Bobby Lalonde (musician)

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Bobby Lalonde
Born (1958-05-22) May 22, 1958 (age 65)
Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada
SpouseJoy Young (1984-present)
Children
  • Adam
  • Brandon
  • Kelita
Musical career
Genres
  • Country
  • folk
Occupation(s)Musician, producer, songwriter, store owner
Instrument(s)Fiddle, guitar, vocals

Bobby Lalonde is a Canadian musician originating from the Ottawa Valley (Eastern Ontario).

Family and early life[edit]

Lalonde was born on May 22, 1958. The youngest of four brothers (Gerry, Gilles, and Marc), he grew up surrounded by various musical influences. His parents, Beatrice Lalonde (Couture) and Gaston Lalonde, were both of French-Canadian heritage, and had strong ties to Ottawa-Valley country music. He attended the French Catholic elementary school in Saint-Isidore-de-Prescott and the École secondaire catholique de Plantagenet.[1]

Lalonde began playing the fiddle at the age of eight, and soon the Lalonde family band "The Four Sons" was formed. By the time Lalonde was thirteen, he was signed to a three-albums contract with London Records of Canada, had won the North American Junior Fiddle Championship,[2] and was a much-in-demand musician for studio, television and live performances.[3][4]

Music career[edit]

At the age of fifteen, Lalonde was featured with Stompin' Tom Connors in the 1973 movie Across this Land with Stompin' Tom Connors.[5][6][7][8] He also played fiddle multiple times on the Quebec television series Le Ranch à Willie[9] featuring Willie Lamothe.[4]

In his late teens, Lalonde joined the award-winning rock group Garolou. He contributed to the albums Romancero (1980), and Garolou (1978), for which the band won Félix Awards for album of the year.[4]

Soon after his time with Garolou, Lalonde fronted his own group, the Bobby Lalonde Band,[10] which toured continuously from 1981 to 1997. The band played multiple venues across Canada and the United States,[4] and also embarked on several tours through Holland, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. Over the years, the band featured artists such as Alain Brisson, Roger Belisle, Normand Couture, Ted Gerro, Kelli Trottier, Peter Beaudoin, Dave Arthur, Gilles Godard, Sylvain Lavoie, Charlie Grassy, Jean Poulin, Eric Sauve, and Steve Piticco. With his band, Lalonde went on to win multiple Canadian Country Music Association[11] awards, including "Instrumentalist of the Year" three times, "Back Up Band of the Year" twice, and "All Star Band - Special Instrument". The group also received numerous Canadian Country Music Association[11] nominations between 1983 and 1993.

During this time Lalonde's song writing talents were also recognized, and he was honoured with two #1 records and several top ten hits. To date he has fourteen albums to his credit, and has performed with greats such as Tom Cochrane, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Waylon Jennings, Colleen Peterson, Joe Diffy, George Jones, Johnny Cash and many more.[7]

Performances also include the Havelock Country Jamboree, Power Aid Live at the Ottawa's Corel Centre (now Canadian Tire Center), St. Tite Festival, Gatineau Clog, and Ottawa's National Art Center. In 1981, Lalonde received an invitation from Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau to perform at the 7th G7 summit in Montebello, Quebec with Liona Boyd and Diana Juster for eight world leaders.

Lalonde has also co-hosted his own TV show with Ronnie Prophet, titled Spirit of the Country,[12][7] and has hosted many prestigious events including the Canada Day Festivities at Queen's Park in Toronto, as well as had numerous appearances on Canadian television variety shows.[13][14][15][16]

In 1998 Lalonde joined Michel Bénac to create a new sound, urban folk music. Their new group, dubbed Swing,[17][4] was a Canadian néo-trad band of Franco-Ontarian origins, which mixed Franco-Ontarian folklore with techno music. Michel and Lalonde wrote their first single on February 18, 1998, entitled "Ça va brasser". Swing's debut album and tour earned them four Trille-Or Awards from the Association des Professionnels de la Chanson et de la Musique.

On July 1, 2001, Swing performed on Parliament Hill for Canada Day, in front of 100,000 spectators. The performance was also broadcast on live television across Canada. This performance gave them a nomination at the Gemini Awards (2002) in the category of Best Performance or Host in a Variety Program or Series.[18]

When not performing, Lalonde was also an accomplished record producer and recording artist, often contributing to his clients' albums.[19] His recording studio, Bolab Audio Productions,[7] produced albums for many artists, including the Brigadoons, Ashley MacLeod, Trevor Baker, Michel Bénac, Paddy Kelly, The Glengarry Bhoys, Kelli Trottier, Rob Taylor, Brian Caddell, Northern Sons, Ronnie Prophet, Marie King, Carol Ann King, Gilles Godard, Brigadoons, Macleod Fiddlers, Manon Séguin, Arc En Son, Eric Michael Hawks, Gail Gavan, and the Glengarry Highland Games.

Lalonde has a long history of both playing for and hosting the CHEO telethon.[20][21] Lalonde also contributed to Wayne Rostad's "Christmas in the Valley" album, in support of CHEO.[22] His many years of volunteering for the telethon earned him a 2015 CHEO Order of the Good Bear award, which is the CHEO Foundation's tribute to community members for volunteer efforts and fundraising initiatives.

In October 2002, Lalonde stepped back from his lifelong career as a performing artist in order to focus on other ventures. Along with his wife and family, Lalonde opened Bobby Lalonde Music, a retail store and sound production company. Originally located in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, the store is now in Hawkesbury, Ontario.[23]

Discography[edit]

Release Group Album title Track listing Notes
1973 Bobby Lalonde Volume 1
  1. First Century
  2. Maple Sugar
  3. Dragging the Bow
  4. Marion Waltz
  5. Grand-Pa's Brushout
  6. Dauphin Waltz
  7. Black Foot Jam
  8. Sweet Georgia Brown
  9. Louisiana Waltz
  10. Boil the Cabbage
  11. Eidleweiss
  12. Shelburne Reel
  13. Rippling Water Jig
 London Records SDS-5154
1974 Bobby Lalonde Volume 2
  1. Eddy's Reel
  2. Maytime Swing
  3. Autumn Waltz
  4. Walking Up Town
  5. Springhill Jig
  6. Pretty Priscille Waltz
  7. Johnny Mooring Special
  8. Gros Morne
  9. Carol Kennedy Waltz
  10. Big John McNeil
  11. Niomi's Jig
  12. Angus Campbell
 London Records SDS-5177
1976 Bobby Lalonde Volume 3
  1. Blazing Sun
  2. Little Burnt Potato
  3. Clarinet Polka
  4. Ookpic Waltz
  5. Just Jazzin'
  6. Back Forty Rop-Off
  7. Foggy Mountain Breakdown
  8. The Ashton Rose
  9. Orange Blossom Special
  10. Yellow Bird
  11. Blue Sea
  12. Silver Wedding Reel
  13. Ice on the Road
 London Records SDS-5184
1978 Garolou Garolou
  1. Aux Illinois
  2. La complainte du maréchal Biron
  3. Le départ pour les États
  4. Je me suis habillé en plumes
  5. Alouette
  6. Victoria
  7. La retraite de Bonaparte
  8. Wing-tra-la
  9. Germaine
 London Records LFS-9027
1980 Garolou Romancero
  1. Le mariage anglais - 5:34
  2. Sur le bout du pont - 3:30
  3. Damon et Henriette - 4:42
  4. Nicholas - 5:43
  5. Dr. Mason - 2:58
  6. Dans Paris - 3:55
  7. La danse de la limonade - 3:23
  8. Quand j'étais garçon - 2:33
  9. D'où reviens-tu, mon fils Jacques - 6:00
  10. Le condamné - 4:13
 London Records LFS-9032
1980 Various Artists Christmas in the Valley
  1. Christmas in the Valley - Wayne Rostad
  2. Scarlet Ribbons - Neville Wells
  3. Silver Bells - Terry Carisse
  4. Beautiful Star of Bethlehem - Family Brown
  5. Pretty Paper - Rick Thompson
  6. I Believe in Santa Claus - Wayne Rostad & The Forest Ridge Gang
  7. One Bright Star - Bruce Golden
  8. The Heart of Christmas is a Child - Dave Jeffrey, Robin Moir & Craig Kennedy
  9. If Every Day Was Like Christmas - Bobby Lalonde
  10. Thank God for Kids - Wayne Rostad
 Stag Creek Records WRC1-4879
Bobby Lalonde Band Forty Shades of Blue
  1. Forty Shades of Blue
  2. Play Old Man
  3. Rosin Up
  4. Breezy Nights
  5. Just Kidding
  6. Lisa
  7. Jamie
  8. This Dream
  9. Midnight Ride
  10. Diggy Diggy Li
 Bolab Records CRI-8136
Bobby Lalonde Long Lonely Nights
  1. Let's Do It Again
  2. She Got Away With Love
  3. Lovers Will
  4. Long Lonely Nights
  5. Fool In Love
  6. If Your Love Ran Out Tomorrow
  7. Thanks To You
  8. Best of Love
  9. Hold Me To It
  10. Burning Out Of Control
 Bookshop Records International LTD BSR-33-770
Bobby Lalonde Band Fiddle Man
  1. Zydeco
  2. Fiddleman
  3. Somedays
  4. Road to the Blues
  5. Be My Wife
  6. Cutting the Strings
  7. Somebody Painted My Hometown
  8. Fiddle Medley (Live)
  9. I Can't Get Close Enough
  10. Gospel Medley
Bobby Lalonde Band Shadow Knows
  1. Writing On The Wall
  2. Heart To The Wall
  3. Shadow Knows
  4. Count On Me
  5. Cajun Girl
  6. Could I Be Excused
  7. Blue Eyes
  8. Reinvented Love
  9. Sands Of Time
  10. Cajun Love Bug
Bobby Lalonde Band BLB Live
  1. Eagles Medley
  2. New Country
  3. Blue Rose Is
  4. Limonade
  5. Macarena
  6. Country Roads
  7. Blue Bayou
  8. Gospel Medley
  9. Banjy Minuett
  10. The Devil...
Bobby Lalonde Violina'
  1. Le Reel De Fournier
  2. Jig Medley
  3. Violina
  4. Clog, Jig & Reels
  5. Jazz Medley
  6. Kelita's Jig
  7. Bubba's Rag
  8. Mooring's Farewell
  9. Wild Fiddler's Rag
  10. Danny Boy
Bobby Lalonde Classiques de Noel
  1. Winter Wonderland
  2. O Holy Night
  3. Let It Snow
  4. White Christmas
  5. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
  6. Silver Bells
  7. The Christmas Song
  8. Jingle Bell Rock
  9. Falling Snow
  10. Silent Night
1999 Swing La Chanson Sacrée
  1. Ça Va Brasser
  2. Tien-Toé Ben
  3. Sur Le Bord Du St-Laurent
  4. Un Bon Matin
  5. Pour La Vie
  6. Vasectomie D’La Vie
  7. La Chanson Sacrée
  8. Au Champ Des Rêves
  9. Héo
  10. Sortie 51
 Tox Records
  • 2001 Best New Single - “"Un bon matin" - Trille Or - Association des Professionnels de la Chanson et de la Musique[18]
  • 2001 Best Producer - Bobby Lalonde - Trille Or - Association des Professionnels de la Chanson et de la Musique[18]

Awards and recognition[edit]

  • 2015 CHEO Order of the Good Bear recipient (CHEO Foundation's tribute to community members for volunteer efforts and fundraising initiatives)
  • 2013 Honorary President Jeux Franco-ontariens[26]
  • 2003 Inductee, Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame[7]
  • 2003 Recognition Award The Musicians' Association of Ottawa-Hull (now Musicians' Association of Ottawa-Gatineau)
  • 2003 Country Album of the Year - "Simple Man" by Trevor Baker - Producer Bobby Lalonde - GMA Canada Covenant Awards
  • 2003 Traditional Gospel Song of the Year - "O Canada" by Trevor Baker - Producer Bobby Lalonde - GMA Canada Covenant Awards
  • 2001 Best New Single - “"Un bon matin" - Swing, Trille Or - Association des Professionnels de la Chanson et de la Musique[18]
  • 2001 Best New Group - Swing, Trille Or - Association des Professionnels de la Chanson et de la Musique[18]
  • 2001 Best Live Performance - Swing, Trille Or - Association des Professionnels de la Chanson et de la Musique[18]
  • 2001 Best Producer - Swing - Bobby Lalonde, Trille Or - Association des Professionnels de la Chanson et de la Musique[18]
  • 1990 All Star Band - Special Instrument - Bobby Lalonde (Fiddle - Bobby Lalonde), Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1987 Back-Up Band Of The Year - Bobby Lalonde Band, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1987 Instrumentalist of the Year - Bobby Lalonde, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1986 Back-Up Band Of The Year - Bobby Lalonde Band, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1986 Instrumentalist of the Year - Bobby Lalonde, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1984 Instrumentalist of the Year - Bobby Lalonde, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1980 Best Folklore or Traditional Album - Garolou for album Romancero - Félix Award ADISQ[24][27]
  • 1979 Best Folklore or Traditional Album - Garolou for album Garolou - Félix Award ADISQ[24][27]
  • 1979 Gold Album Certification - Garolou for album Garolou [24][25][27]
  • 1974 Canadian Junior Fiddle Champion

Nominations[edit]

  • 2002 Best Performance or Host in a Variety Program or Series - Swing - Bobby Lalonde - The Thrill on the Hill: Canada Day 2001 - Gemini Awards[18]
  • 1993 All Star Band - Fiddle - Bobby Lalonde Band (Bobby Lalonde), Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1992 All Star Band - Fiddle - Bobby Lalonde Band (Bobby Lalonde), Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1992 Back-Up Band Of The Year - Bobby Lalonde Band, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1991 All Star Band - Fiddle - Bobby Lalonde Band (Bobby Lalonde), Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1991 Back-Up Band Of The Year - The Bobby Lalonde Band, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1991 Instrumentalist of the Year - Bobby Lalonde, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1990 Back-Up Band Of The Year - The Bobby Lalonde Band, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1990 Instrumentalist of the Year - Bobby Lalonde, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1989 Back-Up Band Of The Year - Bobby Lalonde Band, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1989 Group or Duo of the Year - The Bobby Lalonde Band, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1989 Instrumentalist of the Year - Bobby Lalonde, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1988 Back-Up Band Of The Year - Bobby Lalonde Band, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1988 Instrumentalist of the Year - Bobby Lalonde, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1987 Songwriters' of the Year - Gilles Godard / Bobby Lalonde - No Holiday In LA (Ronnie Prophet), Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1986 Group or Duo of the Year - The Bobby Lalonde Band, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1985 Group or Duo of the Year - The Bobby Lalonde Band, Canadian Country Music Association[11][28][29]
  • 1985 Instrumentalist of the Year - Bobby Lalonde, Canadian Country Music Association[11]
  • 1984 Group or Duo of the Year - Bobby Lalonde Band, Canadian Country Music Association[11][30]
  • 1983 Group or Duo of the Year - Bobby Lalonde Band, Canadian Country Music Association[11][31]
  • 1980 Group of the Year - Garolou - Félix Award ADISQ
  • 1979 Group of the Year - Garolou]- Félix Award ADISQ

References[edit]

  1. ^ Quirion, Chantal (August 19, 2004). "Fête champêtre de l'UCFO… Bobby Lalonde : un musicien né?". Agricom (in French). Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  2. ^ Simpson, Rose (January 29, 1981). "Fiddling champion makes beautiful music". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  3. ^ Simpson, Rose (January 11, 1981). "Bluegrass band steals limelight at Citizen show". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e Gratton, Denis (June 2, 2017). "Cinquante ans de musique". Le Droit (in French). Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  5. ^ "Mercury-Advance". Television Movie Listings. June 26, 1974. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  6. ^ "Bobby Lalonde on "Across This Land with Stompin' Tom Connors" (1973)". YouTube.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Bobby Lalonde". www.ottawacountrymusichof.org. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  8. ^ "Across This Land with Stompin' Tom Connors". IMDb. 1973. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  9. ^ "01 | mars | 2013 | Le blogue de Jean-Maurice". Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  10. ^ "Bobby Lalonde Band entry at Rateyourmusic.com". Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "Past Award Winners - Canadian Country Music Association". www.ccma.org. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  12. ^ "Bobby Lalonde on "Spirit of the Country" (1989)". YouTube. 1989. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  13. ^ "Bobby Lalonde & Debbie Myers on "Country Centre Ville" (1994)". YouTube. 1994. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  14. ^ "Bobby Lalonde Band - Live Performance (2007)". YouTube. 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  15. ^ "Bobby Lalonde & Colleen Peterson - Live Performance (1990)". YouTube. 1990. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  16. ^ "Christmas In The Valley - CJOH Special (1990)". YouTube. 1990. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  17. ^ "Swing band entry at Rateyourmusic.com". Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h "About SWING". Sonicbids. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  19. ^ "Bobby Lalonde entry at Rateyourmusic.com". Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  20. ^ Trottier, Sharon (June 3, 1985). "Telethon raises $400,000 for children's hospital". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  21. ^ Beyer, Susan (May 21, 1986). "CHEO telethon has country music flavor". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  22. ^ "Rostad christmas album to aid CHEO". The Ottawa Citizen. November 10, 1986. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  23. ^ "Bobby Lalonde store official website". Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  24. ^ a b c d e "Garolou - 400e". 400e (in French). Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  25. ^ a b "Gold/Platinum - Music Canada". Music Canada. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  26. ^ "Coup d'envoi des Jeux franco-ontariens - Communauté - L'Express Ottawa". www.expressottawa.ca. Archived from the original on 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  27. ^ a b c "Garolou - Music on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  28. ^ Beyer, Susan (August 10, 1985). "Ottawa acts big in country award list". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  29. ^ Beyer, Susan (September 7, 1985). "Damron favored for sweep of Canadian awards". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  30. ^ "Country's big winner thanks fans". The Montreal Gazette. September 11, 1984. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  31. ^ "Family Brown tops nominees". The Ottawa Citizen. August 11, 1983. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
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