In The Country With Dave Woods

19-year old Alberta Country artist Jaydee Bixby follows up his debut album "Cowboys And Cadillacs" with his brand new release "Easy To Love". "Music is a stress-release; escapism from the realities of life," reflects Jaydee. "When you go to a concert, are you worrying about paying your bills the next day? When people hear this album, they won't be thinking about responsibilities and life. They'll have a great time with some honest music. If everybody leaves my shows or hears my albums forgetting about their difficulties and feeling great, I've done my job." The new collection of songs - almost all of which were co-written by Jaydee - will be sure to win him new fans & get extensive radio airplay. Jaydee first caught Canada's attention as a member of the Canadian Idol cast just a few years ago. Soon after Idol, his first radio release "Old-Fashioned Girl" found a home on the Canadian Country Music charts. Jaydee is here to talk about his music career & to share some songs from his new album.

Born and raised in rural Nova Scotia, Kevin Davison understood at a very young age that music was an invaluable tool for bringing people together. "One of my greatest memories of growing up is when I used to listen to my father and his friends sitting around playing music on their guitars." It was years later that a tragic event brought Kevin to the realization that he could use his music to not only see himself through rough times but also help others through them as well. When a close friend's little boy became ill with rheumatoid arthritis, Kevin did what came naturally; expressed himself through song. The result was "This Little Boy", a story of the young boy's struggle through the illness and how love saw him through it. After writing this song and seeing the positive feedback it received, Kevin realized that he needed to pursue music as a career. In 2007, he released his self-titled CD plus an EP entitled "Hear". Now, Kevin's just released his new album entitled "Just The Beginning" produced by JR Vauto

Born and raised in Buffalo, New York - and now living in Nashville - 21-year old singer/songwriter Amanda Nagurney is making her mark on the Country Music world. She's opened shows for such artists as Travis Tritt, Gretchen Wilson and Michelle Wright - and Sara Evans in August. She won Crossover Artist of the Year in the 2009 Independent Music Network Awards and was nominated as Country Artist of the Year in the 2009 Upper State Independent Awards. For the second consecutive year, she was nominated as Best Female Vocalist at the Buffalo Music Awards. Amanda recently released her second CD entitled "So Full Of Country" which was recorded in Nashville. She's visiting In The Country to talk about her music career and to share some songs from her new CD. Learn more about this talented artist at www.AmandaNagurney.com.

Terri Clark soared up the Country Music charts with her very first single, "Better Things To Do", in 1995. The talented Medicine Hat, Alberta singer/songwriter quickly followed it up with more hits like "When Boy Meets Girl", "If I Were You" & "Poor Poor Pitiful Me". Among her many awards, she's won the CCMA's Fans' Choice Entertainer of the Year award multiple times. She has also found success in music in the States - in 2004, she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Her seventh studio album, "The Long Way Home", finds Terri writing and singing about subjects and emotions she's lived through and survived. The singles so far have been warmly welcomed by radio and have become instant fan favourites: "Gypsy Boots", "If You Want Fire", "A Million Ways To Run" & the brand new duet with Johnny Reid entitled "You Tell Me". Tune in to hear Terri talk about her music career & her new CD.

Country artist Mark Chesnutt's numbers do the talking - he's had 14 #1 singles, 23 top ten singles, four platinum albums & five gold records. His long list of hits includes “Brother Jukebox",“It Sure Is Monday", "Almost Goodbye", "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" & his very first radio release in 1988 "Too Cold At Home". Now Saguaro Road Records is releasing Mark Chesnutt’s new collection of classic country songs on an album called 'Outlaw'. “When I was first approached to record this CD, my reaction wasn’t just ‘yes,’ but ‘hell, yeah,’” Mark explains. “I cut my teeth on this kind of music and it’s an opportunity for me to pay tribute to some of my biggest heroes in country music.” He covers songs made famous by Country Music legends Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings & Hank Jr. Mark visits In The Country to talk about making 'Outlaw' & to share some songs from it.

Raised in the small town of Chester, Virginia, Brinn Black grew up singing in her church and in her high school choir. All she ever wanted to do was make music so at the age of 18 she hit the road straight to Music City - Nashville, Tennessee. Over the last few years, she has released an album and had her single “Sweet Virginia Sunset” played on over 150 stations around the world. She's also toured across the U.S. and been able to share the stage with some of country music’s biggest stars. When asked what compels her to write her songs she says, “I make music for myself because it's such an emotional outlet for me." Brinn is heavily involved in charities, focusing on cancer research and gives back as often as she can by playing at benefits, volunteering at events, and visiting hospitals across the country. Mellissa Bolea of GAC states, “Brinn has that 'it' factor! Her inviting personality shines through in her music."

Canadian Country Music artist Michelle Wright makes her second appearance on In The Country - she was on the show last July. Be sure to check out that episode in the archived section. Michelle's latest CD "Everything And More" features the popular hit singles "Riding Around The Sun" & "I've Forgotten You". She recently announced that she would be bringing her "Wright Songs 2010" acoustic tour to 24 Canadian communities this fall. The tour starts in Glace Bay, NS, on Thursday, October 14, and finishes up in Maple Ridge, BC, on Friday, November 12. I'll ask her about her latest CD, the acoustic tour & more..

At the tender age of thirteen, Manitoba's Desiree Dorion released a CD entitled "All You Gotta Do is Try," which featured nine original songs. Her song, "My Destiny", made its way to the Canadian Country Music Charts. As she continued on her musical path, she eventually shared the stage with Canadian Country artists Charlie Major, Tom Jackson, George Canyon and others. Desiree's new album called "Soul Back Jack" - produced by Arun Chaturvedi - will take you on a journey of laughter, loss, remembrance and fun. She co-wrote all the songs on the disc but one. This talented singer/songwriter is 100% Country and she joins me on the show to talk about her music career and her new CD.

Country artist Roger Schmidt borrowed an electric guitar for a high school lip sync performance when he was fifteen – and has never looked back. Growing up in a small town in BC, he found making music a great way to pass the time. He eventually packed up his musical dreams and headed to the Greater Vancouver area. In 2007, Roger won the Coquitlam, BC Idol contest. After winning a spot in the BC Talent Search competition, Roger placed 6th out of 18 provincial finalists at Mountainfest 2008. His debut CD “Horns & Halos” was produced by Don Harte of Harte Music Productions – and features songs penned by Roger. Larry Delaney, editor & publisher of Country Music News (out of Ottawa, Canada), praises the CD, “Horns & Halos is an auspicious debut for Roger Schmidt. If this album is any indication, he should have a successful run with his music career”.

Edmonton's Lisa Nicole Grace organizes fundraising campaigns for a hospital foundation by day - and lives for her music the rest of the time. She studied music at university but explains, "I never really quite felt at home until I started playing around town with my own band playing my own music. It's been an adventure for sure, and I am happiest when singing." Lisa's blend of Country and Folk is winning her new fans daily. Her 2008 debut EP 'The Cellar Sessions' features her heartwarming vocals and insightful songwriting. A new CD is currently being worked on for release later in 2010. Last year she wrote a beautiful song called 'Last Breath' inspired by the Twilight book series (also big at the box office). "I was really touched by the beautiful yet tortured love between the two main characters and wrote this song in response to that," Lisa reveals. Tune in as this talented singer/songwriter discuss her passion for music and shares the stories behind her songs.

Peterborough's Kristen T. Clark has shared the stage with Country stars Jamie Warren, Tara Lyn Hart, Carroll Baker, Steve Piticco (from South Mountain) & Don Helms (from Hank Williams Sr.'s band). Encouraged by Dave Lockwood of CKOL 93.7FM Radio and Canadian "hit" producer/writer Cyril Rawson, Kristen continues to write her own original songs with her goal of releasing a CD full of originals in the near future. Her list of guitar heroes - Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Rik Emmett - helps motivate her to pursue advanced guitar lessons with a private instructor. She's performed countless times at various musical venues & on Rogers TV. Backed by 62 North at many of her shows, Kristen is embracing a rock country approach to her music. This talented young singer/songwriter/guitarist joins me to talk about her music career and her exciting summer shows.

Francelle Maria gained recognition by participating in many competitions such as Star Acadie, Maritime Idol, Accros de la Chanson, which also gave her continuous radio play for her and her band, not yet out of high school. She graduated from Toronto's Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, where she got the chance to perfect her skills in singing, dancing and acting. Loving the thrill of performing on stage, she shone in many musical theatre shows including Sleeping Beauty as the Good Fairy, High School Musical II as Sharpay and Cinderella as the lead character. Eventually, she returned to her hometown on the East Coast of Canada to work towards her debut Country CD. She co-wrote songs with Nashville writers, recorded them with some of Nashville's finest musicians and called on the talents of Canadian producer (and Country artist) JR Vatour. Francelle is here to talk about the journey leading to her debut CD & to share a couple of the songs from it. Catch this star on the rise on In The Country!

UK Country artist Debbie Nunn wrote her first song at the age of 10 and now has an extensive catalogue of her own music. For her new album "Here for You", she co-wrote 10 tracks and penned one by herself. Debbie has performed her music in Las Vegas, Russia, Singapore and at the legendary Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville. Her current single "Bubbles" is receiving lots of airplay in Germany, Austria and Switzerland - there's also a video for the song being aired in the UK. Recently, Debbie was excited to hear the single is featured on a compilation CD from Sony Music called "Hot & New Country Music" - a CD that also features songs from Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. Tune in to hear all about this talented singer/songwriter's music career as well as the stories behind some of her songs.

With the release of his first self-titled album in 1988, country music fans found a new favourite artist in Cochrane, Alberta's George Fox. Debut singles, 'Angelina' and 'Goldmine' quickly climbed the country charts and soon other singles like 'No Trespassing,' 'Mustang Heart,' & 'I Give You My Word' reached the top as well. Throughout the 1980s, George opened for such country greats as Randy Travis, Dolly Parton and George Strait. Before long this talented Canadian singer/songwriter was headlining his own sold out shows and seeing his success add up: 4 CCMA awards for country male vocalist, 3 Junos, 5 Gold Records & 4 CBC television specials. Of his album entitled 'Canadian' - featuring 12 songs he wrote - George says "There is nothing like country music when it comes to conveying a little patriotism, and I'd love to be the voice that sings about what makes Canadians feel proud." Tune in to hear George share some great stories & great songs.

DEERE JOHN’s Craig Brooks, Randy Gee, Ken Kirshner, and James Webster had found success in music on their own but but it was when they turned their collective attention to country music that something magical happened. The band moved into a log cabin on guitar player Randy Gee’s farm and began the process of writing a great country album. With four singer/songwriters in the group, the songs developed quickly and with quality. Producer (and Canadian Country artist) Gil Grand used his skills to ensure the 16 tracks on the CD captured the “no boundaries” approach to music that the band lives by. Tune in to hear from this British Columbia band on the rise and get the stories behind their songs.

Singing since the age of five, Stephanie McIlroy has always had a desire to pour out her heart to audiences. She never recognized music as talent to pursue until her late twenties. Growing up in farm country near Windsor, Ontario - in the small town of Merlin - she spent countless hours sitting in her room listening to the radio. Little did she know those moments would create in her the ability to put her own words and music into song. Fast forward: Stephanie has just released her debut CD entitled "Life Is Not An Act" - produced by Brad Dugas of Revelation Sound in Guelph, Ontario. The CD showcases this talented Canadian's passionate voice & strong songwriting skills. Tune in to learn more about Stephanie and to hear her songs & the stories behind them.  

Samara Yung has been performing since the age of eight, developing her love of music from her musician father. She grew up exposed to a variety of sounds - Country, Classic rock & Broadway show tunes. 2005 was an exciting year for Samara as she won the GX94 Star Search Contest. From this contest, she was able to release two singles - written & produced by Steve Fox - to radio. In 2006, Samara was on the road, as a member of the winter cast of Saskatchewan Express. She toured throughout Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta with the long running musical touring company, which showcases Saskatchewan youth talent. Samara released her debut album "Show Me The World" in 2008, also produced by Steve Fox. She co-wrote eight of the songs on the album with Canadian talents Steve Fox, Tim Taylor and RyLee Madison. In 2009, Samara was honoured to be nominated for 7 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year, Rising Star, Song, Single and Album of the year! In 2010, she won two SCMA awa

From humble beginnings in Sudbury, Ontario and the youngest of ten children, Diane Chase found her voice at age five and as a teenager began touring in Ontario and Quebec with the popular band “Flirt”. Her love for Country Music and songwriting led her to begin a career as a solo artist. The release of her first CD in 2002, “In The Middle Of Something” - produced by award-winning Canadian producer Rick Hutt - saw the title track skyrocketing to the Top 10 on Canadian Country radio with the fun video becoming a CMT favourite. More successful singles followed and then, in 2004, Diane released her second CD "The Ride" with the inspiring title track/chart-topping single and another hit video. The musical adventure continues with the release of Diane’s current CD, “Gettin' There” - produced by Nashville producer/songwriter Noah Gordon & Canada's Jason Barry. Learn more about this talented Country artist at www.dianechase.com.

Born and raised in St. Alban's, Newfoundland - Friends of Jack consists of brothers Darryl and Chad John and cousin Paul. They were the winners of Barkley's 2002 Star Search beating out over 40 other acts from throughout the province. Since then, they've relocated to Fort McMurray, Alberta where they have continued to build a solid fan base. 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 December 2009, Friends of Jack made the trip to Nashville to record with producer and engineer Bob Bullock to record their debut album. On their debut album the following musicians were in the studio to record this project - Brent Mason (Darryl's dream guitar player to have on this project); Chris Leuzinger (Garth Brooks); Chad Cromwell (Neil Young & Dire Straits); Dan Dugmore (Dire Straits) & more. FOJ's album is scheduled for a midsummer release. Tune in to hear from this band on the v

Growing up in Hines Creek, Alberta, musical influences such as Charley Pride and Ricky Skaggs helped develop Tracy Millar's love for traditional country music. Her musical ability was evident early. She was singing by the age of three and taught herself to play guitar at the age of nine. She continued her musical education learning clarinet & piano, and later on bass guitar & mandolin. She started songwriting in her teen years, and continues writing independently as well as co-writing with some of Canada's top songwriters. She has shared the stage with Duane Steele, Aaron Lines, Emerson Drive, Brad Johner, and many others. In addition, Tracy generously gives her time and talents to various community events, fundraisers, and charities. "I'm Not That Girl Anymore" is her second album release - from the Spring of 2008 - and showcases her growth as a songwriter and as an artist. Its traditional country and bluegrass styling indicate that Canada has a new and captivating voice that must be heard.