In The Country with Dave Woods

Michelle Wright: Another Good Day

Click on Michelle's photo to visit her website.

MICHELLE WRIGHT gets enthusiastic when she talks about her brand new radio single Another Good Day, revealing that "it feels great to be releasing new music, as always, but I'm especially proud of this song, its positivity, its optimism ... That's the kind of overall mood I'm in these days and the songs I've been writing and singing lately reflect that." Written by Michelle along with good friend Patricia Conroy and Emerson Drive's Danick Dupelle, and produced by Jason Barry, Another Good Day also features the creativity of some of Michelle's favourite Music City musicians. Tune in to hear her talk about her new music & more. And, of course, you'll get to hear her latest single on the show.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Michelle.
(Originally aired live: April 25th, 2012)

Clayton Bellamy: Bringing Out The Dreamer In All Of Us

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CLAYTON BELLAMY is a Juno winner for Best Country Recording, a four time Canadian Country Music Award winner, and a SOCAN Songwriter of the Year. Besides his success as a member of the popular Country group The Road Hammers, this talented Alberta-born artist has released 6 albums of his own. His latest is called Everyone's A Dreamer featuring the title-track single. Clayton says “my new solo music is a blend of both my own vibes and The Road Hammers sound, a mix I believe my fans will really enjoy – a best of both worlds as they say.” Performing has been a passion of his since he was a kid growing up participating in both his church choir and school choir which helped him hone his love for music.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Clayton.
(Originally aired live: April 2012)

Adam Gregory: In The Right Place

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Adam Gregory’s latest project - called Different Places - has left him optimistic and genuinely excited about the future, he says. “Anybody who knows me knows that I’m a family guy first and foremost,” he says. “The music on this record reflects who I am and where I am in my life. It’s positive and refreshing.” By the time he was 21, Adam had released three critically acclaimed albums (The Way I’m Made, Workin’ On It and Adam Gregory), garnered four Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) award nominations and emerged as a Country star in Canada. Now 26 years old & living in Nashville, this Alberta-born talent is ready for his new music to make an impact at radio and with his fans.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Adam.
(Originally aired live: February 2012)

Country Music News says Goodbye

Country Music News celebrated 30 years of putting Canadian Country Music stars in the spotlight in April 2010. From cover stories on the biggest & latest names to album reviews, CMN was a must for Country Music fans. Publisher and Editor Larry Delaney joined me on the line from Ottawa in April 2010 to talk about his monthly publication. In March 2012, Larry published the final issue of this great Canadian publication. Tune in to hear Larry talk about the history of CMN & much more.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Larry Delaney.

Suzy Bogguss: Timeless Voice

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Country artist SUZY BOGGUSS is no stranger to the top of the Country charts with songs like Hey Cinderella, Outbound Plane, Drive South & Someday Soon. She's also known for her Grammy-nominated duet with Lee Greenwood called Hopelessly Yours, her version of Take It To The Limit on an Eagles tribute album & her duet album with long-time friend and Country legend Chet Atkins. Recently, she released American Folk Songbook which features her take on folk classics like Red River Valley & Wayfaring Stranger. Tune in & catch up with Suzy.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Suzy.
(Originally aired live: February 2012)

Moot Davis: Traditional And True

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With his self-titled debut album, New Jersey-based country musician MOOT DAVIS delivered a set of timeless honky tonk that brought comparisons to Hank Williams Sr. The kudos continued for his second effort, Already Moved On, which about.com’s Kathy Coleman ranked as the Fourth Best Country Album of the Year, ahead of the likes of Dwight Yoakam & Brad Paisley. His latest album Man About Town fulfills the promise of his earlier efforts while also expanding into new musical territory. The ace players on Man About Town are from Marty Stuart’s band: guitarist Kenny Vaughan, who served as producer; pedal and lap steel player Chris Scruggs; drummer Harry Stinson and bassist Paul Martin.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Moot.
(Originally aired live: February 2012)

Emerson Drive: A Decade Of Drive - And So Much More Road Ahead

Click on photo to visit Emerson Drive's website.

EMERSON DRIVE's hit songs and videos have earned them fans in Canada, the U.S. and beyond. Over the years, the top of the charts have featured their songs I Should Be Sleeping, Fall Into Me, Moments, I Love This Road & their latest single Let Your Love Speak (to name just a few). The Alberta band has been honored with awards and/or nominations from the Academy of Country Music, the CMA, the CCMA, CMT, the Grammys and the Junos. Their current album called Decade Of Drive: The Hits celebrates Emerson Drive's chart-topping 10 years of success in Country music.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Brad Mates of Emerson Drive.
(Originally aired live: February 2012)

Jason Blaine: Life (and music) So Far

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Country artist JASON BLAINE– born and raised in Pembroke, Ontario and now living in Nashville – released his full-length debut album in 2005 which included his high-charting radio singles Heartache Like Mine, While We Were Waiting & What I Can’t Forget. Along the way, he’s also had success with videos on CMT, sent more songs to the top of the charts and recorded the powerful and popular duet Don’t Leave The Leavin’ with Victoria Banks. Reflecting on his music career, Jason says: "I feel like I've been given some really great gifts musically, like this is really what I'm meant to be doing. It’s very satisfying to look back at the work that I’ve done knowing that I’ve been creating it, building it and to see the way that songs touch people. There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not thankful for being able to live my dream.” His new album LIFE SO FAR features the current hit single They Don’t Make Em Like That Anymore – a moving tribute to his grandfather who also appears in the video.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Jason.
(Originally aired live: January 2012)

Aaron Pritchett: Ready For The Year Ahead

Click on photo to visit Aaron's website.

Country artist AARON PRITCHETT returns to In The Country for his second visit. You know his smash hits (and videos) Hold My Beer, Let's Get Rowdy, Big Wheel, New Frontier, Hell Bent For Buffalo - to name just a few. And along with his uptempo energetic songs, Aaron has proven over his career that he can deliver heartfelt ballads equally as well. You can hear that quality on his brand new radio single I Wanna Be In It With You. That song is the latest release from his current album In The Driver's Seat. In a recent blog at his website, Aaron wrote that he's calling 2012 "The Year Of Change". Part of that change involves taking acting classes for some unknown future possibilities.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Aaron.
(Originally aired live: January 2012)

Sean Hogan: Better Angels Prevail

Click on photo to visit Sean's website.

Singer/Songwriter/Recording Artist SEAN HOGAN arrived on the music scene in 1996 with the release of his debut album. He quickly became popular with radio, CMT and the fans. In 1997, Sean was named the first-ever CCMA Independent Male Artist of The Year. Then, in 2003, the CCMA honoured with the award for Roots Artist of The Year. Over the years, you've heard his songs including Catalina Sunrise, I'd Rather Have You, Silver Lining Girl & What Would You Have Me Believe. In 2004, he created and launched the now annual Canadian Country Christmas Concert tour which assists communities across Canada with funding for food banks, hospital foundations and other essentials for those in need. In 2011, Sean began a tough battle with cancer and now, as 2012 begins, this survivor is ready to bring us new music.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Sean.
(Originally aired live: January 2012)

Thomas Wade: The Music Never Stops

Thomas Wade first appeared on the Country music scene in 1996 as the lead singer of Thomas Wade & Wayward. Their debut album produced 7 singles on the Canadian Country charts - including the Top 10 hits Zero to Sixty, She's Getting Serious & Lying Here With You. They won 7 CCMA awards and received 3 Juno nominations. Thomas went on to have success as a solo artist with hits like Running Away With You & Some Guys. Now, Thomas Wade, Colin Amey and Denise Wade are WADE AMEY WADE, delivering an organic blend of Country and Rock. With songwriting friend Tim Taylor, Thomas and Colin set about writing a Christmas song - I Can't Wait For Christmas - with proceeds to benefit fellow artist Sean Hogan who was diagnosed with an aggressive carcinoma (Stage 4A throat cancer) this past summer. Tune in as Thomas talks about his past hits, his new start with Wade Amey Wade as well as the group's very special Christmas song (which you'll hear.)

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Thomas.
(Originally aired live: December 2011)

Doc Walker: Still A Beautiful Life

Click on photo to visit Doc Walker's website.

Manitoba's multiple CCMA and Juno winning DOC WALKER has delivered the hits to Country radio, CMT & fans with songs like She Hasn't Always Been This Way, Rocket Girl, Beautiful Life & I'm Gonna Make You Love Me. They are currently performing across Canada on their Are You With Me Tonight? Tour 2011. In August of this year, the group released their 5th album for Open Road Recordings called 16 & 1 featuring Country Girl & Do It Right. As always, the album features the songwriting skills of all three members of the group (Chris Thorsteinson, Dave Wasyliw & Murray Pulver) - and also includes covers of songs by Bob Seger and Canada's Crash Test Dummies.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Chris Thorsteinson from Doc Walker.
(Originally aired live: November 2011)

Michelle Wright: All The Wright Moves

Click on photo to visit Michelle's website.

In September 2011, MICHELLE WRIGHT was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. The road to that honour has been paved with awards from the CCMAs, the Junos and The Academy Of Country Music. She's had 25 Top Ten hits in Canada (7 of which hit #1), 5 gold and 2 multi-platinum albums as well as worldwide record sales approaching 2 million units. Her hits include Take It Like A Man, He Would Be Sixteen, What Love Looks Like and Nobody's Girl. Michelle is about to release her first live album called The Wright Songs: An Acoustic Evening With Michelle Wright. She is also getting ready for her Christmas tour across Canada beginning in early December.This interview features 2 songs from her new album as well as a special segment called
Five From The Fans - five questions/comments for Michelle sent in by listeners.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Michelle.
(Originally aired live: November 2011)

Marshall Dane: Workin' Hard, Playin' Hard

Click on photo to visit Marshall's website.

In September 2011, Ontario Country artist Marshall Dane was one of only 8 artists to be selected from a national list of applicants to perform at the Canadian Country Music Awards New Artist Showcase. He's riding high on the success of his energetic stage shows and his album Running Stop Signs produced by Brian Allen. The CD includes the songs Love and Alcohol, Bad Choices, and About Last Light. Marshall has had the chance to perform on stage over the last couple of years with Doc Walker, Emerson Drive and Aaron Pritchett. Currently, he's busy performing and spending time writing & recording in the studio for a new album to be released in 2012.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Marshall.
(Originally aired live: November 2011)

Tonya Kennedy: Why We're Fallin' For Her

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Ontario Country artist Tonya Kennedy - originally from St. John's, Newfoundland - has just released a brand new single Fallin' For You to radio from her forthcoming 2nd CD. It's the follow-up to her debut album Lucky I Lost You. Both projects have been produced by J. Richard Hutt at Cedartree Recording Studio in Kitchener, Ontario. Earlier in 2011, Tonya was nominated for two East Coast Music Awards - one for Country Recording and one for Rising Star. In this interview, she shares the stories behind 2 of her songs and her latest video - plus she talks about her ECMA nominations & some details on her upcoming album.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Tonya.
(Originally aired live: November 2011)

In Memory of Terry Sumsion

Terry Sumsion had a string of country hits over the years with his rich baritone voice and a Classic Country approach to singing. This talented Canadian Country singer brought us the unforgettable songs "Midnight Invitation" & "Our Lovin' Place" - to name just two. He toured with George Jones and Merle Haggard and many others. Terry proudly fronted one of Canada’s premier bands, Stagecoach, throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He was a Juno and CCMA nominee many times. Terry passed away in March 2011. This interview took place in November 2009 and features great stories and songs from this well-loved and popular Country artist.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Terry.
(Originally aired live: November 2009)

The Oak Ridge Boys: Celebrating 30 Years of Elvira & more!

Click photo to visit The Oaks' website.

There's no slowing down The Oak Ridge Boys. The legendary, hit-making group was recently inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry. They just released a new album It's Only Natural available exclusively through Cracker Barrel (in stores & online). The project features 7 past hits and 5 brand new songs. A re-recording of Elvira is featured. That song was released in 1981 and went on to win a Grammy and become one of their signature hits. Joe Bonsall from the Oaks joins me on the show to talk about the Opry induction, the new album, stories behind some of their biggest hits & more! You can also catch up with this beloved group at oakridgeboys.com and learn more about Joe at josephsbonsall.com.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Joe.
(Originally aired live: October 2011)

Kirsten Jones: Proud Of Her Roots

Click on photo to visit Kirsten's website.

Toronto-based singer/songwriterKirsten Jones received a 2011 CCMA nomination for Roots Artist of the Year. She's riding high on the success of her sophomore album The Mad Mile produced by Jayhawks front man Gary Louris."I knew I wanted to try getting in touch with Gary before even trying to think of anyone else, so I looked up his management online and just sent them a package." A few months later, Louris’ management e-mailed Kirsten, saying Gary was interested in the project. The album showcases Kirsten's blending of Alt Country & Folk - as well as her songwriting skills. In fact, for the third year in a row, one of her songs from the album has been nominated in the International Songwriting Competition. This year, she came in third place - out of 15,000 entries! The Mad Mile includes a duet with the legendary Jim Cuddy. Kirsten, fresh from a summer tour of Eastern Canada & a recent trip to Nashville, visits In The Country to discuss her music career & share some songs.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Kirsten.
(Originally aired live: October 2011)

Melanie Morgan: Cover Me Canada

Click on photo to visit Melanie's website.

Born and raised in the small coastal village of Cap-Pelé, New Brunswick, Melanie Morgan's dreams of becoming a country music recording artist started to take shape in 2006. With the help of fellow New Brunswick country recording artist J.R. Vautour, Melanie recorded her debut CD Brand New Day. She received national recognition in Canada at the East Coast Awards for Country Recording of the Year. In the Fall of 2008, Melanie recorded her second album which showcases her songwriting abilities on songs co-written with Nashville hitmakers such as George Teren, Wade Kirby, Rick Huckaby and Monty Criswell. Melanie was a contestant on CBC's Cover Me Canada in the Fall of 2011 - taking 2nd place honours!

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Melanie.
(Originally aired live: April 2010)

Genevieve Fisher: New Hits On The Horizon

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At the age of 13, Genevieve Fisher took top honours for her age group at the 30th annual Canadian Open Country Singing Competition in Simcoe Ontario. At the age of 17, after the creation of her live band, Genevieve had the distinction of opening for the 2009 Canadian Female Country Artist of the Year Crystal Shawanda. The decision to travel to Nashville to record her debut CD turned out to be the turning point in her young career. In October 2010, she headed to OmniSound Studios in Nashville. The tracks recorded were a combination of songs written by herself as well as some of Nashville’s top songwriters including Jeffrey Steele and Craig Wiseman. Genevieve recently returned from Nashville where she recorded some brand new songs written with Nashville hitmaker Jennifer Schott.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Genevieve.
(Originally aired live: October 2011)

Drew Gregory: Country Hurricane

Click on photo to visit Drew's website.

Country artist Drew Gregory was born & raised in the small farming town of Standard, Alberta - about an hour outside of Calgary. Growing up, he was known for showing up to every high school party with his guitar ready to play. He eventually obtained a degree in Geomatics but soon realized that his heart was still in music. As a Christmas gift, he and his sister, Natalie, recorded an acoustic album for their Mom. After getting positive feedback on the project, Drew packed up his guitar & dreams and headed for Nashville. In Nashville, he's recorded one full length album Country Hurricane and a 4-song EP - both featuring his songwriting. At the 2010 Country 105 Rising Star contest, Drew won for best original song with the title track to his album.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Drew.
(Originally aired live: October 2011)

Lori Kole: Barefeet & Butterflies

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She grew up on her family's farm in Manitoba with a love of singing from an early age. Her musical influences include Dolly and Reba. Now, Lori Kole is living in Alberta and pursuing her dream of singing & writing Country music. In late 2009, she released the single Happy to radio - a song she co-wrote with hitmaker Adam Wheeler. That song can be found on her debut EP Barefeet And Butterflies produced by the multi-talented Steve Fox. A new single has been released to radio in October 2011. It's called Caught Up In You and Lori co-wrote the song with Canadian hitmaker Troy Kokol. Tune in for a chat with this star on the rise and hear some of the songs from her EP - including the new single.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Lori.
(Originally aired live: October 2011)

Jake Mathews: Red Tail Lights

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Country artist Jake Mathews - born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario and now calling Calgary, Alberta home - began pursuing his musical path at the age of 14 when he started singing & playing guitar. Fast forward to 2002: Jake released his self-titled debut album which generated several top 20 singles and videos resulting in a Rising Star nomination at the CCMAs. In 2011, Jake released his his third album Red Tail Lights through On Ramp Records/EMI which features the successful radio single If I Had It My Way. His new single Might Take All Night is a playful rockin' Country song which Jake co-wrote with fellow Canadian Country artist Deric Ruttan.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Jake.
(Originally aired live: September 2011)

Stacey McKitrick: Heading For The Country Charts

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Abbotsford, BC Country artist Stacey McKitrick was singing from the start. At the age of nine months, she would often be heard around the house singing along to her favourite artist, Reba McEntire. By the time she was 10, she was spending every free moment singing and making stage shows for friends and family. Along with singing, she embraced songwriting early on: "I've been writing my own songs since I was nine years old - my first song was called 'If You Could Touch A Rainbow'. When I was thirteen years old, I began writing songs as a way to release my feelings and channel my creativity; songwriting continues to be a strong artistic outlet for me." She's been to Nashville to write with some of the top writers around. Stacey's debut CD is set for release shortly and will take her that much closer to being a big name in Country music.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Stacey.
(Originally aired live: September 2011)

Robyn and Ryleigh: Sister Country Duo

Click photo to visit Robyn and Ryleigh's website.

Langley, B.C. Country duo Robyn and Ryleigh Gillespie are part of the wave of young Country performers coming from the West Coast of Canada. Their debut EP entitled Love, Always is available on iTunes. Like many of their contemporaries, they take modern, youthful pop influences and blend them with traditional country elements of acoustic instruments, meaningful lyrics, and sibling harmonies. Their original songs take moments from their lives and set them to music while they put their own stamp on favourite standards. In the last two years, the girls have been honing their music on stages around B.C.'s lower mainland. Their shows have ranged from intimate coffee shop open mics to high profile events, like the 2010 Olympics and the BC Summer Games. They were recently showcased at the British Columbia Country Music Industry Awards Show.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Robyn and Ryleigh.
(Originally aired live: September 2011)

Link to In The Country with Dave Woods at blogtalkradio

Click on the blogtalkradio logo on the left to visit In The Country's main site - where the show broadcasts from - to hear recent podcasts.

Donna Ferra: Little Red Dress, Big Dreams

Click photo to visit Donna's website.

Toronto Country artist Donna Ferra released her debut album Waited Long Enough in 2003. The title track released as a single - and got attention for Donna - featured the late great Jeff Healey. Based on that success - and subsequent well-received singles - she toured festivals in Ontario opening for artists like Jason McCoy, Doc Walker, and Aaron Lines. Along the way in her career, she's had the opportunity to work and write with producer Peter Linseman. She's travelled to Nashville many times to perform in the local songwriter rounds and to write songs. Her new radio single Little Red Dress is getting a lot of airplay and we can look forward to a brand new album from this talented artist in 2012.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Donna.
(Originally aired live: September 2011)

RyLee Madison: Time Well Spent

Click photo to visit RyLee's website.

Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia - and now living in Nashville - RyLee Madison showcases her beautiful voice and her ability to tell stories with her songs on her fourth album Where Does The Time Go. Listeners will be moved by the messages in The Beauty of Forgiveness and Be Yourself. An end of a relationship is sung about in December Leave Me Alone and new beginnings are celebrated in Feels Like Something. There is also a little fun thrown in with songs like the tongue-in-cheek Run and the playful It Can't Be That Bad. RyLee co-produced the new album with her husband Clay (a Nashville session player and touring musician of 14 years) along with a collection of great musicians from Nova Scotia and Nashville.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with RyLee.
(Originally aired live: September 2011)

Deric Ruttan: On 'Sunshine', Songwriting & More!

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Born & raised in Bracebridge, Ontario - and now living a few miles outside of Nashville - Country artist Deric Ruttan continues to enjoy a successful career with 4 nominations at the upcoming CCMA awards. He's nominated for Male Artist, Songwriter, Single and Video of the Year. The last 3 nominations on the list are for his song That's How I Wanna Go Out from his most recent album - his third - entitled Sunshine. He's also had great success as a songwriter writing hits for artists like Aaron Pritchett, Doc Walker, Eric Church & Dierks Bentley - to name just a few.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Deric.
(Originally aired live: September 2011)

Dean Brody: His Trail In Life

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Dean Brody – originally from Jaffray, BC & now living in Nova Scotia – is riding high on the success of his 2nd album Trail In Life. He’s earned five Canadian Country Music Association award nominations including Male Artist, Songwriter and Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year and Album, Song & Single of the Year. The awards will be handed out in Hamilton, Ontario in September. The current album has sent several songs to the top of the charts: Wildflower, Roll That Barrel Out, People Know You By Your First Name, Trail In Life & now the new single Little Yellow Blanket. Tune in as Dean talks about his music career and shares some of the stories behind his hit songs.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Dean.
(Originally aired live: August 2011)

Tenille: Keeping It Real

Click photo to visit Tenille's website.

Grande Prairie, Alberta Country artist Tenille is nominated for the 2011 CCMA Female Artist of the Year. Prior to the awards ceremony in Ontario in September, this talented 17-year-old singer/songwriter/recording artist will open a show for Country star Easton Corbin ("A Little More Country Than That") in Grand Prairie. Earlier this month, Tenille performed her song Real Me - from her debut CD Real - on CTV's Canada AM. Her video for her song Pictures On A Crooked Wall has aired on CMT. Recently, Tenille took a trip to Nashville to write with hitmakers Willie Mack, Gil Grand & Patricia Conroy. Tune in to hear from this rising star on the Canadian Country Music Scene as she shares stories about songwriting, performing, Shania Twain & much more!

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Tenille.
(Originally aired live: August 2011)

Codie Prevost: Saskatchewan Country Star on the Rise

Click photo to vist Codie's website.

Saskatchewan's Codie Prevost is nominated for Rising Star at this year's Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) awards held in Hamilton, Ontario in September. He's already won the Saskatchewan (SCMA) Fans Choice Entertainer of the Year three times - as well as many other SCMA awards. His current album Get Loud was produced by Vancouver's great Tom McKillip. Rolling Back To You - the lead off single/video from the album - proved successful at radio & CMT. With a busy touring schedule & an upcoming video shoot, it's clear that Codie's success in Country music can be attributed to hard work & talent. Tune in to this episode of In The Country to hear Codie discuss the making of his current CD, shooting videos, songwriting, entertaining & much more.

Click on the play button below to hear my interview with Codie.
(Originally aired live: August 2011)

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