Our Pick: Donny Parenteau — Bring It On

Artist—Donny Parenteau
Song—Honey It's Broke
Album—Bring It On
Year—2012

Donny Parenteau delivers a modern country album, taking his music beyond the reputation built from behind his fiddling days that should win him the ears of the many. Parenteau mixes classic rock song sensibilities with clever and humorous lyrics that have made for some of the biggest and most popular country hits. Songs built around clichéd lyrics such as Honey It’s Broke where he sings about relationships in context if “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it - oh guess what? honey its broke!” will be instant favorites.

What’s a country album without a little crooning of matters of the heart? Parenteau shares insight of his own Sun Showers or a duet about passions in doubt with vocalist Jully Black on It Will Be Alright With Me. Still not complete until he sings tribute to pride of home and family on Deep In The Heart of Saskatchewan cementing his place as another favorite musical son of the prairies. And as fast as life moves in today’s society, we are reminded to take stock of the blessings our lives have on Don’t Forget to Fish. 

If by this point you wonder where Parenteau draws upon for his memorable song craft, he shares that insight by matching vocals in another duet with a classic Canadian rock icon from the late 70’s, Kenny Shields, doing a Streetheart hit, Snow White that is as credible as the original version. Every song on this album feels like a classic which is why I believe he is up to the challenge that comes by being nominated for a 2013 Juno Award. It’s as if Parenteau, at this point in his career, someone made the dare and he is now ready to Bring It On.