In The Country With Dave Woods

Canadian Country singer/songwriter Rick Stavely entertains his many fans in clubs and honky tonks throughout Western Canada. Rick did well on the charts in 2009 with his single 'Man For The Job'. He co-wrote the song with hitmaker (and recent In The Country guest) Tim Taylor. This month Rick has released his brand new single 'Talk About It' to Canadian Country radio. This is a track from his latest CD entitled 'You Got Country.' Rick is here to talk about his music career and share some of his songs with us.

Michael-Jay Cresswell is getting set to release his brand new album IT'S TIME on March 29th. The CD - produced by Steve Haggard of Nashville's Wild Oats Records - features 11 tracks written by this talented singer/songwriter. It also features some of the industry's best musicians. A classically trained musician, Michael spent many great years as a DJ on the greek island of Corfu in the resort of Kavos. He currently lives in France. Many of the songs on the album are based on real-life experiences and lessons Michael has learned in life. I'll share several of those songs on the show. This is his 2nd appearance on In The Country and IT'S TIME we catch up with him just a few days before his new CD is released.

(Note: Show starts at 2 minute mark.) Texas-born singer/songwriter Doug Bruce now resides in Bendigo, Australia. Doug’s career in country music has seen him move from behind the drums to front of stage, impressing die-hard country fans and new converts alike with his rich voice and natural affinity for the southern country sound. With the release of his first full album, All I Need, Doug has been awarded 2009 Best Male Vocalist in the well regarded Tamworth Independent Artists Recognition Awards (TIARAs). Doug also took out Best Contemporary Song (for 'I Know About Lonesome') in the Professional section of the Tamworth Songwriters’ Association (TSA) National Songwriting Competition. He was also a top five finalist in the Traditional section (for 'Just Three Minutes'). Doug was also a finalist in all six of his nominated categories of the prestigious Victorian & National Country Music Awards 2009, taking out Victorian Male Vocalist, Victorian Album of the Year and the Smoky Dawson Best Independent Release

Kelly Lee is a twenty-four year old Country singer-songwriter from Hatfield in the UK. She has loved country music for as long as she can remember, listening to her parents' tapes of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, and later on The Judds and Reba McEntire. Kelly started her musical journey when she was fifteen, doing guest spots in various country music clubs and pubs with a band called Struck It Rich, and opening for another young singer, Niki Dean, at the famed Borderline Club in London. Mike Maslen signed Kelly to indie label Halo Records in November 2007. She then recorded and released her debut album 'I Can Dream'. Her first single from the album, “Stay”, reached # 1 on the British and Irish Hotdisc Chart Top 10 and stayed there for three weeks and received rave reviews. Kelly is now signed with Alien Star Records & BSW Management (Brad Wallace) in Nashville. Tune in to learn all about this rising Country artist and hear a few of her songs from her popular CD.

Canada's Tim Taylor has enjoyed a very successful career in country music both as a performer and as a hit songwriter. His performing days resulted in several major awards including four CCMA Duo of the Year awards with Anita Perras, and three JUNO nominations as a male vocalist. His songwriting honors include two CCMA Song of the Year Awards ('One Smokey Rose' and 'Ten Million Teardrops'), CCMA Independent Song Of the Year ('She’s Getting Serious'), and the 2008 BCCMA Song of the Year award for 'Done You Wrong' as performed by Aaron Pritchett. Tim moved to Nashville in the mid-nineties to concentrate on songwriting. That move has led to working with many top American writers along with a large number of new and established recording artists. In the past fifteen years he has managed to build his Cavalcade Of Hits song catalog to over 1000 titles, with about 200 of them being cut.

Saskatchewan's Jasmine Paige is a 17 year old country singer on the rise. From karaoke to singing the national anthem, to musical theatre and classical voice lessons, her incredible vocal range and depth have progressed rapidly into a growing music career. She was “discovered” at a New Year’s Eve party in Scottsdale, Arizona in December 2008. That led to a two song performance at a local country music festival(“Hawgarama”) near Regina, Saskatchewan. She was “re-discovered” at that event by a music industry executive with ties to Nashville, Tennessee. Eight months later—- she recorded her debut tracks at Sonic Eden Studios, in Nashville, with veteran producer/song writer, Mark Oliverius. Jasmine’s debut self-titled CD contains 5 tracks ranging from traditional to contemporary country. She was recently on the cover of Saskatchewan's Arriva Magazine with a featured interviewed on her inside the publication. Tune in and get to know Jasmine Paige and hear some tracks from her new self-titled CD available at Musi

Garrett Walker's mom and dad were both singers and musicians. When he was a very young child they would often take him to gigs with them. He'd hang out in the back room and listen to the show - breathing in the music like air. After the break up of his parents at age 8, his life changed forever, and he uses his songs to paint the pictures of his journey since - songs about love and pain, hope and faith, and always about reality. Garrett's goal is to use his talent for all the right reasons. And talent he has - you'll hear it in the songs he writes and sings. From the heartfelt 'Wasn't Done Loving You" to the fun and cool vibe of "Leave My Guitar Alone", you will be moved and entertained. This talented singer/songwriter is making his dreams happen in Nashville and will talk to us all about his music career, his songwriting and much more. Don't miss this special Sunday afternoon edition featuring 3 of Garrett's songs.

Country Music artist Charlie Major shot up the country charts many times in the 1990s with hits like "I'm Gonna Drive You Out Of My Mind" & "I'm Somebody". Six songs from Charlie's debut album "The Other Side" went to #1 on the Canadian Country Music charts. He's also well-awarded - 3 Junos & 7 Canadian Country Music Awards. His lyrics champion the Blue Collar Hero in a manner that resonates of Springsteen, and other roots rock legends, but it is in the country music format that Charlie finds his home. His most recent CD "Shadows And Light" is one of his most riveting and heartfelt albums to date. He wrote all 11 tracks and co-produced the project with Jason Barry. It features a duet with Canadian Rock Legend Kim Mitchell called "Young At Heart". Tune in to catch up with Charlie and hear some of his best songs.

Country artist Rayla Ray was born and raised in Gatesville, Texas. As a little girl, she sang with her father who wrote and performed country music & was also a DJ at the local Country station. Over the years, Rayla has competed in and won many local and national talent contests. She has performed at the Ft. Worth Stockyards, the Cotton Bowl & Nascar Weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. When she sings, there is no mistaking her deep Country roots. Her biggest musical influences are her Dad and artists Patsy Cline, Reba and Gretchen Wilson. Tune in to hear Rayla talk about her music career and to hear a couple of her songs.

Christian Country group Hinson Revival makes music to touch your heart and inspire you. The trio is made up of Rod Burton, Eric Hinson & April Hinson. Their great songs 'The Lighthouse' and 'Hallelujah Meeting' are sure to move you with their powerful messages. Hinson Revival is proud to be an important part of the Branson Gospel Music Convention - along with many other Christian artists - running June 28th through July 2nd. Tune in to hear how the trio started and all the latest news. The show will also feature two of the group's songs.

In Memory of Dianna Paul Dianna passed away on July 1, 2014. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dianna Paul is a Country singer/songwriter who gets her intense energy from her mother, her proud heritage from her father and the derivation of her life and songs from her faith. She can get things rocking with Daughter Of A Southern Man and touch your heart with I Am Not The One or her latest song Rose. Now calling Nashville home, Dianna is excited to be releasing her first CD Why Do Angels Cry later this month. I'll talk with Dianna about her music career, her new CD and she'll share a couple of her songs with us on this special Sunday edition. Originally broadcast March 14, 2010.   

Northern Ontario's Larry Berrio began playing acoustic guitar at the age of 15. One of his big musical influences at that time was Country supergroup Alabama. Eventually he made a living as a graphic artist, becoming a much-in-demand sign painter, and an expert in air brushing fancy artwork on trucks and cars. But music kept calling him and soon he pursued it full-time. Several albums have been released and just last year he opened shows for Brooks & Dunn in Sudbury. Larry's latest CD 'RPM' is creating a buzz and features the theme song to the Global TV Series 'Canada In The Rough' as well as the new single 'Rock Town'.

When Calgary's Katie Love Hess sang at a church talent show at four years old, it was clear to everyone that she had found her calling. As a small girl grew into a big voice, she spent her time singing sweet gospel hymns and R&B classics and, after high school, touring with an a capella band. In 2005, she auditioned for Canadian Idol. Katie’s heartfelt, honey-soaked vocals, stage appeal and connection to the audience was strong enough to earn her a place in the top 42. At the auditions, one of the judges suggested she pursue country music. In 2007, she competed and won the 620 CKRM Big Country Talent Show along with a first prize of a recording session and radio airplay of her debut single “Great Day to Be in Love” (co-written by Carolyn Dawn Johnson). The song’s success led this talented singer/songwriter to start writing and recording songs for a full-length album project. I'll talk with Katie about her music career, her latest projects and play her debut single and her latest one 'I Like It Like That'.

Canadian Doug Folkins is a Celtic Rock singer/songwriter and storyteller (and amateur boxer!). He’s perfectly happy to sing down at the local pub tonight, but he has also set his sights on becoming a fixture on the Festival stage in the very near future. Folkins has spent the last 10 years, writing, playing, and producing his own material. With "Another Last Call", Doug’s fifth album, he returns to his folk rock past. “Calico Girl” and “Park the Car” have already gotten worldwide airplay in Austria, France, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and The Netherlands (as well as New York and Los Angeles). This worldwide appeal might be a result of Folkins’ ability to blend traditional Celtic influences, country twang, and pop jangle to create a fresh sound that is as comfortable as your favorite pair of jeans.

Armed with a saxophone, keyboard, and a 'must-hear-to-believe' voice, Pamela K. Ward has a stage show that is nothing short of electrifying. She has opened for Loretta Lynn and has been a guest performer on the Jim Stafford Show among others and at numerous fairs, festivals, and conventions around the country. Pamela played keyboards and sang background vocals on tour with Doug Stone in 2005 and has performed with sax players from the bands of Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Beyonce and George Thorogood. She has recorded multiple sessions on Nashville's famed Music Row. Raised on a six generation family farm in central Arkansas, Pamela is very proud of her roots. Tune in to hear this talented singer/songwriter - who now lives in Nashville - talk about her start in music, her songwriting approach and much more. We'll also feature some of her best songs.

Kentucky's Glenda Neace has been singing since the age of 3. Her musical influences include Patsy Cline, Hank Williams Jr. and many more of the classic and contemporary singers. She was also inspired musically from an early age by members of her family. Glenda's new CD "Something About You" has a bit of everything: honky-tonk songs, love songs and sad songs. Tune in to hear this talented singer/songwriter talk about her current CD, her musical influences, her songwriting approach and much more. And we'll feature a couple of her best songs on the show.

Vancouver Island's Beth Marie Anderson is a 22 year old singer/songwriter who has spent the last 5 years singing with such organizations as the Vancouver Island Opera Company, Bard to Broadway Summer Theater Group and Echo Players Theater. In October 2009 Beth headed to Nashville to take things to the next level in her music career. She attended a week long songwriting course, wrote with hit writers such as Grady Walker and Marc-Alan Barnette and recorded her debut album "Open Road" at Dark Horse Recording. "There are ten tracks on my album, eight of which I either wrote or co-wrote for this project. I can't wait for everyone to hear my CD, it's truly a reflection of who I am and what I stand for."

With smash hits like "Elvira", "Bobbie Sue", "Settin' Fancy Free" and many more, The Oak Ridge Boys have a special place in the hearts of Country Music fans. Now they're back with a brand new CD appropriately titled "The Boys Are Back" featuring the Jamey Johnson-penned song "Mama's Table". Joe Bonsall joined the legendary Country group in 1973 and the rest is musical history. Aside from singing, songwriting and banjo playing, Joe is also the author of a children's book series (Molly The Cat) and an inspirational biography (G. I. Joe and Lillie: Remembering A Life of Love and Loyalty) that he wrote about his parents. Tune in to catch up with Joe and hear the stories behind the hits and the stories behind his books - plus much more. And, of course, the show will feature great music from The Oak Ridge Boys.

"I wasn't born into a family of singers", says Ashlyn Metheny, "it's just something I've always known I wanted to do." In 2004, at the age of 14, Ashlyn won the Colgate Country Showdown and earned the honor of performing at the Arkansas State Fair. She has opened shows for Ricochet, John Anderson, Bobby Bare and others. This talented Arkansas singer/songwriter is comfortable with many styles of music: Country, Pop, R & B and Contemporary Christian. Tune in for a fun and insightful interview with Ashlyn featuring a couple of her latest songs.

Born in Illinois, Joe Bayer's musical journey began at an early age. Eventually, he played throughout the Midwest and made the move to Los Angeles, California where he and his hard rock act Devastation Run landed a record deal with Ironworks records. Joe has also chalked up a couple of Indie Radio awards and performed at award shows in Nashville and Nevada. He has also had the pleasure of opening for Tim Rushlow from the Country group Little Texas. Now based in New York, the Joe Bayer Band continues performing live and are finishing their new CD "Locked , Rocked and Loaded" due out this year. With 2 videos released and the single "Hello Sunshine, Goodbye Rain" featuring the legendary Gary U.S. Bonds receiving international attention from fans and music industry executives, 2010 is shaping up to be a great one for this talented singer/songwriter.