Born with
muscular dystrophy and raised in
Worcester, Massachusetts, Donnie began playing the piano when he was just four years old. His first taste of "show biz" was during his apprenticeship as
Poster child for the
Muscular Dystrophy Association for the state of
Massachusetts. He attended
Doherty Memorial High School, where his interests in songwriting began to flourish and furthered his musical studies at the
University of Arizona. In 1982, Donnie made his first national television appearance on the "
Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon" broadcast. He performed his song, "If We Fell in Love Again," receiving a standing ovation that prompted
Jerry Lewis to hold an unscheduled interview with the young composer. In 1983, producers of the Jerry Lewis Telethon commissioned Donnie to write their national jingle promoting the annual Labor Day broadcast. That jingle, "Labor Day Is America's Day (for MDA)" premiered over television and radio stations nationwide from 1983 to 1984 during pre-Telethon promotion. In 1992, Donnie's song, "Second Chance" appeared in the film "Double Trouble" directed by
John Paragon and starred David Paul, Peter Paul,
Roddy McDowall and
David Carradine. The song was performed by Donnie and
Pepper MaShay. On October 11, 2007, Donnie was a special guest artist at the Closing Ceremony of the
2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games at Jiangwan Stadium in Shanghai, China where he performed and premiered his original composition, "Benediction (Let The Best of You Go Free)" written especially for the 2009 World Winter Games of the Special Olympics In 2008, Donnie Demers appeared as Arranger, Art Director, composer, Executive Producer, Package Designer, Pianist and Vocal Producer on the
Concord Records release of the debut album "[ Dream a Little]" by his brother
Jimmy Demers. This was the first major record label that the brothers worked on together. In February 2009, Donnie Demers performed "Benediction (Let the Best of You Go Free)", the theme song that he wrote for the
2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in
Boise, Idaho. He performed the song with his brother Jimmy, along with a full orchestra and choir live at the
Ford Idaho Center for the Opening Ceremonies. The Demers brothers also performed
Over the Rainbow at the Closing Ceremonies." On September 27, 2014, Donnie's song, "Save Your Love For Me" premiered in
Calgary,
Alberta, Canada, at the 2014 David Foster Foundation Miracle Concert under the musical direction of
David Foster. Donnie (who attended the event) was introduced to the audience by Foster. On April 22–25, 2015, Donnie's song, "Inspire the World" (co-written by Terry Coffey) was featured throughout the
FIRST Robotics Competition in
St Louis,
Missouri at
Edward Jones Dome. The song was commissioned by the founders of 'FIRST'
Dean Kamen and
Woodie Flowers. Donnie and his brother Jimmy Demers performed the song at the opening ceremony. On April 29, 2016, Donnie's song, "Broken Heart" (co written by
Benoit Poher) was released on the second studio album
Au cœur de moi (English:
At the Heart of Me) from French-Israeli singer
Amir Haddad through
Warner Music Group. The album was certified 2× Platinum earning Donnie a Double Platinum award and as of September 2018, it has been certified triple platinum in France, gold in Switzerland and gold in Belgium. On March 10, 2017, Donnie's original song, "My Everything" was released by British soprano
Joanna Forest on her debut album,
Stars Are Rising – The track was recorded in Prague with the
City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The album went to number one on
iTunes where Donnie's song landed in the No. 1 position digitally. The album has also hit No. 1 on
List of Classical Artist Albums Chart number ones of the 2010s ==Proclamation==