The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
George Canyon may be a big-name talent, but the rising country music star still can't resist a good ol' small town crowd. And that's just what the Nova Scotia-raised musician got when he rocked the Whitney Forum on Monday night as multi-coloured spotlights darted over a sea of some 1,000 fans. "I'm from a small town and, you know, very seldom did we have any kind of entertainment come in," said the tall, square-jawed singer following his performance. "I feel that that's just as important as playing the big markets. You know, sometimes business takes over, and I try to keep the music first. Playing in any venue is important to me, no matter how many people fit in it." The 90-minute concert was a homecoming of sorts for the Juno Award winner. Canyon fancies Flin Flon, the birthplace of his wife, the former Jennifer Fehr, his second home. "It felt like I was playing for family and friends, which is way more relaxing than just walking into a cold crowd," he said. "The crowd was awesome, you know, and so attentive. It's really amazing when you can hear a pin drop in between songs. It really tells me a lot about the audience, that they're really listening." "It puts a little more pressure on you because you don't want to screw up," he added with a laugh. Yet by watching Canyon, who lives between the country hotbeds of Alberta and Nashville, it's easy to see why he captures such adulation from fans. Known for hits such as I'll Never Do Better Than You, My Name, and Good Day to Ride, his lively, modest style has a way of making the audience feel a part of his music. Canyon also earns respect by giving it. Following Monday's concert, he spent about 20 minutes signing autographs and meeting with eager fans, some wearing cowboy hats themselves, in the Whitney Forum lobby. When it became obvious that one little girl's photo with her favourite singer had not turned out, Canyon didn't hesitate to invite her back for a second try. His gratefulness was further evident when, following the autograph session, he was asked where his career will go from here. "Wherever the good Lord plans it to go," he replied. "I stopped trying to plan five or ten-year goals. Right now, I just enjoy every day that I'm blessed with. It's truly a blessing I've been given with my career. I'm just so thankful for each day. I just enjoy it." And enjoy it is just what Monday's audience members, a number of whom came from out of town, did. They gave Canyon a rousing standing ovation and were thrilled with his two-song encore. "He's a great performer, and he had the audience captivated," said Brenda Russell, director of Flin Flon Parks and Recreation, which coordinated the concert. "I think people were really impressed with the diversity of the kinds of songs he played." Although Parks and Recreation coordinated the concert, it would not have been possible without the support of many local businesses, Russell noted.
