If George Canyon concerts were already considered a rousing fun time, tonight’s show should be extra special with everyone having to wait an extra eight months to see the artist perform.
Last August at Kempenfest, the Canadian musician was forced to cancel his outdoor performance when a dangerous storm hit Barrie and putting a damper on the city’s biggest annual event.
With approximately 80 tents damaged in the storm, it was the right call to make. But it is also one that Canyon is glad to make up to the city tonight.
“That was a very unfortunate situation and we’re just glad we get to do what we do for Barrie here tonight,” said Canyon. “You have to roll with the punches sometimes when it comes to mother nature. I played in at Disney once where the lightning hit the stage and came up through the microphone stand. It can be a dangerous thing to perform in a storm.”
The Ranch will likely be jam-packed with country music fans as the multi-CCMA and Juno award winner delights fans with a mixture of old hits as well as new ones off his most recent album that topped the Canadian charts for four weeks straight with the #1 album, I Got This.
Canyon is not only a twang belting, toe-tapping country star with a deep, western-influenced voice, but the Nova Scotia artist blends his provincial heritage into his shows.
“I’m an east coast guy, so the shows aren’t so much of a concert as they are one big kitchen party,” said Canyon. “We don’t just go out singing and strumming guitars, it’s all about sharing with the audience. We want you to feel like you’re visiting and being told to make yourself at home. We’re going to have some fun, that’s for sure.”
Canyon is in the middle of a major Canadian tour with the clever name of Jekyll And Nothing To Hide Tour, which started on February 5 and runs until March 20.
The stop in Barrie tonight isn’t just a make-up show, it’s a chance to see old friends.
“Oh I’ve been here many times before,” said Canyon. “I actually have family up this way and used to come here way back when things looked a lot different. As for shows, I’ve been here tons for those too. These Barrie folks know how to have a good time. We’re going to get loud.”
The organizers of Kempenfest couldn’t be happier with Canyon being able to do this show after the bad luck experienced last year.
Sponsorship and Marketing Director Tom Aikins remembers how the event took a pretty substantial loss after the storm and hopes for better luck in years to come.
“That was a terrible day and a very wicked storm,” said Aikins. “The charities took a big hit last year because we were expecting about $20,000 at the gate for the show and that didn’t happen. Tonight with Mr. Canyon taking only half his normal fee and The Ranch being able to hold quite a few people, we hope we can help all who lost out last year. It will be a very intimate and personal feeling show in that space.”
The doors open at 6pm with the show starting at 7pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door, by visiting ticketpro.ca.
