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Dave talks with country artists & plays their songs. You'll hear about career highlights, current projects, stories behind the songs & more.
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15 NOV 2025 · Quebec’s hottest rising country act, the award-winning Blue Ridge Band, is ready to turn up the volume with their sophomore album High On You!
Fresh from a summer packed with 45+ tour dates and a debut at CCMA Country Music Week, the band is channeling that momentum into a record built for big singalongs and road-trip playlists. High On You features breakout singles “The Rush” & the title trackl "High On You" alongside sun-soaked anthems and party-ready tunes that showcase their signature blend of country, pop, and rock.
BRB recently signed with The Feldman Agency which is further proof big things are in their future.
“We are so excited to welcome Blue Ridge Band to the TFA family! They are an electrifying young country band with an already-impressive track record in the live space and are a seamless fit with our current roster,” says Stefanie Purificati of The Feldman Agency. “We look forward to helping them expand their business in both the Canadian and Quebec markets.”
The trio — Jeremy Plante, Samuel Jalbert-Raymond, and Martin Aubin — has quickly built a reputation for high-energy country music and incredible live shows.
Tune in to hear my conversation with Jeremy Plante all about Blue Ridge Band!
11 NOV 2025 · Hayden Ryann - born & raised in the Beaches area of Toronto - is riding high after the release of her latest anthem song "No Room For Bitchin'" which is expected to birth a line dance craze in the near future!
At just 21 years old, Hayden combines a modern lyrical directness with the warmth of country storytelling and the energy of pop, crafting music that resonates with young listeners who value authenticity and empowerment.
“I’ve written over a hundred songs,” Hayden shares. “Songwriting is how I make sense of the world. It’s how I hold onto joy, let go of frustration, and find strength.”
One of those songs was her first release "Mindless Words" earlier in 2025 and she shares the story behind that song on this episode.
In October 2025, Hayden performed a sold out show with her band at The Painted Lady in Toronto.
Now she's getting ready for the release of the music video for "No Room For Bitchin'" (produced by Roadhouse Productions) as well as her upcoming 2026 single "Cowboy".
Enjoy my conversation with this rising star on the country scene!
30 OCT 2025 · Though pop and rock were the genres that Annika Catharina first loved, it was the songs of Patsy Cline that drew her to country music. After hearing “Walking After Midnight” and “Crazy”, she wanted to perform country songs any chance she got.
Based in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia, Annika started singing country covers along with other classics.
In 2021, Annika began releasing music for the first time – first with a collaborative cover of “Sweet Child of Mine” with Sad Puppy and DuoViolins that netted over 3 million Spotify streams, as well as four 2022 singles as part of the country duo Broadway Crush.
Fast forward: Annika’s first single of 2024, “What if I”, marked new milestones for the artist by hitting 170K streams on Spotify through the editorial playlists “New Music Friday Country”, “Country Frontier”, “North Country”, “Next From Nashville”, “RADAR Canada”, and “EQUAL Canada”. Apple Music featured it on the “Canada’s Country” editorial playlist, charted at #2 on SiriusXM Top of the Country Radio in Canada.
The release of her debut EP “You and Me” capped a groundbreaking chapter and led to two more breakthroughs – reaching the Boots and Hearts Music Festival’s Emerging Artist Showcase as a finalist and being chosen as both the iHeart Radio Future Star for July and August and the Rogers One to Watch for “Love and Hate”, which sent the track to the Billboard Canada Country Top 50. Not to be outdone, her next single, “Under Covers” brought her further recognition as the JR Country Artist of the Month for September.
With her newest release, “Better Hands”, Annika Catharina is excited, inspired, and – more than anything – grateful for being able to record music and share it with the world.
26 AUG 2025 · Hailing from Langley, British Columbia, Shawn Daniels blends the raw edge of outlaw country with the soul of blues and the electricity of rock ‘n’ roll, creating a unique sonic signature.
"Country Wild" follows the breakout success of Shawn's debut single “Louder Than Ten”, an adrenaline-fueled anthem that earned strong radio play and introduced fans to his defiant, high-powered sound. Produced by Brian Howes and featuring powerhouse vocalist Chandra Russell, “Louder Than Ten” showcased Daniels at his most electrifying — but “Country Wild” proves he’s just getting started.
Shawn's music is steeped in real-life experience - chasing dreams, breaking rules, and refusing to back down. Whether on stage or in the studio, he brings a magnetic presence that transforms shows into full-blown parties and songs into rallying cries.
Join Shawn as he shares stories on the podcast about his music career & latest releases including "We All Find A Way".
14 AUG 2025 · Kitchener, Ontario's Angelica Appelman made her mark on the Canadian Country Music scene with her January 2022 debut single "Happy Place". Since then, she's gone on to perform on big stages & at songwriter showcases. Follow up releases include "Guilt Trip", "Ringtone", "Best Behaviour" and "Finding My Feet".
Angelica is a big fan of 90's Country! She began wriitng her own songs at the age of 13 and went on to "Taylor Swift" her way through High School.
Tune in to hear Angelica talk about & share her latest release "Cutting Corners" where she sings about not wanting a quick fix and wanting the "real damn thing".
20 MAR 2025 · Thunder Bay's Tim Albertson - a "small town boy with stadium sound" - is gearing up to release his EP Blink Town Tales: Volume One on April 4. 2025!
On this episode, I'll play 3 of the tracks" "Did It For A Girl", the current single "Do What You Do" and I have an exclusive spin of "Wishing Her Well"!
Tim's powerful vocals and party-like nature creates an event that continues to be talked about long after the lights go down. "My whole life has led up to these moments, I remember standing at my family home, on the big industrial gutters, dreaming of it as a stage, and the field as the crowd. When I hit that stage, and I see that crowd, its like electricity courses through me and I let the whole venue feel it."
Tim has opened up shows for artists such as Lee Brice, Sawyer Brown, Josh Ross, The Reklaws, The Road Hammers, Jess Moskaluke, Doc Walker, Gord Bamford, Tim Hicks and others!
14 MAR 2025 · Growing up in the small rural community of Standard, Alberta (population around 350), Drew Gregory was exposed to music through local radio and from his dad's extensive classic rock vinyl collection. He soon came to appreciate the country and rock sounds that flowed through the family home. By the time he was 15, he had acquired his first guitar, and from the first strum of the strings, he knew that making music would be a big part of his life.
Over the years, Drew has shared the stage and opened concerts and festivals for Miranda Lambert, Kip Moore, Old Dominion, John Michael Montgomery, Big & Rich, Emerson Drive, and Chad Brownlee, among others.
Drew’s new EP, One For The Road, is a stand-out 6-track collection that reflects a
genuine bond to his surroundings and upbringing on his fifth-generation family farm in the
heart of the Canadian Prairies. Blending modern country sounds with timeless storytelling, the
EP reflects Drew’s deep connection to his roots, infusing his music with down-to-earth charm,
grit, and honesty.
“It's fitting that “One For The Road “ will be the single we release with the EP. It was the first
song we picked for this album and helped shape a lot of the rest,” explains Drew. “For me, it was
important to think less about recording commercial songs to please everyone and more about
making sure the songs were something I was strongly connected with and excited to sing live
every night. That has led to some amazing moments on stage and an even stronger connection
with my audience. One For The Road is about as true a song to my life as you can get."
Drew was recently named the Horizon Male Artist of the Year by Country Music Alberta. This is the fifth time his name was called out for that award.
6 MAR 2025 · Amber-Jo Bowman, a captivating Canadian country singer-songwriter from a small
town north of Toronto, ON, unfolds her musical narrative against the backdrop of a
family farm. This is where her early love for singing, hearing her dad harmonizing along with
the radio, and self-taught guitar sessions took root. Her journey into music began with
the soulful echoes of contemporary church hymns, laying the foundation for Amber-Jo's
evolution into a seasoned artist. Her sweet but powerful vocals, capable of quieting a
room, effortlessly combine country charm with a contemporary edge, resulting in an
authentic signature sound.
As a two-time Top 7 finalist in the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase,
Amber-Jo has etched her presence in the country music scene through local showcases andperformances. Recently, she graced the stage at Nashville’s Pitch Meeting with the
phenomenal house band, marking a significant milestone in her flourishing musical
journey. Her finely honed songwriting skills are the result of collaborations with artists
and lyricists across Canada, as well as cross-border songwriting trips in Nashville. Not
to mention her English literature degree, Amber seamlessly weaves storytelling into her
music. At which time while studying, she also met her life partner and college
sweetheart, Zack, a talented drummer from Prince Edward Island, who adds a rhythmic
heartbeat to Amber-Jo's melodies, creating a harmonious partnership both on and off
the stage.
28 FEB 2025 · Janna Leduc is a dynamic country musician from Milverton, Ontario known for her soulful voice and electrifying live performances. With a passion for storytelling and authenticity, and a heart rooted in classic country music, Janna has carved her niche in the genre.
As she prepares to release her highly anticipated album Long Time Comin', Janna is poised to make an even bigger impact on the Canadian Country Music scene. With heartfelt lyrics, powerhouse vocals, and a relentless drive, Janna's journey is just beginning, but is the culmination of years of experience in the industry.
Tune in to hear my chat with Janna as well as 2 of her latest releases: "Drive" & her cover of The Georgia Satellites hit "Keep Your Hands To Yourself". As an added bonus, you'll hear the classic hit "26 Cents" from The Wilkinsons.
21 FEB 2025 · Formerly a nationally ranked sprint hurdler, country artist Kelsi Mayne has seamlessly transitioned into one of Canada's fastest-rising independent artists.
With over 3 million streams under her belt and a track record of performances alongside industry heavyweights, the 3x CMAOntario award nominee, SiriusXM Top of the Country finalist, and 2024 International Songwriting Competition winner is just hitting her stride.
Kelsi enthrals audiences with her infectious melodies, high energy, and powerful stage presence— gracing major festivals like Boots and Hearts, Calgary Stampede, and Cavendish Beach Music Festival, national television, stadiums, and has supported theatre tours with Meghan Patrick and Russell Dickerson.
Drawing inspiration from her Detroit Music City roots, her latest blend of Rock & Soul-infused Country has got the #MayneTrain racing full steam ahead. All aboard!
We'll hear a past favourite "Woman Waiting" and Kelsi's two latest releases: "All Or Nothing" & "Breaking Bad".
Dave talks with country artists & plays their songs. You'll hear about career highlights, current projects, stories behind the songs & more.
Information
| Author | Dave Woods |
| Organization | Dave Woods |
| Categories | Music |
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