The VIEX’s main stage will be headlined this year by an award-winning country music star.
George Canyon will be the main musical attraction Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Vancouver Island Exhibition at Nanaimo’s Beban Park.
Canyon, a Juno and Canadian Country Music Award winner, is known for hits such as Good Day to Ride and I Want You to Live.
He grew up in Pictou County, N.S., and as a child he wanted to be a pilot, but a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis ruled out a dream of joining the air force. Instead, he went on to join a local country music band.
“Canyon found his calling. It would be years of hard work and sacrifice, touring dive bars across the country and working multiple jobs, but with the unwavering support of his family and his deep sense of faith, Canyon got his big break in 2004 when he landed a spot on the reality television singing competition Nashville Star,” noted a press release. “From there, he was catapulted onto the world stage.”
Life lessons on and off the road led him back home to Canada, and he now lives in Alberta. He’s been on the summer festival circuit recently, performing at events like the Cloverdale Rodeo, and Nanaimo’s signature summer fair is next on his schedule.
Canyon is slated to take the stage Saturday at 9:30 p.m., following Vancouver Island country singer-songwriter Chris Andres at 8 p.m.
The headline act on Friday is the Hip Show, a Tragically Hip tribute band, which will play at 9:30 p.m.
For more on this year’s VIEX music lineup, click here.
The VIEX takes place Friday through Sunday, Aug. 25-27.
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