Lennie Gallant

Lennie Gallant, CM is a Canadian singer-songwriter and instrumentalist^[1] from Prince Edward Island. His music crosses into the folk rock and country music genres, while celebrating the musical heritage of his home province.^[2] He has been presented with many awards for his performances and songwriting.^[3]

Gallant was born in Rustico, Prince Edward Island.^[4]

His nephews Rowen and Caleb Gallant, the sons of his brother Mark, are also musicians associated with the folk band Ten Strings and a Goat Skin.^[5]

Lennie Gallant began at an early age by playing guitar, harmonica and mandolin in local bands.^[6] Gallant has released fifteen albums (11 in English and 4 in French) of original songs which have won him a host of awards and nominations from the JUNOs, Les Prix Éloizes, and 19 East Coast Music Awards, including 2017 ECMA Entertainer of the Year. His double CD from his multimedia hit production, Searching For Abegweit, which ran for over 200 shows, also won him an ECMA. In 2019, his song Peter's Dream was inducted into the Canadian Songwriter's Hall of Fame.^[7]

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.^[8] In a special ceremony, Payette presented Gallant with his CD, which orbited Earth with her on the International Space Station 248 times.^[9]

He performed at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, including a performance at BC Place during the medal ceremonies.^[10] 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.^[11]

He is an international touring artist and his songs have been covered by many artists. He has shared the stage with several orchestras and with performers such as the late Jimmy Buffett and David Foster and his band. Lennie struck up a friendship with Jimmy and has two co-writes on Jimmy's last album, and was invited to sing on it as a featured artist.

A number of musicians have recorded his songs internationally, including Jimmy Buffett, who recorded Lennie Gallant's song Mademoiselle Voulez Vous Danser.^[12] Artists who have performed his songs include Tara MacLean, Matt Minglewood, Roy Bailey, Sabia, Priscilla Herdman, Delvina Bernard – Four The Moment, and Measha Brueggergosman. He and partner Patricia Richard also record and perform as the popular Francophone duo, Sirène et Matelot (sireneetmatelot.com).

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.^[13]

He also wrote the OXFAM Song, "Land of the Maya", and Halifax's 250th Birthday Theme Song "History is Happening Now", which was then performed with a choir of 2000 voices on one of the two bridges spanning the harbour. He co-wrote, directed and produced the Pier 21 (Canada’s immigration gateway) National Theme Song and the theme song for Acadian World Conference/Congres Mondial Acadien (Acadie de nos coeur).^[14]

Gallant played an acting role in an episode of the feature film Emily of New Moon. He wrote the theme song and acted in The Trial of Minnie MacGee and acted in the short film, A Blessing From the Sea.^[15]

Lennie Gallant has been involved in numerous charity events, and he recently received the PEI Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year Award for his collaboration with and support of many worthwhile causes. His work with the Mikinduri Children of Hope (for impoverished children in Kenya) is particularly close to his heart, and has raised money through his concerts for this PEI based organization.^[16]

Lennie Gallant wrote and performed a song, On the Minnehaha, for Kirsten Neuschäfer, a South African sailor who won the 2022 Golden Globe Race. Neuschäfer spent a year in Prince Edward Islands (PEI) while refitting her boat in preparation of the race. Some of the islanders who took part in refitting of Neuschäfer's boat Minnehaha, including shipwright Eddie Arsenault, appear in the music video. Gallant's song was played upon Neuschäfer's arrival in Les Sables D'olonne, the finish line of the race, as the leading skipper.

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.^[17]

Gallant has been presented with 19 East Coast Music Awards,^[18] three Juno Nominations, two Canadian Folk Music Awards, four Music PEI awards and a Prix Éloizes Award.

In 2022, he received The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for his valuable contribution to the province of Nova Scotia during his time spent there.

In 2015, he received a UPEI honorary degree.

In 2013, he received the PEI Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Gallant's television appearances include CTV Morning Live, CBC, CTV Breakfast Television, 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, Tout simplement country, Pour l'amour du country, CTV Christmas Daddies, En direct de l'univers and La grande veillée.

• Official website
• "Lennie Gallant". Songwriters Association of Canada.