Jamie O'Hara | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | James Paul O'Hara (1950-08-08)August 8, 1950 Toledo, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | January 7, 2021(2021-01-07) (aged 70) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals guitar |
| Years active | 1986–2001, 2012–2021 |
| Labels | Columbia Nashville,RCA Nashville, Valley |
| Formerly of | The O'Kanes |
| Website | jamieoharamusic |
James Paul O'Hara (August 8, 1950 – January 7, 2021) was an Americancountry music artist. Between 1986 and 1990, he andKieran Kane comprisedThe O'Kanes, a duo that charted seven singles on theBillboardHot Country Singles charts, including the No. 1 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 continued writing songs for other country music artists,[1] includingThe Judds' 1986 hit "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)" which earned him aGrammy Award.
O'Hara was born inToledo, Ohio, where he attendedOttawa Hills High School (Ohio) and played Varsity Football. He had initially planned to pursue a career inAmerican football, but after a career-ending knee injury, O'Hara shifted his focus to singing and songwriting.[2] By 1975, he had moved toNashville, Tennessee, where he was signed to a publishing contract. Among the songs that he composed throughout the 1980s were "Older Women" and "Wandering Eyes" a number one and number two single, both forRonnie McDowell.[1]
Kieran Kane, another songwriter who worked for the same publishing company, first collaborated with O'Hara on a song titled "Bluegrass Blues", eventually recorded byThe Judds.[2] Afterwards, the two began writing more songs together; by 1986, they decided to form a duo known asThe O'Kanes. The same year, O'Hara wrote "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Ol' 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.[3][4]
Signed toColumbia Nashville in 1986, The O'Kanes recorded three studio albums for the label, in addition to charting seven singles on theBillboard Hot Country Singles charts. Their third album failed to produce any singles and by 1990, the duo parted ways, with both members assuming solo careers.
O'Hara recorded a solo album forRCA Nashville in 1994. His only album for the label,Rise Above It, was issued that year, followed by a second album titledBeautiful Obsession seven years later. In addition, O'Hara continued to write songs for other artists, including cuts byShelby Lynne,Gary Allan, andTrisha Yearwood.[1]
O'Hara died under the care of Alive Hospice on January 7, 2021, after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.[5]
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Rise Above It |
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| Beautiful Obsession |
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| Dream Hymns |
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| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "What's a Good Ol' Boy to Do" | Rise Above It |
| 1994 | "The Cold Hard Truth" | |
| "It Ain't Over (Til Your Heart Says It's Over)" | ||
| "50,000 Names" |
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "What's a Good Ol' Boy to Do"[7] | Bubba Crigler |
| 1994 | "The Cold Hard Truth"[8] | Brent Hedgecock |
| "It Ain't Over (Til Your Heart Says It's Over)"[9] | ||
| "50,000 Names"[10] |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
