BY MILES LAYTON
Tired of being stuck inside because of the snow!?
Then break away from watching cellphone videos posted to Facebook of dachshunds dancing in the snow to see Chris O’Neill perform Thursday (Jan. 23) between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Surf, Wind and Fire in Edenton.
A talented songwriter and musician, O’Neill has performed with Donna The Buffalo, John Paul Jones, Members of the Allman Brothers, Col Bruce Hampton, Yonrico Scott, Jeff Sipe, Members of Acoustic Syndicate and written songs with chart topping Roger Cook.
O’Neill’s songs are lyrically engaging yet thoughtful and honest, deftly blended with intricate guitar pieces. These elements, compelling on their own, achieve a whole new level when presented in his voice that seamlessly pays homage to soul, blues, country, and southern rock, yet maintains an individual and undeniably O’Neill’s own sound. His songs have been featured in films such as Grilling Bobby Hicks and Chasing Rain.
O’Neill said he will put together a Songwriter series for Arts of the Albemarle.
Worth noting, O’Neill did a songwriting session with Roger Cook in October. Cook has 31 number one hits and wrote songs with John Prine.
“I met him when I was recording in John Prine’s studio. We’ve written together a couple of times including a writing session in Franklin Tennessee in October when I was working with the site operations team for the Pilgrimage festival, which has some of the greatest like Dave Matthews.”
And then there’s this – his mother is Vonna O’Neill, and his father was Dennis, RIP. Vonna is known far and wide, but perhaps she is best known for her work supporting the Cupola House. O’Neill said his father made a phone call 20 years ago on behalf of the Cupola House Association – that phone call coupled with active persuasion – guided the Brooklyn Museum to return woodwork – the impressive mantel and moldings – to the Cupola House last.
“My Mother has wonderful things going on with the wood returning to the Cupola House in Edenton,” he said. “It’s crazy to think my father made all those calls 20 years ago – they echo to the present day.”
Looking ahead, O’Neill will host the Jam Thursday — April 5th — 6-10 New Orleans Gala at the Chowan Arts Council.