Born in Edmonton and adopted by parents in Calgary, Bobby Wills’ eventually found music but not as early as many artists do. “When I was a kid, music was not a part of my life in a tangible way. My father listened to Country Music at home but that was about the extent of our participation as a family, “ explains Bobby. “I loved music from an early age, it was something I was very drawn to but unfortunately that passion was something I was far too shy to share”. Then in Australia on vacation, Bobby was bet $20 by a friend to get up and sing with a band at a jam session. He sang The Dance (Garth Brooks) and officially began his musical path. The story gets even more interesting and powerful at this point – tune in to hear all the details. Bobby has just released his debut album entitled “Man With No Past” featuring the upcoming single “My Memory Ain’t What It Used To Be”.

Calgary, Alberta’s Shannon Smith has been singing and performing since the age of six, creating her own style while also influenced by the poise and traditionalism of Lorrie Morgan, the showmanship and flare of Shania Twain and the musical strength of Sheryl Crow. Her charming and sassy stage presence demands attention and connects her with her audience. 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 and Julian Austin. Shannon was the 2009 winner of the Country 105/Lammle's Rising Star Contest held at Ranchman's in Calgary. Her debut album "Tell Me Something" has just been released. She joins me on the show to talk about the album, her music career and much more.

Award-winning Country/Roots group Three Penny Opus – based in the Barrie, Ontario area - is made up of Mary Lou Minor, Vince Therrien, Andre Paraskevas, Pam Steingard & Randy Brethour. Each member brings extensive musical experience and influences from various genres. Their debut album is a collection of songs written by Mary Lou and Vince. In 2009, the group won 1st place at the Seventh Annual Country Showdown in Havelock. That same year they won the Best Country award at Barrie’s New Music Fest. Mary Lou and Vince join me on the show to talk all about the group & to share some songs from their CD. Learn more about them at www.threepennyopus.com.

Born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario - now calling Whitby home - Country artist Barbara Lynn Doran found her love for music early on. "Music has always been a haven where I could escape to, a place to express my feeling from love, frustration to sadness, and where I could figure things out," she explains. She began playing the organ when she was just 8 and dived into songwriting at age 16. With many different musical influences - Olivia Newton-John, Sheryl Crow & Sarah McLaughlin - Barbara eventually found her way to Country Music and hasn't looked back. Her new project has been produced by producer Murray Daigle - who also had a hand in writing songs on the album. "I really enjoy connecting to the audience when I perform live and I feed off the energy of the crowd," she reveals. Tune in to hear this rising Country star talk about her music career - and share some of her newest songs.

Sudbury Country artist Larry Berrio has just released his latest radio single “Cut The Dust” from his album RPM. “It's related to the typical cowboy or farmer, that just likes to let loose, and looks forward to a weekend after a hard week of work,” Larry explains. Earlier this year, he shot a CMT video in Sudbury for the single “Rock Town” - featuring scenes filmed 140 feet under the ground and 200 feet in the air. In March 2010, Larry was the cover story on Country Music News which is published in Ottawa. Next month, he’ll be performing for agents, records labels, radio stations and festival organizers as part of CCMA week. Tune in to hear all about this rising Country star’s career – and hear the brand new single.

John Landry's big debut on the Canadian Country Music scene was in 2000 with his first single, "There You Were", which won SOCAN's Most Played Country Song of that year. He also went on to win the 2000 CCMA Independent Male Artist of the Year. That first album, Forever Took Too Long, went on to deliver more solid hits: "Bit By Bit", "Long Gone & Forgotten" and "My Heart Says Yes (But The Hurt Says No)". John continued to enjoy success with Country radio & Country fans with albums he released in 2002 & 2005. Now, he's back with his fourth album entitled Changing Man which features the energetic and fun song "Everybody Wants To Be A Redneck" as well as the moving title track. John once said: "No matter what I accomplish in my life, nothing will ever top the feeling of pride I get from the fans." This talented singer/songwriter visits In The Country to give us a sneak peak at his latest CD.

Bo Bice has released his latest single from his new album, '3,' which hit stores this summer. 'You Take Yourself With You' is a song Bo holds close to his heart, as it reminds the singer of his teenage years when he first left home. He co-wrote it with songwriting buddy D. Scot Miller. When the conversation turned to leaving home, both writers had special stories that would create a very personal song. "I was speaking a little bit about my relationship with my family and how hard it was to leave home," Bo explains. The talented singer/songwriter visits In The Country to talk about his music career, his new CD & the new single. I'll play the single and another song from '3'.

At just 16 years old, Tenille’s songwriting skills have aligned her with some of the best in the country music business including Nashville SESAC Legacy Award Winner Stan Webb, and CCMA Award winners Tim Taylor, Byron Hill, and Troy Kokol. Coming up at the CCMAs in September, Tenille has been selected to perform at the New Artist Showcase, as well as the Songwriters’ Café and for the RBC Emerging Artists project. Her first single, “Home Now”, a tribute to fathers serving overseas, released to national radio for Remembrance Day 2009, garnered vast media coverage. Tenille has performed for the Olympic Torch Relay, the National Anthem at an Edmonton Eskimos home game and has opened for many award-winning country acts. Tenille has released her EP, Note To Self, and will release a full-length CD entitled 'Real' this November.

Ray St. Germain started playing music and singing while growing up in St. Vital, a suburb in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Eventually, he began performing all over Canada when he was still a teenager, earning the nickname "Winnipeg's Elvis". He went on to share the stage with such greats as Johnny Cash, Porter Wagoner, and Johnny Horton. In 1969, Ray was the host/singer of "Time for Livin''" a CBC TV show out of Toronto that led to the 1970 series "My Kind of Country", a CBC National Television show from Winnipeg, featuring many of the biggest names in country music. In 1978, Ray began producing his long-running TV series entitled "Ray St. Germain Country" (later known as "Big Sky Country") on CKND which that year won the Gold Medal at the Can-Pro Awards for Best New Variety Series. In recent years, Ray added author to his list of credits as he wrote his autobiography "I Wanted to Be Elvis, So What Was I Doing In Moose Jaw?". In a special induction ceremony on Friday, September 10th in Edmonton, the CCMA will induct Ray into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Honour. His latest CD is entitled "Life Ain't Hard" and this Canadian Country legend visits In The Country to share some music from it - and share stories from his remarkable music career.

Brandi and Eddie are independently-produced artist-songwriters with a country sound they like to call "Motor City meets Country"! Brandi is from Michigan and Eddie is from Ohio - both have lived in Nashville since 2007. Eddie brings a signature guitar sound to his writing that you won't find easily duplicated. Brandi has a unique R&B vocal style with no boundaries. Their songs are well crafted, with lyrics that vividly tell a story. The duo continues to pitch songs while receiving air play via various internet radio as well as Christian Radio venues. They perform acoustically and along with a full band. Brandi and Eddie are here to talk about making music in Music City & to share some songs from their "Autumn Leaves" CD.