Eastern Ontario's Greg Hanna grew up on a dairy farm, and is just as happy working cattle as he is performing on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans. From the first time he laid eyes on that old Sears guitar hanging in his aunt’s cold storage room, he knew he had to be on stage. But his heart is never far from the kind of lifestyle he grew up knowing. "If I wasn’t pursuing a music career, I’d probably still be there farming, because I love that life so much. I’d love to be sitting on a tractor right now in the heat -- you know, small town farm life. I grew up in the country…I am country music. I didn’t know much about rock and roll growing up…country was all I knew." Greg's songs have climbed the charts in America and here in Canada with "Song In My Head", "Love You For Life" & "Singin' To The Radio". Shorty after moving to Nashville, a song Greg had written was recorded by Country superstar Sammy Kershaw for his 2003 "I Want My Money Back" album. Greg currently has a hot new radio new single - and video - called "What Kind Of Love Are You On".

In the world of country music, there’s a lot to be said for family support. Talented Barrie, Ontario Country artist Derek James Tilley can attest to that. It was his sister who encouraged him to showcase his abilities at a singing competition in his hometown. “I can’t thank my sister enough for her encouragement”, says Derek. “That day, she changed my life.” He quickly became a fan favourite and eventually went on to win the top Country vocalist in that competition. It was because of taking a chance that fateful morning that Derek caught the ear of judges and music producers Marty Beecroft and Glenn Coulson. The three began songwriting together regularly and planning for Derek’s debut Country album "Angels & Outlaws". His distinct and comfortable sound has been called a mix of Gary Allan, Jason Aldean and Rascal Flatts – a combination of Allan’s sensitivity, Aldean’s grit and the Flatts’ vocal range. The album features Derek's songwriting skills on three of the songs with other offerings coming from hitmakers like Tim Nichols, Cyril Rawson and Keith Urban. Lots of exciting things happening right now for DJT - tune in to hear his latest news and some songs from his current album.

Country artist Rhonda Towns made her debut as a country music singer on Ed McMahon’s Star Search as a champion female country music artist. She soon after attracted the attention of producer Norro Wilson (Kenny Chesney/Reba McEntire/Sara Evans/Shania Twain) after sending in a demo of cover tunes to the A&R Department of Mercury Records. “Shannon Scott (at that time Shannon Finnigan) set up a meeting for me with Norro Wilson. My husband and I took my karaoke box with us to the meeting and Norro told me to go back home and send him a demo. My husband immediately said, ‘wait a minute we flew all the way from Phoenix, Arizona, she’s going to sing for you right now.’ So he took the karaoke box out of the suitcase, set it up and I performed for Norro “A Picture of Me Without You”. Immediately, he decided he would produce some songs from her. Aside from performing her music, Rhonda has appeared in many TV comercials and hosts a radio show called "Plenty More Love".

Born and raised in Jonesville, Virginia, Kelley Nelson was exposed to traditional Country and Bluegrass music throughout her childhood. She began singing in her church choir when she was eight years old and performed with her high school chorale group for four years. After high school, Kelley continued to sing in church as she attended college and graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She began a career as a counselor for children and continues to work in that profession. Kelley has performed at many local and regional events within the past 4 years, often appearing as a guest with Lonesome Will Mullins, singing their crowd-pleasing version of the Johnny Cash and June Carter hit, “Jackson”. She's just released an album called "Yesterday's Blues" which showcases her bluegrass style (and some of her songwriting) on highlights like "Coal Miner's Queen" and "When I Hear That Rain". Tune in to hear all about this talented singer-songwriter's music career and to hear some songs from the new album.

St. Catharines, Ontario-born Country artist Marshall Dane won Country 95.3 FM’s “Big Break Competition” in July 2009. He had been ready, willing and able to make sure that if this was going to be his ‘big break’, he was prepared to deliver. Since winning that competition, Marshall has performed with Alan Jackson, Emerson Drive, Michelle Wright, Shane Yellowbird, and many other top Country artists. Brian Allen produced and Jason Barry engineered the new album “Running Stop Signs”. Marshall co-wrote many of the tracks with great writers such as Paul Brandt, Jason Matthews, and Dan Murph. Now headlining festivals on his own, he's become popular with radio stations and their listeners across Canada with his debut single “Love and Alcohol”. The next single “Bad Choices” will give Marshall’s fans another taste of his fun side. Tune in to find out all about Marshall Dane's music career & hear some of his latest songs.

"George Strait is my hero. I can die happy the day I get to shake his hand", jokes Jessica Ridley. This talented Alberta singer/songwriter also cites Reba, Shania Twain & Loretta Lynn as strong musical influences. Along with a great voice and songwriting skills, Jessica plays piano and guitar. Her debut album entitled "Fit To Be Tied" - produced by Nashville's Billy Simon - features her songwriting as well as material from some of Nashville's best writers. Jessica's latest single "Flaming Red" - written by Bob Carlisle - is getting airplay in Canada, the States and the UK. This is Jessica's second visit to In The Country - tune in to get caught up on all her latest news and to hear a couple of her great songs.

Saskatchewan's Codie Prevost is continuing to see his star rise in the Country Music world with the release and success of his latest CD "Get Loud". It's the follow-up to his previous two albums "The Road Ahead" and "Spin (6 Pak Volume 1)". The CD features 12 tracks - fun party tunes and beautiful love songs - produced by famed producer Tom McKillip. The first single (and video) "Rolling Back To You" won Codie new fans & delighted existing ones while his brand new single "Standing Still" is gearing up to do the same. A video for the song began airing on CMT on the day of this interview. Tune in to hear this two-time winner of the SCMA Fan's Choice Entertainer of The Year award discuss his new CD and share songs from it.

Hemingway Corner was formed in 1992 by two established singer-songwriters, David Martin and Johnny Douglas. They had hits on the Canadian pop charts with "Man on a Mission" and "Love, Love, Love", and received a Juno Award nomination for "Best New Group" in 1996. Eventually, Johnny formed another group. While working on a Neil Young tribute album, the Skydiggers introduced David to Scott Dibble (from the Toronto band Watertown) and Mark Sterling from Edmonton. They would record their own cover song on the tribute album, "Tell Me Why" as a newly revamped Hemingway Corner. With some material already written by Scott and Mark, the band released a follow-up album, Under the Big Sky in 1995. Three more singles hit the charts including "Big Sky", "Tell Me Why" and "Watch Over You" before the band dissolved in late 1996. David, Mark and Scott have now released a new Hemingway Corner CD entitled "Speed Of Life" featuring the new single "Think Of Love". David Martin joins me on the show to talk about the CD and share some songs from it.

Texas-born singer/songwriter Doug Bruce now resides in Bendigo, Australia. He's been impressing die-hard country fans and new converts alike with his rich voice and natural affinity for the southern country sound. Doug was awarded 2009 Best Male Vocalist in the well regarded Tamworth Independent Artists Recognition Awards (TIARAs). His music career began almost 20 years ago, performing primarily as a drummer and backing vocalist for numerous bands in Texas. He also spent time in Nashville performing and doing studio session work. Doug has been described as having “a simply awesome talent to wring emotion from words and music” (Deborah Minter, Capital News, December 2008). This talented singer/songwriter is making his second visit to In The Country - this time to talk about his brand new album called "A Good Place". For some great stories & great Country Music, tune in and enjoy! Check out this review of Doug's new CD at: www.countrystarsonline.com/CSO/reviewarchives/2010/DougBruce_GP.htm.

Tommy Gilham was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama in a home filled with love and southern hospitality where gospel and country music filled the air. Each Sunday afternoon all of the relatives would gather to pick up their instruments and play their hearts out. Tommy headed to Nashville after he won a songwriting contest, and immediately received a publishing deal with Polygram. While there he had the opportunity to work with artists such as Charlie Daniels, Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marty Stuart and others. He was for a time a member of the Charlie Daniels band “Saddletramp” and cut his teeth performing nightly all over Nashville. Tommy’s relocation north of the border has become Canada’s gain. He's returning to the studio along with some very celebrated musicians. With many songs yet to be recorded and despite his experience “in the biz” in the US, his is a story that has just begun. Tune in to hear great stories & songs from this talented Country artist.