Durocher Family to perform at Backus
On Saturday, a northern Minnesota family band will perform on the Backus stage.
And although music is a major theme in their lives — “family” is the operative word.
Ten of Paul and Judy Durocher’s 12 children are part of the Durocher Family act; and the parents have structured their lives around spreading the Gospel musically (bluegrass) along with the stories and lessons from their child-rearing experiences.
By the age of 26, the couple found themselves with six children under the age of 7. And while they once prayed for twins, they got triplets when their fourth child was expected.
With a dozen kids ranging from age 3 to 27, all but two of them travel in a motor home with Paul and Judy, performing for churches and audiences throughout the country.
The family entertains with its musical talent and humorous stories of life on a 28-acre farm on the Mississippi River near Cohasset. They also reach out to audiences with messages of hope, love and the goodness of God, reports the “Times Record” in Arkansas, where the family performed in January.
Paul and Judy have been self-employed most of their married life. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Paul took up side work as a carpenter. His craft grew into a successful small building and remodeling company. This has allowed the couple the ability to spend time training their children, including home schooling.
But along the way, they have also had to be thrifty, growing much of their own food and starting several other small businesses. Paul credits this lifestyle with teaching his children the value of hard work, and several of the adult kids are deemed successful in their own right.
Music is a part of that success. The older children have excelled in classical piano, violin and cello. Originally playing together only casually, the family took off in a more serious direction following a popular stand-in performance for a gospel group which canceled a Father’s Day concert at their church.
“We have always been passionate about marriage and family and raising kids who love the Lord, and we realized that we could use this very fun and entertaining medium of live music to encourage people in their most important relationships — their family,” Paul told the Record.
The Durocher Family has been touring coast to coast and is currently performing eight shows from Albert Lea to International Falls, Paul told The Daily Journal from Grand Rapids. In the Falls, they will be asking local churches to participate, he said.
Admission is free for the 7 p.m. Backus performance. Free will offerings will be accepted.
More information is available at www.durocherfamilyministries.com.
If you go:
WHAT: Nationally touring “Durocher Family” Gospel Bluegrass Band
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday • Backus Community Center
No admission. Free will offerings accepted.
The Durocher Family will also be performing at the 10 a.m. Sunday Worship Service at Northwoods Bible Church in Ray.
