What an exciting year 2021 has been for acclaimed, Calgary-based country artistANNIKA both professionally and personally. She has been engaging and entertaining audiences around the world since 2014 as the lead singer of the CCMA-nominated country-pop duo Leaving Thomas. ANNIKA has been taking a new musical direction as a solo artist and has already seen incredible success with hit singles released earlier this year.
ANNIKA has been named the iHeart Radio Future Star (July / August 2021). There is so much to celebrate this year including the release of her new single “Encore” released on September 17, a duet with chart-topping, Platinum-selling, JUNO, and CCMA award-winning Canadian country star Brett Kissel. The extraordinary tune showcases ANNIKA’s and Kissel’s breathtaking harmonies in this black and white production, creating the ideal mix of simple melodies and lyrics that make it timeless. I love the striped back instrumental in the tune allowing the listener to feel every emotionally driven note showcasing the powerhouse vocals of both ANNIKA and Brett Kissel. This isn't the normal type of song for Brett and I can honestly say that it brought out the range and depth to his voice that I haven't heard before. I love everything about this tune.
In addition to releasing “Encore,” ANNIKA, released her single “Love Looks Like You” as a “twingle” on the same date, giving fans a double dose of new music. This song is a romantic ballad that showcases a softer side of ANNIKA’s voice and highlights heartfelt lyrics in a timeless love song.
Congratulations to you and your husband, Spencer Cheyne, on becoming a new mom and dad to Levi on July 12.
ANNIKA has been busy working on her writing for some new music coming out in early 2022. She also celebrated the new single 'I'm In It' that she co-wrote with pop sensation 'Kaiya Gamble'.
I had a wonderful time catching up once again with one of my favorite artists on the radio today. To hear all the amazing news and exciting projects ANNIKA is working on and my Burning Questions portion of the show, click on the link below.
Jake Hootteams up with The Tenors for “When Christmas Has Come and Gone,” a beautiful plea to remember what it’s all truly about. “It’s the joy of children’s faces, knowing they believe / It’s a gathering around the table with our family / Sharing all the memories of our loved ones who have gone / These are the gifts that still live on, when Christmas has come and gone,” Hoot sings, intertwining with Victor Micallef, Fraser Walters, and Clifton Murray.
“I think working with these guys and honestly meeting them, has been one of the highlights of my career,” Hoot tells NOW and THEN Magazine. “‘Cause they’re some of the nicest guys that you could ever meet, and some of the most professional — I don’t understand how they have the ears for music that they do, because they’re absolutely professionals. Great guys, and incredible people.”
''An emotional ballad, the 4-and-a-half minute-long song finds the trio and Hoot singing about what makes the holiday season so special,'' says Cyr. ''It gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. This is truly a special very Christmas song that is timeless. If this one doesn't pull on your heartstrings to remember what the true meaning of the holiday season is, I don't know what will. We have all lost so much this past year and a half and this season we have some form of normalcy back with our loved ones. This song makes you want to hold on tight to everyone you love just that little bit more.''
"I am so proud of this one. I have always wanted to write a Christmas song, and seeing it finally come to pass is something so special to me," Hoot, tells NOW and THEN Magazine.
"Christmas is my favorite time of year, for so many reasons. I love the magic that fills the crisp winter air. The smell of hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls, celebrating the birth of Jesus, having the family all home and the memories we get to make together," he adds. "... I love the tradition of it all, and I feel that this song encompasses so many of the important things of what makes Christmas, Christmas."
I always have a blast chatting with Jake Hoot and I dive a little more into the Burning Questions portions of the show that you don't want to miss and I play some great music. To hear my full interview with Jake Hoot, click on the link below.
Rising artist Kira Lynn isn’t afraid to step outside the box and deliver the raw emotional lyrics that tell the stories of real life that fans can relate to the most.
This Canadian singer-songwriter from Edmonton, Alberta grew up on the stage dancing competitively, studying musical theatre, vocal training, piano, guitar, and even had the opportunity to have studied the Meisner technique in acting in Santa Monica, CA.
Kira Lynn completed her University studies in Canada and then moved to Nashville to pursue her passion after being referred by Irving Azoff’s office which has provided incredible opportunities for her in the music business. Lynn’s singles “I Won’t Let You Go,” written with the late great songwriter, Ralph Murphy, and “Falling For You,” caught fire at country radio while heralding a vibrant and fast-rising performer on the contemporary scene. “Hey Love” was released shortly after which was described as a hit by music director at CISN Country in her hometown.
After a successful release of her last single, “Colorado,” Kira Lynn is releasing her newest single “Love You No More” both digitally and to Country Radio in Canada on November 12th. Kira wrote her song “Love You No More” about that moment when you realize the person you thought you loved, isn’t treating you the way you deserve. It’s that life-changing decision to accept your worth and close the door.
“At the end of the day, I really hope people get a chance to hear these songs and relate to them.” Kira Lynn says “I am not afraid to be vulnerable with my writing and I hope that touches people.”
''Rising artist Kira Lynn stands out in the enormous Canadian talent pool by staying true to herself writing exactly what she feels and her vocal capability that has such power yet delivered with brilliance,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, host of the International Music's Journey Podcast, and radio host/on-air personality on 91.3 FM. Every time, Kira has shown the world that she isn’t afraid to step outside the box to follow her dreams. Her artistry and mixing of catchy pop melodies with elements of country and soul make a unique and powerful sound all her own. I can't wait till Kira lets lose on her vocals just once for me because I just want to hear her power under all those gorgeous vocal deliveries we have heard so far. This is purely for my selfish want and needs to hear her sore. Kira is a very talented vocalist and she lets the lyrics breathe holding back on what we all know she can do in her range. That is a true artist.''
''This melody-driven heartfelt singer-songwriter Kira Lynn is a star in the making.'' To hear my interview and Kira's answers to all my burning questions, click on the link below
''Cory Marks has every element needed for the perfect storm to shake things up in this music industry like some of the best outlaws before him,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, host of the International Music's Journey Podcast, and on-air radio host on 91.3 FM. ''Cory has a powerhouse voice and is an undeniable high-energy entertainer giving fans a show they won't soon forget. His music is just the same. Whether he is opening for the top Canadian country artists or opening for some of the best rock bands on the planet, Cory has fans downloading his music around the globe. Cory is just getting starting and we are all along for the ride...I can't wait to see what he has in store for us in 2022. Sometimes it takes a little noise to shake things up on the radio and get away from that cookie-cutter mold. Cory Marks is just that artist to do it. Cory has that perfect mix of rasp and range with an edge that is so powerful and full of soul. He has really established himself as a gifted songwriter and he is not afraid to challenge himself at whatever he does. It is that heart and grit that will get him far in this business. He is definitely an artist to watch on both sides of the border in both rock and country genres.''
In 2019, Billboard deemed Cory Marks’ top 10 Rock Radio single “Outlaws and Outsiders” the “hit that couldn’t be confined.” “Outlaws and Outsiders,” which features country music icons Travis Tritt, Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch, and Mick Mars of Motley Crue, was a global hit, receiving more than 100 million streams & video views worldwide, trending near the top of Shazam’s all-genre discovery charts alongside some of the biggest names in music. 2020 saw the release of his critically acclaimed debut album WHO I AM – spawning fan favorites like “Devil’s Grin” and “Blame It on the Double.” Upon the album’s release, Cory "shape-shifted" styles on the record, blending both country and rock seamlessly. The album debuted in the top 10 Country charts on iTunes globally, with #2 positions in his home country of Canada, as well as in the United States and Australia. In 2021, Cory unleashed a reimagined, high-energy, rock-heavy single “Blame It on the Double,” a collaboration with Tyler Connolly of Theory of a Deadman and Jason Hook. Mixing the storytelling tradition of country music and the loud, unapologetic sounds of heavy rock, Cory’s music blasts with an aggressive, soulful edge. With new music in the works and the horror-thriller film THE RETALIATORS in which he had an onscreen cameo and a song featured on the original soundtrack, Cory has just begun to make his mark(s) on the music industry.
Cory Marks' debut album ‘’Who I Am’’ has garnered tremendous attention here in Canada and it was nominated for 2021 CCMA Alternative Country Album of the Year. Cory can now say CCMA is a part of his career forever. Pretty sweet when you think about it that there are only two ways that the CCMA's will be a part of your career, as a nominee and as a winner. Cory is on his way to that winner podium.
To hear my interview with Cory Marks and his answers to the Burning Questions portion of the interview, click on the link below.
In just a few short years, award-winning David Boyd Janes has been bringing the heat with his truly authentic and distinctive sound that delivers a punch with that hard rock edge to country radio here in Canada. He has reached and surpassed over 4 million digital streams worldwide, he is a 4 x CMA Ontario country music awards nominee, an iheart Future Star Award winner, and he has just released his debut album Drove Me Country that has already garnered attention worldwide.
The incredible award-winning producer Jeff Dalziel produced several of David's latest singles and he has created another masterpiece with his midas touch with the debut album Drove Me Country.
Sony Music Country Heat 2022 has released their hand-picked best current country songs on the Country Heat 2022 compilation and David Boyd Janes debut single with Warner Music Canada, Couldn’t Hurt made the cut to join country stars such as Luke Combs, Blake Shelton, and Tenille Townes just to name a few.
''David Boyd Janes is one of the hardest working country artists in Canada,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, host of the International Music's Journey Podcast, and radio/host on 91.3 FM.'' ''Through tough life lessons, David has turned his dream into a reality. It takes a big leap of faith and grit to make it in the music industry and David has earned every win in his career. There is no stopping what he can do. I always have to check in on his socials every day because there is always something new and exciting being announced.''
It has been both a pleasure and an honour to be here to witness what David has accomplished. We all need to buckle up because he is just getting started.
David is hard at work writing and recording new music so we all have a lot to look forward to in 2022! It is always such an interesting interview when I chat with David and this interview is no exception. We have an in-depth talk about many interesting topics about life and music. You will hear a lot of the music from the new album 'Drove Me Country' in this interview. You are going to love it.
In the first week of the album's release, the single Behind Bars hit #1 on SiriusXM.
Spotify has now added David Boyd Janes to the Best Country Songs Of 2021 very grateful to make this playlist back to back years 2020 / 2021!
To hear my interview with David Boyd Janes, click on the link below.
Sometimes, clichés prove weirdly true. Take that one about dark clouds having silver linings. Turns out, that stuff can happen for real. Just ask David Boyd Janes.
Were it not for a brutal breakup in 2017, which tore up the floorboards of his life, the fast-rising country music singer/songwriter might still be living the contemporary urban dream, successfully selling heating and air conditioning units and living in a nice condo with a girlfriend beside him and a bunch of suits hanging in his closet.
Yet that breakup — precipitated in part by Janes’ rekindled romance with music via, of all things, singing karaoke in bars — yanked the Toronto-based performer out of his comfort zone and into a suddenly dreary world where the only thing worth doing was making music.
All of which sounds like something you might hear in a country song. Enter Janes’ dazzling debut, Drove Me Country, so named for his experience (as in, she drove him out of the condo and into country music) and delivered in a distinctive voice alternately conjuring honey and sandpaper.
Yet despite Janes’ back story, the album’s eight original compositions are decidedly not sad-sack ballads steeped in gloom and swimming in whisky. Rather, Drove Me Country is an affirmation of what can happen when somebody who has been kicked to the curb gets up, dusts himself off, says… well… screw it. Then follows his dream.
“My main objective as an artist is to inspire people to follow their own dreams,” Janes says. “Four years ago, I was a broken man sitting alone in my condo thinking, ‘Why did this happen to me?’ Now I have this mindset where I can push past things and live my life. Turning my thoughts into reality is not schtick. It’s how I live my life now.”
Evidence of that transformation is scribbled all over the vivid and diverse Drove Me Country, often in surprising ways. Take lead single “Behind Bars,” a gargantuan roadhouse corker propelled by wailing pedal steel, B3 organ, and Janes’ breathtakingly candid (and frankly amusing) lyrics about the aftermath of his split as surveyed from a barstool.
At the other end of the spectrum but no less compelling is the super-melodic, soaring, and anthemic ballad “Fools Gold,” in which our man takes stock of what really matters in this life as an ace group of players garland the background with gleaming steel and guitars.
“The song ‘Fools Gold’ is who I am,” Janes says, adding it’s one of his favourites on the album. “If you want to get to know me in three minutes, listen to that song. As for ‘Behind Bars,’ I’m not a big drinker and this song isn’t about blowing off steam in a bar; it’s about playing in bars, getting back into music and brushing off the bad news. Sometimes you just have to move on.”
He continues: “I went through a lot when that girl up and left. I don’t mean to sound overly dramatic, but it took me four years to rebuild my confidence. I finally realized I couldn’t hold myself down any longer.”
Ironically, had it not been for the abovementioned girlfriend, Janes might still be wearing neckties and slinging HVACs. Though Janes “had been doing music his whole life” and grew up immersed in country music courtesy his mom and dad — smalltown Newfoundland transplants to Toronto — he started out playing rock and roll. When that experience soured, “I turned my back on music for, like 10 years.
“Years later, my girlfriend and I, just for kicks, went to a karaoke bar. I sang a few songs and the reaction I got was amazing. People asked if I was in a band. This happened a bunch of times, and soon enough I was entering karaoke competitions. This was around 2016.
“One night, I said to my girlfriend, ‘I think I should get back into music.’ She looked at me and said, ‘That is not what I signed up for.’ I agreed it sounded ludicrous, but I sensed it was what I should be doing. I just wasn’t happy as this suit-and-tie guy. And for the record, we had a happy relationship; we just lost the spark. She made a plan to move out and left.”
If proof were needed that Janes’ instincts were spot-on, it came two years later in 2019 when, in short order, he won the Next Country Music Star contest hosted by the Havelock Country Jamboree, was named Artist of the Year at the Mississauga Music Awards, won the Country Wild Music Festival in Cobourg, earning a trip to Nashville to record with Grammy-winning producer Jamie Tate and — the crowning achievement — won the Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase.
In the course of all that, Janes met renowned producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Dalziel (see Washboard Union, Jim Cuddy, Thornley) at the CMA Ontario Awards in London; the two hit it off. “I had no idea how decorated he was,” Janes recalls. “Fast-forward eight months, and I sent him some songs. He ended up producing ‘On Tonight’ and that started the relationship. Next, we cut ‘Couldn’t Hurt’ (from 2020 and included on the new album) and that song racked up over three million streams.”
When time came to produce Drove Me Country, Dalziel was the obvious choice as key collaborator. The pair worked alongside a crack team of musicians at Dalziel’s home recording studio in Oshawa, ON. “Everyone on this album is just incredible, and the experience with Jeff was great.
“This record is a perfect reflection of where I am in my life and I’m just so excited to release it,” Janes says. “And I will know it’s a success when someone says they decided to take a swing at something they had been sitting on the fence about, and it brought them to a better place in their life.
“I want everyone to know that nothing is impossible. If some random dude who sold furnaces for a living can chase his dream,” he laughs, “anyone can. That to me is the most important message.”
There’s a saying when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Ottawa-born brothers, Cory and Jeff Papineau live by this saying. So much so, that they named their band Lemon Cash. The band’s name was inspired by the brother's childhood when they ran a neighborhood lemonade stand. The two brothers would come home each day celebrating their hard-earned lemon cash.
To this day they share similar interests in music and continue to write and record music together. They grew up in a very musical family along with a little sister, Taylor, who would often sing and help write songs in their music room at home. When the 3 siblings were very young, they wrote and recorded a jingle for their answering machine on their home phone line: We can’t take your phone call, we’re busy through and through, but leave your name and number and we’ll get right back to you in acapella with three-piece harmonies.
Lemon Cash started out as a cover band, forming an alternative rock band with some local friends from their hometown of Ottawa, Ontario. The band had success playing lots of gigs, receiving radio traction, and formed quite a substantial following for only a couple of years of playing together.
After 3 years of playing as a five-piece band, the members of Lemon Cash decided to part on good terms and ended their days as a rock band. Looking to evolve their music, Cory and Jeff found their sweet spot and transitioned into the country world where they would come to realize this is where their tastes and personalities fit best. The inspiration to switch to the country genre came from their parents: Jeff Sr. and Sandra. They introduced Jeff and Cory to country music at a very young age.
Listening to a wide range of artists such as Patsy Cline, George Jones, George Strait, Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, and Garth Brooks. These country legends became the inspiration for the brothers beginning to write and perform their own songs with their signature blend of harmonies and a tinge of their love of rock music thrown into the lemonade of Lemon Cash.
“Wildside” is the new single. Written by Jeffand Cory Papineau, it is an homage to your inner child. Every so often we just need to forget about the world’s problems, and grab your “Bonnie or Clyde”, step out of your comfort zone, and just let go. Lemon Cash is busy writing, writing, performing at shows (drive-in’s these days), and getting ready to head into the studio with Dan Swinimer (JoJo Mason, Sacha, Tyler Joe Miller, Madelaine Merlot ) to continue their artist development and turn those lemons into sweet lemonade.
''Lemon Cash has something really special and the Canadian country music industry and fans are taking notice,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, host of the International Music's Journey Podcast, and on-air personality on 91.3 FM. ''We are going to be hearing a lot more new music coming from these two and we can't wait.''
To hear my interview with Cory and Jeff Papineau, click on the link below. You will hear my burning questions portion of the show that is always so much fun.
''I love Alex's pop-based R&B runs she delivers in her songs. She is such a gifted singer-songwriter with her unique perspective on her craft. Alex personifies girl power. Alex is an incredible role model for all young girls out there who want to follow their dreams. The girl power theme is so important in so many ways today.''
''To hear all about Alex's musical journey, the sacrifices made and all the hard work that has brought her to the success and place she is now both personally and professionally, check out the link below. We talk about her life, her love of music and songwriting and I ask some burning questions to help to get to know this incredible artist a little better. Check it my interview with Alex Hughes by clicking on the link below.''
Canadian pop-country artist Alex Hughes is back with her beautiful new music video for “After 31”, which you can watch below.
After 31- Official Music Video- Alex Hughes
Shot by Aaron Reimer in Fish Creek Provincial Park, mere steps from where Hughes grew up, the “After 31” video is simple and reflective. With the intention of connecting with the viewer, Hughes locks eyes with the camera, singing lyrics that are both raw and true to her story while still relatable to anyone at any stage of life. Shots of Hughes sitting in solitude and reminiscing over old photos from throughout her life and journey as a musician are meant to be a visual representation of the overall sentiment of this coming of age and contemplative song.
“It meant a lot to me to sing these lyrics and share the story of “After 31”. We kept the imagery simple to let the lyrics and message of the song do the talking. It was such a pleasure to work with videographer Aaron Reimer who came up with the visual concept using a backdrop to add interest to an otherwise modest scene of contemplation,” said Hughes.
Fueled by an equal love for Shania Twain and Snoop Dogg, Alex Hughes take on pop-country has a bit more soul and grit than her petite 5’2” frame might suggest. With a voice described as a combination of Linda Ronstadt and LeAnn Rimes, Alex has practically been singing since before she could talk. Her distinct sound weaves R&B runs into classic country melodies with pop-driven beats that leave audiences in awe. With multiple sold-out shows in 2021, a Country Music Alberta “Horizon Female Artist of the Year” nomination, and a selection as a Project WILD - Country Artist Development Program Top 12 Finalist, Alex is making her presence undeniable in Canadian Country Music.
After the release of her current project’s debut single, “Strong As You”, in 2019, Alex has been making waves in the Alberta music scene; collaborating with artists within her Country music community and beyond. Notable collaborations include a feature vocal performance on Canadian Pop artist, Fayence Dream’s album, “Hang up on Me” and The Blue Jay Sessions group collaborative song, “Sitting on Top of The World”. Alex is also highly commended as a songwriter with credits on Leaving Thomas’ acclaimed album, “Nothing Comes for Free” as a writer on the song, “Lie to Me”, as well as Ryan Lindsay’s CCMA nominated album, “The Ride” as a writer on fan favourite, “Darlin’ You’re Classic”.
When some might’ve been discouraged by the cancellation of shows in 2020, Alex saw an opportunity to develop and continue to hone her craft. She kept herself busy, co-writing over 50 songs with writers from Calgary, Nashville, Chicago, and even the UK. She released her follow-up single, “Gentleman”, a female-empowering song with nods to 90’s girl-power country, and grew her fan base by almost double, utilizing social media and participating in multiple live streams and virtual appearances. Alex is a driven learner and used the pandemic as a chance to study vocal production, a skill she used to self-record all the vocals for her next single, “After 31”, released in November of 2021. Produced by Nashville-based producer, Shannon McArthur, this special song are a true coming-of-age moment and the most honest and raw of Alex’s releases to date. After finding what she believes to be her truly authentic and distinctive sound, Alex is making the music she was born to give the world.
With plans to record and release her debut full-length album in 2022 and tour it across Canada, Alex has never been clearer in her vision and is focused and driven to see it through. With a desire to honor the classic country songs she loved to sing in her youth and inspired by the bass-heavy songs she’d playback when she learned to drive, Alex promises to deliver something that is as sincere and fun as she is. This is Country music for the modern ear that still loves to play their grandparent’s records.
Danielle Marie, 2015 CCMA Spotlightartist and Ray McAuley Horizon Award winner, and Jordan Pritchett, guitarist of Juno nominated, platinum-selling band, Faber Drive, met in a song-write in 2015 and fell for each other. For the next few years, they performed together as individual artists on stage, fighting the inevitable, until they finally gave in and merged to create the hot new duo, Cross Parallel.
They have already garnered attention in the industry and built an online presence, with 230K+ streams on Spotify and 29K+ views on YouTube in their first few years as a duo. They performed their 2nd single “Don’t” at the 2019 BCCMA Awards Show after a busy summer, including opening for CCMA Hall of Famer, Terri Clark. Later in the year, released a cover of the classic, “The Christmas Song”, with Jordan’s dad, Aaron Pritchett, and his brothers in AtlantisOne.
Cross Parallel is on the verge of stardom, garnering attention from the music industry and fans worldwide because of their unique sound and relatable lyrics. Their newest single, “We Can’t Lose”, which they wrote with Canadian gem, Aaron Goodvin, really showcases the duo’s rock side, with a flavour of modern pop-country. It is the second single from their upcoming EP, which they’re aiming to release in the new year.
''Cross Parallel is so captivating with their beautiful harmonies, their ability to tell a story through their artistry and the connection that they have to the lyrics they write is really special,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief forNOW and THEN Magazine, host of the International Music's Journey Podcast, and radio host on 91.3 FM. ''I dive into the lyrics of their new single, their move to Nashville and we talk about their debut album set to release by the end of the year/beginning of 2022. We can't wait. You don't want to miss the burning questions portion of the interview. Check it out by clicking on the link below.
(Winnipeg, MB) Emerging as one of the most prominent artists from the UK country music scene, Katy Hurt is ready to take on Canadian country. At the UK Country Music Spotlight Awards she took home the hardware for Female Artist of the Year and Best EP of the Year, along with that she has been nominated four times at the British Country Music Awards. Katy Hurt released Sounds Good in a Bar to all major streaming platforms. This track was inspired by working and playing in country music bars, something Hurt knows a lot about.
In 2019, she played over 150 shows, including notable spots at the British Country Music Awards, Country 2 Country Festival at the O2 Arena, and playing at The Park Theatre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Katy was handpicked for the Pilton Party on Glastonbury’s famed Pyramid stage by Michael Eavis (Glastonbury co-founder) to provide direct support for Liam Gallagher (Oasis).
Katy spent time in Canada, which she considers her second home, writing and recording a host of songs including her latest single. The track was produced by Juno Award-winning producer Murray Pulver (Doc Walker, The Bros. Landreth) and features Canadian studio musicians. Manitoba Film and Music provided financial support for the recordings.
“Canada is like a second home to me, I’m so proud of the music I have made there. With my new management team based in Canada, it is a great time to release Sounds Good in a Bar! I am so excited for everyone to hear this track,” explains Katy Hurt.
With nearly a million global streams, Hurt garnered the attention of Canadian-based music group, Johnson Talent Management (JTM) which led to the signing of a worldwide management deal with Jeremy Johnson.
“Katy is a standout artist in the UK and has made a name for herself, we look forward to growing her career here in Canada,” explains Jeremy Johnson, Hurt’s manager.
''Katy Hurt is truly a captivating vocalist,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, host of the International Music's Journey Podcast, and radio host on 91.3 FMThe Music's Journey Show. ''Katy's intimacy and artistry are beautiful to hear. She embraces that singer-songwriter vibe that is full of emotion and heart. You don't want to miss this one.'' Check it out... To hear my interview, click on the link below
Alberta’s country sensation Dan Davidson has created undeniable momentum in the last few years. With 6 CCMA nominations, 10 ACMA awards, a gold record, a number 1 selling Canadian song and record, top 20 charting numbers, and hundreds of performances – it's easy to forget that he is still independent.
Dan exploded onto the Canadian country scene in 2016 with the release of his second single “Found” (Co-written by Clayton Bellamy of The Road Hammers). Dan became arguably the indie story of 2016/2017 as his single “Found” rocketed up the charts and he became the #1 charting indie artist in Canada. It was also the #1 selling Canadian country song for several weeks in July and August 2016. On just his second release ever in country music – he has a GOLD single. The following singles helped further his momentum with more top 20 recognition and solidified his name as an artist on the rise – definitely someone to watch as he nears his first platinum record.
Dan is only 5 years into his country career but is far from “green” in the music industry. He spent over 10 years playing in the well-known Canadian indie rock band Tupelo Honey (who had several top 40 hits, top-selling iTunes records, and toured with bands like Bon Jovi).
Dan’s country sound came together as he started writing and working on music with Toronto producer Jeff Dalziel (Washboard Union, River Town Saints, Autumn Hill, Brett Kissel) and the two spent the better part of a year developing an EP that’s characteristic of Dan’s love of “good time” music. Those “good time” vibes are also a huge part of his personality.
One view of his music videos and you will understand that the fun, sincere energy Dan brings to country music is truly unique. The video for “Found” cost only $500 and yet somehow it was top 20 on CMT; the video for “Barn Burner” involved Dan dressing up as a mixture between John Wayne and Elton John, wandering the streets of Tokyo; and of course we can't forget “Say We Did”, which shows Dan converting his garage into a cardboard version Star Ship Enterprise.
Expanding his fan base internationally, Dan played shows in Beijing, China, and Tours, France. He then went on to play in Milan and Budapest to film a music video for his upcoming single “These Are My People”. The idea for the music video came about when Dan discovered on YouTube that people from all over the world are line dancing to his songs. He has now played over 200 shows across 7 countries (including a record-breaking 120 show tour with Brett Kissel on the most extensive tour in Canadian history).
While on tour with Brett Kissel in 2019, Dan’s EP “Juliet” was released, and debuted at #1 on the Canadian iTunes Country charts. The album was later nominated for Roots Album Of The Year at the 2019 CCMA, and was the album that won for “Producer of the Year”.
Truly embodying the indie spirit, you’ll never find Dan just waiting on his laurels. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he created and hosted Canada’s FIRST live digital music festival “Diesel Bird Fest”, which featured some of Canada’s top artists including Dallas Smith, Corb Lund, and many more. Diesel Bird successfully raised $54,000 for charity. He then went on to create and host Canada’s first hotel music festival (Diesel Bird Hotel Fest) which sold out in 1 day.
Recently Dan has been writing for/with Gord Bamford, Tim Hicks, W3apons, The Congregation, Chad Brownlee, The Standstills, and so many more. As a songwriter, he has had top 40 songs in 3 genres now and continues to keep the creative momentum rolling alongside his artist career.
Music's Journey Podcast
Music's Journey Podcast 
MUSIC'S JOURNEY PODCAST 
Music's Journey Podcast
Music's Journey Podcast 
Music's Journey Podcast 
Music's Journey Podcast 