Biography

The beginning...

Clinton started under the instruction of his father, Freddie Pelletier, at the age of eleven. The purpose of scales was introduced and taken seriously. These scales were a perfect building block for the old time country/bluegrass music Freddie was helping Clinton with at a rapid rate. A short time later he co-produced a "Beginner Guitar" instuctional video with his father that was released independently and continues to sell well. In 1997 (at 15 years of age) Clinton and his father Freddie recorded a twelve song instrumental album appropriatly entitled "Like Father, Like Son". Continuing with his fathers instruction, Clinton picked up the electric guitar and began learning how to perform in the band setting. This allowed him to get experience playing everything from weddings to bar gigs. The transition from acoustic to electric spawned an interest in other flavours the guitar can offer. Clinton began listening to the nylon string guitar used in Latin, Flamenco and Classical music. He also found an interestin the way Lenny Breau approched the instrument, consequently gaining an appreciation for jazz.

Schooling...

Clinton graduated from Carlton Comprehensive High School (in 2000) six months early to accommodate the time needed for music study. This new passion for jazz and improvisation lead him to the instruction of Bob Carins at Grant McEwan College in Edmonton, Alberta (2000/2001). Although Clinton recieved highest honors, he decided to take this new knowledge to the road. For the next year he toured with fiddle and step-dance sensation April Verch, combining his Old time and Bluegrass roots with jazz theory, harmony and improvisation.

Barrage...

This experience was recognized by electric, world famous show 'Barrage'. Clinton joined the European cast and began touring extensively in 2002/03. This included corporate performances for General Motors Canada (Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas). Barrage performances were hovering around 300 dates per year. This incredibly busy schedule began to worry Colinton about his progress in the practice room. A difficult decision was made that put him back in Edmonton, practicing again.

Debut Album

In late 2004 Clinton recorded his first solo album, titled "Naturally". This was a project touching many of his musical interests, including Country and Bluegrass, Latin, Jazz, Fingerstyle and Classical guitar. It also mapped the direction his recording is headed in the years to come. Clinton's first answer was just released in July of 2006. "Thanks to Tradition" covers much of his country and 'picken fiddle tunes on the guitar' roots. His is now studying the wizardry of Django Rheinhardt and tracing his French Canadian roots. Clinton currently endorses Fury Guitars (1999) and Elixer Strings (2001).