For the past five years, Blind River has been busy at the Ontario Country club circuit - quickly climbing to the top as a fan favourite with their unmistakable signature upbeat tempo and full-throttle live performances. The group has developed their own brand of Country with a rock and roll edge that has earned them a place on stage with the likes of Aaron Pritchett, Aaron Lines, Deric Ruttan and Amanda Wilkinson. Nominated for Country Group of The Year at local Country Music Awards three straight years in a row (2007-2009), Blind River is now ready to claim their place on the Country charts with the release of their debut single Ready, Set, Summer. The group's members are Kevin Bushey, Kurk Bernard and Steve Petrie.

Dr. Jocelyn Neal is an associate professor of music at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a BA from Rice University and an MA and Ph.D. from the Eastman School of Music at University of Rochester. She is the author of The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers: A Legacy in Country Music (Indiana University Press, 2009), which received an ASCAP Deems Taylor Award and an ARSC Award, and co-author of the 3rd Revised Edition of Country Music U.S.A. (University of Texas Press, 2010). Dr. Neal's Country Music research appears in academic journals including Musical Quarterly and Music Theory Spectrum. She is co-editor of Southern Cultures, an interdisciplinary quarterly published by the Center for the Study of the American South, and she regularly presents at national conferences on popular music and analysis. She joins me on the show to discuss some of the greatest Country songs of all time.

At just 17 years of age, Raven Bro has made big steps forward in her journey to Country Music success. She has already received several awards from the Georgia Country And Gospel Music Association including awards for Vocalist, Songwriter and Entertainer of the Year. Raven is just as comfortable in the studio as she is on stage. She performs shows with her band The Raven Bro Band. Some of the venues she's sung at include the Wildhorse Saloon, Tootsie's & Dollywood. Raven is here to talk about her start in music, her influences, songwriting and much more. Plus, we'll hear a couple of songs from this talented teen Country artist.

If you peeled back the layers of Amanda Jane Duncan's soul, you would find roots grounded in faith, nurtured in love and fed by a burning desire for all things Country. Amanda grew up on a grain and cattle farm near Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Out on the farm the only station that came in was Country and that's what played on the kitchen radio all day long. Through her high school years, she immersed herself in singing and writing songs - with her dreams set on a career in Country Music. Life sent Amanda on a major detour when she fell in love with a local boy and, after a year of university, they decided to face life's challenges together and married. Amanda put aside her music to focus on her new life but her heart led her back to focus on her music as well. Tune in to hear this talented Canadian Country artist talk about her music & share some songs.

Raised in Mt. Nemo, Ontario, Country artist Billy J White enjoyed a rural childhood, and a love of music from an early age. Inspired by the many family gatherings in which guitars, harmonicas, and spoons were played, he just had to join in. If you don’t find Billy singing and playing guitar, then look for him under the nearest hotrod, whistling, and wrenching. He has been busy in the recording studio since last fall with Steve Ashley, his producer at Heritage Studios in Burlington, Ontario. The first radio single from this talented newcomer is called BBQ - a great song to kick off the summer. Tune in to hear a voice that is undeniably Country.

Bill Anderson is a singer, songwriter, actor, author and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame - and one of the most popular and enduring entertainers of our time. He earned the nickname Whisperin' Bill years ago as a result of his breathy voice and his warm, soft approach to singing a Country song. At the age of nineteen, he composed the Country classic City Lights and began carving his place in musical history. His voice is heard on his popular hit songs Po' Folks, The Tips Of My Fingers, Still and many, many more. In recent years, he's had his songs recorded by some of the biggest names in Country including Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, George Strait and Sugarland. Tune in for a conversation with a Country music legend about his career, latest CD & the stories behind his hits.

Calahoo, Alberta Country artist Sharon Anderson - now calling Nashville home - broke onto the Music City scene as a member of the trio Trinity Lane which scored 3 Billboard Country Chart hits in the late 80s. She then pursued a solo career and released the albums The Bottom Line &Bringing It Home which had singles that attracted heavy airplay in Canada. As a songwriter, Sharon found great success when Lisa Brokop recorded her song Give Me A Ring Sometime. That song introduced Lisa to the American Country charts. Many other of Sharon's songs have been recorded by a long list of Canadian & American artists. Great news - Sharon's been busy writing & working on a new album which will include a great new composition entitled Springtime Johnny.

At just 21 years old, Jason Petric has been playing in bands for almost a decade resulting in hundreds of shows all over Manitoba. Now, he has his sights set on success as a solo act. Jason has already placed in the QX104 Bud Country Search finals two years running, played the Dauphin Music Festival and watched two original songs hit the local college radio chart. With a love of Country music coming from influences like Doc Walker, Keith Urban & Paul Brandt - and his own pop-rock flavour mixed in - Jason is developing a sound that comes naturally to him. Like many artists, he has a hand in writing his songs. Recording demos at various studios over the last few years, Jason ended up meeting producer Jack Shapira at Unison Studios where he's completed his self-titled debut EP featuring "You're So Beautiful".

Listowel, Ontario singer/songwriter Johnny Borton is about to release an album that means alot to him. It's called Just Kidding Around and is a children's CD. Johnny performs shows for kids and spreads the message of 'no violence' and 'no bullying' in schools. One dollar from the sale of every CD will be donated to Canadian Feed The Children. A self-taught piano player, Johnny started playing and performing Country & 50s/60s music at age 16. He's no stranger to the stage - he's toured across Canada and Europe with shows that entertain music fans of all ages. Tune in to hear Johnny share his important message as well as songs from the new CD.

Toronto, Ontario Country artist Krista Earle discovered a great passion for singing and performing at an early age. Raised by a family with talent for singing and playing numerous instruments, her own musical abilities came naturally. Fast forward to present: Krista has been writing and recording with Steve Ashley at Heritage Music Studios in Burlington, Ontario. Her first radio single is Bad Hair Day with other songs Man Up and You Can Count On Me to follow soon. Influenced by great country artists like Shania Twain, Martina McBride, and Carrie Underwood, Krista is sure to make her own mark in the world of Country music.