Prairie Oyster was a Canadian

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

group from

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

, Ontario. They were named Country Group or Duo of the year six times by both the

Canadian Country Music Association The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) was founded in 1976 as the Academy of Country Music Entertainment to organize, promote and develop a Canadian country music industry. The groundwork for the association began on June 3, 1973, when a gr ...

(CCMA) and the

Juno Award The Juno Awards (stylized as JUNOS), or simply known as the Junos, are awards presented by Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to recognize outstanding achievements in Canada's mu ...

s. The band also won the Bud Country Fans' Choice Award from the CCMA in 1994. They have four No. 1 country singles in Canada, with an additional 12 singles reaching the Canadian Country Top 10. Eight of their albums have been certified

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platinum Platinum is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a density, dense, malleable, ductility, ductile, highly unreactive, precious metal, precious, silverish-white transition metal. Its name origina ...

by the

Canadian Recording Industry Association Music Canada is a non-profit trade organization that was founded 9 April 1963 in Toronto to represent the interests of companies that record, manufacture, produce, and distribute music in Canada. It also offers benefits to some of Canada's leadin ...

, including the 1992 CCMA Album of the Year '' Everybody Knows''. While no formal announcement seems to have been made, the band is no longer touring nor are they maintaining their web site. Front-man Russell deCarle has been touring solo to promote a new album. Guitarist Keith Glass released his own solo album in 2013 and has been touring on his own as well as backing up other artists, such as Lynn Miles.

Biography

Prairie Oyster formed in 1974 in

. As a trio, consisting of singer/bassist Russell deCarle (born 31 May 1954), guitarist Keith Glass (born 1952) and steel guitarist Dennis Delorme, they toured and performed on television, but did not record. The band's name is taken from a slang term for bison, cattle, or sheep testicles. (See also the Wikipedia article on

Rocky Mountain Oysters Rocky Mountain oysters or mountain oysters, or meat balls, also known as prairie oysters in Canada (), is a dish made of bull Testicles as food, testicles. The organs are often deep-fried after being skinned, coated in flour, pepper and salt, an ...

.) 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'', in 1986 on Stony Plain Records. The album found its way to

RCA Records RCA Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside Columbia Records (its former longtime rival), Arista Records and Epic R ...

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 5s "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 No. 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 The Academy of Country Music (ACM) was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Among the founders were Eddie Miller (songwriter), Eddie Miller, Tommy Wiggins, and Mickey and Chris ...

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 Arista Records ( ) is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the American division of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. The label was previously a division of Bertelsmann Music G ...

in 1994. It would also go on to become their most successful. The first single, " Such a Lonely One," was also their first No. 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 A title track is a song that has the same name as the album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-t ...

. 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 No. 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

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transgender A transgender (often shortened to trans) person has a gender identity different from that typically associated with the sex they were sex assignment, assigned at birth. The opposite of ''transgender'' is ''cisgender'', which describes perso ...

. 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 A greatest hits album or best-of album is a type of compilation album that collects popular and commercially successful songs by a particular artist or band. While greatest hits albums are typically supported by the artist, they can also be creat ...

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 Folk or Folks may refer to: Sociology *Nation *People * Folklore ** Folk art ** Folk dance ** Folk hero ** Folk horror ** Folk music *** Folk metal *** Folk punk *** Folk rock ** Folk religion * Folk taxonomy Arts, entertainment, and media * Fo ...

singer-songwriter Jenny Whiteley. Prairie Oyster re-surfaced in 2006 with the release of their latest album, '' One Kiss'', on

Open Road Recordings Open Road Recordings, a division of RGK Entertainment Group Ltd., is a Canadian record label specializing in country music. it was established by Ron Kitchener in 2003 and distributed through Universal Music Group, Universal Music Canada. The lab ...

. So far the album has produced three singles, "Sweet Sweet Girl to Me" (written and originally recorded by

Don Gibson Donald Eugene Gibson (April 3, 1928 – November 17, 2003) was an American songwriter and country musician. A Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Gibson wrote such country standards as " Sweet Dreams" and " I Can't Stop Loving You", and enjo ...

), "Too Bad For Me," and a cover of

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...

's "I Threw It All Away." The group continues to tour and perform at music festivals and clubs in Canada and the United States. Prairie Oyster was inducted into the

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame honours Canadian country music artists, builders or broadcasters, living or deceased. The artifact collection includes extensive biographical information on the inductees. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame can ...

in 2008. In 2011 the band was presented with a SOCAN National Achievement Award. The band is a member of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism.

Solo Projects

Russell deCarle currently tours and records with his solo group The Russell deCarle Trio, which play an eclectic mix of blues, jazz, country & western, Latin music, R&B and western swing. The current configuration of deCarle's band features him playing rhythm guitar instead of bass. In 2012, deCarle released his first studio album, "Under the Big Big Sky." The studio album was released by

Universal Music Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as Universal Music Group or Universal Music) is a Dutch– American multinational music corporation under Dutch law. UMG's corporate headquarters are located in Hilversum ...

. In 2015, one of deCarle's concerts was professionally recorded and later released as "Live At Loud Mouse Studios." Music critics have compared deCarle's solo recordings to other eclectic

Country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

and

roots rock Roots rock is a genre of rock music that looks back to rock's origins in contemporary folk music, folk, blues, and country music. First emerging in the late 1960s, it is seen as a response to the perceived excesses of the then dominant psychedel ...

acts such as

Chris Isaak Christopher Joseph Isaak (born June 26, 1956) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional actor. Noted for his reverb-laden rockabilly revivalist style and wide vocal range, he is popularly known for his breakthrough hit and sig ...

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor and activist. He was one of the main figures of the outlaw country subgenre that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restr ...

The Mavericks The Mavericks are an American band from Miami, Florida. The band consists of Raul Malo (lead vocals, guitar), Paul Deakin (drums), Eddie Perez (lead guitar), and Jerry Dale McFadden (keyboards). Malo and Deakin founded the band in 1989 along ...

Lyle Lovett Lyle Pearce Lovett (born November 1, 1957) Lyle Lovett Pageat Allmusic – Lovett's Genre and Styles. Retrieved February 2, 2007 is an American country singer and actor. Active since 1980, he has recorded 14 albums and released 25 singles to dat ...

Raul Malo Raul Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr. (born August 7, 1965) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. He is the lead singer of country music band the Mavericks and the co-writer of many of their singles, as well as Rick Tr ...

and

Los Lobos Los Lobos (, Spanish for "the Wolves") is a Mexican American rock group, rock band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, zydeco, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional ...

. Keith Glass currently performs with Canadian folk artist Lynn Miles and also with his group Keith Glass Band. In addition to working as a songwriter and producer, Glass is a music historian who wrote the liner notes for

The Box Tops The Box Tops is an American rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1967. They are best known for the hits " The Letter", "Cry Like a Baby", and " Soul Deep" and are considered a major blue-eyed soul group of the period. They performed a mi ...

CD box set release entitled "The Original Albums 1967–69," which was released in January 2015 by

Raven Records Raven Records was an Australian record label that specialised in retrospectives and reissues or recordings by American, British and Australian artists. Raven Records was established in 1979 by Glenn A. Baker, Kevin Mueller and Peter Shillito ...

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 and nominations

Awards

Canadian Country Music Awards *1990 Group or Duo of the Year *1990 Single of the Year, "Goodbye, So Long, Hello" *1991 Group or Duo of the Year *1991

SOCAN The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) is a Canadian performance rights organization that represents the performing rights of more than 175,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers. The organization collect ...

Song of the Year, "Lonely You, Lonely Me" *1992 Group or Duo of the Year *1992 SOCAN Song of the Year, "Did You Fall In Love with Me" *1992 Album of the Year, ''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"Prairie Oyster, BMG, Hope to Turn U.S. Tide with New 'Moon'"
''Billboard'', 30 April 1994 *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

* 1990 Top New Vocal Duo or Group

References

External links

Prairie Oyster
Official Site
Official site for Prairie Oyster singer Russell DeCarle

Official site for Prairie Oyster guitarist Keith Glass

Prairie Oyster
Fan Club
Prairie Oyster
at

MapleMusic Recordings Cadence Recordings, formerly MapleMusic Recordings, is a Canadian independent record label founded by Andy Maize, Jeff Maize, Mike Alkier, Evan Hu, Lorique Mindel and Grant Dexter in 1999 and based in Toronto, Ontario. Other investors include ...

The Box Tops liner notes essay by Keith Glass
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Prairie Oyster 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