Donny Parenteau recently began a motivational speaking tour for schools entitled "It Starts with a Dream."
The beginning of Donny's life was relatable to others from the small towns he visited. He grew up in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and he dreamed of one day playing the Grand Ole Opry.
Growing up Donny was often ridiculed for being Metis but he never let that get him down.
"They used to call us half-breed, and make fun of our background," said Donny. "Now the people who ridiculed me are the ones wearing the Metis sashes.
At 14, he took up the fiddle. After mastering the fiddle, he picked up other instruments like the guitar and the mandolin. Mastering a wide range of instruments at such a young age would normally be a major accomplishment for anyone, but Donny wasn't satisfied yet. He hadn't accomplished his dreams.
Donny hit the touring road in 1991 with none other than the Texan, country music great, Neal McCoy.
"This was the guy who was going to help me get closer to my dreams," explained Donny.
Donny told the students at Gordon F. Kells High School on Friday April 20, that his 12 year adventure with Neal McCoy had him sharing the stage with many country legends and music icons. Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, George Jones, Charlie Pride, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Daniels, Hank Williams JR, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Shania Twain to name a few.
"When your mom made cookies when you were young and she'd put them where you couldn't reach them, did you just give up? No, you didn't. You got on a chair or counter and got those cookies," described Donny. "Life is like those cookies; it's not just going to come to you. You need to climb to them and reach for your dreams."
He also spoke of the many television appearances he made. Appearing with Neal, on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Grand Ole Opry, Crook and Chase, Nashville Now, and Prime Time Country.
"I called up my mom and told her all of my dreams had come true. What do I do next mom? And she told me to make new dreams, so I did," Donny explains proudly.
Donny left Nashville, the band and people he grew to know and love as family and returned to where it all began to begin his solo career in 2003.
"My creativity was being shut down. I was always six feet away from my real dreams. If I stepped up those six feet, I would be the county music star," said Donny.
The "It Starts with a Dream" motivational speaking tour empowers children to grab hold of their future, to be proactive in planning and realizing their dreams.
"Make a five year plan. Start thinking about what you want to do when you get out of high school now!" stressed Donny. "If you see nothing but darkness, and no success, that might be where you end up. Don't let that happen."
Donny also spoke to the students about an issue close to his heart, communication with family.
"I'm trying to bring back some of the morals I had as a kid," he said passionately. "Don't text your parents from the basement asking if dinner is ready. Talk to them. And don't let them find out that you're being bullied or that you're suicidal through Facebook. That's the worst thing for a parent."
He encouraged the students to give communication a try during the presentation. They were asked to raise their hand if they had ever been bullied, and to come to the front to talk about it.
One student was brave enough to step up, and talked about how long it took to tell her parents about the problem. She was brave and strong as the words came out, and even spoke about how the student who bullied her was no longer allowed to attend the school.
"Be kind. Enjoy what you have, cherish the people in your lives. If someone is smaller than you help them out," Donny insisted. "Shame on you if you walk by bullying and don't help. That could be you one day. If you are the bully, there's obviously something wrong in your life. You need help."
Before his dad died of cancer, Donny Parenteau made his father a promise. He would take the family name, Parenteau, as far as he could.
After two Juno nominations, three CD releases, numerous nominations and wins for the Canadian Aboriginal Awards, Canadian Country Music Awards and Aboriginal People's Choice Awards - as well as getting married and fathering three kids, his father would be extremely proud.
"You never know unless you try. Everyone is going to have to climb the job ladder. Work your way up and be nice to the people on your way up, because you never know who you will encounter on your way down," urged Donny. "Thank your teachers for teaching you something, and be grateful for your parents."
Donny ended the day with a private concert and autograph signing for the students.
