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. Including the 3 songs Wendy and her husband Curtt wrote, there are a number of Canadian songwriters lending their talents to the project including Michael, who also acts as executive producer of the album. The project also features CCMA award-winning players Shane Guse on fiddle,Doug Johnson on steel and Thomas Wade on guitars - among others. Wendy's CD Release Party takes place in early November. Tune in to get an up close & personal look at her music career and making of the album.

Toronto-based singer/songwriter Kirsten 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.

At the age of 19, Genevieve Fisher has already achieved more in her career than most artists could ever hope for. Since her first award-winning performance at the Ilderton Fair in Ontario, she has continued her climb to national recognition as one of Canada’s new breed of Country singers. At the age of 13, Genevieve took top honours for her age group at the 30th annual Canadian Open Country Singing Competition in Simcoe Ontario. At the age of 16, after the creation of her live band, Genevieve had the distinction of opening for 2009’s 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. Tune in to learn all about this star on the rise and hear some of her songs.

Calgary, Alberta Country artist Shannon Smith has been singing and performing since the age of six, creating her own style while also influenced by artists like Lorrie Morgan, Shania Twain and Sheryl Crow. Since 2007, Shannon has graced the stage of several top-notch venues and events throughout Alberta, including the Big Valley Jamboree, Airdrie Pro Rodeo and Flames Central in Calgary. She has opened for country recording artists Johnny Reid, Duane Steele, Julian Austin, Aaron Pritchett, and most recently for American country supergroup Lonestar during the 2011 Calgary Stampede. Shannon was the 2009 winner of the Country 105/Lammle's Rising Star Contest held at Ranchman's in Calgary. This talented Canadian Country artist has been enjoying airplay with songs from her debut album entitled Tell Me Something. Tune in for a chat with Shannon that will focus on her start in music, influences, debut album and more.

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. Tune in to hear this star on the rise talk about his start in music, musical influences, songwriting, his latest album & more!

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 singleHappyto 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.

With the release of Northern Redemptionearlier this year, The Abrams Brothers – John, James and cousin Elijah – make a transition from the music of their roots to their own distinct sound. It’s a combination of bluegrass, country and folk-rock. The band's members are fourth-generation musicians with musical roots reaching back to their great-grandparents. They’ve been touring together for almost a decade – and in the past few years, have become Canadian festival favorites. In 2005, the Ontario-based group became the youngest Canadians to appear on Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry. Northern Redemption is their fourth album and features the past single Viva la Vida - a cover of the Coldplay hit - which also became a video that aired on CMT. John Abrams joins me on the show to talk about the new album & share some songs from it.

Thunder Bay, Ontario Country artist Scott Skirving has never given up his dream of music. Through all the twists and turns in life, his new CD proudly states Here I Am. The project is produced by Kenny Sitter - his good friend and the lead guitarist for Canadian Country band Jo Hikk. Scott's Country voice sounds right at home on the CD's songs written by hitmakers George Canyon, Dean Brody, Willie Mack, Troy Kokol, Kenny Sitter, and Scott himself - to name just a few of the writers. This talented Canadian artist is no stranger to touring and entertaining music fans - he's opened up shows for Aaron Pritchett, Travis Tritt, Wynonna and others. Tune in to hear about the making of Scott's CD, his appraoch to songwriting, his influences and much more.

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 all the latest about this beloved group at oakridgeboys.com.

The best way to describe the sound of The River Junction Band is progressive, aggressive, rockin' Country. Listeners will hear solid four part male and female harmonies from this band whose influences are as diverse as Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, AC/DC & The Rolling Stones. Coming off their win for Best Country Act at the 2010 Toronto Independent Music Awards, RJB continues to be in demand to bring its high-energy show to appreciative audiences and a growing fan base. The band has had the pleasure of supporting such major acts as Toby Keith, Aaron Pritchett, Travis Tritt, Julian Austin, & Tara Oram. The group is made up of Dave & Tammy Steeper, Dave Collins, Derek Hardy, and Paul Dufour. Tune in to get an up close & personal look at this talented Ontario band and hear a couple of their songs.