Donny Parenteau is a proud Métis Country Music artist & was born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Donny’s Saskatchewan Metis heritage goes all the way back to Louis Riel and the Northwest Rebellion 1885. Donny’s Grandfather was a fiddle player who supported his family by playing dances and performances all around Prince Albert & area. Donny picked up the fiddle at age 14 and his musically journey began becoming a multi-instrumentalist – singer songwriter making him today one of the highest nominated independent acts in Canada.
Donny spent twelve years touring the world with United States Country singer Neal McCoy; recording on multi-platinum selling albums & playing on numerous shows, including performances on The Grand Ole Opry & The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Alongside McCoy, Donny has shared the stage with country music icons such as; Charlie Daniels, Merle Haggard, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain, and Reba McEntire to name a few.
After starting his solo career in 2003, Donny has garnered over one hundred nominations at eight major award shows, including three JUNO nominations, and his first USA nomination for “Best Country CD” at the 2014 Native American Music Awards.
Donny’s album, Bring It On, is the only album placed in a time capsule at the Regina Legislative Building to be opened in 100 years and was included because of his song, “Deep in the Heart of Saskatchewan”.
Donny’s latest CD released in 2018, “Favourite Hymns of the Metis”, gave him his latest 2019 nomination for Indigenous Artist of the Year with the Sask Music Awards. He is delighted to have collaborated with the Gabriel Dumont Institute on a number of projects focused on Métis culture.
Donny continues to perform, teach at his Donny Parenteau School of Music, and speak his message of inspiration and “Bully Free Zone” tours at schools across Western Canada.
In April 2020 Donny was awarded the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards Legend’s & Legacy
In August 2020 Donny was the 1st performer selected to re open TCU Place in Saskatoon Saskatchewan which was also filmed by Sasktel and show on Sasktel Max.
October of 2020 was one of the first full band performances Donny was able to do since the pandemic performing a virtual Indigenous Day Live in Regina Saskatchewan.
Donny’s 2020 single Never Came Down Again was released in April 2020 and climbed the Indigenous Music Countdown Top 40 all the way to #2
Donny’s single Bring it On Featuring Brad Johner made it to #5 on the Indigenous Music Countdown Top 40 and #68 on Canadian charts.
Donny’s single released June 2021 Snow White with Kenny Shields along with a video of never-before-seen footage of the two of them on stage. Donny released this to pay respects to his dear departed friend.
Donny’s single These Days was released Sept 2021 and is currently #2 on the Indigenous Music Top 40 Countdown & spent 6 weeks at #1 on MBC radio in Saskatchewan.
In April 2022 Donny was awarded the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards Producer of the Year.
Donny’s last single Time Off for Bad Behavior also did well for him and is very excited to release his new single called Roll On Aug 29th 2022
Feb of 2023 Donny released his single It Will Be Alright with Me featuring R & B artist Jully Black. The song went to #3 on the Indigenous Music Top 40 Countdown and is currently being played on Sirius XM Indigiverse. Donny’s latest single It’s All I Need was released June 2023 and became his first #1 on the Indigenous Music Top 40 Countdown and is currently being played on Sirius XM Indigiverse.
In Jan 2023 Donny as founder and president launched an organization called Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Association. Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Association established to help dreams become reality for Saskatchewan Indigenous musicians.
So far in 2023 Donny will continue live performances, school presentations & teaching at his Donny Parenteau School of Music.
Show Highlights:
Winter Olympics -2010
Tours France -2012
Rideau Hall for The Governor General – 2012
Live on Parliament Hill Canada Day -2012
JUNO Awards Gala- 2013
Barcelona Spain – 2014
Nashville TN – 2015
Performed the 1st ever Half Time Show at the New Mosaic Stadium July 1st 2017 (Canada’s 150th Birthday)
2020 – 40th Anniversary of Gabriel Dumont Institute
2023- – Sask Winter Games
July 1st Canada Day celebration with Lieutenant Governor
Inaugural Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Awards
