Nova Scotia born, Calgary area based country star George Canyon celebrates Canada with his new tour “Made in Canada,” which stops by Average Joes, Nov. 16.
“I love Canada, I was born in Canada, I met my wife and married her in Canada and had my kids in Canada,” said Canyon, boarding his tour bus en route to a concert in Edmonton.

“I don’t think Canadians toot their own horns enough. So this tour is about celebrating all of the wonderful things about Canada. I’ve been blessed to have a music career over the past 28 years mostly in Canada,” he continued.

 He has won two Juno Awards for  Country album of the year and over 30 CCMA nominations. Canyon has also been inducted into the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame.
“So we’re touching on a few Canadian icons like Gordon Lightfoot, Ian Tyson, Ron Hynes and Anne Murray. We’re also doing a tribute to The Tragically Hip and Gord Downie — we’re playing Blow at High Dough,” he said.

“ There’s so many Tragically Hip tunes we could do, but we want to be able to do them justice,” he said.
There is no dust on George Canyon, who released “I Got This,” last year, “Southside of Heaven” earlier this year and is already working on a third CD to be released early next year. He also has a new children’s record ready to go.

“It’s in the mixing process and we‘re just deciding the right way and time to release it,” he said.
The new CD has a strong Canada influence on the CD. It includes a cover of Stompin’ Tom’s  ‘The Hockey Song,’ as well as a cover  of fellow Nova Scotian musician Bruce Guthro‘s ‘Falling.’
“I’ve been friends with Bruce for a long time. I’ve always liked ‘Falling,’ so I called him up and asked him  if I could cut it for the album. Then I asked him if he’d like to sing on it,” he said.
 He said he is only playing a few of the new songs on this tour including “The Hockey Song,’ “Old Man’s Son“  and “Better Off In Love.”

Country and folk music dominate this week with several shows for folks who want to kick it country style.
Winnipeg’s folk musician Cary Dow makes her Lethbridge Lethbridge debut at the Slice, Tuesday, Nov. 13. She is winding up a 10 date Canadian tour in support of her new CD “Comet”and heading back to Winnipeg with her band mates, bassist Ashley Au and guitarist Darwin Baker.
 Things get loud at the Enmax Centre with the Glorious Sons and Beaches at the Enmax Centre, Nov. 13 as well with one of several big rock shows also happening this week.
Tickets for the concert are $46 and $56. The show begins at the Enmax Centre at 7 p.m.
 In the folk vein, Calgary alt country/roots band the  Wine Soaked Preachers return to Lethbridge this week to play the Windy City Opry at the Slice, with Edmonton pop /folk singer Vissia. As always Windy City Opry shows start at 8 p.m. on the nose. Admission is $10.

FLIPfest features another fundraiser at the Owl Acoustic Lounge on Wednesday as well with Winnipeg psych pop dream pop- band A La Mode performing at 9 p.m. with  local musicians Jess Tollestrup and  the ugly Cry Club. Admission is by donation.

 A sure sign of Christmas is a performance of renown holiday opera the Nutcracker. The Moscow Ballet returns with their production of the Nutcracker to the Enmax Centre with local dancers participating, Thursday. Nov. 15, The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $78, $58, $48 and $38.

 The weekend is all about country and roots music. Breanne Urban and Southern Flyer return to Casino Lethbridge Friday and Saturday.
 Country star George Canyon makes his annual visit to Average Joes on Friday, Nov. 16 in support of his latest album “Southside of Heaven.” Tickets are $40 on the day of the show and $35 in advance. the concert begins at 8 p.m.

Edmonton folk/roots musician Matt Patershuk returns to Lethbridge to play the Owl Acoustic Lounge on Friday as well.
 For something a little different, Slice server and musician Megan Rourke celebrates her birthday, Nov. 16 with a masquerade party featuring local rock band Queen of the Worms and a solo set from Vernon singer songwriter October  Poppy. Masks are required, so make or bring your own. There will also be some available at to door. Admission is $10.

Also on Friday, PIGS: Canadas Pink Floyd Tribute is on the stage at the Yates Theatre beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $48.50.
Just outside of town , local funk trio Adequate bring the groove to McLennan’s Pub in Coaldale beginning at 9 p.m.
 if you just want to laugh, Impromptu spoof reality TV with DMTV  at Club Didi beginning at 9 p.m. Admission is five dollars.

Vernon based folk/ indie pop musician Eryn Kleyh aka October Poppy makes her second visit to Lethbridge in about as many months when she plays Megan Rourke’s masquerade party at the Slice, Nov. 16.

“When I was playing Vancouver last week, people were asking me what they high points and low points and the high point was Lethbridge and getting to share the stage with three kick ass women (Kimberley MacGregor and Jenny Allen at the Owl Acoustic lounge, Sept. 15). It was my first time playing out of province anywhere as October Poppy. But I spent a few years living in Calgary, so I’m no stranger to Alberta,” she said from Vernon,  taking a break from her day job as a silversmith. She will spend the winter making silver jewelry, working at the local  ’80s and ’90s radio station the Beach and working on a new EP, including the first single “Howl.”

“I wrote Howl when I was driving down to Colorado to visit my best friend. I was driving home all alone and thinking about a major life change, so when I got back, I moved  from Vancouver to Vernon,” she said, adding she moved back home  with her parents and younger sister.
“The best thing is, everyone in my family is musical as well. My younger sister plays violin and piano and sings as well. So when we sing together, it’s the closest I can come to singing harmonies with myself,” she said.