Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Danielle Lowe is a 15 year-old Country music singer/songwriter who is about to release her debut CD. She's the only singer in Edmonton’s history to win all 3 major vocal competitions as a junior in the same year: Future's Fest, Country Vocal Spotlight and Northern Star. Danielle has also competed in Tennessee’s esteemed North American Country Music Association's International Competition where she received top awards for vocals, performance style and songwriting. In 2009, she wrote & recorded a song called Jesse that she donated to the Little Warriors non-profit organization - and the song was adopted as the theme song for their Stand Up For Our Kids Campaign. With the release of her debut album, Danielle is set to climb the Country music charts and win new fans from the Country genre & beyond.

Hit songwriter Barry Brown joins me on the line from Ottawa to talk about his songs. He's had his compositions recorded by Charlie Major, Anne Murray, Susan Aglukark & many others. He has also enjoyed success as a solo artist & as a member of The Family Brown as well as Prescott Brown. Tune in and follow the journey of his songs as we get you up close and personal with this talented Canadian songwriter.

Growing up in a small farming community in Southeast Manitoba, Jason Kirkness discovered his love for Country music. His style has been influenced by the contemporary Nashville sound but he still enjoys showing his traditional side. Jason's debut album Life On The Road features the songwriting skills of Bruce Wallace, Steven Lee Olsen and William Prince. The album's first single Run Me Away was released to radio in February 2011. Jason has performed hundreds of shows throughout his home province of Manitoba and across Canada including opening spots for The Roadhammers and Deric Ruttan - along with showcases at the Canadian Country Music Awards in Edmonton and Canadian Music Week in Toronto. Tune in to hear this talented Country artist share the journey from his start in music to his first CD.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Country artist Bryan Cole embraces the traditions of legendary Country performers while honing his own God-given vocal and guitar-playing abilities to deliver his own unique sound. His debut CD Wide Open Road - featuring the international success of I'm Comin' Home - has been earning him airplay since its release in February 2010. Bryan returns to the music scene with Pride And The Passion - the first single from his upcoming album scheduled for a November 2011 release. This sing-along song, with its patriotic, work-hard-play-hard message, was written and produced by Bryan and his manager Michael Stover. Sure to connect with Bryan’s fans & sports fans, Pride And The Passion will be heard in the upcoming television ads for Bryan’s hometown baseball franchise the Pittsburgh Pirates. “My fans are my lifeblood", says Bryan. "Their love and support inspire me to be the best man I can be - on and off the stage.”

Originally from Texas - now living in Nashville, Tennesse - Julie Forester is a talented singer/songwriter who Maverick Magazine calls "a big star in the making—everything you could want in a singer and more." She currently has a writing deal with Starstruck Entertainment Texoma Ten Music Publishing in Nashville. Her songs have been recorded by other artists including pop icon Tiffany. Julie toured Europe playing Eva Cassidy in a musical play about her life & was on the West End stage in the Olivier Award winning production of Ragtime in London, England. In the UK, her single Feelin' The Fall was released to UK Country Radio and peaked at #16 on the HOTDISC Country Charts. Julie visits In The Country to talk about her latest EP, songwriting & much more.

NSAI Toronto will be holding its 12th annual Tin Pan North Festival in the Greater Toronto Area from May 26th to May 28th, 2011. This annual event is a 'must attend' for those interested in the craft of songwriting - from beginner to pro. The three day event includes performances and workshops with songwriters from Canada and the U.S. Tune into this Tin Pan North special - featuring Dan McVeigh, Joe Hash & Barbara Lynn Doran - to learn all about the event. My guests will also be sharing a song each & offering some songwriting tips.

Canadian songwriter Larry Wayne Clark was recently inducted into the British Columbia Country Music Association's Hall of Fame. Over the years, he's had hits and songs recorded by the likes of Lee Greenwood, Chris Young, The Statler Brothers, Lisa Brokop & Adam Gregory - to name just a few. Larry is here to share the stories behind several of his songs - taking us on a journey from the initial ideas to the final recordings. The show will feature a couple of his songs. Along the way, there'll be tips on songwriting, making demos, pitching songs, and much more.

Glace Bay, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Country artist Drake Jensen is on the verge of making a big impact on Country radio & with Country fans. The worldwide release of his debut single Wash Me Away is just days away. It's a song from his brand new album entitled On My Way To Finding You. Nashville producer Kim Copeland describes Drake’s vocals as “warm, rich and unique” and these qualities are what prompted her to work with him on this project. It's very fitting that he finds himself walking down a Country road since - at the age of 4 - he remembers feeling a connection to the music of John Denver - specifically his classic song Country Road.

Kitchener, Ontario's Ryan vanDyk has spent 10 years quietly building a reputation as a solid singer/songwriter. In a hotbed of local talent, he has always been a fixture at local shows and accompanied various acts over the years. His sound is best described as modern country with a rock influence. “I fell into the country scene later in life and it hit me pretty hard. Acts like Doc Walker, Dierks Bentley and Emerson Drive who could make country songs new and fresh really appealed to me. The writing was real and about things that happen in day-to-day life,"explains Ryan. This talented Canadian's songwriting skills have been recognized recently by the NSAI. Ryan's self-titled debut EP features the current radio single Strong Enough which is attracting plenty of attention & airplay around the world.

Country artist Victoria Banks - the 2010 CCMA Female Artist & Songwriter of the Year - released her brand new CD "Never Be The Same" this week. It features her skillful songwriting and heartfelt vocals - with a great range of songs from uptempo fun (Mama Said Don't, Barefoot Girl) to moving/reflective songs (Never Be The Same, The Other Side) to classic story songs (Jackson). She's about to tour with George Canyon and, later this year, with Reba. Tune in to hear all about the new CD (and songs from it) as well as all of Victoria's latest news.