In this returning episode of North of Normal, Paul Cormier joins Amanda McKeen for a candid, music-filled conversation about craftsmanship, community, and tradition. A retired builder and founding member of AVSAR, Paul reflects on decades of search and rescue work in the White Mountains, the quiet resilience required in high-stakes situations, and the strength of volunteer teams built on trust and shared purpose.
The heart of the episode centers on Paul’s deep connection to traditional fiddle music. Largely self-taught and rooted in oral tradition, he shares how tunes passed through logging camps, kitchen parties, and contra dances continue to evolve across regions like Cape Breton and Newfoundland. Paul performs several live sets on air, blending American, Canadian, and French influences while explaining the subtle art of transitioning between reels without missing a beat.
He also offers a fascinating look into his nearly 20-year practice of handcrafting fiddles from locally sourced wood, describing the painstaking process of carving, tuning, and “listening” to the instrument as it takes shape.
Part mountain rescuer, part woodworker, part musician, Paul embodies a life shaped by focus, humility, and devotion to craft — on the trail, in the workshop, and at the dance hall.
