Prairie Oyster
Encyclopedia
Prairie Oyster is an award-winning Canadian
country music
group from Ontario
. They were named Country Group or Duo of the year six times by both the Canadian Country Music Association
(CCMA) and the Juno Award
s. The band also won the Bud Country Fans' Choice Award from the CCMA in 1994. They have four #1 country singles in Canada, with an additional 12 singles reaching the Canadian Country Top 10. Eight of their albums have been certified gold
or platinum
by the Canadian Recording Industry Association
, including the 1992 CCMA Album of the Year Everybody Knows
.
In 1982, the band reunited, adding fiddler John P. Allen, keyboardist Joan Besen and drummer John Adames to the lineup. Bruce Moffat soon replaced Adames, and the group released its debut album, Oyster Tracks
, in 1986 on Stony Plain Records
. The album found its way to RCA Records
executive Joe Galante, who signed the group after seeing them perform. RCA wanted the band to change their name, but they were already too well known. Prairie Oyster was named Country Group or Duo of the Year at the Juno Awards in 1986 and 1987.
Their first album for RCA, Different Kind of Fire
, was released in 1990 in both Canada and the United States
. On the success of the album, Prairie Oyster was named the CCMA Group or Duo of the Year in 1990 and 1991. They also won the Juno Award for Country Group or Duo of the Year in 1991. All four singles released reached the top 15 in Canada, including the top 5's "Goodbye, So Long, Hello," "I Don't Hurt Anymore" and "Something to Remember You By." The band didn't do as well in the United States however, with the highest charting single peaking at #62. "Goodbye, So Long, Hello" was the CCMA Single of the Year in 1990. The following year, "Lonely You, Lonely Me" was named Song of the Year by the CCMA. In March 1991, the band received a nomination from the Academy of Country Music
for Top New Group or Duo.
Prairie Oyster's third album, Everybody Knows
, was released in 1991. The album featured four top 10 singles in Canada: "Did You Fall In Love with Me," "One Precious Love," "Will I Do (Till the Real Thing Comes Along)" and "Everybody Knows." Unfortunately, only one single charted in the U.S., "One Precious Love" (#51). Prairie Oyster won several CCMA Awards in 1992, including Album of the Year for Everybody Knows, Song of the Year for "Did You Fall In Love with Me," as well as their third straight win as Group or Duo of the Year. The Juno Awards also awarded them Country Group or Duo of the Year for the fourth time.
The band's fourth album, Only One Moon
, was released in Canada on Arista Records
in 1994. It would also go on to become their most successful. The first single, "Such a Lonely One
," was also their first #1 in Canada. Two more singles released from the project also reached the top of the Canadian Country chart, "Don't Cry Little Angel
" and the title track
. Additional singles "Louisiette," "Black-Eyed Susan" and "Ancient History" all reached the top 10. They were named Group or Duo of the Year by the CCMA in 1994, 1995 and 1996, and won the Bud Country Fans' Choice Award in 1994. The Juno Awards also recognized Prairie Oyster as the Country Group or Duo of the Year in both 1995 and 1996.
Their fifth album, Blue Plate Special
, was released in 1996. The first song released from the disc, "Unbelievable Love
," reached #1. "One Way Track" was also a top 5, but follow-up singles peaked outside the top 10. Bohdan Hluszko replaced Bruce Moffat as the drummer on the album. The following year, Hluszko was fired from the band after coming out
as transgender
.
With the 1998 release of their sixth album, What Is This Country?
, the group returned to the top 10 with the songs "Canadian Sunrise" (#5) and "Keep On Dreaming (#9). Charlie Cooley filled in as drummer for the band. Cooley is the father of Canadian actor Ryan Cooley
.
The band released their first greatest hits
album, String of Pearls: A Greatest Hits Collection
, in 2000. The only song released from the project was "Man in the Moon," which had been re-recorded as a duet with folk
singer-songwriter
Jenny Whiteley
.
Prairie Oyster re-surfaced in 2006 with the release of their latest album, One Kiss
, on Open Road Recordings
. So far the album has produced three singles, "Sweet Sweet Girl to Me" (written and originally recorded by Don Gibson
), "Too Bad For Me," and a cover of Bob Dylan
's "I Threw It All Away."
Prairie Oyster was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame
in 2008.
1991
1992
1994
1995
1996
1987
1991
1992
1995
1996
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
group from Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. They were named Country Group or Duo of the year six times by both the Canadian Country Music Association
Canadian Country Music Association
The Canadian Country Music Association was founded in 1976 as the Academy of Country Music Entertainment to organize, promote and develop a Canadian country music industry. The association changed its name to the Canadian Country Music Association in 1987.-Awards:The CCMA held the first Canadian...
(CCMA) and the Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
s. The band also won the Bud Country Fans' Choice Award from the CCMA in 1994. They have four #1 country singles in Canada, with an additional 12 singles reaching the Canadian Country Top 10. Eight of their albums have been certified gold
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
or platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
by the Canadian Recording Industry Association
Canadian Recording Industry Association
Music Canada is a Toronto-based, non-profit trade organization that was founded 9 April 1963 to represent the interests of companies that record, artists, manufacture, production, promotion and distribution of music in Canada...
, including the 1992 CCMA Album of the Year Everybody Knows
Everybody Knows (Prairie Oyster album)
Everybody Knows is the third studio album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster, and was released on September 19, 1991 by RCA Records...
.
Biography
Prairie Oyster formed in 1974 as a trio, consisting of singer/bassist Russell deCarle, guitarist Keith Glass and steel guitarist Dennis Delorme. They toured and performed on television, but did not record. They subsequently broke up in 1978.In 1982, the band reunited, adding fiddler John P. Allen, keyboardist Joan Besen and drummer John Adames to the lineup. Bruce Moffat soon replaced Adames, and the group released its debut album, Oyster Tracks
Oyster Tracks
Oyster Tracks is the debut album by Canadian country music band Prairie Oyster. It was released by Stony Plain Records in 1986. Singles released from the album include "Rain Rain," "You Got a Way," "Give It a Little More Time," "Juke Joint Johnny," "Man in the Moon" and "Play Me Some Honky Tonk...
, in 1986 on Stony Plain Records
Stony Plain Records
Stony Plain Records is a major Canadian independent record label, which specializes in roots music genres such as country, folk and blues. The label was the recipient of a 2003 Western Canadian Music Award for "Independent Record Label/Distributor of the Year"....
. The album found its way to RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
executive Joe Galante, who signed the group after seeing them perform. RCA wanted the band to change their name, but they were already too well known. Prairie Oyster was named Country Group or Duo of the Year at the Juno Awards in 1986 and 1987.
Their first album for RCA, Different Kind of Fire
Different Kind of Fire
Different Kind of Fire is the second studio album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. It was released by RCA Records on April 10, 1990 and served as their debut album in the United States...
, was released in 1990 in both Canada and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. On the success of the album, Prairie Oyster was named the CCMA Group or Duo of the Year in 1990 and 1991. They also won the Juno Award for Country Group or Duo of the Year in 1991. All four singles released reached the top 15 in Canada, including the top 5's "Goodbye, So Long, Hello," "I Don't Hurt Anymore" and "Something to Remember You By." The band didn't do as well in the United States however, with the highest charting single peaking at #62. "Goodbye, So Long, Hello" was the CCMA Single of the Year in 1990. The following year, "Lonely You, Lonely Me" was named Song of the Year by the CCMA. In March 1991, the band received a nomination from the Academy of Country Music
Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
for Top New Group or Duo.
Prairie Oyster's third album, Everybody Knows
Everybody Knows (Prairie Oyster album)
Everybody Knows is the third studio album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster, and was released on September 19, 1991 by RCA Records...
, was released in 1991. The album featured four top 10 singles in Canada: "Did You Fall In Love with Me," "One Precious Love," "Will I Do (Till the Real Thing Comes Along)" and "Everybody Knows." Unfortunately, only one single charted in the U.S., "One Precious Love" (#51). Prairie Oyster won several CCMA Awards in 1992, including Album of the Year for Everybody Knows, Song of the Year for "Did You Fall In Love with Me," as well as their third straight win as Group or Duo of the Year. The Juno Awards also awarded them Country Group or Duo of the Year for the fourth time.
The band's fourth album, Only One Moon
Only One Moon
Only One Moon is the fourth studio album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. It was released by Arista Records on April 8, 1994...
, was released in Canada on Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
in 1994. It would also go on to become their most successful. The first single, "Such a Lonely One
Such a Lonely One
"Such a Lonely One" is a single by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. Released in 1994, it was the first single from their album Only One Moon. The song reached #1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in June 1994.-Chart performance:...
," was also their first #1 in Canada. Two more singles released from the project also reached the top of the Canadian Country chart, "Don't Cry Little Angel
Don't Cry Little Angel
"Don't Cry Little Angel" is a single by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. Released in 1995, it was the fourth single from their album Only One Moon. The song reached #1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in May 1995.-Chart performance:...
" and the title track
Only One Moon (song)
"Only One Moon" is a single by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. Released in 1995, it was the fifth single from their album Only One Moon. The song reached #1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in August 1995.-Chart performance:...
. Additional singles "Louisiette," "Black-Eyed Susan" and "Ancient History" all reached the top 10. They were named Group or Duo of the Year by the CCMA in 1994, 1995 and 1996, and won the Bud Country Fans' Choice Award in 1994. The Juno Awards also recognized Prairie Oyster as the Country Group or Duo of the Year in both 1995 and 1996.
Their fifth album, Blue Plate Special
Blue Plate Special
Blue Plate Special is the fifth studio album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. It was released by Velvel Records on August 28, 1996...
, was released in 1996. The first song released from the disc, "Unbelievable Love
Unbelievable Love
"Unbelievable Love" is a single by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. Released in 1996, it was the first single from their album Blue Plate Special. The song reached #1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in November 1996.-Chart performance:...
," reached #1. "One Way Track" was also a top 5, but follow-up singles peaked outside the top 10. Bohdan Hluszko replaced Bruce Moffat as the drummer on the album. The following year, Hluszko was fired from the band after coming out
Coming out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
as transgender
Transgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
.
With the 1998 release of their sixth album, What Is This Country?
What Is This Country?
What Is This Country? is the sixth studio album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. It was released by ViK. Recordings on November 10, 1998...
, the group returned to the top 10 with the songs "Canadian Sunrise" (#5) and "Keep On Dreaming (#9). Charlie Cooley filled in as drummer for the band. Cooley is the father of Canadian actor Ryan Cooley
Ryan Cooley
Ryan Cooley is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his role as James Tiberius "J.T." Yorke on Degrassi: The Next Generation.-Career:...
.
The band released their first greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
album, String of Pearls: A Greatest Hits Collection
String of Pearls: A Greatest Hits Collection
String of Pearls: A Greatest Hits Collection is the first greatest hits album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. It was released by ViK. Recordings on June 20, 2000. The album peaked at number 15 on the RPM Country Albums chart....
, in 2000. The only song released from the project was "Man in the Moon," which had been re-recorded as a duet with folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Jenny Whiteley
Jenny Whiteley
Jenny Whiteley is a two-time Juno Award winning Canadian country and folk singer-songwriter.The daughter of blues musician Chris Whiteley and niece of folk musician Ken Whiteley, she began her musical career as one of the kids on Raffi albums, and her name notably appears on "Baby Beluga". She...
.
Prairie Oyster re-surfaced in 2006 with the release of their latest album, One Kiss
One Kiss
One Kiss is the seventh studio album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. It was released by Open Road Recordings on August 22, 2006...
, on Open Road Recordings
Open Road Recordings
Open Road Recordings, a division of Maple Core Ltd., is a Canadian country music record label established by Ron Kitchener in 2003 and distributed through Universal Music Canada.-Open Road artists:* Ridley Bent* Dean Brody* Doc Walker* Emerson Drive...
. So far the album has produced three singles, "Sweet Sweet Girl to Me" (written and originally recorded by Don Gibson
Don Gibson
Donald Eugene "Don" Gibson was an American songwriter and country musician. A Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Gibson penned such country standards as "Sweet Dreams" and "I Can't Stop Loving You", and enjoyed a string of country hits from 1957 into the early 1970s.-Biography:Don Gibson was...
), "Too Bad For Me," and a cover of Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's "I Threw It All Away."
Prairie Oyster was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame
Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame
The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, located in Merritt, British Columbia, was established in 1984 to honour Canadian country music artists, builders or broadcasters, living or deceased...
in 2008.
Discography
Albums- Oyster TracksOyster TracksOyster Tracks is the debut album by Canadian country music band Prairie Oyster. It was released by Stony Plain Records in 1986. Singles released from the album include "Rain Rain," "You Got a Way," "Give It a Little More Time," "Juke Joint Johnny," "Man in the Moon" and "Play Me Some Honky Tonk...
(1986) - Different Kind of FireDifferent Kind of FireDifferent Kind of Fire is the second studio album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. It was released by RCA Records on April 10, 1990 and served as their debut album in the United States...
(1990) - Everybody KnowsEverybody Knows (Prairie Oyster album)Everybody Knows is the third studio album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster, and was released on September 19, 1991 by RCA Records...
(1991) - Only One MoonOnly One MoonOnly One Moon is the fourth studio album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. It was released by Arista Records on April 8, 1994...
(1994) - Blue Plate SpecialBlue Plate SpecialBlue Plate Special is the fifth studio album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. It was released by Velvel Records on August 28, 1996...
(1996) - What Is This Country?What Is This Country?What Is This Country? is the sixth studio album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. It was released by ViK. Recordings on November 10, 1998...
(1998) - String of Pearls: A Greatest Hits CollectionString of Pearls: A Greatest Hits CollectionString of Pearls: A Greatest Hits Collection is the first greatest hits album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. It was released by ViK. Recordings on June 20, 2000. The album peaked at number 15 on the RPM Country Albums chart....
(2000) - One KissOne KissOne Kiss is the seventh studio album by Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster. It was released by Open Road Recordings on August 22, 2006...
(2006)
Canadian Country Music Awards
1990- Group or Duo of the Year
- Single of the Year, "Goodbye, So Long, Hello"
1991
- Group or Duo of the Year
- SOCANSociety of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of CanadaSOCAN is the Canadian copyright collective for the right to communicate to the public and publicly perform musical works...
Song of the Year, "Lonely You, Lonely Me"
1992
- Group or Duo of the Year
- SOCAN Song of the Year, "Did You Fall In Love with Me"
- Album of the Year, Everybody Knows
1994
- Bud Country Fans' Choice Award
- Group or Duo of the Year
1995
- Group or Duo of the Year
1996
- Group or Duo of the Year
Juno Awards
1986Juno Awards of 1986
The Juno Awards of 1986, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 10 November 1986 in Toronto at a ceremony hosted by Howie Mandel at the Harbour Castle Hilton Hotel. CBC Television broadcast the ceremonies nationally.Labour problems at the Canadian...
- Best Country Group or DuoJuno Award for Country Recording of the YearThe Juno Award for "Country Recording of the Year" has been awarded since 1970, as recognition each year for the best country music artist in Canada...
1987
Juno Awards of 1987
The Juno Awards of 1987, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 2 November 1987 in Toronto at a ceremony in the O'Keefe Centre. Howie Mandel was the host for the ceremonies, which were broadcast on CBC Television....
- Best Country Group or Duo
1991
Juno Awards of 1991
The Juno Awards of 1991, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 3 March 1991 in Vancouver, British Columbia at a ceremony in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Paul Shaffer was the host for the ceremonies, which were broadcast on CBC Television.This was...
- Best Country Group or Duo
1992
Juno Awards of 1992
The Juno Awards of 1992, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 29 March 1992 in Toronto at a ceremony in the O'Keefe Centre. Rick Moranis was the host for the ceremonies, which were broadcast on CBC Television from 9 pm Eastern.Nominations were...
- Best Country Group or Duo
1995
Juno Awards of 1995
The Juno Awards of 1995, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 26 March 1995 in Hamilton, Ontario at a ceremony in the Copps Coliseum...
- Best Country Group or Duo
1996
Juno Awards of 1996
The Juno Awards of 1996, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 10 March 1996 in Hamilton, Ontario at a ceremony in the Copps Coliseum...
- Best Country Group or Duo