Pelletier, Freddie, Sheila and Clint

Websites:  No
Origin: Edmonton, Alberta
Biography:

Sheila Pelletier:
Sheila's been singing as long as she can remember and became interested in pursuing it as a career in 1993. By this time she had been singing in a local country band since her high school years and was enjoying a career as a Registered Nurse.

She became the Saskatchewan Bud Country Talent Search winner in 1993 which earned her a chance to showcase her talent at the Canadian Country Music Week in Hamilton, Ontario that year. She later formed her own band with the assistance of Freddie and another friend, bassist, Blaine Yandt. Sheila played the local festival circuit including the Big Valley Jamboree in Craven, Saskatchewan. She has earned nominations for the Saskatchewan Country Music Association Female Vocalist and Most Promising Entertainer categories. A number of CD singles were recorded on compilation CDs and released to radio in the early 90s.

Sheila and Freddie became partners both personally and professionally and formed a dance band in 1994. Freddie's son, Clint, soon joined in. They later traded in the bass and drums preferring to perform in an acoustic concert setting with their vintage acoustic parlor guitars. They've spent the past eight years doing this as either "The Pelletiers" when Clint can join them (he now lives in Edmonton, AB) or as duo, "Freddie and Sheila Pelletier".

Freddie, Sheila, and Clint joined CBC "Disc Drive" host Jurgen Gothe on June 7, 2005 when CBC launched its FM 89.1 station in Prince Albert from the Saskatchewan Forest Center. They were the featured performers and played live nationally.

Sheila also performs with an all female group of nine called "For the Love of Music". They play a variety of music from folk to klesmer, a lot of it being original compositions and music that deals with women's issues. They have recorded two CD's and are set to release a third. In May, 2005 the group was awarded the YWCA Prince Albert Women of Distinction award in the Music category.

Interested in a variety of music; folk, jazz, bluegrass, and traditional country, Sheila's crystal clear voice does them justice and makes her a voice to be heard.

Clint Pelletier:
Just in his early twenties, Clint Pelletier's understanding and respect of the guitar far exceeds his age. He began to play at the age of eleven under the guidance of his dad, Freddie. Only three months after he started, his speed and dexterity were phenomenal.

A short time later he and Freddie produced a "Beginner Guitar" instruction video that was released independently and continues to sell well. They also recorded an album of guitar instrumental standards in 1999 appropriately entitled, "Like Father, Like Son".

In 1998 Clint traveled to Toronto to represent the superior guitar line, Fury Guitars at a guitar show and is now endorsed by them. He also snagged an endorsement with Elixir Strings, also a superior product.

Clint spent his high school years playing in a variety of local events and bands as well with family group "The Pelletiers" before enrolling in the music program at Grant McEwan College in Edmonton, Alberta in 2000. He continues to study music independently and has an admirable dedication to continue to improve.

After college Clint played guitar for Rounder Records fiddle and step-dance sensation, April Verch and then moved on to perform with famed world music fiddle group, "Barrage". He toured extensively throughout Canada and the United States with both acts gaining valuable experience in music and theater but chose to quit touring in order to continue his rigorous practice schedule. At home now in Edmonton, Alberta, his hectic pace continues as he has become a sought after free-lance guitarist in a variety of styles from jazz, rock and flamenco to country and bluegrass. He also is a popular instructor at various guitar and fiddle camps in Western Canada.

Clint continues to perform with Freddie and Sheila when he is able and has formed a group called "Pelletier Gervais" with fiddler, Daniel Gervais, upright bassist, Travis Switzer, and percussionist, Bob Fenske. They perform a gypsy-jazz show putting their own spin on the great jazz standards of the 1940s!

If Clint ever had a spare minute he used it up when he became interested in recording. He bought his own equipment and has become a terrific engineer-producer. His first project was his own debut solo CD "Naturally" and he has gone on to record more for himself and does projects for others.

The sky is the limit for a young virtuoso guitarist that has the drive and determination that Clint has displayed. Nothing but greatness can come from it all!

Freddie Pelletier:
As a veteran of the music scene, Freddie has the authority to say that he's been there and done that ... because he has!

He started his professional career in 1969 playing clubs and bars before the dance floor was allowed. That seems odd to those of us who don't remember those days but it proved to be an advantage to Freddie and those like him. The patrons of those clubs couldn't dance, therefore, wanted to be entertained ... and so they were when Freddie went on stage.

He spent time playing for a wide array of acts and tried his luck in Nashville and Toronto before compiling a group of Calgary musicians to form his own band "The Northwest Rebellion." They acted as house band at the Ranchman's, a famed Calgary hot spot, for two years straight, backing up weekly Nashville and Canadian acts. In 1972 he released his first album on Quality Records where two singles hit #10 on the Canadian country charts. A few years later he released a second album but the country music scene was changing and unfortunately for Freddie, instrumental albums would be all but extinct on country radio.

He spent a few years away from the country music scene but alas, lucky for us fans, returned with a renewed passion and determination to better himself as a player. This is why he has continued to survive the ever-changing facets of the music business. His mentor was the late, George Moodey, and he speaks of George like a father. He says that "Big George" taught him to analyze and really learn what he was doing instead of just going through the motions. This helped Freddie advance to a new level of guitar picking.

Freddie has worked with Ian Tyson, Gene Watson, Ferlin Husky and Donna and Leroy, to name a few. He spent six years on the nationally televised country music show "Number One West" and is endorsed by Peavey and Fury guitars. His 60-minute instructional video "Hot Practical Country Guitar Licks" was the Ruemark video distribution company’s #14 bestseller.

The pinnacle of his career has been watching his son, Clinton grow into an extraordinary guitarist. Freddie and Clinton together have released a 60-minute beginner instructional video and an instrumental album entitled "Like Father, Like Son."

As of late, again flowing with changing times, Freddie has stepped away from a full band and is playing shows and entertaining as a guitar duo with wife, Sheila. He's also found his niche backing fiddlers like Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champs Calvin Vollrath and April Verch and has made numerous recent overseas appearances with them.

Throughout his career, and to date, he has taught guitar and has enjoyed seeing many of his students go on to rewarding musical careers.

Freddie's distinctive style is a pleasure to the ear and his love for music and his craft has assisted him in becoming one of Canada's greatest guitarists!