In The Country With Dave Woods

Calgary's Lester Howe writes and sings in his own unique style. You can't mistake it for anything but Country Music - straight from the heart. His musical influences include Cash, Haggard & Pride. Lester tours throughout western Canada each year playing shows and doing fundraisers for causes he believes in. This talented singer/songwriter has released 3 CDs: Tyler Texas, White Church and Flesh & Blood (all are available at CDBaby.com). We'll learn more about Lester and his music and we'll also hear a couple of his best songs.

You probably first heard Alex J. Robinson's voice in the Ontario Tourism ad with the song "There's No Place LIke This". Her 2007 debut CD "Never Say Never" featured 4 high-charting radio singles and a hit video on CMT. She went on that year to win 'Breakthrough Artist Of The Year' at the Canadian Radio Muisc Awards. The talented Sudbury, Ontario-born singer/songwriter is releasing her new CD entitled "The Getaway" this month. Both CDs are produced by Tim Thorney and feature songs that he and Alex co-wrote. "Music was all around me", remembers Alex J. "and my early influences were The Judds, George Strait and of course, my very favourite, Shania Twain." Tune in as Alex J. talks about her new CD and shares some songs from it.

Crystal Shawanda grew up on a reservation called Wikwemikong on Canada's Manitoulin Island. She wrote her first song at the age of 9 as her way of coping with the struggles she saw around her. Country Music was her hope for a better life and Loretta Lynn was her childhood hero. Fast forward: In 2008, her hit single "You Can Let Go" was released to radio and introduced Country fans to her heartfelt voice. The song was the first release from her CD "Dawn Of A New Day" - which is the meaning of her last name. CMT featured her on the reality series, "Crystal: Living The Dream". The CCMA named her Female Artist of The Year in 2009. Crystal is here to talk about her music career and share her music with us: "In Your Arms Again" (her duet with George Canyon) & a brand new song just recorded.

Country artist Jimmy Parker stays true not only to himself, but to the music he sings. He is, as his producer claims, the 'real deal' when it comes to singing a great sounding Country song. You'll be drawn in by his honest and heartfelt delivery. You can hear in his voice the influences of Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and Keith Whitley. Tune in to hear Jimmy talk about his music career and his latest projects. You'll get to listen to some of his great songs including one he co-wrote: "A Soldier Is Worth It To Me".

Born in Toronto to Anne Murray and TV producer/host Bill Langstroth, Dawn participated in local musicals and choirs. She expressed her feelings through poetry for most of her teenage years. Then, in a chance meeting with legendary entertainment manager Bruce Allen, he encouraged Dawn to try composing lyrics. Over the next six years or so, she co-wrote about a dozen songs. She began a highly successful 2007 as the opening act for The Rankin Family’s Canadian tour and released a self-titled, five-song EP. During The Rankin Family’s Toronto concert, a fateful meeting with legendary, Grammy-Award-winning producer/engineer, George Massenburg turned into a great next step for Dawn. Massenburg and Jon Randall Stewart co-produced a 2nd EP for Dawn in 2008 and more recently a full CD entitled 'Highwire'. Tune in as Dawn shares stories from her music career as well as some songs from her new CD.

Todd Berry's musical influences range from Garth Brooks to Elvis to Huey Lewis. Being born legaly blind has not stopped him from pursuing his dream of writing and performing Country Music. He is about to release his new CD entitled "Better Days To Cry" with Spotlight Records. Todd visits the show to talk about his new CD and to share some songs from it. You'll hear about a "Politically Incorrect Redneck" and all the "Things A Man Needs To Say".

Since officially moving to Nashville, Vickie Raye has been in and out of the recording studio working on demo projects and performing whenever possible. She has recorded 3 albums and is completing her fourth: Cover to Cover (2005), Different Shade of Southern (2006), Cigarettes & Circumstance (2008) and Vickie Raye: Unplugged (in production). NSAI evaluators have said of her songs “stellar melodies”, "ability to paint an amazing picture”. Barbara Cloyd of the Bluebird Café said “(Vickie is) doing what no one else is doing. It’s different in a very good way”. A talented singer with a powerful and soulful voice, Vickie Raye is capable of taking you on a journey from the very first song to the last - leaving you wanting more. Tune in as Vickie talks about her music career & her songwriting and she'll share some of her great songs with us.

Five distinct musical backgrounds. Five very different personalities. Five lead vocalists. Incredible chemistry. Five diverse people found each other and created their own sound known as Domino. After over 20 years each, of playing in different bands, in different genres, Chris Scott, Luanne Carl, Russ Carl, Kent Nixon and Scott McKnight found each other and started a band. They've just released their CD entitled "Dime A Dozen" featuring the current single "Going For It" which is getting spins across Canada. This talented Alberta band is here to talk about their start, their influences and their new CD. You'll get to hear two songs from the new release.

Missouri's Rickie Lee Tanner does it all when it comes to music: he writes, sings and entertains. He mixes Country and Rock and a whole lot of heart into his songs. He's won talent competitions and opened up shows for big names. Rickie Lee's musical influences include George Strait, Garth Brooks and Merle Haggard plus many of the greats from rock 'n roll. His new CD 'Fast Lane' showcases his voice and solid songwriting skills. Tune in to hear RLT talk about his music career, his songwriting approach and his new CD.

Alberta's Erica Viegas makes music that expresses the joy in life's simple moments and brings beauty to the bittersweet. For over 10 years, she's been singing at festivals and talent competitions all over Western Canada. Her musical influences and favorite artists include Chantal Kreviazuk, Norah Jones and Sarah McLachlan. Erica's debut EP entitled "Where My Heart Goes" features her powerful voice and heartfelt songwriting. A portion of the proceeds from the album will go towards One International Poverty Relief, a school for street children in Mumbai, India where Erica volunteered and was inspired to write the last song “Thank You.” Tune in as this talented singer/songwriter talks about her love of music, her songwriting process and more. You'll hear two of the great songs from her new EP.

Atlanta's Mike Willis is a talented artist and songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. Over the years he has shared the stage with Sugarland, John Mayer and Ronnie Milsap. Since moving to Music City, he's seen his songwriting abilities get recognized - receiving the Leon Brettler ASCAP Foundation Award for outstanding songwriter/performer. He has also won in the Country category of the International Songwriters Competition for his heartfelt ballad "Made For You". His latest and fourth EP is entitled "As I Am". I'll talk with Mike about his new CD, his approach to songwriting and lots more. You'll get to hear some of his latest songs.

Ontario's Dawson Reigns has been working the indie circuit in local bars and festivals across the province for the last seven years. His shows capture fans' hearts and ears from start to finish. This talented singer/songwriter has trained under Canadian rock icon Ray Lyell. Dawson's influences include Travis Tritt, Montgomery Gentry & Bon Jovi. One of Canada's top music producers Jason Barry is producing his debut CD to be released this spring. The first single - "If Crazy Wasn't So Beautiful" - is going to introduce Dawson to the top of the Country charts and leave fans wanting more. Tune in for a chance to get to know rising star Dawson Reigns and to hear his hot new radio single.

This will mark Karen's third visit to the show and it's always a fun time. She sings with passion and honesty and entertains on stage like someone who was born to be there. Her video for "Hearts On The Run"' has been shown on CMT. That song is a highlight from her "Every Moment" CD which is all the proof you need to know Vancouver's Karen Lee Batten is a star on the rise. Tune in as this talented singer/songwriter talks about her music career, her current projects and debuts her brand new radio single "Between Goodbye And Gone" from her upcoming album.

Born in Ontario and raised in Alberta, Marlee Scott's musical path began when she was 8 years old and spotted a pink electric guitar. Her exposure to Country Music came in a unique way. Her mother drove her to various activities and the only radio station that came in clear was a Country station! Marlee took a liking to it right away. Fast forward: In 2006, she released her debut album and moved to Music City shortly after that to pursue her dream. At just 23 years of age, Marlee has just released her brand new self-titled CD featuring the hit single 'Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow'. Tune in as this talented singer-songwriter talks about her start in music and her new CD. She'll share a couple of great songs from it.

Shane Chisholm's country crooning can be dated back to a time when his mother put him on stage with his two siblings singing Country Classics in three part harmony. Shane commanded the bass lines with his deep and rich *two year old* voice. Growing up in a rural area outside of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Shane found ways of expressing his creativity by singing and writing about future heart breaks. Shane has toured Canada with his own band as well as performing as a bassist and backup singer for many of Canada’s biggest Country Stars including Aaron Lines, Gil Grand, Aaron Pritchett & Steve Fox. Shane has been nominated for CCMA bass player of the year in 2003, 2004 & 2007. On the line from Alberta where he now calls home, Shane will talk about his music career and share a couple of his great songs with us.

Ashley Thomas grew up in Texas and California and now calls Nashville her home. This talented singer/songwriter started singing in church and hasn't stopped since. And Country Music is thankful for that! Her voice and songs will draw you in and hold you by the heart. Ashley's musical influences include Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline & Bonnie Raitt. Performing live is her passion. Ashley is here to talk about her music career and her brand new EP 'Both Of Me' which is now available on iTunes. She'll also share a couple of the great songs from it - one of them is co-written with Canada's Tim Taylor!

To hear Julie Forester sing is to hear emotion come to life. This talented Nashville singer/songwriter will captivate you with the songs she writes and the way she sings them. If that isn't enough talent, she has also starred as the late great Eva Cassidy in a stage production about her life. The show was performed at London's Piccadilly Theatre. Julie's 5 Song EP entitled 'Dance With Me' showcases her writing and powerful voice on songs like 'They Danced' & 'Alive'. Julie's here to talk about her music career and share some of her music with us.

Alberta's Gord Bamford can write and sing Country Music with the best of them. In 2008 he won the Canadian Country Music Association's award for Top New Male Talent of the Year. He has opened shows for George Strait, Tim McGraw and Brooks & Dunn. Gord's latest CD "Honkytonks And Heartaches" features the hits 'Blame It On That Red Dress', 'Postcard From Pasadena' & 'Little Guy'. You've heard him on the radio and seen him on CMT - now tune in as Gord shares some great stories and music with us.

Kirsten Jones's music blends the sounds of Americana with Folk and Country. She's already an awarded songwriter and - to quote Erich Thom of Exclaim Magazine - she has "smooth-as-bucketwheat-honey vocals - a bonafide comparison to Emmylou Harris is not out of order". Her new CD 'The Mad Mile' - produced by Gary Louris - features 11 songs she's written or co-written and includes a duet with Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy. The CD is currently available on iTunes and will be released this month to Canadian music stores. Tune in as Kirsten discusses the the making of her new CD and shares some of the songs from it.

She grew up on her family's farm in Manitoba - now Lori Kole is writing and singing Country Music in Alberta. In late 2009 she released the single 'Happy' to radio - a song she co-wrote with Nashville hitmaker Adam Wheeler. Her musical influences include Dolly and Reba. This year she'll release her CD "Barefeet And Butterflies" produced by the multi-talented Steve Fox. Tune in for a chat with this star on the rise and hear some of the songs from her upcoming CD.