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]
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]