Destined for the Stars

In Profile — By admin on September 19, 2009 10:27 am

Photos and story by Neville Palmer

“Aim for the stars and maybe you’ll reach the sky” – Reinhold Niebuhr.

As a small boy George Canyon dreamed of being among the stars. He wanted a life as a pilot in the Canadian Air Force, a dream that sustained him throughout his young life. However, it seemed he was destined to remain earthbound when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 14.

When he first picked up an acoustic guitar at age five, Canyon couldn’t have imagined the road he was to travel later in life. Now in his 30s, with a string of hits to his credit, a stack of Junos and Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) awards, his life has been driven by creativity and a desire to help and support others. Not only is Canyon a top-flight musician, he also paints and is an enthusiastic photographer.

“I have always had an innate instinct to be creative, be it in music or other art forms,” said Canyon. “Some days it is the only way I can truly express myself.”

The creative spark that has driven Canyon to make chart-topping music has been matched by a drive to live life to the fullest. After a handful of visits to Kandahar, Canyon was made a honourary colonel in December 2007, by Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Hillier.

“Our military holds a very special place in my heart,” said Canyon. “I have been working with them for over five years now and it has been very rewarding. I am so proud to be Canadian after watching the successes of our military.”

In 2009, Canyon embarked on a coast to coast tour, flying an ultra light aircraft to 15 cities to talk with children living with type 1 diabetes, and to perform for them. The tour, called The Sky’s Not The Limit, focused on showing children that they don’t have to accept limitations because they have diabetes, and that they should always aim to fulfill their potential. “The success of this event has given us a drive to continue holding these events in the future,” said Canyon.

A parent of one young attendee was moved to e-mail the event organizers the following day. Her message read: “As a parent of a teenage diabetic, I thought that George Canyon was amazing in talking to and connecting with how young people feel about having diabetes. He is an excellent role model.”

Canyon’s music future is also looking very bright, with a new album due for release next year. He hopes to continue his musical collaborations with Chad Kroeger (of Nickleback) and producer Richard Marx, which began on his last album titled What I Do (2008). Canyon has received five nominations for the 2009 Canadian Country Music Awards.

When asked how he feels about these nominations, Canyon remarked modestly, “Any time we receive a nomination we feel very blessed. I have been in the music business since 1990 and always dreamed of what it would be like to receive a nomination for a CCMA … it’s still awesome.”

Tags: country music, George Canyon, juvenile diabetes, Routes Magazine