The days of hunting that neon rainbow have drawn closer for Troy Flamand, a guitarist from Portage La Prairie.

Flamand recently won the 2021 Manitoba Country Music Award for Best Guitarist in the All Star Band of the Year category and his very first victory was an indescribable feeling.

“Honestly, I was absolutely delighted,” exclaimed Flamand.

“There was an incredible roster of very talented guitarists out there and I keep saying I was honored to have my name alongside these musicians, it was definitely something new to me.”

This was the second year that Flamand was nominated in the same category after a nomination in 2019. Flamand said he was able to enjoy the moment even more through his relationship with the rest of the people in the category.

“One of them was a cousin of mine growing up, Brad Moggie, and the rest of the guys, Jordan Day and Brennan Wall, who I met and they’re all great guys and musicians,” he said. declared Flamand to The Headliner.

Flamand is no stranger to learning music, having learned the violin at the age of 12, which first interested him in music. After a little while the violinist turned to the guitar and by the time high school arrived, Flamand was playing in a few local bands.

“I did a lot of rock music, much like any new guitarist,” Flamand said.

“Then I started hearing guys playing with a country sound, and just the tone that came from a country guitarist blew me away and so I turned my attention to that.”

Flamand said he also took inspiration from Moggie after seeing him perform in local country bands in the area.

“Just the way it gets the crowd moving, it really appealed to me,” said Flamand.

When not in his regular Monday-Friday job, Flamand has been able to stay busy on the Manitoba country music scene by performing with fellow Manitoba artist Kendra Kay. The guitarist said he is grateful to have an employer who understands his music career, especially as he prepares for upcoming concerts.

“I’ve been playing with her for seven years now, and I’ve had the chance to travel across Canada with her, play guitar and love every minute,” Flamand said.

“I’m in Ontario right now for the (Canadian Country Music Awards) and my employer told me to go over there and do your thing and take some time off. It is every musician’s dream to do it full time and I work my way. I enjoy life with what the guitar has given me. “

Flamand was Kay’s lead guitarist during his performances at the event in London, Ontario. The guitarist said he was able to take his playing skills to the next level after years of listening to country stars like Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Vince Gill.

“I always heard my older cousin play it and I thought Brad Paisley was one of the best guitarists I have ever heard,” Flamand explained.

“I learned a lot of Vince Gill’s technique from playing guitar, especially turning to a lead guitar role with the bands I play with.”

At the start of the pandemic, Flamand, like many musicians, took the time to immerse himself in songwriting and is grateful that he had the opportunity to do many local shows in Portage while enjoying the impressive prize he won.

“Portage has been a great place to grow and pursue my aspirations for everything,” said Flamand.

“I’m a very lucky guy to have the things I have right now and I’ll see where they take me.”

The days of hunting that neon rainbow have drawn closer for Troy Flamand, a guitarist from Portage La Prairie.

Flamand recently won the 2021 Manitoba Country Music Award for Best Guitarist in the All Star Band of the Year category and his very first victory was an indescribable feeling.

“Honestly, I was absolutely delighted,” exclaimed Flamand.

“There was an incredible roster of very talented guitarists out there and I keep saying I was honored to have my name alongside these musicians, it was definitely something new to me.”

This was the second year that Flamand was nominated in the same category after a nomination in 2019. Flamand said he was able to enjoy the moment even more through his relationship with the rest of the people in the category.

“One of them was a cousin of mine growing up, Brad Moggie, and the rest of the guys, Jordan Day and Brennan Wall, who I met and they’re all great guys and musicians,” he said. declared Flemish. The headliner.

Flamand is no stranger to learning music, having learned the violin at the age of 12, which first interested him in music. After a little while the violinist turned to the guitar and by the time high school arrived, Flamand was playing in a few local bands.

“I did a lot of rock music, much like any new guitarist,” Flamand said.

“Then I started hearing guys playing with a country sound, and just the tone that came from a country guitarist blew me away and so I turned my attention to that.”

Flamand said he was also inspired by Moggie after seeing him perform in local country bands in the area.

“Just the way it gets the crowd moving, it really appealed to me,” said Flamand.

When not in his regular Monday-Friday job, Flamand has been able to stay busy on the Manitoba country music scene by performing with fellow Manitoba artist Kendra Kay. The guitarist said he is grateful to have an employer who understands his music career, especially as he prepares for upcoming concerts.

“I’ve been playing with her for seven years now, and I’ve had the chance to travel across Canada with her, play guitar and love every minute,” Flamand said.

“I’m in Ontario right now for the (Canadian Country Music Awards) and my employer told me to go over there and do your thing and take some time off. It is every musician’s dream to do it full time and I work my way. I enjoy life with what the guitar has given me. ”

Flamand was Kay’s lead guitarist during his performances at the event in London, Ontario. The guitarist said he was able to take his playing skills to the next level after years of listening to country stars like Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Vince Gill.

“I always heard my older cousin play it and I thought Brad Paisley was one of the best guitarists I have ever heard,” Flamand explained.

“I learned a lot of Vince Gill’s technique from playing guitar, especially turning to a lead guitar role with the bands I play with.”

At the start of the pandemic, Flamand, like many musicians, took the time to immerse himself in songwriting and is grateful that he had the opportunity to do many local shows in Portage while enjoying the impressive prize he won.

“Portage has been a great place to grow and pursue my aspirations for everything,” said Flamand.

“I’m a very lucky guy to have the things I have right now and I’ll see where they take me.”

Joseph Bernacki
Community journalist

Joseph Bernacki is The Headliner reporter / photographer. Joseph was the 2021 Vince Leah Sports intern with the Winnipeg Free Press before joining Canstar Community News. A 2020 graduate from the University of Regina School of Journalism, Joseph enjoys golfing, listening to his country music collection, and following his favorite Chicago sports teams. In his spare time, he hosts a variety talk show podcast with Better Call Saul as the weekly topic.

Read the full biography