Artist Information
Biography
Don Amero remembers it well. It was the day that changed his life. On September 15, 2007, he walked off his job as a hardwood flooring installer and set out to pursue music fulltime. And what a good day that turned out to be!
Since then, the singer/songwriter has toured from coast-to-coast, headlined concerts, presented at festivals, performed with the symphony, and appeared on national television. Don’s music has generated four awards and 18 nominations, his talent and ambition receive ongoing acclaim, and his determination inspires countless youth. Today, Don is considered one of the hardest working ‘indie’ musicians in showbiz. No surprise, since hard work is second nature to him.
While a lot has happened for Don in a short time, it actually was a long road for him to get where he is now. From the notoriously tough North End of Winnipeg, Don faced his share of adversity growing up. With poverty, gangs, drugs and violence all around, fortunately, his life was tempered by love, support, and faith in a Greater Power. Shaped and molded by his own experiences, Don’s music carries the depth of hardship and luminosity of hope. His message is one of encouragement, positivity and beauty, despite the harshness of the world.
Don’s desire to take a serious shot at music was ignited with the unexpected success of his debut CD – fittingly called Change Your Life. Released in the fall of 2006, the single Freight Train garnered the #1 spot on the National Aboriginal Countdown, and the album received seven nominations at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (APCMAs).
In early 2009, Don’s second album Deepening saw two more singles, I’m Just Me and She, climb to #1 on the National Aboriginal Countdown. Deepening earned him Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, Male Artist of the Year at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, and several more nominations at the APCMAs. His professionalism and perseverance also caught the attention of a CBC Radio host, who bestowed Don with the James Brown Hardest Working Musician Award – a playful prize which actually rings pretty true!
In 2010, Don was honoured when selected to perform with the world-renowned Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Three of his original songs were scored for symphony accompaniment, and his performance was featured as part of the Indigenous Festival. That same week, he was introduced to all of Canada as one of the headlining acts at APTN’s National Aboriginal Day concert, which broadcasts live from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
Don’s third album The Long Way Home was released in the fall of 2010, receiving rave reviews from media and fans alike. The country-flavoured first single Right Where I Wanna Be was featured on radio stations across Canada, and became the chosen track for Don’s first music video. In 2011, the album was named Aboriginal Recording of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards, where he was also invited to perform at the awards show, and participate as opening keynote moderator at the accompanying music industry conference. He also won Best Folk Recording at the Native American Music Awards, bringing his totals to four awards, and another 18 nominations.
All three of Don’s albums can be purchased on Itunes, Amazon, CD baby and other digital outlets. Looking ahead, Don’s itinerary includes tours, featured performances at festivals and other special events, and youth workshops. He is currently writing and recording songs for his new album, and working on his most important project to date – being a daddy for the first time!
Don is deeply inspired by his life and his surroundings. That’s why he makes a point of spending as much time as possible at the cabin, or just being with friends and family. Because no matter what else is going on, it’s still the little things that matter most to him.
Grateful for his success so far and eager to see what the future brings, Don’s decision to make music is proving to be a good one. And even though you could say it’s been a long road for Don Amero, that’s okay. Because he knows for certain that now, he’s on the right one.
Instrumentation
Don Amero - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
Discography
Christmastime (December 1/ 2011)
The Long Way Home (October 1/ 2010)
Deepening (February 27/ 2009)
Change your life (October 13/ 2006)
Links
Audio
-
Right Where I Wanna Be
Listen Download -
Life gets better
Listen Download -
Life's been sweet
Listen Download -
My Lovely
Listen Download -
Going Home
Listen Download -
She
Listen Download -
Life
Listen Download -
Enough
Listen Download -
I'm just me
Listen Download -
Fine Line
Listen Download -
Turn these gray skys blue (unmaster)
Listen Download
Lyrics
Video
2008 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards
What do you wanna do.mp4
Photo Gallery
-
Photo By Scott Senior
Download print quality (high-res) version -
Nadya Kwandibens 2010 -2
Download print quality (high-res) version -
Photo by Scott Senior
Download print quality (high-res) version -
Live at Graham by Melanie Bernadsky
-
Photo by Scott Senior
Press
-
The Long Way Home - Review
[+ Show ]
Since he burst onto the local scene in 2006/07 with his sweet tenor voice and his beautiful acoustic...
-
Three years of success and Amero isn't out of the woods yet
[+ Show ]
It would be all too easy to romanticize Don Amero’s story: A young, First Nations hardwood floor-ins...
-
The Long Way Home - Review
[+ Show ]
The Long Way Home (Independent) LOCAL singer-songwriter Don Amero is a road warrior torn between hi...
-
Don Amero’s long road home
[+ Show ]
The singer-songwriter talks Keith Urban, his new album, and balancing life on the road with his fami...
-
Right Where He Want to Be
[+ Show ]
Three years ago, Don Amero was working as a hardwood floor installer when he chose to quit his day j...
-
Deepening Review 2
[+ Show ]
Urban NDN magazine described Don Amero as a "Métis Mayer," and I think that's an apt comparison. The...
-
THE LIST
[+ Show ]
January 2009 URBAN NDN - THE LIST By Bryon Gislason - House of Bands (...
-
OUR PICK
[+ Show ]
February 2008 WINDSPEAKER - OUR PICK Much anticipated album to be release in Feb...
-
POPULAR SINGER/SONGWRITERS COMING TO VIRDEN
[+ Show ]
December 6, 2008 POPULAR SINGER/SONGWRITERS COMING TO VIRDEN Submitted Don A...
-
THE DAUPHIN HERALD
[+ Show ]
Tuesday January 27, 2009 THE DAUPHIN HERALD By M.A. Nyquist - Herald Reporter ...
-
Quote #2
[+ Show ]
“Don Amero's spirit shines through his music like a beacon. Keep your eye on this up and comer.” -...
-
Quote
[+ Show ]
"Don Amero is a triple threat talent in the Canadian Roots Music Scene as a songwriter, guitarist an...
-
'Toban musicians could dominate First Nations gala
[+ Show ]
Very solid contingent at annual awards Manitoba artists are up for nearly one-third of the 2007 A...
-
Change your life
[+ Show ]
Singer/songwriter Amero is an optimist who believes in the power of music to change the world, or if...
-
Don Amero's Home Away From Home Tour Rolls into Acton May 13th
[+ Show ]
While Don Amero’s hometown is Winnipeg, he seeks to embrace a little bit of ‘home’ wherever he trave...
Setlist
Originals:
Life
Life gets better
Enough
She
I'm just me
Fine line
My lovely
Sunshine and rain
Story of a girl
Stand by the door
This old road
This song for you
Away from you
Lets not fade away
Without you
Mom and Dad
Hometown
Wash away
Freight train
Sometime
Help this world
You know love
Not far away
All we got
Long way home
Protection
If you want to
By your love
Life's been sweet
Right where I wanna be
Home is Where my heart is
Going home
Through the storm
After the rain
Ready to love
Pray
Dark horse
I run to you
Covers:
Waiting on the world to change - John Mayer
Where the streets have no name - U2
Lovers in a dangerous time - Bruce Cockburn
Brown Eyed girl - Van Morrison
Try - Blue Rodeo
Rain on me - Blue Rodeo
If she would stay - Sweetsalt
When I come around - Green Day
Heaven - Bryan Adams
I'll be - Edwin McCain
Red brother, Red sister - Bruce Cockburn

