July 2019

Meet Dave Woods – born & raised in Scarborough and now calling Mississauga home. Back in March of 2009, Dave decided to create something pretty special. “I grew up on country music. My Dad played Hank Williams and other classic country artists’ records constantly. I always had country radio on and found my own favourite artists in my teens like Alabama and Restless Heart. It’s been country music ever since.”

Dave graduated from the Radio & Television program at Centennial College and worked in country radio in Orillia for years.

His podcast is appropriately called “In The Country” and over the years, it continues to produce some pretty incredible interviews from Meghan Patrick to legendary Anne Murray to all the new artists on the scene.

“I’ve been doing the podcast for over 10 years now. It never gets old to me. I love talking with artists about their craft and their goals. So many of them I’ve met in person at industry events and shows and have gone on to call them friends. You find the greatest, nicest people in the country music community.”

The show delivers 3 to 4 episodes a week and cover all aspects of an artist’s career from influences to songwriting to goals. All episodes can be found at Dave’s SoundCloud site.

Dave is no stranger himself to putting pen to paper. “I’ve been a  co-writer on a couple of radio singles for artists across Ontario and beyond.” 

His credits to date include Colin Arney’s top 20 hit “If I Didn’t Call It Love”, Sarah Beth Keeley’s “With Your Goodbye” and Western Avenue’s “Highway Headin’ Out Of Town” – among others.

Many country music artists refer to the industry as “one big family”. “We definitely support each other and everyone is giving of their time and advice,” says Dave. 

Dave’s successful podcast inspired him to do something a bit more intimate. “I started Stories, Songs, and Six Strings in early 2018. The goal was to compliment the podcast and do a live version with interviews and songwriting rounds. I love seeing artists who just met connect on stage and go on to stay connected after the show and even write songs together. It’s all about building a community”.

Dave also points out that music really does impact others. “When the music is relatable, it can really help someone get through a tough time. The connection the listener has with the artist is nothing short of incredible”.

Dave selected the Moonshine Cafe in Oakville as the venue for his show. “It was the obvious choice. I’d been attending for 5-6 years before starting my series and the Moonshine has such a great vibe. John Marlatt, the owner, is a local legend and deserves the accolades for creating such a special atmosphere.”

Country Music Association of Ontario’s current Artist of the Month David Boyd Janes recently performed at Dave’s show and had some great things to say, “as someone who has played at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee, I can say that the Moonshine Cafe is definitely comparable as the Ontario version of the Bluebird.”

David is a rising star, his accomplishments this year alone are incredible. He’s Country Wild’s Emerging Artist Winner, Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Top 7 in Canada, CMA Ontario Emerging Artist for Boothill Jamboree, CMA Ontario Spotlight Artist for Lucknow’s Music In the Fields and is the Next Country Music Star Winner for the Havelock Country Jamboree. 

“The big shows are great,” says David, “but when I played at the Moonshine Cafe, what I liked the most about it, was that I could reach my fans on a more intimate level. The connection was amazing that night, and being able to share the stage with Augusta Ray. All I can say to Dave Woods is “thank you for all that you do.” 

For “Vagabond” singer Augusta Ray, the show means a lot to her too. “When I first became active on the Canadian country music scene, Dave Woods was one of the first people I met. I’ve always cherished our business relationship and friendship. Stories, Songs, and Six Strings is such a great opportunity for writers and music fans in the songwriting community to get together and share their music in their most stripped down, vulnerable forms. The Moonshine Cafe is such a cute, vibey, intimate venue that when performing, it literally feels like you’re performing around a campfire with your besties.” 

Continues Augusta, “through this showcase, Dave Woods has been providing writers in the country music scene with opportunities to share and celebrate new and upcoming music. The country music industry is one big family and Dave is truly the glue that keeps us all together.”

For the show’s audience, the feeling of connection and intimacy between the artists and their fans is mutual. 

Duane Piper is a fan of the show and offers his feedback, “Dave’s songwriter’s series at the Moonshine Cafe is a great forum for country artists to showcase and promote their music. I like how Dave interviews and interacts with the artists which allows the audience to learn about their musical journey. My wife and I have been attending this great series for almost a year and look forward to it each month.” 

For country music fans Natasha and Brian Stubbington, the show is “amazing and intimate and highlights a lot of Canada’s incredible country talent.”

Dave has been nominated for Industry Person of the Year by the Country Music Association of Ontario in 2017 & 2019.

You can check out his show at www.inthecountryinterviews.com and www.soundcloud.com/dave-woods-3.

To stay up to date on the podcast and show dates for Stories, Songs & Six Strings follow the In The Country Facebook Page here.