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Nestor Pistor

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Nestor Pistor is the stage name of Don Ast, a Canadian comedian of Romanian heritage[1] who performs in the character of a heavily accented Ukrainian immigrant.[2] He has been a three-time Juno Award nominee for Comedy Album of the Year, receiving two nominations at the Juno Awards of 1979 for his albums Nestor Pistor for Prime Minister and Best of Nestor Pistor and one nomination at the Juno Awards of 1980 for the self-titled Nestor Pistor,[3] and a nominee for Most Promising Male Vocalist at the Juno Awards of 1977.[4]

Pistor began performing in the 1970s on the comedy circuit in Western Canada, and released two albums, Live (1974) and Here We Go Again (1975) before breaking through to national attention in 1976 with his third album Winestoned Plowboy.[5] Backed by the country music group Prairie Fire,[6] the album deviated from Ast's usual stand-up comedy act and instead featured him singing country songs in character as Pistor. Its title track, a parody of Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy", was a charting hit in RPM's country music charts, peaking at #16 in the week of February 12, 1977.[7] The album was certified gold by February 1977,[8] and resulted in Pistor's Juno nomination for Most Promising Male Vocalist; by March 1977, both of his earlier albums were also charting in the RPM 100 Albums chart.[9] He released several further albums by 1980, receiving his three Juno Award nominations for Comedy Album of the Year in 1979 and 1980.

He faded in prominence in the 1980s, but still performs occasional shows.[10] In 2019, he celebrated 50 years of performing, with shows in British Columbia and Alberta.[11]

Discography

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  • Nestor Pistor Live At World Championship Snowgolf, Prince George BC (1974) (#78[12])
  • Here We Go Again - Nestor Pistor #2 (1975) (#84[13])
  • Winestoned Plowboy (1977)
  • Nestor Pistor for Prime Minister (1978)
  • Almost Alive (1978)
  • It's a Heartburn (1980)
  • Beer Commercials Drive Me...Nuts [On Radio & TV] (1980)
  • Plugged In (1997)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Robert Klymasz, "Ukrainian Canadian Folk Music", no date, University of Manitoba
  2. ^ "The Case of 'Nestor' and 'Metro'". Manoly R. Lupul, Visible Symbols: Cultural Expression Among Canada's Ukrainians. Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, 1984. ISBN 9780920862278. pp. 51-56.
  3. ^ "Complete list of nominees for tonight's Juno Awards". The Globe and Mail, April 2, 1980.
  4. ^ "Juno 1977". Billboard, April 23, 1977.
  5. ^ "Backstage". The Globe and Mail, February 26, 1977.
  6. ^ "Nestor Pistor, Winestoned Plowboy". Ontario Library Review, Volumes 62-63 (1978). p. 51
  7. ^ "RPM Country Playlist". RPM, February 12, 1977.
  8. ^ "From the Music Capitals of the World: Toronto". Billboard, February 12, 1977.
  9. ^ "RPM100 Top Albums". RPM, March 5, 1977.
  10. ^ "Nestor Pistor Fundraiser to Benefit Both the School and Community". Smoky Lake Signal, February 24, 2016.
  11. ^ "Nestor Pistor Productions - Edmonton Entertainer".
  12. ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums - March 12, 1977" (PDF).
  13. ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums - April 2, 1977" (PDF).
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