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http://timestranscript.canadaeast.co...article/881202

Fans share Christmas with George Canyon

Published Monday December 7th, 2009

Country star to offer mix of original songs, holiday favourites at sold out Capitol Theatre show

By BRETT ANNINGSON
Times & Transcript Staff

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George Canyon loves Christmas.

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photo contributed

George Canyon and his band take the Capitol Theatre stage Wednesday for George Canyon’s Country Christmas.

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photo contributed

And apparently, Moncton loves George Canyon. His Christmas Show this Wednesday at the Capitol Theatre is completely sold out.

"This is my favourite time of year," George says. "It marks the beginning of the holiday season. It's a treat for me to share this special show at this time with my fans.

"I think I can speak for us all when I say it's a theme that never gets tired. My plan is to have folks leave with a warm feeling in their heart."

For those few who do not know, Canyon is probably Canada's hottest country talent. Born in Nova Scotia and currently living on a ranch in Alberta, he has won multiple Junos, as well as Canadian Country Music Awards, and is becoming just as famous down in Nashville as he is north of the border.

Travelling with him is his talented all-star band which audiences have become familiar with: Nashville's Erick Hedrick (guitar), Darren Theriault (bass), Shane Guse (fiddle), Mike Little (Keyboards), Adam Dowling (drums) and Pee Wee Charles (steel guitar).

"It is great to have the full band and show with me," says George, "and we are going to try and put on a show that everyone will love. Sometimes we have ended up playing mostly original Christmas songs, but then the people leave wanting more.

"So we are going to play all my singles, plus interject Christmas songs that are staples...Rudolph, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Jingle Bells... We want people to walk away singing the songs they know."

Canyon has had an eventful year of touring to support his latest album, "What I Do," which was released on Remembrance Day, 2008. This is a significant day for Canyon, who was appointed as an Honorary Colonel on February 21 last year in his home province of Nova Scotia. He was also honoured in September 2008 with the Humanitarian Award from the Canadian Country Music Association in recognition of his work with Juvenile Diabetes and with Canadian troops both at home and abroad.

"I travel all over. This time out we are going from Abbotsford, (B.C.) all the way to P.E.I," Canyon says, "and, the truth is, that people are great everywhere. I have seen almost every nook and cranny of this country and the people I have met are just wonderful."

And Moncton is no exception. "We love Moncton -- I have been there so many times, we have played everywhere from the Capitol Theatre to Country Rocks the Hill with Alan Jackson," George recalls, "One of my uncles lives there in Moncton and some cousins; it really is a piece of home and the fans are fantastic." Which is even more reason to share a Christmas concert with them.

"I have so many memories of great Christmases when I was a kid," says George, "and they continue right through seeing our own children waking up and running down to the Christmas tree. Christmas has only gotten better as I have gotten older and married (with) kids of my own."

For George, family is the most important thing. Because he ends up on the road, and fame has a way of taking over sometimes, George and his wife have made some very conscious decisions to try to give their kids a stable environment to grow up in. They ride horses and play hockey and go to school in the same school every day.

"If you were to pick a theme for any of my albums," he says, "it's always gonna be somewhat to do with my family, somewhat to do with moral issues, maybe miracles, and faith, for sure. My faith plays a very important part in my life. If it wasn't for that I'd probably be long gone. Who knows where?"

All of which is what he is trying to share when he comes to town to spread a little Christmas cheer.

"I guess the concerts come from the good feeling I have about Christmas," says George, "I have all these great memories of family being around, of visiting, eggnog, and snow. It is just a great time of year, and my kids love it too.

"Christmas tours are something we have done every year for the last four years; it is just such a wonderful time."

And when the shows are over, George will be back at the ranch with family and friends, grabbing a guitar, or a pair of spoons, and singing the Christmas classics.

"That was the way I grew up, so we still sit around and sing together; it is part of Christmas," laughs George. But for now, we get to share in that enthusiasm and warmth.

"We are so excited to come back home, and my band shares that excitement," says George, "People know the music, we have such a hoot on stage. We are a bunch of comedians up there -- it is a great show; you never know what is going to happen, because we enjoy the music and let the night unroll as it will.

"Everyone who comes is going to have fun."