BIOGRAPHY

LeBlanc, Donald James…b. 7 Mar, Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada.  Musician (guitar, tenor banjo, electric bass); Singer; Composer, Songwriter, Producer.  Education:  Bachelor of Arts (English Literature), Bachelor of Education (Business Systems with distinction); Courses towards Master’s Degree in French for teaching in elementary and high school.  Musical Education:  Self taught, now reads music…briefly studied violin at 8 years old.   Formerly a member of the parish choir for St John The Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Estevan, Saskatchewan.  Donald also sang in choirs all through his high-school years at Estevan Collegiate Institute.  Farmer (Municpality of Cambria).  He was for a time in business with his father, Regis LeBlanc in LeBlanc’s Frozen Food Centre.  

CAREER:  Played local bands and in “The Western Five” in teen years…played tenor banjo and then lead guitar; Leader own band “Canadian Crescendos”.  Played lead guitar for “The Martels” and Bobby Curtola with own television show called “After Four” out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toured extensively in North America.  Played electric bass and banjo for “Flo Dreyer’s International Quartet” out of Florida, USA…also did some featured Tenor Banjo work in this group. 

Played lead guitar and vocals in “The Electric Banana” out of Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Did extensive freelance guitar work with many groups in Regina, Saskatchewan during University years such as playing the big jazz-band sounds as well as playing with fiddle and accordion and pop groups. 

Solo Artist, 1976 formed group called “Don LeBlanc’s Music Machine”.  Own record companies:  Music Machine Records, DJL Records; Publishing company, Don LeBlanc Enterprises.  Recordings  …Albums:  “Don LeBlanc and his Guitar”, 1977 (on vinyl only); “Beatin The Pavement” (on Vinyl, Cassette and Compact Disc) 1981; “Don LeBlanc Country”, 1^st release Sept. 1990, 2^nd release Aug. 1997 (both releases on Compact Disc); “Dream and Smile”, Jan. 1997 on Compact Disc; “Too Much Too Hot”, Aug. 1999 on Compact Disc…contains a collection of 8 - 45 rpm single releases plus two new songs…these single releases are all on this CD… their names are “How The Worm Turns” (novelty), 1979, ”Too Much/The Magic Penny”, 1980, “Believe In Magic/She’s A Secretary” 1983, “Her Kind of Love/The Woman I Can’t Have” 1987, “How Did She Do It” 1989, “Playin A Game” and “Buyin Time” were the two new songs added  to this “Too Much Too Hot” 1999 CD release (10 songs).  One other 45 rpm single was released in 1979 called “Rockabye Baby” which is still available.  It must be noted that one of Donjames LeBlanc’s songs is also available on a compilation CD…the song is called “You’ll Drive Your Friends Away”…it’s on the label, Canada Disc and Tape Inc. (www.candisc.com)…this song is also found on  MMCD103 “Don LeBlanc Country” mentioned above.  “L’il Acadian Boy/Petit Gars Acadien” MMCD106, 2004 is Donjames LeBlanc’s third  latest Compact Disc release.  It contains 18 bilingual songs (9 english and 9 french).  It has been sent to radio in Europe as well as North America.  “No Future In The Past”, track 6 (English), track 15 (French) is most popular as well as “Good Ol’ You”, track 3 (English), track 12 (French).  “One Life To Live/Une Vie À Vivre” MMCD107, May 2005 is Donjames LeBlanc’s latest vocal Compact Disc; it contains 16 bilingual songs (8 english and 8 french). 

It has been sent to key country radio stations in Canada, United States and France; it was also sent to some select adult-contemporary radio stations in Canada.  This one song ‘Rescued On The Fence/Sauvé Sur La Cloture’ from the CD “One Life To Live” was sent by DMDS (Digital Music Delivery Service) to 23 country & satellite radio stations in English Canada and to 10 radio stations in French Canada.  It is quite popular. "The songs, HELP THEY'RE HUNGRY/AU SECOURS, ILS ONT FAIM & CANDY WORDS/MOTS SUCRÉS have been sent to radio via DMDS as singles. These songs are extraits of the Compact Disc, "ONE LIFE TO LIVE/UNE VIE À VIVRE" 

“Guitar Serenade” DJLCD108 May 2005 by Donjames LeBlanc is a ‘Classic’ Instrumental Compact Disc of 14 GOLD Guitar Instrumentals…to date, this is Donjames’ latest CD release.