Artist Summary Genre: Western Folk / Acoustic / Roots
Artist Bio: A prairie girl with original western folk songs.
About Donna Durand:
It starts here…
listening to songs played on country and western radio at her grandparents home in the hamlet Bawlf, Alberta, Canada. Then, choir music and in her late teens, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young. The first songwriter Donna was aware of is her mom. She would sit at the piano and cook up funny little songs such as Gasoline Cowboy. Donna has formal education in musical theatre and recreation therapy.
Song birds, the dog singing along with the harmonica, the light in a wise old person’s eyes, leaves of fall turning a near neon golden yellow, current affairs, affairs of the heart and herstory are all muses- the ever moving target. Donna plays out… house concert to concert hall. Noted as an engaging performer, Donna is a regional writer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist.
Feedback:
“Durand is a local singer/songwriter of uncommon intelligence and sensitivity with a talent for penning fresh-sounding lyrics and haunting melodies.” Lana Michelin Red Deer Advocate
“Red Deer’s Donna Durand has released a roots music album that rivals the best Canadian, acoustic music released this year.… Donna Durand’s music is steadfastly assured …capturing both the geographic openness and people temperance of our province.” Donald Teplyske, Fervor Coulee- Roots
“Donna Durand has a pure and beautiful voice that evokes prairie skies and prairie life, happy and melancholy. Listening to The Road Back is an unadulterated pleasure, the melodies sweet and often catchy, the songs heartfelt and true.” Caterina Edwards, author
“I am hearing some good songs and they are not mine.” Ian Tyson to Donna & Brett Songwriter’s Circle, Matchbox Theatre
Honours:
Opened for Ian Tyson, shared the stage in songwriters’ circle with Dick Damron and Lisa Brokop, placed on wall of fame Camrose High, Mayors Award for Fine and Performing Arts Red Deer, On stage for Olympic Torch to Red Deer, World-wide radio play including CBC and CKUA
Associations:
- SOCAN
- Songwriters Association of Canada
- Alberta Music
www.donnadurand.com
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
