In The Country with Dave Woods: Recent Episodes
Dave Woods
Dave talks with country artists & plays their songs. You'll hear about career highlights, current projects, stories behind the songs & more. You can contact the show at inthecountry@mail.com.
Small town, big energy! Courtice, Ontario's Tyler Lorette is making his mark on the country music scene. He brings together a dynamic blend of technique and diversity that stands out on the edge where genres of country, and rock collide. At only 21, he is already an accomplished singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. His sound embodies country’ s staple elements while embracing a more contemporary approach blending his musical roots and natural penchant for storytelling.Coming from a musical family, Tyler began playing the guitar at 4 years old and by the time he was 12, he was releasing original music, learning multiple instruments and performing on any stage he could find. Tyler has worked with award winning songwriters, producers and vocal coaches.On his recent single "Ain’t that Guy ",Tyler teamed up with award-winning songwriters Sacha, Daryl Scott and Adam Newcomb to create a hooky mid tempo release that has gained him many new fans and a whole lot of streams!His recent singles and engaging live show performance are quickly making a buzz in the industry.
A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Arlene Quinn is an award-winning performer and songwriter who has shared the stage with Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn, Lorrie Morgan, and Terri Clark. Her previous releases have been played in more than 63 countries. Arlene's voice is rich and smooth with a vast vocal range. She is also a natural entertainer with a positive onstage energy. It is no wonder that she has over 25,000 followers on social media. Beginning with her first performance at age five, she has risen to incredible heights in country music. When she re-entered the music scene in 2016, she came back with a bang. Her first single, “Nowhere To Go But Up” was #1 on Music Road Radio for 12 weeks and earned her Top Artist from the Chris Top Program in Nashville. In 2017, “Life is Good” won Top Song at Nashville’s Country Music Week and Arlene was featured in the Canadian Women Songwriters’ Showcase in Nashville. Then came “Jackpot” in 2019 that has over 35,000 streams on Spotify, reached #3 on the International Country Music Chart, was in the top five downloaded songs on Nashville’s Music Row Chart and has over 17,000 spins on US radio! Alene's current single “Wonder Woman” is an upbeat and inspiring song about never giving up, the power of friendship and a reminder that inside each of us is the heart of a hero
Hailing from the picturesque town of Conception Bay South, Newfoundland, Justin Fancy swiftly emerged as a rising star on the Canadian Country music scene with the release of his debut single in 2020. His passion for storytelling and his authentic East Coast charm are woven into every lyric and melody he crafts.With the release of his debut album Sure Beats A Good Time in 2021, Justin secured Music NL's Awards for Country Artist of the Year and Rising Star of the Year, the first time the same artist has won both awards in the same year.In 2022, Justin was the recipient of the coveted East Coast Music Award for Fan's Choice Entertainer of the Year, a resounding testament to the strong connection he has with his fans. Justin has quickly gained accolades for his dynamic live performances, sharing the stage with Canadian chart-toppers such as Brett Kissel, Meghan Patrick, The Washboard Union, Robin Ottolini, and The Reklaws.Justin visits the ITC podcast to chat about his journey in music and his new album Whiskey And Me featuring the current single "Go Easy".
As she celebrates her 30th year in country music, Lisa Brokop is grateful to still be doing what she loves. It’s that winning combination of gratitude, youthful exuberance and seasoned wisdom that inform Brokop’s new album Who’s Gonna Fill Their Heels? The title track - featuring Georgette Jones - offers a female spin on the George Jones hit "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" and pays tribute to Dolly, Patsy, Tammy and many more female country stars.The album features three great country covers - Delta Dawn, Harper Valley PTA & She's Got You.The mesmerizing lead single “Come Back Bobbie Gentry” written by Lisa and her singer/songwriter husband Paul Jefferson sets the tone for the new collection. The Vancouver-born artist who has called Nashville her home for years is currently on tour with husband Paul as they both pay tribute to country legends. Lisa with The Patsy Cline Project & Paul with Hank LIves - a tribute to Hank Williams.Learn more about Lisa in this chat featuring 3 tracks from the new album as well as a past top 20 hit "Give Me A Ring Sometime".
Jessica Lavallee drops by the podcast to chat about her music career & her new single "Highway Say Hello"! Plus, we'll feature her previous single "Small Town Girl".About Jessica Lavallee (by Soundcheck Entertainment)Born on the northern reaches of Newfoundland and Labrador, Jessica Lavallee was raised in the remote village of Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon on the lower north shore of Quebec, an area unique to the province due to its proximity to Newfoundland and Labrador, and Canada's east coast. Jessica's love and natural ear for music began when she was just two years old years while listening to her father - also a musician - play the guitar, fiddle, accordion, and harmonica. Jessica made her initial debut at six years old with her father's band, playing in a local festival in Labrador close to home. Jessica has travelled the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador playing local venues and on board an American cruise ship when it set ashore. A graduate of the Music Industry and Performance program at the College of the North Atlantic in Stephenville, NL, Jessica was twice featured on Canadian Idol and made top ten on Country Music Television's Karaoke Star.
Ottawa Valley's River Town Saints (Chris McComb, Jeremy Bortot, Chase Kasner & Joe Patrois) have just dropped their highly anticipated new single, "She Got That" which is a co-write with Jason Blaine. It marks their first release under their new recording deal with Sakamoto Music, distributed by Warner Music Canada.
"We can’t wait for you to hear the new music that we’ve been working hard on this year, and to be able to release it with our new label Sakamoto Music!" says River Town Saints.
"We are overjoyed to welcome the talent of River Town Saints to the Sakamoto Music family," says Joelle May, Director of Promotions & Artist Services at Sakamoto Music. "Their journey, marked by hard work and remarkable skills, is truly commendable. 'She Got That' showcases their irresistible music and reaffirms their undeniable talent."
"The entire team at Sakamoto Agency have been so supportive to River Town Saints and we are thrilled to be expanding our relationship to include their label side, Sakamoto Music," says Tina Simpkin, the band's manager.
River Town Saints have much to celebrate in recent years, boasting an impressive 20 million audio streams and video views, a top 10 hit with their single “Bonfire,” CCMA Award nominations, CMAO and Canadian Radio Music Award wins, tours with Tim Hicks and Kip Moore and spots on the country's biggest festivals.
Chris & Chase join me on the show for a great chat to talk about the group & their latest music.
Ontario's Augusta Ray - you can call her Gus - recently released her sassy new single "Your Ex" which was inspired by real life. It's the follow up to her previous single "Waste Of Lime".
Growing up in Toronto,on a solid diet of eclectic music acts such as Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Shania Twain, shaped her unique country-rock sound. Augusta's incredible vocal talent, accompanying her beautifully-crafted songs and energetic, engaging stage presence, has made her the darlin' of the stage everywhere she goes.
Over the course of her career, she has shared stages with notable acts such as Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry, Big & Rich, Cam, Michael Ray, Toby Keith, Jess Moskaluke, Brett Kissel and Tim Hicks among others.
In November of 2019, Augusta was invited to make her debut at the legendary Bluebird Café in Nashville, and has since made several appearances there as a featured writer.
Since January 2020, Augusta has been able to combine her passion for music with her passion for travel, through working with Carnival Cruise Line as a guitar soloist. Since starting with the company, Augusta has performed on five different ships, and has travelled to countless countries. In 2022 alone, Augusta travelled to 13 different countries. Most recently, Augusta completed a contract on the Carnival Luminosa, as a member of the ship's inaugural entertainment // musician team. This contract was based out of Australia, with stops in New Zealand and Fiji.
In addition to her love for music, Augusta is a proud mental health advocate, with a passion of promoting the importance of self-love and self-acceptance. This comes from overcoming her own struggles after being diagnosed with an eating disorder and beating it! Augusta often takes to her social media outlets to spread messages of empowerment and self-love.
James Downham’s latest track “Wine & Whiskey” isn’t a country drinking song - as you might think. Rather, this song is about having someone in your life who can do more for you than wine or whiskey ever could. After a hard day, they’re the first person you want to see and the first person you want to talk to. “You can wash away any kind of pain. You’re my remedy. You’re my wine and whiskey.”
“Wine & Whiskey” is the latest release from James' debut full-length album The Long Way Home. The track features an all-star cast of musicians, including 2022 CCMA Award Winner Mitch Jay (Steel Guitar Player of the Year, Specialty Instrument Player of the Year) and 2022 CCMA Award Nominees Mark Rynkun (Bass Player of the Year) and Rich DaSilva (Drummer of the Year). And produced by Matt Koebel.
Raised in small town rural Ontario, James called Pembroke and Picton home before settling in Southwestern Ontario. He lives in Stratford, with his wife, Ange.
Earlier releases from the album included 2022’s radio releases “One Mile at a Time” and “Raised On”, as well as critically acclaimed 2021 single, “We’re Okay”, a powerful duet with fellow country artist Amanda Kind.
James was winner of Season 2 of The Shot, and was recently selected from thousands of applicants as one of only 14 artists to participate in The Shot: Canada vs. USA. Touted as “North America’s most intense virtual songwriting competition.” He spent over a decade performing in a Tim McGraw tribute act before turning his attention back to original music.
Tune in to hear my chat with James about his career & new music.
Canadian country act Runaway Angel is BACK and thrilled to have recently released their new single “Beach Please” on all streaming platforms & Canadian country radio via RÊVE MUSIC/The Orchard.
Co-written in Nashville with Kate Linné Malone and produced by Adam Newcomb, “Beach Please” is the tenth anniversary single from the trio of Cadence Grace, Ann Chaplin, and Stacey Zegers.
Cadence says, “We were ready to write a fun ‘beach’ song. When Kate played us this cool beat and bass line, we loved it and Ann jokingly said, ‘Beach Please’. It stuck, so we started piecing together a vision and it led to a track that we feel will make people laugh, smile, sing and dance.”
“Beach Please” is a poignant milestone as the group’s first new music since Grace’s leukemia diagnosis in 2018. Following a courageous journey – which included a personal blog, a life-saving bone marrow transplant, receiving the Extraordinary CML Story Award at the 2019 Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Network Conference, and earning the Country Music Association of Ontario’s Holly and Steve Kassay Generous Spirit Award – Grace and her fellow Angels have emerged stronger and closer with a renewed purpose and a bolder emphasis on authenticity.
Launched in 2013, the Ontario-based Runaway Angel caught fire as 2016 CCMA Discovery Artist nominees, later earning them 7 CMA Ontario nominations across two albums – “No End in Sight” and “Zero”, which both reached the iTunes Canadian Country Top 5 – and singles like “Witness”, a Top 50 Canadian radio hit that earned 150K Spotify streams. Beyond playing festivals like Boots and Hearts and The Havelock Jamboree, the group has also toured across Canada and Europe.
With over 20 million worldwide streams, Alberta born artist Dan Davidson has created undeniable momentum. His latest single “Girl Drinks Beer” featuring Travis Collins and Australian tour cap off a banner year. His early 2022 EP 6 Songs To Midnight marked a pivotal moment of his career, closing his previous chapter and embarking on a new era as a multifaceted artist, songwriter and producer. With the EP debuting at #1 on the iTunes sales chart in Canada, Davidson took his new collection of music on a European tour, and returned home to a CCMA nomination for Record Producer of the Year. It was at the CCMA Awards that he celebrated receiving a Platinum record for his sophomore single "Found".Dan exploded onto the Canadian country scene in 2016 when the release of his second single "Found" (co-written by Clayton Bellamy of The Road Hammers) sky-rocketed up the charts and he became the #1 charting indie artist in Canada. It was also the #1 selling Canadian country song for several weeks and went on to become certified Platinum in Canada. Since then, the rising artist has seen 6 CCMA Award nominations, 10 ACMA awards, and Top 20 charting numbers. He may be only 6 years into his country career, but Davidson is far from "green" in the music industry. He spent over 10 years playing in the well-known Canadian indie rock band Tupelo Honey, who had several top 40 hits, top selling iTunes records and toured with bands like Bon Jovi.
Since forming in 1994, Doc Walker, composed of Chris Thorsteinson and Dave Wasyliw, have become one of Canada’s most recognized country acts. Over nearly three decades, together they have achieved 1 JUNO Award, 14 Canadian Country Music Association Awards, 21 Top 10 Canadian country radio singles, eight #1 CMT videos and accumulated millions of streams. Doc Walker’s unshakable creative partnership and overall drive to explore new musical approaches, has kept their sound fresh since releasing their breakthrough album, Curve in 2001. In 2021, the duo released “She Wants What She Wants,” their first new music since the 2017 album, Weathervane. This September, Doc Walker celebrated the 20th anniversary of the iconic hit "Rocket Girl" and released a remixed version that they are excited to share with fans.Chris and Dave just wrapped up a buch of shows as direct support for two of country music’s most iconic acts Sawyer Brown & Lonestar. The co-headline tour featured Doc Walker and George Canyon as special guests and included tour stops across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia,
East-coast raised, Nashville based artist Mallory Johnson recently released her debut full length album Surprise Party.
Produced by Grammy and Oscar award nominated producer Kent Wells (Dolly Parton, Paul Anka, Carly Pearce), Mallory collaborated with close friends and industry heavy hitters to co-write the album, including the likes of Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Patricia Conroy, Tenille Arts, Carli & Julie Kennedy (Twin Kennedy), Jason Blaine, and Kelly Prescott.
"This album originally began as a 6-song EP with little direction, just songs I really loved or had planned on releasing as singles. I had already started pre-production with my producer Kent Wells when one evening I got together with Carli and Julie Kennedy and we started writing “Surprise Party.” Something clicked after we finished writing this song and the theme of the entire record just organically fell into place. It felt serendipitous," Mallory shares on the natural way in which the album came together.
A CCMA-nominated artist, Mallory is turning heads in the country music scene with her recent Billboard-charting single (“Married”) and multiple award wins at the ECMAs and MusicNL Awards. The 2022 SiriusXM Top of the Country Semi-Finalist has received praise from the likes of CMT, The Boot, The Bluegrass Situation, and American Songwriter.
Ontario's Don Graham has his version of "The Hustler" (produced by John Dawson) included on the new 3 CD Tribute To A Songpoet: Songs Of Eric Andersen. Don was inspired by Eric to pick up the guitar in the first place and, years later, the two became friends. Tune in to hear some great stories from Don plus I'll play his take on "The Hustler".
Newfoundland's Jason Benoit is gearing up to release his EP ‘Time Traveller Side B’ in early 2023 building off the success of the critically acclaimed ‘Time Traveller Side A’ which has achieved almost two million global streams to date. Jason, who co-wrote and co-produced the lead single ‘Time Traveller’, which was released on October 7th, reflects on the journey that brought him to telling this story.
Jason goes on to say, “I've always been a sucker for a song that has a double meaning and I thought it would be a challenge to write a song called "Time Traveller" because Sci-fi and country music rarely fit together. So, me and my good buddy Gerry Foote took on that challenge head on and sat down with a couple beers on a sunny summer afternoon and wrote it and we are really proud of what we created.”
Running with the momentum of a year full of shows including Canadian Music Week in Toronto, CCMA Songwriters Unplugged, supporting Tenille Townes and numerous festivals across the country ‘Time Traveller’ has already landed on editorial playlists on major digital streaming platforms including Spotify’s New Music Friday Country and Live Country and Amazon Music’s Just North of Nashville, Brand New Music, Fresh Country and more. Benoit’s previous single, ‘Shootin’ Me Down’ is currently #48 on the Billboard Canada Country Chart.
Recently nominated for 5 MusicNL Awards, including Indigenous Artist of the Year, Country Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Solo Artist of the Year and Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year, Jason Benoit appreciates the support that he gets from his home province.
Kelowna, BC Métis artist Teigen Gayse has just released her new single “I Don’t Need A Boy” and announced her new signings with both Paquin Artist Agency and Steer, a division of RGK.
Describing her new single as, "a fun song about feeling strong, fierce and being perfectly and incandescently happy on your own,” Teigen has been making a name for herself through anthems that uplift and inspire confidence.
With millions of catalog streams to date and over 11 million TikTok views, Teigen came to the forefront of artists to watch with her 2022 release "Messed Up," which surpassed over 700K streams on its own. Her success kicked off with the 2021 single "I Don’t Wanna Fall In Love Anymore," taking home the honour of Trending Track from Stingray Radio while hitting #43 on the Billboard Country Music charts, and amassing over 350,000 streams. An impressive feat for an independent artist, her follow up single "Blame the Wine" reached #46 on the Billboard charts.
Keep an eye on Teigen's social media accounts to see her upcoming music video for “I Don’t Need A Boy”.
Ontario's Dustin Bird has partnered with award-winning Canadian film The Long Rider for the just released official music video of his single "Cowboy Stay".
On working with Dustin on this music video, The Long Rider director Sean Cisterna says: "Dustin Bird’s Cowboy Stay is the perfect musical companion to The Long Rider. Not only does his music fit the style and tone of our documentary, but the themes in his song are emotionally resonant to what Filipe experienced on his epic journey across the Americas.”
Continuing to push boundaries within the country genre, the video follows Dustin's powerful anthem for equality, “Hating On Love.” The track completes the trilogy story that Dustin has been unveiling with his recent releases. In his 2021 single "Get Go" (2022 Indie Award nominated) where Dustin proclaims his love for a partner he has yet to meet. In "Cowboy Stay" the lovers have united with a bond so strong that even a wild cowboy will hang up his hat and settle down. Finally, in “Hating On Love” that love, no matter who its with, it celebrating in full force.
Dustin Bird's latest collection of new music follows his debut album Unscripted, which landed in the iTunes Top 10 upon its 2021 release. With a unique sound that takes the best from the classics and infuses forward-thinking songwriting and production, Dustin Bird brings a fresh face to country music and continues to push boundaries within the genre.. As a performer with a natural love for entertaining an audience, Dustin Bird has played major festivals such as Boots and Hearts, Havelock Jamboree, Kempenfest and more. His tour history also includes opening for major Canadian acts such as Tyler Shaw, Tim Hicks, Jess Moskaluke and The Washboard Union, among others.
Port Rowan, Ontario's Tia McGraff is a multi-talented, award-winning singer, songwriter, performer, author and podcast host. Along with her husband and co-writer Tommy Parham, the skilled songstress has been making impactful and thought-provoking art for well over a decade. Bringing together a burning passion for the art of music and an honesty that is long lost on today’s modern charts, Tia McGraff is a trailblazer in her genre, one’s whose efforts have made her a beloved figure on the international music scene. Her latest release is her EP called With Love which was released back on Sept 3rd which commemorates the passing of her beloved dog Jake.
Quebec's Justine Blanchet drops by the podcast to share hew new single with us!
While Justine divides her time between her native city of Montreal and Nashville, “Hard to Love” represents a lot of notable Nashville firsts for her.
It’s her first collaboration with hitmaking Nashville producer Danick Dupelle (Emerson Drive, Tebey, Tyler Joe Miller, Matt Lang), her first single to be produced in Music City, and the upcoming music video was also filmed there. This single is also the first release from her debut EP that will drop in 2023. She’ll be returning to Nashville in the fall to finish it.
Written by a trio of noted songwriters - Courtney Cole, Derrick Southerland, and Kelly Archer – “Hard to Love” offers an inviting country flavour crossed with modern pop in its examination of love that’s just out of reach.
“Hard to Love” follows eight past single releases for Justine – including 2019’s “Strong” (over 175K streams on Spotify) and 2021’s “Get Out of the Mud” (#4 on CBC Country/Sirius XM) – and live show highlights like the Festival Country Lotbinière, the Gatlingburg Songwriter’s Festival, Big Valley Jamboree, the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and a pair of Diamonds in the Rough showcases during Canadian Country Music Week.
Kitchener, Ontario's Angeleica Appelman recently released her third single "U-Turn".
The song was written by Angelica along with David Madras.
“I love the story we’re telling with ‘U-Turn’ because it feels like such a relatable topic that we hear so often with the current dating landscape. I think this song reminds us to keep hope because it just takes that one person to change your perspective,” says Angelica.
“We wrote U-Turn last fall and it was after a summer I spent with someone who treated me so well and had really transformed my mindset on romantic relationships," explains Angelica. "I wanted to write a song with a more positive outlook about being in the dating scene because I think it is a time where you can really grow by being open to new experiences and new people.”
The new single is the follow up to Angelica's two previous releases "Happy Place" & "Guilt Trip".
Tune in to hear my chat with Angelica about her music career, songwriting and latest release.
Multiple award-winning Alberta-based country band Nice Horse recently received a Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) award nomination for Video of the Year for their music video for "High School".
In addition to being nominated as a band, the members of Nice Horse were also all individually nominated for CCMA Awards. Brandi Sidoryk (vocals/bass) was nominated for Bass Player of the Year, Tara McLeod (electric guitar) was nominated for Guitar Player of the Year, Katie Rox (vocals/banjo/acoustic guitar) was nominated for Specialty Instrument Player of the Year, and Krista Wodelet (vocals/drums) made history as the first-ever nominee for Drummer of the Year.
“We are beyond thrilled, and honoured to have received these nominations. As a band, it truly means a lot to be recognized for our musicianship. We love playing together and we love that other artists give us a chance to play for them too. We feel it is incredibly unique that we each got a nod for doing what we love to do, and really cool that Krista made history as the first female to be nominated in the Drummer of the Year category,” says Katie Rox of Nice Horse. “As for the Video of the Year nomination, it is particularly special to us because that is a video we made ourselves. We shot everything ourselves on our iPhones using green screens, did our own wardrobe, hair, makeup, collected all of the High School photos from fans and friends, and Brandi and Krista directed the entire video and put it all together. We are so proud of it, and it feels pretty great to see that hard work pay off in a nomination like this."
Ontario's Shaylyn is here to chat about her music career, her love of traditional country music as well as her new single "Favourite Hello, Hardest Goodbye". It's the follow up release to her popular single "The Drink".
Shaylyn released her first album in 2017 titled Lovin’ The Legends which included her very first penned original "Nana’s Little Girl" as a tribute to her supportive Nana.
The great thing about Shaylyn's shows is she is keeping country music's past alive in the classic songs she covers. A modern girl with a traditional sound.
Growing up in Merlin, Ontario, a small Canadian farming community near Chatham, Michelle Wright heard the rhythm & blues and Motown hits coming out of Detroit, just forty-five minutes away. But especially, she heard the strains of country music since her parents were both country performers. "My earliest memories of music are singing in the car or spending the weekend with my father after my parents separated and watching him put on a rhinestone-studded suit to perform in." As a young girl, she tagged along to countless shows. "We were never a family band, but I got a lot of inspiration and encouragement from my mother. That's where my love of country music really began."
In 1992, Arista released Now & Then whichproduced a total of six singles included, including "One Time Around," "Guitar Talk," "He Would Be Sixteen," and the song that changed everything,"Take It Like A Man." .
One of the tracks on Michelle's new project - the lead single - is "Small Town," Michelle says: "It's a song that I co-wrote with Rick Ferrell and up-and-coming Canadian singer/songwriter Danielle Bourjeaurd. It was our first time writing together, and as we were tossing around ideas, Danielle began to ask me questions about my career. It was fun to reminisce, and at one point, she said, "That's what we need to write. We need to write your story." At first, I wasn't so sure if I wanted to write about myself, but once it started to present itself on the page, the song unfolded organically. In 3 minutes and 38 seconds," Small Town" says so much about the road that I've been on all these years. It makes me smile when I listen to it."
Singing has been Raquel Cole's first love for as long as she can remember. She got her first guitar at the age of nine and started to write songs not long after that. She was inspired by hit songs she heard on the radio from artists like Shania Twain and Bryan Adams, but also from jamming with her dad, a drummer, in the basement learning how to play 70’s rock and roll.
After graduating high school, Raquel had planned to go on to study jazz guitar, but not being able to deny her desire to be in Nashville writing songs, she respectfully declined her acceptance to Capilano University in North Vancouver and instead made the move to Nashville.
Her debut album "Personal Truth" was released in 2018. Raquel has also found success writing for other artists and claims her first Billboard Top 10 Country charting song recorded by superstar Marie Osmond.
In 2020, Raquel became a semi- finalist for the Sirius XM ‘Top of the Country’ nationwide contest in Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she began working on a stripped-down passion project. Recording three songs that she co-wrote where she played all guitars on the project & recorded her distinct vocals, adding cello to the songs as well. The result, “The Essence of Me”, was released in August 2020, which has racked up nearly 250,000 streams globally.
Raquel's most recent single “Think About You” continues to win her new fans. Currently, country radio & country fans are loving her song with Don Amero entitled "Let You" for which there is a music video.
Raquel will be performing at the Cavendish Beach Music Festival which runs July 7th through July 9th in Cavendish, PEI. Full schedule & tickets at cavendishbeachmusic.com.
Signed to MDM Recordings Inc. in 2019, British Columbia’s Tyler Joe Miller quickly began to make a name for himself in Canadian country music and continues his meteoric rise with the release of his latest single ‘Wild As Her’. After releasing his gold-certified debut single, ‘Pillow Talkin’’ at the end of 2019, the catchy tune quickly earned him the title of iHeartRadio Future Star and became his first #1 single at Canadian country radio. What followed was an unprecedented and record-breaking climb with follow-up single ‘I Would Be Over Me Too’, which steadily rose on the charts and earned Miller the distinction as the first independent Canadian country artist to reach #1 at radio with their first two singles.
Tyler Joe's debut EP Sometimes I Don’t, But Sometimes I Do has amassed over 20 million combined streams to date, with sophomore single ‘Fighting’ hitting the Top 10 and title-track ‘Sometimes I Do’ reaching the Top 5 respectively. Most recently, Miller was named SiriusXM’s 2021 Top of the Country winner and was nominated for four 2021 CCMA Awards including “Album of the Year”, “Male Artist of the Year”, “Rising Star”, and “Fan’s Choice”.
In 2022, Tyler Joe won the following 2022 British Columbia Music Association (BCCMA) Awards: Single of the Year, Album of the Year & SOCAN Songwriter of the Year.
Tyler Joe will play the Cavendish Beach Music Festival in in Cavendish, PEI in early July. Full details at cavendishbeachmusicfestival.com.
ANIKA's new seven-track EP Stand Still: Side A is a departure from her previous work and takes listeners on a journey of love's ups and downs through the her eyes. The project will be broken down into two EPs and one deluxe album, delivering a total of 14 songs that ANNIKA co-wrote, most of them with her JUNO award-winning husband Spencer Cheyne who also produced the project.
ANNIKApairs soulful melodies with heartfelt lyrics to create music that always leaves a lasting impression, as displayed in tracks such as "It Still Hurts," “Blind Love” and “Love Looks Like You”. Her sophomore single, "Encore” (a duet with Bett Kissel) debuted in the Top 10 on the iTunes country store and at No.48 on the iTunes All Genre Chart, accumulating over 150,000 overall streams in its first month of release.
The EP’s title track “Stand Still” was recorded as an acoustic song with only piano and vocals, highlighting the beauty of remaining quiet and content in a world that is in a constant state of motion.
ANNIKA also finds a way to highlight her lively spirit on the EP through upbeat, toe-tapping, musical jams like "The Death of Me" and "I Really Don't Want To." Following its release, "I Really Don't Want To" was added to over 20 Canadian country radio stations, reaching No.33 on the CBC Country Top 40 chart, Top 40 at Mediabase, and Top 50 on the Billboard Country Chart. ANNIKA was also featured in the Billboard MRC Canadian Music Newsletter (July 2021) and was named the iHeart Radio Future Star (July/August 2021).
Manitoba country artist Emma Peterson has just released her debut album Just For The Record available for streaming everywhere..
"I am so thrilled to release my debut album Just For The Record. This album encompasses my story and the first songs I have been able to share with the world," says Emma. "Just For The Record is about finding inspiration in goodbye, and in this case it is a fun song! Whether it be driving down backroads, or experiencing your first heartbreak - I hope this album will connect with others in the way that music has always connected with me. Songs like Maybe Tonight and Backroad Dreams are true stories of growing up in my hometown. I couldn't be more excited to share this part of me!"
With little professional training outside of the YouTube tutorials she watched to teach herself how to play her $50 Walmart guitar, Emma's rise began in 2016 when she earned a top spot in CMT’s Chevy Tailgate Contest. Becoming one of the Top 4 finalists in the country, her original song was featured on CMT's Chevy Top 20 Countdown, meeting the ears of listeners across Canada.
Since then, Emma has continued to perform at numerous venues across the province and beyond, including an appearance at Dauphin’s Countryfest, sharing a stage with some of the country’s biggest breakout stars, Andrew Hyatt and Chris Buck Band. Following her 2019 debut single "Maybe Tonight". Emma received multiple Manitoba Country Music Awards nominations including Fans’ Choice, Female Artist and Music Video of the Year, and ultimately took home a win in the Emerging Artist category.
Saskatchewan's Shantaia is riding a big wave of success these days wth her top 40 Country single "Broke To Brand New", her recent tour as a show opener for The Washboard Union and her place as a semi-fnalist in the CCMA's SiriusXM Top Of The Country competition.
In 2019, she was named the Saskatchewan Country Music Association's Emerging Artist of the Year.
She has shared the stage with the likes of Kane Brown, Chris Lane, Ryan Hurd, Emerson Drive, and Charlie Major, and has performed on some of the top stages such as Nashville's Whiskey Jam, The Listening Room Cafe, Americana Fest, Cavendish Beach Music Festival, and Dauphin's Countryfest. Earning multiple Saskatchewan Music Award nominations, along with the SCMA Award for Emerging Artist of the Year, Shantaia continued her climb to success with her most recent single "Had A Good Weekend" which landed placement on CMT, and became her highest charting single to date, hitting #354 on BDS Billboard and #52 on Mediabase.
Tune in to learn all about Shantaia's music journey that has takeh her from Spiritwood, Saskatchewan to Nashville, Tennessee!
BC country artist Teigen Gayse's 2021 single "I Don’t Wanna Fall In Love Anymore" has almost 3 Million TikTok views to date, and took home the honour of Trending Track from Stingray Radio while hitting #43 on the Billboard Country Music charts, and amassing over 350,000 streams. An impressive feat for an independent artist, her follow up single "Blame the Wine" reached #46 on the Billboard charts and is currently on the rise.
Teigen's new single "Messed Up" was written by Teigen, Jimmy Thow, Jordan Oorebeek & Chris Buck and was produced by Jimmy and Jordan.
Of the release, Teigen says: "This last year has been such an incredible journey for for me and I’m so excited and proud of the body of music I’ve been creating with my closest friends. My new single 'Messed Up' is about being so undeniably and unapologetically in love with someone. I hope everyone loves it as much as I do".
THe single has seen great digital streaming support from Amazon Music's Breakthrough Country, Fresh Country, and Brand New Music, and Spotify's Live Country and New Music Friday Canada
After picking up her first guitar at the age of 13, it wasn’t long before songwriting became a passion for Teigen. It was the ability to tell her own story, in her own words, that began Teigen’s love for country music. The desire to create pushed her to get an audio engineering degree before striking out on her own as a full-time musician. She continued to feed that passion with multiple trips to Nashville and co-writing with several industry veterans, including Brian Howes, Phil Barton, Patricia Conroy, David Thompson, Chris Buck, Jimmy Thow, Chrystal Leigh and Jordan Oorebeek, to name a few.
Quinton Blair is the 2015, 2016 & 2018 Manitoba Country Music Association's Roots Artist of the Year & the 2017 Manitoba Country Music Association's Male Artist of the Year.
HIs notable performances include Dauphin's Country Fest, Canada Day at the Forks, Canadian Country Music Week, Festival du Voyageur, Chinook Rodeo Association Finals, Time's Change(d) High and Lonesome Club, the Park Theatre, The Ironwood Stage and Grill, Fratter's Speakeasy, and many corn dog fairs and rodeos on the Prairies.
Quinton has opened up shows for Corb Lund, George Canyon, Charlie Major, Del Barber, Doc Walker, Fortunate Ones, Road Hammers, Bros Landreth & High Valley.
His latest release is his version of the classic "Man Of Constant Sorrow" with a soon-to-be released single "Twenty Dollar Bottle" which he co-wrote with Jason Blaine.
Growing up in Ajax, Ontario, Kris Barclay got his first guitar for Christmas when he was thirteen years old and would sing along to his favorite Country songs when nobody was around. Fast forward, and Kris has opened for such artists as Brett Kissel, The Washboard Union, The Road Hammers, Gord Bamford and Dean Brody. In 2019, Kris was nominated in the Rising Star category for the Country Music Awards of Ontario.
At the 2018 Boots and Hearts Music Festival, Kris was voted by fans as the wildcard entry into the Emerging Artist Showcase, allowing him to compete against six other artists in front of a jury of country music artists and industry execs. Kris went on to become the first ever wildcard artist to win the showcase, earning him a spot on the mainstage to close the weekend’s festival, and a trip to Nashville to write with some of Country music’s top songwriters. Also, part of the win was a recording deal with Warner Music Canada, which saw the release of his debut single "Loved You Like That" which has garnered over 1.5 million streams to date.
Off stage, Kris has been raising funds for mental health and PTSD in the Veteran and First Responder community. Partnering with Wounded Warriors Canada, Kris was able to raise four thousand dollars in 2020 for their programs.
The new single from Kris is called "More Than Whiskey" written by Meghan Patrick, Aaron Goodvin & Skip Black. Kris recently opened up a few shows for Meghan.
Recently named a finalist in SiriusXM’s Top of the Country competition, Alberta country-rocker Devin Cooper has released his debut album Good Things.. An autobiographical look back at his journey since he picked up his first guitar at the age of 7, the 8-track album showcases the storytelling roots he’s become known for, underscored with guitar licks only over two decades of experience can bring.
“I’ve always lived by the philosophy that good things take time, which is what anchored this entire album for me,” says Devin of the story behind his debut. “The Good Things album is a really accurate representation of who I am and what I’ve learned in my short 25 years - a few life lessons, a bit of partying, a couple too many broken hearts and a real good relationship that makes it all worth it.”
Produced by JUNO Award-winning partners Spencer Cheyne and Justin Kudding and bringing together all the musical influences he grew up on - hair metal, blues and some downhome southern rock - Good Things shows fans a new, all-encompassing side of Cooper. Recorded during the pandemic and coming together from across North America, the album showcases the two defining sides of Cooper’s unique sound - the hard-rocking country artist in Side A and a softer, more intimate persona on Side B - an acoustic collection of Side A’s tracks.
“There has always been something about the rawness and honesty of an acoustic track that I found captivating,” said Cooper of his decision to include Side B in this release. ”These songs have so many working parts in them, I wanted to strip them back to their roots and show folks how they sounded the day we wrote them.”
Devin’s latest single “Back Pocket" which can be found on Good Things is currently playing at Canadian Country Radio.
Barrie, Ontario's Brian John Harwood believes the path to success in the music business is paved with hard work and songs that come from an honest place. You can get to know Brian by listening to his songs and watching his music videos "All That I Was Missing", "Dad","Good Boy", "First", etc. He believes in sharing who he is and what he values through his writing.
Brian has just released his new single "Savin' Up For A Friday" featuring the legendary Jason McCoy. The song was written by Brian, Jason & Dustin Bird - Dustin prodced the track.
Along with his successful singles as a solo artist, Brian is known for being 1/2 of the country duo Kansas Stone along with Matt Davey.
There's lots to talk about with Brian including the latest update on his adorable 6 month old twin girls.
There's no slowing Brian down from living a life full of music & constant releases that keep taking his career to a new level.
Alberta's Martina Dawn - named after country artist Martina McBride - comes by her country music roots naturally as her Mom is an established recording artist.
Martina just received the Horizon Youth Award at the recent Country Music Alberta Awards Show which she also performed on.
Her debut single was "Hate It". And now her follow up single "Game Over" is out at country radio. The song was written by Meghan Patrick, Blake Bollinger & Thomas Archer.
As important as it is to Martina write some of her own songs, she also knows that picking the right song for her from other writers is also a skill.
Tune in and get to know Martina & her music!
Ontario's Mike Whiteside calls a Kenny Chesney concert in 2018 a defining moment in his life & music career. It was then that he decided he wanted to pursue a music career.
Believe it or not, that first time he ever performed on stage was at the Emerging Artists Showcase at the Boots & Hearts Festival.
Mike's debut single "3 AM" was written by Robyn Ottolini and she's his first co-writer. Mike's new single is called' My KInd Of Paradise".
His influences include Kenny Chesney, Sam Hunt, Jordan Davis & Hardy..
Chris Buck starts his next chapter with the release of his first single as a solo artist "Can't Beat The View," available for streaming everywhere now. Following his success fronting the Chris Buck Band, the feel-good new track leads Chris into a new era of his career, having recently signed a publishing deal with Anthem Entertainment, in addition to becoming the first artist signed with Sakamoto Music (via Warner Music Canada).
The new single, produced by Jeremy Stover, Julian King, and Dan Swiminer, was written with a very personal love story in mind, “I had been dating my girlfriend for about a year and a half, and that’s where the inspiration came from, really,” Chris recalled. “It's basically about how you've seen all the beautiful sights in the world, but your girl beats all of them at the end of the day. I think that’s an idea a lot of people are going to relate to.” Chris co-wrote the track with fellow Nashville based Canadians, Jordan Oorebeeck, Dave Thompson, and Jimmy Thow.
Five years since breaking onto the scene with his self-titled, debut album, the singer/songwriter has continued to make a name for himself on the Canadian country stage, and beyond. One of the fastest rising Canadian country acts since the release of the Billboard Top 20 hit "That’s When You Know" featuring Kira Isabella, Chris saw the track hit hard with over 7 million streams, earning him a GOLD certified record and a CCMA Award nomination for Video of the Year. Buck went on to release his sophomore album ALL IN in 2019, adding to his total five Top 40 singles and over 13 million streams.
St. John's, Newfoundland's Paige Penney is here to chat about her music career & her singles "Shooting Star" & "When All Is Said And Done".
In the summer of 2018, Paige launched a crowdfunding campaign and reached her goal recording her first EP in the same studio as Taylor Swift recorded hers in at Nashville's Dark Horse Studio. While in Nashville, Paige had the opportunity to play at the The Bluebird Cafe.
In September 2021, Paige opened a show for Johnny Reid at the Iceberg Alley Festival. Recently, she headlined her own sold out show at the Masonic Theatre where she received a standing ovation for her performance.
Paige is a two time winner of the MusicNL Newfoundland talent contest and has received Music NL nominations for Fan's Choice Entertainer Of The Year & Pop Artist Of The Year.
Guelph, Ontario's Danielle Todd (now living in Nashville) is here to chat about her brand new single "Heat Of The Moment" & the music video for it. She'll also share and chat about her debut single "Crazy" from a few years ago.
In her childhood bedroom, complete with pastel sponge paint and horse wallpaper, Danielle would fall asleep to the sound of her father’s music coming through the air vent from his basement studio. Watching him work his magic, she would marvel at the way he could piece a song together, until one day, her dad just needed her out of his hair. As Danielle fondly recalls, he handed her a CD with Patsy Cline’s “Sweet Dreams of You” on it and said, “Don’t come back until you’ve learned it.” Much to her father’s surprise, a mere hour later, four year old Danielle had returned, singing with the gusto of Patsy herself.
From that moment on, Danielle was head over heels for the country croonings of female powerhouses like Patsy, Martina McBride, Shania Twain, and Faith Hill. When it came time to find a job in her teenage years, Danielle walked into bar after bar, convincing them to give her a regular slot to sing— even if that slot didn’t yet exist.
“The bar owners would be like, ‘Sure, send us a CD.’ I just responded, ‘I don’t have one, and I’m here right now so I’ll just sing here,’” Danielle remarks. And that was that!
ABOUT THE NEW SINGLE
"A few years back, Brooke Lynn and I wrote a song about what it means to appreciate every moment while it’s happening," explains Danielle. "The more we talked about it, the more we realized, the "good ol’ days" are actually the here-and-now moments more than anything."
Alberta's Dan Davidson visits the ITC podcast to chat about his new EP 6 Songs To Midnight!
Of the new record, Dan says: "This record is, in many ways, the 'period on the sentence' of an important part of my growth as an artist. I find this record to be a transitional statement as I step towards what feels like a new level in my career as an artist and songwriter. Its a collection of tunes that I’m really proud of; there are a bunch of songs that I’ve released over the last year or so plus a few new ones some fans wont have heard yet!"
Dan Davidson exploded onto the Canadian country scene in 2016 when the release of his second single “Found” (co-written by Clayton Bellamy of The Road Hammers) sky-rocketed up the charts and he became the #1 charting indie artist in Canada. It was also the #1 selling Canadian country song for several weeks and went on to become certified GOLD in Canada. Dan spent over 10 years playing in the well-known Canadian indie rock band Tupelo Honey, who had several top 40 hits, top selling iTunes records and toured with bands like Bon Jovi.
Dan recently received 6 Country Music Alberta nominations (Industry Person of the Year, Horizon Male Artist of the Year, Interactive Artist of the Year, Video of the Year, and two Songwriter of the Year noms).
Outside of releasing music, Dan has been writing for/with Gord Bamford, Tim Hicks, W3apons, Stereos, The Congregation, Chad Brownlee, The Standstills, and many more. As a songwriter, he has had multiple Top 40 songs across three genres, and as a producer, has worked on three Top 30 tracks in both rock & country.
Charissa is a storyteller - and the best stories are ones that don’t shy away from honesty. The Burlington, Ontario singer has been honing her thoughtful, meditative approach to songwriting since she was a kid, combining lush, flowing arrangements with earthy Americana and laidback soul to create a sound that is uniquely her own.
Music was a constant in her home growing up, and after singing along to hits by Queen, Allison Krauss, Whitney Houston, Stevie Nicks, and Blue Rodeo before she hit age 10, her parents decided to sign her up for vocal lessons where she further developed her passion for music and later started to learn to play the guitar.
Charissa has found a sound that suits her authentic, reflective songs and is ready to bare her soul as she puts the finishing touches on her new upcoming EP.
The compelling new single “People Like You” has been released via Coalition Music. “People Like You” is an acoustic track that reminds listeners that even when times are rough, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel, and likely someone waiting there to help you out of the dark.
Ontario's Brittany Brodie drops by the podcast to chat about her new single "Not My Business" written with pure honesty. She'll also share a past single "Sober" based again on her life.
Brittany grew up on traditional country music from Vern Gosdin and Dottie West to Johnny Horton and George Strait. In later years, she was listening to LeAnn Rimes, The Chicks, Lee Ann Womack and Martina McBride. She even found inspiration in The Spice Girls. They were what got her through her formative years having been bullied throughout her childhood.
Brittany says: "People always ask me, 'When did you get into music?' Music was not something I woke up one day and decided to do. It chose me. I was born to have this life, this career. I have never had to think about my purpose in life. I've know since day one."
Quebec's Lydia Sutherland has just broken into the Top 40 on the Canadian Country Billboard Charts with her second single "Date A Friend". It's the follow up to her debut release with a powerful message "Love Me". Lydia was chosen as the iHeart Radio Future Star for January/February 2022. She has a cut on Warner Music Nashville artist Robyn Ottolini's latest EP and a couple of songs topping the Australia iTunes Country Music Charts. Over the last 2 years, Lydia has written and astounding 900 plus songs!
Tune in and get to know all all about Lydia's start in music, her influences, songwriting journey, plans for the future & more.
On this episode of the podcast, my guest is Jeff Catto. Originally from Ontario, Jeff recently moved out to Calgary with his family. His new EP Songs For My Wife has songs of love and dedication that anyone in love will be able to relate to.
Jeff reveals how the new single "Friend" addresses mental health issues. He also shares a great story about the influence Country icon Paul Brandt has had on him. All this plus we'll hear about Jeff's influences and songwriting journey including having one his songs recorded by the one & only Aaron Pritchett.
North Bay, Ontario Country-Rocker Cory Marks joins me on the podcast to chat about the success of his singles "Outlaws & Outsiders" featuring Travis Tritt, Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch & Mick Mars of Motley Crue (Top 10 Rock hit in the U.S. & a Gold single in Canada and over 25 Million streams on Spotify) + "Blame It On The Double" featuring Theory Of A Deadman’s Tyler Connelly and Jason Hook, formerly of Five Finger Death Punch.
Cory's debut album Who I Am received a 2021 Canadian Country Music Assocation nomination for Alternative Album of the Year.
Balancing his love of Country and Rock and choosing to record songs in both genres including a beautiful Merle Haggard cover, Cory is paving his own road in the music world.
Cory tells a great story about meeting the legendary Hag & how music led to a friendship with Country icon Travis Tritt.
Ontarios Rob Fitzgerald has just released a new single "Another Town" in the US via Grass Roots Promotions and will release the single in Canada on March 18 via RPM Promotions. The song has already placed a finalist spot in the World Songwriting Awards in the Traditional Country category.
In the fall of 2021, Rob's rousing single "Can I Get An Amen" made its way to country radio stations across Canada, numerous Spotify playlists and also landed a top spot in the World Songwriting Awards competition. And for two years in a row, Rob's songs appeared before the judges of the International Songwriting Competition where he earned a semi-finalist spot.
Continuing his forward momentum, as a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Rob has also had the opportunity to showcase his songwriting skills in Nashville at various songwriter round events including the Bluebird Café, The Commodore Grille & The Local.
Kitchener's Angelica Appelman joins me on the podcast to celebrate her debut single "Happy Place" & give us a preview of another one of her songs "Guilt Trip". We'll learn about Angelica's influences, her songwriting journey, her love of 90's Country, her upcoming album & much more. Plus, she'll share a very special song "Tougher" from Lainey Wilson that means a lot to her.
Northen Ontario's Rosewood Ave - married duo Sabrina & Dave - pivoted to live streams when the pandemic began. And those live streams really took off and built a huge audience of viewers, listeners & supporters.
In early 2021, the duo released their debut single "Fool For Love" produced by famed producer Garth Fundis who has produced for the likes of Alabama, Sugarland and Trisha Yearwood. Though not written by the duo, the song summed up their own love story and their belief in taking chances without fear.
They followed that release up with the rootsy single "Broke" written by Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.
Tune in to hear Sabrina & Dave chat all about their music career (influences, songwriting & more) as Rosewood Ave. Plus you'll hear their 2 singles AND 3 songs they chose to play & chat about on the show.
Manitoba's Kendra Kay is here to chat about her new song "Homegrown Heart".
The 2 x MCMA Female Artist of the Year winner has had the opportunity to spend more time on her family ranch in the past two years than she has in a long time. As a songwriter, she felt naturally inspired to write about it. This is how her new single Homegrown Heart was born.
“This song is my story – it is inspired by my roots, life and family. I wrote it to tell the story of who I am, and from the idea that everyone has that little piece of home, it is a universal feeling. When I am not out on the road touring, I am on the road barrel racing or at home working with my horses and that feels like home for me. I know there are so many people out there that will connect with this song and feeling, no matter where they call home,” says Kendra.
When the reigning MCMA Fans' Choice Award winner (Kendra won in 2020 & 2021) was unable to tour with her band, she turned to another passion. She loaded up her horse and hit the road for a different reason. Kendra joined the rodeo circuit which led to winning a Championship Buckle for Barrel Racing!
Kendra continues to grow her audiences as she achieves 1 million global streams, has had music videos placed in rotation on CMT Australia, and embarked on tour dates across Western Canada. She hit the road armed with her 5-piece band, playing major events such as the Calgary Stampede, Red River Exhibition Fall Fair and the Ponoka Stampede to name a few.
When Kendra isn’t working on the ranch, out on the road with her horse or touring with her band she is recording new music, cutting tracks from an impressive list of writers including Carly Pearce, Maren Morris and Meghan Patrick.
Homegrown Heart was written by Kendra & Tyler Del Pino and produced by award-winning producer Murray Pulver.
Alli Walker is back with the release of her new single "Country Music". Giving listeners insight into some of the biggest country tracks and artists that have shaped her life, the nostalgic and upbeat track is available on all streaming platforms.
Written by Alli, Dustin Bird and Brian John Harwood and produced by Danick Dupelle (Tebey, Tyler Joe Miller, Emerson Drive), the track got its debut on TikTok earlier this year. Quickly racking up over a million views, the demo allowed fans to bond over the role country music has played in their lives.
“I wanted the production, storytelling and emotion of this song to feel as nostalgic as it does when listening to some of the songs we mention in the track,” says Alli of how “Country Music” came together. “I can still remember belting out Alison Krauss's part in 'Whiskey Lullaby' when I was a teenager, repeating 'Remember When' by Alan Jackson over and over on my little blue MP3 player and performing 'Strawberry Wine' to a slow dancing crowd with my cover band. When I sing this song it brings back so many memories of discovering my favourite country tracks throughout my life.”
The release of “Country Music” showcases Alli's first new music since dropping her debut album The Basement Sessions in Fall 2019. It also marks a new direction for the PEI native as she finds her sound and carves her own path in the industry. “Prior to my debut album, I spent over 10 years getting my feet wet - I knew I needed my 10K hours and my 'dues paid' before I released anything of my own,” explains Alli. “Writing, recording, and releasing my debut album on my own in 2019 was the perfect experience on what it takes to be an independent artist and still cut through the noise".
The Record Breakers are an energetic Canadian pop-country band melding the right amount of sunrise and sunset. Formed in 2014 for a Beatles-related celebration, the band began to explore and develop their identity. A special encounter with Blue Rodeo inspired them to bring country into their sound, which has become uniquely that of The Record Breakers. Like some of history's greatest bands, The Record Breakers feature two main vocalists and song-writers, Hayden and Bella. Rounding out the band are Michael, Devan and Julian. Coupled with solid musical arrangements, memorable hooks and big harmonies, the end result is diverse and engaging.
Following their 2016 self-titled debut EP, the band released their second album Bigger Plan, in June of 2018. Most notably, The Record Breakers opened for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Bon Jovi, at the Montreal Bell Centre in May of 2018. The band marks that as “an opportunity of a lifetime.” In 2019, they were crowned "Discovery of The Year" at Festival New Country Brome and in 2020 they were selected by CBC Searchlight to be in their Top 50 Producer Picks.
Following their initial success, The Record Breakers released their first bilingual single "In My Car/Dans Mon Char"and the seasonal hit "Winter" debuting on Amazon Music and Spotify editorial playlists respectively and gaining well over 50k streams. 2021 brought their latest summer-themed EP Bonfire featuring the lead single “Sunflower”. Defined by Roots Music Canada as an “upbeat, catchy and summery” song, it has been featured on editorial playlists and many radio stations across Quebec.
Ontario's Scotty Kipfer has just released a new single "Wading In The Water" from his Taking My Time album. He's here to share that song & some others plus he'll chat with me about his music career including the artist & song that influenced his music the most. Scotty will also talk about his recent engagement, the WSA and much more!
Scotty was born into a musical family and grew up in small-town Milverton Ontario surrounded by musicians who always encouraged him to play. By three years old, he was tagging along with his dad to perform with the Milverton Legion Band at local nursing homes, with a plastic saxophone in tow. At seven, he was playing fiddle in a family band. He played piano and a number of brass and woodwind instruments until he became enamoured with country music. Scotty was 17 when he finally picked up a guitar and began to write songs.
Since then, Scotty has worked for record labels and management firms, as a radio announcer, a cartoonist, and a touring guitar player with several artists.
After spending years working in different facets of the music business, Scotty felt the urge to develop his songwriting. He started spending more time working with a community of writers in Nashville while honing his live show with performances throughout Southern Ontario and the American Midwest. At one of his writing sessions, the song “Taking My Time” was born. “I’ll never forget heading home on I-40 after that session,” says Scotty, “I was listening to the work tape of this goofy love song we’d written, and I finally became aware of who I am and who I was going to be as an artist. It was a light bulb moment for me.
London born and raised Genevieve Fisher has earned 9 top 50 hits on both Billboard’s BDS and Mediabase Canadian National Country Charts. While 2021 has been challenging for many artists, Genevieve achieved the most consecutive weeks on the national chart of her career during 2021. Her name entered onto the top 40, starting with the David James duet “Then There’s You”. This was immediately followed by her own solo top 40 hit “Playing Favourites”. It was also the first time that her name appeared in the top 40 with two different songs at the same time.
Genevieve has earned recognition within the Canadian Country Music scene by earning 6 Female Artist of the Year nominations as we well as numerous nominations for Single of the Year and Songwriter of the Year at the Country Music Association of Ontario Music Awards. While still in her teens, the Canadian Country Music Association recognized Genevieve’s emerging talent with her CCMA performance selection at the 2012 New Artist Showcase in Saskatoon. Her songwriting skills continue to be acknowledged by the CCMA as witnessed by her selection to perform for the prestigious Songwriters Series in 2016 and 2018.
Her Indigenous background has allowed her to register 3 number 1 hits on the North American Indigenous Music Countdown chart. Genevieve has had the opportunity to perform at some of the biggest music festivals in Canada including Boots and Hearts, Havelock Jamboree, Lucknow Music In The Fields, Manitoulin Country Fest, Trackside and Indigenous Day Live. She has had, and continues to have, the privilege of writing with some of Country music's brightest songwriters including Jason Blaine, Steven Lee Olsen, Patricia Conroy, Michelle Wright, Jason Massey, Jennifer Schott and many more.
Genevieve is here to catch us up on all her latest news & to share a few songs including her new single "Neon Healing".
Ontario's Jeff Catto recently moved from the Christian genre to the Country genre. His recent release "Round Of Life" celebrating his real life wife & 6 kids and his brand new single "Want You Even More" inspired by his wife are two signs that Jeff is in the right genre. As a teenager, he competed on Canadian Idol. Years later, Aaron Pritchett recorded "Summertime" written by Jeff.
Tune in to get to know Jeff better as he reveals what motivates him musically & what challenges he's faced in his music career - and hear his latest releases!
Since the May 2018 release of her debut EP Dive Bar Diva, Hamilton, Ontario's Mackenzie Leigh Meyer has been catching the attention of country music fans especially those who love their country infused with roots. In fact, back in 2019, Mackenzie was nominated for CMAOntario Roots Artist Of The Year. That's just one of the big accomplishments in the career of this 'honours' Humber Music Degree graduate.
Following the success of her debut EP, Mackenzie has released two singles - the romantic "Before You" & the sassy new one "Dial Tone". Both singles are produced by CMAOntario Producer Of The Year Jeff Dalziel.
Mackenzie's vibrant stage presence and dynamic live show has been wowing audiences on some of country music’s favourite stages like Boots and Hearts, Havelock Jamboree, Lucknow’s Music in the Fields and on smaller stages like The Moonshine Cafe in Oakville, Ontario.
Tune in to hear Mackenzie define "dial tone", reveal her battle with stage fright early on in her career & share her choices of dream duet partners. All that & much more - plus three of her songs will be played.
London, Ontario's Aaron Allen recently won 2 big Country Music Association Of Ontario awards: Male Artist & Album Of The Year (Highway Mile).
20 years of playing and writing led to the country spotlight that Aaron is in now and he credits a lot of his success to his producer Jeff Dalziel.
LIke Aaron's music heroes Springsteen, Prine, Lovett & Earle, he is a storyteller who sets out to set his real life experiences to music. While continuing to have radio & streaming success, Aaron's goal is to stay true to himself and strive for honesty over just another radio hit.
Audiences are moved by his songs like "Superman" which tells his story as a Dad and how his daughter will one day see he's not the "Man Of Steel".
On his latest single "Just Getting By", Aaron is joined by his wife Aimee. The song is all about enjoying life even if you don't have a lot in the bank. In fact, Aaron sings "round here we roll on half a tank".
Tune in to hear Aaron talk about his music career, his latest awards, songwriting & much more!
Quebec's Pamela Rooney is on a mission to keep traditional country music alive! She has just released a new album Storms Never Last featuring 10 classic country songs including "Jolene", "Mama Tried" & "He Stopped Loving Her Today".
Tune in to hear Pamela talk about her music career & hear several of the tracks from the new album.
Calgary, Alberta born and raised ANNIKA has been engaging and entertaining audiences around the world since 2014 as the lead singer of the CCMA-nominated country-pop duo Leaving Thomas.
Her debut solo single, "I Really Don't Want To," was added to over 20 Canadian country radio stations, reached No.33 on the CBC Country Top 40 chart, has been in the Top 40 at Mediabase for five consecutive weeks, and has been in the Top 50 on the Billboard Country Chart for four weeks. ANNIKA was also featured in the Billboard MRC Canadian Music Newsletter (July 2021) .
ANNIKA has co-written over 100 songs to date with Nashville heavy hitters such as Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Phil Barton, Brian White, Patricia Conroy, and most famously, Liz Rose, and has performed at incredible venues with Leaving Thomas such as Boots and Hearts, Country Thunder, Calgary Stampede, Rockin’ River Fest, and many more.
She is taking a new musical direction since moving on from the country-pop duo by releasing her first full length solo album, Stand Still. The project is a departure from her previous work and showcases a more mature, introspective ANNIKA, highlighting her talents as a musician, specifically as a piano player. The project will be broken down into two EPs and one deluxe album, delivering a total of 14 tracks within 12 months.
ANNIKA is here to chat about & share her 2 new singles: "Encore" a duet with chart-topping, Platinum-selling, JUNO, and CCMA award-winning Canadian country star Brett Kissel AND "Love Looks LIke You".
Ontario's Brittany Brodie grew up on traditional country music from Vern Gosdin and Dottie West to Johnny Horton and George Strait. In later years she was listening to LeAnn Rimes, The Dixie Chicks, Lee Ann Womack and Martina McBride. She even found inspiration in The Spice Girls. They were what got her through her formative years, being bullied throughout her childhood. “One day I will thank them in person!”
People always ask her, 'When did you get into her music? Her answer is: 'Music was not something I woke up one day and decided to do. It chose me. I was born to have this life, this career. I have never had to think about my purpose in life. I've know since day one."
Brittany visits me on the podcast to chat about her love story that inspired her latest single "Found The One".
Beginning his journey in Langley, British Columbia, Rod Black was born into a professional rodeo family, moving regularly around Canada in his early life. After settling in the Prairies, Rod attended high school in both Regina and Saskatoon, where he immersed himself in vintage classics from southern rock pioneers and original country outlaws.
The inspired mix of rock and country influences that some liken to Kid Rock crossed with Uncle Kracker gave Rod a distinctive musical flavour that has led to breakthrough success in both genres. First signed to Island/Def Jam Records New York as the frontman of the rock group Jet Black Stare, Rod powered his way to #26 on the US Billboard Rock Charts with the band’s rip-roaring 2009 single, “Ready to Roll”.
With Jet Black Stare on hiatus, Rod tapped into his country roots to collaborate with longtime friend and CCMA award-winning producer Jeff Johnson on 2014’s “Keepin’ On”, which reached the Canadian Billboard Top 20 and earned him 2015 nominations from the Canadian Radio Music Awards for Best New Group or Solo Artist (Country) and the BC Country Music Association for Male Artist of the Year and the Ray McAuley Horizon Award.
In 2018, Rod re-released “Keepin’ On” to the US market, where it successfully hit the Top 80 on the US Country Music Row Charts. 2019 brought a new single, “Good Times”, produced by his former Jet Black Star bandmate Dan Swinimer, which hit #1 on CBC Country/Sirius XM Canada and stayed at that position for an incredible 16+ weeks.
After reuniting with Jeff Johnson, Rod released the 2020 single, “Walk On”, which hit #1 on the iTunes Top 100 Country Singles Chart (South Africa), and has led to a new EP – front-lined by Black’s 2021 singles “Barely Gettin’ By” and currently “Laketown” – that is due later this year.
After spending over a decade as the guitarist and backing vocalist of the rock band State of Shock, Vancouver-based Country Artist Kadooh made the decision to cross over to country, a genre he’s grown to love, and step into the spotlight for the first time as a solo artist. In 2018, he won his very first country music award, earning the Ray McAuley Horizon Award at the BC Country Music Association Awards (BCCMA). In 2019, he released his debut self-titled EP and 3 singles, and the winning streak continued leading to nominations for BCCMA Male Artist of the Year, SOCAN Songwriter of the Year, Single of the Year, and Album of the Year, and ultimately taking home the BCCMA award for Video of the Year for “Somethin’ to Roll On”.
Kadooh is gearing up to release an EP later this year. Brought together with the help of producer Jeff Johnson, the EP will continue to reflect Kadooh’s new sound — one that has found influence in not only his everyday life, but an engrained love of music as a whole.
The music video for his new single "Rattlesnake Bite" filmed in Abbotsford, BC was brought to life by Director Stephano Barberis. Kadooh’s close friend, and award-winning musician and songwriter Chad Kroeger of Nickelback not only makes a special guest appearance in the video, but also co-produced the new single
Montreal's Manny Blu is getting ready to release his new EP DEViL on August 20th. The project features five songs written by some of Nashville’s best writers including Ryan Beaver, Jessi Alexander, JT Harding, Brinley Addington, Anthony Smith, Michael Hardy, Craig Wiseman, Aaron Eshuis, Joe Clemmons and Logan Wall.
Featured on the album is the single "Valet" featuring fellow Montreal artist Brittany Kennel released in early July.
“Valet” tells the story of a couple falling in love while experiencing some of the most cherished Nashville spots, romanticizing the place that Manny now calls home.
While definitely one of the most traditional country-sounding songs found on DEViL, Manny continues to push his punk-inspired mentality forward by embracing the fact that an acoustic country ballad is the perfect, unexpected addition to the EP tracklist.
Being a former hockey player & MMA fighter, Manny knows that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. So when Covid derailed live shows, he launched his own live performance series Live & Turned Up on his Official YouTube page. The series "Live & Turned Up" finds Manny performing a mix of original songs, fan favourites, and unexpected covers.
Manny describes the new EP as “an ensemble of songs that have a variety of skill sets and sides of me as an artist that I haven’t shown before, and is probably the most complete project I’ve released to date. I think DEViL has elements that call back to what I’ve released before and what I have coming next.”
With the EP's singles "Train" and "Valet already released, Manny just dropped a third single, the weekend party anthem "Circle Up" featuring singer-songwriter Blaine Holcomb lending his vocal talents to it.
Grammy nominated songwriter (and now author) Aimee Mayo grew up in Gadsden, Alabama and moved to Nashville at 20 to become a songwriter. At 23, she had her first song on the radio "Places I've Never Been” by Mark Wills. Since then, her songs have spent twenty-six weeks in the #1 spot on the Billboard charts and albums featuring her songs have sold over 155 million units worldwide. Her dad Danny Mayo was a writer on “Keeper of the Stars,” for Tracy Byrd, “ Feed Jake,” for Pirates of the Mississippi, “If I Had You,” for Alabama and “Jesus & Mama Always Loved Me,” for Confederate Railroad.
Aimee's songs include the mega hit "Amazed" by Lonestar, "Everytime I Hear That Song" by Blake Shelton, "Wheel Of The World" by Carrie Underwood & "It's Always Somethin'".by Joe Diffie.
She is one of the few females to receive both BMI's Country Song of the Year, and BMI's Country Songwriter of the Year putting her in the company of Dolly, Loretta, Shania & Taylor.
After 15 years in the making, Aimee has released her moving memoir Talking To The Sky which takes the reader into her tough start in life with a writing style full of heartbreak, humour & hope.
Aimee joins me on the show to talk about her memoir, her hit songs & more! Plus, you'll her her songs: Martina McBride's "This One's For The Girls", Tim McGraw "My Best Friend" and Kenny Chesney's "Who You'd Be Today".
Ontario's Bree Taylor - recently nominated for a 2021 Mississauga Arts Award (MARTY) in the Music: Solo Vocalist — Emerging category - began writing her own songs when she was a teen and found early success with her pop debut EP Unbreakable. Shortly after, she found herself drawn to the country genre - and her fans came along for the ride. Bree's 2020 single “Cry” gained an impressive 70,000+ organic streams, and her most recent single, “Burning Bridges” soared to #1 on the Canadian Indie Charts in October of last year (#17 of 50 in Indie Songs ranked overall for 2020).
Bree's new single "Kryptonite" has her looking truthfully at the relationships that draw us in regardless of the heartbreaking consequences. Written by Bree and frequent collaborators Donny Anderson and Murray Daigle, the song refuses to veer off the path of authenticity, honesty, and real, pure emotional highs and lows.
On the show, Bree talks about her influences, songwriting, surviving the ups and downs of the music business and which legendary singer one of her names comes from.
Growing up outside Vancouver, British Columbia, Ajaye came by music honestly performing in her family band The Jardines. “Learning the ropes of the music business within the safety of my family was a great way to get started,” says Ajaye. “But you gotta step out on your own at some point, and my move to Nashville was the ultimate growing up experience, both musically and from a life experience standpoint.”
In Nashville, Ajaye honed her songwriting craft and earned a name performing the Nashville club scene, including a performance residency at Blake Shelton’s Ole Red, and as host/founder of "The NashUp" - a weekly writer's night at Alley Taps in historic Printers Alley.
With a secure footing on both Canadian and American musical soil, Ajaye continues to write, record and collaborate with the best on both sides of the border.
Her new single "Growing Up" - which Ajaye wrote with Alberta's Joni Delaurier - is a joint release with Reluctant Cowboy Records (founded by Troy Kokol & Joni Delaurier).
“If I’ve learned anything this past year, it’s that we’re all doing the best we can. So I started connecting to what sounds and feels good to me,” admits Ajaye. ”Growing Up is an ode to my younger self. To the 20 something me who felt lost, was always chasing after the wrong kind of romance, and tried so hard to fit in to try to make everybody else happy.”
Songs included in this episode: 1) "Growing Up" - performed by Ajaye Jardine 2) "When You're My Age" - performed by Lori McKenna featuring Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose 3) "Glorious Disaster" performed by Ajaye
Beaconsfield, Quebec's Brittany Kennell will release her debut album I Ain't A Saint in September 2021. It appears on CBC Music's 21 Most Anticipated Albums Of The Year list.
Her influences include Shania, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow and Bruce Springsteen
Brittany studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and then spent 8 years in Nashville writing and learning the music business up close. In 2016, she was the first and only Canadian contestant on NBC's hit show The Voice. Blake Shelton turned his chair for her performance of Shery Crow's "Strong Enough" and Brittany chose him as her coach. Brittany had the opportunity to be mentored by Miley Cyrus while on the show.
In 2021, Brittany made it to the Top 8 of Sirius XM's Top Of The Country competition in 2021. Her current single is called "Bought The T-Shirt". Other tracks that will appear on her debut album are "Eat Drink Remarry" & "Drunk Lips".
Ontario's Emily Kate bridges the gap between country and pop with her unique sound and lyrical storytelling. Pulling from real life experiences, her music conveys relatable, thoughtful messages weaved with fresh, soulful melodies and a warm sound.
Emily worked with CMAOntario-nominated Producer of the Year Shawn Moore on her debut EP All In which reveals a strong willed female artist aiming to impact the lives of current and future fans.
"This EP is my very first release so it is so special to me, " explains Emily."Over the past couple years, these songs are about real experiences I've had in my life. They have taught me how to love myself, feel inspired, chase my dreams, have fun and grow as a person. They’ve been my reminder and helped me through heartbreaks, insecurities, and now they get to be yours."
At the heart of Emily's music is her songwriting.
"I love to tell a story through songwriting. When I sit down to write a song, I often write about what's happening in my life and it's my way of expressing my emotions and sharing my story. There is something so special about music that connects us all, and that songs can have a huge impact on someone's life. I think a lot of us go through similar struggles and moments in life, and the power of songwriting is when that connection happens."
Farewell Town was formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia while playing first as a backing band for emerging local country artists on the East Coast of Canada. They have gone on to play with country artists all over the nation such as Chris Buck Band, JoJo Mason, Aaron Pritchett, Andy Bast and Ben Chase. Since then, the four session musicians have combined their uplifting talent and passion for music to form the power-house country-rock band, now known as Farewell Town.
With Michael Lloyd’s compelling vocals and dynamic guitar playing, Shaky White’s low-end groove and harmonies along with Jordan LeBlanc’s pristine guitar skills and Scott Musgrave’s impeccable timing, Farewell Town always provides an impactful show leaving fans wanting more.
In early March 2020, Farewell Town hit the studio with producer Andy Bast in New Brunswick to write and record their debut EP.
Released to Canadian Country Radio in April of 2021, "Let’s Be Crazy" is Farewell Town’s first single release from their upcoming debut EP.
"When writing "Let’s Be Crazy" we went back to a time and place where there were no cell phones or a city for miles — and to have a crazy good time all we needed was to get in the truck, pop in a cassette, pick someone up and go for a drive!" The song was written by members Michael and Shaky along with Andy Bast and Mathieu LeBlanc.
Lyndsay Butler is a proud seventh generation Southern Albertan, deeply ingrained in the western lifestyle. She shares her historic heritage through her traditional western, outlaw and southern rock songs. Her influences include Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Miranda Lambert, Cord Lund and Colter Wall.
"I'm an advocate for the Canadian Western way of life," says Lyndsay. "It's authentic to me, it's who I am. I grew up in the prairies and have continued to embed myself into that western feeling. I write songs from my heart and from my grass rooted life experiences."
Lyndsay was a Top 12 participant in Alberta’s Project WILD in (2019). She's released two songs to streaming services and Canadian Radio, 'I'll Drive The Truck' (2017) and 'Gravel Road' (2015). She won Global Country Star Search in (2014), was crowned The Calgary Stampede Nashville North Star (2013) and named Ranchman’s Rising Star (2012). She has opened for:Corb Lund, George Canyon, Aaron Pritchett, Bobby Wills and Meghan Patrick.
Her new single is "Prairie Settler Song" available everywhere now from her upcoming album Prairie Rose.
Chris Lindsey is the hit songwriter behind many of your favourite country songs including Lonestar's "Amazed", Keith Urban's "I Wanna Be Your Everything". Blake Shelton's "Every Time I Hear That Song" and other hits & cuts by the likes of Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Joe Diffie and many, many others.
Chris hosts his own podcast called Pitch List now in its fourth season which features his insightful conversations with other hit songwriters including Bill Anderson, Emily Weisband, Lori McKenna, Hardy & Ashley Gorley.
Recently, Chris has had the chance to show his rock side on his just released album Down The Velvet Rabbit Hole.
Chris is married to hit songwriter Aimee Mayo who just released her memoir Talking To The Sky.
Ontario's Carson Janik comes from a long line of diverse musical family members including accredited guitar, piano, drum, brass, and string players, as well as seasoned recording artists, vocal, stage, choir, and opera performers that span just about every genre. Carson is the first in his family to pursue Country music.
Carson started showing musical talent at the age of 3, when he proved that he couldn’t keep quiet and needed to constantly sing along with the radio. Initially drawn to pop music and playing the piano/singing along to the likes of Shawn Mendes and Bruno Mars, Carson had little interest in the guitar….that is until he heard his first Luke Combs song. Carson was immediately drawn to Country music and completely immersed himself in it, being influenced by the likes of Luke Combs, Mitchell Tenpenny, Dan & Shay, Morgan Wallen, among many others.
Songwriting is somewhat new to Carson. He started writing songs with the guidance of Aidan Johnson-Bujold (from the band Buck Twenty) at Elite Studios, cutting his first single in early 2019.
Tune in to hear my conversation with Carson and hear his latest two releases "Better Than That" & "Walkin' Away".
Newfoundland and Labrador's Carolina East has been stealing & breaking listeners' hearts for a while now with the release of songs like "Soaked In Whisky", "All The Things" and her new single "Monster".
Carolina was named the 2020 MusicNL Country Artist of the Year and is currently in the Top 8 of Sirius XM's Top Of The Country competition.
Her debut full-length album Soaked in Whisky is due out this summer.
Surrey, B.C.s Tyler Joe Miller releases his fourth single "Sometimes I Do" following his record-breaking back-to-back #1 radio hits, “Pillow Talkin” and “I Would Be Over Me Too” and Top 10 single “Fighting”.
"Sometimes I Do was a blast to write,"says Tyler Joe. "It’s about how you can’t really put me in a box. Sometimes I’m up to no good and get into a little bit of trouble and sometimes I’m as innocent as can be just havin’ a good time."
Tyler Joe is 1 of 8 finalists currently in Sirius XM's Top Of The Country competition with voting on until June 28, 2021. You can vote every day until then at https://topcountry.siriusxm.ca/#VoteNow.
Tune in to get to know Tyler Joe better and hear "Pillow Talkin'" & the new single "Sometimes I Do".
British Columbia's Cambree Lovesy is here to share her brand new single "Stomping Grounds" which is her follow up to "Runaway Queen".
Cambree takes great musical inspiration from classic country artists Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline as well as modern country trendsetters such as Kacey Musgraves and Maren Morris - and, of course, Shania.
Cabree's advice to anyone who is struggling is to put their focus on what brings you joy, and pursue that with no hesitations. "Choosing to pursue music full-time was a decision that brought a lot of risks, but when you love what you do and you can't picture doing anything else, your dream is worth every ounce of uncertainty " Cambree says. She wants to be a role model for strength, confidence, and authentic self-expression and she hopes to inspire her fans to do the same.
Tune in to hear Cambree talk about her songwriting, challenges in the music business, favourite stage she's played on, which music heroes she's met & much more!
Alberta's Ryan Langlois has been called 'the barstool balladeer: a charming and mysterious legend recalling better days, better songs, in better bars'. Formerly fronting the multiple-award-winning Boom Chucka Boys, Ryan is no stranger to the stage and he's now well into his career as a solo artist.
In 2017, Ryan received 2 nominations from the Alberta Country Music Association (now Country Music Alberta) for Male Artist & Album of the Year. After securing a sizable development award as part of Project WILD Country (Alberta), Ryan invested it all into growing his career. From creativity to a live show strategy, Ryan has built his audience and success at radio one song at a time.
More nominations came his way in 2018 and then he released his full-length album It Was A Song in 2019. The influence of Springsteen on Ryan's sound and writing can be heard in his powerful hometown anthem "This Is My Home"
In February 2021, Ryan had 2 nominations from Country Music Alberta for Roots Artist & Music Video of the Year.
Ryan is here to chat about his music career and his new single "Just A Word".
Alberta's ANNIKA recently released not 1 but 2 singles on the same day: "I Really Don't Want To" & "It Still Hurts". It's something she calls a 'twingle' - twin singles.
She's taking a new musical direction since moving on from the CCMA-nominated country-pop duo Leaving Thomas. The duo accumulated over 6 million career streams and was nominated for multiple CCMA Awards and placed top 3 in SiriusXM's Top of The Country Competition.
"I Really Don't Want To" is a heavy-hitting musical jam with a message of empowerment while at the same time, describing the intoxicating, sometimes impossible to understand feeling of falling in love. ‘It Still Hurts’ outlines the painful, often lengthy healing process required after a love goes wrong.
"The single "I Really Don't Want To" has a message that hits home for me as someone that has a history of falling in love, completely unafraid and uninhibited every time even though I knew heartbreak was likely around the corner,” explains Annika. “After so many breakups, I got used to picking myself back up and carrying on without resentment or a jaded attitude towards love. The bluesy, soulful sound of the song is uplifting in nature, making it a great tune to jam out to on the piano and I loved that while recording, I could really let loose on the vocals."
To date, Annika has co-written over 100 songs with hit writers including Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Phil Barton, Brian White, Patricia Conroy and Liz Rose.
Newfoundland's Quote The Raven released a great new single "Home Is Worth The Blues" (written by the duo & Alberta Country artist Blake Reid) earlier this year.
In 2019 , they were named the MusicNL Group of the Year. In 2020, they were nominated for ECMA Rising Star Recording of the Year. Recently, Quote The Raven was nominated for the MusicNL Ron Hynes SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Award for "Hope"
In the past few years, Quote the Raven have reached over 650,000 streams, been added to the prestigious “Folk & Friends” playlist on Spotify, and earned showcases and award nominations at the East Coast Music Awards. They’ve performed at the 2019 AmericanaFest in Nashville, been featured regularly on Stingray’s Folk Roots channel, charted on the Canadian Country Top 100 and received multiple sync placements, including the CityTV drama “The Wedding Planners”.
Quote The Raven is Jordan Coaker and Kirsten Rodden-Clarke.
Emily Clair's new single “Drive Me Home” is a bold exploration of physical chemistry and passion from the female perspective that is defined by Emily’s strong and sultry vocals. It was co-written by Emily with Doug Folkins and CMAO-nominated Shawn Moore (who also produced).
Leading up to this single, Emily has enjoyed three consecutive Top 40 singles on CBC Country/Sirius XM in Canada (“Me or the Whiskey”, “The Sobering Truth”, and “Bad Habits”) with two of them (“The Sobering Truth” and “Me or the Whiskey”) also making the semi-finals of the Unsigned Only Music Competition. She’s also the co-founder of her own social media platform - and songwriters rounds - for women called The Songbird Series.
Toronto's Owen Barney has a nomination for Single of the Year for "Thank Her For That" and for Songwriter of the Year for the same song along with his co-writers at this year's CMAOntario Awards Show taking place in September.
Owen is following up the success of that song with a new EP Tough Times featuring the lead single "You Make Me Wanna (Brown Eyed Girl) which samples the classic Van Morrison song.
The talented artist has been strumming the guitar since he was just 7 years old, influenced by country heavy-hitters Eric Church, Dean Brody, and Jason Aldean. Having played shows since the age of 14, Owen has a natural ability to captivate an audience with his poignant songs, powerful vocals and charming stage presence
Grafton, Ontario's Jeremy Macklin is hear to talk about his country music career which has had stops in the church choir and rock music along the way.
His latest single is "Blue Collar Congregation" which boasts a very cool music video to add to the song's story.
You can expect to hear musical influences like Brantley Gilbert, Jason Aldean, Cory Marks and Dustin Lynch in Jeremy’s upcoming releases
Although he has been away from the radio scene for about a decade, Ontario's Aiden McGill has been very active with creating, recording and promoting live entertainment. He spent the past 12 years working with other artists & acts at Studio3A, his own recording oasis. Aiden's passion for creating food took him on an additional path to establish Banjo's Grill, IceCreamville and McGillicafey's Pub & Eatery. "GIILLIES" promotes live comedy, educational, instructional and of course musical acts. Now back on his own musical journey, there is a 12 song project in the works. The first song off this session is Aiden's fifth single to Canadian Country Radio. "Our Own Mexico" co-written by Aiden features Neil Donell (current lead singer for Chicago) providing harmonies. The song is about making the best of staying home while not being able to travel south due to our current Covid fight. Some of the other eleven tunes on the upcoming project recorded at his own Studio3A were penned by songwriters including Tim Taylor, Deric Ruttan, Duane Steele, Jason McCoy & Clayton Bellamy.
Flat Lake, Alberta's Brett Kissel has just released "What Is Life?" - his 5th major-label studio album - that sets out to answer the album title's question track by track including the first release "Make A Life, Not A Living".
Brett has won 18 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) awards, 2 Junos, has 15 Top 10 radio singles & 3 #1 songs. HIs single "Drink About Me" - one of his #1 songs - from his Now Or Never album is up for Single Of The Year at the 2021 Juno Awards. It's the first time a country single has been in that category in a decade.
Of the new album, Brett says: “That age-old question is one that I’ve really focused on and centered around for this next phase of my career and for my life. And each and every time, the one thought that is always front and center for me, is doing the best we can with what we have, and making the most of our lives – living the words that I sing in the first song – and I hope that everyone who hears it not just enjoys it, but is also inspired by it.”
Brett shares stories about the album, recording with Charley Pride, touring with Garth Brooks, debuting at the Grand Ole Opry in 2015, learning "I Walk The Line" on his first guitar & much more!
Ontario's Nate Haller is making a great introduction as a solo artist with the release of his debut single “Lightning In A Bottle.”
"I feel like this song is a culmination of the past ten years of my life and represents the start of something new and exciting,” says Nate of the single. “I’m amped for people to hear this new chapter and hopefully listeners can relate to new beginnings in any part of their lives."
Written by Travis Wood, Gavin Slate and Shawn Austin and produced by Todd Clark (producer for Phillip Phillips, James Barker Band, The Reklaws), “Lightning In A Bottle” marks Nate’s first radio single. However, he’s no stranger to the industry or commanding a stage. Mentored by Zubin Thakkar (MD for Shawn Mendes), and having played alongside Canada’s top artists like Kira Isabella and most recently The Reklaws, Nate has learned the music industry in his 10+ years in the biz. And discovered his own voice.
Music had always been at the forefront of Nate’s life but became his clear calling in high school when a friend signed him up for a talent show, without Nate knowing. After several failed attempts at bailing on the performance, Nate took the stage, and to this day he still considers it one of the best decisions he ever made because it was at that moment he discovered his love of music and performing.
Comprised of Luanne Carl (singer, bassist), Russell Carl (guitarist), Kent Nixon (guitarist, vocalist), and Scott McKnight (drummer), Alberta's Renegade Station’s name is symbolic of the group’s unconventional approach to their music and sense of independence with a nod to the vintage working steam train that is a tourist attraction in Stettler.
Their new single (April 2021) is called "Free Free Free".
In 2018, Renegade Station released their hit single Who’s Gonna Love Me Tonight from their Along for the Ride album which garnered numerous nominations including Top 50 on the charts and the ACMA (now Country Music Alberta) Single of the Year. In addition, the group won back-to-back Association of Country Music in Alberta, as Group of the Year (2015, 2016) as well as the ACMA Fan’s Choice of the Year in 2015 and garnered a CCMA nomination for songwriter of the year for their tune 2:15. Luanne was also nominated for CCMA Bass Player of the Year in 2016. The band has also shared the stage with the likes of George Canyon, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, David Lee Murphy, Emerson Drive, and Bobby Wills.
The band came together after meeting and see each other perform at numerous events in their local area. They immediately connected and the band was formed. As they continued on their musical journey together, not only as a band but in friendship too, they became the “go to” group for numerous events across Alberta. Their harmonious energy became contagious among anyone that attended the events.
While taking a break from his own career as an artist, Ontario's Aiden McGill has spent the past 12 years working with other artists & acts at Studio3A which is his own recording studio. While still performing live dates (pre-covid), his passion for creating food took him on an additional path to establish Banjo's Grill, IceCreamville and McGillicafey's Pub & Eatery. "GIILLIES" promotes live comedy, educational, instructional and of course musical acts.
Now back on his own musical journey, there is a 12 song project in the works. The first song off this session is Aiden's fifth single to Canadian country radio. "Our Own Mxxico" co-written by Aiden features Neil Donell (current lead singer for Supergroup Chicago) doing harmonies. The song is about making the best of staying home while not being able to travel south due to covid. Some of the other eleven tunes on this project, recorded at his own Studio3A, were penned by the likes of Tim Taylor, Deric Ruttan, Duane Steele, Jason McCoy, Clayton Bellamy & other talented writers.
Now based in Nashville, Alberta's Sykamore is equal parts country and pop, mixing intimate reflection and empathetic storytelling with instantly memorable hooks and sing-along choruses that capture emotion of listeners of all ages and backgrounds. Her latest single is called "Go Easy On Me".
Praised by Music Row as a “winner,” and named a “rising talent” by CMT who also included her in the Next Women of Country in 2020,
Sykamore’s debut EP, California King, was released in April 2020. American Songwriter described the collection as, “a five-song breeze which is as relatable and funny as it is intimate and personal.”
Her biggest break came in 2016 when songwriting heavyweight and country artist Rhett Akins ("That Ain't My Truck", etc) came across her music on Twitter.
“I read her name, I was curious,” Rhett said in an interview. “I saw her face, I was intrigued. I heard her voice, I was done.”
At Akins’ invitation, Sykamore joined the roster of Home Team Publishing (which Akins founded along with his son, country star Thomas Rhett and Roc Nation/Warner Chappell) and relocated to Nashville in 2017. There, she released her first EP, Self + Medicine, which accumulated more than 1.6 million on-demand audio streams.
Judging by the numbers, Wes Mack has a lot to be proud of: 11 million streams, 13 CCMA nominations, 15 directing projects, and more than 20 film and television roles.
Over the last year, he set up a studio in the remote wilderness of interior BC and began working on his forthcoming 3rd album, including his latest single "Don't Change" which Wes co-produced (at a distance) with his long-time friend Jordan Orbek (Chris Buck, Kira Isabella, George Canyon).
Wes won the inaugural CCMA Discovery Program and his debut album contained 4 top 20 radio singles and landed him a cross country tour with Shania Twain. He has performed alongside acts like Eric Church, Luke Combs and Midland. In 2019, Wes also released his sophomore album SOUL which has been streamed over 5 million times and was nominated for album of the year at the BCCMA Awards.
In addition to his his music career, Wes is also a successful director and actor, with roles in Power Rangers, Heartland, Smallville, The Vampire Diaries and most recently appearing in the film Cold Pursuit co-starring Liam Neeson, Laura Dern and Emmy Rossum.
Alberta's Tracy Millar is proud to be a traditional country artist. All the proof you need of that is heard by listening to her latest EP I'm Not 29 No More. The current single "Loretta's Moonshine" is a perfect example of her country roots and has led to a real life Loretta's Moonshine sold by Back40 Distillery in Camrose, Alberta.
Tune in to get to know Tracy's journey in music & find out who her dream duet partner is. You could say he's the 'Conway' to her 'Loretta' and it would be a grand duet.
Alberta's Flaysher - brothers Brad & Ryan - have just released "Ride" the follow up to their debut release "Flat Broke Famous".
They were nominated for Horizon Group or Duo of the Year at the Country Music Alberta Awards in February.
Alberta-born, California-based actor-singer-musician-model Paul Greene - known for his many TV, film & commercial roles and currently starring as Dr. Carson Shepherd in the Netflix/Hallmark Channel series When Calls The Heart - visits the podcast to chat about his music & acting life. HIs current album is called Freedom For Your Soul and I'll play a couple of the tracks from it.
B.C.'s Aaron Halliday has just released a new single "(I Can't Not) Write A Love Song" from his latest album Light 'Em Up. He's been an Alan Jackson tribute artist for over 25 years. Early on in his musical life, Stompin' Tom Connors encouraged Aaron to keep going. Tune in to hear all about Aaron's music career and his love for traditional country music.
Sudbury's J.C. Brae grew up with two passions: hockey & Country Music! His goal with his music is to keep the traditional sounds of country music alive and thriving. This is evidenced on his new single "Savin' It Up For Saturday Night". Tune in to to get to know J.C. and hear his love for the music - and his fun single!
Barrie, Ontario's Jordan Riley has just released his latest single "All Nighter" written with Taylor Abram & Connor Stephen from James Barker Band.
About the song, Jordan says: "“All Nighter” was written to be a song for the weekend, a song that makes you feel like whatever happened during the week didn’t matter. It’s a time where everyone can come together and share the same passion for the weekend. When we started writing “All Nighter” we knew we wanted to write something everyone could relate to, a song about letting go and living large. The end result was exactly what we wanted, it’s an anthem for everyone who works hard but plays harder."
Tune in to hear the song & learn about Jordan's influences, songwriting approach & more!
Nicole Sumerlyn is a country artist from BC, who has recently released her new single “Over A Drink”. It was written in Nashville by Nicole and Jimmy Thow (from Sons Of Daughters) and it’s a light-hearted twist on first date drinks and conversations that examines how confidence, chemistry, and purpose are more meaningful than small talk.
“Over a Drink” is Nicole’s first single as an adult after early recognition during her teen years – which included opening for Brett Kissel, playing at Nashville’s Bluebird Café, having her first video for “Let’s Get Country” air on The Heartland Network, and being one of the winners of 2015’s Global Country Star Search. She’s also an established live performer on festival stages like the Calgary Stampede and the main stage of the SunFest Country Music Festival.
Kyle McKearney is ready to introduce music fans to his unique, modern-vintage, Americana sound.
Born and raised in small-town northern British Columbia, Kyle grew up surrounded by family and their love of country & bluegrass music. After high school, Kyle had the opportunity to move to Nashville where he spent his time learning how classic country and rockabilly songs were crafted. He eventually made his way back to Canada and settled in Calgary.
Over the years, Kyle’ has been a part of several successful projects including co-writing a song with Roger Taylor (of the legendary band, QUEEN), performing on a national tour with Nick Carter (the Backstreet Boy), along with garnering three Top 20 CHR/Top 40 hit songs on Canadian commercial radio, a top 30 at Pop/Hot AC radio, a Top 30 on Active Rock radio, and a Canadian Radio Music Award nomination in 2017.
He spent 6 months of 2019 on the road, playing guitar and touring across North America with Queen’s production of “We Will Rock You”.
Kyle has also co-produced all of his new music with Russell Broom (Paul McCartney, Jan Arden, George Canyon, Brett Kissell) and released his debut single “Devil Water” on February 26th.
Photo credit: Chris Doi
Ontario's Dustin Bird is here to chat about his debut album Unscripted, the lead single "Broke and Lonely", being signed to Open Road Recordings recently and more!
Producer-musician-songwriter and now social media platform creator (Trybe) Dan Swinimer is here to chat about his music career including stories about working early on with Madeline Merlo & Jojo Mason. Music featured on the show is from Tyler Joe Miller "Fighting" which Dan co-wrote as well as songs he produced: "Then There's You" recorded by David James & Genevieve Fisher and "Standards" recorded by Sacha. All 3 songs are enjoying major airplay at country radio right now.
Dan will tell us about the app Tryb which he co-created to become a game changer on the social medial plaform scene.
Huntsville, Ontario's Alexis Taylor is here to chat about & share her new single "Getaway". It's the follow up to her two previous releases "Cool With That" and her Eagles cover "Desperado".
“If there was ever a need to escape from reality and take a vacation, 2020 and 2021 are it,” Alexis explains. “Since so many of us were stuck inside our homes, I had the idea that perhaps a vacation does not necessarily mean going to a particular place, but rather a ‘Getaway’ can be about the person or people you are with."
“Don’t get me wrong,” she adds, “I love going on trips — especially to the beach! But to me, it has never been about going to a certain place, it has always been about being with that person who makes it feel like a vacation, no matter where you are. It’s simply the fact that you’re together, and spending time with them; that’s what makes the days feel special."
If you like the way her songs are produced, that's thanks to multi-award winning musician/producer John Willis who has worked with big names including Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson, Lionel Richie & Luke Bryan.
CMAOntario Rising Star Aaron Allen takes us behind the scenes of his album Highway Mile from the production to the songwriting - and we'll hear 4 of the tracks & the stories behind them,
Aaron also chats with me about some of his influences (Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen & John Prine), writing with hit makers like Phil Barton, his wife Aimee's new single, what's ahead with his music in 2021 & much more!
Mike Robins arrived in a big way on the country music scene in 2013 with his group Autumn Hill, achieving radio success with multiple top 10 and 20 singles including “Anything At All,” “Mixtape,” and “Can’t Keep Waiting.” The music video for the groups hit single “Blame” also topped the CMT charts reaching #1. Following the success of Autumn Hill,
Mike continued to grow working on a side project, East Adelaide. As part of Autmn Hill, Mike has been nominated for 4 Canadian Country Music Awards, 2 JUNO Awards, and 5 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards, and won awards for the CMAO’s Rising Star and Best Group/Duo.
Tune in as I catch up with Mike and share his debut solo single "Lightning Don't Strike Twice"!
The 2020 Saskatchewan Country Music Association Emerging Artist Jordyn Pollard is current climbing the country charts with her single "Back To Us".
Recently, she was named the first-ever Stingray Music Trending Track Artist for her current single.
Tune in to get to know this talented artist better and hear a couple of her latest songs including "Back To Us".
St. John's, Newfound and Labrador's own Carolina East visits the podcast to talk about her music career and share her latest single "Hunger" as well as a previous release "Soaked In Whisky".
This year, Carolina won the Music NL Country Artist of the Year award (she won it last year too), received a nomination for ECMA Indigenous Artist of the Year and joined the Sirius XM Top Of The Country competition as one of eight talented semi-finalists.
Dani Strong visits the podcast to chat with me about her new album Undefined & to share some songs from it.
She'll also chat with me about Tom Petty, Shane & Stacey Lee Guse, "task writing", music therapy & much more!
DANI'S BIO
Produced by JUNO Award winning and 2020 Grammy nominee, Dan Brodbeck (The Cranberries, Texas King), Undefined sees Dani unafraid to wander across genre lines, blending pop hooks with authentic lyrics while remaining firmly rooted in familiar country sounds.
Dani thrives within the story-telling nature of country music and her latest release, "Mrs. Jones (Evelyn)," spins the classic tale of “filling holes with gold” and the futile effort of trying to heal through superficial means. The single won "Best Country Song" at the 2020 International Independent Music Awards in NYC.
Her single "Not Right Now" was nominated for two awards at the International Independent Music Awards held in New York City in June of 2019. "Not Right Now" was also featured in the film Hometown Holiday on Amazon Prime TV. Dani has played the mainstage at Boots and Hearts (2017) and opened for Luke Bryan, Brett Eldredge, The Eli Young Band, The Road Hammers, Tom Cochrane, James Barker Band, Meghan Patrick, and Tebey.
Brian John Harwood visits the podcast to chat about his new single & music video "All That I Was Missing" written as a proposal to his girlfriend.
Brian is releasing singles as a solo artist while continuing to release new Kansas Stone material with Matt Davey.
Also on the show we'll hear Brian's summer anthem/love song "Hotter Than Summer."
Interview done a few days before the 2020 CCMA Awards show in September airing on Global TV...LIndsay won Interactive Artist of the Year...
Alberta's Lindsay Ell is here to chat about her latest album Heart Theory featuring "I Don't Love You" & "Want Me Back"
It's a concept album taking the listener through the 7 stages of grief.
Lindsay is nominated for Female Artist of the Year & Interactive Artist at the Sunday, Sept 27th CCMA Awards Show airing on Global TV.
Interview taped a few days before the 2020 CCMA Awards Show aired on Global TV...Tenille won Female Artist, Songwriter & Video of the Year...
Grand Prairie, Alberta's Tenille Townes is riding high on the success of her debut album The Lemonade Stand featuring "Somebody's Daughter", "White Horse", "Jersey On The Wall", "Come As You Are" & more!
She was just named the Academy of Country Music's New Female Artist.
She's up for 6 CCMA Awards including Female Artist, Songwriter & Entertainer of the Year at the show that will air on Global TV on Sunday, September 27th.
Alberta's Michela Sheedy is here to chat about & share her current single "Lost"!
A BIT ABOUT MICHELA SHEEDY
Born and raised in Okotoks, Alberta, Michela brings a steely, yet feminine edge to the Canadian country music scene. Over the past few years, she has enjoyed several career highlights including sharing the stage with Keith Urban, Aaron Goodvin, and Lonestar. She has also played at legendary music venues including Ranchman’s, Cowboy’s Nightclub, Big Valley Jamboree, Country Thunder, Coca-Cola Stage, Nashville North stage, and the Calgary Stampede.
Michela’s debut single released in the summer of 2018 entitled “I Make Bad Look Good” (feat. Clayton Bellamy of The Road Hammers) reached #47 on the iTunes Country Charts and was added to radio stations’ regular rotations.
Michela was recognized as Notable Life’s Breakout Canadian Musician of the Year in 2018 and earned first place titles for the 96.5 CKFM Country Star Search. She was also the winner of the Global Country Star Search and was a two-time nominee of ACMA’s Female Artist of the Year. Michela has honed her skills as a musician through competing in several Alberta talent competitions including reaching the finals of the Project WILD Country Artist Development Program.
Alberta's Mandy McMillan visits the podcast to chat about her new single "Dream Catcher", the power of co-writing, life in Nashville & much more!
A BIT ABOUT MANDY:
Mandy was born in Edmonton, grew up in Stony Plain, and quit her job to move to Nashville for a music career after winning a CMT Canada contest over a decade ago. Since then, she’s made a number of music memories like opening for the likes of Trisha Yearwood and Blake Shelton and showcased at the 2018 Diamonds in the Rough series during Canadian Country Music Week, made the Top 10 of ole’s “Play for Publisher” for her 2018 single “Chasin’ the Ace”, played in a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, and showcased at Whiskey Jam.
Ontario's Elyse Saunders is here to chat about her summer anthem single "Free", her upcoming album, new music video & much more!
Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia's Todd Richard is here to chat about his new single "Take Your Own Advice", his time on 2008's CMT Canada Karaoke Star, influences, songwriting & more!
Steven Lee Olsen's latest single Can't Not is moving closer to the top 20 on Canadian Country Radio. It's the follow up to Hello Country which was the most added song at Canadian Country Radio when it was released.
Steven recently married Canadian media personality Shannon Ella.
Since moving to Nashville in 2004, Steven has worked tirelessly, honing his craft as an artist and songwriter, and all the hard work has paid off impressively. He co-wrote Keith Urban’s double-platinum hit “Blue Ain’t Your Color” – which in 2017 was named the NSAI Song of the Year and crowned “Single of the Year” at the CMA Awards, in addition to being nominated for “Best Country Song” and “Best Country Solo Performance” at the 59th Grammy Awards, and “Song of the Year” at the ACM Awards. He also co-wrote Kip Moore’s #1 hit “More Girls Like You” and co-wrote Dallas Smith’s Platinum #1 hit “Drop” as well as numerous cuts for other stars including Garth Brooks, Billy Currington, Rascal Flatts, The Judds, Emerson Drive and more.
Alberta's Duane Steele is here to chat about his new single Bonfires & Guitars - written with Tim Taylor - which is the title track from his recently released album.
Duane also talks about some of his influences, his George Jones tribute show, shares advice on songwriting and takes us back to the late 1990s with a great ballad of his called "The Trouble With Love".
Alberta's Nice Horse consists of members Krista Wodelet, Brandi Sidoryk, Katie Rox & Tara McLeod.
Krista joins me on the show to chat about the band's latest news & music.
Their new single is "Cowgirl" written by Tara, Brandi and fellow country artist Jason Blaine.
Krista also chats with me about what being a Cowgirl means, working with producer Jeff Dalziel, tells us the story behind the band's name & much more!
Ontario's Greg Williams is here to chat about his current album The Mistakes I've Made produced by Mike Little featuring the current single "The Right Side Of Goodbye".
Greg won The Next Country Music Star talent competition in 2017 which led to a featured performance on the Havelock Country Jamboree stage.
Among his influences is Sturgill Simpson. Greg leans towards that style and sound - not chasing the top of the charts but rather he's focused on making great authentic music. And you may hear him cover Prince's classic "Purple Rain" if you're lucky.
Learning the fiddle at age 7, Greg has always stayed true to the roots of music and leaves it all on stage as if each performance is the last one.
Greg had the chance to write a song on the album with solo artist & Road Hammer member Clayton Bellamy.
Victoria Banks - artist & hit songwriter - is here to share songs from her new album Uncovered featuring the lead single "Want".
She recently appeared on NBC's Songland to 'pitch' a song of hers to Florida Georgia Line.
Victoria has been nominated for 11 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards and was named CCMA Female Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year in 2010.
Victoria wrote Sara Evans' Top 20 single "Saints & Angels" released in 2001.
In 2009, Victoria - along with Johnny Reid and Tia Sellers - wrote Johnny's hugely successful single "Dance With Me".
In addition, she has had cuts by over 100 artists including Carly Pearce, Lauren Alaina, Terri Clark & Cassadee Pope,
Victoria chats with me about her Songland experience, about her hook book, which artist she'd love to have record one of her songs, what inspired her to write songs in the first place & much more!
Surrey, British Columbia's Tyler Joe Miller - signed to MDM Recordings Inc. in 2019 - just celebrated his #1 debut single "Pillow Talkin'".
In October 2019, Tyler Joe was awarded the Ray McAuley Horizon award at the BCCMAs. It's an award that is presented to a new artist who has shown achievements in recorded and or live performances and celebrates their contributions to country music in British Columbia.
Tyler Joe is here to share the story of how his #1 single almost fell short of the top spot, He'll also tell us which song is his all time favourite - and much more!
And, of course, he'll share his brand new single "I Would Be Over Me Too" that is sure to have him climbing the country charts again,
Ottawa's Chris Labelle is here to share & chat about his new song Frontliners which is his thank you to all of those on the front lines of the Covid crisis.
Plus, he'll chat about his influences, songwriting and will share two other songs including a duet with Genevieve Fisher.
Ontario's Josh Ross is here to chat about his latest single Chevy, moving to Nashville, his influences, songwriting & much more!
Alberta's Duane Steele is here to share his new single Blue Collar Palace which features Gord Bamford who also wrote the song with Duane.
We'll hear two other songs from Duane including his classic "Two Names On An Overpass" featuring Lisa Brokop.
Listen also for stories about Alan Jackson, George Jones, Gordon Lightfoot & Jamie Warren!
Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame member Michelle Wright is here to chat with me about her music career, the stories behind 4 of her many hits (New Kind Of Love, He Would Be Sixteen, Strong & What Love Looks Like) & more!
Jeremy Borton from Ottawa's River Town Saints is here to chat about the group's new single "Slow Kiss", new lead singer, influences, David Lee Roth vs Sammy Hagar & more!
Alberta's Dan Davidson is here to chat about his recent event on Instagram Live called Diesel Bird Digital Music Festival raising over $50,000 for Unison & the Red Cross.
Dan will also chat with me about his latest single "I Do", transforming from a rock singer to a country artist, writing with Clayton Bellamy, being produced by Jeff Dalziel & much more!
Toronto's David Boyd Janes is here to chat about his brand new single On Tonight, the changes he made to pursue his music career, how thoughts become things, his big year of 2019, covering Kane Brown, influences, songwriting, Nashville & more!
Windsor, Ontario's Kelsi Mayne just released her debut album As I Go and she's here to chat about it and share some of the tracks with us.
Vancouver, B.C.'s Syd Carter West is here to share her new single Blue Eyes and to talk about her country-rock style, songwriting, her biggest challenge to face & much more!
Sudbury, Ontario country artist Gil Grand - living in Nashville since the late 90s - is here to chat about his newest venture Gil Grand Country Music Tours. We'll also look back at his 1997 debut single "Famous First Words" and chat about his tribute shows including One Night With Conway.
Tune in to hear great stories & great songs from this talented country artist!
Prince Edward County's Instant Rivalry - brother-sister duo Caleb and Megan Hutton - have just released their 15 track album Whiskey & Lead - 5 years in the making.
They're here to talk about their influences, songwriting, mentoring other artists and to share a couple of tracks from their album.
Alberta's Julian Austin is here to share his Christmas song Christmas Was Born and a recent single Love Train. Julian climbed to the top of the country charts in 1997 with his debut single Little Ol' Kisses. Tune in for a great conversation & great songs from this talented artist.
Lucan, Ontario's Julia Haggarty is here to chat about her crossover collaboration with rapper Casper Marcus & pop artist Alex Emrich.
She has just released a Christmas duet with Charlie Weber.
We'll also find about about Julia's influences, her approach to songwriting and opening a recent show for Jessica Mitchell.
Ontario's Jordy Jackson releases his latest single "Where We Are" and joins Dave on the show to talk about it.
Quebec's Matt Lang has just released a new single Water Down The Whiskey from his upcoming EP produced by Danick Dupelle.
He recently won Sirius XM's Top Of The Country competition.
Originally from PEI - and now calling the Toronto area home - Alli Walker describes her songs as mindful music & conscious country.
Her album The Basement Sessions: What I've Learned So Far has just been released and features 10 inspiring and positive songs.
Newfoundland's Mallory Johnson - now living in Nashville - has just released her Double Shot Digital 45 featuring Hungover & Drunk Mind, Sober Heart.
She chats with me about the songs, about Sammy Kershaw, Dolly Parton, how her Mom has influenced her & much more!
Aaron Pritchett is here to chat about his current Out On The Town tour featuring Kira Isabella & David James!
Plus he celebrates his first ever #1 hit with us and shares his new single "Good Thing".
London, Ontario's Aaron Allen is here to chat about his music career and new single "Good Tattoo".
In the New Music Spotlight I play Elyse Saunders' single "Feel You Leaving".
The Flashback Interview features Meghan Patrick and the story behind the music video for "Country Music Made Me Do It".
Prince Edward Island's Cory Gallant has just released his new single We Both Bleed. It's part of his upcoming album which will feature a duet with Georgette Jones. Tune in to get to know Cory & his music!
Montreal's Manny Blu has his latest single Like It Like That out at country radio right now. His debut EP is being released this month. Recently, Manny was on the Hit After Hit Tour with George Canyon, Charlie Major & Doc Walker. Tune in to find out how a sports injury led to the start of his music career!
Ajax, Ontario's Kris Barclay has just released his debut single Loved You Liked That and is signed with Warner Music Canada.
He won the 2018 Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase and is nominated this year for Rising Star at the CMAOntario Awards in June.
Get to know Kris & his debut single by tuning in to this episode.
Saskatchewan country artist Stephanie Rose calls in to chat about her brand new EP called Sprout!
CHES ANTHONY RELEASES DEBUT SOLO SINGLE WRITTEN IN STONE
Ches Anthony grew up in a small town in Saskatchewan, surrounded by music and motocross. He learned to play harmonica, guitar and piano at a young age. His father would bring him up on stage with his blues band where he performed for their fans.
One of his fondest memories was when his father’s band played at a gospel country music festival. The power went out due to a severe thunderstorm and everyone ran into a hall. They kept the show going and had a big jam playing on anything including pots and pans to make music. After seeing that Ches was hooked and needed more.
Through his teenage angst years Ches formed a heavy rock band and wrote songs that would help him and others relate to the struggles of youth. While honing his guitar skills playing in a blues band for several years, he began to listen to the heartache and emotion in old blues master voices like Howlin Wolf and Elmore James and the old country grit of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, he started to develop his own writing and singing style.
The Western Swing Authority has a brand new album out called Big Deal produced by Jason Barry.
Joining the WSA on this album is a long list of special guests including Jason McCoy, George Canyon, Jason Blaine, Russell DeCarle and Carolyn Martin.
Shane Guse from the group is here to chat with me about it and share some tracks.
Dan started playing guitar at the age of seven, beginning with a lap steel and by the time he was ten he was playing the acoustic and wrote his first song for his mom; Someone Like You.
His Dad integrated him into the band he was playing bass for and by the time he was 13, Dan was the bass player and harmony singer for a local weekend band.
His credits include over 200 albums as a singer/song writer, producer and bassist. Dan was band leader for the late Colleen Peterson for several years. He has toured with George Fox, Terry Sheridan, Colleen Peterson and South Mountain. He has guested as singer/bassist for many gospel shows both live and on television. Dan has shared the stage on shows with Emmy-Lou Harris, Pirates of the Mississippi, Waylon Jennings, Toby Keith, Marty Stuart and Martina McBride to name a few. Dan had great success releasing 5 singles to radio before being asked to audition for award winning band “South Mountain”. Dan became their lead singer/bassist and spokes-person in Canada, signed to Stony Plain Records, distributed world-wide by Warner Brothers. The band toured Canada and Europe extensively and were in high demand. They had a successful album “Where There’s A Will” offering four chart successes and several Canadian Country Music Association nominations.
Alberta's Maddison Krebs - now living in Nashville - joins me on the show to chat about living in Nashville, songwriting, her books of dreams, her new single Real Real Thing & more!
Aaron Pritchett is here to chat about the success of his latest single Worth A Shot, his multiple BCCMA award nominations & much more!
Born in Sussex, New Brunswick, Julian Austin has written and played music since he was in his mid-teens, dabbling in every genre from heavy metal to rock to 80’s pop before falling in love with the new country music sound that was taking shape in the early 90’s. In 1998 Austin moved out west to Calgary Alberta. While living out west Austin further honed his musical skills in both writing songs and entertaining the fans. His first album, “What My Heart Already Knows”, more than justified that musical choice, earning Julian a certified CRIA gold record (50k+ sales) and the 1997 Wrangler Rising Star Award from the Canadian Country Music Association. His first single “Little Ol’ Kisses” went #1 on radio and also made the CMT Top 30 Videos of 1997, followed in 1998 with the Best Country Single award at the first annual Canadian Radio Music Awards. That year Julian also earned several Juno nominations.
Julian is here to chat about & share his latest songs!
Richmond, B.C.'s Ajaye Jardine - now living in Nashville - joins me on the show to chat about her music career, songwriting, life in Nashville, her EP Midnight & Bourbon and much more!
Since her debut EP, the past three years have included professional breakthroughs for Ajaye Jardine. She was a Female Artist nominee consecutively for the BC Country Music Awards (2016 and 2017), she placed in the Top 10 of the 2016 Ole On the Spot, and in the Top 3 of the CCMA Spotlight Performance Contest – provincial segment. Ajaye Jardine has performed at the 2016 Calgary Stampede, 2016 SunFest, and alongside Steve Earle on Cayamo 2017. She released a collaboration of her signature track “Boots on Girl” featuring Aaron Grain of award winning trio The Washboard Union, and performed the song at the 2017 BC Country Awards Show.
Ottawa's Doc Yates is here to share a brand new song with us called Home To The Country. Plus he chats with me about songwriting, influences & much more!
Ontario's Tia McGraff has just released her new album Stubborn In My Blood. Once again, Tia delivers a stellar project with solid songwriitng and heartfelt vocals.
Tune in for my conversation with Tia and to hear some of the songs from her new release.
Ontario's Tim Hicks is here to chat about his latest album New Tattoo featureing the hit song Loud! The album also inclues a duet with Lindsay Ell.
Tim is nominated for the Apple Music Fans' Choice Award at this year's CCMA Awards in Hamilton, Ontario in September!
Newfoundland's Jason Benoit will release his new single - a cover of the classic Slow Hand - on June 22nd. His radio hits include All Wanna Party and Gone Long Gone.
Slow Hand was first recorded by the Pointer Sisters and then by Conway Twitty,
Check out this episode of In The Country to get to know Jason & his music.
Ontario's Michelle Wright will receive the Impact Award from the Country Music Association of Ontario on June 3rd at the CMAOntario Awards held in London, Ontario,
She's here to chat about this honour as well as talk some of her career highlights & give the stories behind three of her songs including the smash hit "Take It Like A Man".
Originally from Jedburgh, Scotland, David Leask is a powerful performing songwriter, who has built an artistic bridge between the influences of his birthplace and the fresh possibilities of his adopted Canadian home to produce five critically-acclaimed CD's and numerous international songwriting awards in different genres. Songwriters Magazine called David, "the most consistent Canadian songwriting competition winner." He was also awarded the Mississauga Established Performing Artist of the Year. David's sixth and latest recording, "Six in 6/8" is available now.
Ben Hudson is a country singer-songwriter from Uxbridge, Ontario. His smooth, rich vocals have been compared to Josh Turner and Brothers Osborne although his country-rock influenced songwriting is similar to that of Eric Church and Aaron Lewis. His self-titled EP was released in early 2016, gaining the attention of CMT Canada who made him their Fresh Face artist and also earned him a nomination at the 2016 CMAO Awards for Rising Star.
In June of 2016, he released his first single “Redneck Summer” to country radio. In its first week, the single was in the top 5 DMDS downloads and added into rotation at many major market stations across Canada. This strong debut helped secured a spot at the inaugural CMT Music Fest. Topcountry.ca named him one of their top artists to watch in 2017 and the Country Music Association of Ontario selected him as their January 2017 “Artist of the Month.”
Ben recently opened for Juno Award Winner Brett Kissel on his 2017 “Ice, Snow & 30 Below” tour and his 2018 “We Were That Song” tour. He is currently in studio working on his debut full length album set for release in early 2018.
Country artist Michael Peterson scored big with his 1997 self-titled album featurng Drink, Swear, Steal & Lie and From Here to Eternity.
On March 31st, he'll release a new album featuring some of his past pits as well as his favourite Country covers made famous by artists like Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Charlie Pride, Johnny Lee and Garth Brooks.
Ontario's Meghan Patrick, who now lives in Nashville, co-wrote all but one of the 12 tracks on her new album Country Music Made Me Do It. Some of her other co-writers include Kelly Archer (Brett Young, Dustin Moore) and Justin Weaver (Kip Moore, Jason Aldean), who helped pen Walls Come Down, an ominous number about family strife. Case Of Beer And A Bed, written with Derick Ruttan and J.T. Harding (Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney), is a sentimental song about going back to the basics. Meghan co-wrote the title track with Stover and roots singer/songwriter Dan Isbell. The singer has recently experienced a lot of highs with the CCMA Awards and chart successes that she has earned, but there have also been a few lows such as the end of a long term relationship. Country Music Made Me Do It captures some of the peaks and valleys with heartfelt emotion in a traditional country setting.
Meghan lives hard and loves hard, and her songs reflect this passion. She loves trucks, fishing and hunting, riding horses and a good stiff glass of whiskey, and all of these elements fuel her countrified lyrics. Think the free spirit of Emmylou Harris from those magical days when she performed with Gram Parsons, combined with the spark and sensuality of Tanya Tucker, the only female to crack the Outlaw genre, and you begin to have some idea of what Meghan Patrick is all about.
Ontario's Abby Stewart may be young, but she has accomplished so much in such a short period. From sharing the stage for a duet with Hunter Hayes, Dan + Shay, Dean Brody, Dallas Smith or Aaron Pritchet or opening for Hunter on his Canadian tour dates or completing a set at some of Canada's biggest music festivals, her star is on the rise.
Her versatility and passion for music shines through whether she's belting out one of her radio friendly originals, a Taylor Swift or Band Perry lyric or turns back the clock to a Dolly Parton, Anne Murray or Buck Owens classic.
British Columbia Country artist Ben Klick is here to chat about his new single Middle Of Nowhere & much more!
Over the years, Ben has won five North American Country Music Association Awards, two British Columbia Country Music Awards, a Performing Arts Award, Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Okanagan College Young Alumni Award, and was a Top 7 Canada’s Walk of Fame Emerging Artist, BreakOut West SOCAN Song House Participant, and Global Country Canada Star Search Winner.
Nova Scotia's Ian Janes has a song he co-wrote with hit songwriter Byron Hill featured in the popular TV series Nashville and on its soundtrack (Season 5, Volume 2). Now, he's released his own version of the song and he's here to share it with us. Plus. he'll chat about his 2017 album Yes Man.
Ontario's Dayna Shereck has just released her brand new EP Chasing The Moon featuring the debut single Two Feet On The Ground. Tune in and get to know this talented singer-songwriter and hear two tracks from her new release.
Listen to more In The Country podcasts at www.inthecountryinterviews.com.
Ontario's Don Graham releases his brand new song I Just Called Him Dad and we get to debut it here on the show!
Sean Hogan's uniquely authentic blend of alt-country and modern rustic pop immediately caught the attention of Country radio and music fans across Canada, leading to his first Canadian Country Music Association award for Independent Male Artist of the Year in 1997.
Hit single after hit single (Slow Turning, Sure Fire Love, Dream Vacation, Angeline, I’d Rather Have You, Centered, Catalina Sunrise, A Cowboy’s Heart, and Suck It Up to name a few) became staples of Country music radio. Eighteen Sean Hogan music videos aired on CMT Canada.
Sean has stories to tell & new music to share with us!
James Murdoch of the Alberta Country group The Dunagarees is here to chat about their 5 nominations from the Alberta Country Music Association.
The group was just sIgned to an Australian label Social Family Records and will start a tour in Australia in January 2018.
You'll hear the group's latest single Anywhere With You produced by legendary Grammy award-winning producer Paul Worley.
Powell River, B.C. Country act Twin Kennedy is here to chat about their new Country album and to share songs from it.
Ontario Country artist Chelsea Crites is here to chat about her new Christmas EP Dear Santa featuring 6 great songs including Mary Did You Know, Please Come Home For Christmas and Winter Wonderland.
Heather Rankin follows her 2016 Juno Award Nominated solo album,A Fine Line, with a Christmas album, Imagine. Her angelic voice wraps her listeners in coziness and nostalgia in this ten-song collection, which includes both original songs, cowritten by Rankin, and traditional songs she grew up singing at Christmas. The evocative imagery in Rankin’s contemplative lyrics inhabit the same deeply personal world Rankin created in A Fine Line, while songs like “Wrap it Up” harken back with frivolity to the music she created with her siblings as The Rankin Family.
Imagine begins in contemplation of Christmas Past with Rankin’s soaring rendition of “Once in Royal David’s City,” a song that conjures memories for her of the traditional carols that were sung during the Midnight Masses of her childhood. She also lends her ethereal voice to a definitive rendition of “Silent Night,” a song she remembers being sung with verses in six different languages at St. Mary’s Parish in Mabou, Nova Scotia. The orchestrations of these two carols by Imagine’s producer, Steven MacKinnon, as well as the addition of the St. Michael’s Choir School, root them gorgeously in the divine origins of the season. “Olde-Fashioned Christmas,” written by Rankin, MacKinnon and David Tyson, weaves the magic of Christmas into the “humble abode at the end of the road” Rankin and Tyson so beautifully conjured in A Fine Line’s “We Walk As One.”
Ontario Country artist Brooklyn Roebuck is here to catch us up on all her latest news and share a couple of her songs with us!
Ontario's Alessia Cohle releases her EP Wild Eyed Wanderer featuring the lead single Wanderlust!
Alessia’s love of music began at the early age of eight, when she attended her first concert - Shania Twain’s ‘Come On Over Tour’. It was this experience that encouraged Alessia to begin performing at local fairs, festivals, and even sing duets alongside her grandfather. The excitement and passion left a permanent mark and desire in her soul to follow a career in music.
?Classically trained in voice and piano, Alessia’s desire to become an accomplished musician led her to the University of Western Ontario where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music, Honors Specialization in Music Education (Voice). She was then accepted to the inaugural class at the prestigious Berklee College of Music - Valencia Campus in Spain, where she earned a Master of Music in Contemporary Performance.
Dan Davidson’s sound came together as he started writing and working on music with Toronto producer Jeff Dalziel (Washboard Union, Andrew Hyatt, Autumn Hill, Brett Kissel) and the two spent the better part of a year developing an EP that’s characteristic of Dan’s love of “good time” music. His first release Found - which he co-wrote with Clayton Bellamy - quickly found a lot of airplay on Country radio.
Dan’s 2nd release Barn Burner (another co-write with Clayton Bellamy) was released in late 2016 and also broke the top 40 and pushed Dan over the edge to be recognized as the Canadian Country Spotlight Featured Artist of 2016/2017. The song was accompanied by an over-the-top music video shot in Tokyo, Japan. Recently, Dan just won 4 ACMA awards at his first time participating in the event. He took home “Song Of The Year”, “Single Of The Year”, “Video Of The Year”, and “Rising Star”. Recently, Dan has been recognized as a 2-time CCMA Award nominee alongside acts like Dean Brody, Brett Kissel, and other top artists.
You can catch Dan sharing the stage in 2018 with artists like John Pardi, Brett Kissel, The Washboard Union, Kira Isabella, Gord Bamford, Chad Brownlee, Tim Hicks and many more as he tours his highly anticipated debut release “Songs For Georgia” (available October 27, 2017)
Alberta's Maddison Krebs is here to chat about living in Nashville & her new single Live For Love.
Alberta's Trevor Panczak is here to chat about his new album Where I Go To Come Back featuring the current single Blame It On The Whiskey.
London, Ontario's Genevieve Fisher has just released a brand new song to Country radio called You Me We which is the follow up to her popular single Take It On Home.
When JoJo Mason walked in to a Christmas party on December 21, 2013 clutching a jar of that Ole' Smokey Moonshine, he could not have predicted how a strange combination of events would change the course of his life forever.
Born in Regina, Saskatchewan February 26, 1990, JoJo spent most of his early years like many true Canadian kids - playing hockey on ice rinks and frozen lakes. With the opportunity of a successful career in the sport, he relocated to Victoria, BC in 2004 to play at the junior ranks. But this pursuit suddenly came to a screeching halt after suffering a herniated disk. This injury was devastating to his future in hockey and drove him down an unknown road without a destination - until now.
As the story goes - that fated jar of moonshine resolved a debate Dan had had with a co-writer earlier that day:
"During my writing session I wanted to use the line 'drinking moonshine out of a jar' because growing up in a small town, that's exactly what we used to do. My co-writer had never heard of this and we debated this line for some time - we never did settle on it. Later that night at a Christmas party, in walks some guy named JoJo and to my delight, he was toting a mason jar of moonshine. This was an immediate talking point for us and the rest is history." - Dan Swinimer - JoJo's producer
Ontario Country artist Jessie T is here to chat about her latest single called Meet My Crazy!
Ontario's Ty Baynton may have grown up in the small town of Waterdown, Ontario, but this‘Canadian Country Boy’has stadium-sized vocals. He has always had an appreciation for music with influences including Randy Travis, Tom Petty, and Oasis. At age 14, in his third-generation family farmhouse, Ty picked up his grandfather's guitar and never looked back.
“I didn’t have the chance to meet my grandfather, but I always have a piece of him with me.”
This talented artist wrote his first song by the age of 15 and found his love of performing in local coffee shops and bars. Known to finish his set and promptly head out into the crowd, he is the same on stage as he is off.
Ty is currently writing and recording new music with plans to release in late 2017. The new songs showcase Ty’s strong vocals and songwriting abilities. With production by JUNO award nominee Nathan Ferarro and sound engineering by 2017 JUNO recording engineer winner Jason Dufour, these crowd pleasing tunes will turn some heads and get fans up on their feet.
His latest single is called "I'll Never Know"
Ontario Country artist Danielle Bourjeaurd - now living in Nashville - has just released her new single Lakeside to Country radio. It's the lead single from her album Country Sorta Way which will be released in August 2017.
This talented Canadian Country singer had the chance to write with music legend Tom Cochrane. He liked the song so much he recorded and released it.
Danielle is a CCMA Discovery Program finalist.
CCMA award winning artist Madeline Merlo released Motel Flamingo, a vibrant single perfect for your summer playlist, to all digital outlets on May 19, and to radio May 24. Produced by Karen Kosowski, the uptempo song is a perfect reflection of Madeline’s unique tropical, bohemian vibe.
Madeline recently opened for Dean Brody on his Beautiful Freakshow Tour, where she performed the new song live for the first time in 14 cities. Her tour set included both new material and the tracks from her debut album Free Soul, that fans have come to love, including her most recent Top 15 hit “Over and Over” and “War Paint” which resonated deeply with fans on social media.
In the midst of another big year, she is the only female artist nominated for Country Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards and has reached more than 3 million streams of her hits on Spotify. She also stars alongside Jana Kramer in the musical film, Country Crush, which was released earlier this spring. This summer, Merlo will take to the stage at festivals across the country, including Dauphin Countryfest (MB), Ottawa Bluesfest (ON), Cavendish Beach Music Festival (PEI) and Sunfest (BC)
Country artist Tareya has been scaling the heights of the Canadian music industry since 2012 with multiple JUNO and CCMA award nominations and chart-topping singles earned through her time as part of the popular Country duo Autumn Hill.
In 2017, this Calgary-born artist found a new voice as a solo singer/songwriter, with a refreshing new tracklist that blurs the lines between country, pop and R&B.
With her debut single “Summer Wheels”, Tareya is exploring the edges of her music roots. This dashboard drumming summertime feel good tune is a celebration of her romance-filled introduction to southern beaches and her love for a man who digs classic cars.
Expected in the fall of 2017, Tareya's debut solo album features lyrics crafted from a place of daring artistic expression and unforgettable melodies that veer off the rails to showcase the complexities of her heart-stopping voice.
Tareya is now enjoying the opportunity to release her debut solo album. Her intent is to create an album that reflects the profound influence of powerful Canadian female artists including, Sarah McLachlan, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Jann Arden and Chantal Kreviazuk who provided the soundtrack to her childhood and teenage years.
It has been said that Ontario's Ryan Laird learned to hum back a melody before he could speak, and that the art of creating music has always been second nature. At the age of 5, Ryan began learning piano, and received his first guitar at the age of 7 for Christmas. After studying jazz, guitar and voice at Humber College in Toronto, he packed his bags and moved his life down to Nashville with high hopes of furthering his career as a performer and songwriter at the age of 19. After a few years in Nashville, he signed his first publishing deal with Cherry Lane Music Publishing.
In 2013, Ryan founded the National BiggerThanThat!™ Movement as a platform for bullying prevention and youth empowerment and a way to give back to communities across the country. His philanthropic tour has impacted over 300,000 Canadian youth to date.
In August 2014, he signed a Nashville publishing and artist development deal with Studio Gold Music, Inc. and consequently released his 13 track album, titled, "Bigger Than That".
In September 2016, Ryan released “Wear Me Out”, which was written by Ryan and Grammy winner Joe West, and Mike Todd.
Ryan is here to share his latest single "Gamble On Love" as well as the first song he released to Country radio "I'm Your Man" which he co-wrote with Jason McCoy.
Four-time Canadian Country Music Association nominee and six- time Saskatchewan Country Music Association’s Fans Choice Entertainer of the Year award winner Codie Prevost, learned at an early age that hard work and perseverance would lead to good things.
Since starting his career he has shared the stage with some of country music’s top performers including Garth Brooks, Florida Georgia Line, Joe Nichols, Jason Aldean, Big & Rich, and Neal McCoy. He’s toured internationally having performed tours in France, U.S.A., and his most recent tours to Australia, which included performances at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Plantation Music Festival, and the Gympie Music Muster.
Prevost’s last album “All Kinds Of Crazy” received “Country Recording Of The Year” at the 2014 Western Canadian Music Awards and was nominated for “Album Of The Year” at the 2014 Canadian Country Music Association Awards.
Codie is set to launch his 5th studio album entitled “Radio” this fall. The album was produced by award-winning producer Jeff Johnson (George Canyon, Wes Mack) and Jesse Weiman.
“You Won’t Sleep Tonight” is the lead single from the upcoming album.
Award-winning Country artist Tim Hicks will release his first ever live album on May 19th!
“I'm so excited for this release,” shares Tim. “For me, the live show has always been a huge part of who I am as a performer and having captured a little bit of our "Shake These Walls Tour" in a digital release is really cool. We started recording the tour as a means for us to critique ourselves on a nightly basis, but when I went back and heard the performances I felt that we just had to share them with our fans. I hope everyone enjoys these songs live as much as we loved performing them on the tour.”
He's also nominated for Male Artist, Album, Songwriter and Fan's Choice at the CMAOntario Awards in June!
Tune in to get to know Tim and his music better!
In a short period of time, Dave Hartney has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments for a new Country artist. He has opened for the likes of Dallas Smith, High Valley, Tebey, Black Jack Billy, Aaron Pritchett, Dierks Bentley, Jerrod Neimann, Thompson Square, and many more. He has played renowned events including Sunfest, Rockin’ River Musicfest, Merritt Mountain Musicfest, The Cloverdale Rodeo, the 2010 Olympics, and at numerous fundraisers, like Gone Country. Dave’s live show is sure to impress and win over new fans.
Dave grew up in North Vancouver, and re-connected with a childhood love of country music while attending the University of Saskatchewan. There, he frequently visited live music bars and watched artists passing through town, including a young Dierks Bentley performing at the campus bar. Dave began to write songs of his own on his downtime at school, and after returning to Vancouver, he began playing guitar for various artists and industry friends including Karen Lee Batten, Damian Marshall and Bobbi Smith and created his former band. One of Dave’s personal highlights was later opening for Dierks, one summer in Merritt, BC. Dave grew up influenced by classic rockers and songwriters like Tom Petty, and more recently of guitar-slinging country starts like Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, and Travis Tritt. His sound, a mix of modern country and southern rock, is being recognized as Dave was recently selected as a 2015 Top 5 BCCMA Artist Discovery Competition finalist, and his songwriting was previously recognized with a CCMA Songwriters’ Showcase. He was nominated for the 2016 Ray McAuley Horizon award by the BCCMA.
Dave recentlyreleased his first single “Party Lights". The song was recorded with producer Jeff Johnson (George Canyon, Wes Mack).
Alberta's Alee brings her fresh up tempo style and sound to listeners across the world, redefining Country music -- and with a strong musical background, she has the goods to back it up. A singer-songwriter-musician-entertainer regarded for her musicianship, the strength of her original songs, and charismatic performance, Alee has the versatility of a veteran performer with the ability to take her songs from full band down to a simple acoustic performance, varying each show from the preceding one, in an essence described by her audiences as engaging, passionate and authentic.
Her ability to entertain is reflected with performances and accolades which span festivals including Big Valley Jamboree, Carlton Trail Jamboree, Westerner Days, Capital Ex, Canadian Finals Rodeo, among shows on Edmonton's Winspear stage and The Jubilee Auditorium as well as performing for charity/gala events and other western Canadian venues, while growing recognition to the East and south to Nashville.
Her new album is called Bad Habit and features the new single "When I Do".
Manitoba's Doc Walker recently released their new album entitled Weathervane. The first single from the record Heart of the Heartland pays homage to small town pride across the country.
Produced by Gavin Brown and Dave Wasyliw, and written by Chris Thorsteinson, Dave Wasyliw, Todd Clark and Gavin Slate, the song was inspired by hometown pride, fond memories of youth and continuing to find new inspiration in one's roots, in this case, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba and Winnipeg, which has long been home for bandmates Dave Wasyliw and Chris Thorsteinson.
"Heart of the Heartland is about all of the lives that were lived, and all of the memories that were created in a now dying town. One man's connection to the broken concrete and dilapidated structures that harbour the ghosts of his entire childhood, and his unshakable hometown pride," says bandmate Dave Wasyliw. "In short, Weathervane is the record we've always wanted to make. We don't set out in a specific direction when we start writing for an album. We write, and write, and re-write. Much like a weathervane, it's almost as if we'll lick our finger, and hold it to the wind to see if we are on the right track."
"Weathervane to me is a reflection of the amazingly crazy life I've lived. I am one of those guys that never left his home town, yet had the opportunity to travel the world. I've seen Canada from coast to coast many times throughout the years staring out the windows of vans, old buses, new buses, trains and planes, and every time I'm shocked by the beauty of our country, but my heart has always been in the Prairies," says lead singer Chris Thorsteinson.
Ontario Country artist Brad James is here to chat about his music career, songwriting, performing live and his latest song "Whiskey". He'll also share a newly recorded version of his previous release "Best Is Yet To Come".
Ontario's Kelly Prescott recently released a great EP called Hillybilly Jewels. She\s been nominated at the 2017 CMAO Awards in the Roots Artist/Group category.
Kelly was born into the Canadian musical dynasty known as the Browns and the Prescotts.
Tune in to get to know Kelly and her music!
Sarnia, Ontario's Eric Ethridge won the 2016 CCMA Discovery Program. He just released the single "Liquor's Callin' The Shots".
Tune in to get to to know this talented artist and his music!
Saskatchewan's Teagan Littlechief is here to chat about her start in music, her influences and her brand new song "Scar On My Heart".
Thorn and Roses is a three piece amalgamation of powerful vocals and intricate instrumentation. This trio features a blend of uncompromising three part harmonies, unique arrangements of country, classic rock and pop standards, and an energy so abundant it promises to have audience members on their feet from the first note to the very last.
Residing in various parts of Southwestern Ontario, Jay Riehl, Linsey Beckett and Janna Leduc are all respected music professionals in the Canadian music industry. Individually, they each hold numerous accolades and successes, as solo artists and within various groups, creating a strong and diverse foundation for which Thorn and Roses was formed.This particular combination is something that they are all very excited about; a unique musical experience that transcends the borders of genre, promising to entertain music lovers of all kinds.
This dynamic trio features Linsey Beckett on fiddle and lead/background vocals, Janna Leduc on guitars and lead/background vocals, and Jay Riehl on an impressive simultaneous right handed bass, keyboard and drums, as well as background/lead vocals.
Calgary, Alberta's Nice Horse has just released their debut EP called A Little Unstable.
Born and raised on the Alberta prairies, Kaley Debra, Katie Marie, Brandi Caroline and Krista Lee are ready to unleash a jacked-up, bush-partying bolt of energy on the Country music scene.
They recenty wrapped up sharing the stage with Tom Cochrane ("Life Is A Highway") for part of his Mad Mad World tour.
www.nicehorsemusic.com
Ontario's Thomas Wade is here to tell us "the story of a voice lost and found".
His songs "Zero To Sixty", "I'd Say That Again", "Some Guys", "Lying Here With You" put him on the Country charts for an impressive run at radio.
In 2004, Celine Dion recorded a song of his called "Come To Me" that he wrote with fellow Country artist Beverley Mahood.
Tune in get to know Thomas and hear some of the songs from his career including a cover of the Country standard "Am I That Easy To Forget".
Alberta's Colleen Rae is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician and entertainer.
She has recorded her sophomore CD Look At Her Go. She once again teamed up with award-winning producer Louis Sedmak.Colleen has penned 90% of the pull-on-your-heartstrings material on this project. She describes a song about adoption, 'Do I Have Your Eyes', as her favorite among her original compositions.
“I ran into country music's hottest couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill during their Soul2Soul tour in Oregon and I wasted no time; I pitched my original song 'Do I Have Your Eyes' to Faith because she is adopted. I made a promise to myself that if Faith didn’t record it in 5 years, I would!’.
'Quickest Heart In Town' is Colleen's recent single released to radio from her sophomore CD. This song, which captures the story of one guarded heart, was co-written with Nashville's William (Jimmy) Wallace.
She co-wrote her current single 'For Rich Or For Poor' with hit songwriter Byron Hill.
Hit songwriter Frank Myers wrote the 1982 crossover smash single You And I recorded by Eddie Rabbitt & Crystal Gayle.
He has since followed up on that songwriting success many times over with hits recorded by John Michael Montgomery (I Swear), Alabama (Once Upon A Lifetime), Reba (One Honest Heart), Lonestar (I'm Already There) and Chris Young (Tomorrow) - to name only a few.
Frank moved from Dayton, Ohio to Nashville in 1981 and began working with Country artist ?Eddy Raven as his lead guitarist and eventually as his band leader and road manager.
Tune in get the stories behind the hits and hear Frank's own version of two of them from his album Scrapbook available at iTunes.
The past 8 years have found Makayla Lynn performing alongside of many of Country music's biggest icons. She has been fortunate enough to spend time and share stages with names like Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Tanya Tucker, Bill Anderson, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Kid Rock and countless others. In March 2013 at just 11 years old, Makayla took the stage with Juno award winning songwriter Serena Ryder for a duet in front of a sold out crowd. This performance turned heads and helped Makayla secure a name for herself as a sought after opening act for performers and venues. She has had the pleasure of opening for Country Music legends Ricky Skaggs and Joe Diffie, as well as Johnny Reid, Kira Isabella, Dallas Smith, Chad Brownlee, Charlie Major, The Road Hammers and others.
Nova Scotia's Makayla Lynn has just released a new song "One Plus One." Tune in and get to know Makayla and her music,
Ottawa's Tara Shannon joins me on the show to chat about her song Love Me Loud - the first single from her new album Unfinished.
Ontario Country artist Jessie T releases a new single called Hellbound from her album Reckless Heart available at iTunes.
The song was written by Jessie, Carrie DeMayer and Jessie Pitcher.
Alberta singer-songwriterJJ Shiplett has just released his album Something To Believe In featuring the first single Darling Let's Go Out Tonight. In 2016, he was a show opener on Johnny Reid's What Love Is All About tour which introduced his sound and style to audiences across Canada
Hit songwriter Patricia Conroy is here to chat about her new cut by Reba called God and My Girlfriends which appears on Reba's first-ever gospel album.
Patricia - who has a long list of hit singles as an artist herself in Canada - has had recent cuts and singles by River Town Saints, Meghan Patrick, Jessica Mitchell, Jimmy Rankin, Michelle Wright & Runaway Angel. She is sure to add many more credits to her successful songwriting career in 2017.
Through hard work, determination and a generous spirit, virtuoso Canadian violinist Rosemary Siemens has built a musical career full of serendipitous meetings, remarkable opportunities, and truly life changing experiences that make for a compelling story worthy of the best fiction.
A versatile performer with a chameleon-like ability to bring her musical talents to bear on a variety of genres, Rosemary's classically-trained pedigree has allowed her to grace stages throughout North America and beyond, including at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City on four occasions, as well as within the hallowed walls of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
The violin is practically an extension of Rosemary herself. It is more than just a prized possession, but part of her personality and stage presence.
Her fingers have danced along its fretboard in concerts for the likes of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Canadian music producer David Foster, at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the Latin Grammys and even on an opening of an episode of Hockey Night in Canada.
Michaela Clarke is a 2 time nominee of the Alberta Country Music Awards. Her accolades include: opening for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, being nominated for Female Artist of the year, Fans Choice, and song of the year at the Alberta Country Music awards. Her single “Long Gone” was featured in the movie “Fire with Fire”, starring Bruce Willis in 2012. She has performed at the Canadian Country Music Awards on the Diamonds in the Rough stage for two consecutive years.
In 2011, Michaela released her first EP album to Canadian Radio and went on to release 7 singles to radio stations across Canada. Michaela’s charismatic personality, her love of music, and her knowledge of the industry landed her a position at her local radio station as the Afternoon Drive Show Host. In January of 2015, Michaela made the decision to move to Nashville so she could pursue her songwriting career full time, while collaborating with other artists and taking in the city that started it all.
As a former Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Youth Ambassador at the Edmonton chapter, Michaela strived to raise awareness for other children and young adults, who like her, live with Type One Diabetes. She has performed her original song “Toughest Kids Alive” on Global News Television, as well as at the JDRF Gala in Edmonton, Alberta. Since moving to Nashville, Michaela has continued her mission by volunteering with the Juvenile Diabetes Middle Tennessee Chapter.
Her album Detours will be released in early 2017 featuring "Second To The Whiskey" with special guest vocalist & Country legend Terri Clark.
Growing up on his Dad’s farm in Uxbridge, Ontario, Ben Hudson showed an interest in music from an early age. He started piano at age 5 and took up guitar at age 14. Both his parents were a strong influence on his passion for music with a mother who played guitar and a father who played drums.
There was always Country music playing at home, artists like Hank Williams, George Jones, Randy Travis and Kenny Rogers. In high school, Ben formed a classic rock band with his brothers playing guitar and bass and his sister on drums. They entered local talent shows and battle of the bands competitions, which is what made Ben realize that music was the path he wanted to pursue. While attending York University for Visual Arts, he used every bit of spare time for songwriting and playing music. Ben has transformed into a gifted songwriter and artist.
With rich, smooth vocals and a fresh writing style that mixes a new Country sound with an old Country feel, there is no doubt Ben has a bright future in Country music.
Songwriter, music producer & executive producer Marty Beecroft joins me on the show to talk about the upcoming movie musical Country Crush.
City girl and aspiring singer Nancy Taylor (Madeline Merlo) travels to the countryside with her family to enjoy the summer. On a night out with her best friend, their car breaks down, but luckily, local mechanic Charlie Bishop (Munro Chambers) comes to the rescue.
Charlie, a country boy, took time out during his teens to take care of his sick mother. Immediately attracted to Nancy, he has to struggle to find the courage to ask her out on a date. But, after saying goodbye to his older brother Cody (Kevin McGarry) who is shipping out on another tour of duty, he gets advice from his sister-in-law Katherine (Jana Kramer) and decides to follow Nancy back to the big city to pursue the romance.
Ontario's Ryan Laird received recognition and media attention across The United States and Canada in December 2008 after putting up a billboard on Nashville's famed Music Row asking Taylor Swift to produce his album. The billboard displayed Laird in a classroom holding a note reading “Hey Taylor - I LOVE your music. Will you produce my album?” When asked about Laird and his billboard on E! News Weekend, Swift said, "I definitely want to meet him ... I listened to one of his songs and absolutely fell in love with it, and I think he's got great melodies and he's a great writer. I think he could really be great and be huge, so it'll be really cool to maybe work with him." ?
In 2013, Ryan founded the National BiggerThanThat!™ Movement as a platform for bullying prevention and youth empowerment and a way to give back to communities across the country. His philanthropic tour has impacted over 300,000 Canadian youth - and that number climbs higher every day!
Following up on his popular songs "I'm Your Man", "Girl Crazy", "Where Do I Go" and "Summertime Girl", Ryan has now released "Wear Me Out". The talented Country artist explains “whether you're wearing out your partner's clothing around home…or wearing them out in love…now that I’m a married man, I’m so happy to sing ‘you kinda knock me out, baby when you wear me out!"
With an impressive array of awards and accolades, thousands of concerts to rapturous audiences throughout North America under her belt, and a remarkable recording pedigree to her credit, Crystal Shawanda still struggled mightily for many years to find her place within the music industry.
A Juno-winning singer/songwriter whose soulful, rootsy sound has allowed for a nearly seamless bridging of the traditional country and blues worlds, Crystal’s unique aboriginal cultural background has left her feeling like an outsider at times.
But that search may be at an end, as the process of creating her latest album, the cathartic, bold and refreshingly authentic Fish Out Of Water sees the talented artist not just coming to terms with her unique place in the industry, but embracing and truly celebrating it.
“My parents grew up listening to Country music and that’s what I grew up singing and loving. But when my parents weren’t home my brother used to sit in the basement and he would crank up a lot of B.B. King and Muddy Waters. He also really loved Etta James, and I had never heard anyone sing like that. I used to sit at the top of the stairs and just listen to these amazing songs and these incredible voices and I knew I wanted to sing like that, with that much passion and be so unbridled. I could feel the hurt coming through in their voices and music.”
“I feel this album is a happy medium for me. It’s a little bluesy, a little country, a little rootsy, but with a lot of soul. I love every song on this album and I want to perform them all live. I really think I have hit my stride: this album is who I am, I really have found my voice, and I couldn’t be happier.”
At age 11, Marie Bottrell joined her two older siblings on stage for the first time. After earning her chops with the Whitestone County Band, Marie began recording for the Mercey Brothers' MBS label at just 17.
Marie released her self-penned composition Just Reach Out And Touch Me in 1978. The positive reaction led to an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry Show on its Canadian tour.
After a successful second single made its way up the charts, Marie was rewarded with a nomination at RPM's Big Country Awards in the Outstanding New Artist category.
Marie was voted Outstanding Female Performer by RPM in 1979 and over the course of her career she has scored four JUNO nominations and two wins as the CCMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1983 and '84.
Marie began touring with her own band and together, Marie Bottrell & Cottonwood appeared on all of the popular shows of the day including; Tommy Hunter, The Joan Kennedy Show, Ronnie Prophet, The Family Brown Show and Ray St. Germain as well.
Throughout her career, Marie has performed with Nashville stars like Tammy Wynette, Tom T. Hall, and Minnie Pearl. Marie was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.
One of the most noticeable things about Shake These Walls is the range of moods and emotions on offer. Take the boisterous first single Stompin’ Ground, an instant radio smash and a snapshot of the good old days when hard-partying with kin and kindred was less distraction than vocation.
“I wanted to show people I had grown,” Tim Hicks says of his new album Shake These Walls. “There is truth in each of these songs because I co-wrote every one of them. I have a personal connection with every lyric, every riff. People are going to find there’s a healthy dose of the Tim Hicks party in there but there’s lots of other stuff certain to be interesting to many different people.”
“That song and We Came Up – a soaring ode to brotherhood - speak to simpler times,” Tim confirms. “They have a slightly new feel to them but they still shoot for the party crowd.” At the other end of the spectrum is Slide Over, a vividly drawn and unabashedly knock-kneed mid-tempo track with a dangerously infectious chorus. “That song is so real,” Tim says. When people with full-time jobs have kids, well… relationships can suffer. Things get in the way of the people you once were. You have to remember to sit down with each other, just have a beer and ask, ‘How was your day?’ So that song is that.” As Tim explains, the album was crafted in a somewhat workmanlike fashion during 5 months in Nashville. “It was as close to a day job as I’ve ever had,” he cracks, “With two young kids at home, the days of drinking half a bottle of whiskey and writing songs at 3 a.m. are long gone.”
Rarely does one find four individuals, all coming from various backgrounds able to gel together creating a harmonious group. Together, Domino has mastered this by honing their harmonies to near perfection, which explains the melded cohesive sound projected on their current EP “Ghost”.
Domino has numerous ACMA (Association of Country Music in Alberta) nominations to their credit. All garnering top 5 placements in all categories: Group, Album, Song, and Fan’s Choice by their peers. For the 2015 ACMA awards this group was named Group of the Year and garnered the prestige title of Fan’s Choice.
“We are extremely humbled and honoured to have been chosen to receive Group of the Year and the Fans Choice awards at the ACMAs this year! From our peers to our fans - we are eternally grateful!” stated Domino after receiving the wins.
As the 2015 winner of the BC Country Music Association/Music BC Artist Development Project, Lisa Nicole is poised to become the West Coast darling of the Canadian Country music scene with the release of her breakthrough EP Come Find Me.
Hailing from the mountains and nature of small-town Castlegar, British Columbia, Lisa Nicole grew up hunting, fishing, camping and embracing country music. As her authentic Country upbringing was sprinkled with the sweet sounds of Shania Twain, Martina McBride, and the Dixie Chicks, she discovered her own love of singing at the age of 8. By 15, she was playing regular jam sessions at Kootenay-area bars, which required her to be escorted on and off stage due to her underage status.
In 2013, she made a strong entrance into the Canadian Country music industry with her debut EP It Got Ugly. She promoted the release with a coast-to-coast radio tour, including a showcase at the 2013 Canadian Country Music Association Awards.
Lisa Nicole’s hot streak has only continued with the release of her 2016 radio single Where Love Goes to Die and her sophomore EP Come Find Me produced by Tom McKillip and Carly McKillip. Inspired by her recent personal journeys, Come Find Me will be supported by a national tour that will invite fans new and old to discover the talents of this Canadian Country music artist.
Two-time CCMA award-winner Deric Ruttan has been nominated for a 2016 CCMA for Songwriter of the Year for co-writing the Blake Shelton #1 hit Came Here To Forget (with Craig Wiseman) and for Record Producer of the Year for his work on Jason Blaine’s album Country Side.
In November 2013, Deric celebrated another #1 Blake Shelton song when Mine Would Be You - a song he co-wrote - was a three-week #1 U.S. Billboard Country Airplay hit, and was nominated for both a Grammy Award for Best Country Song and an ACM Award for Song of the Year.
Deric is a six-time ASCAP award-winner, ten-time SOCAN award-winner and a five-time CMAO award-winner.
Born & raised in Bracebridge, Ontario and now based in Nashville, Deric has also climbed the charts many times over with songs from his own albums. These well-loved hits include "When You Come Around", "That's How I Wanna Go Out", "First Time In A Long Time", "Take The Week Off" and "Main Street, 1979".
In today’s Country music, there is not an overwhelming amount of artists and songwriters raring to tell you how Country they are. And none exemplify the merge of the genuine Country music genre with a hip fresh sound quite like Ryan Broshear. Born and raised on an Oxford, Ohio farm, he is as charismatic and gifted as it gets. Ryan is carving out a successful career by writing and singing traditional leaning country music with a brilliant modern edgy feel.
Clearly, Country music fans feel the same way. Ryan continues to collect a dedicated fan-base all around the nation simply by putting on incredible, high energy, talented performances. Audiences sing along to fan favorites such as the country lifestyle anthem “Let Your Redneck Out,” and the nostalgic “Countrything” declaring his dream of performing at the Grand Ole Opry. This passion and love of Ryan’s music also led to more attention. The reputable Billboard Magazine named him a “Top 10 Artist To Watch” while simultaneously catching the eyes and interest of some of Country music industry’s top professionals.
After scoring some hits like “I Don’t Mind” and “Make Each Moment Last,” now, for the second time, he’s teamed up with a long- time friend, co-writer and producer Daniel Agee, best known for his guitar talent with Country artist Joe Nichols. His brand new EP release Paint It Red arrives as melodically strong and assertive as the name and gives Ryan all the necessary potential for Country music stardom.
Saskatchewan Country artist Codie Prevost sets out on his 3rd Australian tour on August 25th. He's won over music fans there like he's won them over in Canada.
His latest album is called All Kinds Of Crazy featuring the songs Someday, Say My Name, I'll Be Your Whiskey & Last Night All Day.
Codie grew up on a 2,000-acre farm where his mother runs a small town bar. He has two sisters, one older and one younger. During family events, Codie would listen to his mother and his uncle as they played guitar and sang songs. These family concerts were what began to grow the love of music within this talented artist.
Every Tuesday night you can join Codie on Twitter to ask questions and tweet with him. You'll find him at @codieprevost.
Tune in to hear about his love for songwriting, his upcoming album & much more!
Inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011, Michelle Wright found herself permanently recognized for her musical achievements. What an honour for a small town dreamer & big time singer from Merlin, Ontario.
That could have been a time to take a break and let her career have a first and last chapter. But for Michelle, music isn't something she only does, it's who she is. And thankfully for fans, the songs & performances keep on coming.
The CCMA honoured Michelle with CCMA nominations for Female Artist of the Year in 2012 & 2013 - an award she had won 5 times previously.
Her most recent album is called Strong. And that's a great one word description of how she still looks, sounds & writes.
“I created this record with a group of friends I admire as writers, singers and producers. We had a lot of fun,” says Michelle. “The songs are a collection of my observations about life and the people around me and how we’re all just stumbling through it. At times there is laughter and joy; at other times, pain and disappointment. Overall, I hope this record is inspiring and relatable to my fans.”
Country artist Thomas Wade returns to the music scene with his first studio album in 16 years! It's called Blue Country Soul and features 'instant classics' like That's What Love Looks Like, Lock The Door, She's Already Gone and Funny What Makes You Cry.
Aside from his award-winning career in Country music - first with the group Wayward and then as a solo artist with the release of Lucky 13 in the early 2000s - Thomas has had one of his songs recorded by Celine Dion.
In 2001, Thomas began a long journey which involved losing his voice, his ability to do what he loves - to sing. He shares that time in his life & much more on this episode of In The Country.
Visit the Blue Country Soul singer at www.thomaswade.com
Celebrating their Golden (50th) Anniversary together, the iconic and profoundly influential Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, often cited as a catalyst for an entire movement in Country, Rock and American Roots Music, continues to add to their legendary status.
With multi-platinum and gold records, strings of top hits such as "Fishin' In The Dark" and "Mr. Bojangles", multiple Grammy, IBMA, CMA Awards and nominations, the band's accolades continue to accumulate.
Their groundbreaking "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" album has been inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress as well as the Grammy Hall of Fame. NGDB’s recording of "Mr. Bojangles" was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2014 "Fishin' In the Dark" was certified platinum for digital downloads by the RIAA.
Today, NGDB (Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, Bob Carpenter, John McEuen) continue their non-stop touring in their 50th year together. On September 14th, 2015 they played to a Sold Out Crowd at The historic Ryman Auditorium with some close musical friends - including Vince Gill, Rodney Crowell, Alison Krauss and Jackson Browne - to film a 50th Anniversary Special available on DVD this September!
Born into a musical family, it did not take long before Becca heard the music calling her to come out and play;and play she does! Heavily influenced by many genres of classic music, Becca has a very unique sound. She started out singing with her big sister in the back seat of her Dad’s truck. As he drove across the country performing shows, the 2 girls would sell Dad's (Kenny Hess) CDs to his fans. But doing merch was not what Becca had in mind. She wanted that spotlight and she was willing to work for it.
Since that time she has earned herself a very loyal fan following in her hometown of Fort McMurray, Alberta. She performs on a regular basis from intimate shows to festival stages. Most notably, Becca has opened for such major artists as Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Travis Tritt, Trooper, Wynonna, Dwight Yoakam and many more. She has also performed at the Rockin’ River Music Fest and Merritt Mountain Music Fest. Her performances on YouTube have received an impressive 60 thousand views.
With 6 years experience producing concerts on tour including a 4 day country festival, she is no stranger to the industry. She is not only a talented singer and entertainer but a gifted songwriter with a big book of songs she is ready to record.
She co-wrote her new single "Fool My Heart" with hitmakers Byron Hill and Roger Brown.
Born and raised in Bowmanville, Ontario, Meghan Patrick has dedicated her entire life to music, always wanting it to be more than just a passion.
Prior to setting out as a solo artist, Meghan was the lead singer of the popular roots act The Stone Sparrows. A newgrass / bluegrass band, The Stone Sparrows released an EP and a full-length album before the members parted ways amicably in 2013 after playing their second Boots and Hearts Festival.
Meghan has quickly made a name for herself since signing to Warner Music Canada. She has recently signed a publishing deal with Ole Nashville. Her debut album Grace & Grit was released earlier this year. She worked with producers Justin Niebank (Vince Gill, LeAnn Rimes), Vince Gill, Chris Baseford (Nickelback, Avril Lavigne), and Carly McKillip. To add even more star power to her debut, Meghan brought in a few more big names, including multiple Grammy nominee Joe Nichols who duets with her on “Still Loving You,” and fellow Canadian Chad Kroeger, who co-wrote and produced the smash debut single “Bow Chicka Wow Wow” along with several other cuts on the album.
“I have to feel connected to the music, especially when I am playing live," explains Meghan. "The emotions I write about are real and audiences know when you are being true to yourself. Performing my own music and forming a bond with my audience is what I do this for. And that’s the most enjoyable thing in the world."
Erik Dylan has a story to tell. It’s one of the qualities that drew Kip Moore, who discovered Dylan at an open mic night in 2011 to bring him to his publisher Brett James, and attracted artists including Kip himself, Eric Paslay, Justin Moore, Eli Young Band, Thompson Square, Chad Brownlee, Brent Cobb and even Hinder to record his songs.
He writes on Music Row with many of Nashville's hitmakers, but Erik will gladly tell anyone that his happiest moments in songwriting occured at his hero Guy Clark's workshop over black coffee.
It’s not just his country colleagues that own a room with his sounds. The fifth generation Kansan has shared stages with some of the biggest names in music, from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Reckless Kelly.
“If I drive ten hours in one direction to play a show and drive ten hours back that night to get to my family, those forty-five minutes on stage have to count,” he says.
Heart of a Flatland Boy is a sonic collection five years in the making. The project was produced by Dylan, Randy Montana and Paul Cossette at Quad Studios in Nashville, TN.
Erik wrote the entire record with a handful of his favorite songwriters including Montana, Driver Williams (Eric Church Band), Douglas Waterman, Westin Davis, Andrew DeRoberts, Jake Mitchell and Adam James.
“This album is 100% organic. No fluff. I played guitar and tracked vocals live with the band in the studio and I truly love what happened. It's not perfect—and I didn't want it to be perfect. I wanted it to be me," says Erik.
Born and raised on a farm just north of Airdrie, Alberta, Mark Lorenz lived and breathed the country life. Learning to ride a horse and drive a tractor was an everyday activity.
Mark’s parents raised and trained Pure Breed Morgan Horses. As a family they would tour across Western Canada and the United States showing. The highway was already calling Mark’s name… but it would take a few more years, and a dare for Mark to understand why…
“When I was 17, some friends and I were shopping for a birthday present for a buddy that had everything. We were walking through a mall in Calgary, and came across a small recording studio. After some taunting, maybe even a couple of chicken calls, I ended up recording a song. And the rest is history.”
After recording his first song, Mark was approached by the recording engineer and asked if he wanted to enter a local singing contest. “I wasn’t sure what to say… I said I didn’t know, but as usual my friends were there to talk me into it…” Mark won that singing contest.
In 2006, Mark released his first full length album titled, “Black”. Mark wrote all but one song on this album. “Sweet Summer Nights” was the first single from “Black” to hit radio, and was followed up with three more singles that charted in the Canadian Top 100.
In 2008, Mark began recording his second full length album, “Route 72”. The first single, “You Wreck Me”, co-written with Julian Austin, gained Mark Canadian and US radio plays. Four more singles would head to radio, followed by two music videos shot for “Like a Radio” and “Somewhere in Alberta”.
He is currently writing for a new project scheduled for release in 2016.
Quinton Blair - Manitoba Country Music Association Roots Artist of the Year (2015) - is a self-ordained troubadour, tale-spinner and songwriter. Imagine Steve Earle jamming with Dwight Yoakam, minus the burden of fame. Influenced by the likes of Rodney Crowell and Merle Haggard, his brand of strikingly diverse roots/country music casts a wide loop, and captivates audiences with witty stories and relatable songs.
The authenticity of Quinton shines through in the many formats in which he travels. As a solo artist, he relies on his guitar, witty stories, and keen ability to capture the crowd night after night. He is often joined by good friend Bill Western Jr on pedal steel, where the chemistry and musical backbone of this combination lends to an unpredictably charming experience. Through the summer months, Blair is most often seen moving his full honky tonk band back and forth across the prairies.
The new EP, Cash Crop, released in April 2016, boasts elements of soul, heartland roots, country, and rock, and features Quinton's signature themes of agricultural, hurt and redemption. Cash Crop was produced by Murray Pulver (former founding member of Doc Walker) and features co-writes by Del Barber, Blake Berglund, and Clayton Bellamy (The Road Hammers).
From early in her career, Amy Nelson has performed at events across Canada such as the Calgary Stampede, Craven Country Jamboree, and even opened for country stars like Terri Clark and George Canyon. She has also performed internationally in the United States and in Mexico. A career highlight for Amy was performing at the Canada Day celebrations in London, England. While on stage, representing all of Canada in Trafalgar Square, she says will never forget the feeling facing a sea of people dressed in red and white. She continues on to say that performance was the first time when she was covered in goose bumps and reminded of why all her hard work is worth it. Amy never loses sight of that connection with her audience and always gives a performance to remember.
Amy chats with me from Nashville about songwriitng and working on her third CD. It'll be produced by Dan Swinimer. She's also a CCMA Spotlight Performance Finalist. Tune in to hear about that & much more on this ediiton of In The Country!
Ever since he was young, it was clear that Bruin was destined to be a part of the country music world.
As a baby, he would easily be mesmerized by the upbeat sound of Marty Stuart's song Hey Baby along with the tunes other popular Country music artists played on the television at the time. It was his strong connection with the music of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, though, that truly had him hooked on Country music, and ultimately inspired him to start playing. By the time he attended his first concert (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) at the age of three, Bruin had already mastered airstrumming on the flyswatter and belting out his favourite tunes. At the age of nine, after showing rhythmic ability, Bruin received his first drumset; passed down from his uncle. He started drumming regularly at his church services, playing alongside his mother, the church's organist.
Fast forward to present: the Saskatchewan native has performed across western Canada and even into the United States, sharing the stage with award winning country music artists such as Hey Romeo, Codie Prevost, George Canyon, Lorrie Morgan, Pam Tillis and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Releasing his debut album Dirt Junkie in May of 2015, Bruin was honoured to embark on a 20 day ‘Dirt Junkie Down Under’ Australian tour in January and February 2016 (thanks to the support of Creative Saskatchewan) that would see him headline the Main Stage of the Tamworth Country Music Festival - the second largest country music festival in the world!
Following this tour, Bruin was also excited and humbled to be recognized by the Saskatchewan Country Music Association who nominated him for three 2016 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards for Emerging Artist, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for Dirt Junkie.
Born in Calgary and raised in Thunder Bay, Lauren Mayell's entry into Country music quickly occurred while accompanying her grandparents – highly sought after musicians in their own right – to their various and many, Eastern Ontario live performances. Encouraged by her “Pure Country” belt buckle-wearing grandfather to sing, Lauren did, and she hasn’t stopped. Through the support and love of her family, the eventual loss of her beloved grandparents, and facilitating a promise in obtaining a University degree, Lauren’s commitment to country music remained unwavering.
Nominated for Alberta Country Music Association’s Female Country Artist of the Year (2012, 2014-15), Lauren was also nominated as ACMA’s Fan’s Choice of the Year for 2012 through to 2014 consecutively. Having opened for Wes Mack, Dean Brody and Dr. Hook, Lauren’s drive and discipline has garnered her additional friends and fans while Nashville music industry executives raise their country eyebrows and declare their interest to align with Canada’s fast-rising female country artist.
Lauren’s current 6-song EP, “I’ve Changed” (Graham Sharkey/Johnny Gasparic) is well underway with recordings at 2-time CCMA Award Winning Studio, MCC Recording Studio (Calgary). Launching this summer (2016), “I’ve Changed” contains four songs written by Lauren including the title track. Her fans will undoubtedly come away knowing more about who Lauren Mayell is – a fun, focused, driven, disciplined singer whose vocal prowess soars, a sensitive songwriter with her eye on the circle in the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and always wearing her kindred spirit grandfather’s “Pure Country” belt buckle.
Jessica Mitchell's debut EP Hold Onto The Light was released April 1, 2016. Produced by Grammy-nominated producer Dave Brainard (Brandy Clark, Jerrod Niemann) and co-written with Luke Sheets (Plumb), her lead off track Grown Up Things is a soul-searching song about loss and change, of not wanting to deal with the curve balls that life throws at us – a feeling that most people have had at some point in their lives. When listening to her music, she makes it very easy for you to latch onto her inviting melodies and the genuine, soulful nature of her words.The rich tone and hopefulness in her voice grabs you and pulls you in.
After signing a publishing deal with Slaight Music Publishing and management deal with RGK Entertainment (Cord Lund, Dean Brody, Tim Hicks), Jessica embarked on several writing trips to Nashville where she found herself inspired by the raw honesty and storytelling nature of the country music genre. She has opened many times for Tom Cochrane and spent the last few years travelling between Toronto and Nashville collaborating with top-notch songwriters including Stephen Kozmeniuk (Jennifer Hudson, Kendrick Lamar), Todd Clark (Phillip Phillips) and John Goodwin (Brad Paisley).
"Hold Onto The Light is a testament to the battle we face in the darkest of times. Whether it's a relationship ending, a loved one passing, a friendship gone awry or a childish situation with little hope, the light is something we all try to hold onto about those things." – Jessica Mitchell
From his blue collar roots working at the age of 8 years old in a fish plant in Newfoundland, to roughing it on oil rigs, the experiences lived by Country artist Brad Saunders are the scenes and life stories from which his music is derived. Once you’ve experienced the unique sound and style that he brings to the table musically, it is immediately apparent that he was born to be a musician. He proudly credits his father for passing on music to him at a young age. In fact, some of Brad’s earliest memories are of his father strumming his guitar to put Brad and his brothers to sleep at night. In this act, the stage was set early on and would become the foundation of Brad’s musical pursuits.
Over the last year, Brad has spent a lot of his time working in Nashville, writing with some of the towns most reputable song writers such as: Phil O’Donnell, Bruce Wallace, Ole Publishing, and many others. Brad is currently in development with Jeff Ojeda of Chief Music Management: Florida Georgia Line, Chris Lane, Dallas Smith. Brad has also sparked the interest of award-winning producer Jeff Johnson (Wes Mack, Madeline Merlo, Dallas Smith). They are currently working on Brad’s future album.
You'll hear Brad's new song "Cut To The Chase" as well a special song he wrote and recorded for Fort MacMurray, Alberta called "Bring On The Rain."
The Chris Buck Band is the BC Country Music Association (BCCMA) 2014/ 2015 Country Club Act of the Year and 2015 Group/Duo of the year. They have performed over 100 live shows this past year. The guys are quickly becoming known as one of the busiest country performers on the west coast of Canada and have also had the opportunity to open for such artists as Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett, Colt Ford and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to name a few. Their live show is fun, energetic and it will be hard to sit still when they're on stage!
Chris Buck Band didn’t always play and perform their own music.The band was formed when Chris Buck lost his best buddy to cancer at the age of 13. Music was a big inspiration and healing process for Chris. “I decided to pursue music harder then ever at that time and began writing and playing guitar almost everyday and started a cover band.” Playing in a cover band for over 8 years now has really helped them learn how to perform and eventually led them to become one of the busiest bands in BC.
Their debut 2015 single, “Leave Your Light On”, was received very positively and hit Top 40 on Canadian Country Radio Billboards (BDS Charts). Their follow up single, “Giddy Up”, peaked at #34 on Canadian Country Radio Charts, was Top 10 on Itunes (Country) for 4 weeks straight and their music video was added to CMT Canada. The boys have recently signed a management deal with Bailey Way Entertainment and our excited to share their live show throughout Canada.
Country artist Nikki Shae - from Ontario and now living in Nashville - is reaching out to her fans to help get her music heard! She's enjoying a successful Indiegogo campaign to help fund her radio promotion and publicity for her EP Let Me Love You produced by famed producer (Dolly Parton) Kent Wells.
You'll not only hear her beautiful voice on the EP, you'll also hear her songwriting talent. And several of the songs are co-writes with well-known producer/artist/songwriter Beau Fuller.
Tune in to hear about life in Nashville, making music and reaching out to fans to be part of this great journey she's on.
This is Nikki's Indiegogo page:
www.indiegogo.com/projects/nikki-shae-s-radio-and-marketing-campaign#
Visit her at her website at:
www.nikkishae.com
Thanks for tuning in to this episode of In The Country! Be sure to download past and present episodes of the show for free at iTunes.
The Abrams - brothers John and James - have a self-titled EP released on May 20th available at iTunes. It features the catchy, feel good first single Fine. Check out the cool video for the song at YouTube. John Abrams tells me about the brothers' experience on the Opry back in 2005. Great story.
But up first on the podcast, Robin Leblanc joins me to chat about the constanty growing popularity of craft breweries. She is one of the authors of The Ontario Craft Beer Guide. She's also a columinst for Metroland North Media and Torontoist. Check her out online atwww.thethirstywench.com.
TIN PAN NORTH - in its 17th year - is Ontario’s largest 3-day songwriters festival and is a celebration of original songwriting with intimate shows held in the GTA over three nights.
You'll get to experience Nashville-style songwriters rounds - and hear the stories behind the songs.
In addition to showcasing local talent, each show features big-name celebrity headliners - heavy hitters in the songwriting world whose work exemplifies excellence in the craft of songwriting,
One of the NSAI/Tin Pan North organizers Dan McVeigh - with NSAI Toronto since 1994 - joins me on the show to discuss this successful annual event.
We'll feature music from headliners Small Town Pistols & Gil Grand on the show.
Special guests on the show include Tin Pan North performers & well-known artists Genevieve Fisher & Thomas Wade.
Purchase your tickets for Tin Pan North atwww.nsaitoronto.com
In 1997, Sudbury, Ontario's Gil Grand signed a music publishing deal with TMP out of Toronto, Canada headed by Frank Davies and moved to Nashville. Within just a few months of his arrival, he secured two cuts, Love Trip with Virgin recording artist Jerry Kilgore and On Again Off Again with MCA recording artist Tracy Byrd.
His songwriting skills and singing ability immediately caught the attention of top record executives, and he soon signed a major U.S. record deal with Sony Music Nashville’s Monument Records.His debut album, Famous First Words, gained the respect and accolades of the country music industry on both sides of the border.
On the strength of that record, he received three CCMA nods, including Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year and Wrangler Rising Star.
His impressive sophomore effort 'Burnin' netted him five CCMA nominations, including Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Video of the Year and Album of the Year, with Grand taking home the award for Male Vocalist of the Year.
In 2006, Gil released his third album, Somebody’s Someone, which he co-produced with Joel Feeney, earning a CCMA award for Record Producer of the Year.
In October 2007, Grand and business partner Randy Gee launched Grand & Gee Music Group, a Nashville-based music publishing company and full-service recording studio.
The company earned CCMA nominations for Music Publisher of the Year in 2009, 2010, 2011and 2012.
Bucky Covington brought G&G their first top 30 single with. I Want My Life Back, and Chris Young’s big number one hit Tomorrow became Grand & Gee Music’s first chart topper and SESAC Song of the Year.
George Canyon released a brand new album in February 2016 called I Got This. It features the title track as the first single as well as the second single called Daughters Of The Sun. The album is available at iTunes.
“I wanted to create a record that was fun to play, and exciting for the fans to listen to. It’s been a while since I’ve had an album of new original songs, and these songs put a smile on my face,” says the talented Canadian Country artist.
He started the year off with a very successful cross-Canada tour called the Jekyll and Nothing To Hide Tour.
In 2015, George was inducted into the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall Of Fame.
Tune in to hear George discuss his latest album, working with Richard Marx, writing songs with Gord Bamford and more! Plus, you'll hear two songs from I Got This.
Visit George online at www.georgecanyon.com.
As a professional Nashville songwriter since 1978, Byron Hill has written songs released on seventy-seven RIAA certified Gold and Platinum albums and singles, earning ten ASCAP awards, thirty-two U.S. and Canadian top-ten chart hits, and numerous hits in other worldwide markets.
Since signing his first publishing deal in Nashville in 1978, his recorded catalog spans 4 decades and includes more than 700 recordings of his songs recorded by Ray Charles, Alabama, George Strait, Jason Aldean, Mark Chesnutt, Kenny Rogers, Don Williams, John Michael Montgomery, Anne Murray, Juice Newton, Joe Nichols, Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Gary Allan, Rhonda Vincent, Johnny Lee, Blackhawk, Tracy Byrd, Neal McCoy, Trace Adkins, Tommy Overstreet, Gil Grand, Asleep At The Wheel, Dionne Warwick, George Jones, Toby Keith, Gene Watson, Margo Smith, Tom Wopat, Mark Wills, The Kendalls, Porter Wagoner, Reba McEntire, Sammy Kershaw, Ed Bruce, Moe Bandy, Clint Eastwood, Gord Bamford, Joe Diffie, Brooks & Dunn, The Road Hammers, Conway Twitty, Highway 101, Doug Stone, Barbara Mandrell, Mel McDaniel, Rhett Akins, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Van Shelton, Hey Romeo, The Boom Chucka Boys, and many others.
Byron’s work with Canadian artists including Marie Bottrell, Gil Grand, Gord Bamford, Hey Romeo, The Boom Chucka Boys, and others, has earned him CCMA Songwriter Of The Year in 2012, and CCMA Producer Of The Year in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2013. Byron currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), and is a staff songwriter at Dan Hodges Music LLC. For more details, click on the About menu link on this website.
Tune in to hear the stories behind the hits, all about Byron's new work with Ontario's own Gil Grand and find out which artist Byron is still hoping will record one of his songs.
Ontario's Jason McCoy returns to host the CMAO Awards Show for the third year in a row. Along with hosting, he'll take to the stage with his band The Road Hammers and the one and only Tim Hicks for a special collaboration!
This year's performers include Autumn Hill, Cold Creek County, Runaway Angel, Leah Daniels and Meghan Patrick. And, once again, the house band is the always incredible The Western Swing Authority.
Jason chats with me on the show about two of his songs - Ten Million Teardrops & I Lie - plus he reflects on the great talent in Ontario, appearing on the Opry, the influence of Merle Haggard, how he aproaches songwriting & much more.
Visit the CMAO atwww.cmaontario.com
Madelyn Victoria grew up in Texas, performing in public for the first time, during a local Christmas Pageant, at age 5. She continued performing and singing throughout her youth, at local competitions and pageants, earning awards and recognition as one of the area’s top young performers. Her passion for songwriting began at age 13. In 2007, Madelyn competed in the Modeling Association of America International Competition and Convention in New York, where she won the vocal competition, singing Sara Evans’ hit “Real Fine Place to Start.” That same year, Madelyn auditioned to perform with the Radio Disney Superstars of Dallas, was selected, and opened for pop boy band sensation, The Jonas Brothers. In high school, Madelyn studied both Opera and Mariachi, winning accolades in both categories, all the while honing her guitar skills. In December of 2012, Madelyn performed in Las Vegas (Planet Hollywood and at the NFR Rodeo) as the Shania Twain Sing-Off Contest Winner.
Madelyn’s latest single release with Star 1 Records and MTS is “He Only Loves Me On The Dancefloor.”
Country artist Stevie Jewel is back at Country radio with her latest single Off The Market. Her sound is described as Katy Perry meets Country with a twist of Southern rock.
She's equally comfortable on stage as she is comfortable writing a hit song.
Stevie is finishing her last year of school at Belmont University in Nashville from which Brad Paisley, Florida Georgia Line and many others have graduated.
Tune in and get to know this talented singer-songwriter and hear a couple of her songs.
Get more episodes of In The Country at www.inthecountryinterviews.com and at iTunes.
A little serendipity mixed with an abundance of talent has played a profoundly significant role in the rapid rise of British Columbia-based country band Me And Mae!
Shawn Meehan, Colette Trudeau, Adam Reid, Ben Parker and Joe Fazio, together under the moniker ME AND MAE, have forged a reputation as the band to watch on the Canadian country music scene. It all started with the single Love Me Leave Me Lonely, which Meehan co-wrote with Carly Rae Jepsen, who at the time was his guitar student. The release of the band’s debut album Off The Rails (Cordova Bay Records) on May 13th, 2014 was quickly followed by a Nashville tour and a nomination for Top Country Best New Artist (2014) and winning the BC Country Music Awards - Ray McAuley Horizon Award (2014)!
Me And Mae has been touring extensively across Canada, playing festivals such as Craven Country Jamboree, Havelock Country Fest and working on new music with prominent producers to help take their sound to the next level. Me and Mae has worked with Jeff Johnson (Wes Mack, One More Girl, The Chris Buck Band) and with Dan Swinimer of Manicdown Productions (Madeline Merlo, JoJo Mason, Tim Hicks) to help hone their new sound. Me and Mae is ready to unleash their new sound with their new single Feel Good Feelin' which puts a spotlight on Shawn and Colette's pop-country vocals and the band's ability to create Zac Brown Band-esque harmonies.
Ontario Country artist Tianna Woods has three nominations for the 2016 CMAO Awards - Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year & Album of the Year.
She has an EP coming out soon called Bring Your Own Sunshine featuring the title track single and Right Now. You'll hear these songs on this episode.
This summer she'll release an album called I've Got You Covered which will feature her favourite cover songs (hint: Reba & Merle Haggard may be two artists she'll cover.)
Tianna is trained in voice, acting, and dance (tap, hip hop, jazz, ballet and modern). She also plays 7 instruments: piano, guitar, saxophone, drums, clarinet, North American flute and fiddle.
She auditioned for and got the part of Anne for the musical Anne of Green Gables. She performed the show in Canada and then travelled to Japan to perform the show again for ten days in the Budokan Theatre, the same threatre the Beatles performed in. Tianna also toured the schools with her band, meeting and performing for the children of Japan.
Kipling, Saskatchewan's Alex Runions recently won the Saskatchewan Country Music Association awards for Male Vocalist of the Year and Fan's Choice Entertainer!
HIs latest single is called If I Won The Lotto. The video for the song was shot in Nashville. Also on the show, you'll hear a great song Alex wrote called South Of The City. He wrote this song with Ontario's David Leask.
Performing across the province and throughout the country for over a decade, Alex has taken the stages at Big Valley Jamboree, Craven Country Jamboree, Dauphin Countryfest and is a regular on the Canadian Country club circuit including Eldorado Country Rock Bar (Regina), Ralph's (Medicine Hat) and Ranchman's (Calgary). He's opened for many prominent country acts including Gord Bamford, Aaron Pritchett and Rodney Atkins while also closing out performances from Dallas Smith, The Road Hammers and Neal McCoy. Charitable heart and minded, Alex was also involved in the Yorkton, Saskatchewan floods relief concerts.
One of the most masterful voices in Country music ever, Gene Watson still sings in the same key as 30 years ago and continues to prove why he is rightly referred to as “The Singer’s Singer”. His powerful voice and multi-octave range allows him to sing some of the most challenging songs with an ease that comes from pure, natural talent as well as from his many years performing onstage.
Real. Country. Music. finds the the 72 year-old Country legend once again proving he’s the master of classic Country music. He remains defiantly Country in the face of today’s more pop oriented offerings and is proud his legions of fans rely on him to keep traditional Country music alive and well.
With that in mind, Gene delved back into history to pull out some overlooked gems in other artist’s catalogs as well as a few of his own songs that are fan favorites but are no longer available. As Gene noted, “Today’s songwriters are not really writing the kind of songs fans of serious classic country are wanting. Traditional country is about life, heartaches, loves and family. I’ve got to relate to the words as something that either happened to me or happened to someone I know. It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around a song that’s simply about riding a tractor or just drinking beer with friends. I want more out of a song. So I went back to some classic songwriters like Kris Kristofferson, Larry Gatlin, Bill Anderson, Keith Whitley, Dean Dillon, Hank Cochran and Dave Kirby – just to name a few of the greats.”
With 4 top 50 hit songs already to her credit, Ontario's Genevieve Fisher continues to expand her influence on the Canadian Country music scene. Her performance at the 2012 CCMA New Artist Showcase in Saskatoon left an impression on all who were in attendance and helped her take another big step in the right direction. This was followed by Female Artist of the Year nominations at the 2013 and 2015 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards. And now she is nominated once again for Female Artist of the Year at the 2016 CMAO awards. Check out this great organization at www.cmaontario.ca
When not performing at some of Canada’s largest Country music festivals, Genevieve finds herself collaborating with some of the brightest songwriters on both sides of the border. She has already shared writing credits with Jason Blaine, Steven Lee Olsen, Patricia Conroy, Jason Massey, Jennifer Schott and many more. If it is true that you can judge a person from the company they keep, Genevieve is poised to make her mark on the Canadian music scene.
Tune in for my chat with Genevieve and hear two of her latest songs!
Carleton Place, Ontario's Jordan McIntosh will release his debut album Steal Your Heart on April 15th. The lead single is the title track sure to climb the country charts. Jordan has become a country fan favourite with his previous releases "Grew Up In A Country Song" and "That Girl". Those songs are included on the album along with a duet with Country artist George Canyon. Jordan returns to perform at the Boots & Hearts Music Festival this summer.
Jordan’s first influence was his older sister, Melissa. “My entire family is musical, but I idolized my sister. She started to sing before I did and, being younger, I wanted to do everything she did. That’s how I found out I could sing. I never really studied music. I just sang all the time. I know there’s a one in a million chance that you can make a career of your ability to sing. That’s always kept me focused, but I couldn’t do any of this without my family.”
Also, joining me on this episode is Ontario's Brittany Brodie. Her latest single is called "Love Anyone Else".
Fueled by Marty Raybon’s distinctive vocals and the band’s skilled musicianship, Shenandoah became well known for delivering such hits as Two Dozen Roses, Church on Cumberland Road and Next To You, Next To Me as well as such achingly beautiful classics as I Want To Be Loved Like That and the Grammy-winning Somewhere In The Vicinity Of The Heart duet with Alison Krauss.
Today that legacy continues as original members Raybon and Mike McGuire reunite to launch a new chapter in Shenandoah’s storied career. It all began when the guys got back together to perform a benefit concert for a friend battling cancer. “We saw how folks reacted,” Marty says of the response to their reunion. “And then Jerry Phillips, son of legendary Sun Records producer Sam Phillips, said ‘You guys need to make a run at this. People still love what you do. You can tell by the reaction. There’s a lot of excitement in the air.’”
“It’s kind of like riding a bicycle,” McGuire says of the band reigniting that chemistry on stage. “We had done so many shows over the years together, even though we spent 17 years apart, we got back up on the stage and it was like we never stopped. We knew those songs inside out. They were still dear to our hearts. It was great to get back up there and do them together again.”
Saskatchewan's Tenille Arts - now living in Nashville - has been nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year & Emerging Artist at the upcoming Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards (April 24th). She's also one of the top 6 finalists in the CCMA Discovery Program this year.
Tenille - barely into her twenties - has an old country soul that began at the tender age of 8. Her neighbor overheard her singing in the backyard and recommended she enroll in vocal training. The classical voice training rounded out her piano lessons and dance training so she was completely immersed in music. She picked up the guitar and penned her first song at the age of 13 and has been performing across the country at various events ever since. Tenille did her first television show Karaoke Star Junior (Corus Entertainment) at 14. That was the first time she heard a judge comment: “You have powerhouse vocals and perfect pitch” after singing Carrie Underwood’s song “Jesus Take The Wheel”. This would turn out to be one of many firsts for her.
Tenille lives by the motto: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” and a quote “20 Seconds of Insane Courage”. (She explains those inspiring quotes on the show.) That’s all it took for her to completely change her life and decide to move to Nashville after signing a publishing deal with Noble Vision Music Group.
Tune in to hear about her busy year and you'll also get to hear her latest song called Breathe.
With 5 nominations, Leah Daniels tops the list of artists nominated along with Jason Blaine & Tebey at the 2016 Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) Awards coming up at the end of May. Leah's nominations are for the following: Female Artist Of The Year, Single Of The Year: “Go Back” , Album Of The Year: What It Feels Like, Songwriter Of The Year: Leah Daniels, Beverley Mahood, Patricia Conroy for “Dream Without You” , Video Of The Year: “Old Piano” .
Blending Leah's love of both modern and traditional country with a healthy dose of pop smarts, her CMAO-nominated album What It Feels Like features 10 tracks that range from the sassy opener "Boots 'N Jeans," to the soaring ballad "Old Piano," and the edgy "Your Kiss Is Killing Me." Working with producers Dave ”Dwave” Thomson (Lady Antebellum, Autumn Hill), Gavin Brown (Three Days Grace, Barenaked Ladies), and Sam Ellis in the studio, What It Feels Like is the perfect introduction to Leah Daniels' powerful voice and undeniable charm, which have quickly built a loyal fan base from coast to coast.
Restless Heart lead singer Larry Stewart can remember the exact moment and place his life began to change forever.
“I was driving east on I-40 from West Nashville into town to an appointment,” he recalls.“Back then, I was listening to what we were doing in my Jeep Cherokee every day. I had turned the radio on, and Let The Heartache Ride was right in the middle of the acapella intro.”
Larry had been living with the song for a while, and hearing it through his car speakers wasn’t that big of a deal - until he looked at the stereo and saw the numbers 97.9. “It didn’t sink in because I had it in the tape deck for days, then I realized ‘That’s the radio. It’s WSIX.’ I pulled over on the shoulder around White Bridge Road and sat there with my car idling. It was like yesterday.”
John Dittrich, Greg Jennings, Paul Gregg, Dave Innis, and Larry Stewart - the men who make up Restless Heart - have enjoyed one of the most successful careers in Country Music history, placing over 25 singles on the charts - with six consecutive #1 hits, four of their albums have been certified Gold by the RIAA, and they have won a wide range of awards from many organizations – including the Academy of Country Music’s Top Vocal Group trophy.
Dynamic and determined are just two words that can be best used to describe Nova Scotian country singer Andrew Frelick!
From a growing online presence, artist showcase performances during CMA Fest & CCMA Week, to releasing his first single “Unlove You” from his debut Nashville recorded EP “Time Stands Still” to radio, 2015 was an amazing year of growth and opportunity.
Kicking off 2016 with the release of “Time Stands Still” via Lauren Tutty Promotions, the EP’s title track is receiving great reviews and radio play in both Canada & the U.S.
Andrew is a natural talent with rich, unique sounding vocals, delivering top notch country guitar work, and a polished live off the floor sound…
Born into a musical family, Andrew was surrounded by country music and soon given his first guitar. Performing on top local stages by the time he reached his teens, hesoon developed a natural comfort that would compare to that of a seasoned performer. His love of country guitar, and passion for being on stage would continue to be showcased; both in his music; and in his live performances. Over the next years, influences from various artists & genres would help shape a sound that many have come to identify and expect from this talented Canadian artist.
Ontario Country singer-songwriter Nicole Rayy is a musical powerhouse, known for possessing a flair for dynamic storytelling, soulful, honest lyrics, and electrifying performances. Having played at such festivals as TurtleFest, Manitoulin Country Fest, and the Calgary Stampede to venues big and small throughout the country, Nicole is much known for her foot-stomping, energetic live performances as she is for her incredible recorded works.
To Nicole, creating music is a way of baring her soul to the world and honestly expressing her feelings, making for music that resonates with many of her listeners. While she would love to follow in the footsteps of country and pop stars Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and even Kelly Clarkson, Nicole has found that having the music set her own path is better than following the oft-travelled one. As a result, her music constantly evolves with each song, often combining influences from multiple genres of music from classic country to pop, dance, and rock, resulting in a fresh, unique sound that all manner of music lover can get excited about.
Nicole joins me on the show to talk about her latest single Bow And Arrow and much more!
From a very young age, Brian Vain grew up listening to country music like Alabama, Randy Travis,and Garth Brooks. Hewas also drawn to the music of Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Micheal Jackson and more. At the age of 11, Brian picked up his first guitar and began teaching himself. After years of no guitar or vocal lessons, Brian had begun writing his own songs and found something he was really good at, finding melodies that were easy to sing along to but there was only one problem.. Brian was so shy he couldn’t even play in front of his parents let alone anyone else. It was when Brian was 22 he almost lost his hand in a workplace accident and finally broke his shyness enough to start playing his songs for other people. After many years or writing and performing in a rock band Brian wanted to go back to his roots. The name Kansas Stone had been an idea in Brian's head for many years until he had a book of country songs he had wrote and brought them to his best friend Matt Davey.. after that day Brian’s idea was now reality.
Tune in to hear my conversation with Brian Vain and Matt Davey from Ontario's own Kansas Stone!
The band that plays together stays together. Known as one of the first country bands to play on every one of their studio projects, Diamond Rio made country music history when their first single Meet In The Middle landed them in the No. 1 spot. Now, 25 years later Diamond Rio is releasing I Made It, their tenth studio album. The title track was co-written by the band’s lead guitarist Jimmy Olander and features 11 new songs. Produced by Olander and Michael D Clute, I Made It is a follow-up to their 2014 first-ever live album release: Diamond Rio Live.
Lead singer Marty Roe joins me to discuss the group's career, hit songs, Opry performances, the Eagles, Larry Gatlin & much more!
Kym Simon is a prominent singer, songwriter, entertainer, and instructor in the Canadian music industry. She is currently teaching voice / guitar / piano lessons to some the most talented young artists in Alberta who are known as the Songbirds.
Kym’s roots began in Stettler, Alberta. She was born into a musical family and followed in the rhythmic beats of her parents and grandparents as they sang and played for various community events. While Kym was performing at her high school graduation ceremony, she instinctively made music her career. Before Kym knew it music was an entire way of life (for herself, her husband and 2 children). The energy Kym eludes on stage is incredible.
Her audiences are always the “priority”, whether it is getting fans to join her on stage, or walking into the crowd so everyone can dance and sing along. This is what has made her music dreams become reality. Kym just released her 3rd studio album called Mirror.
Tune in to get to know this talented Country artist and her music!
Under a big Stetson, accompanied with a big smile, and based, under even bigger skies of Grande Prairie, Alberta, is Canada’s newest gentleman of country music, Brad Sims.
Of Metis heritage, Brad’s call to immerse himself in all things country occurred when attending an annual Bud Country Fever Music Festival. After sneaking backstage to gain main stage access to watch the performers, Brad’s realization of one day doing exactly the same thing resonated; he was 10 years old. Fast forward and a short 8 years later, Brad’s musical journey commenced with a band called Nowhere Road. Competing in various and well known vocal competitions had Brad take center stage and be awarded the winning position for Duke’s Entertainer of the Year (2010), the Alberta/BC Talent Contest (2013) as well as garnering an impressive third place win in The Next Nashville North Star, at the Calgary Stampede (2014).
Inspired by musical influences including Marty Stuart, George Strait, Mark Chesnutt, Dwight Yoakum and George Jones. Canadian country trailblazers. Terri Clark, George Canyon, Dean Brody and Bobby Wills, to name a few, also ignite Brad, whose songwriting process begins with creating the melody, followed by the lyrics.
Brad is excited for his upcoming self-titled CD - featuring the just released single Blue Jeans - with special guest appearances including Chris Byrne, Bart McKay, Russell Broom and Chad Melchert with songwriting collaborations including George Canyon, Phil O’Donnell, and Johnny Reid and produced by Johnny Gasparic and Graham Sharkey of 2-time CCMA Award winning studio, MCC Recordings (Calgary).
Not many artists come up with the best work of their career three decades in, but happily Lori Yates has done just that.
Sweetheart of the Valley, her 7th recording, shows that the honky-tonk heroine is at the very top of her game. This stellar collection of new songs showcase her twin talents as a compelling songwriter and the possessor of a voice that few can equal.
When it came time to record a follow up to her award-winning acoustic "The Book of Minerva", she called in roots heavyweights & bandmates Hey Stella! - Bazil Donovan (Blue Rodeo, Doug Paisley), David Baxter (Justin Rutledge, Kim Beggs), Michelle Josef (Etta James, Prairie Oyster). The results are being heralded as "An dark alt-country masterpiece." Lori Yates reclaims her title as queen of Canada's country singer-songwriters". (GR, Hamilton Spectator)
This enigmatic, rebellious and hard to pin down veteran singer/songwriter, Yates adeptly blends country, folk, rockabilly and cow-punk to create her own award-winning sound and style of writing. (Songwriter of the Year & Alt-Country Album of the Year, Hamilton Music Awards 2007).
One of Canada's roots/americana pioneers, she still has the same scrappy spirit and determination as she did when she first burst onto the Toronto Queen St. W. scene of the late '80"s as the "cowgirl singing her heart out in the rock clubs". Lori has been called "alt-country" long before the phrase existed.
This is as artist who met Johnny Cash, hung out with Tammy Wynette, wrote with Guy Clark, jammed with Jerry Jeff Walker, partied with Harlan Howard, recorded with Greg Allman and ate jelly beans with Roy Acuff!
John Berry has a new outlook, a new address and a new beginning. The singer-songwriter rose to stardom on the country charts of the 1990s with such mega hits as “Your Love Amazes Me,” “Standing on the Edge of Goodbye” and “She’s Taken a Shine.” His annual Christmas tours brighten the holidays for thousands, as does his electrifying rendition of “O Holy Night.”
During his star-making decade, John placed 20 singles on the county hit parade. He earned Gold and Platinum records. He was nominated for a Grammy Award, CMA Awards and ACM Awards. And thanks to the miracles of modern technology, he even sang a duet with the late, great Patsy Cline.
But when the hit records faded, John quietly left Nashville and headed back to his native Georgia. "The fall is hard. For a time it left me angry and disillusioned. I was fortunate because singing was all I had ever done and all I knew to do. I buckled under and made it work. It was then that I became the President and Janitor of JB Music. I am proud to say I have survived and grown because of it. Now I wish I could go back and talk to my younger self. I enjoy myself and making music. I love what I do. I’m realistic about who I am. I’m hopeful and excited about the future. I refuse to go away, because I LOVE singing and always will. I have a bus and sound and lights, and I’m always all dressed up and ready to go.”
Tune in to hear John telling stories from his music career - as well as sharing past hits and brand new music! Visit John online at www.johnberry.com
Songwriter, singer, recording artist, documentary producer, television personality, motivational speaker-these are just a few of the many colored hats that Benita Hill wears on her creative journey.
The former background vocalist for the Allman Brothers has written number one songs for Garth Brooks ("Two Pina Coladas" & "It's Your Song") and her songs have been covered by artists in multiple genres-the legendary Isaac Hayes, gospel jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum, country songbird Crystal Gayle and many more.Her music has appeared in Broadway musicals, television and radio commercials (she’s the voice of “Santa Baby”for Jaguar Automobiles) and she has released six critically acclaimed CDs of her original jazz/pop inflected songs.
Three of her songs,co-written with Julia Rich,are performed worldwide as part of the Glenn Miller orchestra’s standard repertoire. Most recently, her documentary The Healing Power of A Song premiered nationally on the Blue Highways television network.She also tours with a seminar of the same name, encouraging others to pursue their unique creative voice by following the music of their hearts.
Welcome to the first In The Country episode of 2016! Please send your comments on the show to inthecountry@mail.com. We love hearing from our listeners.
On the show...
From B.C., The Washboard Union is here to chat and share their new chart-climbing single "Maybe It's The Moonshine."
Ontario's Amy Rose brings the laughs and her brand new song "One Of These Days."
Alberta's Domino gather in the kitchen to talk about their Alberta Country Music Awards nominations and share their latest single "Big Blue Sky."
Check out more In The Country interviews atwww.inthecountryinterviews.com
Don Graham and Marshall Dane - Together Again For the First Time!
Don Graham is a veteran country singer/songwriter having spent over four decades perfecting his craft. He has performed globally, picking up friends and fans around the world. Don was signed in the early days to Irving Almo Music to a writers deal by the legendary Brian Chater, resulting in him relocating from his hometown of Montreal to Toronto. Don now spends his time performing at select venues, while also travelling to showcase at places like the Nashville Palace in Tennessee, a private party during MIDEM in Cannes, France and appearing on the pilot for a video show hosted by Dave Woods.
Marshall Dane was born in Southern Ontario and brought up on music, with a preacher Dad who played guitar and a musical Mum who played piano. Playing his first solo gig at age fifteen for thirty-five bucks and a plate of cheesecake, Marshall tried working in a band before eventually taking fate in to his own hands in 2008, heading down to Nashville for a master-class in composing country songs. Playing in bars and clubs as a solo singer and with a touring band has given him his fair share of stories and insights – great for writing songs. But when it comes to cooking up a tune, Marshall admits that his parents’ spiritual upbringing permeates his writing, with themes of love, home and kindness appearing throughout his songs.
Don and Marshall will be performing their show - Don Graham and Marshall Dane - Together Again For the First Time! - on November 26th at Musideum in Toronto.
Tune in to hear this dynamic duo tell stories, tell jokes and share songs on this special episode of In The Country.
Brooklyn Roebuck’s childhood love of singing competitions landed her on YTV’s nation-wide, talent-search TV show The Next Star at fourteen years old, where a loyal and rapidly growing fan base of which three million voters decided that the crown belonged to her. After the win, her career kicked into high gear and she appeared regularly on YTV, even hosting her own Brooklyn’s Movie Night and guest starring on the hit series Life With Boys. Her music videos for the infectious pop-country singles The Way I See You, Lemon and Lime, and One Of These Days have caught airtime from Juicebox Television, CMT, and YTV, and have each been viewed tens of thousands of times on YouTube alone.
In 2012, Brooklyn performed a soulful rendition of O Holy Night on CMT’s star-studded The Gift of Giving charity special which showcased not only her remarkable vocal talent but her maturity as an artist. With names like Randy Bachman, The Trews and Beverley Mahood in attendance, it remains one of the most special performances of her career. One year later, Brooklyn further cemented that status when she released the self-penned Storyteller EP. Brooklyn’s current single Good Day exemplifies that playful and laid-back vibe her fans know and love from past releases and live shows, but it introduces an edginess and attitude that only an eighteen-year-old can bring without losing an ounce of charm. Catch it on country airwaves and beyond!
Alabama-based Country-rock singer/songwriter Donica Knight is happy to announce the release of her new single and VEVO music video for Love Ain't A Prize. The video is currently available for viewing at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRRQzjt7358. "Love Ain't A Prize" was written by Donica Knight, her producer, Jim Huff, and Chris Vos. Recorded at Fox Force Five Recorders and Huff's home studio in Los Angeles, CA, the track is taken from her forthcoming EP, Can't Buy A Southern Girl, slated for early 2016 release. The single is already airing at radio stations around the globe. The music video was shot on location in LA, and it was directed by veteran cinemetographer, Noel Maitland. Maitland has directed videos for Flyleaf, EdenXO, Bobby Newberry, and others. Says Donica, “This time around, I wanted to make a record in LA, but reminiscent of some of the great southern rock and country I grew up listening to; some of that Muscle Shoals vibe with horns, motown-ish background vocals, and of course, lots of rock 'n' roll guitars”.
Donica’s unique blend of Southern rock, country, blues and old East Memphis music has led to a rigorous touring schedule in the Southeast, performing more than 350 dates, opening for both country and rock superstars, as diverse as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Styx, Hank Williams Jr., Kid Rock, Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Kenny Rogers, and many others. A self-proclaimed tomboy and sports fan, Donica wrote and recorded “Great To Be,” which was regularly played at her beloved Auburn Tigers’ football games. She has also written and recorded duets with country legend Ronnie Milsap.
Before the age of 18, Country artist Lawnie Wallace had a major recording deal. Her debut album charted in the top 10 and included the hit song Thought I Was Dreaming. She went on a major cross Canada tour and had several high rotation videos on Country Music Television.
After coming off the road she took a significant break from the stage and the music industry. Even though the music within her had never left. Time away gave her time to meditate on life and delve further into herself and her music.
Lawnie had the privilege of landing a significant position working with students wanting to be in the Radio and TV Industry. During this time, she experimented with a new sound she calls 'Southern fried Techno'. She recorded the album under her childhood nickname "OOKEE". It was like a rebirth helping her to redefine her craft. Lawnie placed top 10 in the international song writing competition and received an honourable mention with one of the songs from the OOKEE album called “Sugarland,” in which she co-wrote with her producer Ruben Huizenga and her father William Wallace.
Lawnie recently released a brand new album called The Lost Years.
Trinity Bradshaw became the youngest winner of the Summerside Festival Talent Search in Prince Edward Island at age 14 and was asked to perform twice at the East Coast Music Awards before moving to Calgary in 2010.
In Dec 2011, Trinity won SUGAR CRISP ‘s “The first 15” Canadian national songwriting contest, and in January 2013, she won Calgary’s Amp Radio Rock Star contest. She was Alberta’s 2014 representative in the CCMA Spotlight contest, and winner of the 2014 Boots & Hearts Canadian Emerging Artist Showcase.
Trinity opened for country music legend Shania Twain in Prince Edward Island in 2014.
Her EP Open Skies was released in June 2014 with a kickoff show at Ranchman’s in Calgary, and entered the iTunes Canadian Country Albums Chart in the top 10 – while Never Drinkin’ Again was added to rotation on many stations across Canada.
Trinity's latest country single is called Good Times.
Cremona, Alberta's Blake Reid's new album Rust showcases his status status as a true workingman’s poet, following in the footsteps of Merle Haggard and Tom T. Hall. At the same time, he is no traditionalist. The album’s first single, “Sounds Like A Song,” is the kind of hard-edged, instantly memorable track perfectly suited for a Saturday night play list, or as something to sing along with to make that long drive go a little bit faster. And as a testament to the power of songcraft, it’s also a reflection of the only real musical education Blake ever had, listening to AM radios installed in the trucks, tractors and combines he commandeered throughout his youth.
“I’ve always written songs, but during the years while performing in the club and rodeo circuits, we had to limit the amount of original material we were playing. In 2011 I decided to take a break from the band and really concentrate on writing songs that spoke to who I was, and to just be me without apology. I discovered right away how much people appreciated that, and I started building a new following. Getting a standing ovation the first time I played Big Valley Jamboree really confirmed it all for me, and since then I can’t see any way to do things other than just be who I am.”
And while much of the material on Rust is rooted in the Alberta soil that five generations of his family has farmed for over a century, the themes at the heart of the songs are universally relatable. For instance, many people have had the same fantasy captured in “Cowboys Were Kings” of somehow escaping fast-paced modern life and waking up in a ‘tumbleweed town’ or, as on the powerful “Ghosts,” been in their favourite bar and had the full weight of its history, and the people who used to drink there, suddenly come to light.
Their musical bond is as strong as their small town roots: Twin Kennedy, comprised of West Coast sisters Carli and Julie Kennedy, have been making music together since they could talk. Born and raised in the small town of Powell River, British Columbia, the sister duo grew up perfecting their sibling harmonies and dynamic live performances, while making their name known throughout their small community as a family band.
Growing up in such a musically infused family, it is no wonder that these sisters crafted their sound through a unique fusion of their background in country, folk, jazz and classical music. With years of classical training, including their Bachelors Degrees in Music Performance from the University of Victoria, the sisters have found their home in country music. With Carli on vocals and guitar, and Julie on vocals and fiddle, these talented sisters will fill your soul with joy and warmth through their seamless harmonies and heartfelt songwriting.
Having released two EPs - and receiving seven BCCMA Award nominations since 2012 - as Carli & Julie Kennedy, the sisters released their first album as Twin Kennedy on April 7th, 2015. Produced by multiple CCMA and JUNO award winning artist George Canyon and renowned producer Graham Sharkey, the album "It's A Love Thing" featuring the new single Feels Like Freedom is a beautifully honest account of the ebb and flow of the journey through love and life.
Country artist Tim Hicks begins his Get A Little Crazy Tour on November 1st in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. Joining him on the tour will be country acts Jason Benoit and Cold Creek County.
Tim's hits include Get By, Here Comes The Thunder, Stronger Beer, So Do I, She Don't Drink Whiskey Anymore & Young, Alive And In Love.
He received high praise for his performance of Young, Alive And In Love on the 2015 CCMA Awards Show broadcast on CBC in September 2015.
He won the award for Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year at the 2015 Country Music Association of Ontario awards.
Tim just released 5:01 + which features 4 brand new songs not available on his album 5:01. Check it out now at iTunes!
Get to know this talented Ontario Country artist on this episode of In The Country with Dave Woods.
Tebey, Jason Blaine & James Otto begin their exciting & electrifying Three's A Party Tour on October 30th in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The tour will continue across Canada until the end of November. For information on tickets, please visit www.tebeymusic.com or www.jasonblaine.ca.
Tebey just released a new song & music video called Jealous Of The Sun. He's written songs for Emerson Drive, Aaron Pritchett, Doc Walker, and Jason Blaine. As grateful as he is for his songwriting success, Tebey never abandoned his original dream of stepping out and taking centre stage himself. “In order to be a successful songwriter you really have to focus on it, so I literally put my recording career on the back burner.” It was a necessary compromise, he says: “It just so happened that circumstances took me away from being an artist and made me focus on my songwriting in order to make a living.” Now, Country fans know Tebey as a talented and engaging hit maker with songs like Somewhere In The Country, Now I Do and When The Buzz Wears Off.
Jason Blaine has just released a new album called Country Side featuring the title track single and the latest song Spotlight. He wrote or co-wrote all 13 tracks.The last two songs on the project are for his two daughters and son. “At the end of the day, when the stage lights come down and I get off the plane or the tour bus and I come home, I’m just a husband and a father,” expains Jason who lives in Nashville with his wife and three children. He won the 2012 CCMA Single of the Year for his song They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore - which he co-wrote with Deric Ruttan.
Shining a positive light on the Canadian country music scene, SaskatchewanCountry artist ALEX RUNIONS continues to grow his successful career while finding a home on the airwaves. Nominated for three 2015 SCMAs which took place in April 2015 in the categories of Male Vocalist of the Year, and Fan's Choice Entertainer of the Year, his radio single Little Bit of Sunshine was also nominated for Single of the Year.
His passionate dedication to songwriting and co-writing has contributed to becoming a highly sought after performer and musician. A tireless devotion to an honest and heartfelt approach to his music has helped him resonate with an already dedicated fan base while garnering many new fans and friends along the way.
Performing across the province and throughout the country for over a decade, Alex has taken the stages at Big Valley Jamboree, Craven Country Jamboree, Dauphin Countryfest and is a regular on the Canadian Country club circuit including Eldorado Country Rock Bar (Regina), Ralph's (Medicine Hat) and Ranchman's (Calgary). He's opened for many prominent country acts including Gord Bamford, Aaron Pritchett and Rodney Atkins while also closing out performances from Dallas Smith, The Road Hammers and Neal McCoy. Charitable heart and minded, Alex was also involved in the Yorkton, Saskatchewan floods relief concerts.
His latest single is called South Of The City.
Saskatchewan Country artist Stephanie Rose is here to talk about her new EP called Go Where The Wind Takes You available at iTunes now.
She recently returned from Country Music Week and the CCMAS which took place in September in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The first single from Stephanie's album is called Bed Of Roses and is at country radio now.
The project was produced by the husband-and-wife musical team of RyLee Madison & Clay Krasner.
Tune in to hear stories and songs from this talented Canadian Country artist.
Brittany Brodie is a singer-songwriter who appreciates every genre of music. From a young age, she’s always known she wanted a career in the music business and her strong work ethic and positive attitude has made her the artist she is today.
Brittany grew up on traditional country music from Vern Gosdin and Dottie West to Hank Williams and George Strait. In later years, she was listening to The Dixie Chicks, Lee Ann Womack and Rascall Flatts. With an appreciation for all genres of music, she found inspiration from The Spice Girls. “They were a game changer for me. They inspired me in more ways than I ever imagined. I owe them a lot.”
Brittany has a love of all that is musical and a full vocal range means you’ll find her singing a wide variety of tunes. “I will be driving along in my car listening to Katherine Jenkins (classical) and then some Bryan Adams (Summer of ’69) … one of the greatest songs ever.”
This talented Ontario Country artist is here to talk about her music career, the recent CCMAS and her two latest singles Together Never Alone & Phoenix.
The band that plays together stays together. Known as one of the first country bands to play on every one of their studio projects, Diamond Rio made country music history when their first Arista Nashville single Meet In The Middle landed them in the No. 1 spot. Now, 25 years later Diamond Rio is releasing I Made It, their tenth studio album. The title track was co-written by the band’s lead guitarist Jimmy Olander and features 11 new songs. Produced by Olander and Michael D Clute, I Made Itis a follow-up to their 2014 first-ever live album release: Diamond Rio Live.
“As artists producing music as long as Diamond Rio has, fresh subject matter tends to get more and more difficult to come by,” says Jimmy Olander. “As a writer on the title track ‘I Made It,’ simply telling our story is freeing. This is a very specific story, the autobiographical melding of the migration stories my partners and I share about moving to Nashville. Collectively, we have achieved the amount of success that dreams are made of, but at the end of the day have learned having someone to share this amazing life with – ‘love’ and ‘be loved by’ is the real measure of success. It’s true, ‘I Made It.’”
“We were fortunate to not be rushed with this project,” shares Gene Johnson. “Over the past few years we’ve taken the time to work on several projects that were on our bucket list; a Christmas album and our first-ever Christian and live albums.”
Diamond Rio's other hits songs include: Love A Little Stronger, In A Week Or Two, Norma Jean Riley, One More Day, Unbelievable, Walkin' Away and Beautiful Mess.
British Columbia Country artist Ben Klick has just released his new EP called Today. The project was produced by RyLee Madison and Clay Krasner of 7-17 Music.
Ben is a writer on 5 of the 6 tracks. He's been nominated for the following 5 awards at the BCCMAs later in October:
Gaylord Wood Traditional Country Award
Country Club Act of the Year
Mike Norman All Star Band Award – Guitar
Ray McAuley Horizon Award
Website of the Year Award
Ben joins me on the show to talk about the new EP, his musical influences, songwriitng & much more!
Patricia Conroy is one of Canada's greatest singer-songwriters. You know her songs - Bad Day For Trains, Blank Pages, Mary On The Dashboard - to name just a few. 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 has had great success as a writer with the songs: Steel Magnolia "Just By Being You (Halo And Wings)", One More Girl "The Day I Fall", Jimmy Rankin "Here In My Heart", Small Town Pistols "I Only Smoke When I Drink", Bobby Wills "Undressed" - and many more.
Tune in to hear great stories - and great music - from this Canadian talent!
Brad Battle writes and sings from the heart. His honesty and distinct voice captivates his listeners and leaves them wanting to hear more. Brad's brand of Pop/Country music is catchy and written based on his life experiences.
His story is one filled with inspiration and determination. After stepping away from music to start a family, he found himself telling his kids to never give up on what they were truly passionate about. As a father of 3, he realized the best way for his kids to learn to do that was by his example. Brad grabbed his guitar and began writing and set the wheels in motion for what has been an incredible year! The year 2015 has brought many highlights: Trips to Nashville, getting to perform multiple times at the infamous Blue Bird Cafe, the opportunity to write with hit writer Frank Myers ("I Swear", "I'm Already There") and being selected as 1st runner up at the Magna Hoedown Showdown.
Brad just recently completed recording his debut EP with producer Corey MacFadyen and Dean Malton (Ground Loop Studios) The first single from the EP is called That Kinda Love and it is now at iTunes. With plans to return to Nashville, as well as go back into the studio very soon, 2016 will undoubtedly be the year everyone will be talking about Brad Battle!!
MADELINE MERLO IS NAMED THE 2015 CCMA RISING STAR!
Despite growing up in a small town in British Columbia, Madeline Merlo always knew she wanted to be bonafide Country Music star - and her dream is quickly becoming a reality. After being signed to Open Road Recordings in 2013, and releasing her self-titled debut album in 2014, Madeline was quickly recognized as an artist to watch. Her singles Sinking Like a Stone and Alive became popular on country radio and TV alike, garnering her nominations for Female Artist of the Year and the Ray McCauley Horizon award at the 2014 BCCMAs.
Fresh from her Rising Star award win at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards in September 2015, Madeline is now ready to hit the road and wow audiences across Canada with superstars Dean Brody and Paul Brandt during their Road Trip Tour this fall. You’ll also find Madeline featured in Sparkle: An inspirational Handbook for Young Girls and can watch for her in the upcoming musical movie Country Crush due out in later this year.
Madeline is nominated for Female Artist of the Year at the BCCMAs (British Columbia Country Music Association Awards) in October 2015. Her latest single is called Honey Jack.
Award-winning Country music artist GORD BAMFORD debuted Don’t Let Her Be Gone - the first single from his upcoming 2016 album - on the 2015 CCMA Awards Show on September 13th.
“It’s not very often a song like this comes along, I’m just happy I’m the guy who got to record it.This could be one of the biggest songs of my career,” explains Gord.
The video for the song - now playing on CMT - was directed by award-winning director Stephano Barberis.
Gord headed into the 2015 CCMA Awards season with six nominations, five among artist award categories: Fans’ Choice, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Songwriter(s) of the Year and Video of the Year, and one industry award nod for Producer of the Year.
And the results were...
After taking home the prestigious Songwriter(s) of the Year Award (Gord Bamford/Buddy Owens/Phil O’Donnell) for the song Where A Farm Used To Be at the CCMA Gala Dinner & Awards on Saturday night, Gord added to his trophy collection with wins for Male Artist of the Year and Single of the Year (Where A Farm Used To Be) at the 2015 CCMA Music Awards Show.
Born in Australia and raised in Alberta, Gord has been named the Male Artist of the Year by the CCMA three years in a row.
Check out his website at www.gordbamford.com
Watch his performance on the 2015 CCMA Awards Show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZWrmG31qMs
RAQUEL COLE is a seasoned singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has written with some of the finest songwriters in the world, has been featured on Sirius XM’s The Highway and has opened up for Country star Josh Turner and Grammy award-winning legendary group Diamond Rio.
Raquel has been perfecting her sound for more than half her young life. These days she splits her time between Nashville and British Columbia. She was born and raised in the Okanagan Valley located in the beautiful province of B.C. Growing up, Raquel was attracted to wide-raging influences that included John Mayer’s bluesy sounds, Bryan Adam’s genius lyrics, and Shania Twain’s pop-country tunes.
“At a really young age my dad introduced me to The Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, The Guess Who and Randy Bachman. He’s a drummer and he wanted someone to play music with him. When I was nine he bought me my first guitar and it grew from there.” This led Raquel to her love of songs and songwriting. An accomplished guitar player, she added the mandolin to her arsenal as well.
Raquel released her first single “It’s For Real This Time” which earned her a spot on Sirius XM’s The Highway. "Writing songs has always been an outlet for me. This is a very vulnerable song,” she admits. “It’s what was going on in my love life at the time and thankfully writing songs is way cheaper than therapy."
In September 2015, she won the CCMA (Country Music Association of Canada) Discovery Award.
TwoShine County - the Calgary-based Country duo consisting of front men Daron Schofield and Dennis Hann - has just released a new single 'Love This Song."
Stevie Jewel - born in Muskoka, Ontario and now living in Nashville - has just released her new single "Memory Lane."
Ryan Keown - Manitoba Country artist - has just released his new single "Amen."
All three acts will being performing as part of Country Music Week and the CCMAs in Halifax in September 2015.
Check out more In The Country interviews at www.inthecountryinterviews.com
After taking home the Rising Star Award at the 2014 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards, Jordan McIntosh continues to climb the ranks as one of Canada’s hottest new country stars. No stranger to the stage, the 19-year-old Ottawa native has toured with country stars Brett Kissel and, most recently, Emerson Drive. Additionally, he performed on the main stage at the third annual Boots and Hearts Festival in August. A top 6 finalist in the 2014 CCMA Discovery program, Jordan has been nominated for this year’s Rising Star Award at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards which will be held in Halifax (Sunday, September 13).
Jordan’s first influence was his older sister, Melissa. “My entire family is musical, but I idolized my sister. She started to sing before I did and, being younger, I wanted to do everything she did. That’s how I found out I could sing. I never really studied music. I just sang all the time. I know there’s a one in a million chance that you can make a career of your ability to sing. That’s always kept me focused, but I couldn’t do any of this without my family.”
MIKE DENNEY is President of MDM Recordings Inc., an independent recording company founded in 2008 and located in Toronto. One of his biggest dreams for his artists is to help enhance their success by securing them international recognition, and he has made this goal a priority. “My mission is to support, help nurture and grow the careers of the numerous artists that I work with on a day in and day out basis. I want to help them achieve their goals and dreams, while achieving mine with theirs.”
A 25 year veteran of the music industry, Mike believes that being passionate and success-driven about music (or anything that you do) supersedes wanting a large pay check and material advances. “I have always been very driven to succeed. Years ago it was material things, now it’s a passion for what I do.”
What he looks for in new artists is simple, “I want to represent talent that can really play and perform from their core, their true soul,” he explains. “I want artists that are hard-working and driven by the music, inspired to constantly perfect their craft. To me this is the true definition of talent.”
Announced in July 2015, in a country-wide reveal, 2015 marks another outstanding year for MDM Recordings and its artists, with a total of sixteen CCMA nominations, across 15 categories.
Substantiating her claim to the modern day Shania Twain status, Jess Moskaluke (an MDM artist and current CCMA Female Artist of the Year) continues her success streak with 2015 CCMA Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Single of the Year nominations.
Tune in to hear Mike chat with about all the latest news in the MDM world!
Sky Wyatt has already stoked a buzz in his native Vancouver, BC area with appearances at the Plaza of the Nations main stage at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, showcasing at the Vancouver Island Music Business Conference, and making it into the final round of the Red Robinson Talent Showdown at the Pacific National Exhibition and the British Columbia Youth Talent Search. He has also written songs with such talents as country singers Patricia Conroy (whose material has been cut by The Rankin Family, Emerson Drive and more), Jesse Tucker (who plays guitar in the Brett Eldredge band) and Willie Mack (whose cuts include Sara Evans and George Canyon).
He hails from Deep Cove in North Vancouver, and grew up in a musical family with a father who taught guitar and mother from a large singing family. A range of styles played around his childhood home from rock to soul, jazz and funk plus such country-folk acts as The Eagles, America and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. During his high school years, Sky appeared and sang in musical theater productions. While in college he started taking vocal lessons just for fun - and singing quickly became a primary passion.
A vocal coach urged him to explore all genres of music, and on hearing Tim McGraw’s “Red Rag Top”, Sky became hooked on Country music.
Sky's first radio single "Wild Side" was released to Country radio in August 2015.
James David Carter had a successful football career growing up, but a serious injury in his senior year dashed his dreams of playing in college. After the accident, singing was initially something he did for fun, but he realized he was a natural talent and hasn't looked back.
He set off a four-coach war for himself on the 2014 season of NBC's hit show The Voice after his blind audition of the Country song "Nobody Knows." He chose Blake Shelton to be his coach.
Later in the season, after performing Garth Brooks' mega-hit "Two Of A Kind, Workin' On A Full House", Blake said: “You continue to just be that rock. I can always count on you to sound great - you always do great."
Although he didn't win Season 7, James has won a huge following as a result of his amazing performances on the show and now thanks to his album Songs On The Radio (available at iTunes.)
James will perform in Ontario at the Tillsonburg Tri-County Agricultural Society, also known as the Tillsonburg Fair, as part of the Saturday Night Concert on Saturday, August 15, 2015 @ 8:00pm.
SMALL TOWN PISTOLS
When you’re declared Group of the Year at Canada’s biggest country music awards show, that’s major validation from a community with high standards. Ontario’s Small Town Pistols won the CCMA title in 2014 after the brother and sister reunited for their 2013 self-titled debut.
Now Amanda and Tyler Wilkinson — formerly of country trio The Wilkinsons — are back with the follow-up, Pistology, an album that is personal and sometimes edgy, covering everything from parenthood and family values to vices and rivals.
“Tyler and I learned the craft of songwriting through my dad, but in Small Town Pistols we are grown-up, able to say things that we couldn’t say in the Wilkinsons’ songs because our dad was there,” says Amanda.
While both Tyler and Amanda are in solid marriages with babies, this sibling duo isn’t all white picket fences and PG conversation. They are quick-witted and speak their minds as people, and in their songwriting are raw and real — note the smoky western crime story “Ghosts” to the moseying “I Only Smoke When I Drink.”
A couple of songs celebrate family: “Can’t Wait To Meet You” about becoming a parent and the heavier rocker “My Family,” inspired by the morals instilled in them from their parents.
MICHELLE SCHULTZ
Vancouver's Michelle Schultz has just released a new single called "Camouflage." A major part of Michelle’s music career has been singing national anthems for several sporting and charity events. Michelle sings regularly for several teams in the BCHL and WLA, as well as for the WHL Vancouver Giants.
Ontario Country artist Tori Hathway has just released her new CD called Dear Diary now available at iTunes. The project was produced by famed Toronto music producer Douglas Romanow.
She's a singer-songwriter-entertainer who feels as at home on the stage as she does in the studio. At just 16 years old, Tori is already blazing her own trail on the Country music scene.
Tune in for stories & songs from this talented Ontario Country artist.
Don Green, president of the Country Music Association of Canada (CCMA) joins me to discuss the CCMA Nominations announced July 15, 2015. Country Music Week, which includes the CCMA Awards Show, takes place September 9 through 13th in Halifax.
Ontario Country artist Brittany Brodie joins me on the show to talk about her new song "Together Never Alone". We'll also chat about her influences, songwriting and her trips to Nashville.
Dean Brody's latest album is called Gypsy Road. It’s easily his most winning and original collection of songs, a fact confirmed by the rollicking, sun-drenched first single, ‘Upside Down.’ Fitting for a guy already possessed of a boatload of CCMA and JUNO Awards. “’Upside Down’ as well as the song ‘Monterey’ were written on a ukulele,” Dean explains, adding that the tenderhearted but scorching ‘Love Would Be Enough’ was sketched out on a banjo instead of his usual guitar. “There was a point in my career where it seemed like I had invested what might have been wasted time chasing a dream,” Dean offers with trademark candour. “I saw friends and others my age living the responsible suburban life, 2 cars, a mortgage, retirement savings and vacations days stacking up. And I was spending every dollar on a long shot in a country not my own. I had a small family and at points felt completely irresponsible as a father and husband. Now, we have a home on the ocean. Sometimes I walk the land and sit down by the water and think ‘Wow. This dream actually happened. All those hard and lonely times were worth it.’”
2014 found Riki Knox filling her travel book with trips between Toronto and Nashville, and into Western Canada to lay the groundwork for her forthcoming album in 2015. “I wanted to write songs that really spoke to who I am as both an artist and a person” she explains. Staying true to that statement, she spent time writing with some very notable songwriters, including Willie Mack (Sara Evans, Collin Raye, The Oakridge Boys, Mark Wills), Jason McCoy (The Road Hammers), Duane Steele, Jake Mathews, Patricia Conroy, and Troy Kokol among others. Her latest single is called Beautiful Thing.
In the few short years they have been together, The Washboard Union have defied classification and have become one of the most exciting and talked about new bands on the Canadian Country music scene. They’ve being nominated for Roots Artists of the Year by the British Columbia Country Music Association, have signed on with the country music power house management team at Sakamoto Entertainment and inked a recording deal Warner Music Canada/Slaight Music.
The Washboard Union is made up of 6 members based out of Vancouver, British Columbia that are led by principles Aaron Grain, Chris Duncombe and David Roberts. The three share a very similar unconscious soundtrack and unbridled love for the art of songwriting and storytelling.
The Washboard Union is an authentic blend of where country and bluegrass have come and where they are headed next. It is for that reason that the band has earned so many fans along the way. Serving notice that they are not about to conform to convention, the band’s independently released self-titled debut album was produced by noted rock producers Garth "GGGarth" Richardson (Nickelback, Hedley) and Canadian Music Hall of Famer Bob Ezrin (Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd). That record led to the band’s BC Country Music Association nomination.
In January 2015, The Washboard Union returned to Nashville to record their latest EP In My Bones in the legendary RCA Studio A. The album was produced by Trey Bruce (Faith Hill, Randy Travis, Diamond Rio). The band met Trey after having written the song “Someday” together earlier in 2014. Trey called the band immediately after that first session and demanded he take the producer helm for the band's next record.
Toronto's Dayna Shereck releases her debut EP called Suitcase Full Of Dreams on June 23rd. The project was produced by Larry Beaird of Beaird Music Studios in Nashville. She is also releasing a music video for the song "Goodbye Doesn't Say It All".
“Life is messy, and I’m not afraid to write about it,” says Dayna. “There is no such thing as playing it safe in music. I want to say what people are really feeling, and that comes down to being willing to be vulnerable.”
Dayna describes herself as “a late bloomer” in music and more of a writer than a vocalist.
In the four short years Dayna has been writing, she has made numerous trips to Nashville and developed a strong relationship with Dan Hodges Publishing which has led to writing opportunities with more established writers. She has been placed on NSAI’s “Ones to Watch” list, and has been a finalist and semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition for 2012, 2013 and 2014. She has had her songs recorded by several independent artists, including co-writing two songs placed on Marcum Stewart’s album “Put It in Drive”, an album that has secured TV and film placements in the US, and that has received airplay on the UK-BBC. “Whadaya Say”, a song co-written with Marcum Stewart and Shantell Ogden, was recently placed in the new film “On the Wing” with Corbin Bernsen and Shirley Jones.
“Country music has always been about honesty and true emotion” says Don Graham of Cashbox Canada. “Dayna Shereck delivers both in spades. Great songs, great voice. With talent like this, she will be around for a long time”.
Heather Ballentine is a charming, talented, and down-to-earth Southern belle. She is also an entrepreneur, singer/songwriter, pin-up model, and actress. Her life long pursuit of excellence began in Arkansas where she was born. She grew up with passion for performing, and always knew what she was meant to do. Her mother was named after Marilyn Monroe, which sparked Heather’s interest in pin up fashion, culture and lifestyle. Her father, a musician with a fondness for retro music, encouraged her to listen to artists such as Elvis, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Wanda Jackson, and Buddy Holly, all of whom became Heather’s musical influences.
During University, Heather began modelling and was selected for the Catalina Swimwear campaign which featured her in advertisements and on the runway. However, she soon realized that her curvy figure would not be embraced by mainstream agencies. Rather than be discouraged, she embraced her own pin up style and it became her mission to send a message that curves are cool. She placed top-ten in the Miss Arkansas Pageant, and was the overall swimsuit winner, which assisted in paying for her education. After graduation, Heather was cast to star as “Ado Annie” in Discoveryland USA’s production of “Oklahoma”.
In 2011, Heather moved to Canada and happily adopted it as her new home. Based in Toronto, she is actively building her pin up brand. She and her co-writer Larry Bartley, recently recorded with Grammy-Winning Producer Pete Anderson to create her album, “The Cat’s Meow”. The current single is "Kiss Me". Heather's signature sound appeals to big band, swing, country, and rockabilly audiences alike.
Mississauga, Ontario's ALESSIA COHLE began her life in music at a very early age when she began playing piano and singing at age four. Her passion for country music began after attending her first concert – Shania Twain’s ‘Come On Over Tour’ — at age 8. This experience ignited a spark, inspiring her to follow a career in music. Soon, Alessia began performing at local fairs and festivals, as well as on stage with her singer grandfather, and her bass-playing father.
Alessia is poised to contribute to the future of country music with the release of her debut EP “Let’s Get Gone” in the spring of 2015. Alessia explains: “It’s a collection of songs that reflect my personality, allowing me to entirely expose my heart and soul. The lyrics in each song express a different message ranging from love, heartache, self- discovery and self-worth. These songs, both lyrically and melodically, have given me the opportunity to grow as a person and an artist.” The first single “Sunday Shoes” hit radio back in April, 2015.The song is infectious and will make you want to sing along and muddy up those shoes! Other stand out tracks on the EP included “Here Comes the Summer”, “Chain It Up”, and the title track, “Let’s Get Gone” – which were written or co-written by Alessia.
Tune in and get to know Alessia and her music!
CURTIS GRAMBO
The latest single from Saskatchewan's Curits Grambo is Little White Dress.
www.curtisgrambo.com
OLIVIA ROSE
The latest single from Alberta's Olivia Rose is Make Up To Mud.
www.oliviarosemusic.ca
MATT WILLIAMS
The latest single from Ontario's Matt Williams is Spinnin' Around.
www.mattwilliamsproductions.com
Sammy Kershaw's brand new album I Won't Back Down (Cleopatra Records) - released June 9, 2015 - features the cover songs Take A Letter Maria and the Tom Petty title track. The first single is called Grillin' and Chillin'. The album also features the love song Groove written by Sudbury, Ontario's Gil Grand and Texan Adam Fears.
Country fans know and love Sammy's chart-topping Country hits over the years including "Cadillac Style", "Don't Go Near The Water", "She Don't Know She's Beautiful", "Queen Of My Double Wide Trailer" - and the list goes on.
In 2014, Kershaw - a Louisiana native - released "Do You Know Me? A Tribute To George Jones." The two were close friends and recorded the country hit Never Bit A Bullet Like This in 1994.
"George Jones was the greatest country soul singer that ever lived, and he was my hero and my friend. I’ve known George since I was 14 years old, we were friends for over 40 years. I loved the guy, and still do. I miss him every day, and it was just an honor and a privilege (to record this tribute album)."
Sammy's song Louisiana Hot Sauce was used on the TV show True Blood in 2009 and quickly gave him a new audience who went online at the time to find the song.
“Sammy Kershaw is one of those voices that you know the moment you hear it. We at Cleopatra are excited to work with an artist of Sammy’s caliber,” says Cleopatra Records President Tim Yasui.
Tune in to hear Sammy chat with me about his new album, George Jones, Cadillac Style, touring Canada, the song he wish he had recorded and much more!
IN THE COUNTRY presents COUNTRY LEGENDS
MOE BANDY
Moe Bandy’s long string of hits include "Bandy The Rodeo Clown", "Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life", "Till I’m Too Old To Die Young", "Americana", "It's A Cheatin' Situation", "Just "I Just Started Hatin' Cheatin' Songs Today", "Rodeo Romeo", "You Haven’t Heard the Last of Me" and dozens of other chart-toppers. Whether writing, recording new songs or travelling the world performing. Moe keeps one of the busiest schedules in show business. Some of his noteworthy accomplishments are: 10 # 1 Hits, 40 Top Ten Hits, 66 Chart Hits, 5 Gold Albums, ACM Song of The Year, ACM Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year, American Video of the year, ACM and CMA Duet of the Year.
LEROY VAN DYKE
Leroy Van Dyke, of "Auctioneer" and "Walk On By" fame, star of the movie, "What Am I Bid?", is known around the world as an entertainer, recording artist, radio and television star, actor, auctioneer and veteran of the Nevada circuit. He has recorded over 500 songs, and probably holds the record for most repeat-performance bookings of any working, name country music entertainer. Music industry experts chose Leroy as the Country Music Entertainer of the Decade for the 1960s. Leroy hosted his own syndicated television series, "The Leroy Van Dyke Show;" he hosted the 1965 Country Music Association Awards Show at which Ernest Tubb was inducted into the Hall of Fame; he was the first entertainer to receive the prestigious Country Music Association Founding President's Award for contributing to the advancement and improved image of Country music.
Cadence Grace, Ann Chaplin and Stacey Zegers have had major successes in their own right as solo female artists, but never imagined that together their collective talents would catapult them to an entirely new level as Runaway Angel.
Individually, they have toured Canada, the United States, Europe and Britain, opening for major acts like Dean Brody, Aaron Pritchett, One More Girl, Jessie Farrell, Aaron Lines, Terri Clark, Emerson Drive, and Doc Walker.
It all began in 2009 when Stacey and Cadence met on set during the filming of CMT’s Karaoke Star, where both were finalists and became fast friends. Cadence then met Ann at CCMA Week in 2011 and they clicked instantly. In late 2013, the three friends joined forces and together Runaway Angel was born.
The girls’ first online release in January 2014 titled ‘Our Story’ was the first song they wrote together as a trio and it landed them in the Regional Finals for the 2014 CBC Searchlight contest. Summer of 2014 was filled with ground breaking experiences for the trio, who enjoyed their first opening spots as a group for Dierks Bentley and Tim Hicks, and played in the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase. They were invited to present an award at the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards and attended 2014 Country Music Week in Edmonton where they performed in the Coast to Coast Showcase at West Edmonton Mall.
March 9th, 2015 was the release of their debut single ‘Run Angel Run’ co-written with Ole Publishing’s Bruce Wallace and produced by award-winning producer Jason Barry. Stacey, Ann and Cadence are excited to release their debut EP this spring.
Runaway Angel earned 4 nominations at the 2015 CMAO Awards.
In The Country Triple Play - May 31, 2015
Tune in to hear stories & songs - and the latest news - from these three talented Canadian Country artists.
DELANEY GRANT
Ontario's Delaney Grant's latest single is called "Black and Blue."
ALEX RUNIONS
Saskatchewan's Alex Runions' latest single is called "Passenger Seat."
TANYA MARIE HARRIS
Ontario's Tanya Marie Harris' latest single is called "Treat Me Like Your Girlfriend."
Ontario Country artist CORY MARQUARDT has just released his debut album called This Man featuring the first single "21."
Cory returns as part of the Outlaws & Outsiders tour this June with dates in Ontario. The tour stars Aaron Pritchett and also features new country duo King & Cash.
His influences range from Eric Church to Merle Haggard - and from Rush to John Mayer. If it's a good song, it'll catch Cory's ear.
"I’m a huge fan of Eric Church and very happy with what he is doing in country music," explains Cory. "I still have some boot left to fill but I’m making my way and plan on doing that. Like me, he has a solid rock background mixed with some traditional country which is included especially in our live show."
Like most Canadian Country artists, the journey of writing and recording includes trips to Nashville.
"Since my first trip to Nashville in 2012, I’ve written over 100 songs with some amazing writers and have created some really cool and honest songs. Writing with people like Rob Crosby, Jason Deere, James Dean Hicks, my good friend Danick Dupelle from Emerson Drive, Patricia Conroy and many more make the writing process fun and quite easy."
Tune in to hear Cory talk about his music career, songwriting, Nashville, his new album & much more!
New Brunswick's MIKE LEBLANC brought his traditional country sound to the Cadillac Lounge this spring as part of Canadian Music Week. He played songs off his album Alive And Well.
Born in Moncton, New Brunswick, Mike moved at a young age - along with his family - to a small town called Collette, NB. Growing up, there was always music playing in the house or people jamming with their guitars and other instruments. Mike's first public appearance was at 7 years old in church. He didn't know he could sing back then but his teacher knew right away.
At 15, Mike entered a local singing contest and took everyone by surprise with his covers of songs by Randy Travis. From that point on, he was frequently asked to do amateur shows and house parties. When he reached the age of 17, he joined his first band and played all over the province and into the U.S. In 1999, he packed his instruments and his clothes and headed towards Calgary, Alberta to see what the music industry had to offer there. He was hired by a band called Uptown Riders three days upon his arrival to the big city. The band toured all over Western Canada for a few years.
In 2011, Mike's songwriting went into high gear. In this period, he wrote songs such as "When I'm Good" and "We Lived On" which were the first songs to be created for the album Alive and Well. His influences range from George Jones to Merle Haggard to Waylon Jennings to Travis Tritt. You can hear those influences in the way he sings a country song.
With three Alberta Country Music Association Group of the Year nominations to their name, along with nominations for Fans' Choice, Song of the Year and Album of the Year, Alberta's DOMINO is on their way to even bigger success in country music.
Coming from various backgrounds in music, the group consists of:
Kent Nixon on lead guitar and vocals – One will most likely find Kent at rodeos, having bbq parties (mixes a mean martini) and spending time with family. He also has his sights on getting his pilot's license!
Luanne Carl on bass and vocals – When not songwriting and performing you can find Luanne watching horror movies or in the mountains, hiking and camping with family.
Scott McKnight drummer and vocals – Scott is an avid hockey player, loves to golf and travel. You might even catch him honing some guitar playing skills!
Russ Carl on guitar, mandolin and vocals – Russ enjoys reading, painting and a good round of golf as well as camping with the family. No soggy chips or warm beer for this guy!
Other singles they have released include; “One Day At A Time”, “In A Small Town” and the ACMA nominated song “All We Need Tonight”. A video for “One Day At A Time” from the album “Scrapbook” was recorded by the town’s local high school video & film students.
Domino has established a brand of their own that shines through on their forthcoming album called Ghost to be released in June 2015. It features the first single out at country radio now called One More Kiss.
OLIVIA FRANCES is an old soul wrapped inside the effervescent free spirit of an 18-year-old girl. This talented singer-songwriter originally from Cincinnati, OH and now based in Nashville began her musical journey at a young age – her first performance was a duet with a friend during an elementary school talent show. Her pursuit of the spotlight was set in motion in 7th Grade when Olivia had her first solo at the school’s Winter Concert. It was a moment that remains vividly in her mind; as she stepped up to the microphone, away from the choir and sang her first solo, Olivia knew in that instant that being on stage was where she belonged.
She started studying music in earnest after that; with piano at age six and by the time she was 12, her love of guitar and songwriting came to the forefront. Olivia continues to hone her musical talents and took the step of moving to Nashville on her own after graduating high school. After joining the prestigious Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) at age 12, her move to Nashville enabled Olivia to become more active and attend more NSAI events. Her days are spent perfecting her music, while at the same time learning as much as she can about the music business as an intern with a record label. The valuable experience and connections she makes have allowed Olivia to play at such well-respected venues as The Commodore Grille and The Bluebird.
All in all, this is only the beginning for the vivacious young girl who grew up in Cincinnati with no musical influence in her family. Olivia’s mother is a writer and her father runs their family business. Their love and support have shaped Olivia into the hard working, always curious young woman she is today. Olivia is planning an exciting new project in 2015 and continues to pursue her dreams while writing and making music in the Music City.
Acclaimed for bringingrock energy to country audiences, Aaron Pritchett continues to hold the title of one of the most sought after artists in the business. His passion and intensity for his art overflows on stage and spills into his unwavering dedication to his fans.
Growing up in small-town Northern BC, Aaron drew his earliest musical influences from 80’s Rock, but the transition to country music came naturally: “It was based on being able to relate to the stories that country songs told. Those stories were a lot like mine. I was going fishing, camping, and riding buses to hockey tournaments in even smaller towns than my own, life was a lot more country than rock and roll. That feeling resonated with me and I strive to convey that in my music today.”
Aaron has climbed the country radio & CMT charts with past hits like “Big Wheel”, “Hold My Beer” and “Let’s Get Rowdy” to his latest successes “Boat On The Water”, “Hold You Like My Whiskey” and “Wake You With A Kiss”. Aaron has just released his first Greatest Hits album called Body Of Work available now at iTunes.
Tune in to hear Aaron discuss his Body Of Work and share some of his biggest hits.
LARRY BERRIO
Sudbury's Larry Berrio just finished performing at the Cadillac Lounge in Toronto (May 9th) as part of the Crown 26 Artist Showcase. His new album called The Journey will be released this spring. The lead single is a ballad called Get It Right The First Time. Larry has opened up show for Brooks & Dunn, Terri Clark, Johnny Reid and other big names. In 2010, he released the song and video Rock Town which was dedicated to the hard working men and women in the mining industry. He has been a featured guest on several television programs such as Canada in the Rough, Fins and Skins, The Red Green Show, Go Riding and Snowmobiler TV. Tune in to hear Larry's latest single and learn more about his new album and plans for 2015.
WENDY LYNN SNIDER
Country artist Wendy Lynn Snider was born & raised in the beautiful surroundings of Temagami, Ontario. She grew up in a musical family listening to Christian and classic Country performed by artists like Waylon Jennings, Johnny & June Carter Cash, and Patsy Cline. As she grew up, through all the twists and turns life brings, she kept singing and songwriting and sharing her gift. In 2010, she re-connected with high school friend and long-time music industry person Michael Peters. He encouraged her to record another CD and brought in popular Country artist Thomas Wade to produce the album. Wendy has just finished recording a brand new album and she's here to tell us all about it.
BIG TOBACCO AND THE PICKERS New Album "The King Is Gone" will be released May 12, 2015.
Since 2008, Big Tobacco and The Pickers have been bringing their unique brand of traditional country to bar rooms, taverns, halls and festivals around Ontario. Their ongoing monthly residency at Toronto roots institution The Cameron House has gained them a loyal following of country music fans. Regular appearances at legendary rooms like The Dakota Tavern and The Cadillac Lounge have helped develop their gritty live show into what it is today - a glimpse back at the golden age of country music. Their renditions of the classics, along with traditional sounding original material, will make you and your friends want to dance all night & drink too much. From the rich tones of the pedal steel, to the hot licks of the Fender Telecaster, Big Tobacco and the Pickers deliver a new brand of country music, true to old school tradition.
Country legend JOHN CONLEE's success began in the late 1970s. His first release “Back Side Of Thirty” didn't climb the charts too high. Three more singles also met with a minimum success, although they all charted. But in March of 1978, the label released “Rose Colored Glasses,” a song John co-wrote, which became a huge hit as well as becoming his signature song. In January of 1979, the label re-released “Back Side of Thirty” which went on to become a No. 1 record, and the hits continued. The Conlee hit list includes songs like “Lady Lay Down,” “Friday Night Blues,” “Miss Emily’s Picture,” “Busted,” and “I Don’t Remember Loving You.”
He's been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1981 and was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall Of Fame in 2006.
John has just released an album called Classics 2 - available at iTunes - featuring many of his big hits. His latest single is called "Walkin' Behind The Star."
Dallas Smith
British Columbia's Dallas Smith has skyrocketed to the very top of the Country music scene. His 2012 debut album entitled Jumped Right In generated 5 singles in the Canadian Hot 100, including the GOLD selling title-track, garnered five CCMA Award nominations and was nominated for Country Album of the Year at the 2013 JUNO Awards. Following a slew of sold out tour dates with Florida Georgia Line and Bob Seger, Dallas released 2013's Tippin' Point EP making his debut in the U.S. and setting the bar high while representing Canadian Country music's cutting edge sound. Amassing national appeal, he earned three 2014 CCMA Award nominations including Single, Album and Male Artist of the Year and is the first Canadian country artist to have 8 singles reach the Top 10 at radio in Canada. Lifted - the latest album from Dallas Smith featuring the #1 single "Wastin' Gas" - reunites him with prized producer Joey Moi (Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen).
John Conlee
Country legend John Conlee’s success began in the late 1970s. His first release, “Back Side Of Thirty” went nowhere fast. Three more singles also met with a minimum success, although they all charted. But in March of 1978, the label released “Rose Colored Glasses,” a song John wrote, which became a huge hit as well as becoming his signature song. In January of 1979, the label re-released “Back Side of Thirty” which went on to become a No. 1 record, and the hits continued. The Conlee hit list includes songs like “Lady Lay Down,” “Friday Night Blues,” “Miss Emily’s Picture,” “Busted,” “I Don’t Remember Loving You.” John has just released an album called Classics 2 featuring many of his big hits. His latest single is called "Walkin' Behind The Star."
RYAN LAIRD
Ryan Laird is a 2-time Canadian Country Music Awards and Canadian Radio Music Awards nominated recording artist. His live show is something special, winning over audiences for over a decade. His new album is called Bigger Than That. In 2014, Ryan helped to found the BiggerThanThat! program. It's a bullying prevention and youth empowerment program. Ryan has traveled all across Canada visiting schools where he shares his life story while offering an entertaining and engaging music concert.
JAMIE WOODFIN
Jamie Woodfin hails from the town of Ponoka, Alberta, home of the Canadian Rodeo Hall of Fame. As a teen, he picked up his first guitar, learned to play the drums and promptly formed a band which he fronted through junior & senior high. In his early 20's, he rediscovered the charm of country music and started following artists who would ultimately become his contemporaries - gifted singer/songwriters like Eric Church, Jamey Johnson and Dierks Bentley. His new single is called "Just Feels Right."
BRODY SIEBERT
Born and raised in the small farming community of Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, Brody Siebert grew up in a family full of musical talent. He flew down to Nashville in November of 2014 where he recorded three songs. One of the songs titled "Lay It On Me Tonight" came out the gate with lots of hometown support where it spent 4 days as the number one requested song on Saskatoon's 92.9 The Bull and hit number 85 on the Country Mediabase charts in its first month at radio
DIRT ROAD ANGELS
The five talented, creative and seasoned recording artists that make up Alberta's Dirt Road Angels are: Shawna Lynne, Shila Marie, Danita, Karen Claypool and Dahlia Wakefield. Their brand new album is called Paint The Town Red. It features catchy country rock songs such as the title track, which is their first single; the upbeat and fun song "Make Me Wanna"; they get tender on "Memories" and show their heartwarming side on "Best Friend." All are songs they wrote and performed at their 2014 Canadian Country Music Association Diamonds in the Rough showcase.
CURTIS BRALY
Country music became Curtis Braly's first love. While in school, he took advantage of every performing opportunity given to him. In the eighth grade, he won first place in a talent contest singing "Old Time Rock-n-Roll". That set things in motion for Curtis to seriously pursue performing live. "Something magical happened to me on that stage," he said. "I knew that music was my destiny, there is no other feeling like it!" This Texas artist's latest single is called "Doors Closing Everywhere."
Songwriter and Recording Artist JAMES HOUSE co-wrote Grammy Nominated Country Song of the Year “Ain’t That Lonely Yet” (recorded by Dwight Yoakam) and CMA Nominated Song of the Year “A Broken Wing” (recorded by Martina McBride) along with another smash hit "In A Week Or Two” (recorded by Diamond Rio).
Other artists to record his songs include Tina Turner, Olivia Newton-John, Rod Stewart, The Mavericks and Sara Evans - to name just several.
Born & raised in Sacramento, California, James pursued music in L.A. before making the move to Nashville in the late 1980s. Not long after the move, he was signed to MCA Records, where he began a string of chart hits like “Don’t Quit Me Now” and “Hard Times For An Honest Man.”
A switch to Epic Nashville produced the critically-acclaimed Days Gone By album and yielded the top 5 hit “This Is Me Missing You,” and top 20 singles “Real Good Way To Wind Up Lonesome” and “Little By Little.”
His latest album is entitled Songwriters Serenade. It features 10 songs co-written with James by some of the most successful songwriters in country music. One of the most talked about tracks has James singing the duet "Over Getting Over You" with newcomer Natalie Noone (daughter of famed founder/member of the Herman's Hermits, Peter Noone).
DANIELLE MARIE
Young singer-songwriter Danielle Marie from Cardiff Echoes, Alberta has always had a passion for music. She participated in early music programs and continued with music/band in school until 2011, when she decided to seriously pursue a music career.
Heavily influenced by contemporary artists like Ed Sheeran and Adele, Danielle released her first EP in July 2013. While the folk/alt-folk offering attracted much attention – and even hit the #1 local spot on ReverbNation – she was convinced that musically, there was more. A month later, she headed to Nashville with 5 songs in hand, and recorded a full album, ‘More Than Just A Girl’, and shot her first music video.
Danielle's new single "What You Can't Have" is being released April 14th.
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MIKE EDEL
Even the title of his latest album "India, Seattle" (released April 14th) feels like a story on it’s own. Victoria’s Mike Edel couldn’t have named his sophomore release more poetically.
Part of growing a little bit older, a little bit wiser is the awareness that comes inside growing spaces. Nearing thirty, on the exhaust of a brutal four year touring schedule, Mike settled inside these spaces to create his finest work yet. There’s something about the way he presents personal experiences in a way that project universal understandings. Love and beauty, pain and confusion, the knowledge that all precious things are only precious because they can be lost. It feels a little bit like growing up - like the moment when everything that felt so close as a young person is all of a sudden so far away. It’s the comfort in finding that you aren’t alone.
Their musical bond is as strong as their small town roots: Twin Kennedy, comprised of West Coast sisters Carli and Julie Kennedy, have been making music together since they could talk. Born and raised in the small town of Powell River, British Columbia, the sister duo grew up perfecting their sibling harmonies and dynamic live performances, while making their name known throughout their small community as a family band.
Growing up in such a musically infused family, it is no wonder that these sisters crafted their sound through a unique fusion of their background in country, folk, jazz and classical music. With years of classical training, including their Bachelors Degrees in Music Performance from the University of Victoria, the sisters have found their home in country music. With Carli on vocals and guitar, and Julie on vocals and violin, these petite powerhouses will fill your soul with joy and warmth through their seamless harmonies and heartfelt songwriting.
Having released two EPs - and receiving seven BCCMA Award nominations since 2012 - as Carli & Julie Kennedy, these sisters are set to debut their first album as Twin Kennedy on April 7th. Produced by multiple CCMA and JUNO award winning artist George Canyon and renowned producer Graham Sharkey, the album "It's A Love Thing" is a beautifully honest account of the ebb and flow of the navigation through love and life.
Alberta's PAUL BRANDT - the most awarded male Canadian Country Music artist in history - climbed the charts once again last summer with his song Forever Summer. It's another title to add to his long list of hits which include My Heart Has A History, I Do, That's The Truth, Small Towns & Big Dreams and Didn't Even See The Dust.
A former pediatric registered nurse, Paul had a passion for words and poetry early in life, and began to write music at the age of 13. He also had the goal of one day becoming a doctor. While reaching for his medical dreams during his college years, Paul started entering and winning talent competitions, one of which was the Youth Talent Showdown at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. He credits these contests as events that altered the course of his life.
Paul returns to In The Country to discuss his latest single called "Nothing" & much more!
FEATURED INTERVIEW: ANTHONY TULLO
Oakville, Ontario's ANTHONY TULLO is an accomplished actor/producer/screenwriter and is now adding 'Country artist' to that list of credits.
“I always wanted to make music. I was a big fan of Bryan Adams and that gritty vocal style and great songs. But the more I thought about the stronger I felt the lure of country music with a rock edge. I hooked up with some talented and well connected folks and my new album Switching Tracks is the result.”
Anthony has starred or co-starred in television and film projects such as “Liberty Street”, “Mutant X”, “The Relic Hunter”, and “Out There with Melissa DiMarco.” He wrote a psychological thriller screenplay called “A Secret Cross” in 2011. “A Secret Cross” got the attention of social media distributor Linda Nelson at Nelson Madison Films in Los Angeles and also won the International Award of Excellence at the Los Angeles Movie Awards in 2012. It was also selected to be a part of the Moving Images Film Festival in Toronto and won Best Independent Feature Film.
ALSO ON THIS EPISODE:
REBEKAH STEVENS is a country/pop singer-songwriter currently residing in Kitchener, Ontario. As well as being a Boots & Hearts 2013 Emerging Artist Finalist, Rebekah recently released her debut EP called Here I Am featuring the current single "Better In The Past."
MURRAY WILLIAMS - born & raised on the farmlands of rural Ontario - is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, piano, bass and banjo. Country fans are loving his current album Goin' Nowhere Fast which showcases his traditional country music style.
On June 14, 2014, Canadian eventer Jordan McDonald suffered a fatal injury while competing at the Nunney International Horse Trials held at Southfield House, Whatley, Frome, Somerset, GBR.
This tragic loss inspired Jordan’s sister, Shannon, who performs as Shanna Lynn in the country music duo known as Georgia Rain, with Damian Marshall (her husband), to record a rendition of his favourite song.
A self-taught guitarist, Jordan loved “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel. Shanna Lynn fondly recalls the times he would play it and ask her to sing along. She didn’t know the words then, but she is pleased to sing it for him now. “This was the hardest recording we have ever done. [It] tugs at the heart strings…very bittersweet for me,” said Shanna Lynn, “but I know he’s listening.”
The song is now available on itunes. Proceeds will go towards keeping Jordan’s dreams and goals alive through his wife, Shandiss, and their horses.
Visit www.rememberingjordanmcdonald.com
- Story from Horse-Canada.com.
Tune in to hear Shannon & Damian remember Jordan in stories and song.
On this episode I welcome Nova Scotia's Kevin Davison ("When Those Sirens Are Gone") & Ontario's Maddy Rodriguez ("Fascinated").
Each artist will chat with me about their music career, latest news and will share their current radio single.
Live from Ontario and heard around the world, In The Country with Dave Woods has been broadcasting online since March 2009.
Born & raised in the small Alberta Peace Country town of Hines Creek, music found DUANE STEELE early on. He fondly remembers parties at his parents' home with everyone sitting around singing and playing various instruments. As teenagers, Duane and his cousins started a band spending summers and weekends playing for weddings and community dances.
In 1984, Duane's professional career began, fronting the band Rock 'N' Horse. Their album Highways was released in 1991. Despite top 20 singles, non stop touring, and a Juno nomination for Country Band of the Year Rock 'N' Horse disbanded in 1993. Duane took this opportunity to pursue his goals as a recording artist and songwriter, landing a publishing contract with Warner Chapel in Nashville.
In 1995, a showcase at Canadian Country Music Week in Calgary resulted in his signing a recording contract with Mercury Canada. Duane's solo debut album "PO Box 423" was released in February 1996 and saw his first three singles go Top 5 on the Canadian Country Charts, including the #1 Hit "Anita Got Married". His sophomore release "This Is The Life" was released a year and a half later and all six singles released achieved Top 30 chart position (two becoming Top 10 hits). In support of both albums, Duane released seven music videos on CMT (three of which went to #1).
He spent time on the road traveling with his CCMA award-winning band opening for some of the hottest acts in country music including Shania Twain. In 1997, Duane was the winner of the CCMA for Vocal Collaboration of the Year with Lisa Brokop for the single "Two Names On An Overpass".
Duane has just released a new album called Dirt & Dreams. Tune in to hear him talk about his music career & the new songs.
JAKE MATHEWS was born and raised in a northern Ontario town immortalized by Stompin’ Tom Connors for its wild Saturday nights. He couldn’t have known it then, but one of his early memories foretells his country music future.
“When I was 14, I traveled to Canada’s Wonderland in Toronto and entered this booth where you could record the song of your choice,” recalls the laid back Sudbury-born singerand songwriter. “I sang Randy Travis’ song "I Told You So" and after I recorded it, they played it over the loudspeaker while I hung around with my friends.”
Now calling Calgary home for the past 18 years, Jake has enjoyed great success at radio with numerous top 20 hits such as “If I Had It My Way”, “Beer Necessities”, “Kings For A Day”, “Time After Time”, “I’m Gone” as well as others - and has received several Canadian Country Music Award nominations.
Jake has had over 50 of his songs recorded by artists in Canada and the US. Most recent cuts include 2 songs on Gord Bamford’s current album Country Junkie and 1 song on Autumn Hill’s current album Favourite Mistake.
Following up his latest Top 20 hit “Beer Necessities" and the fan favourite "In Our Own Backyard", Jake just released “Road And The Radio” to country radio in Canada and iTunes.
Jake is currently finishing up his 4th studio album which is set to be released in the spring of 2015.
It's time for another visit from Country artist MICHELLE WRIGHT! She has just released a brand new single to radio called "Laugh A Little."
Michelle was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame in 2011. Her long list of country hits includes “Take It Like A Man”, “He Would Be Sixteen”, “One Good Man” & “Nobody’s Girl”.
Fans raved about Michelle’s Songs From The Halls Tour 2012. This full band presentation featured many of her award-winning hits, plus a diverse collection of songs from members of various Halls of Fame, whose music – country, pop, soul and rock – has inspired Michelle throughout her career.
Her 2013 album entitled Strong – featuring the title track anthem – found Michelle co-writing on 10 of the 11 tracks. Originally from Ontario, she moved to Nashville in 1991 and has made it her home ever since. Michelle is excited to share new music with all of us this year.
With over 25 hit singles and 12 CCMAs in the past two decades, DOC WALKER's Chris Thorsteinson and Dave Wasyliw have seen it all - but at the end of the day, they know what - and who – is ultimately important.
That’s What I Call Love, a romantic tribute to their wives, follows the top ten single Put It Into Drive, the summer jam Shake It Like It’s Saturday Night and the catchy That’s How I Like It - all from their latest album called The 8th.
Manitoba's Doc Walker called on fans to submit family and love-inspired photos, giving other families and couples a chance to share their love. The pictures are featured in the lyric video for That's What I Call Love.
“Our music speaks to the pride we have in our roots, and the gratitude we have to the fans,” says lead singer Chris Thorsteinson, “and that is the most important thing. At the end of the day, all we want to do is write a record that we love, and that we know our fans are going to love and want to sing along to.”
Described as having "a voice stolen from angels", TIA MCGRAFF first stepped into the international spotlight on a CBC TV special with Johnny Cash and June Carter. Johnny was so impressed with Tia, he invited her into June's dressing room to introduce the two. Johnny Cash wasn't the only one who recognized this shining star. Soon the likes of Randy Bachman (BTO), Dan Hill (Celine Dion), Andrew Gold, and countless others, were inviting Tia to write and record with them.
Tia's most recent album is called Break These Chains and was produced by her co-writer/husband Tommy Parham. The rootsy melodies and honest lyrics have been produced with such integrity that listeners feel they are listening to something hauntingly familiar and refreshingly real. Perhaps it's because Tia’s influences include lyrical genuises like Joni Mitchell, Patty Griffin, and Mary Gauthier, or because she has drawn from the stories of those who have touched her heart.
"Break These Chains is maybe her finest work to date. Sometimes by album number 5 an artist becomes complacent, satisfied with rehashing and redoing their past work.Same old wine in a different bottle. Fortunately, Tia has not fallen into that trap. She continues to grow and expand her talents as a songwriter and as a fine singer. McGraff has that quality, naturally, that singers strive for: believability." - Don Graham, Cashbox Canada
Tia is here to share some brand new songs with us including "Baby's Got A Banjo".
With a blend of Country and Pop/Rock backgrounds, AUSTIN BELLE is equipped with the perfect combination of well-written songs and two talented artists. Lead guitarist and songwriter Jesse Wainwright hails from the hit-making, award-winning rock band State of Shock, lending his musical skills and incredible stage presence to the group. Jesse is balanced by lead singer and songwriter Stacey McKitrick. Together, they create a new sound that can only be described as magical. Along with a talented backing band, their catchy songs and energetic stage show leave audiences wanting more. Combined, they have had the opportunity to perform with notable acts Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Great Big Sea, and more. Their debut EP is called Just Drive featuring the latest single Back Where We Belong.
Barrie, Ontario Country artist AMY ROSE entered her first singing contest Barrie’s Promenade Days at age 5. That was when her parents realized their daughter had talent to sing. She began to enter other talent competitions including Kinmount Fair which she won 3 years in a row - and got to meet one of her idols, Jason McCoy. At the age of 13, she released her first album Amy Rose - One Special Girl under an independent label. The release of this album landed her a spot on a Gospel tour where she opened for Conway Twitty’s daughters Joni & Kathy Twitty. Over the years, Amy has shared the stage with The Wilkinsons, Emerson Drive & High Valley. She's gained popularity and increased her fan base with the singles (Redneck Reunion) Party Like a Redneck, I Just Want You To Know & Sunshine. Her new single is called Show Up Naked And Bring Beer.
Whether as a solo artist or in a duet with with Helen Cornelius, JIM ED BROWN never fails to make magic with a song. But, any discussion about the career of Jim Ed would have to begin with the years he spent singing with his sisters Maxine and Bonnie as The Browns. Recording together for well over a decade, the trio put together a catalouge that included “Lookin’ Back To See,” “I Heard The Bluebirds Sing,” and their iconic 1959 crossover record “The Three Bells.”
Looking back on that family blend of harmony that brought him to the dance, Jim Ed says his singing with his siblings never really had a beginning point. It was just something that always was a part of life, growing up in Sparkman, Arkansas. “We started singing when we were young kids. I lost my little brother when I was nine years old, and I remember he and I sang together. We would listen to Daddy’s old battery operated radio. If it was a clear night, we might be able to pick up the Grand Ole Opry,” he recalls.
Jim Ed's easy going nature and movie-star good looks led to a long career on television – with stints on his own The Country Place TV show in the early 1970s, Nashville On The Road, and You Can Be A Star – which helped launch many of Music City’s greatest, including Linda Davis. Then, in 1976, fate – and Chet Atkins stepped in again. “Chet found this song, and gave it to Bob Ferguson – who was my producer at the time. It was a great song - ‘I Don’t Want To Have To Marry You.’ I wanted to do it solo, but he wanted me to do it as a duet. He said he wanted me to cut it with Helen Cornelius."
Jim Ed Brown joins me on the show to talk about his music career and new album In Style Again.
HEATHER BALLENTINE is a country girl right down to her roots. Raised in Arkansas, she has been singing and writing songs her entire life. Thanks to her father’s love of retro music, her early influences included Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Roy Orbison, and Buddy Holly.
During University, Heather began modelling and was selected for the Catalina Swimwear campaign, which featured her in advertisements and on the runway. She placed top-ten in the Miss Arkansas Pageant, andwas the overall swimsuit winner, which assisted in paying for her education. After graduation, Heather was cast to star as “Ado Annie” in Discoveryland USA’s production of “Oklahoma”. Performing 6 nights a week, for 3 straight months in a sold-out amphitheatre, gave Heather a taste of stardom. She packed up a U-Haul and moved to LA to pursue her music, acting, and modelling career.In LA, Heather met musicians with whom she collaborated. The band toured 10 countries while opening for major acts.
They were featured in The Wall Street Journal and noted as “Artist to Watch”. As an actress Heather has had speaking roles on General Hospital, independent films, and network television shows. She has also starred in National and Regional commercials. As a songwriter, she has had her music placed in numerous television shows and films.
In 2011, Heather moved to Canada and happily adopted it as her new home. Now based in Toronto, she recently recorded with Grammy Winning Producer, Pete Anderson. Heather and Pete have created her own signature sound that appeals to country, swing, and big band audiences alike. To see her live show is to fall in love with her retro charm. Her style is fresh, unique, and unforgettable.
Her debut single is called Needle In A Haystack.
RIKI KNOX is a singer, songwriter and entertainer who’s unique sound and genuine lyrics have seen her blazing a new trail in the country music scene. She has a style that is authentically her own. With the term ‘Bro Country’ at its peak, she offers a strong reminder that being “raised country” is a way of life…without gender attachment. “I grew up as one of the guys” she recalls. "Sure, I was happy to sit on the passenger side of the pick up, or on the back of the four wheeler, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t doing my fair share of the driving” She’s a girl who values and appreciates the ‘little things in life’. That grounded mindset has seen her go from playing church and charity events, to sharing the big stage with artists like Dallas Smith, Marc Jordan, and Justin Hines - to name a few.
2014 found Riki filling her travel book with trips between Toronto and Nashville, and into Western Canada to lay the groundwork for her forthcoming album. “I wanted to write songs that really spoke to who I am as both an artist and a person” she explains. Staying true to that statement, she spent time writing with some very notable songwriters, including Willie Mack (Sara Evans, Collin Raye, The Oakridge Boys, Mark Wills), Jason McCoy (The Road Hammers), Duane Steele, Jake Mathews, Patricia Conroy, and Troy Kokol among others. When satisfied that she had the right songs in hand, she headed back to Nashville armed with the goal of creating great new music that her fans would appreciate and relate to. With Willie Mack at the producers helm, the infectious hooks and lyrics, along with Riki’s energy and unique style, manage to seamlessly blend classic country, country rock, and a new age sound without missing a beat.
Riki's new single is called Six Feet Under.
The Western Swing Authority is a unique collaboration of seasoned professionals whose bios include multiple Canadian Country Music Awards (band members hold at least six CCMA awards and over 20 nominations among them), Juno nominations, and resumes that span from working with Gordon Lightfoot, to Ian Tyson, to George Canyon. They have been spreading the gospel of Western Swing around the world, being named the 2014 CMAO Roots Artist of the Year as well as picking up nominations for CCMA Group of the Year and Roots Artist Of The Year.
The WSA recently completed their new album called NOW PLAYING - produced by Jason Barry at Barrytone Studios. The project's release date is set for February 3rd, 2015.
The Western Swing Authority is: Shane Guse, Stacey Lee Guse, Ed Ringwald aka Pee Wee Charles, Paul Chapman, Dan Howlett, Matthew Lima and Jim Boudreau. They were signed to eOne Music Canada in 2014. Visit www.thewesternswingauthority.com for more information.
A group of three friends who made music in a house in Lubbock, Texas, recorded an album that wasn’t released and went their separate ways into solo careers. That group became a legend and then - twenty years later - a band. The Flatlanders - Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Butch Hancock - are icons in American music, with songs blending country, folk, and rock that have influenced a long list of performers, including Robert Earl Keen, the Cowboy Junkies, Ryan Bingham, Terry Allen, John Hiatt, Hayes Carll, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, and Lyle Lovett.
In The Flatlanders: Now It's Now Again, Austin author and music journalist John T. Davis traces the band’s musical journey from the house on 14th Street in Lubbock to their 2013 sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall. He explores why music was, and is, so important in Lubbock and how earlier West Texas musicians such as Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison, as well as a touring Elvis Presley, inspired the young Ely, Gilmore, and Hancock. Davis vividly recreates the Lubbock countercultural scene that brought the Flatlanders together and recounts their first year (1972–1973) as a band, during which they recorded the songs that, decades later, were released as the albums More a Legend Than a Band and The Odessa Tapes. He follows the three musicians through their solo careers and into their first decade as a (re)united band, in which they cowrote songs for the first time on the albums Now Again and Hills and Valleys and recovered their extraordinary original demo tape, lost for forty years. Many roads later, the Flatlanders are finally both a legend and a band.
BLACKWELL returns to radio with their latest single called Welcome To The Country which has already became a huge favorite when the band performs live!
BLACKWELL is a vocal trio led by singer/songwriter Braiden Turner along with singer/songwriter/guitarist Carey Blackwell and brother Dan Blackwell. All three are from musical families. Although Braiden is from Ottawa, much of her life has been spent in the small towns of southern Ontario where her family is from. Carey and Dan are from Northern Ontario where they began their musical lives
“Small town Ontario gives us the perspective of everyday people just like us” says Braiden, “We know how they think, because that’s how we think…and we can relate to them and they can relate to us! We’re all really very proud of our roots".
What else that all three have in common is their love of vocal harmony, original songs, the richness of their roots and their desire to showcase their brand of originality. Carey is also adamant that Braiden be featured out front and that he and Dan play supporting roles.“That’s where we feel comfortable” says Carey, “Braiden is the perfect vocalist and personality to lead BLACKWELL to where we want to go. She’s creative, determined and has so much energy it’s scary!”
CCMA award-winning country star Aaron Pritchett ("Hold My Beer", "Let's Get Rowdy", "Boat On The Water") is joined by special guests Cory Marquardt and newcomers King & Cash on the West Coast leg of their Outlaws & Outsiders tour this winter. Beginning last week in Victoria, BC, the tour will continue east with more dates to be announced soon. Outlaws & Outsiders promises rowdy, high-energy shows from both Aaron Pritchett and Cory Marquardt, who is set to release his sophomore album in the new year, and making their touring debut will be King & Cash, an Invictus Entertainment collaboration matching Faber Drive's Jordan Pritchett with country singer Dan Arnold.
"The Outlaws & Outsiders tour is something I've been dreaming of for a long time," says Aaron. "Not only is it a headlining tour but I also get to be on the road with some very cool company. Cory Marquardt is a killer performer so that's going to be a fun set to watch every night! The other reason I love the Outlaws & Outsiders tour is that my son, Jordan, will be one of the acts on the bill. He and Dan Arnold are the newcomers on the scene, making up King & Cash. All in all, so many great cities to play for the BEST fans in the world with the coolest people ever. Who could ask for more?"
Tune in to hear about the tour and new music from Aaron Pritchett.
Country artist JAMIE WARREN lives in Kitchener-Waterloo, but was raised in Hanover Ontario, where he pursued an adolescent dream of playing hockey professionally in the NHL, with music as a background distraction. When he realized that his natural abilities for singing and playing guitar might make it easier to attract the attention of girls, he hung up his blades. It was a logical progression for a sensitive guy who wrote poetry and short stories throughout his high school years.
His interest in music was likely genetic, since his mother sang and played piano, and his father played guitar and mandolin. Jamie had piano lessons at age 5 and guitar lessons at age 8, and by the time he was 10 years old, it was traditional for the Warrens to entertain after Saturday night euchre games in their smoke-filled basement. His earliest influences were whatever his parents listened to on the radio, and the only thing his parents radio seemed to play was country music. To this day, he’s still a huge fan of Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette and Patsy Cline.
Eventually, he began an association with producer J. Richard Hutt, who produced “Right Here Right Now” and all of Jamie’s previous recordings, but who initially engaged Jamie as a singer for jingles he produced out of his Kitchener-based CedarTree Studios. “I didn’t have a clue what I was doing” says Jamie, “but Rick had a lot of patience”. In 1993, Jamie was convinced that both radio and Nashville might have relaxed enough to make room for him again, and he released “Fallen Angel” on River North/Mercury Records, which yielded an enduring fan favourite and radio hit, “One Step Back”. There were many more hits to follow for this talented Canadian artist.
Tune in for stories & songs from Jamie on this episode of In The Country.
Nova Scotia's E.B. Anderson & The Resolutes derive their sound from a vintage country foundation, a keen sense of blues, and songwriting skills that catch the ear of even the most hardcore folk fans. Their latest album is called Broken Down Horse.
Here are a few of their recent accomplishments:
2014 Music Nova Scotia "Americana/Bluegrass Recording of the Year" Nominee
2014 ECMA "Rising Star Recording of the Year" Nominee
2014 The Coast "Best-Of" Survey - "Best Country Band" Silver Winner
Here are some reviews of their music:
“A whiskey-soaked, dusty-booted throwback vibe.” - The Coast
“Broken Down Horse is an admirable mix of blues, roots and rock ’n’ roll.”
-The Chronicle Herald
AMELIA MARCUS was born and raised in the small town of Bothwell, Ontario. Ever since she was a little girl, her interest in singing and performing was quite evident. She started singing at the age of 4 and every night she would sing along side her Dad while he played away on the keyboard. Amelia also took piano, drum, guitar and modeling lessons throughout her childhood years. In 2008, Amelia got in touch with Lake Effect Studio (Jim Hopson) and started working on a 3-song demo. She is now releasing her debut album Take Me Back featuring the current single Just Another Day (Trying Not To Love You).
Mississauga, Ontario's KAITLIN KOZELL was one of the top eight finalists in the Emerging Artist Showcase at the 2014 Boots & Hearts music festival. Since being added to the roster of Leafs anthem singers in the late fall of 2011 and performing at her first game in January of 2012, Kaitlin has had the opportunity to perform at numerous Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Marlies, and other MLSE events and functions. Kaitlin's latest single is called Heart Of This Home. It was just announced that Kaitlin will be part of the artist lineup at Boots & Hearts 2015 at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds, Oro-Medonte in August.
Dave Woods is a radio host, songwriter and columnist for the Country Music Association of Ontario. For more In The Country interviews, be sure to visit www.inthecountryinterviews.com
MIKE CASE is the owner of Case Music Store in Sault St. Marie. He is the NOCMA 2014 recipient of the Carol Patterson award. Mike is an important part of the continuing success of the NOCMA (Northern Ontario Country Music Association.)
CCMA Award-winning country star Aaron Pritchett will be joined by special guests Cory Marquardt and newcomers King & Cash to kick off the West Coast leg of their Outlaws & Outsiders tour this winter. Beginning on January 15, 2015 in Victoria, BC, the tour will continue east with more dates to be announced soon. Outlaws & Outsiders promises rowdy, high-energy shows from both Aaron Pritchett and Cory Marquardt, who is set to release his sophomore album in the new year, and making their touring debut will be King & Cash, an Invictus Entertainment collaboration matching Faber Drive's Jordan Pritchett with country singer Dan Arnold.
North Bay, Ontario's Cory Marquardt will release his debut album entitled This Man in 2015. It will feature his recent single "Smart Phone." Cory was named the 2012 Havelock Country Jamboree Showdown winner and has since performed at major festivals including the Kipawa Country Fest and The Truck Rodeo in Quebec. He has opened shows for rock legend Brian Howe (Bad Company), Country music icons Marty Stuart, Leroy Van Dyke, and Mark Chesnutt - as well as legendary group Blue Rodeo.
Tickets for the Outlaws & Outsiders tour are now on sale, details at www.aaron-pritchett.com.
Northern Ontario recording artist and entertainer Sacha-Lee is a singer songwriter with an edge. Her music is a mixture of Country, Rock, Blues and Pop, which reflects the different styles she was raised listening to.
Born into a family of musicians, Sacha-Lee has been performing since the age of seven which would explain her comfort on stage. Her ever ready smile and intoxicating energy makes everyone feel like a part of the party.
Her second and latest album entitled The Music Made Me Do It really reflects those different styles with “Forever Thing” a Country-Pop song about knowing when a love will last through the ages, and for the die-hard Country fans out there, there is the haunting “Alone and Waiting”.
Tune in to get to know Sacha-Lee and her music.
Hamilton, Ontario's ROSLYN WITTER had the chance of a lifetime to sing on stage with country superstar Keith Urban this past September. She was given the opportunity after winning a contest through radio station KX94.7 - she entered a video in which she sang the hit Keith Urban/Miranda Lambert duet We Were Us.
Roslyn grew up surrounded by country music. Her father is award winning country singer Jim Witter. As a child, she made an appearance in her Dad’s music video for “Tough As A Pickup Truck”.
“I’ve been singing since I could talk, so I’ve been performing with him since I was three or four years old," she explains. "And he’s been such an influence, so supportive of me.”
Roslyn has just released a new song she wrote called Your Christmas Song which is available at iTunes.
“At 14 I booked myself into a studio and recorded a demo and it was sent to a producer in Nashville. He liked it and I flew back and forth to Nashville a few times. So Nashville was the very first place I ever made music in a studio,” Toronto's Meredith Shaw explains. “And I know I have come back to this place very naturally. Every moment of putting these new songs together has felt right. I just feel very at ease and at home.”
Her passion for country music was rekindled over the past few years through writing trips back down to Nashville, working with The Stellas and Carolyn Dawn Johnson - among others. Meredith's debut country single is called Better Than This - a song she co-wrote.
“For much of the past couple of years most of the people I was writing with, talking with, and dealing with on a regular basis were in country music. I know I am in the right place,” she said adding that she has always been drawn to female singers who not only had powerful voices but powerful personalities, regardless of their genre citing the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Stevie Nicks, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride and fellow Canadians Shania Twain and CDJ as key role models.
Songwriter/producer Jeff Johnson has been brought in to produce the music that will eventually become Meredith’s debut country music album. His track record with breakthrough acts like Wes Mack, and his writing credits with Dallas Smith, Madeline Merlo and Small Town Pistols impressed her.
Meredith is the host of the top-rated weekend radio show in Toronto on boom 97.3, a model with a number of successful national campaigns to her name, a business owner of a gift and custom greeting card company, and a philanthropist who started the Girls Who Believe Festival to help girls and young women reach their fullest potential through affirmation and mentorship.
Tune in to hear conversations & country music with Jessie Tylre Williams, Codie Prevost & Koreen Perry!
Eclectic singer/songwriter Jessie Tylre Williams - Manitoba born, and now an Alberta girl - surrenders her strong sense of ability through authentic acoustic sounds and melodies derived from the deepest realms of an intimate and personal journey. In both her writing and performance, Jessie demonstrates her raw and inspiring experience of survival and determination that drives her to create original, empowering material. Each song, like a separate chapter, unfolds a story of continual hope and courage, moving each listener through her lyrical exposure of emotion.
Saskatchewan's Codie Prevost is a Canadian country music sensation. When he was 14, he picked up his first guitar, and since then his career hasn’t stopped accelerating. He began his journey on the path to fame by playing guitar, and writing songs simply to entertain his friends and family. Little did the world know that those family concerts would spark the pilot light on one of the biggest engines in Canadian country music. Codie has been nominated and won dozens of awards for his art, from the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards to the Canadian Country Music Awards. In 2015, he begins an Australian tour.
Alberta's Koreen Perry performed at Canadian Music Week in Toronto for two shows in 2013, and frequently performs live at cafes, private functions. bars and festivals around Alberta, including regular appearances at the Edmonton Airport. She continues to focus on her singing, song writing and recording. Koreen is part of the Blue Pie Family of Artists. Koreen along with Blue Pie Records recently released her brand new original single "Lucky" recorded in LA. Her latest catchy country-pop song is sure to get stuck in your head.
Tune in to hear conversations & Christmas music from Leah Daniels, Barbara Lynn Doran & Nancy Laberge.
Leah has steadily been building a fan base for the past couple of years. She credits the on-line social media world for much of the audience she’s already secured and it shows. She’s a two time CCMA Award nominee for “Interactive Artist” and the winner of the 2014 CCMA Spotlight Performance determined entirely by fan votes across Canada. She's also had a tour with Alan Jackson, a Green-carpet performance at the 2014 CCMA Awards and shows for the Maple Leafs (Air Canada Centre). Leah’s latest single “Go Back” was released in October and a new album is on the way in early 2015.
Since her debut, Barbara’s brand of country has garnered her a number of opportunities and accolades, including nominations for the first round ballot at the inaugural 2013 CMAO awards in four categories, and the chance to perform at The Diamond in the Rough Showcase in Saskatoon at Canadian Country Music Week. More recently, she qualified as a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition, a finalist in the Great American Songwriting Competition and landed a spot on the Nashville Songwriter’s Association 2014 ‘Ones To Watch’ list. Her latest album is called Love From All Sides.
After spending some time in Nashville as a songwriter, Nancy soon figured out that if she wanted to survive in the music business she needed something to fall back on and that is when she decided to become a professional chef. Her new CD release Write From The Heart has her teaming up with fellow songwriters Troy Kokol, Patti Jo Lennox, Joni Delaurier and her friend Amy Bishop, who is Nancy’s co-writer on “Holy Moly Christmas”.
Join us for this special Christmas episode of In The Country featuring Country artists Riki Knox, Mike Biggar & RyLee Madison. Each of them has a Christmas song to share.
A true performer, Riki has been described by her audiences as charismatic and highly entertaining. Whether she’s getting people up on their feet dancing, or engaging them with the strength of her original songs, Riki has a knack for drawing in the crowd and creating an unforgettable musical experience. She’s a girl who values and appreciates the ‘little things in life’. That grounded mindset has seen her go from playing church and charity events, to sharing the big stage with artists like Dallas Smith, Marc Jordan, Carole Pope, Jack DeKeyzer & Justin Hines to name a few.
Mike is an award-winning Country-Rock artist from Canada’s East Coast. His infectious melodies are well-spiced with lyrics of life, love, and loss. Powerful, punchy anthems with generous helpings of clever hooks and smart writing sit opposite intimate, tender ballads. Soaring vocals, honest lyrics and keenly focused performance energy concoct a compelling musical potion that makes instant fans of those who listen.
Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, RyLee's music may have carried her to Nashville, but her hometown always plays an important role. RyLee says, "Nashville is my second home. I've created family here with my husband and friends but my first home will always be Nova Scotia." RyLee has traveled to Europe, performing at Festival Country Rendez-Vous in France, Whelan's Pub in Dublin, Ireland, Half Moon in Cork, Ireland, and Róisín Dubh Pub in Galway, Ireland and at the famed Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
Holiday Extravagnaza 2014 is your opportunity to hear holiday favourites performed by Tori Hathaway and Friends: Shay Lee, Kasey Kohring, Grace Micallef and Heydon George, with a professional five piece band. These talented Barrie youth bring you the very best holiday entertainment this season! Bring an unwrapped gift for CTV-Barrie Toy Mountain in support of the Children's Aid Society of Simcoe County.
This event takes place Dec 12th & 13th at The Mady Centre for the Performing Arts located at 1 Dunlop Street West in Barrie, Ontario.
Tickets are available at the box office, online at www.theatres.barrie.ca or by calling 705-739-4228.
Holiday Extravaganza 2014 is presented in partnership with The City of Barrie
Tune in to this special edition of In The Country with Dave Woods to hear my conversation with Tori about Holiday Extravaganza 2014. You'll also hear her original holiday song called Christmas Without You.
When The Stellas took their first trip to Nashville in 2008, they were still a relatively unknown husband-and-wife duo from the Toronto suburbs, armed with little more than two voices, one acoustic guitar, and a catalog of smart, catchy songs.
These days, The Stellas are songwriters who have written 90% of the material on their own albums, as well as songs for other artists. They’re parents of Lennon and Maisy, who star as Maddie & Daphne on ABC's "Nashville."
For Brad and MaryLynne Stella, the turning point occurred during a short trip to Nashville. While there, they talked their way into playing an impromptu show at the Commodore Grill, which led to a second show the following night. A publisher was in the audience that evening, and he liked what he heard. The Stellas were offered a deal on the spot. A year later, they were on the hit CMT show "Can You Duet?", moved to Nashville and signed a record deal with EMI Canada. They took home the CCMA trophy for "Duo of the Year" in 2013.
Back in America, one of The Stellas' biggest fans, Zac Brown, asked the duo to join his band for a series of sold-out shows. Brad and MaryLynne have also toured with Johnny Reid & Terri Clark.
"Back when we first started our career," Brad remembers, "we came across a lot of musicians who had a 'woe is me' story. They used to live in their car, or they had to wait tables for years before signing a record deal. We had that story, too, but we didn't view it as a negative thing, we thought of it more like camping! We wouldn't trade it for anything.”
"In some ways, we're making a first impression all over again," MaryLynne says of their new record. “This is the album we always wanted to make."
No matter what you call him - genius, recluse, friend, foe, outgoing, unapproachable, giving, kind, or thoughtful - there is so much more to Nova Scotia's J.P. Cormier beneath the surface. Celebrated as a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, recording artist, teacher, collaborator, innovator, and award winner, J.P.’s talent is comparable to none. He’s praised in superlatives, but even these don’t do the man justice. The best way to get to know J.P. is to listen to his music. His latest song is called Hometown Battlefield.
Alberta's Don Gammie is country singer/songwriter from Lucknow, Ontario but has called Edmonton, Alberta home since 1994. When attending an open mic session where he received great response to his performance from fellow musicians, he was approached by Laurence Pugh to work together on a couple of original songs. Within days, Don was in a recording studio for the first time, with seasoned studio musicians. Don is attracted to and influenced by a wide range of music from soulful rock and alternative to Country and Indie. “Playing music is an astonishing thing. It feeds the soul - and success or not - mine will never be full,” he explains.
Mandy Ringdal is a singer/songwriter from Hawarden, Saskatchewan. She wrote her first song at 13 years of age about her trusty pair of Wrangler Jeans, and followed this with many poems and other literary works. For several years she focused on getting an education as a biologist and nurse. But a life changing diagnosis sent her on a different path. She moved back to the country after years of feeling unsettled in the city. It was during this time that she taught herself to play guitar and dove into songwriting. She began recording her first album in March of 2012. Mandy's latest release is called Love Knows What To Do.
For Jack Connolly, the song is everything. Free of pretensions or pomp, his Country folk-tinged tunes are all about vivid storytelling, and this talent shines on his latest album, Great Big Soul.
The Toronto-based songwriter has been involved in the Canadian music scene for more than a decade. Having grown up playing coffee houses on Vancouver Island, he released his debut Indie album Open Stage in 2001. His sophomore full-length The Empty Cafe followed in 2004, and its rootsy full-band sound earned Jack the title of Songwriter of the Year at the Vancouver Island Music Awards.
Seeking new experiences, he relocated to Toronto in 2009 and quickly took part in the vibrant local music scene. In addition to regularly performing his own songs around town and on the road, he formed the country 'covers' group the Gas Station Cowboys covering Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Garth Brooks and others.
He drew on these influences - in addition to old favourites like Bruce Springsteen & Tom Cochrane - when penning the songs that make up his latest full-length, Great Big Soul, on Country label Curve Music. The album began as a batch of barebones demos recorded in a church basement in downtown Toronto, and Jack eventually fleshed them out at the Tragically Hip's Bathouse Recording Studio with producer John MacArthur Ellis.
Jack was one of six jury-selected finalists from across the country who participated in the Canadian Country Music Association's (CCMA) prestigious 2013 Discovery Program, and showcased his material at the CCMA's in Edmonton in September to rave reviews.
Also on the show, Ontario Country artist Chelsea Crites is here to talk about her new single Doing To Me.
Peterborough, Ontario's NIKKI ENGLISH has spent the last few years making music with Canadian Country Trio Western Avenue. Their 2013 self-titled debut album includes the radio singles Highway Headin' Out Of Town, This I Promise You and Wherever You Are. They filmed music videos for a couple of the songs. The trio was nominated for CMAO Group or Duo of the year in 2013.
Nikki has been singing since she was a child and was inspired be her Dad who she lost to cancer in 2001. She remembers him playing guitar and singing as well as encouraging her to pursue music. “That’s what he always wanted me to do, and I wanted to do, but I was such a wimp. It gave me confidence to do it in his memory. It’s been a challenge because I’ve always been shy, but I’ve been developing that over the years – breaking out of my shell,” she explains.
Now with several years of success with Western Avenue, Nikki has released a solo effort - a song she wrote called Follow Your Heart. The song was produced by Cobourg, Ontario's Adam Newcomb and is available at iTunes.
She wrote it about the tragic loss of a close friend. It serves to remind his family - and all listeners - that even after a loved one is gone they are still watching over you and want you to pursue your dreams. Nikki recently released a powerful music video for the song which you can watch at her website www.nikkienglish.ca or on YouTube.
Tune in to hear Nikki talk about her start in music, her influences, songwriting and much more! Plus, she'll share her beautiful song Follow Your Heart.
In The Country with Dave Woods is all about Country music & conversations with Country artists. The show has been broadcasting online since 2009. On this episode: Julian Austin, John Landry & Stacey Lee, Lindsay Broughton, Victoria Banks, Neal McCoy, Kira Isabella, Matt Williams and Tia McGraff. All of them have great songs and stories to share.
You'll hear about artists' influences, their approach to songwriting, who they'd love to work with & more! Dave loves to bring his listeners up close & personal interviews with Country legends and the latest voices on the radio. Several episodes air live every week. Stay tuned!
For more In The Country interviews, be sure to visit www.inthecountryinterviews.com
For Lindsay Broughton, Country Music is home. It’s the quiet, country house, white picket fence, and the rocking chair on the porch. Not a surprising association, as she was raised with music as a constant companion throughout her childhood in Brooklin, Ontario. For all her life, no matter what changes headed her way, music has always been there for her.
Initially gaining inspiration from her performing mother, as soon as Lindsay was old enough she began performing. She became well and truly bit by the bug in high school, where she learned the guitar and joined the local songwriting club. As part of a field trip, she went to Nashville, where even then her potential was noticed. Arriving back to Brooklin, encouraged by the praise received in Nashville, she was more determined than ever to hone her craft and pursue a career in music.
Fast forward: Lindsay has been a regular at the famous Boots & Hearts festival, has played at many CCMA showcases as well as the CMAO Awards show, and has shared the stage with some of country’s heavy hitters such as Chad Brownlee, Emerson Drive and Gord Bamford.
Now, her debut full length album entitled Take Me There has been released with thecurrent radio single of the same name written by Lindsay. The album is pulled from real life experiences, but focuses on the cycle we have all gone through at some point; love, loss, and redemption. The single challenges the listener to think back to the moments in their lives that made them the happiest. It’s a toe-tapping, gritty, up-tempo song that encourages you to roll the car window down, relax, and say “bring it on” to whatever lies ahead.
Country-rocker JULIAN AUSTIN - born in Sussex, New Brunswick - climbed the charts and appeared in videos on CMT with hits like Little Ol' Kisses, Hard Time Loving You, What My Heart Already Knows and Back In Your Life. His first album earned him a certified CRIA gold record (50k+ sales) and the 1997 Wrangler Rising Star Award from the Canadian Country Music Association. His first single Little Ol’ Kisses went #1 on radio and also made the CMT Top 30 Videos of 1997, followed in 1998 with the Best Country Single award at the first annual Canadian Radio Music Awards. That year Julian also earned several Juno nominations. His new radio release is his version of the Jimmy Buffet classic Margaritaville.
SHAE DUPUY is excited to release her Breakdown EP featuring the first single Grandpa’s Truck. Shae walks the fine line between dirt roads and downtown, without ever losing her small town charm. She continues writing tracks for her first full-length album to be released in 2015. “I can’t leave the house without something to write with.” she says. “That could mean my phone to type notes, or a pen and paper. Inspiration hits me at the most inconvenient times and I’ve just learned to be prepared for it.”
In 2009, TREVOR JOHNSON made the move to Nashville - after many visits - to immerse himself in songwriting. Eventually, he moved back home to Manitoba where he performed around Winnipeg. In 2010, he won a QX 104 FM songwriting contest with first prize being a trip to the CMAs in Nashville. After finishing up his EP Footsteps in the spring of 2013 with Nashville producer Dick McVey, Trevor has been busy performing wherever he can. He headed back to the studio in early 2014. This time he recorded in Calgary with 2013 Western Canadian Recording Engineer of the Year Johnny Gasparic at MCC Recording.
Described as having "a voice stolen from angels", Tia McGraff first stepped into the international spotlight on a CBC TV special with Johnny Cash and June Carter. Johnny was so impressed with Tia, he invited her into June's dressing room to introduce the two. Johnny Cash wasn't the only one who recognized a shining star! Soon the likes of Randy Bachman (BTO), Dan Hill (Celine Dion), Andrew Gold, and countless others, were inviting Tia to write and record with them.
Tia's latest 12 track album is called Break These Chains and was produced by her co-writer/husband Tommy Parham (pictured on the left in the photo above). The rootsy melodies and honest lyrics have been produced with such integrity that one feels they are listening to something hauntingly familiar and refreshingly real. Perhaps it is because Tia’s influences include lyrical wonders like Joni Mitchell, Patty Griffin, and Mary Gauthier, or because she has drawn from the stories of those who have touched her own heart.
"(Her) new body of work is maybe her finest to date. Sometimes by album number 5 an artist becomes complacent, satisfied with rehashing and redoing their past work. Same old wine in a different bottle. Fortunately, Tia has not fallen into that trap. She continues to grow and expand her talents as a songwriter and as a fine singer. McGraff has that quality, naturally, that singers strive for: believability." - Don Graham, Cashbox Canada
The show will open up with a chat with singer-songwriters Brian Donkers & Steve Rivers about a new song they've written called Beneath The Shadow Of Heroes. It's a song written about the tragic events in Ottawa in October.
Three popular Canadian Country artists join me on this episode of In The Country to talk about their music careers and share their latest radio singles.
Music has always been an undeniable passion for Cobourg, Ontario's MATT WILLIAMS for as long as he can remember. “I remember from a very early age singing in the stands at baseball games with my mother”. Years later it was a Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers concert that influenced him to pursue a career in music. “As soon as the lights went down I was hooked.” Matt's latest single is called Make Love Tonight and features Peterborough Country artist Alyssa Morrissey.
Mississauga, Ontario's KAITLIN KOZELL was one of the top eight finalists in the Emerging Artist Showcase at the 2014 Boots & Hearts music festival. Since being added to the roster of Leafs anthem singers in the late fall of 2011 and performing at her first game in January of 2012, Kaitlin has had the opportunity to perform at numerous Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Marlies, and other MLSE events and functions. Kaitlin's new single is called Heart Of This Home.
TEAGAN LITTLECHIEF is a country artist from the White Bear First Nations north of Carlyle, Saskatchewan. At the age of 4 her play school teacher overheard her singing Part Of Your World from Little Mermaid and encouraged her mother Sara to put her in vocal lessons. Those lessons were the beginning of a lifetime filled with the love of music, which her mother Sara has stood behind and supported every step of the way. Radio was first introduced to Teagan in 2009 with her album entitled Rising Above. Teagan's latest single is called I'll Bring The Party.