- George Canyon
Infobox musical artist |
Name = George Canyon
Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Frederick George Lays Jr.
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1968|08|22
Died =
Origin =Pictou County, Nova Scotia
Instruments =
Genre = Country
Occupation =Singer ,Guitarist
Years_active = 1996 – present
Label = Shoreline,Universal South , Universal Music Canada
Associated_acts =
URL = http://www.georgecanyon.com
Current_members =
Past_members =George Canyon (born Frederick George Lays Jr. on
August 22 ,1968 to Fred Lays Sr. and Cheryl Lays) is acountry music singer fromCanada . He grew up in Fox Brook,Pictou County ,Nova Scotia and later lived in Hopewell, NS (where he still owns land) before he moved west. He currently lives inOkotoks ,Alberta . He also holds an appointment in the Canadian Forces as Honourary Colonel at 14 Wing Greenwood.Biography
George Canyon has held many jobs: he spent time working as a
law enforcement officer , aslaughterhouse beef inspector, and the owner/operator of his ownrecording studio . He always dreamed of becoming a professional musician. [cite web|url=http://www.georgecanyon.com/media.html|title=Biography|work=Official Community of George Canyon|accessdate=2008-05-16] Canyon is the father of two children. His wife, Jennifer, worked three jobs during the day so that he could sing at night. In 2004, George Canyon competed inNashville 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," aJuno Award for Best Country Recording of the Year (for his album "One Good Friend "), and, fourCanadian Country Music Awards Nominations (CCMAs) including Male Vocalist of the Year and the Fan Choice Award.He was featured on the
Trailer Park Boys Episodes of the 7th Season playing a Forest Ranger.On September 22, 2007, Canyon performed at China-Canada: Hand in Hand [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMrWYKUT7No# YouTube - Suzie McNeil - China-Canada: Hand in Hand ] ] ; a joint concert held in
Vancouver betweenCCTV (China Central Television) and CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) to commemorate the 1 year countdown of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. One of the songs performed by Canyon was "What a fine Jasmine blossom". Sung entirely inMandarin , Canyon performed the touching duet with Mandarin singer Tang Can [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inXXkLw00K0&feature=related YouTube - George Canyon sings in Mandarin - Hand in Hand ] ] .On 9 January 2008, Canadian Defence minister Peter MacKay appointed the Nova Scotia-born Canyon to the position of Honourary Colonel at 14 Wing Greenwood, the largest air base on the east coast. [cite web|url= http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2008/01/10/george-canyon.html|title= Meet Col. Canyon, the country star|work=CBC| accessdate=2008-05-16]
Diabetes
George, who is a diabetic himself, is a proud supporter of
Animas Canada who makes the very insulin pumps that he himself uses. George talks to families about diabetes, the struggles he has gone through, and how to push through. He has been very inspirational to many people with type 1 diabetes and their families. (On his official website you can read some of the touching letters from people with whom George has spoken.) [cite web| url= http://www.georgecanyon.com/diabetes.html| title=Animas Canada | work=The Official Community of George Canyon| accessdate=2008-05-16]Band
George's Band Consists of:
* Joe Butcher (bass)
* Stuart Cameron (guitar)
* Erick Hedrick (guitar)
* Shane Guse (fiddle and mandolin)
* Adam Dowling (drums)
* Mike Little (keyboard)Discography
Albums
Singles
* AFailed to chart in the U.S.
* BCurrent single.Awards and Nominations
* 2004 – winner, CCMA,
Chevy Trucks Rising Star Award
* 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, Juno Award, Country Recording of the Year for "One Good Friend"
* 2005 – winner,CCMA , Fans' Choice Award
* 2005 – winner,CCMA , Male Artist of the Year
* 2005 – winner,CCMA , SOCAN Song of the Year, for the single "My Name"
* 2005 – winner,CCMA , Single of the Year, for the single "My Name"
* 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, The East Coast Music Awards, Entertainer of the Year
* 2006 – winner,CCMA , Male Artist of the Year
* 2006 – winner,CCMA , Single of the Year, for the single "Somebody Wrote Love"
*2007 – winner, The East Coast Music Awards, Entertainer of the Year
*2007 – winner, The East Coast Music Awards, Country Recording of the Year
*2007 – winner, The East Coast Music Awards, Video of the Year, for the video "Drinkin' Thinkin"'
* 2007 – nominee, ECMA, Best Album of the Year, for the album "Somebody Wrote Love".
* 2007 – winner, Juno Award, Country Recording of the Year for "Somebody Wrote Love" [cite web| url=http://www.georgecanyon.com/awards.html| title=George Canyon Awards| work=The Official Community of George Canyon| accessdate=2008-05-16]References
External links
* [http://www.georgecanyon.com The Official Website of George Canyon]
* [http://www.nationalshareoffice.com SHARE]
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