Prairie Oyster
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1974 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
Area served | Canada, United States |
| Products | Country music albums and singles |
Prairie Oyster was a country music ensemble originating from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They garnered the Country Group or Duo of the Year title six times from both the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) and the Juno Awards. Additionally, in 1994, they secured the Bud Country Fans' Choice Award presented by the CCMA. The band achieved four number-one country hits in Canada, alongside 12 more singles that reached the Top 10 on Canadian country charts. Their discography includes eight albums that attained gold or platinum status certified by the Canadian Recording Industry Association, notably the 1992 CCMA Album of the Year, Everybody Knows.
While no official announcement marked their disbandment, Prairie Oyster has ceased touring and maintaining an online presence. Lead vocalist Russell deCarle has embarked on a solo path, promoting his latest album. Guitarist Keith Glass released a solo project in 2013 and remains active in touring, supporting artists such as Lynn Miles.
Biography
Formed in 1974 in Toronto, Prairie Oyster began as a trio featuring vocalist and bassist Russell deCarle, guitarist Keith Glass, and steel guitarist Dennis Delorme. Initially, they performed live shows and appeared on television but did not produce any recordings.
The group's name is derived from slang referring to bison, cattle, or sheep testicles. Their early work was featured in the 1978 short documentary Heavy Horse Pull. The band dissolved later that year.
Prairie Oyster reunited in 1982 with new members: fiddler John P. Allen, keyboardist Joan Besen, and drummer John Adames (who was eventually replaced by Bruce Moffat). Their debut album, Oyster Tracks, was released in 1986 under Stony Plain Records. Following a performance witnessed by RCA executive Joe Galante, they were signed to RCA Records; however, Galante requested a name change which the band declined due to their established reputation. Prairie Oyster secured Juno Awards for Country Group or Duo of the Year consecutively in 1986 and 1987.
Their inaugural RCA release, Different Kind of Fire (1990), launched simultaneously in Canada and the United States. This album earned them CCMA Group or Duo of the Year honors in both 1990 and 1991 as well as a Juno Award in 1991. Four singles from this album reached Canada's top 15 charts, including top five hits such as "Goodbye, So Long, Hello," "I Don't Hurt Anymore," and "Something to Remember You By." Although their impact in the U.S. market was modest—with their highest-charting single peaking at No. 62—"Goodbye, So Long, Hello" won the CCMA Single of the Year award in 1990; "Lonely You, Lonely Me" was named CCMA Song of the Year in 1991. The band also received a nomination from the Academy of Country Music for Top New Group or Duo.
Their third studio album, Everybody Knows (1991), yielded four Canadian top ten singles but did not significantly penetrate the U.S. market. The record earned CCMA Album of the Year along with several accolades in 1992. During this period, Prairie Oyster claimed their third straight Group or Duo of the Year award at the CCMAs and also won a Juno Award for Country Group or Duo.
The band's fourth release, Only One Moon (1994), distributed by Arista Records, became their most commercially successful effort. It featured three chart-topping Canadian singles: "Such a Lonely One," "Don't Cry Little Angel," and its title track. Additional singles also reached top ten positions. Between 1994 and 1996, Prairie Oyster repeatedly won CCMA Group or Duo of the Year awards and received the Bud Country Fans' Choice Award in 1994; they also secured Juno Awards in both 1995 and 1996.
Blue Plate Special (1996) included the number one hit "Unbelievable Love" along with other high-ranking tracks. During this time, drummer Bruce Moffat was succeeded by Bohdan Hluszko, who was later dismissed following his public revelation as transgender.
Their sixth album, What Is This Country? (1998), marked a return to Canadian top ten charts with singles like "Canadian Sunrise" (#5) and "Keep On Dreaming" (#9). Charlie Cooley joined as their drummer.
In 2000, Prairie Oyster released their first compilation album titled String of Pearls: A Greatest Hits Collection, which featured a newly recorded duet called "Man in the Moon" with folk artist Jenny Whiteley.
The band’s most recent studio album, One Kiss (2006), issued through Open Road Recordings, produced three singles including covers of Don Gibson's "Sweet Sweet Girl to Me" and Bob Dylan's "I Threw It All Away." Prairie Oyster continued touring throughout Canada and parts of the United States.
Recognized for their contributions to Canadian country music, Prairie Oyster was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008. They were also honored with a SOCAN National Achievement Award in 2011 and have been active supporters of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism.
Solo Endeavors
Russell deCarle performs and records with The Russell deCarle Trio, a group that fuses elements of blues, jazz, country, Latin, R&B, and western swing. DeCarle contributes as the rhythm guitarist in the ensemble. His first solo studio album, Under the Big Big Sky, was launched in 2012 under Universal Music. A live performance from 2015 was captured and issued as Live At Loud Mouse Studios. Critics often liken his solo style to that of Chris Isaak, Willie Nelson, The Mavericks, Lyle Lovett, Raul Malo, and Los Lobos.
Keith Glass collaborates with Canadian folk musician Lynn Miles and fronts the Keith Glass Band. In addition to his roles as songwriter and producer, Glass is recognized as a music historian, having penned the liner notes for The Box Tops' 2015 CD box set The Original Albums 1967–69, released by Raven Records.
Discography
- Albums
- 1986 Oyster Tracks
- 1990 Different Kind of Fire
- 1991 Everybody Knows
- 1994 Only One Moon
- 1996 Blue Plate Special
- 1998 What Is This Country?
- 2000 String of Pearls: A Greatest Hits Collection
- 2006 One Kiss
Solo discography
- 2013 Bad Dog – Keith Glass
- 2012 Under The Big Big Sky – Russell deCarle
- 2015 Live at Loud Mouse Studios – Russell deCarle
- 2017 Alone in This Crowd – Russell deCarle
Awards
Canadian Country Music Awards
- 1990 Group or Duo of the Year
- 1990 Single of the Year for "Goodbye, So Long, Hello"
- 1991 Group or Duo of the Year
- 1991 SOCAN Song of the Year for "Lonely You, Lonely Me"
- 1992 Group or Duo of the Year
- 1992 SOCAN Song of the Year for "Did You Fall In Love with Me"
- 1992 Album of the Year for Everybody Knows
- 1994 Bud Country Fans' Choice Award
- 1994 Group or Duo of the Year
- 1995 Group or Duo of the Year
- 1996 Group or Duo of the Year
Juno Awards
- 1986 Best Country Group or Duo
- 1987 Best Country Group or Duo
- 1991 Best Country Group or Duo
- 1992 Best Country Group or Duo
- 1995 Best Country Group or Duo
- 1996 Best Country Group or Duo
SOCAN Awards
- 2011 National Achievement Award
Nominations
External links
- Musical groups established in 1974
- Musical groups disestablished in 1978
- Musical groups reestablished in 1982
- Musical groups from Toronto
- Canadian country music groups
- Open Road Recordings artists
- Juno Award winners
- 1974 establishments in Ontario
- 1978 disestablishments in Ontario
- 1982 establishments in Ontario
- Canadian Country Music Association Fans' Choice Award winners
- Canadian Country Music Association Group of the Year winners
- Canadian Country Music Association Song of the Year winners
- Canadian Country Music Association Single of the Year winners
- Fontana North artists
- Canadian Country Music Association Group or Duo of the Year winners
- Canadian Country Music Association Album of the Year winners