Born 29th April 1967

From the age of two started pickling out nursery rhymes on the piano.  Mum and Dad recognised my interests in music.  I started lessons from aged five and for my Christmas I got a 48 bass accordion.  I found a lovely man called Jack Stitt, himself and accordionist and he guided me in the right direction in learning how to play it.  He then started taking me to ceilidhs and dances from the age of 8 and I’ve worked ever since.  If you can call doing something you really want to do work!

Whilst I was at school I learned every instrument and what I could about music.  My teachers, Mum and Dad gave me every encouragement possible so I took cornet and tenor horn lessons, which enabled me to join the brass band, bagpipes, guitar, clarinet and saxophone and still play piano and accordion.

I went through the Trinity College of Music London exams grades 1 – 8, achieving an honours medal for grade 1 with 99% honours in 1978.

When I had done all those exams I went through grades 1 – 8 with the Royal Academy of Music.  Deciding to concentrate on piano/keyboards and accordion I gave up all the other instruments and started singing.

 

I met Aidan in 1985 who was and army chef and we were making plans to marry when my Mum sadly died.  We then put off the wedding until July ’87 and got posted away to Shropshire.  Hannah, our first daughter was born there. We were then posted to Cyprus for 2 years.  Great craic!!

Sam, our second daughter was born there in 1990 where I still gigged in a band with Dave, Simon and Mick.  I played bass and keys and we called ourselves “Free Beer”

Obviously our audience were usually big for they all thought the booze was free!!

 

In March 1991 we were moved once again to nearer home.  Fort George in Inverness where Tom was born.  Aidan retired from the army in September 1992 and joined me full time in the business then moving back home to Fort William.  With full concentration on my career I was asked by promoter Stuart Lawrie to appear with a number of Irish artists on tours around the UK with the likes of Dominic Kirwan, Joe Dolan and Brendan Shine to name but a few.  I also had the pleasure to work with the Baron Knights and The Fortunes who I loved as a child.  By meeting and working with them all a lot of doors have opened for me, especially in Ireland.  One of these being a guy called Clive Culbertson the bass player for Van Morrison.  He has his own studio and produced one of my albums “You Don’t Know Me”.  This was nominated for best album at the Country Awards.

Unfortunately my Dad didn’t see the album finished as he died at Christmas.

An Irish record company T.C Productions realised the potential and produced a Scottish album followed but an Irish album then a DVD for the ever-popular tourist market.  Since then I have recorded  6 cd’s "Your Forever Friend", “Someone Like You,” “Country Girl,” “Your Love,” “This Is Me ,” and “Scottish & Irish Gems” which do really well. I’m very busy with gigs and love meeting all the people. Our fan club is growing too.

 My DVD “Paula’s Country” is available from our merchandise page.This is a must as a souvenier for anyone who enjoys the beautiful scenery of Fort William and the surrounding areas.

 

As you see I am a very busy person but Aidan and myself still find the time to spend with our ever growing family which now consists of Eight grandchildren. Never a dull moment anywhere