In The Country With Dave Woods

Bill Culp is a full-time, Canadian singer-songwriter, musician and entertainer who performs approximately 200 shows per year and includes Canada, the USA, Europe and Australia among his musical travels. As a solo artist, Bill first rose to prominence with the 2005 release of “Roots’n’Roll” on Bullseye Records of Canada. As a musician, he has performed with an interesting array of notable names including CCMA winners Sean Hogan, Keith Glass and Joan Besen of Prairie Oyster. As an actor, Bill is best known for his co-starring role in the musical play “Good Rockin’ Tonight: The Sun Records Story”, the official, international touring show of the legendary Memphis-based record label that launched the careers of numerous rock & roll pioneers. In this show, Bill portrays Carl Perkins “the king of rockabilly” and the author of the classic tune “Blue Suede Shoes”. Tune in to hear all about Bill's musical journey - and hear 2 of his songs including a new Chrismas release featuring Marie Bottrell (7-time Juno nomine

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 various aspects of traditional & contemporary country music.

Canada's Larry Wayne Clark has found success as a Country Music songwriter, producer & journalist. The first records he produced were for Lisa Brokop. He went on to win the British Columbia Country Music Association's Producer of The Year award from 1990 to 1994. When he set his sights on Music City in the early 1990s, he soon had songs & hits recorded by Lee Greenwood (Between A Rock And A Heartache) & The Statler Brothers (To Make A Long Story Short) - and more recently songs recorded by (and some written with) Buddy Jewell, Chris Young, Colin Amey & Adam Gregory - and the list goes on. "I'm a songwriter who writes songs for other people to sing. Nothing gives me greater joy than hearing a truly blessed singer creating magic with a song that I've written, or had a hand in writing", comments Larry. Tune in to hear this talented hitmaker - who now lives in New Brunswick - discuss his musical journey, his approach to songwriting & much more. I'll be playing two of his past hits for Nashvill

Canadian Country artist Chris Cummings has released five albums, racked up multiple hits at Canadian Country radio & had several number one videos on CMT Canada. In addition, he's earned multiple CCMA, RPM, ECMA, and Juno nominations as well as a Grammy nomination for a song of his recorded by Alabama. You'll know his hits - "I Waited", "Lucy Got Lucky", "The Kind Of Heart That Breaks" & "No One Hurts Me More Than Me" - to name just a few. His new album, Give Me Tonight, is a winner with existing fans and continues to win him new fans - with songs like his current radio single, "Leaving's Not An Option". It all began in 1990 when Chris released an independent CD which found its way to Reprise Records president Jim Ed Norman. Chris signed onto the label in 1992. At that time, just 17 years old, he was the youngest artist they had ever signed. Over the years, he's written songs with some of Nashville's top hitmakers and toured with big names like George Jones, Garth Brooks and Dwight Yoakam. Tune in to

The 'new Queen of Bluegrass' Rhonda Vincent visits In The Country to talk about her latest CD entitled "Taken". With over seventy awards to their name, Rhonda Vincent and The Rage (her longtime backing band) are the most celebrated band in bluegrass, with honors including a coveted Entertainer of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and a staggering seven consecutive IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year awards. Special guests on this album include Dolly Parton & Richard Marx. “I don’t bring in guests just to bring in guests,” Rhonda explains. “It has to be something that makes sense musically. Like, when were doing vocals for ‘In the Garden by the Fountain,’ I could just hear Dolly Parton singing the high harmony in my head, so I called her, and luckily her schedule worked out.” Despite all that she has achieved, Rhonda is still seeking new challenges. For this new album, she reasserts herself as an instrumentalist, playing all of the mandolin on the album.

Alberta's 19-year-old Leah Durelle has already recorded 5 CDs and released 3 songs to radio that received airplay in Canada, the US and Europe. Her new song, "I Need To See You", finds her ready to make an even bigger impression with radio & Country Music fans. Leah has opened for and shared stages with the likes of Leann Rimes, Tanya Tucker, Doc Walker & Jason McCoy - to name a few. She has performed at renowned venues like the Ryman Auditorium & Tootsies Orchard Lounge in Nashville as well as at the Calgary Stampede. Says Larry Delaney of Canada's Country Music News, "Leah is going to be a star someday...she delivers the songs (on her albums) with flair and a vocal uniqueness that belies her tender years". Tune in to get up close & personal with this talented singer-songwriter working her way up to the top of the charts.

This past summer, Country artist Jayme Knyx helped put together and performed in a benefit music festival called Peacefest which raised money towards the brand new Performing Arts Centre in Dawson Creek, B.C. He's a firm believer in giving back and volunteering at various charitable fundraisers. One benefit concert helped a local woman raise enough money get life saving surgery for her multiple sclerosis. In Jayme's spare time he enjoys spending it entertaining seniors and chronically ill at local care homes. He's also shared the stage with some big names in Country Music including Doc Walker, Jamie Warren, Aaron Pritchett & The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. When Jayme was 15 years old, his mother (who also bought him his first guitar when he was only 6) dared him to enter a singing contest - after winning many of these contests, he decided to pursue a music career. His influences include members of his family involved in music as well as Country legend George Strait. Jayme is currently writing and recording hi

The 2010 release of Libby McGrath's debut single "Blue Sky" marks the official starting point of a career that has been in the works since she was a child. Raised on the music of Tammy Wynette, Patty Loveless and Faith Hill, Libby and her siblings grew up playing and singing country music as a family. The sound of guitars, fiddles, banjos, drums and harmonizing voices could be heard drifting down the block from their Cambridge, Ontario home. No stranger to the stage, Libby has been touring the world backing up various artists for nearly ten years now. Her live performances are engaging and high energy. One of Libby's favourite memories on the road was getting the opportunity to sing a duet with Marty Stuart. She recalls, "I just started singing "We Must Have Been Out Of Our Minds" and he joined right in singing George Jones' part. When we were done he said, "Well thats our first duet sweetheart." Libby recently won the KIX 106 FM song contest with her entry, "I'm Not Gonna Cry".

Moncton, New Brunswick Country artist Ivan Daigle is one of those artists that writes & sounds unmistakably Country. Larry Delaney of Country Music News states, "If you enjoy hardcore, traditional country music, Ivan delivers the goods, with his outstanding collection of original tunes." His album, Here Goes Nothin', features fun, uptempo songs like "C'mon Baby Let's Dance" & hurtin' ballads like "Overnight Low". Writing since he was just 10, Ivan knows how to write a song that either makes you move or moves you. Over the years, he's shared the stage with great Canadian Country artists like George Canyon, The Wilkinsons and Chris Cummings. In 2011, he'll be opening for one his favourites & one of his influences - Joe Diffie. Tune in to hear all about this talented singer-songwriter's music career and to hear some of his songs (and the stories behind them).

At the forefront of the Jo Hikk sound are the robust vocals of Kelly Sitter. He's equally at home singing passionate ballads and driving country-rock tunes. The songs are always perfectly framed by the versatile guitar work of brother Kenny Sitter and the skilled accompaniment of two music veterans, keyboardist Don Jorgenson and drummer Al Doell. To help make their new CD "The Game", Jo Hikk returned to Toronto producer Bob Foster (best known for his work with Jann Arden). Kenny co-wrote 6 of the tracks with Canadian hitmakers like Steve Fox, Julian Austin & Troy Kokol. The Calgary-based band has been nominated in the CCMA Awards 'Rising Star' category for the last three years. This new CD finds them at the top of their 'game' and headed for a regular place at the top of the Country charts. Tune in to hear Kelly talk about the band's career highlights, the new CD - and I've got a couple of songs from it to play including their latest single "With A Smile Like That".

Canada's JK Gulley is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, musician & producer. He's toured throughout Canada, the US & Europe - released three albums - won SOCAN & CCMA awards - and has been part of countless sessions as a studio guitarist. His songs have been recorded by artists such as John Landry, Jamie Warren, Colin Amey & John McDermott. JK also co-wrote the new Ambush single, “My Little Girl”, that is climbing the Canadian Country charts. His list of achievements goes on - including being the founder of the CCMA Songwriters Cafe. Tune in for great stories, great songs and all the latest news from this multi-talented music maker.

Levi Hart may be a new name to the Country music industry, but his voice, sound and talent are easily and clearly recognized as “seasoned“ to anyone given the chance to hear him sing. With a deep soulful vocal tone, he's been known to capture audiences within the first notes of a song. With more than a decade of experience as a musician, writer and singer in the entertainment industry, it's easy to understand why so many of his peers call him a "triple threat" and say he's going all the way to the top. Having been invited to perform and sing at the 2007 Canadian Country Music Awards songwriters showcase, he had the opportunity to let industry & fans see/hear his talent. Originally from Ottawa, Levi now calls Nashville home. His debut album, "Faith And Love", was released earlier this year.

Keith and Renee have been touring and recording albums over the past 10 years. Their fourth album which was released this year is called "Detours". In 2008 & 2009, the duo was asked to join Craig Kielburger’s Free The Children foundation which had them performing in 150 schools across Canada, speaking to youths about positive change and spreading their message through their music - reaching over 100,000 young people. Through this organization, they also travelled and performed for two summers in Kenya, Africa, and Dubai. Keith and Renee’s song "Good Year" off the Revolution album was chosen as Manitoba’s Homecoming 2010 official anthem song alongside Bachman Turner Overdrive’s "You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet". Many will remember Keith from Canadian Idol - he finished in the top 10 in 2006. Tune in to hear this dynamic duo discuss their music career & the stories behind their songs.

Ottawa's Rory Gardiner is a passionate and energetic live performing artist - playing over 100 live shows a year showcasing his music. He's been featured on a CMT nationally broadcasted reality show, as well as the CMT Top 20 Countdown with Casey Clarke. Encouraged by a musically talented family, Rory’s music career began on the drum set at the early age of eleven playing modern and classic rock. It wasn’t long before he picked up the guitar and began exploring Country Music, focusing his efforts on singing and songwriting. His reputation garnered him an invitation to teach a course in Effective Songwriting. In 2009, Rory released his debut album entitled "Break Free" - co-produced by JR Vautour. A radio single - and video - called "There You Go Again" has just been released.

Canadian singer/songwriter DAN HILL began writing songs at age 14 and was playing professionally in small gatherings and coffee houses by the time he reached age 17. In 1978, he wrote and recorded the smash hit Sometimes When We Touch. He went on to write and release a long list of hits including Never Thought (That I Could Love), Unborn Heart, I Fall All Over Again & Can't We Try. In 1997, Dan teamed up with Country producer/songwriter Keith Stegall and the duo soon proved to be a successful writing team. Sammy Kershaw took their song Love Of My Life to #1 on the Country charts and then Mark Wills reached the top slot again with the Hill/Stegall composition I Do (Cherish You). Other Country songs of Dan's have been recorded by Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire and Jamie O'Neal - to name a few. He recently released an album called Intimate and a memoir called I Am My Father's Son. Dan joins me to talk about his first big hit, songwriting, his Pop & Country Music successes & much more.

Music has always been important in Mike Gouchie’s life, a testament to the influence of his late father Ernie, a preacher, gospel singer, and pillar of his northern aboriginal community. While instilling in his son the value of family and compassion, Ernie also cultivated Mike’s love for music, sharing with him the sounds of classic country legends – Hank, George, Buck, and Merle, to name just a few. After his school years, Mike honed his musical abilities on the road as a member of the country rock band Gunshy. Then, as the years went by, life's joys and tragedies took center stage in his life. Fast forward to today: Mike’s new album, Shattered Glass, has all the hallmarks of a breakthrough in the making – expect to hear great songs, great production, and great performances. “Country Music has always been based on real life experiences. I believe it would be impossible for me to write and sing purely from the heart, if all I had ever seen was sunshine.” This talented Country artist joins me on the show to di

At age 17, Country artist Steve Wariner joined Dottie West’s band as a bass player. A few years later, Chet Atkins (one of Steve’s heroes) hired Steve as his bass player and signed him to his first “singles” deal with RCA Records. Steve soon began a run of successful radio hits with songs like "Kansas City Lights", "Some Fools Never Learn", "The Weekend" and his chart-topping duet with Anita Cochran, "What If I Said". In 1996, Steve was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He released an instrumental album that same year featuring Chet Atkins, Vince Gill, Bryan White and many others. He's a Grammy, ACM and CMA award winner. Steve joins me on the show to discuss his amazing music career & to talk about his CD entitled Guitar Christmas - an instrumental collection of Christmas standards that he arranged and produced.  

HoneyGrass formed in the summer of 2005 when two of the founding members met at the River Valley Bluegrass Festival in beautiful Northern Ontario. The group showcased at the 2007 International Bluegrass Music Association’s “World of Bluegrass” conference in Nashville, and won the "Most Promising Band" of the year award at the 2007 Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards (CCBA). They received three CCBA nominations in 2008 and again in 2009. Their debut CD "She's Running Wild" was released in June 2008 and received a very favourable review in the December 2008 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited. HoneyGrass has also contributed original work to each of the award winning 2008 and 2009 "North To Ontario" compilation CDs, which receive extensive international airplay. They have been playing at major festivals in Ontario and New York State - and are visiting In The Country to talk all about their music and to share some songs from their album.

Victoria Banks - the Canadian Country Music Association's Female Artist of The Year for 2010 - joins me on the show to talk about her latest single (a duet with Jason Blaine), her recent tour with Reba in Western Canada, & much more. Along with writing and recording her own successful songs, Victoria has penned hits for One More Girl (When It Ain't Raining), Johnny Reid (Dance With Me), Jessica Simpson (Come On Over), Sara Evans (Saints & Angels) - to name just a few. She also wrote "City Of Dreams" - a song and video that raised funds for Tennessee Flood Relief. Tune in as this talented - and always entertaining - singer/songwriter catches us up on her latest news and shares some songs from her CD "When You Can Fly".

Born and raised in San Jose, California, Josh Damigo grew up in a very strict household. Only allowed to listen to KFRC, the local oldies station in the Bay Area, he found himself influenced by bands like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and much of the old-time, lyrically driven style of music. In first grade, his mother signed him up for piano lessons. "I absolutely hated piano because my teacher kept giving me classical pieces," Josh recalls. "I quit when I was in sixth grade." He only quit piano, not music. "At 16, I taught myself to play guitar. Two weeks after that, I had my first show. I was playing at churches. I was mostly singing - I was a much better singer than a guitar player." Fast Forward - Josh Damigo has now won multiple awards including winning the San Diego Music Award in the Best Acoustic category (September 2010). He also won the 2009 San Diego Music award for his album, "Raw". The album includes a duet with Country artist Shawn Mayer - who many will remember well from Nashville Star. Tune in