Burke was born Jean Paul Bourque on April 28, 1940,[3] in Rosaireville, New Brunswick.

[8] The following year, he released two more singles with Columbia, including "I Can't Even Do Wrong Right," which hit number-one on the RPM Country Tracks chart.

[13] In 2005, Burke was inducted into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame.

[5] In 2012, Burke was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

[14] On the evening of September 21, 2017, Burke died from esophageal cancer at the age of 77.