Jamie O'Hara (singer)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Jamie O'Hara

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Background = solo_singer
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Born = birth date and age|1950|8|8
Origin = Toledo, Ohio, USA
Instrument = Vocals
Guitar
Genre = Country
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Years_active = 1986-2001
Label = Columbia, RCA, Valley
Associated_acts = The Judds
The O'Kanes
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Jamie O'Hara (born August 8, 1950 in Toledo, Ohio) is a Grammy Award-winning American country music artist. Between 1986 and 1990, he and Kieran Kane comprised The O'Kanes, a duo which charted seven singles on the "Billboard" Hot Country Singles charts, including the Number One single "Can't Stop My Heart from Loving You". After The O'Kanes disbanded in 1990, both O'Hara and Kane recorded solo albums of their own. In addition, O'Hara has continued writing songs for other country music artists.cite web |url=http://www.oldies.com/artist-view/Jamie-OHara.html |title=Jamie O'Hara biography |accessdate=2007-12-19 |work=Oldies.com]

Biography

Jamie O'Hara was born on August 8, 1950 in Toledo, Ohio. He had initially planned to pursue a career in American football; however, after a career-ending knee injury, O'Hara shifted his focus to singing and songwriting.cite web |url=http://wm01.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:39frxq9gldse~T1 |title=Jamie O'Hara Biography |accessdate=2007-12-19 |last=Loftus |first=Johnny |work=Allmusic] By 1975, he had moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he was signed to a publishing contract. Among the songs that he composed throughout the 1980s was "Older Women", a Number One single for Ronnie McDowell.

The O'Kanes

Kieran Kane, another songwriter who worked for the same publishing company, first collaborated with O'Hara on a song entitled "Bluegrass Blues", eventually recorded by The Judds. Afterwards, the two began writing more songs together; by 1986, they decided to form a duo known as The O'Kanes. The same year, O'Hara wrote "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)", which was also recorded by The Judds; in addition to becoming a Number One single on the country music charts, this song earned him a Grammy Award for Best Country Song. [cite web |url=http://countrymusic.about.com/library/blprevgrammysong.htm |title=Grammys - Previous Winners - Best Country Song |accessdate=2007-12-19 |work=About.com] [cite web |url=http://wm01.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:39frxq9gldse~T5 |title=Jamie O'Hara > Charts & Awards > Grammy Awards |accessdate=2007-12-19 |work=Allmusic]

Signed to Columbia Records in 1986, The O'Kanes recorded three studio albums for the label, in addition to charting seven singles on the "Billboard" Hot Country Singles charts. Their third album failed to produce any singles, however, and by 1990, the duo parted ways, with both members assuming solo careers.

Return to solo career

O'Hara recorded a solo album for RCA Records in 1994. His first and only album for the label, "Rise Above It", was issued that year, followed by a second album entitled "Beautiful Obsession" seven years later. In addition, O'Hara continued to write songs for other artists, including cuts by Shelby Lynne, Gary Allan, and Trisha Yearwood.

Discography

*"Rise Above It" (1994)
*"Beautiful Obsession" (2001)

References