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.Sylvie Mousseau, "Le milieu de la musique country ébranlé par le décès de Paul Dwayne". L'Acadie Nouvelle, August 27, 2024.
Biography A native of Bouctouche, New Brunswick,Daniel Aucoin, "Paul Dwayne a pavé le chemin pour les artistes country acadiens". CKJM-FM, August 28, 2024. he began performing locally as a teenager, initially singing in English before switching to French.Grant Kerr, "Francophone group traces roots back to Kitchen parties". Telegraph-Journal, January 25, 2002. He competed in the 1992 Bud Country Talent Search, finishing in second place behind Sheila Deck.Sharon Sontag, "Sheila Deck takes the grand prize for talent". Calgary Herald, September 20, 1992.
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."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. He received an East Coast Music Award nomination for Francophone Artist of the Year in 2001."The nominees are . . .". Telegraph-Journal, December 7, 2001.
He performed primarily original material in French, although he also recorded one album of covers of classic English country songs.Pascal Raiche-Nogue, "Le chanteur country acadien Paul Dwayne n’est plus". Ici Radio-Canada Nouveau-Brunswick, August 27, 2024. He released seven albums between 1998 and 2011; and continued to perform occasional shows at music festivals in the Atlantic Canada region in the 2010s.Jeremy Trevors, "Country singer excited to perform". Miramichi Leader, June 21, 2017.
Dwayne died on August 26, 2024, at the age of 60. His final performance before his death was a private show at a wedding. His son, James Després, is also a country singer.
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
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