Birth name Donald Demers Name Donnie Demers Also known as Donnie Demers Role Songwriter | Instruments Piano, Keyboards Genres Pop music Years active 1982–present Associated acts Jimmy Demers | |
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S. Occupation(s) Composer, Songwriter, Singer, Record Producer | ||
Jimmy and Donnie Demers - Breath of Love Benefit Concert for the "Meet The Biz" Program
Donnie Demers is an American musician, record producer, composer, songwriter, and arranger. Donnie's songs have been recorded and performed by various artists from around the world, including Amir Haddad, Joanna Forest and Carly Paoli.
Contents
- Jimmy and Donnie Demers Breath of Love Benefit Concert for the Meet The Biz Program
- Life and work
- Proclamation
- References
Life and work
Born with muscular dystrophy and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, Donnie began playing the piano when he was just four years old. His first taste of "show biz" was during his apprenticeship as Poster child for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for the state of Massachusetts. He attended Doherty Memorial High School, where his interests in songwriting began to flourish.
In 1982, Demers made his first national television appearance on the "Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon" broadcast. He performed his song, "If We Fell in Love Again," receiving a standing ovation that prompted Jerry Lewis to hold an unscheduled interview with the young composer.
In 1983, producers of the Jerry Lewis Telethon commissioned Demers to write their national jingle promoting the annual Labor Day broadcast. That jingle, "Labor Day Is America's Day (for MDA)" premiered over television and radio stations nationwide from 1983-1984 during pre-Telethon promotion.
In 1992, Demers's song, "Second Chance" appeared in the film "Double Trouble" directed by John Paragon and starred David Paul, Peter Paul, Roddy McDowall and David Carradine. The song was performed by Demers and Pepper MaShay.
On October 11, 2007, Demers was a special guest artist at the Closing Ceremony of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games at Jiangwan Stadium in Shanghai, China where he performed and premiered his original composition, "Benediction (Let The Best of You Go Free)" written especially for the 2009 World Winter Games of the Special Olympics
In 2008, Donnie Demers appeared as Arranger, Art Director, Composer, Executive Producer, Package Designer, Pianist and Vocal Producer on the Concord Records release of the debut album "Dream a Little" by his brother Jimmy Demers. This was the first major record label that the brothers worked on together.
In February 2009, Donnie Demers performed "Benediction (Let the Best of You Go Free)", the theme song that he wrote for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho. He performed the song with his brother Jimmy, along with a full orchestra and choir live at the Ford Idaho Center for the Opening Ceremonies. The Demers brothers also performed Over the Rainbow at the Closing Ceremonies."
On September 27, 2014, Demers's song, "Save Your Love For Me" premiered in Calgary, Alberta Canada at the 2014 David Foster Foundation Miracle Concert. The song was performed by David Foster and recording artist Carly Paoli. Demers (who attended the event) was introduced to the audience by Foster.
On April 22–25, 2015, Donnie's song, "Inspire the World" (co-written by Terry Coffey) was featured throughout the FIRST Robotics Competition in St Louis, Missouri at Edward Jones Dome. The song was commissioned by the founders of 'FIRST' Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers. Donnie and his brother Jimmy Demers performed the song at the opening ceremony.
On April 29, 2016, Donnie's song, "Broken Heart" (co written by Benoit Poher) was released on the second studio album Au cœur de moi (English: At the Heart of Me) from French-Israeli singer Amir Haddad through Warner Music Group.
On September 30, 2016, Donnie's song, "Save Your Love For Me" was officially released by British Mezzo-Soprano Carly Paoli. The track was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios in London.
On March 10, 2017, Donnie's original song, "My Everything" was released by British soprano Joanna Forest on her debut album, Stars Are Rising - The track was recorded in Prague with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The album went to number one on iTunes where Demers' song is currently in the #1 position digitally. The album has also hit #1 on List of Classical Artist Albums Chart number ones of the 2010s