The Pembina Stage welcomed back an EPAC favourite Friday night. George Canyon, the 35 year country music veteran and anthem singer for a southern Alberta hockey team, performed an acoustic show before a near capacity audience. He was accompanied by Jarret Mayo playing a Carter two-necked pedal steel guitar. Canyon used two acoustic guitars; an eye-catching Pierson single cutaway 6-string with a off-centred D-shaped sound hole on the upper bout and a classical. Mayo’s expressive note bending ornamentations and Canyon’s adept playing made their collaboration a pleasure. And then there is Canyon’s voice! An impressive bass to baritone range combined with a smoky smooth sound filled with emotion and musical expression complimented his lyrics. His upper bass register resonated with warmth, drama and projected an earthy experience adding gravitas to his ballads.
Country Classics and Musical Influences
The 20+ song set list revealed George Canyon’s influences. Each was credited and introduced with often humorous insider patter. He selected great songs : Willie Nelson’s “Pancho and Lefty”, “On the Road Again”, and “Seven Spanish Angels”, Randy Travis’ number-one “Diggin Up Bones”. Further choices were “One Woman Man” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today”,“the greatest country song of all time”. Both were a masterly tribute to country stars Johnny Horton and George Jones. They were warmly rewarded by the knowledgeable audience. The “best western song of all time”, “Ghost Riders of the Sky”, original version by Stan Jones, and June Carter’s “Ring of Fire” were both loving nods to Johnny Cash who famously recorded them.
During the extended intermission, Canyon mingled with selfie-takers and souvenir seekers at the merch table. Others, smiling and watching, were clearly pleased to see Canyon’s gentlemanly manner and willingness to meet and greet loyal fans
George Canyon’s Songs Drawn from Everyday Life
George Canyon’s songwriting chops were on display with many of the hits from his 12 albums prominent on the setlist. His choice of songs also highlighted his songwriting range. From story telling to heartfelt ballads, dramatic life affirmations and an up-tempo cheeky novelty, Canyon’s musicality and touching lyrics revealed depth and confidence. Above all they demonstrated the accessibility and everyday life sensibility of his songs.
The Lighter Side of George Canyon
Canyon’s “Daughters of the Sun” from his 2016 album “I Got This” tells the story of a youthful beach town summer Friday, “pockets full of cash…Yelling ‘Hey, Girl!’ at the stop light…we were having fun, Chasing the daughters of the sun.” He paints a picture of “Summer slipping through our fingers”, and “Blue skies hiding under cheap sunglasses, let’s pretend there’s no September, I remember”. I’m sure we all do.
Another memorable George Canyon song performed Friday was “Who Would you Be” from his 2004 album “One Good Friend”. The setting is a Tuesday poker game and as the players are solving the world’s problems the question is asked: “If you could be anyone in this whole world, who would you be?”. After his buddies listed the rich, powerful and famous, its Canyon’s turn. He “knew those boys, would roll their eyes, when they heard what I had to say, but…I told them anyway: a father… world’s greatest dad…perfect husband… That’s who I’d be”.
A tongue-in-cheek performance of ”Betty’s Buns” from the 2008 album, “What I Do”, was a change of pace. The song of praise to his mother-in-law’s buns drew laughter throughout. “Take a deep breath son I hope you’re ready…Here she comes now, Nice buns, Betty!”… People place their orders from miles around to buy Betty’s buns in this one horse town.”
George Canyon alluded to his politics in the introduction to a sentimental song inspired by his moon-blind horse, Chester; the “old boy” in the song “A Good Day to Ride”. “Looks like a good day, to let this old boy fly, loose on the reins and on the run, to a blue and endless sky, back to who I am”. As George Canyon explained, Chester, being moon blind in his left eye, would never turn left, only right. “That’s all right with me,” Canyon said. The audience appreciated the sentiment. He has stood twice for nomination as a Conservative Party of Canada candidate and contested Central Nova in the 2019 election.
One More Song
After a well-earned standing ovation brought Canyon back for an encore, the artist gave his regrets that they could only perform one more song. They were due to perform at an NHL team event in the city on the Bow Saturday morning then perform in Camrose that evening. “ But, I’m only in my twenties, so I can handle it!” said the 54 year old. The single encore was taken from his 2006 album, “Somebody Wrote Love”. The lyrics to “Drinkin’ Thinkin” say it all: “From this stage, and these lights, I see this stuff every night, A guy with a tie will challenge a biker to a fight”, “Thats just drinkin’ thinkin’, …And here’s where the trouble starts!”.
Great artist, solid entertainment, impressive sound, creative lights, comfy seats, affordable price; this kind of trouble is lots of fun!
Eleanor Pickup Performing Arts Centre in downtown Drayton Valley welcomes Corb Lund [ SOLD OUT ] to the Pembina Stage November 7, and Jack Semple Plays Gordon Lightfoot, November 29.