Paul deLay was born in
Portland, Oregon, United States. He performed in prison in Walla Walla with Michael Morey of Seattle's Alleged Perpetrators on bass. While he was incarcerated, his band continued without him, performing as the "No deLay Band" and featuring longtime Portland blueswoman Linda Hornbuckle as lead vocalist in lieu of deLay. Upon his release from prison, deLay (now clean and sober) rejoined the band and recorded a series of critically acclaimed albums. featuring this lineup was released in 2007, entering the Top Ten on
Billboard's national blues
chart. Paul deLay continued touring and recording until his final illness. In March 2007, after returning to Portland from a gig in
Klamath Falls, Oregon, deLay felt ill and sought medical treatment. An outgrowth of the memorial concerts is an annual event, a benefit for a scholarship at Ethos, a non-profit, Portland-based music education program, in deLay's name. ==Awards and achievements==