The Bengough and Municipal Art Council had announced that Canadian Country music star George Canyon will headline their annual event.
Canyon who describes himself as a dedicated husband and a proud father of two, first stepped into stardom in 2004 when he entered the U.S.A Network’s “Nashville Star”
The program was an internationally televised performance competition similar to the “American Idol” format. Canyon impressed audiences across the world and nearly won the entire contest. The rest is history punctuated by industry accolades, achievements and sustained success.
Canyon, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 14, is active in his role as a national spokesperson for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
According to his website, Canyon, a young Air Cadet, was informed that he would have to forgo his ambitions and dreams to serve his country as a pilot in the Canadian Air Force.
Because of his charitable work and voice for diabetes and the air cadets, Canyon has been Years later he would learn appointed Honorary Colonel for the Canadian Air Force at 14 Wing Greenwood in Nova Scotia and on December 23rd, 2011,
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defense, announced that George Canyon has been appointed as the first-ever Colonel Commandant of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Minister Mackay states, ”Being a former Air Cadet himself, he has always exuded a keen interest in aviation and has made several positive contributions on military matters. He will be an exceptional role model and mentor, motivating Canada’s youth to reach their full potential.” As Colonel Commandant, Canyon will have the responsibilities of developing, promoting and sustaining strong community ties, fostering esprit de corps, and acting as a spokesperson and role model.
As George’s charitable work continues, his achievements grow with it. In the past two years, he has been recognized as the most played Canadian artist at Canadian country radio. He’s also one of the most recognizable and requested stars on CMT (Country Music Television). His videos garner hundreds of thousands of hits on YouTube and he has won multiple Juno, East Coast Music Awards and Canadian Country Music Awards including “Humanitarian of the Year Award” for his philanthropic endeavors.
Also an actor, Canyon has appeared in CBC-TV’s “Heartland” and Showcase’s “Trailer Park Boys” and recently starred alongside Dean Cain and Luke Schroder in a made for TV movie, “A Mile In His Shoes” which aired in the fall of 2011.
Canyon’s album“Classics”, that he produced in 2007, was certified Gold in October 2011.
He has sold over 250,000 albums and his critically acclaimed music continues to grow with every record. In 2008 multi-platinum artist and pop/rock icon Richard Marx signed on to produce Canyon’s “What I Do” album. The record yielded 7 hit singles including “Just Like You”, the album’s debut single, which was written for George’s son, Kale.
Marx and Canyon teamed up again to write and record songs for the 2011 album “Better Be Home Soon.”, which was certified Gold in April 2011, making this album his fastest selling album to date.
Canyon is set to headline Saturday’s performances at the Gateway Festival in Bengough, along with “Hey Romeo”.
Canyon said,” I am looking forward to performing for the good folks at the Gateway Festival this year.”
Warming up the stage for George Canyon on Saturday will be Hey Romeo, who hail from Alberta.
Hey Romeo is made up of Stacie Roper, Rob Shapiro, and Darren Gusnowsky and over the past eight years, this trio have become one of the rising star acts in Canadian country music.
The trio will open for Canadian country music star Gord Bamford this spring beginning on the East Coast in March and ending in Prince George in May.
According to the official website for Hey Romeo, they bring a sound, “where classic country phrasing and sentiments like honky-tonk heartaches, dovetail beautifully with the slick steps and bounce of upbeat urban adventures.’
Shapiro considers Hey Romeo winning the CCMA Top new Group of the Year award and CCMA keyboard player of the year as the highlights of his career thus far, but he would like nothing better than to reach the point where he and his bandmates are considered the Blue Rodeo or Tragically Hip of country music in Canada.
In its 8th year, the Gateway stage has seen the likes of Corb Lund, the Roadhammers, Emerson Drive, Doc Walker, the Jeff Healey Band , Constantines, George Leach, The Higgins, Ridley Bent, Matt Andersen, Skavenjah,Shane Yellowbird, The Cruzeros and many other national and international artists.
The festival also hosts childrens entertainers, local talent and a open-air market.
The three day, multi-stage outdoor festival is set for July 27 to 29.
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