In The Country with Dave Woods

Whiskey Rain is based out of Ontario, Canada. Formed in the mid '90s when a contemporary Country sound was on the rise, the band quickly gained popularity for their high energy shows, male and female lead vocals and on-stage antics. The members come from Country and Rock 'n Roll backgrounds. This mix, which is evident in their original material, has garnered the band opening slots for Country grea...

Recognized by his peers as one of Canada’s best performing songwriters, Lennie Gallant is a native of Prince Edward Island now living in Nova Scotia. This prolific songwriter has recorded nine albums (seven in English and two in French), which have won him a host of awards and nominations from both the JUNOs and East Coast Music Awards. His album, "When We Get There" was nominated for a JUNO Award...

Georgette Jones was born to the only Hall of Fame husband and wife Country Music artists, George Jones and Tammy Wynette. She's been singing with one or both parents since the age of three. She recorded her first single with her Dad, "Daddy Come Home" when she was ten years old and performed it on an HBO special. She also worked as a backup singer for her Mom. Georgette recorded a duet with Mark M...

Saskatchewan singer/songwriter Ray Whitton has been winning over audiences, peers, and music industry professionals since he first stepped on to the stage in the fall of 2006. Armed (at the time) with little more then a few chords, and his unique voice, he has built a modest, and loyal Saskatchewan fan base that stretches from Clearwater, to Estevan, Hudson Bay to Swift Current, and all places in...

In 2007, Ontario Country artist Dawson Reigns was introduced to Jason Barry, one of Canada's most respected producers. After meeting Dawson and listening to his music, Jason agreed to produce his debut album at Barrytone Studios in Waterloo. Dawson's debut single, "If Crazy Wasn't So Beautiful", (from his album entitled Enjoy The Ride) was released to radio on January 11, 2010 and went Top 20 on t...

Saskatchewan Country artist Donny Parenteau is a talented multi-instrumentalist who performs with energy and enthusiasm on the fiddle, mandolin, acoustic and electric guitars, and the unique mandocaster. Throw in his singing & songwriting and you have an artist on the rise in Canada. After 12 years touring with Neal McCoy, this seasoned entertainer has performed with numerous country artists a...

Growing up with music as a strong influence throughout his life, Alberta Country artist JT Moore has been performing since he was just eight years old. He took guitar lessons early in life but found it to be quite the challenge so he switched over to drums and excelled at them. Family functions were looked forward to, as he was able to jam with his Grandpa who played the harmonica and spoons. But...

Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Country artist Mikelle began taking steps on her musical journey at a very young age. At age 6, she won the role of Annie in a Broadway produced performance. At age 8, she performed in Lee Ann Womack's video for the hit song, "I Hope You Dance". During those young years, Mikelle also won numerous awards in competitive dance - and dancing is something she in...

Born in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Marlee Scott's family moved to St. Albert, Alberta when she was 6 years old. Shortly after her cross country move, she discovered her strong desire to perform, first with ice-skating lessons, then with flute lessons...almost. Upon arriving at her first music lesson at age 7, her teacher remembers, "Marlee's mom had called to schedule flute lessons for her. When it c...

Maddy Rodriguez has been singing since she was a young girl and started writing songs when she was 13. Her sound is part Pop and part Country. She credits musical influences like James Taylor, Elton John and Bread as well as Contemporary Country artists like Keith Urban, the Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain and Taylor Swift. At 15 years old, Maddy auditioned for Disband (a MuchMusic hit show) and was se...

Tia McGraff was born in Port Dover, Ontario and began writing and recording at the age of 19. After releasing 2 CDs on her label Bandana Records, and 4 videos on CMT Canada, she moved to Nashville to further her writing career. It was there that she met her partner in life and on stage, songwriter/producer Tommy Parham. Together they have released 3 albums; toured main stage festivals and songwrit...

BC Country artist Kristy Howes has been captivating audiences with her unique and progressive sound since she began singing at age eight. Her career accelerated to new heights when she met Trey Gray, an award-winning drummer and talented producer who has worked with acts including Faith Hill, Jewel and Brooks & Dunn. They met in October 2009 and Trey listened to an original song written and co...

From the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada, the Spinney Brothers are comprised of Allan Spinney , Rick Spinney, Gary Dalrymple and Darryl Hebb. Brothers Allan and Rick debuted their band in 1992, showcasing a tight brother duet vocal style that was immediately recognized for it's energetic and distinctive sound. The cornerstone of the Spinney Brothers musical identity is the sound of traditi...

According to her parents, Florida singer/songwriter Heather Leigh started singing in the crib before she could talk. Her grandpa put her on the piano bench in his church when she was four years old. She belted out "Amazing Grace" and has been addicted to performing ever since! She has performed with such prestigious choirs as the Ruth Eckerd Hall Choir and the Walt Disney World Candlelight Process...

Country artist Stacey Lee began singing before she could talk - and ever since then her life has been grounded in the music business. She is a sought after session vocalist for lead and backing vocals alike at studios throughout Canada. Formerly a member of the Juno-nominated Country sensation, LACE, Stacey had the opportunity to tour all across Canada, the U.S. and into Europe - and has performed...

Canadian Country artist Aaron Pritchett has proven himself to be one of the hardest working and sought after artists in the business. With numerous hits, music videos, tours with Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and Brooks & Dunn, Aaron has gained a significant following across Canada. He won a CCMA for Independent Male Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year in 2007 for the anthem Hold My Beer....

In 2005, Saskatchewan Country artist Jess Moskaluke was awarded the title of "Most Promising Entertainer" at a local talent competition, and she went on to win 2nd place the following year. In 2007, she was crowned the champion once again at another local talent contest. From there, she placed in the Top 200 at the 2008 Canadian Idol competition. Unfortunately, she was unable to compete due to a s...

Stephanie Beaumont's career path has taken her from corporate marketing in Toronto, to singing on stages around the world, to broadcasting on TV and radio stations across the country - and now back to her hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is the producer and creator (with assistance from a great team) of www. SeaAndBeScene. Com - an entertainment based, magazine style website designed to celeb...

Houston, Texas Country artist Mary Sarah will release her debut album, "Crazy Good", this month. To anyone who has ever heard this 15-year-old singer/songwriter/entertainer perform, that is a very fitting description. Her career began a few short years ago as a KidzBop Kid. She toured on a 40-city KidzBop World Tour where she was a featured soloist and ensemble performer. She's equally comfortable...

Glasgow, Scotland's Raintown has put their own unique spin on Country Music and come up with catchy hooks and dynamic male/female harmonies delivered with passion and heartfelt sincerity. Their influences come from the best of Pop/Standards (Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Otis Redding) & the best of Country (Don Williams, Charley Pride, Patsy Cline). The duo - Paul Bain & Claire McArthur - recently...

Emma Jacob grew up in Costa Mesa, California, and as a child, she enjoyed listening to Aretha Franklin and Patsy Cline. She took vocal lessons from the legendary Seth Riggs - she once ran into Ray Charles at a lesson - and earned a spot as first soprano in the Pacific Symphony Children's Choir. At age 11, she sang an Aretha song, "You're All I Need to Get By," on Showtime at the Apollo and receive...

British Columbia Country artist Damian Marshall got his start when he won the 1996 Search For The Stars contest through Nornet Broadcasting, which bolstered his confidence in his ability to sing. With that encouragemet, he auditioned for his first country rock band based out of Edmonton, Alberta and got his first gig as a professional singer/acoustic guitar player. The band was called The Alamo an...

Mark Lorenz’s passion for music started early. While traveling throughout North America competing in horse shows with his parents, he would sing along to recordings of Marty Robbins, George Strait & Merle Haggard. Mark's first studio experience was brought about by a dare to record a country song for a friend’s birthday. Fast forward to 2011, Mark has released several singles (and filmed two v...

Evan Westerlund is a former hockey player, radio personality & programmer, turned singer-songwriter who moved from his home country of Canada to Sweden in a whirlwind romance. It brought him to the shores of the country of his ancestors and relatives dating back as far as the records go into the late 1600s. He grew up listening to Kenny Rogers, Waylon Jennings, Ferlin Husky, Don Williams and o...

My guest on this edition of In The Country is Dr. Kent Gustavson - the author of "Blind But Now I See: The Biography of Music Legend Doc Watson". Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson is an American guitar player, songwriter and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues and gospel music. Despite losing his sight before his first birthday, he went on to become a legendary figure in music. He has won six Grammy...