In The Country With Dave Woods

Ontario Country artist GRAHAM TRUDE is an avid outdoorsman who shares his love of life through his music and passion for his country through his lyrics. He developed a love of Country music at a young age, listening to the songs of Brooks 'n Dunn, Garth Brooks and various artists who made a lasting impact on him. It wasn't long before he began writing and performing his own music. As a hard-core patriot, Graham’s life took a turn in 2007 after joining the Canadian Forces, but he never lost touch with his love of music. While posted as a member of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadian’s) Tank Regiment in Edmonton, Alberta, his music career really began to flourish. He began writing about his journey thoughout Canada and the developments of his life through the forces and experiences which he had overcome. Graham took his love of music with him wherever he went including his training in provinces across Canada and further to Dubai, Germany and Kandahar, Afghanistan where he was on mission fighting as a fr

THE BOOM CHUCKA BOYS have a knack for walking the fine line between many musical stylings. A whole lot of Country, with a splash of rock n’ roll. Then sprinkle in some gospel, and a little bit of soul. Heavily inspired by all eras of music, they pull from the likes of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, CCR, The Band, Dwight Yoakam, Dierks Bentley, and the Zac Brown Band. Front man Ryan Langlois’ stage presence, showmanship and voice are one of a kind in today’s Country music landscape! Add to the mix Joel Rathjen on lead guitar, Teddy Roy Michaylow on bass, and Dave Grobe on the drums, and you have group of singers, songwriters, and showmen that are incredibly engaging, and entertaining. The band took shape in July of 2010. They began honing their musicianship, songwriting, and performance at any live venue that would lend them a stage. It didn’t take long for them to establish a reputation as a “band on the rise”! Then on a chilly night in January of 2011, CCMA award-winning Country artist Gord Bamford happened to

Sasktatchewan's JAY SEMKO's latest radio single released to Country radio is called Harmony which is featured on his Sending Love album. As a member of the Northern Pikes (inducted into the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2012), Jay was part of the hit singles which include Teenland, Things I Do for Money, She Ain't Pretty, Girl With A Problem, and Kiss Me You Fool. The band received 8 Juno Award nominations, and Jay received 2 Canadian Music Publishers Association Awards for Teenland and Girl With A Problem. He is known worldwide as music composer on the internationally syndicated TV series Due South. Jay was recently nominated at the 2013 Canadian Screen Awards (formerly the Geminis) for his work on the TV series Dust Up in the category of Best Original Music for a Non-Fiction Program or Series. Jay is an accomplished voiceover artist and a full ACTRA member, with his voice being heard on radio and television advertisements, public service announcements, documentaries, and dramas, and has also instru

JAMES CAMERON is the front man for the James Cameron Band - an up & coming Country band from South Western Ontario. After joining together in 2011, James and the band have found themselves in the midst of the Canadian country music scene. Soon after, James and the crew took the stage at Music in the Fields in Lucknow, Ontario. As voted by the public, they found themselves coming out on top of an online poll called the Sepoy Saloon Showdown and receiving the invitation to play on the Saturday of this two day country festival, which headlined the likes of Doc Walker, Terri Clark and Travis Tritt. This brother/sister duo will be back at MITF this summer, playing the Big and Rich after party, as well as opening for Friday night’s headliner, Blue Rodeo.  After only being together since early 2011, JCB has taken great steps towards fulfilling their dreams in the country music industry. The band can showcase a soft side, which lies within some original material and acoustic performances. But, their high energy s

MICHELLE WRIGHT's long-anticipated new album Strong will be released on July 9, 2013. The album, featuring her latest single Strong, is Michelle's first release of original material in seven years. The video for the title track - which she co-wrote with Deric Ruttan and Melissa Pierce - has been added to CMT Canada's playlist. Recorded in Ontario and Nashville, the album was produced by Jason Barry, Eric Silver and Danick Dupelle. Michelle's passion for songwriting has grown with her newest project - she co-wrote 10 of its 11 songs. "I created this record with a group of friends that I admire as writers, singers and producers. We had a lot of fun," says Michelle. "The songs are a collection of my observations about life and the people around me and how we're all just stumbling through it. At time there is laughter and joy; at other times, pain and disappointment. Overall, I hope this record is inspiring and relatable to my fans." Tune in as Michelle discusses the new album and shares some songs from it.

Along with 4 CCMAs (Canadian Country Music Awards) and the 2011 title of Alberta's Country Music Association’s Male Artist of the Year, SHANE CHISHOLM has released 2 CDs: Hitchhiking Buddha in 2009 and No One Came in 2012.   From those 2 albums, he has released 12 radio singles with top 40 success in Canada and top 20 on the Australian charts. If you get out to see Shane in concert, you will get to experience the Gas Tank Bass (which won him a CCMA for unique instrument)! He'll talk about it on the show. Shane recently opened up a show for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and is getting set to open a show for Aaron Pritchett. Tune in and hear Shane talk about his music career - he'll also share a couple of songs including his rockabilly version of Aerosmith's Walk This Way.  

Vernon, British Columbia Country artist RAQUEL WARCHOL has a lot to celebrate in 2013. Her song Leaving Home (co-written with Cody Fry) placed in the Top 30 of the Music City Songwriting Competition in Nashville. Judges this year included Little Big Town and hit songwriter Tim Nichols. Plus -USA Today picked one of her songs for their exclusive weekly Playlist (5/13/13). The song Gone recorded by co-writer Jessica Campbell was highlighted as one of the week’s most intriguing tracks. A recent high school graduate, Raquel has travelled to LA & Nashville over the past 3 years to write with award-winning songwriters and fellow artists. Her influences include Bryan Adams, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow & Shania Twain.

Alberta Country artist GORD BAMFORD has an impressive track record of sending songs - and videos - to the top of charts. From earlier hits like Life Is Good& My Heart's A Genuis to current chart toppers Is It Friday Yet,Disappearing Tail Lights& Must Be A Woman, we've come to expect nothin' but a great song & a Country sound from Gord. Tune in to hear Gord's latest news, career highlights and stories behind his hit songs. Check out more In The Country episodes at www.inthecountryinterviews.com

After receiving two BCCMA nominations (Horizon Award & Group/Duo Of The Year) last fall, ROBYN & RYLEIGH Gillespie are releasing their first full-length self-titled album on July 17th - distributed by MDM Recordings. As the perfect showcase of their sibling harmonies and Country flavour, the album also includes songwriting contributions from Taylor Swift, Steven Lee Olsen, and Kathleen Higgins. In 2010, Robyn & Ryleigh were discovered by veteran country music producers/managers David Wills and Paul Shatto, who were impressed by their blossoming stage presence and energy. Known for their success in launching the careers of acts like The Higgins, AJ Woodworth, and The Matinée, Wills and Shatto turned their attention to Robyn & Ryleigh and fine-tuned their sound in a studio setting. This collaboration led to Robyn & Ryleigh’s debut EPLove Always and live showcases including the 2010 BC Summer Games, the 2011 BC Country Music Awards, the 2011 Merritt Mountain Music Fest, and the 2012 Canadian

They are the real deal, there's no doubt about it. At a time when Country music can seem to be more modern than traditional, Stratford, Ontario’s MCCULLOUGH GIRLS proudly showcase their authentic roots. Built on the kind of pure harmonies that only family members can create, mother/daughter duo Deborah and Callie combine elements of bluegrass, folk, roots and Americana and deliver fresh, sassy, and honest original songs that proudly pay homage to the greats – Hank Sr., Dolly Parton, The Dirt Band, Pam Tillis, Emmylou and Johnny Cash. But these girls are never predictable and not easily labelled. Throw in dashes of Jann Arden, John Prine, early Bonnie Raitt and The Rankins and you’re starting to get the complete picture. Their second full-length album (the first was recorded under the name Wildwood Flowers) takes their hip, edgy, traditional, rootsy sound to an entirely new level. Bad Daughter was recorded in Nashville, produced by Dave Fowler and features ten diverse yet cohesive tracks all written by The Gir

Country/pop singer-songwriter NICOLE RAYY has just released her debut EP called Only Everything. A compelling storyteller, Nicole’s lyrics reflect her honest emotions and the natural rasp and edge to her vocals makes her unique among many female Country singers. Born in January of 1992, Nicole’s love of music began at a very young age. As a child, she took piano and vocal lessons in her hometown of Oakville, Ontario. Described as a gifted singer and performer by her teachers, Nicole took part in school musicals, summer camps and talent shows as an outlet for her strong desire to perform for others. Nicole recorded Only Everything with award-winning musician, composer and producer Lance Anderson at Cherry Beach Sound. The title for this album started as lyrics from a song Nicole originally wrote about a boy when she was fifteen. Since then these words have become her motto for anything that is really important to her. “The words remind me of how far I’ve come and how special music is in my life. This is why th

Part 90's grunge front man and part Southern gentleman, Ontario Country artist BRETT KINGSWELL is having a busy 2013 performing at various venues & releasing his debut album From The Country. Teaming up with Toronto producer Ron Allen of The Hive Studios and 360 Artist Mangement, Brett has developed a country-rock sound that is all his own. On Saturday June 22nd, this talented Canadian artist from Port Elgin, Ontario - now living in Uxbridge - will headline the EMERGE Redpath Waterfront Festival at Sugar Beach in Toronto. Tune in & get to know the exciting new sound on the Country Music scene known as Brett Kingswell.

Nova Scotia Country artist JD CLARKE is working on a new album which will feature his latest single Better Off Gone. He's also recorded another song for the project called Sweet Ride which was written by Jason Blaine & Deric Ruttan. Growing up, JD listened to a lot of music - like most young people - but he went a step further. “I wasn’t just listening, I was dissecting every sound, every note and every nuance of my favorite artists songs…trying to get inside them so that I could see, feel and hear what made them so great.” It was from those endless moments listening to those songs during his youth that JD realized what he wanted to do with his life - and that was to play music for everyone and anyone that would listen.

New Brunswick Country artist IVAN DAIGLE returns to In The Country to chat about his recent trip to Nashville which included some performances at the legendary Tootsie's Orchid Lounge. He even had the chance to sing on the Opry stage! Ivan had some productive songwriting sessions while there. He'll share a brand new song with us on the show that he wrote with the great Larry Wayne Clarke who passed away recently. Tune in to catch up with this talented Canadian Country artist who won fans & hearts across the Country with his performances on Canada's Got Talent.

If good clean fun and old fashioned harmonies are what you’re looking for, then look no further than the MOONSHINE MOLLYS. This Country vocal trio based out of Vancouver Island is composed of Cassandra Smith, Denise Gray, and Mitra Kostamo. All are former teachers and have been singing together since spring 2012. Their debut album Free As A Bird was just released and celebrated at their June 8th CD release party. “Performing is a way to connect with others, meet new friends and just share the love!” The Mollys look forward to upcoming shows in the Vancouver Island area and also have their sights set on festivals far and wide. This episode will also feature interviews with JD Clarke & Ivan Daigle!

"If you don’t stand for anything in your life, then your music won’t stand for anything either”. This bold statement comes from Juno award winner CLAYTON BELLAMY. With the release of his fourth solo album Five Crow Silver, this talented Canadian artist is out to back that statement up in his typical take no prisoner’s style. Most people know of Clayton from his years with the platinum selling band The Road Hammers, but that is only one piece of a large and varied musical puzzle. Calling upon his roots rock influences, Clayton has enlisted a who’s who of rock n’ roll royalty to flesh out his new collection of songs. Recorded at various locations in Canada and the US, the line up includes Garth Hudson (The Band), Bobby Keys (The Rolling Stones), Ian McLagan (The Faces), Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton from Stevie Ray Vaughn’s legendary backing band Double Trouble, Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar), Tom Wilson (Blackie and the Rodeo King’s), Audley Freed (The Black Crowes), Chad Cromwell (Neil Young, Joe Walsh), Kelly P

Yorkton, Saskatchewan Country artists SAMARA YUNG's debut album Show Me The World produced by Steve Fox was released in 2008 and led to 2 SCMA award wins: Rising Star and Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2010 ceremony. Samara’s second album July Rain was released in December of 2011. On this project, she co-wrote all but one song. She also got the chance to realize her dream of filming a music video with CCMA award winner Stephano Barberis for the single Mardi Gras (which she co-wrote with Steve Fox). In 2012, Samara won 2 more SCMA Awards: Female Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year for Everyday Matters. In 2013, she won another 2 SCMAs for the song Mardi Gras: Video of The Year & Song of The Year. In addition to her busy schedule, this talented Country artist finds time to visit schools to encourage children to believe in themselves and to follow their dreams.

A native of Dallas, Texas, LULU ROMAN is best known for being part of the cast of the popular and long running hit TV show Hee Haw. She is the recipient of a Dove award, and has been nominated many times. She is also a member of the Country Gospel Music and Christian Music Halls of Fame. Lulu has also been honoured with the JD Sumner Living Legend Award and named Favourite Crossover Artist by the Country Gospel Music Association. She has just released a new project entitled At Last. The album features 12 of her favourite standards and classics, such as I Will Always Love You, Summertime, You Don't Know Me, Til I Can Make It On My Own, and the title song. Her dear friends Dolly Parton, T. Graham Brown, Linda Davis, and Georgette Jones also join her on the album. Tune in for this special conversation with Lulu and to hear songs from her new album.

Ontario's ZAC WRIXON'S love affair with music started early. "There was a really great mix of music at home", he recalls, "everything from Gordon Lightfoot and Kenny Rogers, to classical composers. I started playing classical piano at age six, but at the same time I learned every word to Lucille and played those Lightfoot records until I wore them out. My parents still have a picture of me, four years old, wearing these giant headphones, conducting in front of the stereo." Fast forward to present: Zac writes songs regularly and has close to 20 cuts by various artists. He is about to release his first EP. And he'll play the popular Tin Pan North event on Thursday, May 23rd at 7:30 PM at the Black Swan Pub in Toronto. There's a lot more news to share and some songs to play. Tune in and get up close & personal with Zac Wrixon and his music.

Great news for BEVERLEY MAHOOD fans - and fans of a great voice - she's back with brand new music. The first song is called Hope and Gasoline which is now at Country radio and the video for the song is being played on CMT. A full album is set for release soon. Exciting times are just ahead as Beverley has an exclusive management deal with Nashville-based All Entertainment which promises a new journey for her into the competitive U.S. Country market. "Each album I’ve done is reflective of the time of my life in which I recorded it," says Beverely. "My music is the story of my life. It’s honest and real. I don’t ever hide behind misleading lyrics. As a performer and individual, I have my own style and would like to be considered a strong woman with something intelligent to say through a heartfelt sound." The new single and upcoming album are sure to add to the long list of hits from this talented artist. Tune infor my chat with Beverley about her music career and new music.