Hesperia local-turned Nashville recording artist helps raise money for Bridge Fire victims

Local music isn't hard to come by in the High Desert, it's near impossible. That's not to say there are no original musicians in the area, because there are, but only occasionally.

Take Chris Canyon for example. Hesperia local, Sultana High School graduate. He's playing a local show just down the 138 in Wrightwood for the Bridge Fire charity benefit . He has two original singles out on Spotify right now and hundreds more in his up-and-coming discography.

Canyon, however, like many other creatives from the High Desert area, has made a name for himself outside of the desert that he can bring back to his hometown with the pride of a prodigal son. He used resources in Los Angeles to land a deal with Native South Records, which eventually led to recording opportunities in Nashville.

The "Nashville recording artist" is now even nominated for Male Country Artist of the Year at the 2024 Josie Music Awards in Tennessee.

The High Desert may not produce creativity at the same magnitude as Los Angeles, the "Citizen Kane" of creation on the West Coast, but the few that have made it out somewhat successful- published author James Spooner , "American Idol" star Chayce Beckham - serve as monuments of hope for future Francis Ford Coppolas , Agatha Christies, or Billie Eilishs waiting to be discovered in Mojave Desert.

Canyon's 'California country'

Hesperia was not directly involved in the producing or recording of any of Canyon's brainchildren. It did, however, foster the inspiration behind many Chris Canyon sounds we hear today.

After all, how can the cowboy image be separated from the open desert?

California country superstars Merle Haggard and Buck Owens paved the way for new country up-and-comers like Canyon in the Gold Rush state, popularizing the strummy narrative heard again and again in country songwriting.

Canyon released his debut single "Forget Me" in 2022. The track explores an anecdote of love that won't let go and the dissolution of relationships, drawing inspiration from Southern rock artist Kip Moore.

"[The song is] a testament to the internal struggle of back-and-forth heartbreak," Canyon said, "and wishing someone would forget you."

The song reminds listeners of the pain in Jenni Rivera's voice during "No Llega el Olvido" and the begging for oblivion after a shattering heartbreak. It brings listeners back to a love so raw that the sole thought of its end may cause dizziness and nausea.

Canyons' 4/4-beat song features friend and country singer-songwriter Christie Huff to display the "dynamic of the two sides of the relationship" and was a long time in the making.

Canyon started his songwriting career when he was 6 or 7 years old as a way of transcribing his feelings after the death of his father. He now has about 200 unreleased songs in his catalog that have been stitched together throughout the wrinkle of his life.

His latest single, "Grandpa Used To Say- Acoustic Version," is an ode to his father figures. To his luthier grandpa who instilled a passion for music in the now-country artist, the grandpa who attended sports games and birthday parties, and all step- and blood-grandpas in between.

"Even though he's gone, I keep the lessons that he gave" he sings over an acoustic vibrato. People resonate with the song, Canyon said, because, well, how can you not love grandparents?

He even got to perform the single at the Orange County Fair this year in front of his grandpa, which was a "full circle moment."

Canyon has multiple new singles in the works. His next single will be released before the end of the year and he's recording a full band version of "Grandpa Used To Say" now that's set to release early 2025.

When he's not on stage performing locally or in a recording studio, Canyon can be seen sporting scrubs at his registered nurse day job working 12-hour shifts to sustain his career goal of full-time musician. And so far, things are in the green for Canyon.

He's already gotten his songs played on local radio station 95.1 KLOS, opened for Jacob Bryant, and competed on both The Voice and American’s Got Talent. He has also shared the stage with "legendary acts Joe Nichols and Walker Hayes."

Now, as he speaks with me before performing for hundreds of firefighters in Wrightwood still actively fighting the Bridge Fire , Canyon is experiencing a sense of closure as he headlines in a town he grew up skiing.

Canyon will always be rooted to the High Desert and its surrounding towns, no matter how big a label or how packed a show gets in Canyon's near future. It all started right here.

Is there a specific band or show you want McKenna to review? Email her at mmobley@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Hesperia local-turned Nashville recording artist helps raise money for Bridge Fire victims