Canadian entertainer Ronnie Prophet dies at 80
First things first, all the photos from last week’s column were a courtesy of Brenda Goodsell/b Goodsell Photography. I can’t explain how the photos credit was left out, but we do apologize. Again thank you for your collaboration.
Mourning a true entertainer The country music community is mourning the loss of a true entertainer, Ronnie Prophet. Ronald Lawrence Victor Prophet, who charted 23 singles from 30 albums in a career that spanned 60 years, died with loving family and friends at his side on Friday, March 2 at age 80 following cardiac and kidney failure.
He leaves behind his wife of 32 years, Glory-anne Carriere Prophet; their sons Tony (Kitty) Prophet, Vancouver, BC; Jimmy (Emily) Prophet, Nashville, Tenn.; and 12 grandchildren — Justin, Joey, Jake, and Patrick Prophet, Josh and Victoria Paisley, Meagan, and Stephanie Carriere, and Brooklyn, Ryan and James Greer.
The exceptionally versatile Ronnie Prophet was not only a country music singer, but also a gifted impressionist, an entertaining storyteller, and an emcee. He was born in Calumet, Quebec, the youngest of three children.
As a musician, he began playing square dances throughout the province. After performing in Ottawa and Montreal early on in his career, he immigrated to the United States in 1966, wintering in the Bahamas and performing at the Jack Tar Hotel.
The Ronnie Prophet Waiting Room at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis came about as a result of his performances and charity work with Danny Thomas, Perry Como, and Frankie Valli.
Soon he began playing at Boots Randolph’s Carousel Club in Nashville, which later became Ronnie Prophet’s Carousel Club. In the early 1970s, he made his television debut on the longrunning CBC series “The Tommy Hunter Show.”
Prophet also had his own television show. The Ronnie Prophet Show mixed music with impersonations and comedy, while also welcoming popular country performers of the day such as Crystal Gayle, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams Jr., George Jones, and Don Everly.
This show ran until 1981. He next hosted “Grand Old Country” on the CTV network, and the British series “Ronnie Prophet Entertains.” In 1975, Prophet made his recording debut when his first hit single ‘Sanctuary’ made the Top 30 and was quickly followed by three more charted hits.
He continued his successful recording career through the 1980s, ultimately releasing more than two dozen albums and earning two Juno Awards as well as accolades from the Canadian Country Music Association and the Big Country Awards. Glory-anne Carriere.
Over the next 40 years he continued to appear on television and toured internationally throughout the United States, Canada, the U.K., and New Zealand as well as with the USO in Europe.
In 1997, he and his singing partner/wife Glory Anne moved to Branson, Mo., and performed there in various theaters until their retirement in 2015, after which they settled down in sunny Tavares, Fla.
His longtime friend and Agent of 38 years, Paul Mascioli, commented in a press release, “Ronnie was an international star who transcended all boundaries with his big heart and superb showmanship. He was a working man’s entertainer and loved by people of all ages. We’ll truly miss him but never forget him.”
Through his career he received many honours, such as the 1978 and 1979 Juno Award for Country Male Vocalist of the Year. In 1984, he and Glory-anne won Canadian Country Music Duo of the Year while he also got Canadian Country Music Entertainer of the Year.
In 2015, he received the Pioneer Award, The Terry Awards, in Branson, Mo.
In 2018 he got the Honorary Doctorate Of Music — Antioch College and University of Missouri.
He was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999,
with Terri Clark honouring him in a tribute as “a showman, a gentleman, a true Canadian treasure.” Ronnie Prophet will be laid to rest at Avoca Cemetery near his farm home in Quebec.
New music for Sutherland Designated Survivor, Kiefer Sutherland, is joining The Fitzgerald Hartley Co. roster, in association with longtime manager and producer Jude Cole, for music management, and Adkins Publicity for music Pr/publicity representation. Sutherland’s career as a touring and recording artist has established him as a respectable guitarist and vocalist. After the release of his honest gritty country-rock album Down In A Hole, Sutherland embarked on a sold-out North American and European tour titled Not Enough Whiskey.
He played more than 120 shows, including performances on the Grand Ole Opry, Stagecoach and Glastonbury Festival, and a lot closer to us in Drummondville. The word is out that the actor/songwriter/guitarist/singer is currently working on songs for a new album. Sutherland writes well and his authenticity is one thing that can be heard in his songs.
Sutherland always had a huge respect for Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Merle Haggard, and just like them, he’s kind of an outlaw. Can’t wait to hear that new music. Have a nice weekend!