Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Woods.
Hi Dave, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been listening to country music since I was just a kid in Scarborough. That city may not be what people think of when they think of country music, but you can find a love for it anywhere, My Dad would play vinyl of singers like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn. I liked the artists he liked but I really got into the music of acts that were on the radio when I was in my teens.
I enrolled in Radio & TV Broadcasting and, after graduating, I started working at radio stations up north with the main one being KICX 106 now Pure Country 106. Years later, I started my podcast In The Country with Dave Woods where I’ve interviewed a long list of rising stars as well as legendary acts like Anne Murray, Jim Cuddy and Michelle Wright. The next step in my country music journey was curating & hosting writers rounds in Toronto & surrounding cities. I’ve been doing those for almost a decade and they never stop being something I get excited about.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Thankfully, there have been few challenges on this journey. To quote Frank, “too few to mention”. Working with the artists and venues is always a positive experience as is interacting with our audiences. I’ve been blessed to have this path take me his far and there’s still more road ahead to travel and, more importantly, new artists to discover. The plan is to keep building these writers rounds & other music showcases while bringing shows to venues I’ve never had a show at before like Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern. That show is coming up in October 2026!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think I’m most known now for the writers rounds. The nights are always special and always have a different dynamic since every lineup is different. It feels satisfying to hear feedback that the artists find it a positive experience and that it gets them connected to the Ontario country music community. It’s also satisfying to bring out new artists that you feel are at the start of a very promising career in music. Over the years, top country acts Josh Ross, Owen Riegling & Sully Burrows each played my shows several times. I love giving these platforms to newer artists to get a chance to perform their own songs in a listening room & gain confidence from doing so.
Besides these live shows, the podcast & social media promotions, I would like to have my own show across Canada interviewing new & established country acts.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
When I worked at the country station in Orillia, my manager & mentor was Jack Latimer who taught me a lot about radio and was very supportive. My parents both supported my creative pursuits and there are also a lot of kind people in our community that inspire me and keep me loving what I do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: inthecountry_with_davewoods
- Facebook: inthecountrywithdavewoods
