Country artist Roger Schmidt borrowed an electric guitar for a high school lip sync performance when he was fifteen – and has never looked back. Growing up in a small town in BC, he found making music a great way to pass the time. He eventually packed up his musical dreams and headed to the Greater Vancouver area. In 2007, Roger won the Coquitlam, BC Idol contest. After winning a spot in the BC Talent Search competition, Roger placed 6th out of 18 provincial finalists at Mountainfest 2008. His debut CD “Horns & Halos” was produced by Don Harte of Harte Music Productions – and features songs penned by Roger. Larry Delaney, editor & publisher of Country Music News (out of Ottawa, Canada), praises the CD, “Horns & Halos is an auspicious debut for Roger Schmidt. If this album is any indication, he should have a successful run with his music career”.

Edmonton's Lisa Nicole Grace organizes fundraising campaigns for a hospital foundation by day - and lives for her music the rest of the time. She studied music at university but explains, "I never really quite felt at home until I started playing around town with my own band playing my own music. It's been an adventure for sure, and I am happiest when singing." Lisa's blend of Country and Folk is winning her new fans daily. Her 2008 debut EP 'The Cellar Sessions' features her heartwarming vocals and insightful songwriting. A new CD is currently being worked on for release later in 2010. Last year she wrote a beautiful song called 'Last Breath' inspired by the Twilight book series (also big at the box office). "I was really touched by the beautiful yet tortured love between the two main characters and wrote this song in response to that," Lisa reveals. Tune in as this talented singer/songwriter discuss her passion for music and shares the stories behind her songs.

Peterborough's Kristen T. Clark has shared the stage with Country stars Jamie Warren, Tara Lyn Hart, Carroll Baker, Steve Piticco (from South Mountain) & Don Helms (from Hank Williams Sr.'s band). Encouraged by Dave Lockwood of CKOL 93.7FM Radio and Canadian "hit" producer/writer Cyril Rawson, Kristen continues to write her own original songs with her goal of releasing a CD full of originals in the near future. Her list of guitar heroes - Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Rik Emmett - helps motivate her to pursue advanced guitar lessons with a private instructor. She's performed countless times at various musical venues & on Rogers TV. Backed by 62 North at many of her shows, Kristen is embracing a rock country approach to her music. This talented young singer/songwriter/guitarist joins me to talk about her music career and her exciting summer shows.

Francelle Maria gained recognition by participating in many competitions such as Star Acadie, Maritime Idol, Accros de la Chanson, which also gave her continuous radio play for her and her band, not yet out of high school. She graduated from Toronto's Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, where she got the chance to perfect her skills in singing, dancing and acting. Loving the thrill of performing on stage, she shone in many musical theatre shows including Sleeping Beauty as the Good Fairy, High School Musical II as Sharpay and Cinderella as the lead character. Eventually, she returned to her hometown on the East Coast of Canada to work towards her debut Country CD. She co-wrote songs with Nashville writers, recorded them with some of Nashville's finest musicians and called on the talents of Canadian producer (and Country artist) JR Vatour. Francelle is here to talk about the journey leading to her debut CD & to share a couple of the songs from it. Catch this star on the rise on In The Country!

UK Country artist Debbie Nunn wrote her first song at the age of 10 and now has an extensive catalogue of her own music. For her new album "Here for You", she co-wrote 10 tracks and penned one by herself. Debbie has performed her music in Las Vegas, Russia, Singapore and at the legendary Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville. Her current single "Bubbles" is receiving lots of airplay in Germany, Austria and Switzerland - there's also a video for the song being aired in the UK. Recently, Debbie was excited to hear the single is featured on a compilation CD from Sony Music called "Hot & New Country Music" - a CD that also features songs from Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. Tune in to hear all about this talented singer/songwriter's music career as well as the stories behind some of her songs.

With the release of his first self-titled album in 1988, country music fans found a new favourite artist in Cochrane, Alberta's George Fox. Debut singles, 'Angelina' and 'Goldmine' quickly climbed the country charts and soon other singles like 'No Trespassing,' 'Mustang Heart,' & 'I Give You My Word' reached the top as well. Throughout the 1980s, George opened for such country greats as Randy Travis, Dolly Parton and George Strait. Before long this talented Canadian singer/songwriter was headlining his own sold out shows and seeing his success add up: 4 CCMA awards for country male vocalist, 3 Junos, 5 Gold Records & 4 CBC television specials. Of his album entitled 'Canadian' - featuring 12 songs he wrote - George says "There is nothing like country music when it comes to conveying a little patriotism, and I'd love to be the voice that sings about what makes Canadians feel proud." Tune in to hear George share some great stories & great songs.

DEERE JOHN’s Craig Brooks, Randy Gee, Ken Kirshner, and James Webster had found success in music on their own but but it was when they turned their collective attention to country music that something magical happened. The band moved into a log cabin on guitar player Randy Gee’s farm and began the process of writing a great country album. With four singer/songwriters in the group, the songs developed quickly and with quality. Producer (and Canadian Country artist) Gil Grand used his skills to ensure the 16 tracks on the CD captured the “no boundaries” approach to music that the band lives by. Tune in to hear from this British Columbia band on the rise and get the stories behind their songs.

Singing since the age of five, Stephanie McIlroy has always had a desire to pour out her heart to audiences. She never recognized music as talent to pursue until her late twenties. Growing up in farm country near Windsor, Ontario - in the small town of Merlin - she spent countless hours sitting in her room listening to the radio. Little did she know those moments would create in her the ability to put her own words and music into song. Fast forward: Stephanie has just released her debut CD entitled "Life Is Not An Act" - produced by Brad Dugas of Revelation Sound in Guelph, Ontario. The CD showcases this talented Canadian's passionate voice & strong songwriting skills. Tune in to learn more about Stephanie and to hear her songs & the stories behind them.

Samara Yung has been performing since the age of eight, developing her love of music from her musician father. She grew up exposed to a variety of sounds - Country, Classic rock & Broadway show tunes. 2005 was an exciting year for Samara as she won the GX94 Star Search Contest. From this contest, she was able to release two singles - written & produced by Steve Fox - to radio. In 2006, Samara was on the road, as a member of the winter cast of Saskatchewan Express. She toured throughout Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta with the long running musical touring company, which showcases Saskatchewan youth talent. Samara released her debut album "Show Me The World" in 2008, also produced by Steve Fox. She co-wrote eight of the songs on the album with Canadian talents Steve Fox, Tim Taylor and RyLee Madison. In 2009, Samara was honoured to be nominated for 7 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year, Rising Star, Song, Single and Album of the year! In 2010, she won two SCMA awards - Female Vocalist of the Year & the Rising Star Award.

From humble beginnings in Sudbury, Ontario and the youngest of ten children, Diane Chase found her voice at age five and as a teenager began touring in Ontario and Quebec with the popular band “Flirt”. Her love for Country Music and songwriting led her to begin a career as a solo artist. The release of her first CD in 2002, “In The Middle Of Something” - produced by award-winning Canadian producer Rick Hutt - saw the title track skyrocketing to the Top 10 on Canadian Country radio with the fun video becoming a CMT favourite. More successful singles followed and then, in 2004, Diane released her second CD "The Ride" with the inspiring title track/chart-topping single and another hit video. The musical adventure continues with the release of Diane’s current CD, “Gettin' There” - produced by Nashville producer/songwriter Noah Gordon & Canada's Jason Barry. Learn more about this talented Country artist at www.dianechase.com.