< >Donny Parenteau
Donny Parenteau is one of Canada’s most versatile and dynamic country music singer-songwriters. Born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, his full circle story of success is truly awe-inspiring. Donny knows what it takes to be successful in the Canadian country music industry.
Ancestry: Metis
Language: English
Genre: Country
Albums
Awards, Nominations & Submissions
| 2012 | Single of the Year | My Girl | Submission |
| 2012 | Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year | My Girl | Submission |
| 2012 | Best Music Video | My Girl | Submission |
| 2012 | Best Producer/Engineer | Submission | |
| 2011 | Best Country CD | To Whom It May Concern | Nominee |
| 2011 | Aboriginal Male Entertainer of the Year | Nominee | |
| 2008 | Best Album Cover Design | What It Takes | Nominee |
| 2008 | Best Country CD | What It Takes | Nominee |
Videos
Biography
Donny Parenteau is one of Canada’s most versatile and dynamic country music singer-songwriters. Born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, his full circle story of success is truly awe-inspiring. Donny knows what it takes to be successful in the Canadian country music industry.
Donny first raised a bow to the fiddle at the age of 14. Once he mastered the intricate technique of this versatile instrument, he applied his unwavering work ethic and love of music to other instruments. As a result of countless performances and hours of painstaking practice, Donny now performs with energy and enthusiasm on the fiddle, mandolin, acoustic and electric guitars, and on the unique double-neck mandocaster guitar.
With a powerful voice that readily communicates emotion, a charismatic personality that captivates audiences, and an easy transition from country classics to blues to easy rock, Donny hit the touring road in 1991 with that tall, smiling Texan, the country music great Neal McCoy.
Donny’s 12-year adventure with Neal McCoy had him sharing front and center stage with numerous country legends and music icons including: Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, George Jones, Charlie Pride, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Daniels, Hank Williams Jr., Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Shania Twain, and others. And he appeared with Neal on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Grand Ole Opry, Crook and Chase, Nashville Now, and Prime Time Country.
Extensive touring with Neal and the privilege of performing with so many country music legends became for Donny a country musical tour adventure career of the rare kind that many artists dream of but that few ever live. Donny considers that the sum of these experiences resulted in what he calls his “Masters Degree in Entertaining”. And during this time Donny’s tremendous talent and character, did not go unrecognized as Neal McCoy said of Donny: “along with being one of the most talented guys I’ve ever worked with (not to mention that I’ve ever heard), is a great guy with a big heart, lots of personality and a passion for music you very seldom find.”
But, as the saying goes, there’s truly no place like home. So in 2003 Donny left Nashville, the touring band, and the family he knew to return to his roots in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in pursuit of a solo career. With pen to paper and instruments in hand he created music for not one but two albums, “The First Time” and “The Great Unknown”.
Donny’s newly established solo career produced immediate success and acclaim. In the period 2003 to 2006, Donny was awarded 7 Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA) Awards for his writing and performing accomplishments. Additionally, he was nominated for Producer of the Year at the 2005 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (CAMA) and for Fiddle Player of the Year at the 2006 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards.
Donny’s third album, “What It Takes”, co-produced by Steve Fox launched in October 2006 to tremendous Canadian and US appeal, and to rave reviews.
In recognition of “What It Takes”, Donny garnered a record-breaking 10 nominations for the 2007 Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA) Awards including: Fans Choice Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Song of the Year (“Country Calling Me” with Anthony Kelly), Single of the Year (“Country Calling Me”), Album of the Year (“What It Takes”), Aboriginal Artist, All-Star Band (Fiddle), All-Star Band (Specialty), Back Up Band, and Record Producer of the Year with Steve Fox. By the end of the event, Donny was awarded 5 of those 10 nominations: Aboriginal Artist of the Year, All-Star Band (Fiddle), All-Star Band (Specialty), Back Up Band, and Record Producer of the Year with Steve Fox.
In September 2007, Donny attended the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) where he was nominated for the Chevy Rising Star Award and where he was selected as 1 of the top 24 songwriters in Canada to be showcased during the CCMA’s prestigious Songwriters’ Café. While at the 2007 CCMA events, Donny delighted longtime fans and gained new ones with his performance at the Casino Regina Show Lounge. And at the industry-only CCMA Industry Brunch and Awards event the rendition of “Orange Blossom Special” by Donny and his band had the audience of 400 people tapping their toes and then, just moments later, the introduction and performance of Donny’s second song, “Postmarked Heaven”, had that same audience wiping tears from their eyes.
On his return from the 2007 CCMAs, Donny learned he and “What It Takes” were nominated for 2 Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA): Outstanding Aboriginal Recording of the Year and Outstanding Country Recording of the Year. And then, only a short time later, Donny was told that he had been nominated for 5 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards: Best Song Single (“Father Time”), Best Producer/Engineer, Best Songwriter, Best Country Album, and Best Album of the Year. Of these, Donny’s win of Best Song Single and Best Producer/Engineer was a tremendous validation of his broad-based talent.
With an unprecedented 18 music award nominations between April 2007 and December 2007, Donny became the highest nominated musician of any musical genre in Canada over a 9-month period.
In February 2008 Donny’s full circle story continued when he received his first ever Juno nomination, Aboriginal Recording of the Year (“What It Takes”).
Just one week later, Donny became for the second consecutive year the highest nominated artist with nine 2008 Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA) Award nominations. At the 2008 SCMA Awards event in his hometown of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Donny accepted 7 of those 9 awards: Fans Choice of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year (“Postmarked Heaven”), Song of the Year (“Postmarked Heaven”) awarded to the composers Donny Parenteau and Gil Grand, Aboriginal Artist of the Year, All Star Band of the Year (Fiddle), and Back Up Band of the Year.
Donny Parenteau was quickly proving that his charismatic stage presence, unwavering work ethic and remarkable musical talent were a combination that could lead to nowhere but success. In the 12-month period April 2007 to April 2008 he received an astonishing 28 music nominations of which he took home 14 awards. Any artist would consider this a tremendous accomplishment but more amazing still is that Donny did it without record labels, without booking agents, and without the video protocols that are often assumed in the music industry.
In addition to these many accolades he was honoured with an appointment as Director of the Prince Albert chapter of the Saskatchewan Country Music Association.
2009 was the year of touring to support the album, playing at everything from APTN’s Aboriginal Day in Whitehorse, Yukon to and string of casinos. All leading up to 2010’s full-court press.
With the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Donny was proud to represent his country in Vancouver during the games, at the Saskatchewan Pavilion with 6-days’ of performances.
A few weeks later, Donny co-hosted “Tele-Miracle” on CTV Saskatchewan. “Tele-Miracle” is the largest earning per capita telethon in the world. Donny not only performed, but was also part of a team talking to the live and viewing audience, drawing donations at world-record levels.
Donny’s story and desire to help others, lead to an additional path - May saw the commencement of the “It Starts With a Dream” tour. This tour featured Donny telling his life’s story to high-school students and inspiring them to pursue their dreams across the province. This tour was so successful, that a second is scheduled for the fall of 2011.
The summer was filled with festivals, casino, and concert dates.
No artist can afford to rest, including Donny. While the nation saw him in concert, he completed his next album. The video for his next single, “My Girl”, from his forthcoming album “To Whom it May Concern” premiered on CMT in October. The album features appearances by country legends Marty Stuart and Charlie Daniels. It was produced by Harry Stinson - Harry also produced for Trisha Yearwood and others.
CTV’s Canada AM from Toronto, featured Donny in November while he toured Ontario radio and other media in support of his music. This nationally televised morning-show highlighted his unique gifts to the nation.
The current album “To Whom it May Concern” was released in January, 2011 - radio readily began spinning the singles.
Donny co-hosted “Tele-Miracle” on CTV Saskatchewan in March for the 3rd time. However, this time his roll was larger. Award winning artist Brad Johner” and Donny co-wrote a new theme song “You Are the Miracle” and debuted it during the event. Donny also made a friend win Kenny Shields of “Streetheart”. He did not know at that time the importance of meeting the multiple Gold and Platinum selling artist.
Donny’s demand as a speaker continued to build – with being the “Keynote” speaker at the Saskatchewan Community Schools Association convention. This was followed by a string of similar requests.
“To Whom it May Concern’s” acceptance was soon demonstrated. Donny lead in nominations for the 22nd SCMA Awards (Saskatchewan Country Music Association). His eleven nominations lead the pack. The multi-talented artist was nominated in the following categories: Fan’s choice entertainer, Song of the year (My Girl), All star band (specialty), Aboriginal artist of the year, Male vocalist of the year, Single of the year (My Girl), All star band (fiddle), Record producer , Country music person, Video of the year (My Girl), and Manager
In June, Donny recorded the video for his next single – “Fiddleback” in front of a live audience. He also recorded his first “Live in Concert” DVD. For the event, Neal McCoy recorded an introductory video for Donny – live from the Grand Ole Opry. Donny also called on his new friend – Kenny Shields of Streetheart. Kenny readily agreed and appeared with Donny as a special guest.
After the event, through their growing friendship and mutual respect lead to a special request from Kenny – that will be unveiled in the coming months.
The day after the video shoot, Donny was given an honorary diploma from the SIAST (Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology) Woodland Campus during their graduation ceremony. “The honorary diplomas that we award each year, usually one at each of the campuses, is intended to recognize somebody that’s well known in the community, particularly if they’re a role model for our students and for youth in general,” David Walls, senior vice presidents of academics at SIAST, said.
Donny was recognized not just for his role as a musician, but for his role as a motivational speaker. Donny spoke to the graduates during the ceremony. Though he only boasts a Grade 12 education, Parenteau said what he learned playing and being on the road can’t be taught.
