George Canyon will perform his acoustic show Aug. 12 at the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod.
Canadian country superstar George Canyon is bringing an acoustic show to the Empress on Friday, Aug. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Canyon has won countless accolades and awards, including Juno Awards, CCMA Awards, and ECMA Awards.
He has been inducted into the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame, recorded 12 albums, and was recently presented a certified Platinum Award for his debut album One Good Friend.
Canyon is known for hits such as Good Day to Ride, I Want You to Live and songs that tell stories about family, love, faith, and good times.
In May, Canyon released a new single, The Speed of Life.
Growing up in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, among his close-knit family of grandparents, aunts, and uncles, Canyon wanted to be an astronaut.
While he was always drawn to music, from the hymns he belted out from the church pew to the old guitar he picked up at the tender age of five, it was the possibility of a life in the stars that drove him.
Canyon joined the air cadets when he was 12, but two years later, his dreams of being a pilot were dashed when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. In 2009, he passed all the medical tests required to get his pilot’s licence.
A snap decision to audition for a musical led to an offer to join a local country band, and Canyon found his calling.
In 2004 he landed a spot on Nashville Star, a singing competition TV show. He was the runner-up in the competition but became well known in Canada and garnered much support, being the only Canadian to make the cut for the competition.
Post-competition accolades included the top five hit My Name, a Juno Award for Best Country Recording of the Year for his album One Good Friend, and, four Canadian Country Music Awards nominations including Male Vocalist of the Year and the Fans Choice Award.
Canyon has also tried his hand at acting, starring in episodes of Heartland, Trailer Park Boys and as Cattle Jack in the 2012 film Dawn Rider, a remake of a 1935 John Wayne film of the same name.
Canyon eventually returned to Canada and now lives in Calgary with his family.
He sings the national anthem at Calgary Flames home games.
Later this year, Canyon’s memoir, My Country, will be released.
Tickets to George Canyon are available at macleodempress.com, by calling 403-553-4404 or toll-free at 1-800-540-9229, or at the box office on Main Street.
