Grand
Canyon digs
by
Anika Van Wyk
Calgary Sun
Some
country music stars sing the song, but don’t walk the
walk. Not George Canyon. This country crooner is as comfortable
in the saddle as he is in the spotlight.
HOME ON THE RANGE ... While George Canyon waits to open the
show for Tim McGraw at the soldout Saddledome on July 16,
he relaxes at his ranch south of the city.
Anika
Van Wyk, Calgary Sun photo
Before
Canyon opens the Stampede rodeo July 16 by singing the national
anthem and then takes to the Saddledome stage as the opening
act for Tim McGraw, he allowed the Sun to hang out with him
at his ranch south of Calgary.
Since
becoming the runner-up on the U.S. reality show Nashville
Star and releasing his first major-label album, One Good Friend,
last year, Canyon hasn’t had much time to enjoy life
on the range with his family — wife Jennifer, son Kale,
6, and daughter Madison, 5.
“We’re
going to homestead here,” says Canyon, while his daughter
jumps into his lap. “I love everything about Alberta.
The people. The landscape.
“Of
all the places I’ve been — and I’ve been
to a lot lately — this is the most beautiful, peaceful
and serene.
“We’re
an outdoor family and the great thing about Alberta is it’s
an outdoor living place.”
Though
he still maintains a place in Nashville, if he has a couple
of days off he flies home.
“It
just doesn’t matter how expensive it is. After a few
days away, I’m going out of my mind,” he sighs.
Usually
when Canyon is home, business isn’t welcome (other than
taking the odd cell call while riding or getting advice from
his wife). But on this day, he has agreed to mix the two —
he’s pumped about playing for a hometown crowd.
“I’m
really really excited. There are places I’ve always
wanted to play and this is one.”
But
the smile that crosses his face at the thought of playing
a soldout Saddledome during Stampede, is eclipsed by the one
that dominates his square jaw when the rest of his family
joins him at the kitchen table.
He
beams as he encourages the kids to do their “first interview.”
Both
love it when dad is home to play with them. Kale especially
loves playing hockey with his dad.
So
who is your favourite singer?
“Daddy!”
says Madison as she cuddles up to Canyon.
But
Canyon isn’t so lucky when Kale answers.
“Keith
Urban,” Kale answers without hesitation.
Canyon
and his wife share a laugh. He’ll take second-billing,
heck, it’s working for him on the McGraw tour.
“We’ve
written a song together, but I didn’t even meet him,”
Canyon says about McGraw — they wrote the song with/through
the Warren brothers and Canyon hopes the tune makes it on
to McGraw’s next CD.
Now
that the two are sharing the stage on tour, they have met,
though briefly: “Tim’s a really nice guy.”
Well,
it takes one to know one.
Back
