In The Country With Dave Woods

For the past five years, Blind River has been busy at the Ontario Country club circuit - quickly climbing to the top as a fan favourite with their unmistakable signature upbeat tempo and full-throttle live performances. The group has developed their own brand of Country with a rock and roll edge that has earned them a place on stage with the likes of Aaron Pritchett, Aaron Lines, Deric Ruttan and Amanda Wilkinson. Nominated for Country Group of The Year at local Country Music Awards three straight years in a row (2007-2009), Blind River is now ready to claim their place on the Country charts with the release of their debut single Ready, Set, Summer. The group's members are Kevin Bushey, Kurk Bernard and Steve Petrie.

Dr. Jocelyn Neal is an associate professor of music at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a BA from Rice University and an MA and Ph.D. from the Eastman School of Music at University of Rochester. She is the author of The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers: A Legacy in Country Music (Indiana University Press, 2009), which received an ASCAP Deems Taylor Award and an ARSC Award, and co-author of the 3rd Revised Edition of Country Music U.S.A. (University of Texas Press, 2010). Dr. Neal's Country Music research appears in academic journals including Musical Quarterly and Music Theory Spectrum. She is co-editor of Southern Cultures, an interdisciplinary quarterly published by the Center for the Study of the American South, and she regularly presents at national conferences on popular music and analysis. She joins me on the show to discuss some of the greatest Country songs of all time. 

At just 17 years of age, Raven Bro has made big steps forward in her journey to Country Music success. She has already received several awards from the Georgia Country And Gospel Music Association including awards for Vocalist, Songwriter and Entertainer of the Year. Raven is just as comfortable in the studio as she is on stage. She performs shows with her band The Raven Bro Band. Some of the venues she's sung at include the Wildhorse Saloon, Tootsie's & Dollywood. Raven is here to talk about her start in music, her influences, songwriting and much more. Plus, we'll hear a couple of songs from this talented teen Country artist.

If you peeled back the layers of Amanda Jane Duncan's soul, you would find roots grounded in faith, nurtured in love and fed by a burning desire for all things Country. Amanda grew up on a grain and cattle farm near Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Out on the farm the only station that came in was Country and that's what played on the kitchen radio all day long. Through her high school years, she immersed herself in singing and writing songs - with her dreams set on a career in Country Music. Life sent Amanda on a major detour when she fell in love with a local boy and, after a year of university, they decided to face life's challenges together and married. Amanda put aside her music to focus on her new life but her heart led her back to focus on her music as well. Tune in to hear this talented Canadian Country artist talk about her music & share some songs.

Raised in Mt. Nemo, Ontario, Country artist Billy J White enjoyed a rural childhood, and a love of music from an early age. Inspired by the many family gatherings in which guitars, harmonicas, and spoons were played, he just had to join in. If you don’t find Billy singing and playing guitar, then look for him under the nearest hotrod, whistling, and wrenching. He has been busy in the recording studio since last fall with Steve Ashley, his producer at Heritage Studios in Burlington, Ontario. The first radio single from this talented newcomer is called BBQ - a great song to kick off the summer. Tune in to hear a voice that is undeniably Country.

Bill Anderson is a singer, songwriter, actor, author and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame - and one of the most popular and enduring entertainers of our time. He earned the nickname Whisperin' Bill years ago as a result of his breathy voice and his warm, soft approach to singing a Country song. At the age of nineteen, he composed the Country classic City Lights and began carving his place in musical history. His voice is heard on his popular hit songs Po' Folks, The Tips Of My Fingers, Still and many, many more. In recent years, he's had his songs recorded by some of the biggest names in Country including Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, George Strait and Sugarland. Tune in for a conversation with a Country music legend about his career, latest CD & the stories behind his hits.  

Calahoo, Alberta Country artist Sharon Anderson - now calling Nashville home - broke onto the Music City scene as a member of the trio Trinity Lane which scored 3 Billboard Country Chart hits in the late 80s. She then pursued a solo career and released the albums The Bottom Line &Bringing It Home which had singles that attracted heavy airplay in Canada. As a songwriter, Sharon found great success when Lisa Brokop recorded her song Give Me A Ring Sometime. That song introduced Lisa to the American Country charts. Many other of Sharon's songs have been recorded by a long list of Canadian & American artists. Great news - Sharon's been busy writing & working on a new album which will include a great new composition entitled Springtime Johnny. 

At just 21 years old, Jason Petric has been playing in bands for almost a decade resulting in hundreds of shows all over Manitoba. Now, he has his sights set on success as a solo act. Jason has already placed in the QX104 Bud Country Search finals two years running, played the Dauphin Music Festival and watched two original songs hit the local college radio chart. With a love of Country music coming from influences like Doc Walker, Keith Urban & Paul Brandt - and his own pop-rock flavour mixed in - Jason is developing a sound that comes naturally to him. Like many artists, he has a hand in writing his songs. Recording demos at various studios over the last few years, Jason ended up meeting producer Jack Shapira at Unison Studios where he's completed his self-titled debut EP featuring "You're So Beautiful".

Listowel, Ontario singer/songwriter Johnny Borton is about to release an album that means alot to him. It's called Just Kidding Around and is a children's CD. Johnny performs shows for kids and spreads the message of 'no violence' and 'no bullying' in schools. One dollar from the sale of every CD will be donated to Canadian Feed The Children. A self-taught piano player, Johnny started playing and performing Country & 50s/60s music at age 16. He's no stranger to the stage - he's toured across Canada and Europe with shows that entertain music fans of all ages. Tune in to hear Johnny share his important message as well as songs from the new CD.

Toronto, Ontario Country artist Krista Earle discovered a great passion for singing and performing at an early age. Raised by a family with talent for singing and playing numerous instruments, her own musical abilities came naturally. Fast forward to present: Krista has been writing and recording with Steve Ashley at Heritage Music Studios in Burlington, Ontario. Her first radio single is Bad Hair Day with other songs Man Up and You Can Count On Me to follow soon. Influenced by great country artists like Shania Twain, Martina McBride, and Carrie Underwood, Krista is sure to make her own mark in the world of Country music.  

Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Danielle Lowe is a 15 year-old Country music singer/songwriter who is about to release her debut CD. She's the only singer in Edmonton’s history to win all 3 major vocal competitions as a junior in the same year: Future's Fest, Country Vocal Spotlight and Northern Star. Danielle has also competed in Tennessee’s esteemed North American Country Music Association's International Competition where she received top awards for vocals, performance style and songwriting. In 2009, she wrote & recorded a song called Jesse that she donated to the Little Warriors non-profit organization - and the song was adopted as the theme song for their Stand Up For Our Kids Campaign. With the release of her debut album, Danielle is set to climb the Country music charts and win new fans from the Country genre & beyond.

Hit songwriter Barry Brown joins me on the line from Ottawa to talk about his songs. He's had his compositions recorded by Charlie Major, Anne Murray, Susan Aglukark & many others. He has also enjoyed success as a solo artist & as a member of The Family Brown as well as Prescott Brown. Tune in and follow the journey of his songs as we get you up close and personal with this talented Canadian songwriter.

Growing up in a small farming community in Southeast Manitoba, Jason Kirkness discovered his love for Country music. His style has been influenced by the contemporary Nashville sound but he still enjoys showing his traditional side. Jason's debut album Life On The Road features the songwriting skills of Bruce Wallace, Steven Lee Olsen and William Prince. The album's first single Run Me Away was released to radio in February 2011. Jason has performed hundreds of shows throughout his home province of Manitoba and across Canada including opening spots for The Roadhammers and Deric Ruttan - along with showcases at the Canadian Country Music Awards in Edmonton and Canadian Music Week in Toronto. Tune in to hear this talented Country artist share the journey from his start in music to his first CD.          

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Country artist Bryan Cole embraces the traditions of legendary Country performers while honing his own God-given vocal and guitar-playing abilities to deliver his own unique sound. His debut CD Wide Open Road - featuring the international success of I'm Comin' Home - has been earning him airplay since its release in February 2010. Bryan returns to the music scene with Pride And The Passion - the first single from his upcoming album scheduled for a November 2011 release. This sing-along song, with its patriotic, work-hard-play-hard message, was written and produced by Bryan and his manager Michael Stover. Sure to connect with Bryan’s fans & sports fans, Pride And The Passion will be heard in the upcoming television ads for Bryan’s hometown baseball franchise the Pittsburgh Pirates. “My fans are my lifeblood", says Bryan. "Their love and support inspire me to be the best man I can be - on and off the stage.”

Originally from Texas - now living in Nashville, Tennesse - Julie Forester is a talented singer/songwriter who Maverick Magazine calls "a big star in the making—everything you could want in a singer and more." She currently has a writing deal with Starstruck Entertainment Texoma Ten Music Publishing in Nashville. Her songs have been recorded by other artists including pop icon Tiffany. Julie toured Europe playing Eva Cassidy in a musical play about her life & was on the West End stage in the Olivier Award winning production of Ragtime in London, England. In the UK, her single Feelin' The Fall was released to UK Country Radio and peaked at #16 on the HOTDISC Country Charts. Julie visits In The Country to talk about her latest EP, songwriting & much more.

NSAI Toronto will be holding its 12th annual Tin Pan North Festival in the Greater Toronto Area from May 26th to May 28th, 2011. 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. Tune into this Tin Pan North special - featuring Dan McVeigh, Joe Hash & Barbara Lynn Doran - to learn all about the event. My guests will also be sharing a song each & offering some songwriting tips.

Canadian songwriter Larry Wayne Clark was recently inducted into the British Columbia Country Music Association's Hall of Fame. Over the years, he's had hits and songs recorded by the likes of Lee Greenwood, Chris Young, The Statler Brothers, Lisa Brokop & Adam Gregory - to name just a few. Larry is here to share the stories behind several of his songs - taking us on a journey from the initial ideas to the final recordings. The show will feature a couple of his songs. Along the way, there'll be tips on songwriting, making demos, pitching songs, and much more.

Glace Bay, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Country artist Drake Jensen is on the verge of making a big impact on Country radio & with Country fans. The worldwide release of his debut single Wash Me Away is just days away. It's a song from his brand new album entitled On My Way To Finding You. Nashville producer Kim Copeland describes Drake’s vocals as “warm, rich and unique” and these qualities are what prompted her to work with him on this project. It's very fitting that he finds himself walking down a Country road since - at the age of 4 - he remembers feeling a connection to the music of John Denver - specifically his classic song Country Road.

Kitchener, Ontario's Ryan vanDyk has spent 10 years quietly building a reputation as a solid singer/songwriter. In a hotbed of local talent, he has always been a fixture at local shows and accompanied various acts over the years. His sound is best described as modern country with a rock influence. “I fell into the country scene later in life and it hit me pretty hard. Acts like Doc Walker, Dierks Bentley and Emerson Drive who could make country songs new and fresh really appealed to me. The writing was real and about things that happen in day-to-day life,"explains Ryan. This talented Canadian's songwriting skills have been recognized recently by the NSAI. Ryan's self-titled debut EP features the current radio single Strong Enough which is attracting plenty of attention & airplay around the world.

Country artist Victoria Banks - the 2010 CCMA Female Artist & Songwriter of the Year - released her brand new CD "Never Be The Same" this week. It features her skillful songwriting and heartfelt vocals - with a great range of songs from uptempo fun (Mama Said Don't, Barefoot Girl) to moving/reflective songs (Never Be The Same, The Other Side) to classic story songs (Jackson). She's about to tour with George Canyon and, later this year, with Reba. Tune in to hear all about the new CD (and songs from it) as well as all of Victoria's latest news.