Donny Parenteau (born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) is singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He is best for known his solo career and his work as fiddle player, guitarist, and mandolin player for country music singer Neal McCoy. In February 2011, Parenteau signed with the record label 306 Records/EMI Music Canada to help distribute his albums.[2]

Donny Parenteau
BornPrince Albert, Saskatchewan
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer-songwriter
  • record producer
Instruments
Years active1991–present
LabelsIndependent, 306 Records/EMI Music Canada
Websitehttp://www.donnyparenteaumusic.com

Early life

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At 14, Parenteau took up the fiddle. After mastering the fiddle, he picked up other instruments like the guitar (both acoustic and electric) and the mandolin (both acoustic and electric). Parenteau cites some of his influences as Bryan Sklar,[1] Freddie Pelltier,[1] and George Pistun[1]

Career

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After picking up the violin at a young age, by 19 he was playing professionally.[1] In 1991, Parenteau was playing in Edmonton, Alberta and was invited to a show by Neal McCoy who was also playing in Edmonton.[1] Upon talking with McCoy, Parenteau discovered they had similar taste in music.[1] McCoy was looking for a fiddle player, but didn't have the money to hire one. Parenteau wanted the chance to audition and would not let up until he got the chance to audition. Parenteau listened to the group jamming and had a grasp of what they were playing. It was that song he would use as the audition piece.[1] During his time touring with McCoy, Parenteau got to open for such artists as Merle Haggard,[1] Tim McGraw,[1] Faith Hill,[1] Buck Owens,[1] George Jones,[1] Charlie Pride,[1] Loretta Lynn,[1] Charlie Daniels,[1] Hank Williams, Jr.,[1] Reba McEntire,[1] Garth Brooks,[1] and Shania Twain.[1] Parenteau also graced the Grand Ole Opry stage.[1] Parenteau was the only member of the live band that was also on the recordings.[1] After performing with Neal McCoy for 12 years and playing 250–300 shows a year, Parenteau returned to Prince Albert to embark on a solo career.[1]

Charity work

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Parenteau has done a number of humanitarian and charity work. In 2001 SCMA International Humanitarian Award for his efforts. He also appears on Telemiracle starting on the 32nd edition of the telethon. Parenteau co-wrote the current Telemiracle opening theme song with Brad Johner entitled "You are the Miracle". It became the theme in 2011. He also embarks on a tour of elementary schools in Saskatchewan each year as a motivational speaker in which he spreads his message of anti-bullying.

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details
What It Takes
To Whom It May Concern
  • Released: 11 January 2011
  • Label: Phantom
  • Format: CD, digital download
Bring It On
  • Released: 2012
    *Re-released: 2021
  • Label: On Ramp
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Collaborations

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Title Album details
Fiddle Frenzy
(Brian Sklar and Donny Parenteau)
  • Released: 2014
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD

Singles

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Title Year Album
"Father Time" 2009 What It Takes
"I Love Christmas" Non-album single
"Postmarked Heaven" 2010 What It Takes
"Belly Up"
"My Girl" To Whom It May Concern
Turn It Up 2011
"My Dirt"
"To Whom It May Concern"
"Watching Over Me" Non-album single
"Can't Afford to Love You" 2012 Bring It On
"Sun Shower"
"Honey It's Broke"
"Never Came Down Again" 2020 Non-album singles
"Bring It On"
(featuring Brad Johner)
"Snow White"
(featuring Kenny Shields)
2021
"These Day's"
"Time off for Bad Behavior 2022
"Roll On"

Music videos

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Title Year Album
"Belly Up" 2010 What It Takes
"My Girl" To Whom It May Concern
"Imagine A World"
(featuring Michele Dubois)
2013

Awards and nominations

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Donny Parenteau awards and nominations
Totals[a]
Wins38
Nominations84
Note
  1. ^ Certain award groups do not simply award one winner. They acknowledge several different recipients, have runners-up, and have third place. Since this is a specific recognition and is different from losing an award, runner-up mentions are considered wins in this award tally. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.

Parenteau has been nominated for a multitude of awards all across Canada picking up a number of them along the way. In 2008, Parenteau was nominated for his country's highest honour by being nominated for a Juno Award.

Year Award Nominated work Category Result Ref
2001 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards Himself International Humanitarian Won [3]
2003 Fiddle All-Star Band Won [4]
2004 Himself Aboriginal Artist of the Year Won [5]
Fiddle All-Star Band Won
2005 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards "The Great Unknown" Best Producer/Engineer Nominated [6]
Saskatchewan Country Music Awards Himself Aboriginal Artist of the Year Won [7]
Fiddle All-Star Band Won
2006 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards Himself Aboriginal Artist of the Year Won [8]
Fiddle All-Star Band Won
2007 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards What it Takes Best Album of the Year Nominated
Best Country Album Nominated
"What It Takes" Best Producer/Engineer Won [9]
"Father Time" Best Song Single Won [10]
Best Songwriter Nominated
"Postmarked Heaven" Nominated
Canadian Country Music Awards Himself Chevy Truck Rising Star Nominated [11]
Saskatchewan Country Music Awards What It Takes Album of the Year Nominated [12]
Himself Fans' Choice Entertainer of the Year Nominated
Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Aboriginal Artist of the Year Won
Record Producer of the Year
(shared with Steve Fox)
Won
Fiddle All-Star Band Won
Specialty Won
Donny Parenteau Band Back Up Band Won
"Country Calling Me" Single of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
Western Canadian Music Awards What it Takes Outstanding Aboriginal Recording Nominated [13]
Outstanding Country Recording Nominated
2008 Juno Awards Aboriginal Recording of the Year Nominated [14]
Canadian Country Music Awards Fiddle All-Star Band Nominated [15]
Saskatchewan Country Music Awards Himself Aboriginal Artist of the Year Won [16]
Fans' Choice Entertainer of the Year Won
Male Vocalist of the Year Won
Record Producer of the Year Nominated
Fiddle All-Star Band Won
Donny Parenteau Band Back Up Band Won
"Postmarked Heaven" Single of the Year Won
Song of the Year Won
"Father Time" Single of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards What It Takes Best Country CD Nominated
Best Album Cover Design Nominated
2009 Canadian Country Music Awards Fiddle All-Star Band Nominated [17]
Saskatchewan Country Music Awards Himself Aboriginal Artist of the Year Won [18]
2010 Won [19]
2011 Won [20]
Fans' Choice Entertainer of the Year Nominated
Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Manager of the Year Nominated
Fiddle All-Star Band Nominated
Specialty Won [20]
"My Girl" Single of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
Video of the Year Nominated
Aboriginal People's Choice Awards Himself Aboriginal Male Entertainer of the Year Nominated [21][22]
To Whom It May Concern Best Country CD Nominated [21][22]
Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards Best Album of the Year Nominated
Best Country Album Won [23][24]
Himself Best Songwriter Won [23][24]
Best Male Artist Won [23][24]
Best Producer/Engineer
(shared with Harry Stinson)
Won [23][24]
"To Whom It May Concern" Best Song Single Nominated
Best Music Video Won [23][24]
2012 Juno Awards To Whom It May Concern Aboriginal Recording of the Year Nominated [14]
Canadian Country Music Awards Fiddle All-Star Band Nominated [25]
2013 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards Himself Aboriginal Artist of the Year Won [26]
Fans' Choice Entertainer of the Year Nominated
Record Producer of the Year Nominated
Country Music Person of the Year Nominated
Bring It On Album of the Year Won [26]
"Sunshower" Song of the Year Nominated
"Can't Afford to Love You" Single of the Year Nominated
Fiddle All-Star Band Won [26]
Specialty Won [26]
Juno Awards Bring It On Aboriginal Recording of the Year Nominated [14]
2014 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards Fiddle All-Star Band Won [27]
2017 Fiddle Nominated [28]
Specialty Nominated
2020 Himself Legends and Legacy Award Won [29]
2022 Record Producer of the Year
(Song: "These Days")
Won [30]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Kelly, Lorena. "Donny Parenteau: Called by Country". Sask Music. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  2. ^ "Donny Parenteau signs with "360 Records/EMI". CashBoxCanada.ca. February 18, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  3. ^ "2001 SCMA Award Winners". Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  4. ^ "2003 SCMA Awards Winners". Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  5. ^ "2004 SCMA Award Winners". Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  6. ^ "Music Awards- 2005 Category Finalists". Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. Archived from the original on March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  7. ^ "2005 SCMA Award Winners". Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  8. ^ "2006 SCMA Award Winners". Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  9. ^ "Best Producer/Engineer". Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. Archived from the original on March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  10. ^ "Best Song Single". Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. Archived from the original on March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  11. ^ "Canadian Country Music Awards Nominees Released". NationTalk.ca. August 1, 2007. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  12. ^ "2007 SCMA Award Winners". Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  13. ^ "2007 Awards Winners". Western Canadian Music Alliance, Inc. Archived from the original on 15 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  14. ^ a b c "Artist Summary – Donny Parenteau". Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  15. ^ "2008 CCMA Awards Nominees" (PDF). Canadian Country Music Association. 30 July 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  16. ^ "2008 SCMA Award Winners". scma.sk.ca. Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  17. ^ "2009 CCMA Awards Nominees Listing" (Press release). Canadian Country Music Association. July 29, 2009. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  18. ^ "2009 SCMA Award Winners". Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  19. ^ "2010 SCMA Award Winners". Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  20. ^ a b "2011 SCMA Winners". Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  21. ^ a b "Nominees Announced For 2011 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards". Manitoba Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  22. ^ a b 2011 Aboriginal People's Choice Award winners, Aboriginal Peoples Choice Awards, archived from the original on December 9, 2011, retrieved December 4, 2017
  23. ^ a b c d e "2011 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards Winners". Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  24. ^ a b c d e "2011 Canadian Aboriginal Music Award Winners". RPM - Revolutions Per Minute. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  25. ^ "2012 CCMA Award Winners List". TopCountry.ca. September 9, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  26. ^ a b c d "2013 SCMA Winners". Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  27. ^ "2014 SCMA Award Winners". Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  28. ^ "2017 SCMA Award Nominees". Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  29. ^ Lozinski, Peter (May 18, 2020). "Donny Parenteau awarded for lifetime legacy in Saskatchewan country music". Prince Albert Daily Herald. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  30. ^ "2022 SCMA Award Winners". Saskatchewan Country Music Association. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
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