In The Country With Dave Woods

Cobourg Country artist Daynah Johnson joins me on the show to talk about her music career and her passion for Country Music. She's been focusing on songwriting and has also recorded songs written by some of Nashville's best including Victoria Banks and Gretchen Wilson. She's no stranger to performing live - you can catch her at various venues around her hometown. Her top 3 favourite Country artists are Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean. Songs like "Grounded" (which she co-wrote) and "Sorry Ain't Enough" should find her a place on the Country Music scene. Listen in as Daynah shares her thoughts on selecting the right songs to record, how she enjoys live performances and what she's working on next.

Patricia Conroy is one of Canada's finest singer-songwriters. You know her songs - 'Bad Day For Trains', 'Blank Pages', 'Mary On The Dashboard' and many more. She's had 8 number one singles at radio and 5 number one videos on CMT. When she's not singing her own hits, she's writing them for other artists. Patricia is currently enjoying big success as a writer with the smash hit for Steel Magnolia "Just By Being You (Halo And Wings)" - and One More Girl's chart-topper "The Day I Fall". Tune in to catch up on all the latest news - and hear great music - from this Canadian talent!

Should've been a cowboy - or cowgirl in this case. "Those are the specific lyrics I remember hearing when I fell in love with country music", explains talented Country singer/songwriter Shanna Lynn - making reference to Toby Keith's first smash hit. She had been singing since she was just eighteen months old but throughout elementary and high school she also excelled at sports - and chose to focus her energy on soccer. She participated at the provincial level on the Canada Games Team and received a soccer scholarship out of high school. In summer 2005, Shanna played Amanda Bynes' soccer double in the DreamWorks picture 'She's the Man'. After high school, Shanna re-directed her focus back to her first love…singing and writing. She won the 93.7 JRFM New Country Challenge 5 nights in a row and the Kamloops Can Am Challenge. In January of 2008, she made her debut with an impressive collection of material - produced by Bill Buckingham - including 5 songs which she had a hand in co-writing. Now she's teamed up wit

Over the past 25 years Toronto born singer-songwriter Lorne Ryder's music has taken him across Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec as well as to Nashville, Tennessee. Most recently he was nominated for a 2009 Canadian Smooth Jazz Award for Best Original Composition (Beautiful Feeling.) He has also been nominated for 3 Top-Ten CCMAs for keyboard player of the year (2004, 2005 and 2006), and 2 Ontario Independent Music Awards for Best Country Artist (2007 and 2008.) Lorne first started singing, songwriting and touring in the mid-eighties with “First and Last," a rock band he co-founded. They toured for 4 years and produced 2 albums, the second being co-produced by New York born producer Bob Gallo (Ben E. King, James Brown.) Following those tours, Lorne returned home and switched gears, working on a country-influenced album. The result was his debut solo record, "Ice Cream and Guns." The title track was co-written by Lorne, Naiose Sheridan (Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Rankin) and Toronto writer Peter Linseman. A fan commented

Born in Edmonton and adopted by parents in Calgary, Bobby Wills’ eventually found music but not as early as many artists do. “When I was a kid, music was not a part of my life in a tangible way. My father listened to Country Music at home but that was about the extent of our participation as a family, “ explains Bobby. “I loved music from an early age, it was something I was very drawn to but unfortunately that passion was something I was far too shy to share”. Then in Australia on vacation, Bobby was bet $20 by a friend to get up and sing with a band at a jam session. He sang The Dance (Garth Brooks) and officially began his musical path. The story gets even more interesting and powerful at this point – tune in to hear all the details. Bobby has just released his debut album entitled “Man With No Past” featuring the upcoming single “My Memory Ain’t What It Used To Be”.

Calgary, Alberta’s Shannon Smith has been singing and performing since the age of six, creating her own style while also influenced by the poise and traditionalism of Lorrie Morgan, the showmanship and flare of Shania Twain and the musical strength of Sheryl Crow. Her charming and sassy stage presence demands attention and connects her with her audience. Since 2007, Shannon has graced the stage of several top-notch venues and events throughout Alberta, including the Big Valley Jamboree, Airdrie Pro Rodeo and Flames Central in Calgary. She has opened for country recording artists Johnny Reid, Duane Steele and Julian Austin. Shannon was the 2009 winner of the Country 105/Lammle's Rising Star Contest held at Ranchman's in Calgary. Her debut album "Tell Me Something" has just been released. She joins me on the show to talk about the album, her music career and much more.

Award-winning Country/Roots group Three Penny Opus – based in the Barrie, Ontario area - is made up of Mary Lou Minor, Vince Therrien, Andre Paraskevas, Pam Steingard & Randy Brethour. Each member brings extensive musical experience and influences from various genres. Their debut album is a collection of songs written by Mary Lou and Vince. In 2009, the group won 1st place at the Seventh Annual Country Showdown in Havelock. That same year they won the Best Country award at Barrie’s New Music Fest. Mary Lou and Vince join me on the show to talk all about the group & to share some songs from their CD. Learn more about them at www.threepennyopus.com.

Born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario - now calling Whitby home - Country artist Barbara Lynn Doran found her love for music early on. "Music has always been a haven where I could escape to, a place to express my feeling from love, frustration to sadness, and where I could figure things out," she explains. She began playing the organ when she was just 8 and dived into songwriting at age 16. With many different musical influences - Olivia Newton-John, Sheryl Crow & Sarah McLaughlin - Barbara eventually found her way to Country Music and hasn't looked back. Her new project has been produced by producer Murray Daigle - who also had a hand in writing songs on the album. "I really enjoy connecting to the audience when I perform live and I feed off the energy of the crowd," she reveals. Tune in to hear this rising Country star talk about her music career - and share some of her newest songs.

Sudbury Country artist Larry Berrio has just released his latest radio single “Cut The Dust” from his album RPM. “It's related to the typical cowboy or farmer, that just likes to let loose, and looks forward to a weekend after a hard week of work,” Larry explains. Earlier this year, he shot a CMT video in Sudbury for the single “Rock Town” - featuring scenes filmed 140 feet under the ground and 200 feet in the air. In March 2010, Larry was the cover story on Country Music News which is published in Ottawa. Next month, he’ll be performing for agents, records labels, radio stations and festival organizers as part of CCMA week. Tune in to hear all about this rising Country star’s career – and hear the brand new single.

John Landry's big debut on the Canadian Country Music scene was in 2000 with his first single, "There You Were", which won SOCAN's Most Played Country Song of that year. He also went on to win the 2000 CCMA Independent Male Artist of the Year. That first album, Forever Took Too Long, went on to deliver more solid hits: "Bit By Bit", "Long Gone & Forgotten" and "My Heart Says Yes (But The Hurt Says No)". John continued to enjoy success with Country radio & Country fans with albums he released in 2002 & 2005. Now, he's back with his fourth album entitled Changing Man which features the energetic and fun song "Everybody Wants To Be A Redneck" as well as the moving title track. John once said: "No matter what I accomplish in my life, nothing will ever top the feeling of pride I get from the fans." This talented singer/songwriter visits In The Country to give us a sneak peak at his latest CD.

Bo Bice has released his latest single from his new album, '3,' which hit stores this summer. 'You Take Yourself With You' is a song Bo holds close to his heart, as it reminds the singer of his teenage years when he first left home. He co-wrote it with songwriting buddy D. Scot Miller. When the conversation turned to leaving home, both writers had special stories that would create a very personal song. "I was speaking a little bit about my relationship with my family and how hard it was to leave home," Bo explains. The talented singer/songwriter visits In The Country to talk about his music career, his new CD & the new single. I'll play the single and another song from '3'.

At just 16 years old, Tenille’s songwriting skills have aligned her with some of the best in the country music business including Nashville SESAC Legacy Award Winner Stan Webb, and CCMA Award winners Tim Taylor, Byron Hill, and Troy Kokol. Coming up at the CCMAs in September, Tenille has been selected to perform at the New Artist Showcase, as well as the Songwriters’ Café and for the RBC Emerging Artists project. Her first single, “Home Now”, a tribute to fathers serving overseas, released to national radio for Remembrance Day 2009, garnered vast media coverage. Tenille has performed for the Olympic Torch Relay, the National Anthem at an Edmonton Eskimos home game and has opened for many award-winning country acts. Tenille has released her EP, Note To Self, and will release a full-length CD entitled 'Real' this November.

Ray St. Germain started playing music and singing while growing up in St. Vital, a suburb in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Eventually, he began performing all over Canada when he was still a teenager, earning the nickname "Winnipeg's Elvis". He went on to share the stage with such greats as Johnny Cash, Porter Wagoner, and Johnny Horton. In 1969, Ray was the host/singer of "Time for Livin''" a CBC TV show out of Toronto that led to the 1970 series "My Kind of Country", a CBC National Television show from Winnipeg, featuring many of the biggest names in country music. In 1978, Ray began producing his long-running TV series entitled "Ray St. Germain Country" (later known as "Big Sky Country") on CKND which that year won the Gold Medal at the Can-Pro Awards for Best New Variety Series. In recent years, Ray added author to his list of credits as he wrote his autobiography "I Wanted to Be Elvis, So What Was I Doing In Moose Jaw?". In a special induction ceremony on Friday, September 10th in Edmonton, the CCMA will induct Ra

Brandi and Eddie are independently-produced artist-songwriters with a country sound they like to call "Motor City meets Country"! Brandi is from Michigan and Eddie is from Ohio - both have lived in Nashville since 2007. Eddie brings a signature guitar sound to his writing that you won't find easily duplicated. Brandi has a unique R&B vocal style with no boundaries. Their songs are well crafted, with lyrics that vividly tell a story. The duo continues to pitch songs while receiving air play via various internet radio as well as Christian Radio venues. They perform acoustically and along with a full band. Brandi and Eddie are here to talk about making music in Music City & to share some songs from their "Autumn Leaves" CD.

After winning one of Australia's highest country music accolades in January of this year, the CMAA Award (Golden Guitar) for Best Group, identical twin sisters, Lee and Paula Bowman, Julian Sammut and Simon Ross are members of what is now being touted Australia's hottest country band. The four friends met while studying at Music College in Melbourne, Australia, and after a few years began writing and recording their unique country pop blend, releasing their debut album Full Circle in 2005, the follow-up album, Dirt Roads City Lights in 2007, and Life At A Million Miles in 2009. The band have had seven songs in the Top 20 on Australian country radio, 3 of those in the top 10, with Million Miles staying in the #1 position for 6 consecutive weeks. They've won a long list of fans here in Canada too - playing the stages at Dauphin Countryfest, the Merritt Mountain Country Music Festival and Big Valley Jamboree. Jetty Road is here to talk about their exciting Country Music career and to share some songs (and the st

The Western Swing Authority is a unique collaboration of Canada’s top studio and touring musicians who share a common love for authentic western swing. Since April of 2009, the WSA has been drawing big crowds to The Commercial Tavern in Maryhill, Ontario. In the classic style of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, and inspired by great bands like The Time Jumpers and Asleep at the Wheel, this sound of Americana comes direct from Canada! Their debut CD features 11 tracks of classic western swing including Faded Love, Miles And Miles Of Texas, Blues For Dixie and Sweet Memories. Each member of the group has extensive experience working and touring with great artists like George Canyon, John Landry, Ian Tyson and Michelle Wright. Founding member Shane Guse joins me on the show to talk about the growing popularity of this talented Canadian band.  

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..  

The Grascals are among the most beloved and acclaimed bands on today’s bluegrass scene having won the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Emerging Artist of the Year award in 2005 and earning its Entertainer of the Year honor in both 2006 and 2007. They take another stride forward with "The Famous Lefty Flynn’s", their fourth album, on Rounder Records. Vocally, the trio of Terry Eldredge, Jamie Johnson, and Terry Smith are tighter than ever, cutting loose on driving solo vocals and soaring trios with equal fire and passion. As an instrumental unit, The Grascals have never sounded sharper, with mandolin ace Danny Roberts, fiddler Jeremy Abshire, and new banjo player Kristin Scott Benson leading the charge. As a result, The Famous Lefty Flynn’s features cutting-edge modern bluegrass delivered with a deep knowledge of and admiration for the work of the music’s founding fathers. Jamie Johnson of The Grascals visits In The Country to talk about the band's success & new album featuring the first single,

Canada’s Carolyn Dawn Johnson first made an impact on the Country Music scene when she wrote the #1 hit “Single White Female” for Chely Wright in 1999 and went on to receive Music Row Magazine's Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year Award in 2000. Soon, her own hits followed – “Georgia”, “I Don't Want You To Go” and the crossover smash “Complicated” – all from her debut album entitled Room With A View. She continued to climb the charts & win new fans with her subsequent releases - Dress Rehearsal (2004) and Love & Negotiation (2006). This Alberta-born and raised Country star has won 16 Canadian Country Music Awards, a JUNO Award, an Academy of Country Music Award, as well as an American Music Award for Favorite New Country Artist of 2003. Now, CDJ is back with a brand new album called Love Rules which features the lead single – doing great at radio - “Let Me Introduce Myself”. The song stays true to her signature sound, blending upbeat and soaring harmonies with lyrics that listeners can relate to. Mor

Saskatchewan's Tommy John Ehman has just released "Turn On The Radio" - his fifth album. "As with all my records", explains Tommy, "it's an exciting process to watch my songs grow and come alive before our eyes. Brian Dobbs (the CD's producer) has really done an amazing job with these songs and I'm excited to get them out there." His shows are high-energy and passionate and over the years he's had a chance to open for Country acts like Doc Walker and Aaron Pritchett. In 2005 he released his third CD "Like Father, Like Son" - a heart-felt, passionate acoustic tribute to Saskatchewan and Canadian farm families. "Having grown up on a farm in rural Saskatchewan, it was my dream for a number of years to write a record about the men and women who work the land and produce the food that we eat. I'm extremely proud of this album and really just wanted to say thanks to the farmers." Tommy joins me on the show to talk about his latest album and to share some songs from it.