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.
Early life 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, Freddie Pelltier, and George Pistun
Career After picking up the violin at a young age, by 19 he was playing professionally. In 1991, Parenteau was playing in Edmonton, Alberta and was invited to a show by Neal McCoy who was also playing in Edmonton. Upon talking with McCoy, Parenteau discovered they had similar taste in music. 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. During his time touring with McCoy, Parenteau got to open for such artists as Merle Haggard, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Buck Owens, George Jones, Charlie Pride, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Daniels, Hank Williams, Jr., Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, and Shania Twain. Parenteau also graced the Grand Ole Opry stage. Parenteau was the only member of the live band that was also on the recordings. 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.
Charity work 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 Studio albums TitleAlbum details What It TakesRelease date: 9 October 2006 Label: Icon Format: CD, digital download To Whom It May ConcernReleased: 11 January 2011 Label: Phantom Format: CD, digital download Bring It OnReleased: 2012 *Re-released: 2021 Label: On Ramp Format: Digital download, streaming
Collaborations TitleAlbum details Fiddle Frenzy Released: 2014 Label: Self-released Format: CD
Singles Title Year Album "Father Time" 2009 What It Takes "I Love Christmas" "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" "Can't Afford to Love You" 2012Bring It On "Sun Shower" "Honey It's Broke" "Never Came Down Again" 2020 rowspan=4 "Bring It On" "Snow White" 2021 "These Day's" "Time off for Bad Behavior 2022 "Roll On"
Music videos TitleYearAlbum "Belly Up"2010 What It Takes "My Girl" To Whom It May Concern "Imagine A World" 2013
Awards and nominations
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.
YearAwardNominated workCategoryResultRef2001 Saskatchewan Country Music AwardsHimselfInternational Humanitarian2003FiddleAll-Star Band2004HimselfAboriginal Artist of the YearFiddleAll-Star Band2005Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards"The Great Unknown"Best Producer/EngineerSaskatchewan Country Music AwardsHimselfAboriginal Artist of the YearFiddleAll-Star Band2006Saskatchewan Country Music AwardsHimselfAboriginal Artist of the YearFiddleAll-Star Band2007Canadian Aboriginal Music AwardsWhat it TakesBest Album of the YearBest Country Album"What It Takes"Best Producer/Engineer"Father Time"Best Song SingleBest Songwriter"Postmarked Heaven"Canadian Country Music AwardsHimselfChevy Truck Rising StarSaskatchewan Country Music AwardsWhat It TakesAlbum of the YearHimselfFans' Choice Entertainer of the YearMale Vocalist of the YearAboriginal Artist of the YearRecord Producer of the Year FiddleAll-Star BandSpecialtyDonny Parenteau BandBack Up Band"Country Calling Me"Single of the YearSong of the YearWestern Canadian Music AwardsWhat it TakesOutstanding Aboriginal RecordingOutstanding Country Recording2008Juno AwardsAboriginal Recording of the YearCanadian Country Music AwardsFiddleAll-Star BandSaskatchewan Country Music AwardsHimselfAboriginal Artist of the YearFans' Choice Entertainer of the YearMale Vocalist of the YearRecord Producer of the YearFiddleAll-Star BandDonny Parenteau BandBack Up Band"Postmarked Heaven"Single of the YearSong of the Year"Father Time"Single of the YearSong of the YearAboriginal People's Choice Music AwardsWhat It TakesBest Country CDBest Album Cover Design2009Canadian Country Music AwardsFiddleAll-Star BandSaskatchewan Country Music AwardsHimselfAboriginal Artist of the Year20102011Fans' Choice Entertainer of the YearMale Vocalist of the YearManager of the YearFiddleAll-Star BandSpecialty"My Girl"Single of the YearSong of the YearVideo of the YearAboriginal People's Choice AwardsHimselfAboriginal Male Entertainer of the YearTo Whom It May ConcernBest Country CDCanadian Aboriginal Music AwardsBest Album of the YearBest Country AlbumHimselfBest SongwriterBest Male ArtistBest Producer/Engineer "To Whom It May Concern"Best Song SingleBest Music Video2012Juno AwardsTo Whom It May ConcernAboriginal Recording of the YearCanadian Country Music AwardsFiddleAll-Star Band2013Saskatchewan Country Music AwardsHimselfAboriginal Artist of the YearFans' Choice Entertainer of the YearRecord Producer of the YearCountry Music Person of the YearBring It OnAlbum of the Year"Sunshower"Song of the Year"Can't Afford to Love You"Single of the YearFiddleAll-Star BandSpecialtyJuno AwardsBring It OnAboriginal Recording of the Year2014Saskatchewan Country Music AwardsFiddleAll-Star Band2017FiddleSpecialty2020HimselfLegends and Legacy Award2022Record Producer of the Year
References
External links Official website