The Prairie Oysters’ popularity was recognised when the Country Music Guild of Australasia awarded them the Award for Most Popular Country Music Band in 2007, 2009 and 2010. In 2008, their debut single When The Dust Settles was voted as a top ten finalist for the National Country Music Award and received a Golden Guitar Nomination in the same year. As at December 2010, they are currently finalists for the National Best Group category in the Victoria & National Country Music Awards and Tamworth People’s Choice Awards for 2011.

Muso’s often get together and say things like “love your work man we should get together and do something ”. The Prairie Oysters were no different except for the fact they finally did it. The year was 2005. Rob, Tony and former lead singer Mark Crossley had their own music commitments but wanted to have a bit of fun and do the occasional gig. In February 2006, Lee Slater joined the band on lead guitar. The band continued to perform with that line up until 2010, when Dave Miles joined the band as guitarist to broaden the band’s sound.

From the very beginning, people immediately began to take notice of their vocal harmonies, slick guitar work, rock solid rhythm section and a set list that crosses into Country, Southern Rock, Rockabilly, Blues and Rock’n’Roll.

Since 2006, their shows have attracted large and diverse crowds including many who don’t normally call themselves country music fans. Needless to say they have become more than just a “Sunday Arvo Band”.

The Prairie Oysters’ popularity was recognised when the Country Music Guild of Australasia awarded them the Award for Most Popular Country Music Band in 2007, 2009 and 2010. In 2008, their debut single When The Dust Settles was voted as a top ten finalist for the National Country Music Award and received a Golden Guitar Nomination in the same year. As at December 2010, they are currently finalists for the National Best Group category in the Victoria & National Country Music Awards and Tamworth People’s Choice Awards for 2011.

The secret to their success is all down to one very important factor. FUN! Whilst the band is made up of five very competent musicians, more importantly it’s made up of a bunch of blokes who don’t take life too seriously and love doing what they do.

The Band....

Tony Bonnici -

Tony has been playing in bands since the mid 70s gaining a reputation as a versatile singer and musician. In the 80’s he formed the hard rocking pub outfit, Proprietary Limited and then went on to become the front-man for the Melbourne club band The Most. Tony is also a sound engineer and producer who has worked in many parts of the recording and broadcast industry. He continues to work freelance in between band commitments. Tony grew up listening to Country and Rock’n’Roll and is into “honest music that can kick my butt, make me cry or both”. His bass playing and powerful vocals are crucial to the band’s sound, writing and producing and providing “grunt” to the overall sound of The Prairie Oysters.

Rob Street -

As the seasoned subject of drummer jokes, Rob has earned the right to shrug them off as he has earned himself a reputation as a versatile and sought after musician. He has played professionally since the early 70s and was a founding member of The Vincents. He was also a member of Rough Cut, and The Most. Rob’s talents also include live sound production working with a number of shows around Melbourne and Victoria. As a drummer, Rob is as solid as a rock and combined with Tony’s bass, creates a tight, chest- pounding foundation. Rob voice adds to the band’s vocal mix offering lead and backing vocals. Rob is also a major songwriter in the band and plays guitar but that will never stop the drummer jokes.

Dave Miles -

Dave joined the Oysters in June 2010. He’s no stranger to the band though, and goes back a number of years with Rob as the bass-player in The Vincents during the 80s and 90s. Dave is originally from WA and began his music career at the age of 12, playing the organ and guitar. Throughout the 70s and early 80s, Dave fronted a number of Perth outfits including the hard rock outfit The Jackals. He's since worked and played all over Australia with different bands playing everything from country to punk. Dave has since rediscovered his country music roots listening to the likes of Steve Earle, Dwight Yoakam, Paul Kelly and John Mellencamp. Dave brings his unique “mongrel country” style guitar and complimenting Jamie to give the band a hot front line.

Jamie Argent-Jones -

Jamie is also West Australian who made the trip over to Melbourne in early 2009. He has a keen interest in many styles of music. Whilst in Fremantle, Jamie was simultaneously a member of the sea shanty and Irish drinking song band The Fusiliers and heavy underground psych-rock band The Hindenburgs . Since moving to Melbourne, he’s performed with some of Melbourne’s top musicians as guitarist with R&B/Soul outfit Sol Haus And The Spokesmen. Jamie’s interest in country music was sparked in his teens after purchasing a few couple of country records with a like-minded friend. He became increasingly interested in honky-tonk country, blues, western swing and Zydeco, and these varied influences show in his guitar playing. He joined The Prairie Oysters in late 2010.

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