Bobby Lalonde

Bobby Lalonde (born May 22, 1958) is a Canadian musician originating from the Ottawa Valley (Eastern Ontario).

Family and early life Lalonde was born on May 22, 1958. The youngest of four brothers (Gerry, Gilles, and Marc), he grew up surrounded by various musical influences. His parents, Beatrice Lalonde (Couture) and Gaston Lalonde, were both of French-Canadian heritage, and had strong ties to Ottawa-Valley country music. He attended the French Catholic elementary school in Saint-Isidore-de-Prescott and the École secondaire catholique de Plantagenet.

Lalonde began playing the fiddle at the age of eight, and soon the Lalonde family band "The Four Sons" was formed. By the time Lalonde was thirteen, he was signed to a three-albums contract with London Records of Canada, had won the North American Junior Fiddle Championship, and was a much-in-demand musician for studio, television and live performances.

Music career At the age of fifteen, Lalonde was featured with Stompin' Tom Connors in the 1973 movie Across this Land with Stompin' Tom Connors. He also played fiddle multiple times on the Quebec television series Le Ranch à Willie featuring Willie Lamothe. which toured continuously from 1981 to 1997. The band played multiple venues across Canada and the United States,

In 1998 Lalonde joined Michel Bénac to create a new sound, urban folk music. Their new group, dubbed Swing, His recording studio, Bolab Audio Productions, Lalonde also contributed to Wayne Rostad's "Christmas in the Valley" album, in support of CHEO. His many years of volunteering for the telethon earned him a 2015 CHEO Order of the Good Bear award, which is the CHEO Foundation's tribute to community members for volunteer efforts and fundraising initiatives.

In October 2002, Lalonde stepped back from his lifelong career as a performing artist in order to focus on other ventures. Along with his wife and family, Lalonde opened Bobby Lalonde Music, a retail store and sound production company. Originally located in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, the store is now in Hawkesbury, Ontario.

Discography

1973 Bobby Lalonde Volume 1 First Century Maple Sugar Dragging the Bow Marion Waltz Grand-Pa's Brushout Dauphin Waltz Black Foot Jam Sweet Georgia Brown Louisiana Waltz Boil the Cabbage Eidleweiss Shelburne Reel Rippling Water Jig London Records SDS-5154 1974 Bobby Lalonde Volume 2 Eddy's Reel Maytime Swing Autumn Waltz Walking Up Town Springhill Jig Pretty Priscille Waltz Johnny Mooring Special Gros Morne Carol Kennedy Waltz Big John McNeil Niomi's Jig Angus Campbell London Records SDS-5177 1976 Bobby Lalonde Volume 3 Blazing Sun Little Burnt Potato Clarinet Polka Ookpic Waltz Just Jazzin' Back Forty Rop-Off Foggy Mountain Breakdown The Ashton Rose Orange Blossom Special Yellow Bird Blue Sea Silver Wedding Reel Ice on the Road London Records SDS-5184 1978 Garolou Garolou Aux Illinois La complainte du maréchal Biron Le départ pour les États Je me suis habillé en plumes Alouette Victoria La retraite de Bonaparte Wing-tra-la Germaine London Records LFS-9027 Félix Award winner - 1979 Best Folklore or Traditional Album 2003 Inductee, Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame 2003 Recognition Award The Musicians' Association of Ottawa-Hull (now Musicians' Association of Ottawa-Gatineau) 2003 Country Album of the Year - "Simple Man" by Trevor Baker - Producer Bobby Lalonde - GMA Canada Covenant Awards 2003 Traditional Gospel Song of the Year - "O Canada" by Trevor Baker - Producer Bobby Lalonde - GMA Canada Covenant Awards 2001 Best New Single - “"Un bon matin" - Swing, Trille Or - Association des Professionnels de la Chanson et de la Musique 2001 Best New Group - Swing, Trille Or - Association des Professionnels de la Chanson et de la Musique 1979 Best Folklore or Traditional Album - Garolou for album Garolou - Félix Award ADISQ 1992 All Star Band - Fiddle - Bobby Lalonde Band (Bobby Lalonde), Canadian Country Music Association 1985 Instrumentalist of the Year - Bobby Lalonde, Canadian Country Music Association 1983 Group or Duo of the Year - Bobby Lalonde Band, Canadian Country Music Association 1980 Group of the Year - Garolou - Félix Award ADISQ 1979 Group of the Year - Garolou]- Félix Award ADISQ