There is no electricity or fresh water in the house

This week, my guest is Paul Daraiche, a Quebec country music singer, producer and director.

He performed songs with the greats from Ginette Reno to Charles Aznavour, not forgetting Hugos Aufre and many others. Come to think of it, that’s quite a career for a little guy from Saint-François-de-Pabos in the Gaspésie.

Well Paul, I’m going to listen to you and talk to you. Paul, where are you from?

We were nine local kids from Saint-Francois-de-Pabos on the Gaspé, very close to Chandler, and we lived in a 20-foot-by-22-foot house.

There is no electricity or running water at home.

This luxury, I experienced only after we moved to Montreal.

Tell us about your parents.

My father, Daniel, was a lobster fisherman and he also worked in the mill in Chandler. Dad worked hard because he made sure there was food on the table. Often I drove him to other jobs.

Music at home is very popular.

My wonderful mother, Marie-Rose Abbott, was always there for us. Right now, while talking to you, I can hear him playing harmonium or harmonica. Because his music resonated in the house.

You sang standing on a chair at the age of 6

My father loves to sing and when we have visitors, he takes a chair and invites me to stand on the chair and sing.

Describe your household to nine children and two adults.

Family life went on without forgetting that we only had oil lamps on the first floor. On the second floor are the bedrooms for the children. That is, rooms separated by curtains with boys on one side and girls on the other.

Did you play sports in your youth?

In fact, music took over my life, especially when I was gifted a guitar. We didn’t have enough money for me to play hockey, and besides, I remember wearing white girls’ skates to the rink.

The Jacques-Cartier Bridge is the gateway to heaven.

I was only 8 years old and, for the first time in my life, I was looking at a place lit by electricity. When we reached the house in the Villere district, we felt an electric beauty that allowed us to see each other better. The streets of Mont-Royal and Sainte-Catherine were so well lit that I thought I was in Las Vegas.

Your first jobs in Montreal.

I worked at Eagle Toys and then as a tailor for children’s clothing.

You’re rolling on roller skates.

I set out from our place, from Saint-Hubert and de Castelnau to Marie-Anne and Saint-Andre. Let me make you laugh. My first car was a Volkswagen Beetle, the floor was so punctured we could see the asphalt we were driving on.

You never completed your first concert tour.

(Laughs big.) My first tour started when I was 17 and it’s still going.

It’s a big departure for Abitibi.

I joined the group Les Loups Blancs when we performed for a year in La Sarre without pay.

No salary for a year!

Let me explain. I thought we had a deal, but we didn’t, it’s like a tour started on a farm by one of the members’ girlfriends, but still without a music deal.

I am still waiting for your salary.

After a day of working on the farm, traveling by train and caring for 75 cows, we accepted the restaurant offer.

What is that?

We sang at his restaurant on Saturdays and Sundays. In return, we stayed and fed her mother for free. Not much salary, but occasionally the owner gave us money without his mother’s knowledge.

You worked with your sister Julie.

My sister is selling over 50,000 Tracks On four occasions of her new song, I joined her to arrange the music for her third song launch.

Country music has lived through all time.

Unfortunately, country music haters never realize this fact. Country music is still the best seller today.

You have often participated in the show Today’s youth.

We have been among the top 10 marketers who have allowed us to appear on the show on several occasions. Today’s youth.

I want to limit myself to your youth, but can you tell me about your meeting with Charles Aznavour?

I met him to invite him to sing a duet with me. Imagine a man from Gaspésie making such a request. At one point I showed him the sheet music of his music that I was studying 50 years ago. He gave me a big smile before agreeing.

An emotional moment.

50 years ago, I met Robert Charlebois for the only time in my life in La Surrey when he performed. L’Osstidcho. Recently, his son Jerome asked me to interpret the song Normal As part of the evening’s tribute to Robert. I got on stage and was even more moved when Robert approached me to thank me for his beautiful interpretation of the song.

You are afraid of flying.

Yes! I have four children, six grandchildren…seventh soon. What a joy to sing with them! However, in a car that has 2000 kms per week, they fly with me and my love.

Your spouse is a wonderful woman.

I shared my life with Johanne Dubois for 33 years. His love for me and our children is unprecedented. Also, my love for her.