A grand lady
“I had the chance to work as a backup singer quite a few times in my career. I toured with singer Pier Beland for about six years. I did it for many other artists as well. And I still do it today if I am asked. I find as much pleasure singing harmonies as I find singing solo. The main thing for me is to be on a stage with musicians and sing to make people happy” she stressed.
Cliche is also a talented songwriter. She has recorded four albums so far. She said she loves to write songs and melodies, a way for her to share her vision of things and her feelings. She won the SOCAN prize in 2006 in St-tite.
Nine times she has been a guest on Patrick Norman’s TV show “Pour l’amour du Country”. The show is recorded in New Brunswick and widely broadcasted in many provinces.
She has also performed on “Via Country” with Viateur and Patricia Caron a show quite similar to Patrick Norman’s show. This has contributed to hugely enlarge her fan base.
“Forty years into my career, I have received many awards and marks of appreciation by the public and by the industry people. I am very privileged because I have worked hard and lived so many experiences that made me grow as an artist, but also as a woman.
I have shared the stage with wonderful musicians through the years, many of them are now my friends. I have great memories from singing in the band Big Foot with Roger Goodsell and the late Steve Powers. Our dance nights at the Hut in Lennoxville are some of my fondest memories” Cliche recalled.
The singer has been and will always be a fan of Dolly Parton, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline who according to her, paved the road for women singers everywhere. She also gets her inspiration from the George Jones, Merle Haggard and Vince Gill who are her favorite singers.
“Parallel to my singing career, I have always worked in administration and accounting. I managed to combine the two for over 32 years but in March 2019, I decided to dedicate my life to music only. This is the best decision I ever made. I am now very happy in both my personal and professional life” she said.
For the past year, Cliche and Mario Cote have been performing thematic shows with video projection and editing for seniors in private residence and in CHSLD. They adapt the content of each of their performances to the audience.
“I already knew that I loved singing for people but now I have discovered that I love performing for seniors. I know it makes them happy to hear us. I make them dance or sing along with me. Most of all it makes me very happy to do it. Something magic happens every time” she exclaimed.
These people are happy to hear music and after every show they thank the duo for the happiness they have put in their lives. But the secret is that they give her as much pleasure and happiness as she gave them.
“I can honestly say that life is good and that I consider that I am an accomplished singer, better than I ever was. I can now allow myself to put some humor in my show or let all my emotions and sensitivity take over in each of the songs that I perform” she explained before telling me about her ultimate dream.
“I have a lot of projects in preparation and I am convinced that I will bring them to life because I am giving myself the means. As long as there will be people listening I will keep on singing. My biggest dream would be to go across Canada in a RV and sing where ever the road takes me.”