Lennie Gallant

Early life

Gallant was born in Rustico, Prince Edward Island.

Career

Gallant began by playing guitar, mandolin and bodharan in local Celtic bands. He began writing his own songs.

Gallant has recorded ten albums (eight in English and two in French). He wrote all of the songs on his ten CDs. His album, When We Get There was nominated for a 2007 Juno Award and went into space aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in July 2009. Canadian astronaut Julie Payette chose the album for the astronaut crew on their 16-day mission.

He performed six shows at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, including a performance at BC Place during the medal ceremonies. He represented the East Coast of Canada at "Canada Day in London" in Trafalgar Square on 1 July 2011 in the largest Canada Day celebration outside Canada's borders.

Gallant has toured North America and in Europe with his band in acoustic settings and with symphony orchestras. He has performed his compositions at songwriter events in Nashville, London, and Texas. A number of musicians have recorded his songs internationally, including Jimmy Buffett, who recorded Lennie Gallant's song "Mademoiselle". Artists who have performed his songs include Tara MacLean, Matt Minglewood, Roy Bailey, Sabia, Priscilla Herdman, Delvina Bernard – Four The Moment, and The MacLean Sisters.

His songs have also appeared in feature films: Canvas included "Mademoiselle Voulez Vous Danser", recorded by Jimmy Buffett;, The theme song for Conquest, a feature in Sigh and a Wish: Helen Creighton's Maritimes and the sound track for The Bellinger are all Gallant's compositions. His songs have also been used in television series, including Dawson’s Creek ("Northern Lights") and Joan of Arcadia ("Something Unspoken"), and in various theatrical productions.

He also wrote the OXFAM Song, "Land of the Maya", and Halifax's 250th Birthday Theme Song "History is Happening Now". He co-wrote, directed and produced the Pier 21 National Theme Song and the theme song for Acadian World Conference/Congres Mondial Acadien (Acadie de nos coeur).

Gallant played an acting role in an episide of the feature film Emily of New Moon. He wrote the theme song and acted in The Trial of Minnie MacGee.

In 2014, the Charlottetown Festival hosted 57 performances of Gallant's show Searching for Abegweit: The Island Songs and Stories of Lennie Gallant.

Order of Canada

He was inducted into the Order of Canada where it was said, "Gallant has garnered much respect for his hard hitting songs chronicling the lives of people dealing with tremendous adversity and serious issues. Songs like "Peter's Dream," “Island Clay," “Man of Steel" and "The Hope for Next Year," articulate the feelings of many caught up in desperate situations beyond their control, and at the same time celebrate the beauty of lifestyle and landscape with their strong poetry and stirring narratives." – From the induction ceremony in Ottawa, Canada.

Other awards

Gallant has been presented with 16 East Coast Music Awards, three Juno Nominations, a Canadian Folk Music Award, two Étoiles Awards and an Éloizes Award.

Television

Gallant's television appearances included East Coast Barenaked East Coast Music!, East Coast Music Awards National Broadcasts, The Vicki Gabereau Show, La Fête en Acadie, Brio, Good Morning Canada, Canada AM, @ The End, En Spectacle au Festival Acadien, Gala des prix Éloizes, Gala des prix Étoiles de l'ARCANB, Much More Music/Much Music/CMT.