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Canyon
on a roll
TERESA
FALK
Medicine
Hat News
The
reigning CCMA male artist of the year is coming to the Hat.
George Canyon will perform in the Gas City on Sept. 30 at The
Esplanade theatre during his Somebody Wrote Love tour.
The
tour kicks off today in Regina and wraps up in Nova Scotia at
the end of October. This will be Canyon's first headlining tour.
His opening act will be Canadian country music artist Gord Bamford.
Canyon
picked up three Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) awards
on Monday, including male artist of the year, single of the
year for Somebody Wrote Love and country music program or special
of the year.
"The
male artist and single of the year were complete shocks. I didn't
expect to get any awards this year. I'm just extremely pleased
I get to go and be a part of the awards show," said Canyon
in a phone interview from Ontario.
At
last year's Canadian country music awards, Canyon stole the
show with four big wins, including the coveted fan's choice
as top entertainer.
Canyon,
35, struggled for 14 years in the music business before being
discovered on the country talent show, Nashville Star, in 2003.
Canyon
feels talent shows such as Nashville Star and Canadian Idol
are a great tool for aspiring musicians.
"You
definitely have to put them in perspective and remember it's
about television. They're selling T.V., not music. But at the
same time the music gets to come through and it's a wonderful
platform for people to see talent that they might not have an
opportunity to see," he said.
Canyon's
second major label album, Somebody Wrote Love, was released
on July 4. The title track was the first single, while the second
single Drinkin' Thinkin' is currently playing on country radio
and CMT Canada.
Prior
to this Canyon struck a chord with country fans with his album
One Good Friend, which included the hits I'll Never Do Better
Than You, My Name, Who Would You Be and One Good Friend.
Canyon's
favourite song is My Name, which he wrote with songwriter Gordie
Sampson. My Name won the SOCAN song of the year at the 2005
Canadian Country Music Awards.
"The
difference it's made in people's lives is unbelievable. Music
can heal people and I've witnessed that," he said.
While
moving forward with his music career, Canyon hopes to also dabble
in acting. He hinted that he may have a role in an upcoming
cowboy movie, but would give no official details.
"I
did a lot of acting when I was younger. So it's something I've
really wanted to get involved in," he said.
Hatters
may also want to check out Canyon's award-winning website,
www.georgecanyon.com. The site won website of the year at the
CCMAs on Monday.
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