Former Onaway resident Chip Hart at the Grand Ole Opry

Chip Hart’s dream of becoming a musician started by playing music in the fifth grade in the Onaway Area Community Schools.

At that time, nobody could have imagined where a musical career would take him.

In the country music industry, there is no greater honor that to be asked to perform on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

That’s where Hart’s dream took him last month when he debuted as a drummer for George Canyon on July 22.

Hart, who is a native of Onaway, graduating from OHS in 1980, is the son of Charles Hart and the late Kathy Hart.

He remembers starting in the school band, which at the time was being directed by Karan Pregitzer.

AFTER SCHOOL he attended several prestigious music schools. Hart continued to study extensively with many talented musicians.

Chip’s musical career really got started when he enlisted in the armed services, touring in Europe with the U.S. Navy Band.

After serving in the military for seven years, Hart relocated to Seattle, playing with blues artists throughout the Pacific northwest, western Canada, Alaska, and Europe.

In 2000, Chip decided to relocate to Nashville, Tennessee, and began touring with country recording artist Vern Gosden.

George Canyon, who invited Hart to fill the position of drummer last spring, was the winner of the 2005 Country Recording of Year at Canada’s Juno Awards and was named Entertainer of the Year at Canada’s East Coast Music Awards.

Canyon also won the Canadian Radio Music Award for “best new group or solo artist” at this year’s awards conducted in Toronto.

RECENTLY THE band has been open

ing for country superstar Tim McGraw, as well as playing at many festivals and fairs with well-known headline acts such as Sawyer Brown, Gretchen Wilson, and ZZ Top.

When asked what it feels like to have a dream come true and play on the same stage as country legends, Chip said he was thrilled but couldn’t put it in words what it felt like.

He owed it all to hard work and sacrifice, along with dedicated family and friends who always believed in him.

Hart also personally thanks Karan Pregitzer and his drumming instructor Rex Thuston for their guidance and support through the years.

A recording of the Grand Ole Opry performance is available in the archive section at the website wsnonline.com.

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