Donnie Demers is an American musician and multi-platinum selling songwriter. Donnie's songs have been recorded and performed by various artists from around the world, including
Amir Haddad and
Joanna Forest.
Life and work
Born with
muscular dystrophy
Muscular dystrophies (MD) are a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of rare neuromuscular diseases that cause progressive weakness and breakdown of skeletal muscles over time. The disorders differ as to which muscles are primarily affe ...
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 and furthered his musical studies at the
University of Arizona.
In 1982, Donnie 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
Jerry Lewis (born Joseph Levitch; March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian. As his contributions to comedy and charity made him a global figure in popular culture, pop culture ...
to hold an unscheduled interview with the young composer.
In 1983, producers of the Jerry Lewis Telethon commissioned Donnie 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 to 1984 during pre-Telethon promotion.
In 1992, Donnie'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 Donnie and
Pepper MaShay.
On October 11, 2007, Donnie was a special guest artist at the Closing Ceremony of the
2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games
)
, Nations participating = 165
, Athletes participating = 7291
, Events = 25 sports
, Opening ceremony = October 2
, Closing ceremony = October 11
, Officially opened by = Hu Jintao
, Athlete's Oath = ...
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
Peter Andre is the self-titled debut album from Australian singer-songwriter Peter Andre.
Background
In 1990, Andre became famous when he took part in the Australian television talent show '' New Faces''. Following Andre's success in the progr ...
by his brother
Jimmy Demers
Jimmy Demers is an American singer-songwriter, best known as "the original voice" of the " Always Coca-Cola" ad campaign. He is a contributor to ''The Huffington Post''.
Demers was born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts. He moved to Los An ...
. 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
The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games was held in the state of Idaho, USA from February 7 through February 13, 2009.
Nearly 2,500 athletes from over 100 countries participated in the games. Dignitaries included actors, musicians, athlete ...
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, Donnie's song, "Save Your Love For Me" premiered in
Calgary
Calgary ( ) is the largest city in the western Canadian province of Alberta and the largest metro area of the three Prairie Provinces. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806, makin ...
,
Alberta, Canada, at the 2014 David Foster Foundation Miracle Concert under the musical direction of
David Foster. Donnie (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
''Au cœur de moi'' (At the core of my heart) is the second studio album and debut major label album by French-Israeli singer Amir Haddad. It was released on 29 April 2016 in France through Warner Music Group. The album includes the singles " Oasi ...
'' (English: ''At the Heart of Me'') from French-Israeli singer
Amir Haddad through
Warner Music Group. The album was certified 2× Platinum earning Donnie a Double Platinum award and as of September 2018, it has been certified triple platinum in France, gold in Switzerland and gold in Belgium.
On March 10, 2017, Donnie's original song, "My Everything" was released by British soprano
Joanna Forest on her debut album, ''
Stars Are Rising
''Stars Are Rising'' is the debut album by British soprano Joanna Forest, which was released on 10 March 2017, and went straight to Number One in the Official Classical Album Charts .
Production
The album was recorded in Prague and London with t ...
'' – The track was recorded in Prague with the
City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The album went to number one on
iTunes
iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...
Stars Are Rising by Joanna Forest on Apple Music
/ref> where Donnie's song landed in the No. 1 position digitally. The album has also hit No. 1 on List of Classical Artist Albums Chart number ones of the 2010s
Proclamation
* 1983 September 5, "Donnie Demers Day" in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts present by Mayor Sara Robertson for rising to "inspirational heights as a composer, lyricist and musician.
References
External links
Billboard.com: Discography – Jimmy Demers
{{DEFAULTSORT:Demers, Donnie
Record producers from California
Living people
Musicians from Los Angeles
Musicians from Worcester, Massachusetts
People with muscular dystrophy
Singers from Massachusetts
Songwriters from Massachusetts
Year of birth missing (living people)
Singers from California
Songwriters from California