Music triggers memories for Canadian country singer
George Canyon, who performs three shows in P.E.I.
next week, has released a new CD, George Canyon Classics
SALLY
COLE
The Guardian
Whenever
George Canyon sings one of the songs off his new CD, something
wonderful happens.
“It
takes me back to memories of my childhood,” says the
Nova Scotia-born singer-songwriter, who grew up listening
to Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings on the radio.
“So
singing their music is such a treat because I get to go on
these memory journeys,” says Canyon, who borrows heavily
from his mentors’ songbooks for George Canyon Classics
—songs that he will share with P.E.I. audiences during
three concerts next week.
Ring of
Fire, for example, is inspired by the Johnny Cash classic.
There
are also country favourites like Seven Spanish Angels, which
was penned by Willie Nelson, Luckenbach Texas by Waylon Jennings,
He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones, Kiss an Angel
Good Morning by Charley Pride and seven others.
“Growing
up, these songs had such an impact on me. They were among
the first I learned to play on the guitar,” says Canyon,
during a telephone interview on his current cross-country
tour.
For instance,
The Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton was a favourite
of his late father’s.
“But
he only knew one line. Singing it now lets me go back and
kind of revisit that memory,” he says.
In talking
to fans, Canyon is discovering that he’s not the only
one feeling nostalgic.
“The
music brings back memories for the people who have bought
the album.
“One
person said, ‘I forgot about the time that I spent with
my grandfather at the farm, but (hearing) the song, Good Hearted
Women, took me back there.’
“That
was lovely to hear,” says Canyon, who is having a busy
fall and is just back on the road after spending some time
with his family.
“We’ve
just had five days off and we’ve been out for four weeks.
And now we have one day off in the next 29 shows,” he
says.
The biggest
challenge is balancing his tour schedule with family life.
“It’s
really hard. The kids are nine and seven, and as they get
older, I’m becoming more their buddy than their Dad.
“And
the first thing they ask when I call home is ‘'When
are you coming home, Dad?’ ”
Although
it’s hard, he’s very grateful.
“I
work four weeks straight and when I come home it’s about
spending quality time with my kids and quality time with my
wife,” says Canyon, who is also getting ready to shoot
two television specials.
Even with
his hectic schedule, he wouldn’t change things.
“It’s
such a treat to do this music. We call it a kitchen party,
only it’s 500 people in the kitchen.
“There’s
no fancy lights or production. It’s just us standing
on stage, talking to the audience and telling the stories
behind the songs. We’re just sharing how we do it.”
At
a glance
n Who:
George Canyon.
n What:
On Canadian tour.
n P.E.I.
dates: Harbourfront Jubilee Theatre on Nov. 5; Confederation
Centre of the Arts, Nov. 6; Kings Playhouse, Nov. 7.
n When:
All shows begin at 8 p.m.
n Source:
www.georgecanyon.com.
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