"This is the way of the biz these days," says [Doug Edmond], 56, who works as the Winnipeg School Division's director of research, planning and systems management.

"If someone likes it, they might want to make a deal for U.S. distribution," Edmond says. "Or maybe they'll hear one song that interests them for licensing in a movie or a commercial."

"We were surprised and wondered who these guys were," Edmond says. "But we checked them out and started thinking it wasn't such a bad idea, given our CD is coming out. And who wouldn't want to play Nashville?"