Singer Canaan will bring familiar vocals, new love song to Valentine's Day concert

John Canaan has been a presence on the local music scene for quite a while.

"The first thing people might remember me for is my 1983 song 'What If I Loved You,"' he says. "That was the No. 1 hit on local radio stations." And, he adds, the No. 2 and No. 3 songs were by Lionel Ritchie, so he always felt pretty good about that.

"Those were fun days," says Canaan (pronounced can-ann). "I opened for Kenny Loggins and the Pointer Sisters and others."

Another thing people might remember: "I was the original voice on Michael McLean's 'You're Not Alone,' and I did the male vocals on the 'Together Forever' video."

Since then, Canaan has had three inspirational CDs with songs that "have been played by stations coast-to-coast." He's appeared on EFY albums and collections done by Janice Kapp Perry and Orrin Hatch.

He's also been busy with writing a book about relationships, "Sending the Right Message," and conducting relationship seminars and workshops. "That's my day job."

Those two interests will come together next weekend as Canaan offers two Valentine's Day concert/dances. Friday night's more casual affair will be at Wheeler Farm and will feature the One Voice children's choir. It will be followed by a dance with music provided by Twenty Four VII.

Saturday's more formal concert will be on the 23rd floor of the Wells Fargo Building and will add Kendra Lowe to the concert portion, with dance music provided by a local DJ.

The events promise to be "very romantic," Canaan says. "That's why we thought it would be fun to include a dance."

He will also be singing his latest love song, "I Am Your Prince." It's a song that "reverences women, that says women are princesses and deserve to be treated as such. It's about keeping your eyes open and your hearts open. It's a song of hope for all women, whether they've found their prince or are still looking."

"That song brings tears to your eyes," says Narelle Beales, Canaan's concert manager.

Canaan introduced the song on his "Food For Soul Tour," which took him to Macey's grocery stores throughout December. "John sang in the produce section to keep shoppers happy during the holidays. It was a lot of fun, and everyone loved that song."