Calgary teen guitar whiz hits the stage with new band
Awwab Paracha is only 16-years-old but when he plays the guitar, you wouldn’t know it. His skills have been praised for exceeding his years.
Inspired by his music teacher at school, the teen picked up his first guitar at the age of 11, and has since derived influence from music legends like BB King, John Mayer, Led Zeppelin and ZZ Top.
"I saw my music teacher playing in his room, and that was it," said Paracha. "I was like, 'That’s what I want to do too.'"
Paracha’s parents left Pakistan and landed in Canada in 2014 with dreams of their own.
"My wife and I came to Canada dreaming of a peaceful life in a peaceful part of the world," said his father, Rehman Paracha. "It would be difficult to support him in Pakistan the way we are supporting him here. I am exceptionally proud."
After making it to the finals of the 2019 Calgary Stampede Talent Search competition, Paracha formed his own band earlier this year — The Awab Paracha Band.
The trio debuted Wednesday, and are set to play again at the Blind Beggar on Sept. 19.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.