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The Lauzon Brothers were born in Ottawa to Albert and Maria Lauzon; Raymond in 1931, Maurice in 1932 and Jean-Guy in 1933. They grew up in a musical atmosphere, forming a band at a very early age, being taught "the ropes" by their brother-in-law, Roger Chenier, who played fiddle and guitar.
Ray became the band’s leader, playing rhythm guitar and singing backup vocals. Maurice played accordion, piano and guitar and sang backup, while Jean-Guy played banjo and piano and sang lead. Along with playing weddings, benefits, private parties and square dances, they began to play hotels and competed in a talent contest heard over CKCH radio in Hull, Quebec where, after five consecutive weeks, they won the contest.
In 1956, the Lauzon’s started a very popular country/rockabilly band, "The Downbeats", which performed well into the 1960’s and included, at various times, well known entertainers Hall of Famer the Late Joe Pino, Maury Logan, sax players Norm Clark and Pete Ferguson, and guitarist Jerry Joly. The band were headliners at such clubs as The Sportif, the Moulin Rouge, the Royale in Angers, the Central in Maniwaki, the Palace in Buckingham, the Interprovincial in Hull, and the Latin Quarter in Montreal. They also worked the prestigious Ottawa House in Hull with Rich Little and, on occasion, backed stars like a young Paul Anka, Terry Carisse and Bob King. The Downbeats were a real show band, always dressing sharply and putting on a great stage performance.
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