I'm forever impressed by the seemingly bottomless font of talent that emerges from all corners of this great country. Tonight from Ottawa (via Vancouver) to PEI, these artists are coming to our town to entertain you. Let's give 'em a warm Ottawa welcome, shall we!

Tara Holloway - Performing at Raw Sugar Cafe Saturday
If her fire red hair doesn't first grab your attention, her raspy, raunchy, sultry voice certainly will. Tara has been singing and playing some kind of musical instrument ever since she can remember. She is at home on stage, entertaining, singing her stories and grooving to her quirky but honest lyrics. She is touring around the country in support of her latest disc, Sins to Confess.

Paper Lions - Performing at Zaphod's on Saturday
Headed by brothers John and Rob MacPhee, the Paper Lions are from Prince Edward Island. Since their song "Traveling" broke through on YouTube in 2006, they've performed everywhere from China to Italy to Nunavut. The 4-piece band has amassed a multitude of awards and nominations along the way. Their latest disc, At Long Creek, is a collection of snap-shots of PEI with stories of childhood memories, love, pain and beaches.

Tune in every Friday from 5 to 6 pm in Ottawa on your FM dial at 89.1 or on-line from anywhere on the planet: www.CHUO.fm

One of Canada's busiest bands, The Wilderness of Manitoba, have been on tour non-stop for the past year or two or three...  Their brand new disc, Island of Echoes, was written on the road during 2011.  This will explain the change of focus and energy from what you might be expecting.

Known primarily as a folk band, adored for their uniquely complex harmonies, this time around the band have added quite a bit of flesh to their sound. Leaning more towards a 70s feel, they've really cranked up the orchestration emphasizing electric guitars, Hammond organ, synthesizers and more!

Intrigued? You should be. Tune in as I speak with the band on-air this Friday (Oct. 19) at 5 p.m. You'll find us on your FM dial at 89.1 in Ottawa or on-line at www.chuo.fm.

The Wilderness of Manitoba performs live at Maverick's in Ottawa later that evening.

I'm very pleased to let you in on a conversation I’ll be having this evening with one of Canada’s great song writers, Jason Collett. We have witnessed Jason grow from indie-rocker with Broken Social Scene to mentor of younger bands like Zeus.

Mixing artistry with politics, Jason has released a new disc called, “Reckon”.  Recorded at Revolution Recording Studios in Toronto, the album was produced by Howie Beck and includes guest appearances by Afie Jurvanen (Bahamas), Basia Bulat, Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene) and  Zeus.

Jason will be performing at the Blacksheep Inn in Wakefield Saturday, October 6th.

Don't miss it. Tune in to 89.1 FM in Ottawa or on-line at www.chuo.fm on Friday October 5 at 5 p.m.