Paul Dwayne

Paul Després (February 27, 1964 – August 26, 2024), known by the stage name Paul Dwayne, was a Canadian country singer-songwriter who was a key figure in Acadian musical culture.[1]

Biography

A native of Bouctouche, New Brunswick,[2] he began performing locally as a teenager,[1] initially singing in English before switching to French.[3] He competed in the 1992 Bud Country Talent Search, finishing in second place behind Sheila Deck.[4]

He released his debut album Mon petit chenou in 1998, receiving nominations for Country Artist of the Year and Country Album of the Year at the 1999 FrancoFête.[5] He received an East Coast Music Award nomination for Francophone Artist of the Year in 2001.[6]

He performed primarily original material in French, although he also recorded one album of covers of classic English country songs.[7] He released seven albums between 1998 and 2011;[1] and continued to perform occasional shows at music festivals in the Atlantic Canada region in the 2010s.[8]

Dwayne died on August 26, 2024, at the age of 60.[1] His final performance before his death was a private show at a wedding.[1] His son, James Després, is also a country singer.[7]

Discography

  • Mon petit chenou - 1998
  • Always Country - 2000
  • Ensemble pour toujours - 2000
  • Noël avec mes amis - 2001
  • Ma p'tite guitare - 2003
  • Je t'aime - 2006
  • Mon Dodge Truck - 2011

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Sylvie Mousseau, "Le milieu de la musique country ébranlé par le décès de Paul Dwayne". L'Acadie Nouvelle, August 27, 2024.
  2. ^ Daniel Aucoin, "Paul Dwayne a pavé le chemin pour les artistes country acadiens". CKJM-FM, August 28, 2024.
  3. ^ Grant Kerr, "Francophone group traces roots back to Kitchen parties". Telegraph-Journal, January 25, 2002.
  4. ^ Sharon Sontag, "Sheila Deck takes the grand prize for talent". Calgary Herald, September 20, 1992.
  5. ^ "FrancoFete goes global With a little help from the recent Francophonie Summit, the upcoming cultural event is gaining international attention". Times & Transcript, October 30, 1999.
  6. ^ "The nominees are . . .". Telegraph-Journal, December 7, 2001.
  7. ^ a b Pascal Raiche-Nogue, "Le chanteur country acadien Paul Dwayne n’est plus". Ici Radio-Canada Nouveau-Brunswick, August 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Jeremy Trevors, "Country singer excited to perform". Miramichi Leader, June 21, 2017.