George Canyon

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George Canyon
Universal South, Universal Music Canada
Websitegeorgecanyon.com

George Canyon (born Frederick George Lays,[3] August 22, 1970) is a Canadian country music singer. He was the runner up on the second season of Nashville Star in 2004. He grew up in Fox Brook, Pictou County, Nova Scotia before he moved west to Calgary, Alberta. He also holds an appointment in the Canadian Forces as the Colonel Commandant of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.[4]

Biography

George Canyon has held many jobs: he spent time working as a bylaw enforcement officer/special constable, a slaughterhouse beef inspector, and the owner/operator of his own recording studio. He always dreamed of becoming a professional musician.[5]

Canyon is the father of two children. His wife worked three jobs during the day so that he could sing at night. In 2004, George Canyon competed in

Canadian Country Music Awards
Nominations (CCMAs) including Male Vocalist of the Year and the Fan Choice Award.

On September 22, 2007, Canyon performed at China-Canada: Hand in Hand;

CCTV (China Central Television) and CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) to commemorate the one-year countdown of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. One of the songs performed by Canyon was "What a Fine Jasmine Blossom". Sung entirely in Mandarin, Canyon performed the duet with Mandarin singer Tang Can.[7]

On January 9, 2008, Canadian defence minister

14 Wing Greenwood, the largest air base on the east coast.[8] After this appointment expired in December 2011, Canyon was appointed colonel commandant of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.[4]

Canyon was diagnosed with

type 1 diabetes at the age of 14 and has given talks to children about diabetes.[9]

On October 16, 2014, Canyon was named the official anthem singer for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League.[10]

In 2020, Canyon appeared as a panelist on Canada Reads, advocating for Jesse Thistle's memoir From the Ashes.[11]

Acting

In addition to his singing career, Canyon has also performed as an actor in movies and television. His first role of note was as "Head Forest Ranger" in several episodes during the seventh season of the popular

Coming Home for Christmas
and Hallmark channel's One Starry Christmas.

Politics

In 2014, Canyon briefly ran for the Conservative Party of Canada nomination in the newly created riding of Bow River before withdrawing from the race later that year.[12] On August 21, 2019, Canyon was announced as the Conservative candidate for the riding of Central Nova for the federal election later that year,[13] ultimately coming second to Liberal incumbent Sean Fraser.

Band

  • Jay Buettner (Guitar)
  • Michael Lent (Bass)
  • Adam Dowling (Drums)
  • Mike Little (Keyboard & Accordion)

Discography

Awards and nominations

Juno Awards

Year Category Result
2005 Country Recording of the YearOne Good Friend Won
2007 Country Recording of the Year – Somebody Wrote Love Won
2009 Country Recording of the Year – What I Do Nominated

Canadian Country Music Association Awards

Year Category Result
2004 Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Chevy Trucks Rising Star Award Won
2005 Kraft Cheez Whiz Fans' Choice Award Won
Male Artist of the Year Won
Album of the Year – One Good Friend Nominated
Single of the Year – "My Name" Won
SOCAN Song of the Year – "My Name" Won
2006 Kraft Cheez Whiz Fans' Choice Award Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Won
Single of the Year – "Somebody Wrote Love" Won
2007 Kraft Cheez Whiz Fans' Choice Award Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year – Somebody Wrote Love Nominated
Single of the Year – "I Want You to Live" Nominated
CMT Video of the Year – "I Want You to Live" Nominated
2008 Fans' Choice Award Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
CMT Video of the Year – "Ring of Fire" Nominated
Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year – Classics Nominated
2009 Fans' Choice Award Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year – What I Do Nominated
Single of the Year – "Just Like You" Nominated
CMT Video of the Year – "Just Like You" Nominated
2010 Fans' Choice Award Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Single of the Year – "I Believe in Angels" Nominated
2011 Fans' Choice Award Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year – Better Be Home Soon Nominated
CMT Video of the Year – "Better Be Home Soon" Nominated
2013 Fans' Choice Award Nominated
Album of the Year – Classics II Nominated
2014 Fans' Choice Award Nominated
2016 Album of the Year – I Got This Nominated

Other awards

  • 2004 – winner, Music Industry of Nova Scotia, New Artist Recording of the Year – for the album George Canyon
  • 2004 – winner, Music Industry of Nova Scotia, Country Recording of the Year – for the album George Canyon
  • 2005 – winner, The East Coast Music Awards, Galaxie Rising Star
  • 2005 – winner, The East Coast Music Awards, Country Recording of the Year – for the album One Good Friend
  • 2005 – winner, The East Coast Music Awards, Entertainer of the Year
  • 2005 – winner, Canadian Radio Music Awards, Best New Group or Solo Artist (Country) for his single Good Day To Ride
  • 2005 – winner, Music Box Awards (Paris, France), New Artist Male US/Canada
  • 2005 – winner, 2005 Nova Scotia Crystal Tourism Awards of Excellence, Ambassador Award
  • 2006 – winner,
    ECMA
    , Entertainer of the Year
  • 2007 – winner,
    ECMA
    , Entertainer of the Year
  • 2007 – winner,
    ECMA
    , Country Recording of the Year
  • 2007 – winner,
    ECMA
    , Video of the Year, for the video Drinkin' Thinkin'
  • 2007 – nominee,
    ECMA
    , Best Album of the Year, for the album Somebody Wrote Love.
  • 2008 – winner,
    ECMA
    , Entertainer of the Year

References

  1. ^ McLaughlin, John P. (March 20, 2011). "Featured artist: George Canyon". The Province. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  2. ^ Hooper, Roxanne (June 26, 2009). "The sky's not the limit for George Canyon". Retrieved January 29, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "George Canyon Back Home" Archived August 22, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Erin Aldridge, Highland Heart Weekly
  4. ^ a b "Canyon honoured by air force cadets". The Chronicle Herald. December 24, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  5. ^ url="About | Official Website of George Canyon:Multiple Juno and CCMA Award Winning Canadian Country Artist". Archived from the original on August 28, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  6. ^ YouTube – Suzie McNeil – China-Canada: Hand in Hand
  7. ^ YouTube – George Canyon sings in Mandarin – Hand in Hand
  8. ^ "Meet Col. Canyon, the country star". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. January 10, 2008. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  9. ^ "Dead link". The Official Community of George Canyon. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2008.
  10. ^ "George Canyon named 2014–15 Flames anthem singer". CalgaryFlames.com.
  11. CBC Books
    , January 22, 2020.
  12. ^ "Conservatives spar for safe Alberta ridings | Daveberta.ca".
  13. ^ "Country music star George Canyon to run for Conservatives in Nova Scotia | CBC News".

External links