Canyon all pumped up
Canadian country singer George Canyon will be touring the country with superstar singer Alan Jackson. Canyon will open for Jackson on Nov. 13 when the two singers perform at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.
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Updated: November 01, 2009 8:54 AM
There is plenty of excitement brewing for the upcoming country concert featuring American superstar Alan Jackson.
But there is a smaller group of music fans who are equally eager about the opening act.
George Canyon is returning to the Fraser Valley, and while he may not be headlining the Nov. 13 concert, he still plans to give it all he has.
“I’ll get up there, give ‘er hell and then get out of the way,” says Canyon.
He realizes that most of the audience is there to see Jackson, but that won’t stop him from creating a few more fans himself.
“I’m going to bang out as many songs as I can as the time allows and then meet people at the merchandise table afterword.”
Canyon will be opening for Jackson during the Canadian portion of the tour, including shows throughout B.C., Alberta and Saskatch-ewan.
“We’re taking Alan on a tour, show him Canada a little bit,” he jokes.
Canyon is looking forward to his return to the Valley, saying he always has a blast in Abbotsford.
“I’ve worked with Chad and Joey (Chad Kroeger and Joey Moi of Nickelback) there. They are just so talented.”
The musical pair helped Canyon with his latest CD, What I Do, which was released almost a year ago. Response to the CD has been positive, and it has received plenty of radio play, but Canyon hasn’t promoted it much.
“We are just starting to tour it. To quote a Nova Scotia phrase, we’re doing it arse backwards.”
Presently touring Canada, the country crooner is involved in three tours at once.
“We are touring Canada now, joining up with the Jackson tour and then going into the Christmas tour.”
He’s also kept busy filming television spots and supporting the many causes that are near and dear to his heart.
One of those is Canada’s Armed Forces.
“I have always wanted to serve Canada.”
But his dream of joining the armed forces was dashed when at the age of 14, he developed Type 1 diabetes.
Instead of fighting for his country, Canyon decided to at least try to boost morale.
He has made several visits to Kandahar, to meet and perform for Canada’s troops.
In fact, in January of 2008, Canyon was made an honorary colonel by Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay.
The fight against juvenile diabetes is another of Canyon’s causes.
He has given talks about living with the disease and is a major promoter for the insulin pump, a device that helps diabetics keep their blood sugars in better control.
“If we can’t cure diabetes, we will make it as darn comfortable as we can,” he says.
The Alan Jackson/George Canyon concert is set for Nov. 13 at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. For information visit abbotsfordcentre.ca
