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MICHEL DUBOIS
When one brings up the subject of Quebec City blues radio, the name “Michel Dubois” always
comes up early in the conversation – and for good reason. He’s the host of the long-running program “Rue
D’Auteuil” on CKRL 89.1 FM where, every
Friday evening, he presents two solid hours of local and international blues music. But that’s barely enough to keep
this retired high school teacher busy; Michel is also a member of the Quebec Lys Blues Awards selection committee and takes
an active role in the annual event by not only overseeing the nominations, but by also presenting the tribute to the artist
receiving the “Lifetime Contribution” award.
Crossroads Blues is happy to place Michel Dubois on the other side of the microphone for a chance to learn more about
the man whose life-long fascination with music and communications led him to the blues.
CB: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. First off, can you explain why the
name of your radio program is called “Rue D’Auteuil” when the station resides on 3rd avenue?
M.D.: It all started as a radio show that was sponsored by “Le D’Auteuil” –
a well-known venue located in Old Québec, on Rue D’Auteuil.
CB: How long has your program been running?
M.D.: It’s been 13 years now. To be honest with you, I never imagined I could last that long! But
the blues is such a rich idiom, that I wouldn’t mind another 13 years!
CB: Congratulations! 13 years is a great achievement. How do you determine what to
play week after week?
M.D.: Every week, it’s more or less the same recipe: mixing the Canadian releases with the international ones, spotlighting
upcoming visiting acts, requests and the special “smoocher” segment. Also, as a rule, the same song is not played
twice in order to give a broader perspective of an album. I also try to follow a musical curve, avoiding contrasts in rhythms
from one song to the other. My goal is to provide feel-good programming, covering the full spectrum of the blues idiom and
to give equal exposure to established, up-and-coming, local, international, acoustic and electric blues artists.
CB: Please tell us how you got into radio. Is “Rue D’Auteuil” your
first radio show?
M.D.: My daytime job was teaching at a high school. I had always been involved in student activities,
mainly the school radio, in Beauport. I supervised the station,
finding new releases, bringing in live acts, etc… One of my friends was the DJ at “Le D’Auteuil” and
asked me if I would fill in for him one day. I liked it, he moved on to something else so I got the job! It was such a great
sideline: spinning the discs according to the featured band. It made me explore new styles such as progressive, reggae, rock,
and more than anything else, the blues!! The next step was when André Gagné, the owner, asked me to get involved in the radio
show that he was sponsoring. In a very short time, I was out of the bar and in the studio.
CB: Many musicians claim that the blues “chose them”. What initially attracted
you to the blues? M.D.: Being
raised in St-Ferdinand, a village near Thetford Mines, I was
more familiar with pop, rock’n roll and country – but I will always remember that one song in the juke-box in
Jim Douville’s Snack Bar, “Rainin’ In My Heart” by Slim Harpo. How it got there, I have no idea, but
I loved it without knowing what it was! Then, when the Rolling Stones had a new album out, I was always looking for the bluesy
cuts on it.
CB: You’ve surely had the chance to meet some very interesting characters on
the blues scene. Can you list a few of your favourites? Any great stories that stand out in particular?
M.D.: Yeah… many stories. Among others, I found myself eating nachos with Jeff Healey in the dressing
room at the Montreal Spectrum while he was waiting to go on stage as a special guest on Anthony Gomes’ show.
Also, I was amazed by Brian Lee’s outstanding sense of hearing. I was at one end of a very busy
dressing room, talking with his musicians while he was giving an interview at the other end of that room. When my turn came
to chat with him, and before I could ask my first question, he quoted every detail of my conversation with his musicians!
One night, I came to Montreal to see B.B. King at La Place des Arts. After the show, I went
across the street to catch Big Mama Thornton at The Rising Sun. B.B. King dropped in to jam with the musicians and at 3 o’clock,
they locked the doors, but allowed us to stay inside and enjoy that magic moment. I still have both autographs on the same
piece of paper.
And I could go on because I was lucky enough to meet people like Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown,
Eddie “The Chief” Clearwater, Bob Brozman, Jimmy Bowskill, Kenny Wayne Toussaint, The Holmes Brothers, John Mayall,
to name a few.
But I will say that the blues people here are extremely friendly and cooperative, and I want to thank
them very sincerely.
By the way, how could I forget that special broadcast to celebrate my 500th show? People like
Kevin Mark and Laurier Gagnon had come from Montreal to join the Quebec City crowd – including MO Blues, Mike Deway, Peter Shonk, Woogie, Pat The White,
Denis Viel, Andrée Dupré and more!
CB:
That certainly was a special evening. It just goes to show you how tight the blues community really is. Do you plan on hosting
any other special events in the future?
M.D.: I have been offered to do a similar event this
spring and I will probably go ahead… but first, we have to make sure that the yearly radiothon is a success: a two-hour
live broadcast is in the works, featuring among others, Mike Deway, Peter Shonk, Jamie Wood, Andrée Dupré and Jean Millaire.
Other names are likely to be added. Also, once a month, the radio show will be broadcast in front of a live audience, featuring
both recorded and live music. This is quite challenging, but with the collaboration of L’Impérial de Québec and La Casbah, things should turn out fine .
CB: How do you view the blues scene in general? What can be done to make it accessible
to more people?
M.D.: The decline of major blues labels is serious as well as the lack of interest from the major labels
except for artists like B.B. King and Buddy Guy. Commercial radio stations don’t play blues music. In fact, traditional
folk music has more exposure than blues!
Fortunately, we have festivals and community radio. How could we make it more accessible? By not compromising,
if you ask me. I prefer a more genuine product to some standardized, homogenized, americanidolized blues…
CB: Do you then feel that not enough artists focus on developing their own unique
style?
M.D.: Playing the music of the masters is certainly a good way to develop a strong repertoire, combined with the skills that
a “classic” playlist requires. The next step would be to find a personal style.
CB: Let’s talk about your involvement with the Lys
Blues Awards. You’ve been a big part of the event since its inception in 2003. How did that materialize?
M.D.: As far as I remember, Réjean Nadon asked me to join in and the rest just followed. I want to thank
Réjean for his confidence.
CB: Quebec features
some pretty good blues talent. What’s it like coming up with the nominations every year? Is it a tough job?
M.D.: Yes, but how pleasant! The only problem is that we don’t hear everything, can’t see
every show, so we do what we can…
CB: A prominent part of every Lys
Awards Gala is the “Lifetime Contribution” Award. So far, the recipients have been Bob Walsh, Stephen Barry and
Bob Harrisson. What are the criteria for being considered and do you think this award will one day be given to a non-musician? M.D.: I guess the dedication to the cause of the blues is the main
criteria. Longevity is certainly part of it. But there have been no serious arguments about the choices so far; the first
three winners were chosen unanimously, if I remember well. A non-musician? Why not?
Michel Dubois presenting Stephen Barry
with a Lifetime Contribution Award
(2004 Lys Blues Gala)
CB: Let’s try some rapid-fire questions… The first blues
album you ever owned?
M.D.: Must have been Ray Charles on Atlantic.
CB: Your first blues concert?
M.D.: Bull Moose Walker was one of the
first, along with Dutch Mason.
CB: Your first blues interview?
M.D.: Lou Simon.
CB: What’s in your CD player right now?
M.D.: Buddy Guy’s “Bring ‘Em In”.
CB: The next blues CD you will acquire?
M.D.: Pat The White "Reviver"
CB: Thank you so much for taking the time for us. What are Michel
Dubois’ future plans?
M.D.: I would like to attend an American blues festival like the ones they have in Chicago
or in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
CB: Are you able to frequent some local festivals? What are your
favourite venues?
M.D.: To me, Mont-Tremblant Blues Festival is the Disney World of blues. On a more regular basis, you
can be sure to find me at La Grange Marcoux in Beauport, Quebec
on any Friday catching the last part of the show, right after “Rue D’Auteuil”.
CB: Any final comments?
M.D.: Yes, two things. First, I want to thank you for having me in your first issue. It’s a great
honour. Next, I will tell you about a very crazy secret fantasy: I would love to take a few lessons and eventually do a song
with a band.
I wish you success with the new website.
CB: Thank you Michel.
The very classy Michel Dubois can be heard on CKRL 89.1 FM
every Friday evening from 8:00 – 10:00 PM EST… and who knows? We might just see him live out his fantasy sooner
than later! Drop him a line HERE.
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