In The Country With Dave Woods

Alberta Country artist Colleen Rae has many reasons to be proud of her debut CD What You Need Is Me. It has earned her nominations from the Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA), Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA), and Toronto Independent Music Awards (TIMA). Over the last decade, Colleen has toured as part of the band Cornerstone throughout Western Canada. They've shared the stage with artists such as Corb Lund, Adam Gregory, Charlie Major - and even Comedy legend Dan Aykroyd. Colleen has performed the hits of Country star Connie Smith in a tribute show. Her writing partners include hitmakers Byron Hill, Rob Heath, Tim Taylor, and Wood Newton. Recently, she took part in the filming of the APTN series Blackstone as an extra in 6 different scenes. Tune in to learn all about this talented Canadian Country artist - and hear some of her songs. You can comment on this show by e-mail at inthecountry@mail.com.  

Dean Brody – originally from Jaffray, BC & now living in Nova Scotia – is riding high on the success of his 2nd album Trail In Life. He’s earned five Canadian Country Music Association award nominationsincluding Male Artist, Songwriter and Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year andAlbum, Song & Single of the Year. The awards will be handed out in Hamilton, Ontario in September. The current album has sent several songs to the top of the charts: Wildflower, Roll That Barrel Out, People Know You By Your First Name, Trail In Life & now the new single Little Yellow Blanket. Tune in as Dean talks about his music career and shares some of the stories behind his hit songs.

Alberta Country artist Tanya Ryan loves playing at local venues like Gitter's Pub in High River where she got her start as a singer-songwriter. In June 2010, she took her first of several trips to Nashville to learn more about the business & art of making music. Asked to name her favourite artists, the list includes Ray Charles, Zac Brown, Johnny Cash, and Jason McCoy. You can see & hear Tanya's talent on YouTube with her performances of her original songs Like Gasoline and Don't Date A Girl Like Me. Tune in to hear this rising Canadian Country artist talk about her start in music, songwriting & much more. To comment on this show, please e-mail us at inthecountry@mail.com.

Grande Prairie, Alberta Country artist Tenille is nominated for the 2011 CCMA Female Artist of the Year. Prior to the awards ceremony in Ontario in September, this talented 17- year-old will open a show for Country star Easton Corbin ("A Little More Country Than That") in Grand Prairie. Earlier this month, Tenille performed her song Real Me - from her debut CD Real - on CTV's Canada AM. Her video for her song Pictures On A Crooked Wall has aired on CMT. Recently, Tenille took a trip to Nashville to write with hitmakers Willie Mack, Gil Grand & Patricia Conroy. Tune in to hear from this rising star on the Country scene. We'll cover her start in music, songwriting, performing, plus much more - and you'll hear songs from her CD. To send your comments on this episode, e-mail us at inthecountry@mail.com.   

Country artist Christi Bauerlee has been singing melodies since before she could put sentences together. As she grew up, she never stopped singing, writing and performing. Along the way, she added modelling and acting credits to her resume - including appearing in movies that starred Demi Moore & Corey Feldman. Her version of the Edwin Starr song War aired every Monday night for 2 seasons as the theme song for the CBS show Family Law. She's also sung background vocals for Neil Young. Christi is no stranger to singing on stages across the U.S. with artists like Craig Morgan, Kimberley Locke and John Waite. Tune in as this talented singer-songwriter talks about her music career, songwriting & more.

62 North is a rockin' Country band based out of Peterborough, Ontario. The group's members areDylan Mader, D.J. Brown & Frank Towns. They recently released a new album entitled Quit Work, Make Music - 3 of the 9 songs are originals. Some of the selections are songs made famous byBrooks & Dunn, Jason Aldean and Hank Williams Sr. This hard-working group has opened up shows for Country stars such as Michelle Wright, Jason Blaine, & Deric Ruttan - and has worked as a back-up band for Peterborough artists like Brenda Mullen, Elyse Saunders & Kristen T. Clark. With this new album & a busy touring schedule ahead, 62 North is looking to make a name for the group with music lovers & radio. The album's debut single is Til The Next Day written by D.J. & Dylan.

Saskatchewan's Codie Prevost is nominated for Rising Star at this year's Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) awards. He's already won the Saskatchewan (SCMA) Fans Choice Entertainer of the Year three times - as well as many other SCMA awards. His current album Get Loud was produced by Vancouver's great Tom McKillip. Rolling Back To You - the lead off single/video from the album - proved successful at radio & CMT. With a busy touring schedule & an upcoming video shoot, it's clear that Codie's success in Country music can be attributed to hard work & talent. Learn more about this popular Canadian artist at codieprevost.com. Tune in to this episode of In The Country to hear Codie discuss the making of his current CD, shooting videos, songwriting, entertaining & much more.

Nikki Shae grew up on a horse farm in a small town just north of Toronto. Her interest in singing began at an early age & she started writing songs at age eleven. After high school, Nikki studied Entertainment Management at a private school in Toronto to gain a thorough understanding of the music business & to ensure she was prepared to succeed in it. Nikki’s breakthrough came when she entered an Idol competition in hopes to win money for recording. She decided to stick with her roots and sing a Country song - Shania Twain’s Up. Nikki had been told for years that her voice & the way she writes from her heart suited Country music best. In 2011, she's been busy writing & recording - and getting ready to take her music career to the next level. 

Brian Allen’s resume includes positions as a touring musician, recording artist, songwriter, producer, A&R for a major independent label, department manager for a Performing Right Organization and, most recently, a part time music business instructor at Metalworks Institute. He has earned multi-platinum awards for his songs, productions and A&R endeavours. As a songwriter, Brian co-wrote What About Love with Jim Vallance & Sheron Alton which became a Top 10 hit worldwide for Heart in 1985. He went on to produce double platinum albums for Bad Boys & Lee Aaron. His list of credits goes on and on. Brian is currently working with artists like Marshall Dane, Mike Lynch & Darrelle London. Brian joins me on the show to discuss songwriting, demos, album production & much more. The show will also feature songs from Marshall Dane.

Born in Belleville, Ontario – now based in Stoney Creek, ON - the past eight years have found Country singer/songwriter Brad James on a musical journey since discovering his first acoustic guitar. “My friend left a guitar in my trunk and I started messing around with it. I learned a couple of chords and really came to enjoy it,”he recalls. “Working at a country bar, I got to know some of the bands. Eventually, one of them convinced me to get up on stage on and sing. Besides being ridiculously nervous, it was amazing.” Brad feels that his self-titled debut album is the perfect representation of his live performances. Rockin’ tunes like “If You Like That Sorta Thing” and ballads like “Bitter” will no doubt earn this talented Canadian artist a ton of new fans. Tune in to hear all about Brad's music career & some songs from his CD.  

Kal Hourd’s confidence in his lifelong dream of singing & songwriting must have soared after taking home awards for Album, Song and Single of the year at the 2010 Saskatachewan Country Music Awards. The award-winning album called Haven't Even Met Yet was also - believe it or not - launched into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour with Canadian Astronaut Julie Payette in June 2009. Ms. Payette, a fan of Kal's music, contacted him through his website requesting to take a copy of his album into space with her. Kal's musical roots formed as a child - playing guitar and singing at family functions. With the encouragement of family & friends, this talented Canadian started performing in talent competitions - and there was no looking back. "They encouraged me to go after what I wanted, and what I wanted was to be heard.”  Tune in to hear Kal talk about his influences, songwriting, successful debut album & more.

Jetty Road is now making waves in Canada and Europe as well as in their home country Australia. In January 2010, the group received one of Australia's highest Country music accolades, the CMAA Award (Golden Guitar) for Best Group. Group members are identical twin sisters, Lee and Paula Bowman as well as Julian Sammut and Simon Ross. Their new album - their fourth - is entitledFar Away Places featuring the first radio single Serves You Right. The project was recorded in Vancouver with producer Paul Shatto & features co-writes with George Canyon and Jason McCoy. Recently, Jetty Road took another big step forward by being signed to On Ramp Records, one of Canada’s premiere country music record labels.

Country legend Hank Williams died on January 1, 1953 - and just a few days later his daughter Jett Williams was born. "I maintain that as his soul was leaving this world my soul was coming into it," Jett reflects. She was adopted by Hank's mother and later by another family. It wasn't until the early 1980s that she learned who her biological father & mother (Bobbie Jett) were. In 1990, Jett published her autobiography Ain't Nothin' As Sweet As My Baby. In recent years, she's been passionate about promoting a great discovery of unreleased songs & old radio shows from her father. The collection is packaged as The Complete 'Mother's Best' Recordings. Listening to these recordings is a chance to get to know Hank better than ever. Jett joins me to share stories from her life & music career - and to talk about her famous father who wrote & performed timeless classics like Hey Good Lookin', I Saw The Light & I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry.

Originally from just outside of Detroit, Michigan, Rachel Williams now calls Nashville home. A finalist on USA Network’s Nashville Star 2, this gifted singer-songwriter has released several CDs and EPs, all available on iTunes.  She has shared the stage with artists like Wynonna, Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, and Ronnie Milsap. Rachel's sound is Country at the core but reaches beyond into other genres. Mix Nashville with Motown and throw in a bit of edgy pop-rock and you have the recipe for her style. “I look at people like my idols, Bob Seger, Wynonna, Bonnie Raitt, and I see that after all this time, they are still as amazing as they ever were.  They stayed true to themselves and decades later, they still rock better than any concert I've ever seen!  That’s the kind of career I want." Tune in and get to know Rachel Williams & her music. 

Since arriving on the Country music scene in 2002, Alberta's Craig Moritz has been wowing crowds with his from-the-heart performances that are packed with lively vocals and rockin' beats. Born in Medicine Hat, Craig grew up listening to Country music and could often be heard singing along to Don Williams, Randy Travis and George Strait. After moving to Fort McMurray at age 12, Craig explored his passion for music through the school band playing saxophone, but as he says, "I figured if I couldn't wear a cowboy hat, strum a guitar and sing a few country tunes, it just wasn't for me." After a chance meeting with Toby Keith at a concert in Regina, Craig was encouraged by the Country superstar to pursue his dreams. We'll catch up with Craig to hear his latest news - and to hear some of his newest songs which he co-wrote with Canadian hitmaker Steve Fox.

Country-Rock artist Steve Rivers released his debut album Beginnings Of A Work In Progress in 2008. That project has earned him success not only as a talented singer & guitarist, but also as an aspiring songwriter and producer. Steve performs regularly in Nashville and Canada. His music spills over into several genres: Country, Rock, Americana, and Blues. His musical influences include Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Bryan Adams and the Beatles. Steve is currently working on his follow-up album in Nashville to be released in 2011. Tune in to hear Steve talk about his start in music, songwriting and recording his upcoming album.

Linda M studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music and has been privately mentored by hit songwriters from the U.S. including Pat Pattison. She is a professor of Songwriting, Artist Development and Music Collaboration at Seneca College in Toronto and is currently completing her Masters Degree in Music at York University. Linda has received awards from Billboard, Songwriter Universe, The Great American Song Contest & The Dallas Songwriter's Association. Her songs have been recorded by Canadian and American artists including Erin Haley ("Can't Let You Go & Mamma Says"). She has also had her songs featured on TV and on movie soundtracks. As an artist, she has released two albums and has shared the stage with Amy Sky & opened for Paul Brandt. Linda is here to talk about her background in music and to discuss the art and craft of songwriting - and more..  

"I love helping songwriters and artists find their voice and their audience," says Nashville music producer Kim Copeland. Although she spent time early on in her career performing on the stage, her home and heart are in the studio. In addition, she's a gifted songwriter and a song troubleshooter/coach for TAXI, the NSAI and The Songwriters Connection. "I don't like to be locked into a single style," she says, and thus she has brought her touch to styles ranging from Country and Bluegrass to Pop, from R&B to Texas roots music. As a producer, Kim does everything from songwriter demos to pitch packages to finished masters for radio. Some of the artists she currently works with are Rachel Williams, Drake Jensen and Annelise Walley - and she'll share some of their music on the show. Kim will talk with me about producing, songwriting, demos and much more. Be sure to visit her online at www.kimcopelandproductions.com.

Timmins, Ontario-born, Montreal-based Country artist Marven James knows the third time is the charm. His third album entitlted Tennessee Teardrops has all the elements needed for a great project: heartfelt vocals, strong songs and first class production. The album was recorded at Bayou Recording Studio in Nashville - as well as other studios. 9 of the 12 selections are produced by Canada's own Larry Wayne Clark. The album features songs written by Dave Frolick & Bill Osmond of the Oshawa-based Frozen North Music Publishing Company. They have their songwriting credits (collectively or individually) attached to nine of the songs on the album. Marven began with drums early on and then discovered his Country voice - and love of artists like Alan Jackson, Bobby Bare & Marty Robbins. Tune in as this talented Canadian Country artist talks about his start in music, performing live as well as recording his current album.

Friends of Jack consists of brothers Darryl and Chad John, cousin Paul John and long time friends - Kevin Connors and Steve Drake. All members of the band were born and raised in Newfoundland. Their music is high energy with sibling harmony - a key element to their sound. In 2008, the boys met Bruce Graham who has played a large part in the band moving forward - making key contacts in the music industry both here in Canada and the United States. In mid-2010 - Friends of Jack released their first single to radio - I Owe You One, followed by a media tour of Newfoundland and a radio tour in Alberta. They followed their success up with The Real Deal. Both singles have helped the band begin to build a strong following from coast to coast. Their debut album is now complete and ready for release - and features their brand new radio single, Cool Me Down.