[News] George Canyon the New Flames Anthem Singer

[Table 5]

I like the little animated cowboy. It's a nice Flames tradition and a fun 80s throwback of when hockey was less commercial.

However I'm not a fan of Canyon, and the fake drawl. If he just sung it straight, I'd have no problem with him, but being a fake cowboy, combined with a fake organ, just makes it terrible.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I like the little animated cowboy. It's a nice Flames tradition and a fun 80s throwback of when hockey was less commercial.

However I'm not a fan of Canyon, and the fake drawl. If he just sung it straight, I'd have no problem with him, but being a fake cowboy just makes it terrible.

Is he a fake cowboy with a fake drawl? I thought he was born and raised in rural Alberta and talks that way too. Could be wrong.

[JFK]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Is he a fake cowboy with a fake drawl? I thought he was born and raised in rural Alberta and talks that way too. Could be wrong.

Nova Scotia

[Suzles]

The singer last night sang quite well - but ... just ... so .... slow. I enjoy George's singing and the pace he sets much more.

[TheFlamesVan]

Originally Posted by JFK

Nova Scotia

Only allowed to sing like Alan Doyle from here out.

We don't care how you sing naturally, you better make it sound like your place of origin.

[Deelow]

VAN-EDM-CGY each have an anthem singer ridiculous in his own way.

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by Suzles

The singer last night sang quite well - but ... just ... so .... slow. I enjoy George's singing and the pace he sets much more.

Agreed. She put me to sleep. George rips through the anthems, gets them done, and lets us move on.

Still not Heather but I'd rather his version than the one last night.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

Agreed. She put me to sleep. George rips through the anthems, gets them done, and lets us move on.

Still not Heather but I'd rather his version than the one last night.

What ever happened to Heather? She was great.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I do appreciate that Canyon doesn't try and be so... 'twangy' now, but I still don't really like him. He hasn't really grown on me. I am not a big country music buff, but if you are going to bring in someone that is more country western, bring someone in that sounds more natural. Not that they could get Paul Brandt or anything, but someone that sounds kind of like him.

I actually do prefer the substitute over him (always forget her name for some reason). She is fine. Not awesome, but probably doesn't annoy anyone either.

[drtory]

As a singer myself, the singer must have good pitch (ability to match notes) , and when singing a capella needs good relative pitch (ability to move from one pitch to another while staying in the same key). I do not want to critique any of the current Flames singers, as it is not my place, but I would say that my tuning ear has been piqued after listening to a few recent sporting events.

I also think the anthem needs to create anticipation, which is often achieved by vocal power and the correct key. Just my two cents.

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

What ever happened to Heather? She was great.

Not sure. Speculating but, she had kids and didn't want to continue with the gig?

[HappyGilmore]

George is a beauty, sits up in the club we are in.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Is he a fake cowboy with a fake drawl? I thought he was born and raised in rural Alberta and talks that way too. Could be wrong.

Originally Posted by JFK

Nova Scotia

I was close!

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by drtory

As a singer myself, the singer must have good pitch (ability to match notes) , and when singing a capella needs good relative pitch (ability to move from one pitch to another while staying in the same key). I do not want to critique any of the current Flames singers, as it is not my place, but I would say that my tuning ear has been piqued after listening to a few recent sporting events.

I also think the anthem needs to create anticipation, which is often achieved by vocal power and the correct key. Just my two cents.

hey did you win Stampede Youth Talent a bunch of years ago? ever consider auditioning for the understudy gig, maybe for when old George decides to step down?

[GioforPM]

Thinking outside the box, they should have kids do it every time. Have open calls to the higher level vocal teachers and music studios around town. The kids would have to send a recording, and have the teacher's assurance that they can handle it. Set an age range. Different kids every game (although you could get repeats after a while).

There are lots of kids in the 10-15 age range that could handle this very well. I see them in recitals and competitions all the time.

[Otto-matic]

Get rid of the cheesy organ music and just sing the anthem.

[Brick]

Personally, I think that George Canyon does a fine job.

[Sandman]

This is all Gulutzan's fault. He needs to be fired.

[Cycling76er]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

Get rid of the cheesy organ music and just sing the anthem.

A thousand times this.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I don’t get the disdain for some by how Calgary works to embrace its Western heritage. I have not lived there for a number of years now, but I loathe country music and have spent my entire life living in city suburbs, but have always found the “rodeo enthusiasm” in Calgary really special. The Stampede is a huge part of Calgary’s history; why are people so annoyed by that?

I think publicly hating the image while secretly reveling in it is itself a classic Calgary tradition.

I've mentioned it in the past in this thread, but the people of Calgary reacted pretty much the same way in the 1950s when the new arena was called the "Corral". They hated the western connotation. So much so that the Calgary Stampeders hockey team threatened to pull media credentials from reporters who refused to call the arena by name.

And the thing is, I'd bet 90% of the people who complain about these things participate in Calgary Stampede events in one form or another.