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.
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.
Whether songwriting or performing, receiving well-deserved nominations or winning awards, Donny Parenteau continues to exceed the expectations of his ever-growing fan base. Given his experience and track record of success, Donny’s full circle story promises even more in the future. Without a doubt, Donny Parenteau knows what it takes to be successful in the Canadian Country Music Industry.