Metis fiddler takes home two more SCMA awards

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Donny Parenteau began his career at the age of 15 when chance and curiosity enticed him to pick up the fiddle. It wasn't long before his natural talent emerged and he began performing professionally with acts such as Grant and Sean Carson, The Number One West Show, and internationally known country musician Neil McCoy.

Now Parenteau has returned to his Saskatchewan roots to make his mark on the Canadian music scene in his own way.

The decision to branch off on his own was a trying one for Parenteau to make, but he draws on the valuable knowledge and experience he gained working with McCoy and approaches his future with a "no fear" attitude.

Since leaving McCoy's band in 2002, Parenteau has gathered together his own team of skilled musicians. The band has released its first album and is on its way to a successful career in country music.

"I started my band in 2003 and things are going fantastic," Parenteau said.

Fantastic may be an understatement. At the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards held March 19 in Regina, Parenteau graced the stage on two separate occasions, accepting awards for Fiddle Player of the Year and Aboriginal Artist of the Year-the same two awards he walked away with at last year's show.

"I feel proud," Parenteau said of his back to back wins. "I feel I'm representing Saskatchewan as an Aboriginal artist so it's not just about me, it's about Saskatchewan, my Metis heritage and being proud of who I am. I carry that with me wherever I go."

As a result of his awards, he has decided to take his music to a higher level by submitting his recording project to the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards with hopes of having his artistic talent recognized at a national level.

"I think it is a matter of getting out there, knowing a lot more people and a lot more people knowing who you are and enjoying what you do. Knowing I'm Aboriginal, they must feel I'm a good representative for them as an Aboriginal artist."

Though he has resided in other provinces and in the United States while pursuing his music career, Parenteau has always maintained his devotion to his community and the province, which earned him the Saskatchewan Country Music Association's International Humanitarian Award in 2001.

"The International Humanitarian Award honours Saskatchewan musicians or talent that have left Saskatchewan but always acknowledged Saskatchewan as their home," Donny Parenteau explained. "Every show we ever played, Neil always said I was from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan."

As for his Metis heritage, it comes through each and every time he steps onto the stage, he explained.

"Metis people have such a passion for whatever they focus on. They have such a drive and such a passion for whatever that is and, for me, that comes out in my music without me even telling anyone about my heritage. What I play comes from my heart. That's the way I play and that's the way Metis people play."

Parenteau has a single being released on radio stations across Canada on April 11, a milestone that is part of his five-year plan for his career.

Included in this plan is the hope and optimism of having videos that will receive play on Country Music Television as well as nominations for more awards such as a Juno or Canadian Country Music Award. "That's where I see myself. I'm not saying winning; I just want to be recognized."

Ultimately, he longs for a day when people everywhere can sit back, listen to the radio, and hear his name and his music.

While he's set specific career goals for himself, achieving those goals isn't what keeps Parenteau going. The true motivation behind his music career lies in a promise made 15 years ago.

"The reason I have such a fire and desire to do this is not just for me but it was a promise I made to my dad in 1990 before he died. I said I would take the family name as far as I can."

Judging from his success so far, it looks like that's a promise Parenteau is goin to have no problem keeping.