Russell deCarle at Gainey Foundation Concert

January 17th, 2010
Posted By Elizabeth Bower, Examiner Staff Writer
thepeterboroughexaminer.com

You likely know Russell deCarle as the lead singer of award-winning country

band Prairie Oyster.

He has performed in Peterborough and area, crooning in front of thousands at the Festival of Lights or at more intimate settings such as the Give a Hoot Café in the Millbrook Coffee House.

DeCarle most recently sang some of his torchy, bluesy high plains country tunes with fellow crooner John McDermott at Showplace Peterborough in November.

But this March, the six-time Juno Award winner is returning to Peterborough for a special cause — theGainey Concertat Showplace. The 56-year-old, who lives just outside Janetville, says he’s excited to perform a couple of songs from his first solo record Under the Big, Big Sky,slated to be released this spring. Plus, he says he wouldn’t hesitate to help out this concert, which will benefit arts and environmental education for youth across Canada through the Gainey Foundation.

“This is a really good organization and I really admire the cause,” deCarle says in a telephone interview.

This is the third consecutive Gainey Concert, which supports the foundation created by hockey legend and Peterborough native Bob Gainey, with his family, in memory of his daughter Laura and wife Cathy.

Other confirmed acts include The Jeffersons with Lisa Brokop, John McDermott, The Abrams Brothers, Jackson Delta, the Barry Haggarty Band, James McKenty, Elyse Saunders, Sarah Edwards, Peterborough Pop Ensemble and comedian Steve Patterson as emcee.

DeCarle says he feels lucky to be on this year’s lineup. DeCarle says he first performed in Peterborough back in 1972 with the King City Slickers.

He grew up in King City, north of Toronto.

Prairie Oyster started in Peterborough in the mid-1970s, he said, before going on to such heights as being named Country Group of Duo of the Year six times by the Canadian Country Music Association and the Juno Awards.

The band has four No. 1 country singles in Canada; eight of the band’s albums have been certified gold or platinum.

ebower@peterboroughexaminer.com

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Concert facts

  • What: Gainey Family and Friends Concert.
  • When: March 14 at 7 p.m.
  • Where: Showplace Peterborough.
  • Tickets: $100 and available at Showplace, 290 George St. N. or The Peterborough Examiner, 730 The Kingsway.
  • Call: Showplace at 742-7469 or The Examiner at 745-4641 ext. 252.
  • Tickets can be purchased at showplace.org