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Fri, April 8, 2005

Grand year for Canyon
By LEANNE CATER, Ottawa Sun

Nashville Star II runner up George Canyon has had an amazing year. In addition to a near win on the television show, over the past year Canyon has picked up an armload of hardware. Included in the haul is a Canadian Radio Music award for best new artist; three East Coast Music awards including the fan-voted entertainer of the year; two Music Industry of Nova Scotia awards; and, back in September, he was named the Chevy Trucks rising star at the Canadian Country Music Awards.

The cherry on top of this mountain of success was last Sunday's Juno win. Canyon picked up the country recording of the year trophy for his debut album, One Good Friend.

The win was no small feat considering his competition -- Shania Twain, Terri Clark, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Paul Brandt. Canyon was stunned by the win and made a tearful call to his wife Jennifer from the Juno stage to say, "Baby, we won!"

After the dust settled, he took the time to send a special note of thanks to country radio.

"I was just completely blown away to be nominated in this category," he said. "Being the only country category at the Junos, I felt even more pressure being a nominee and I didn't think I had any chance to win.

"I'm so completely floored and ecstatic that One Good Friend received this award and I know that without the support of country radio across Canada that none of this would have been possible. I can't thank you guys enough for playing my music. Over the last year, you have been solidly behind me all the way and it means so much!"

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