george canyon

Name: George Canyon

Birth date: August 22

Birth place: Pictou County, Nova Scotia

Home town: Foxbrook Road & Westville, Nova Scotia

Resides in: Okotoks, Alberta

Pets: Zeus the dog, Chess and King (the horses) and Lucy the cat.

Group name: N/A

Instruments played: Guitar

Started performing at age: Four, when he was given his first guitar.

Most memorable performance: N/A

What do you do to relax: N/A

Finished CD's: 1

Cd's for sale: - “George Canyon” – released in 1999

Management: The Key Entertainment Group

513 – 8^th Avenue SW

Suite 305

Penny Lane Mall

Calgary Alberta

T2P 1G3

Ph: (403) 262-2245

Fax: (403) 264-2228

Record Label: Shoreline Records Inc.

124 Laird Drive, Suite 103

Toronto Ontario

M4G 3V3

Ph: (416) 467-6718

Fax: (416) 467-5752

Website: http://www.keyguys.com/canyon.htm

From the little boy who was given a handmade guitar by his parents at four years of age to the rugged figure seen on CMT in a video featuring mountains, motorcycles and wide open skies the road to country music success has been long and varied. And there’ve been a few detours along the way too, like most of George’s counterparts have experienced. But first and foremost in George’s life is family. Family introduced the young Fred George Lays to music, with both parents involved in the industry and his grandfather leading the gatherings seated at the piano. Family remains the focus for the future, with wife Jennifer (along with their kids) being George’s number one fans and supporting him in his steady rise in the country music industry. Few who have heard the haunting sounds of George’s voice will forget it, filled with the emotions of the lyrics and with the hint of the East Coast Celt in the background. Unique and impressive would be the consensus of any audience that experiences George Canyon but the ride’s not over yet.

When George was a child he wasted no time when he got that first guitar in his hand. He progressed to an accomplished singer in the church choir and as a pre-teen he was giving guitar lessons to both other kids and adults. His singing talent comes naturally, with his mother being an active singer/musician in the 60’s Nova Scotia music industry and his grandfather taking the reins, as mentioned earlier, at family gatherings, singing the old country songs of the time and songs from the ‘old country’ of Scotland. So I guess that genetically George really had no choice in his talent; if he’d continued in his pre-med studies he’d probably have ended up being the best sounding doctor from the East Coast!

It was in university that George realized where his heart really belonged and he moved to take his music to a professional level. Medicine’s loss is country music’s gain and while George was trying out for a school musical he ended up auditioning for a local band too, when they heard him singing. He was just what they were looking for and soon he was fronting this ‘rock’ band that wanted to be hired to play at some country establishments…it doesn’t hurt to try and please as many folks as you can. This band was the step that took George to Alberta, when they ‘gigged’ their way out and didn’t want to go back. The Calgary music world was what kept him there but when he lost his heart to Jennifer they decided to start anew, with a move back ‘home’ to Nova Scotia. After a short break there would be no denying what he was meant to do and soon the newlyweds moved back to Alberta with a new plan. George was now on his own (musically) and set out to go on his own merits. And it’s been all uphill from there.

Contacting some ‘influential’ people he’d met while working the circuit opened some doors when he was ready to go after that recording career. Soon he was in Nashville at a recording session set up by Big Al Downing and the tracks that formed his first ‘album’ were used as a demo to open more doors. A new studio session was arranged as a result and efforts began to lure in the ‘labels’. The session resulted in the album “George Canyon”, and upon completion the label to realize just what was emerging was the independent label Shoreline Records. With the signing of George Canyon his self-titled CD was released in June of 1999, followed by the gorgeous videos for the singles on CMT Canada becoming among the most popular across the country. For the man who had followed his heart across the country to do what he loved it’s the least we can do to show him we appreciate it.

I must confess that I find George Canyon to be a little bit of a mystery. I have never met him, I have not been able to view any ‘live’ interviews with him or see him perform. I have not heard him ‘speak’ one word on the radio (that I’ve been able to catch). But I feel a little admiration for him anyway. How is that possible? I know he’s a devoted family man, placing his wife and children ahead of any other concerns in his life. I know he’s a loyal friend, placing his love and trust behind those who will do the same for him. I know he’s one heck of a talented guy, with a voice that can fill a room with feeling while delivering the message the song intended. I know that he has the faith and humility to thank those responsible for the blessings he’s had in his life. Admirable? Absolutely!

Like many of his counterparts (most of them, actually) George has taken his lumps and had his style, his appearance, his music and more critiqued and inspected by those in the industry. But he’s remained true to his way of doing things and I applaud him for that. There are those that would turn someone a little ‘unique’ into a replica of someone else to be the next flavour of the month (or the next award show) but I know that the only way you’ll stand the test of time is by being yourself. When I see one of George’s videos or hear his songs on the radio I know I’m seeing or hearing George, the way he was meant to be and the way he’ll always be. And that’s more than good enough for me!

We would like to thank the crew from Shoreline Records for their help with this profile and the support for our efforts. It’s companies like Shoreline that are the future, giving a chance to homegrown talent while letting them maintain their individuality and offering a variety of styles to the public. When you support one of these artists you’re showing that you’re approving of independence, and we thank you too. They are our future.

Written by Kim Jamieson

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