Orval Prophet

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Inducted into the CCMA Hall of Honor in 1984
Inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989
Birth: August 31, 1922 – Edwards, Ontario
Death: January 2, 1984 – Ottawa Ontario

 

One of the pioneers of Canadian country singer-songwriters, Orval Prophet was one of the first Canadian country music performers to gain international acclaim and recognition. During his teens, Prophet sang pop songs within his family and performed at church and community functions. He changed his focus to country music after he heard Hank Snow’s music and concluded that “Western folk-songs would fit my style”.

A Canadian tour with Wilf Carter in 1949 led to Prophet’s recording contract with Decca Records in late 1951. His singles, ‘Going Back to Birmingham’, ‘Judgement Day Express’ and ‘Molly Darling’ all received critical acclaim in both Canada and the US.

Known as the “Canadian Ploughboy”, Prophet was among the first Canadian artists to record in Nashville, although he remained based out of Edwards, Ontario until his death in 1984. Prophet received a Big Country Award for ‘Outstanding Male Performer’ in 1978. Prophet is recognized as an artist whose music came straight from the heart, and he is still widely acknowledged as a great inspiration for many up and coming Canadian artists. Orval Prophet was inducted posthumously into the Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame in 1985.

 

Orval Prophet passed away on January 2, 1984 at the age of 61.