Don Coleman (musician)

Biography

Don Coleman is a Canadian musician whose songs have received air play on broadcast radio stations in more than 126 countries. A prolific songwriter, he has penned more than 500 songs in many styles ranging from bluegrass to country to light rock to hard rock and blues.

He has been arguably labeled Canada's Premiere AC/DC Tribute Vocalist by his peers for his skills as an AC/DC Tribute Frontman/Performer and competed against more than 100 competitors in 2005 at the Hard Rock Cafe (Toronto) in the "Ultimate Jam" competition where he won the "Top Male Vocalist" award with his rendition of the AC/DC song "Back in Black".

His song release titled "Women, Whiskey & Rock'n'Roll", a song that celebrates the life & spirit of Bon Scott, is featured on AC/DC's official website. The song has aired on commercial FM radio stations in Australia, Canada, United States, Germany and in a total of 30 countries. "Women, Whiskey & Rock'n'Roll" has also appeared on a CD compilation Rock 4 Life PSC Partners Seeking a Cure a non-profit organization that helps fund researchers seeking grants for the study of Primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Coleman's self-produced video called "Rock'n'Roll Train, A Timeless Classic" was chosen Top 10 in the world by the band AC/DC in their "Give It All You Got" contest and was recognized on AC/DC's official website. This video was filmed at the famed Hillsborough Railroad Museum utilizing vintage rail cars and a velocipede.

His 2009 release titled "Loud Hard Fast & Wild," a song that honors the life of singer/songwriter Buzz Shearman was recognized by Moxy's official website. "Loud Hard Fast & Wild" was then adopted by the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes and is now played at all of their home games.

Coleman also performs as lead vocalist front man with Loaded Dice, "Atlantic Canada's Premiere Tribute To Classic Rock" who have performed on the same bill as classic rock acts The Headpins, Helix, Harlequin, and Nazareth.

In March 2009 Coleman released the song "Note For Note" (in memory of Jeff Healey) which has aired on 200 plus broadcast radio stations across North America on the House of Blues Radio Show with DJ/host Dan Aykroyd of Blues Brothers fame and on numerous broadcast radio stations in other regions of the world. The song "Note For Note" is approved by the Jeff Healey" estate.

In November 2009 Coleman released "Willie & Waylon", an ode to Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, and "The Highwaymen", which pays tribute to their legendary character and their extensive contribution to country music.

In December 2009, Don Coleman released the song "Loud, Hard, Fast & Wild (reprise)" as an inspiration to everyone to be the very best they can be.

In April 2010, he released the song "Bluegrass Grows" featuring New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Eddy Poirier as a celebration of the change of season from spring to summer and the importance of friendship.

Don Coleman spearheaded a campaign on the east coast of Canada to have Jeff Healey, Canada's blues ambassador to the world, nominated for "Canada's Walk of Fame". Coleman was interviewed on 94.9FM The Rock in Oshawa, Ontario on the morning show and also interviewed by CTV News, as well as, appearing in a video with Alan Frew of Glass Tiger and Ed Pilling, founding member of the band Fludd, along with other musicians and friends. Jeff Healey's wife Cristie also appeared in the video honouring her husband and the Canada's Walk of Fame campaign.

In October 2010 Coleman released a new song titled "Three Hanks" which pays tribute to the three generations of the Hank Williams family. The song was selected by author Susan Masino as the perfect match for her new book release about the Hank Williams family titled A Family Tradition in which the song "Three Hanks" has been acknowledged.

In December 2010, Coleman released the song titled "Cloud Nine", which he has dedicated to HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton. The song has been acknowledged in a written letter response from Buckingham Palace in England by HRH Prince William, who has sent "his warmest thanks and best wishes" ... for the CD (Cloud Nine)... in connection with his engagement to Miss Catherine Middleton. He sincerely appreciated the kind thought. "Cloud Nine" was produced by Grammy & Juno (Taj Mahal, Bass Is Base) award-winning producer Steve Bigas of Porcelain Records.

Don Coleman appears on the AC/DC Rock'n'Roll Train Millennium Tribute CD with his two songs; Women, Whiskey & Rock'n'Roll (celebrating the life & spirit of Bon Scott) & Loud, Hard, Fast & Wild (reprise) featuring Earl Johnson (Moxy) on lead guitar, alongside members of Guns N' Roses, Alice Cooper, Megadeth & AC/DC on this worldwide CD release.

Don Coleman performed at the Sgt. Mark Gallagher Charity Ball at the Delta Beausejour Hotel in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada in October 2011 with the band "Loaded Dice". The Premier of New Brunswick and many dignitaries attended the event that helped raise much needed funds for the Mark Gallagher vocational school project to help less-fortunate people in Haiti.

In 2013 September, Don Coleman released the song and music video called "Gordon" – The Tribute Song To Gordon Lightfoot. Gordon Lightfoot responded with a handwritten letter endorsing the song. All proceeds from the sale of the song via ITunes and the Two Disc CD/DVD Edition will be donated to "MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity." The story is being well received by the print media and radio stations in Canada, with numerous radio stations airing the song and multiple newspaper articles covering the story.

The Gordon Lightfoot 75th Birthday Celebration in Orillia, Ontario, Canada on November 17, 2013. A weekend long event that featured Don Coleman performing his song "Gordon" – The Tribute Song To Gordon Lightfoot – Endorsed by Gordon Lightfoot – All Proceeds from sale to "MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity" at the Mariposa Market and was interviewed by CTV News in Canada.

In June of 2017 Don Coleman produced and arranged the song and music video called This Is My Canada / Mon cher Canada that features winners of 6 Grammy and 13 Juno awards. Coleman also performed on the song as a vocalists. The participants known as "Dream Team Canada Singers" include: David Clayton-Thomas, Liberty Silver, Wilfred LeBouthillier, The Good Brothers, Jeanette Arsenault, Don Coleman and Young Singers choir conducted by Anna Lynn Murphy. 50% of all proceeds form the digital download of the song are being donated to Children's Wish Foundation of Canada. The song was written by Canadian songwriter Jeanette Arsenault, who has performed the composition for HRH Queen Elizabeth II and at the Olympic games in Salt Lake City & Athens Greece, for the PanAm Games Torch Relay, as VIA Rail Artist on Board across Western Canada, to name a few. The song This Is My Canada / Mon cher Canada was written by songwriter Jeanette Arsenault.

Charity work

Coleman is well known in his native Canada for his work with various charities from his current home town of Moncton, NB most notably Moncton Headstart Inc, which helps less-fortunate families in Eastern Canada. The song "Headstart", written and composed by Coleman and performed by Muzicians' Union, is the official theme song for the non-profit organization. The song peaked at # 12 on the Top 25 Singles chart at CJSE-FM and has received airplay on numerous stations in Canada, including New Brunswick's Classic Rock C-103.

He has also performed to help raise funds for non-profit organizations like the "Get on the Bus" campaign, "Kids for Kids With Cancer", as well as for the world-renowned Hospital for Sick Children at the Rock For Sicks Kids Event at Rock'n'Roll Heaven in Toronto, Canada (March 2009).

He organized and performed at The Small Band-Aid Charity Concert event (May 2009). A musical event for the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation features Don Coleman with blind musician Shelby Murray performing Note For Note (in memory of Jeff Healey). The event which was organized by Don Coleman raised more than $2,000 for high-tech equipment for the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation. The Small Band-Aid Concert DVD continues to raise further funds for the hospital.

He performed in September 2009 with his AC/DC tribute band T'N'T at The Ontario Rocks event for charity in Niagara Falls, Canada that raised funds for ovarian and breast cancer research.

Coleman recently performed at the Canadian Cancer Society event called the "Relay For Life" on June 11, 2010 to help raise funds for cancer research with the band "Loaded Dice" which is a "Tribute To Classic Rock.

He was also the event organizer for the "Canadian Humanitarian Relief Organization Charity Concert" (November 2010) at Saxby's Pub in Riverview, NB, Canada.

In January 2011, Don Coleman helped spearhead a project with the Canadian Cancer Society titled "Join The Fight". "Join The Fight" is a music compilation CD featuring award-winning artists and the brightest new stars to emerge from the New Brunswick music scene. This compilation CD includes songs from award-winning songwriters Ken Tobias, George Belliveau & Matt Andersen. The CD will be released in March 2011 and 100% of the proceeds generated from the CD will benefit the Canadian Cancer Society.

Don Coleman organized a charity concert to raise funds for the "SickKids Foundation" of the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, with his former promoter Michael Bridges (Southern Cross Gypsy Promotions). His AC/DC tribute band, "Don Coleman with T'N'T" headlined at The Rockpile Club in Toronto, on May 15, 2011 . The concert included very Special guests: Multiple Juno Award-Winning Artist "Liberty Silver", Multiple Award-Winning Artist "Michael Pickett", Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees and eight time Juno award winners "The Good Brothers", along with: "Firesound", "Sharp Dressed Men", and bagpiper "James Kennedy". The benefit concert raised $2,000 for "SickKids Foundation".

Fundraising Concert for the "Open Hands" Food Bank on June 29, 2012 in Moncton, NB, Canada, Appearing as special guest vocalist with Los Angeles-based rock band "Nero Zero".

In 2013 September, Don Coleman released the song and music video called "Gordon" – The Tribute Song To Gordon Lightfoot. Gordon Lightfoot responded with a handwritten letter endorsing the song. All proceeds from the sale of the song via ITunes and the Two Disc CD/DVD Edition will be donated to "MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity." The story is being well received by the print media and radio stations in Canada, with numerous radio stations airing the song and multiple newspaper articles covering the story.

Coleman's new band that features Blind Pianist "Shelby Murray" is called Unforeseen. "Unforeseen" performed as the headlining act, to raise funds for the Moncton Boys & Girls Club on June 1, 2014 at the Moncton Press Club. "Unforeseen" also helped raised funds for the Cavalier Horseback Riding Club, that helps disabled people enhance their lives, through their live performance at a fundraising event at the Cocoa Room in Riverview, NB in November 2014. "Unforeseen" also performed at an event in Amherst, Nova Scotia to raise funds for the national charity called "Ride For Sight."

June 2017 - In June of 2017 Don Coleman produced and arranged the song and music video called This Is My Canada / Mon cher Canada that features winners of 6 Grammy and 13 Juno awards. 100% of all proceeds from digital download sales of the song "This Is My Canada / Mon cher Canada" are being donated to Children's Wish Foundation of Canada.