWAY released her first EP in July 2013. The project was produced by Doug Romanow at Noble Street Studios in Toronto. A self-motivated artist who has written over 100 songs so far, Tori is actively participating in songwriting rounds in Toronto, Oakville and the GTA. Additionally, she has performed in over 200 live performances, radio and TV appearances since 2010 gaining valuable stage experience and building a supportive fan base. Tori has been selected to showcase at the 2013 Country Music Week Diamonds in the Rough showcase event taking place in Edmonton in September 2013.

Toronto-based Country singer/songwriter MIKE BUTLER is making all the right moves in launching his music career. For his first ever recording experience, he headed to state-of-the-art Toronto facility Noble Street Studios with Juno-nominated producer/keyboardist Doug Romanow and an all-star cast of players. This is contemporary Country music full of heart, soul, high energy, and an upbeat sense of humour. Mike's sef-titled debut album kicks off with the rousing party anthem There Goes The Weekend - a co-write by Mike and veteran Canadian hit writer Tim Taylor. Fourteen year-old Barrie, Ontario Country singer/songwriter TORI HATHAWAY released her first EP in July 2013. The project was produced by Doug Romanow at Noble Street Studios in Toronto. A self-motivated artist who has written over 100 songs so far, Tori is actively participating in songwriting rounds in Toronto, Oakville and the GTA. Additionally, she has performed in over 200 live performances, radio and TV appearances since 2010 gaining valuable sta

This special presentation of In The Country with Dave Woods features interviews - and music - with Michelle Wright, Beverley Mahood, Patricia Conroy & Carolyn Dawn Johnson. On Saturday, August 10th in Exeter, Ontario, these four ladies of Canadian Country Music (and beyond) shared the stage to play their hits in an acoustic concert. Interviews on this show are past highlights from previous interviews - Michelle Wright (April 2013), Beverley Mahood (May 2013), Patricia Conroy (September 2010) & Carolyn Dawn Johnson (August 2010 ). For more episodes of In The Country, check out www.inthecountryinterviews.com

WILL ARDELL grew up on a farm in Rock Point, Saskatchewan, amidst a strict, religious, and modest upbringing. He began writing poetry at a young age, placing first in a national competition and later placing internationally in his teens. Due to the confines of the religious culture in which he was raised, Will did not learn to play guitar until he was 19 years of age. Fast forward to present: He wrote all the songs on the double CD All About the Ride/Leaving (with the exception of one co-written track). Will received5 2013 Saskatchewan Country Music Association nominations (Song of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Video of the Year and Rising Star). He took home the Rising Star Award. Kate Taylor & Kendall Turnbough started writing songs in Nashville, Tennesse in 2011. A writing relationship rapidly turned into a performance relationship as they realized blending their voices sounded dynamic and smooth all at the same time. As they were asked to open for many acts Burns & Poe, Restless

The Magna Hoedown Showdown is a talent competition that takes place September 6th through 8th at Aurora's Ribfest in Aurora, Ontario. The 1st place winner of the Hoedown Showdown will receive $1000 in cash, a guitar of their choice from Yamaha worth $1000 AND a performance at the 25th Annual Magna Wild Wild West Hoedown on September 14th in Aurora. All proceeds go to various charities and non-profit organizations in York Region. This is an event that has in previous years featured performances by Country stars Paul Brandt, Emerson Drive, Aaron Lines, and many others! Entries for the Showdown must be received by July 31, 2013. Head to www.hoedown.ca for rules & regulations - and to enter!  This special features past Showdown winner Kirsten Jones along with one of this year's Showdown judges Country artist Beverley Mahood (her current Country single Hope and Gasoline is a radio hit & the video is up for a CCMA award).

Ontario's AMY ROSE & Saskatchewan's J.J. VOSS join me on this one hour Double Shot of Country episode. Amy has had a warm welcome at Country radio with her single I Just Want You To Know. And now she has just released her new single Sunshine. J.J. is releasing a new single from his cleverly titled album Show 'Em Who's Voss. The song is called Breakin' Things. Tune in and get up close & personal with these two talented Canadian Country artists. And hear more Country Music interviews at www.inthecountryinterviews.com.

This episode features a double shot of Country -  Colin Amey & Kaitlin Kozell! COLIN AMEY has just released a brand new 5 song EP called Just Do What You Do. It features his version of the Kim Mitchell classic Go For A Soda. Colin has recorded several albums with successful radio singles and is a popular entertainer who knows how to write a hit. Country fans will recall his songs What My Heart Don't Know & If I Didn't Call It Love. He was also a part of the Country trio Wade Amey Wade featuring Thomas Wade and his wife. KAITLIN KOZELL has made a name for herself performing at various songwriters’ circles and showcases, festivals, galas and anti-bullying campaigns. 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. She dreams of performing on the Grand Ole Opry someday. Kaitlin's current radio