Don Amero is an engaging storyteller, songwriter and performer who has been touring and speaking all across Canada for over 10 years. With 5 albums to his name that have already garnered eleven national and international awards, including a JUNO nomination in 2013 and two more in 2016.
With the release of his 2018 album, EVOLUTION, Don Amero (MDM Recordings Inc./Universal Music Canada) stepped into the mainstream country music genre with brand new material that he considers his strongest yet.
Don Amero – photo by Joseph Visser Photography
Raised in the notoriously tough north end of Winnipeg, Don faced his share of adversity growing up. Yet, despite the poverty, gangs, drugs and violence that surrounded him, his life was tempered by love and support that held him up enabling him to thrive beyond those struggles and find his passion in music.
This year Don is taking on some of Canada’s best known emerging artists as he sets his sites on the title of SiriusXM’s Top of the Country Canada. We caught up with Don to get his perspective on his incredible career to date as well as his answers to a few questions you won’t hear the answers to anywhere else!
SCE: Don out of the 8 finalists for Top of the Country it’s safe to say you’re the most experienced when it comes to success. Since 2006 you’ve received numerous Aboriginal Peoples’ Choice Music Awards nominations, 3 JUNO Award Nominations, a Canadian Folk Music Award and more… Being part of this group of 8 Top of the Country finalists is a step into a bigger spotlight. Tell us your thoughts about what went into getting to this point and your feelings when you found out you made the top 8.
Don: A career in music is not walked in a straight line that’s for sure. I’ve gone through many seasons of “white flag” moments where I just wanted to give up. Luckily I’ve got the kind of family, friends and fans who always have my back and know how to encourage me to stay the course. Getting into this ‘Top of The Country’ contest is affirmation that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think validated by awards and nominations, but it sure helps fuel the tank in a career where you’re never quite sure where the next fill up will be.
SCE: Your latest album is called EVOLUTION. Is it safe to say it’s a bit autobiographical as you’re evolving as a musician and an artist and starting the next phase of your career? Tell us a bit about what went into the album.
Don: Yes, it is for sure an autobiographical title. A few things went into that album that made it feel like EVOLUTION. One, I’ve always sort of tip toed the line of country and this album is a full on jump in. Country is in a major part of my roots so it feels a bit like home. Two, it was my first foray into recording songs by other writers (Church, How I Feel, Addicted, Give It To You) and three, it was my first time recording a cover song for an album. I grew up loving the music of Blue Rodeo and especially their hit ‘Try’.
SCE: If you could own any make, model or style of vehicle what would you own?
Don: 2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1
SCE: Your ideal brain food?
Don: For me it’s listening to inspirational music while on a good long walk.
SCE: If you could see any artist in concert, who would you see (living or dead)?
Don: I wish I could’ve taken in a Michael Jackson concert back in the early 90s. Also, I’ve not yet seen a Garth Brooks concert and would like to one day.
SCE: iPhone, Android or Pixel?
Don: iPhone. I don’t believe I’ve ever even handled an Android or a Pixel.
SCE: What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Don: Take care of yourself (physically and mentally). If you’re not well you can’t perform well.
SCE: Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?
Don: Ha ha ha!! Spa vacation for sure. I am really curious as to who would say the other two and why.
SCE: We know you’re a huge Winnipeg Jets fan since they’re now out of the playoffs do you cheer for a specific team, the team with the most Canadians or HOCKEY? Dude the Jets are out hockey is over for me for this season I’m working on my swing!!
Don: Well to be honest I’m not a diehard NHL follower. I do love our Jets though and really get into playoff hockey. This city is a frenzy once the playoffs begin and I join in on the craziness. I haven’t paid much attention since the boys lost to the blues in game 6.
SCE: Multiple Part Question: Star Trek or Star Wars? If Star Trek pick from the following (Original series, TNG, Deep Space Nine, Voyageur, Enterprise, Discovery or all of them I’m a Trekkie). If Star Wars pick from the following (original trilogy, second trilogy (aka Episodes I-III), third trilogy, spin offs, or all of them I love Star Wars and I’ll watch it as long as it has the words Star Wars on it)
Don: This one’s tough because I never really got into any of them. My dad was huge into Star Trek (Original and TNG) so for me there’s some nostalgia there, but the Star Wars cinematic experience (at least the ones I’ve seen) have been pretty amazing. So for me it’s 50/50.
SCE: In “Don Amero, Story of My Life” – The Movie, who would play you?
Don: Chris Pratt for sure. I’ve been told I have a similar look and he’s almost as funny as I am.
SCE: It’s been about 12 years since your career began, what’s been the highlight for you to date?
Don: There are so many things I am grateful for, but for me the highlight is hearing when the music and stories I share have helped people through a tough time in their life. I have always said music is medicine and it’s a beautiful thing to hear when the music has helped heal someone else’s pain.
SCE: Many artists we’ve worked with have crazy pre-show traditions or superstitions, if you will, that they must partake in before they’ll set foot on the stage. What is a must for you before every show?
Don: I drink three glasses of water (still, fizzy and then still). I have to touch the right side of every doorway on the way to the stage. I sing the chorus’ of two (never three) Celine Dion songs. Do my special handshake with each one of the band mates and just before I hit the stage I call my Mom… kidding… I just stretch a little and do a bit of a vocal warm up. I could stand to call my mom a bit more though.
SCE: You’ve already won over the music community with your numerous nominations and awards take a moment and tell country fans why you deserve this title too?
Don: answered on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donamero/
SCE: When the dust clears on Top of The Country and festival season what’s next for Don Amero?
Don: There’s a lot in the works these days since I signed with the label (MDM Recordings). I am a really lucky guy to have the team I do in Laurie Brown (Porch Swing Entertainment) and Mike Denney (MDM). They are incredibly gifted individuals with very particular sets of skills (Not the Liam Neeson kind) and together we’re getting ready to launch my first bit of music under the MDM label. We hope to make a greater impact on Canadian Country radio and continue to build great relationships with country music fans. I’ve got a number shows around the country this summer (BVJ, Manitoulin and Harbourfest). All that blended with time with my beautiful family makes me realize I’ve already won no matter the outcome of the ‘Top Of The Country’ contest (Although I still wanna win it!).
To find out more about Don Amero including tour dates, social media links and more be sure to visit him online https://donamero.ca/. Later this week Don is up for Best Country Album and Best Music Video at the Indigenous Music Awards in Winnipeg, we wish him the best of luck.
If you want to support Don’s quest to be crowned Top of the Country you have to vote for him; You can vote daily here: https://topcountry.siriusxm.ca/, voting ends May 17!
We wish Don the best of luck with this competition and with the future of his career, something tells us Don Amero is a name you’ll be hearing more of in the years to come.
