YORKTON - When George Canyon takes to the Anne Portnuff Stage Friday, March 3, he will be doing more than providing a country music concert.
Canyon, who has had a 35-year career in Canadian country music, will also be promoting his recently released biography ‘My Country.’
So why write a biography on a career which is clearly still ongoing, albeit a successful one.
Canyon has won countless accolades and awards, including Juno Awards, CCMA Awards, and ECMA Awards to name a few. He has been inducted into the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame, recorded 12 albums, and was recently presented a certified Platinum Award for his debut album ‘One Good Friend’.
“I was asked about doing one 10 -12 years ago,” Canyon told Yorkton This Week.
“I just didn’t feel it was the right time.”
But with a decade passing, Canyon said the idea of penning his story seemed more appropriate, with 35 years to look back on.
Still, Canyon said it might not have happened had COVID not put travelling to perform on the back burner, leaving time to tackle the project.
“COVID gave me time to write it,” he said.
Well, Canyon sort of wrote it.
Canyon said he is used to penning songs, but a book was a different experience. So while he did pen a few chapters, he said he also employed a ghost writer -- Michael Hingston.
That decision allowed him to tell his story in what was a more familiar way.
“I was able to sit in the studio and talk into a microphone,” he said.
It was a process not so unlike the many interviews Canyon has given through the years. He told his story, and Hingston turned it into chapters.
Canyon said he was very happy with Hingston’s work.
“He was really able to capture ‘my voice’,” he said.
The resulting book was ultimately both gratifying and a surprise to Canyon.
“It definitely was surprising to me, just actually reading the book, what I had spoken. It was some kind of cool,” he said.
But, it also wasn’t an easy read.
“He (Hingston) would send back a chapter, but I couldn’t read them,” said Canyon, adding it was difficult reading about his life.
Eventually of course he did read the story.
“I narrated the audio book. It was very emotional when you’re reading about your highs and lows,” he said.
The concert in Yorkton will offer some new material too.
“I did a record that goes with the book,” said Canyon.
Canyon said being out promoting the book and recording with shows has “been a lot fun.”
It’s also changed the dynamic of performer and fan, at least for those who have read the book.
Canyon said he has had fans mention, “’I know so much about you now.’”
The fan now has far more insight into Canyon’s life.
“It’s very different. There’s a new level of intimacy,” he said.
