William F. Paradosky

Billy O’Boie (Paradosky) was born into a musical family in Winnipegosis, Manitoba. His father played the violin, his mother, the harmonica, and his brother and one sister, the guitar. Billy became adept at finger-style guitar, following in the footsteps of his idol, Chet Atkins. Billy’s career began at age 14, playing for dances in and around his home town. At age 18, Billy was hired in Winnipeg to play guitar for the Lauzon Brothers and moved to Ottawa to continue his association with that band. He then auditioned for, and was hired by Claudette Lefebvre as lead guitar player in the "Country Jewels" band. That association worked out so well that Billy and Claudette became man and wife, and carried on the band for the rest of Billy’s career, until he became ill with cancer and passed away on April 14, 1999 at the age of 58. Billy was an exceptional singer and songwriter (as well as being the band tailor, making suits for the musicians and stage wear for Claudette). Billy is also well known for his invention, "the Shovel-Tone Guitar", and tonight’s audience will learn more about that very interesting instrument.