New Artist Spotlight: George Canyon

New Artist Spotlight: George Canyon

By Amanda Eckard

George Canyon sees the loss of his lifetime dream of being a pilot as God's way of leading him to the career he was born to pursue. Growing up in Nova Scotia, Canada, Canyon loved the music of Charley Pride, Hank Williams and Elvis Presley.

When he was 5, Canyon's parents built him a three-quarter-sized acoustic guitar and taught him the basic chords. He performed in school talent shows and music was a big part of his life, but Canyon's dream was to fly. Canyon joined the Air Cadets when he was 12, but his hopes for joining the Air Force were dashed when he was diagnosed with diabetes. At that time, Canadian law prohibited diabetics from obtaining pilot licenses. Canyon enrolled in St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia as a pre-med student. But a role as King Arthur in a school production of "Camelot" changed his mind.

Canyon was invited to join a Country rock band as lead singer, and found his true calling.

After six years, Canyon left the band to get married, raise two kids and perform solo. Working as a police officer during the day and playing shows at night, Canyon got his big break in 2003 when he came in second place in the USA Network's second season of "Nashville Star."

Canyon's debut album, One Good Friend, produced by Tony Brown, was released in September on Universal South Records.

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

If you could go back in time what era would you visit? "I would go back to the Old West. My wife and I have always been very intrigued by the way of life back then, and, hopefully, with our love of horses and the wide-open range, we'd fit right in!"

What song do you wish you had written? "I wish I had written 'He Stopped Loving Her Today.' Without a doubt, one of the best written (and performed) songs ever, in any genre."

What word or phrase do you find yourself saying over and over again? "I find myself thanking God on a regular basis in amazement for the blessings He has given me in my life."

On the Web: www.georgecanyon.com

March 15, 2005