Lloydminster
Meridian Booster
Canyon
coming for Christmas
By
Matt Beauchamp
Wednesday December 07, 2005
Lloydminster
Meridian Booster - For every child that has stood in front
of the mirror belting out their favourite country tune, or
for every teenager that has ever dreamed of singing to more
than just their steering wheel, George Canyon's tale of stardom
is a dream come true.
Canyon's
story is one of overnight success. The tall, modest 35-year-old
Canadian cowboy singer placed second in the USA Network's
Nashville Star in May of 2004. The show shot Canyon into stardom
and instantly made him a household name, not only in Canada,
but in the much more competitive US market.
Soon
after the show Canyon signed a record deal with Universal
South and a management contract with Bob Doyle and Rory Daigle,
better known as the powerhouse management team behind Garth
Brooks.
But
the ride didn't end there for Canyon. Over the next two years,
he would be nominated for and win a number of awards including
the 2005 Juno for Country Recording of the Year. Canyon won
despite being a first-time nominee amid fierce competition
including the likes of Shania Twain, Paul Brandt, Terri Clark
and Carolyn Dawn Johnson.
Performing
on stage and touching people's hearts was never the plan for
Canyon growing up, and it wasn't until he was about 18 years
old that he started entertaining the thought of becoming a
professional musician.
Growing
up Canyon was raised in a household believing you go to work,
find a hard job and feed your family, so becoming a country
musician was not what his father would describe as a 'tough
career.' Despite his father's skepticism, Canyon won the respect
of his father by persevering and sustaining himself and his
musical career with a series of demanding jobs. Canyon worked
as a law enforcement officer, a slaughterhouse beef inspector,
a shipping receiver for Kraft and the owner/operator of his
own recording studio. Often he held many of these jobs at
once, while also pursuing his music career.
Canyon's
biggest test came several years ago, when he and his wife
Jennifer decided he should pursue his music career more seriously.
Jennifer took on three jobs to support the family while Canyon
played Mr. Mom during the day and music at night. Canyon says
he had trouble adjusting to it at first, but after awhile
came to love it and now misses the time he got to spend with
his two young children.
While
Canyon is a modest guy, he shyly admits he has high hopes
for his next album.
"I'm
determined to put music out there that will touch people.
I know the hard part is just beginning. I'll have to work
hard and sacrifice even more than I have, but I know that
with everything that's happened the last six months it's for
a reason," Canyon said in a prepared statement.
Canyon
will be playing this Saturday at the Vic Juba with special
guest Dave Gunning. If you didn't snatch up some tickets you
missed the boat as Canyon sold out in record time. Look in
next Wednesday's Booster for a review of the show.
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