In The Country With Dave Woods

Country music artist SHELLY DUBOIS was raised on a steady diet of Country classics.  Her father worked in the oil industry as a truck driver and her mother stayed at home, raising their five children. At the age of eight, Shelly picked up her mother's accordion and two years later, she had a guitar in hand – strumming and singing.  “I love to sing songs that tell a story and create a connection with the listener. It’s a great feeling”, she explains. Shelly enjoys performing solo, as a duo, a trio or with a band and has shared the stage with Duane Steele, Chad Brownlee, Hey Romeo, Jason Blaine, Dean Brody & others. Now living in Alberta, she has just released a new single to radio called This Town. 

Born in Midland and now calling Barrie home, Amy Rose entered her first singing contest Barrie’s Promenade Days at age 5. That was when her parents realized their daughter had talent to sing. She began to enter other talent competitions including Kinmount Fair which she won 3 years in a row - and got to meet one of her idols, Jason McCoy.  By the age of 10, Amy was mastering the art of yodeling with lessons from JK Gulley. At the age of 13, she released her first album Amy Rose - One Special Girl under an independent label. The release of this album landed her a spot on a Gospel tour where she opened for Conway Twitty’s daughters Joni & Kathy Twitty. Over the years, Amy has shared the stage with The Wilkinsons, Emerson Drive & High Valley. She visits In The Country to share her latest news & latest single Redneck Reunion (Party Like A Redneck).

Saskatchewan Country artist CODIE PREVOST has just released a new single to radio called Last Night All Day.  He's also shot a video for the song. The song will be part of his upcoming 4th album. Codie has won the Fan's Choice Entertainer of the Year award at the Saskatchewan Country Music awards the last four years in a row. He also earned a Canadian Country Music Award (CCMA) Rising Star nomination in 2011. Codie names artists like Keith Urban, Brad Paisley and Jason Aldean as major influences. Tune in as Codie returns to In The Country with his latest news and latest single.

Country artist JANNECKE - now living in Canada - was born and raised in Bergen, Norway. She spent many years in the music industry there performing with her Dad - the legendary Helge Nilsen. They played anywhere from small town halls for 300 to larger concert halls for audiences of three to five thousand. Jannecke's style has been influenced by Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, Allison Krauss and Lee Ann Womack. Her debut EP has been produced by Jeff Huskins, a well-known Nashville producer who worked with Country stars like Chely Wright. Once in the studio in Nashville, she was star-struck: "At one point someone said to me, 'Jannecke are you there? Are you going to sing?' Because I was just sitting there with my mouth open just looking at all these guys who have played with all my idols. It was just insane," she explains. "The guy sitting next to me has played on everything Shania Twain has ever done. I just kept staring at these guys and soaking it up. Telling myself if this doesn't go any further, I'm just going

Born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and raised in California, LYNN ANDERSON's love of Country music can be attributed to her mother - songwriter Liz Anderson. Liz composed such hits as The Fugitive and My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers for Merle Haggard. In the early 1970s, Lynn moved to Nashville and signed with Columbia Records. She soon entered the studio to record Joe South's Rose Garden which went on to become a smash crossover hit and remains a Country classic. In a career that spans over four decades, Lynn has scored 11 NUMBER ONE records, 18 Top 10s,and over 50 in the Top 40. She has earned a total of 17 Gold Albums and won virtually every award available to a female recording artist: CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year (twice), American Music Award Favorite Female Vocalist, Record World's Artist of the Decade (1970-1980), Billboard's Artist of the Decade (1970-1980) and the prestigious Grammy Award.

NSAI Toronto will be holding its 13th annual Tin Pan North Festival in the Greater Toronto Area from May 24th to May 26th, 2012. This annual event is a 'must attend' for those interested in the craft of songwriting - from beginner to pro. The three day event includes performances and workshops with songwriters from Canada and the U.S. This year's headliners include Victoria Banks, Ryan Laird & Jamie Warren. Full details & ticket info can be found online at nsaitoronto.com/TinPanNorth13. Tune in for this Tin Pan North special - featuring Dan McVeigh & Zac Wrixon  - to learn all about the event. Dan & Zac will both be sharing a song & offering some songwriting tips.

Over the last few years, IVAN DAIGLE has emerged as one of Eastern Canada's most promising Country artists. An exciting concert performer, he has shared the stage with some of the best artists around including Chris Cummings, The Wilkinsons, George Canyon and Joe Diffie. A songwriter since the age of 10, Ivan has a special ability to put his emotions into words and music in a way that speaks simply and universally. Currently, Ivan is winning fans all across Canada on Canada's Got Talent. Tune in for the latest news from this Country star on the rise!

In the past year, James Cameron Band has arrived on the music scene in the Kitchener-Waterloo area and has expanded to play shows all across Ontario. Most notably, James and the band have played at the Beaches in Toronto on Canada Day. James Cameron is a singer/songwriter from Kitchener, Ontario and recently turned 18 years old. After following in his sister's footsteps, he found himself being one of the original founders of JCB and has recently landed a spot as the front man for the Country band The Bareback Riders. With his 7 song EP called Back on Track released this past March, both James and his band have been very busy performing their music. Tune in to hear James talk about his musical influences, songwriting and performing live.

Lynae & Denis Dufresne make up the duo PEAR. They are currently beginnng a tour across Canada for the summer festival season. PEAR was nominated for two awards at the 2012 Association of Country Music in Alberta. The nominations were for Fan's Choice & Group of the Year. Denis won two 2011 CCMA awards for Fiddle Player & Special Instrument (Mandolin). PEAR's debut CD is entitled Sweet N' Gritty which was produced in Nashville by Noah Gordon. Lynae & Denis have opened up shows for Tim McGraw, Martina McBride & Paul Brandt - and others.

DEAN BRODY recently won Album of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Single of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards for his sophomore album (and title track) Trail In Life. The album was also nominated at the 2011 JUNO Awards for Country Album of the Year. Of Trail of Life, Dean says, "My life’s been kind of a trail – it hasn’t been one spot for thirty years – it’s been a bunch of different places, different memories and different friends. It’s about time passing and reminiscing". Now, this talented Canadian Country artist - bred in BC and currently based in Nova Scotia - is back with his new album Dirt featuring the hit single Canadian Girls.

MICHELLE WRIGHT gets enthusiastic when she talks about her brand new radio single Another Good Day, revealing that "it feels great to be releasing new music, as always, but I'm especially proud of this song, its positivity, its optimism ... That's the kind of overall mood I'm in these days and the songs I've been writing and singing lately reflect that." Written by Michelle along with good friend Patricia Conroy and Emerson Drive's Danick Dupelle, and produced by Jason Barry, Another Good Day also features the creativity of some of Michelle's favourite Music City musicians. Tune in to hear her talk about her new music & more. And, of course, you'll get to hear her latest single on the show.

Mississauga-based singer/songwriter PAUL MALYSA is both soulful and moody. As a songwriter, he is known to compose emotionally charged music and his honest and genuine performance style has charmed audiences everywhere. Following the success of his 2004/2005 independent CD release No More Yellow Lights, Paul then released Above the Fold in 2010. His song Take Me was featured on a compilation CD called Unforgettable Hits 2 with the likes of Norah Jones & Amy Sky. In 2012 things started to take off for Paul, with 3 of his songs being used in a feature film and being invited to perform live June 8th during Country Music Fest in Nashville. Paul will also be performing at Tin Pan North in Ontario this May.

Saskatchewan Country artist Donny Parenteau is a talented multi-instrumentalist who performs with energy and enthusiasm on the fiddle, mandolin, acoustic and electric guitars, and the unique mandocaster. Throw in his singing & songwriting and you have an artist on the rise in Canada. After 12 years touring with Neal McCoy, this seasoned entertainer has performed with numerous country artists and genuine music icons such as Charlie Daniels, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain and Reba McEntire, to name a few. His latest album is called To Whom It May Concern.

CLAYTON BELLAMY is a Juno winner for Best Country Recording, a four time Canadian Country Music Award winner, and a SOCAN Songwriter of the Year. Besides his success as a member of the popular Country group The Road Hammers, this talented Alberta-born artist has released 6 albums of his own. His latest is called Everyone's A Dreamer featuring the title-track single. Clayton says “my new solo music is a blend of both my own vibes and The Road Hammers sound, a mix I believe my fans will really enjoy – a best of both worlds as they say.” Performing has been a passion of his since he was a kid growing up participating in both his church choir and school choir which helped him hone his love for music. Although he attended College at R.D.C in Red Deer, Alberta completing the Music diploma program, his musical talents flourished through his passion for composing his own music, writing his own lyrics and playing instruments like the harmonica, the piano, and especially the guitar.

KEVIN BUSHEY is the lead singer and songwriter for BLIND RIVER which is currently based out of Hamilton, Ontario. Though he was raised on Country music, Kevin’s start in the music circuit originated in the world of rock & roll - when he was just 15 years old. With well over 20 years experience in the music industry, Kevin’s career has taken him right across Canada alongside some of the best in the business. Kevin landed one of his co-written songs on John Landry’s Changing Man CD released at the end of 2010, as well as the single Living the Dream from Country recording artist Stacey Zegers.

Over the last few years, IVAN DAIGLE has emerged as one of Eastern Canada's most promising Country artists. An exciting concert performer, he has shared the stage with some of the best artists around including Chris Cummings, The Wilkinsons, George Canyon and Joe Diffie. A songwriter since the age of 10, Ivan has a special ability to put his emotions into words and music in a way that speaks simply and universally. Currently, Ivan is winning fans all across Canada on Canada's Got Talent with moving performances like his version of the touching Country song Raymond.

Country artist RICK STAVELY is back at radio with his new single I Don't Want To Love You Like That. The song was written by Doug Folkins and the album's producer Larry Wayne Clark. Says Larry, "Rick's the Real Deal...as pure a Country singer as I've ever encountered. He feels every word and he's got Country in his DNA." Tune in as Rick talks about his music career, the new album and shares some of his latest songs.

Barbara Lynn Doran - from Scarborough, Ontario and now calling Whitby, Ontario home - recorded & released her debut self-titled EP in 2009 with producer Murray Daigle. The album showcased more of her Country sound than her past pop influences. The storytelling aspect of Country music is what she loves about the genre. And her love of melodies began as a child listening to her grandfather play the piano. Fast forward to present: Barbara has released a new single to radio called Forgot To Love Me which once again blends her Pop & Country sound. As she gets to set to release a full-length album this year, she reflects:"When I release these songs, I want to make sure they're as good as they can possibly be. I've been down to Nashville 6 or 7 times in the last 2 years and I'm always trying to become a better lyric writer & storyteller. Even though I've been a songwriter for years, I feel like I'm just starting to scratch the surface."Tune is as this talented singer/songwriter discusses her music career

STEELE just finished recording his self-titled debut album with Kent Wells, best known for his work with Dolly Parton. The lead single Private Road is currently being played on radio in the United States and is destined to become a party anthem back home here in Canada. This talented singer/songwriter was born into a fishing family in a small town in Nova Scotia. At age eight, he wrote a song about his dad running his boat aground and thus began his pursuit of singing & writing. On his album, Steele has not been afraid to write & sing about the issues that affect his community. He sings of young men and woman being sent overseas and the impact on those left behind. He openly tells of the ravages of addictions he has witnessed. He bravely sings about a loved one being diagnosed with terminal cancer. And as honestly as he sings about the tough times, he sings with joy about the good times. Tune in to get to know Steele - a nickname he's always had - and his music.

Northern Ontario Country artist CAROLE CHAMPAGNE was recently inducted into the Northern Opry with the ceremony taking place in Sault Ste, Marie, Ontario. "When I got on the bus (headed to the ceremony), and I saw everyone from Kapuskasing (her hometown) and the surrounding area there to support me, it was great. They filled a whole bus. To me, the support from home was so great. Those people are like family to me," explains Carole. Her most recent album is called Forever With Me. She wrote or co-wrote every song. She starts a dance craze with I Think I Love Rednecks, shows her romantic side on the title track, and her fun side on I Might Be Blonde (But I Ain't Blind) which includes special guest Dolly Parton. Carole is a cancer survivor who has gone on to record her songs, entertain her loyal fans and write songs with some of Nashville's best including Don Goodman (hit writer for Alabama, Reba and Blake Shelton.)