In The Country With Dave Woods

When she was just 12-years old, Atascocita, Texas Country artist Susan Hickman cold-called a talent agency and scheduled an audition. Why? "My mom told me I'd have to convince her that I was sure I wanted a career in music before she'd let me pursue it,” she recalls. “Making that call was my way of showing her that I was serious. She's been behind me every step of the way, ever since." Fast forward to today and the 24-year old singer's self-titled debut CD proves still very much determined to make a mark in the world of Country Music. Songs on the project have been written by Nashville hitmakers like Brett James, Mila Mason & Bobby Pinson. Closing the disc is Susan's soulful take on Gregg Allman's classic southern rocker, "Whipping Post." Over the past few years she has shared the stage with high-profile acts like Tracy Byrd, Jo Dee Messina, Steve Holy and Phil Vassar - to name just a few. “I love performing,” Susan says with enthusiasm. “When you can feel the audience’s energy, you know you’re doing your

Rik Reese & Neon Highway earned a 2010 ECMA nomination for Country Album of The Year for their debut release, "Mama Raised A Good Boy". The band is made up of Rik, Pete King, Wayne Gallant & Jim Messer. The boys deliver what is called "Canada's Untamed Country/Rock Show". Tune in to hear Rik tell us all about that and much more - plus you'll hear some great songs from this talented New Brunswick group.

Born in Belleville, Ontario – now based in Stoney Creek, ON - the past seven 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 performance. 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.  

On his 5th album titled “These Days”, Canadian-born/Japan-based artist Kelly Pettit showcases exactly what makes his music so appealing. He is equally skilled at writing a great lyric as he is at creating a catchy and memorable melody. And his voice delivers the songs with believability and emotion. Ballads like "Into The Sea" & "You, The Melody" go straight to the heart while the title-track "These Days" is far from a throw-away uptempo song: the message (and brilliant rhymes) will keep you listening closely. Kelly has been slowly accumulating a loyal fan base since his first CD, “Life through A Windshield”. His new album was recorded in Melbourne, Australia and produced by the talented Greg Arnold. “I try hard to make each song not sound like the last one but what’s constant however, is my attempt to write catchy, meaningful songs that I can be proud of”, says Kelly. Tune in to hear great stories as well as "World Is Turning" from his previous CD entitled "Fuel". For more on this talented singer/songwri

Eastern Ontario's Greg Hanna grew up on a dairy farm, and is just as happy working cattle as he is performing on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans. From the first time he laid eyes on that old Sears guitar hanging in his aunt’s cold storage room, he knew he had to be on stage. But his heart is never far from the kind of lifestyle he grew up knowing. "If I wasn’t pursuing a music career, I’d probably still be there farming, because I love that life so much. I’d love to be sitting on a tractor right now in the heat -- you know, small town farm life. I grew up in the country…I am country music. I didn’t know much about rock and roll growing up…country was all I knew." Greg's songs have climbed the charts in America and here in Canada with "Song In My Head", "Love You For Life" & "Singin' To The Radio". Shorty after moving to Nashville, a song Greg had written was recorded by Country superstar Sammy Kershaw for his 2003 "I Want My Money Back" album. Greg currently has a hot new radio new single -

In the world of country music, there’s a lot to be said for family support. Talented Barrie, Ontario Country artist Derek James Tilley can attest to that. It was his sister who encouraged him to showcase his abilities at a singing competition in his hometown. “I can’t thank my sister enough for her encouragement”, says Derek. “That day, she changed my life.” He quickly became a fan favourite and eventually went on to win the top Country vocalist in that competition. It was because of taking a chance that fateful morning that Derek caught the ear of judges and music producers Marty Beecroft and Glenn Coulson. The three began songwriting together regularly and planning for Derek’s debut Country album "Angels & Outlaws". His distinct and comfortable sound has been called a mix of Gary Allan, Jason Aldean and Rascal Flatts – a combination of Allan’s sensitivity, Aldean’s grit and the Flatts’ vocal range. The album features Derek's songwriting skills on three of the songs with other offerings coming from hitma

Country artist Rhonda Towns made her debut as a country music singer on Ed McMahon’s Star Search as a champion female country music artist. She soon after attracted the attention of producer Norro Wilson (Kenny Chesney/Reba McEntire/Sara Evans/Shania Twain) after sending in a demo of cover tunes to the A&R Department of Mercury Records. “Shannon Scott (at that time Shannon Finnigan) set up a meeting for me with Norro Wilson. My husband and I took my karaoke box with us to the meeting and Norro told me to go back home and send him a demo. My husband immediately said, ‘wait a minute we flew all the way from Phoenix, Arizona, she’s going to sing for you right now.’ So he took the karaoke box out of the suitcase, set it up and I performed for Norro “A Picture of Me Without You”. Immediately, he decided he would produce some songs from her. Aside from performing her music, Rhonda has appeared in many TV comercials and hosts a radio show called "Plenty More Love".

Born and raised in Jonesville, Virginia, Kelley Nelson was exposed to traditional Country and Bluegrass music throughout her childhood. She began singing in her church choir when she was eight years old and performed with her high school chorale group for four years. After high school, Kelley continued to sing in church as she attended college and graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She began a career as a counselor for children and continues to work in that profession. Kelley has performed at many local and regional events within the past 4 years, often appearing as a guest with Lonesome Will Mullins, singing their crowd-pleasing version of the Johnny Cash and June Carter hit, “Jackson”. She's just released an album called "Yesterday's Blues" which showcases her bluegrass style (and some of her songwriting) on highlights like "Coal Miner's Queen" and "When I Hear That Rain". Tune in to hear all about this talented singer-songwriter's music career and to hear some songs from the new alb

St. Catharines, Ontario-born Country artist Marshall Dane won Country 95.3 FM’s “Big Break Competition” in July 2009. He had been ready, willing and able to make sure that if this was going to be his ‘big break’, he was prepared to deliver. Since winning that competition, Marshall has performed with Alan Jackson, Emerson Drive, Michelle Wright, Shane Yellowbird, and many other top Country artists. Brian Allen produced and Jason Barry engineered the new album “Running Stop Signs”. Marshall co-wrote many of the tracks with great writers such as Paul Brandt, Jason Matthews, and Dan Murph. Now headlining festivals on his own, he's become popular with radio stations and their listeners across Canada with his debut single “Love and Alcohol”. The next single “Bad Choices” will give Marshall’s fans another taste of his fun side. Tune in to find out all about Marshall Dane's music career & hear some of his latest songs.

"George Strait is my hero. I can die happy the day I get to shake his hand", jokes Jessica Ridley. This talented Alberta singer/songwriter also cites Reba, Shania Twain & Loretta Lynn as strong musical influences. Along with a great voice and songwriting skills, Jessica plays piano and guitar. Her debut album entitled "Fit To Be Tied" - produced by Nashville's Billy Simon - features her songwriting as well as material from some of Nashville's best writers. Jessica's latest single "Flaming Red" - written by Bob Carlisle - is getting airplay in Canada, the States and the UK. This is Jessica's second visit to In The Country - tune in to get caught up on all her latest news and to hear a couple of her great songs.

Saskatchewan's Codie Prevost is continuing to see his star rise in the Country Music world with the release and success of his latest CD "Get Loud". It's the follow-up to his previous two albums "The Road Ahead" and "Spin (6 Pak Volume 1)". The CD features 12 tracks - fun party tunes and beautiful love songs - produced by famed producer Tom McKillip. The first single (and video) "Rolling Back To You" won Codie new fans & delighted existing ones while his brand new single "Standing Still" is gearing up to do the same. A video for the song began airing on CMT on the day of this interview. Tune in to hear this two-time winner of the SCMA Fan's Choice Entertainer of The Year award discuss his new CD and share songs from it.

Hemingway Corner was formed in 1992 by two established singer-songwriters, David Martin and Johnny Douglas. They had hits on the Canadian pop charts with "Man on a Mission" and "Love, Love, Love", and received a Juno Award nomination for "Best New Group" in 1996. Eventually, Johnny formed another group. While working on a Neil Young tribute album, the Skydiggers introduced David to Scott Dibble (from the Toronto band Watertown) and Mark Sterling from Edmonton. They would record their own cover song on the tribute album, "Tell Me Why" as a newly revamped Hemingway Corner. With some material already written by Scott and Mark, the band released a follow-up album, Under the Big Sky in 1995. Three more singles hit the charts including "Big Sky", "Tell Me Why" and "Watch Over You" before the band dissolved in late 1996. David, Mark and Scott have now released a new Hemingway Corner CD entitled "Speed Of Life" featuring the new single "Think Of Love". David Martin joins me on the show to talk about the CD and share

Texas-born singer/songwriter Doug Bruce now resides in Bendigo, Australia. He's been impressing die-hard country fans and new converts alike with his rich voice and natural affinity for the southern country sound. Doug was awarded 2009 Best Male Vocalist in the well regarded Tamworth Independent Artists Recognition Awards (TIARAs). His music career began almost 20 years ago, performing primarily as a drummer and backing vocalist for numerous bands in Texas. He also spent time in Nashville performing and doing studio session work. Doug has been described as having “a simply awesome talent to wring emotion from words and music” (Deborah Minter, Capital News, December 2008). This talented singer/songwriter is making his second visit to In The Country - this time to talk about his brand new album called "A Good Place". For some great stories & great Country Music, tune in and enjoy! Check out this review of Doug's new CD at: www.countrystarsonline.com/CSO/reviewarchives/2010/DougBruce_GP.htm.

Tommy Gilham was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama in a home filled with love and southern hospitality where gospel and country music filled the air. Each Sunday afternoon all of the relatives would gather to pick up their instruments and play their hearts out. Tommy headed to Nashville after he won a songwriting contest, and immediately received a publishing deal with Polygram. While there he had the opportunity to work with artists such as Charlie Daniels, Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marty Stuart and others. He was for a time a member of the Charlie Daniels band “Saddletramp” and cut his teeth performing nightly all over Nashville. Tommy’s relocation north of the border has become Canada’s gain. He's returning to the studio along with some very celebrated musicians. With many songs yet to be recorded and despite his experience “in the biz” in the US, his is a story that has just begun. Tune in to hear great stories & songs from this talented Country artist.

Mark Wayne Glasmire writes and sings with a depth of understanding that only a well-traveled troubadour can. It is obvious that he's lived life to the fullest - and taken notes along the way. His newest CD, Life Goes On, is a 12-song collection that includes 10 originals and two outside tunes. Mark's lyrics cover it all: heartache and jubilation, despair and love, disappointment and hope. "Most of what I write comes from my own life experience," Mark explains. "Occasionally, I'll take inspiration from a friend's situation, but mostly my songs reflect what I'm going through." A mutual friend introduced him to John Albani (Steve Azar, Monty Holmes, Randy Boudreaux) and suddenly things just clicked. "It was magical. He's amazing to work with, and is so talented," Mark says of his co-producer on Life Goes On. "John has a way of pulling out the best in me." Their collaboration is already earning MWG new fans, and he's recently shared the stage with Guy Clark and Dierks Bentley. Tune in to get to know this talented

At the age of 17, Vicksburg, Mississippi Country artist William Michael Morgan is a fresh, exciting new voice in traditional Country Music. Just one listen and you'll know this young singer is on the verge of being the next big thing. His MySpace music player has surpassed the 2 million plays mark & MySpace 'street teams' are helping spread the word about this rising star. Currently, he's working with successful songwriters Robert Ellis Orrall (Taylor Swift, Martina McBride & more) and Roger Springer (Mark Chesnutt, George Strait, Kenny Rogers & others). William is writing with these two hitmakers and has had several songs produced by them. Tune in to get to know all about William Michael Morgan & his music.

Country artist Ashley Gearing is no stranger to hard work or the demands of the music business. At the young age of 12, she made history by entering Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, eclipsing a 46 year-old record previously held by Brenda Lee. Her version of "Can You Hear Me When I Talk to You" gave Ashley immediate national exposure by displaying a talent well beyond her years. Now, at the age of 19, Ashley is busy taking her music career to the next level. Currently working in the studio with famed music producer Byron Gallimore (Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Jo Dee Messina) and recently signed to Curb Records, she has released a new single "What You Think Of Us" and is writing and recording an upcoming album. Ashley says, "This is what I love to do, and I'm enjoying every bit of it. The support from my family and friends is really wonderful, and I'm especially happy that there are a lot of young people among my fans, because it's great that they know about country music".

Calgary, Alberta Country artist Sarah Beth Keeley is currently enjoying airplay for her song "With Your Goodbye" taken from her CD "Reinventing Myself". She's also excited to be working towards writing & recording her 3rd album. SBK joins me on the show to share some songs from her current album & catch us up on all her latest news. This show will mark the 200th episode of In The Country! Listen to the show live or archived for details on how you can win 1 of 50 CDs generously provided by great Canadian Country Music artists.

London, Ontario Country artist Stacey Zegers performs over 100 shows a year - which she books and finances herself! Her current CD entitled Famous is getting lots of attention especially for the current single "Livin' The Dream." When asked about the importance of music in her life, Stacey says "It's the air I breathe and the every thought that crosses my mind." She even made it to the final round recently in CMT's search for a host. With her outgoing personality and love of music & meeting people, the sky is the limit for this talented Canadian artist. Tune in to get to know Stacey Zegers and her songs!

Ontario Country artist Nikki Shae has been singing since the age of three and writing songs since the age of eleven. Even though she didn’t play an instrument until later, Nikki always found that writing lyrics and creating melodies came very naturally to her. After high school, she studied Entertainment Management in Toronto to gain a thorough understanding of the music business so she would be armed to succeed in it. From there, Nikki teamed up with a management team in New York City. The plan was to develop a Pop/R&B sound and image but she soon came to realize that the world of Country Music was where she belonged. She entered a talent competition singing Shania Twain's "Up" and knew she was on the right path. Since then, Nikki has taught herself to play guitar and is now writing, recording, and performing her own Country songs, taking inspiration from her new favourites, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Nettles. Tune in for great stories & great songs from this rising star!