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George Canyon
Background information
Birth nameFrederick George Lays
Born (1970-08-22) August 22, 1970 (age 54)
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada[1]
OriginPictou County, Nova Scotia, Canada
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)Singer,[2] Guitarist
Years active1996–present
LabelsShoreline, 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

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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 Nashville Star 2. He was the runner-up in the competition, but became very well known in Canada and garnered much support, being the only Canadian to make the cut for the competition. After the competition ended, he received many accolades from fans and the industry alike. These include the top 5 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 (CCMAs) including Male Vocalist of the Year and the Fan Choice Award.

On September 22, 2007, Canyon performed at China-Canada: Hand in Hand;[6] a joint concert held in Vancouver between 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 Peter MacKay appointed Canyon to the position of honorary colonel at 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]

In 2022, Canyon published a memoir entitled My Country, in which he describes his musical career from Nova Scotia to Nashville and back.[12]

Acting

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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 Showcase television series Trailer Park Boys in 2007. He also appeared as the character "Charlie Wells" in the series Heartland in 2008. His most notable film role to date was as the character "Cattle Jack" in the 2012 film Dawn Rider, a remake of a 1935 John Wayne film of the same name. In 2013, he had role on the movie Coming Home for Christmas and Hallmark channel's One Starry Christmas.

Politics

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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.[13][14] On August 21, 2019, Canyon was announced as the Conservative candidate for the riding of Central Nova for the federal election later that year,[15] where he came second to Liberal incumbent Sean Fraser.[16]

Band

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

Discography

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Main article: George Canyon discography

Awards and nominations

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Juno Awards

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Year Category Result
2005 Country Recording of the Year – One 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

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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

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  • 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

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  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. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  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. ^ "Meet the Canada Reads 2020 contenders". CBC Books, January 22, 2020.
  12. ^ "George Canyon's memoir My Country is about hard times, hard work and good music — read an excerpt now". CBC, June 13, 2022.
  13. ^ "Conservatives spar for safe Alberta ridings | Daveberta.ca". April 16, 2014.
  14. ^ "Country singer George Canyon won't seek Conservative nomination". CBC News. April 11, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  15. ^ "Country music star George Canyon to run for Conservatives in Nova Scotia". CBC News. August 21, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  16. ^ "Liberal candidate Sean Fraser defeats Conservative George Canyon to keep Central Nova". SaltWire Network. October 21, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
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