Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2014, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Jamie O’Hara, which he submitted to this site on Saturday 3 May 2014.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Jamie O’Hara who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Jamie O’Hara
This quote was submitted on Saturday 3 May 2014.
‘Gene Watson’s singing is liquid gold.
He simply has one of the best voices in the history of country music, or any other genre, for that matter.
Every time I hear ‘Farewell Party‘, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), I’m reminded what greatness sounds like’
Thank you, Jamie O’Hara, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jamie O’Hara…
Jamie O’Hara was born James Paul O’Hara in Toledo, Ohio on Friday 18 August 1950 and was an acclaimed singer and songwriter.
Jamie O’Hara, an athlete of unusual ability, was a star basketball, baseball and football player at Ottawa Hills High School in Toledo. Jamie O’Hara went on to play football at Indiana University, with hopes of a career in the National Football League (NFL), but after an injury ended those plans, he took up the guitar and discovered his true calling.
In 1975, Jamie O’Hara moved to Nashville in order to pursue a career in music. Almost immediately, Jamie O’Hara was signed to a publishing contract, but spent five years working at everything from construction worker to chauffeur, while writing in his off-time, before he began making his living as a professional songwriter.
Over the years, Jamie O’Hara received numerous awards, along with several Grammy and Country Music Associations (CMA) nominations. The 1986 Grammy Award for ‘Best Country Song’ went to his ‘Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days)’, which also picked up a Grammy Award for ‘Best Country Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group’ for The Judds – Wynonna Judd & Naomi Judd (Friday 11 January 1946 – Saturday 30 April 2022).
John Conlee recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Old Fashioned Love’ (co-written with Don Cook) and included the track on ‘Friday Night Blues’ (MCA Records, 1980).
Ronnie McDowell recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Wandering Eyes’ and included the track on ‘Going Going Gone’ (Elektra Records, 1980); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in early 1981.
Ronnie McDowell recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Little Of You’ and included the track on ‘Going Going Gone’ (Elektra Records, 1981).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Southern Comfort’ and included the track on ‘Southern Comfort’ (Elektra Records, 1981).
Ronnie McDowell recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Older Women’ and included the track on ‘Good Time Lovin’ Man’ (Elektra Records, 1982); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1981.
Ronnie McDowell recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Crazy Love Sounds’ (co-written with Kieran Kane) and included the track on ‘Good Time Lovin’ Man’ (Elektra Records, 1982).
Ronnie McDowell recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Her Memory’s Faster Than Me’ and included the track on ‘Good Time Lovin’ Man’ (Elektra Records, 1982).
Ronnie McDowell recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Jealousy’ and included the track on ‘Good Time Lovin’ Man’ (Elektra Records, 1982).
Mel McDaniel (Sunday 6 September 1942 – Thursday 31 March 2011) recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Nobody Said It Was Easy’, which was co-written with Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002), and included the track on ‘Naturally Country’ (Capitol Records, 1983).
Bandana – Lonnie Wilson (lead vocals), Jerry Fox (bass guitar), Tim Menzies (guitar), Joe Van Dyke (keyboards) and Jerry Ray Johnston (drums) – recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Tonight I’m Gonna Love Somebody’ and included the track on their self titled album, ‘Bandana’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985).
Johnny Lee recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘What’s A Fool Like Me Doing In Love like This’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Don Cook, and included the track on ‘Keep Me Hangin’ On’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985).
In 1985, Jamie O’Hara began co-writing with friend and fellow songwriter Kieran Kane, who was another Tree Publishing songwriter, and collaborated on ‘Bluegrass Blues’, a song which The Judds would eventually record. That meeting led the duo to begin writing and performing together as The O’Kanes.
The Judds – Wynonna Judd & Naomi Judd (Friday 11 January 1946 – Saturday 30 April 2022) – recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Ol’ Days)’ and included the track on ‘Rockin’ With The Rhythm’ (RCA Records, 1985); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in May 1986.
Between 1987 and 1990, having secured a deal with Columbia Records, The O’Kanes (Jamie O’Hara & Kieran Kane) saw the release of three highly acclaimed country music albums.
Together as The O’Kanes, Jamie O’Hara & Kieran Kane, saw the release, on Columbia Records, of three successful and critically acclaimed albums; ‘The O’Kanes’ (Columbia Records, 1986), ‘Tired of The Running’ (Columbia Records, 1988) and ‘Imagine That’ (Columbia Records, 1989), all of which were filled with a number of hit songs, all written, produced and performed by the duo.
In 1986, The O’Kanes saw the release, on Columbia Records, of their self-titled debut album, ‘The O’Kanes’ (Columbia Records, 1986), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Oh Darlin’ (Why Don’t You Care For Me No More)’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) (No.10, 1986) / this track also reached No.6 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1986
‘Can’t Stop My Heart From Lovin’ You’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) (No.1 for one week in May 1987) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1987
‘Daddies Need To Grow Up Too’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) (No.9, 1987) / this track also reached No.12 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1987
‘Just Lovin’ You’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) (No.5, 1987) / this track also reached No.9 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1987
The O’Kanes’ self-titled debut album, ‘The O’Kanes’ (Columbia Records, 1986), also included the following tracks:
‘Bluegrass Blues’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘Oh, Lonesome You’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘When We’re Gone, Lone Gone’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘That’s All Right, Mama’, which was written by Arthur Crudup (Thursday 24 August 1905 – Thursday 28 March 1974)
‘Gonna Walk That Line’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘When I Found You’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
The O’Kanes’ self-titled debut album, ‘The O’Kanes’ (Columbia Records, 1986), reached No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1986.
On Monday 6 July 1987, Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) saw the release of her highly acclaimed album, ‘Higher Ground’ (Epic Records, 1987), which was produced by Steve Buckingham, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Your Love’ (written by Beckie Foster and Tommy Rocco) (No.12, 1987) / this track featured Ricky Skaggs on background vocals
‘Talkin’ To Myself Again’ (written by Jamie O’Hara) (No.16, 1987) / this track featured The O’Kanes – Jamie O’Hara & Kieran Kane – on background vocals
‘Beneath A Painted Sky’, which was written by Joe Chambers (passed away on Wednesday 28 September 2022) and Bucky Jones (No.25, 1988) / this track featured Emmylou Harris on background vocals
Tammy Wynette’s ‘Higher Ground’ (Epic Records, 1987), also included the following tracks:
‘Tempted’ (written by Al Turney) / this track featured background vocals from Gene Watson
‘Some Things Will Never Change’, which was written by Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) / this track was a duet with Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009)
‘I Wasn’t Meant To Live My Life Alone’ (written by Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet) / this track featured background vocals from Vince Gill
‘Higher Ground’ (written by Steve Buckingham) / this track featured background vocals from Larry Gatlin, Steve Gatlin & Rudy Gatlin
‘A Slow Burning Fire’ (written by Jan Buckingham and Valerie Smith) / this track featured background vocals from Harry Stinson, John Wesley Ryles and Ricky Van Shelton
‘There’s No Heart So Strong’ (written by Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet) / this track featured background vocals from Paul Overstreet
‘All Through Throwing Good Love After Bad’, which was written by Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) and Richard Leigh / this track featured background vocals from Rodney Crowell and Jeanne Smith
Personnel involved in the recording of Tammy Wynette’s ‘Higher Ground’ (Epic Records, 1987) included the following:
Zane Ashton and Steve Gibson (guitar)
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Steve Buckingham and Mark Casstevens (guitar)
Rodney Crowell, Larry Gatlin, Rudy Gatlin, Steve Gatlin, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, The O’Kanes (Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane), Paul Overstreet, John Wesley Ryles, Ricky Van Shelton, Jeanne Smith, Harry Stinson, Gene Watson and Dennis Wilson (background vocals, harmony vocals)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar, Dobro)
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (upright bass)
Randy McCormick (piano)
Mark O’Connor (fiddle, mandolin, guitar)
Tom Robb (bass)
Ricky Skaggs (background vocals)
Jay Spell (accordion)
Tammy Wynette’s ‘Higher Ground’ (Epic Records, 1987) reached No.43 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1987.
In 1988, The O’Kanes saw the release, on Columbia Records, of their second album, ‘Tired of The Running’ (Columbia Records, 1988), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘One True Love’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) (No.4, 1988) / this track also reached No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1988
‘Blue Love’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) (No.10, 1988) / this track also reached No.18 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1988
‘Rocky Road’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) (No.71, 1988) / this track also reached No.79 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1988
The O’Kanes’ second album, ‘Tired of The Running’ (Columbia Records, 1988), also included the following tracks:
‘All Because of You’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘If I Could Be There’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘Highway 55’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘Tired of The Runnin’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘In My Heart’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘I’m Lonely’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘Isn’t That So’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
Personnel involved in the recording of The O’Kanes’ second successful and critically acclaimed album, ‘Tired of the Running’ (Columbia Records, 1988), included the following:
Roy Yeager (drums)
Henry Strzelecki (Tuesday 8 August 1939 – Monday 29 December 2014) (bass)
Richard Kane (electric guitar, fiddle, banjo)
Jay Spell (accordion)
Kieran Kane (mandolin, vocals)
Jamie O’Hara (acoustic guitar, vocals)
Michael Martin Murphey recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Children of The Wild World’ and included the track on ‘River of Time’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988).
Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017) recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Desperately’ (co-written with Kevin Welch) and included the track on ‘Prime Cuts’ (Capitol Records, 1989).
Jann Browne recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘You Ain’t Down Home’ and included the track on ‘Tell Me Why’ (Curb Records, 1990); the track reached No.19 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989.
On Friday 5 January 1990, The O’Kanes (Jamie O’Hara & Kieran Kane) saw the release, on Columbia Records, of their third, and final album, ‘Imagine That’ (Columbia Records, 1990), which included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Why Should I’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) / this track was released as a single in 1990, but it did not chart on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart; this track did, however, reach No.7 on the Billboard Hot Country Radio Breakouts Chart in 1990 / this track also reached No.75 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1990
‘Diddy All Night Long’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) / this track was released as a single in 1990, but it did not chart on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart; this track did, however, reach No.7 on the Billboard Hot Country Radio Breakouts Chart in 1990 / this track also reached No.73 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1990
‘Tell Me I Was Dreaming’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) / this track was released as a single in 1990, but it did not chart on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart / the track was also released as a single on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1990, but it did not chart
The O’Kanes’ third, and final, album for Columbia Records, ‘Imagine That’ (Columbia Records, 1990), also included the following tracks:
‘Imagine That’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) / this track was also recorded by Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017), who included it on ‘And So It Goes’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2012); Don Williams‘ version of the track featured guest harmony vocals from Keith Urban
‘Nobody Wins’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘Will You Travel Down This Road With Me’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘Is The Party Over’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘Better To Love You’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘Tell Me I Was Dreaming’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘Climbing Mountains’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
‘This Ain’t Love (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane)
In 1990, The O’Kanes (Jamie O’Hara & Kieran Kane) disbanded.
The O’Kanes (Jamie O’Hara & Kieran Kane) were instrumental in bringing about the Alternative Country / Americana movement, which brought into prominence not only The O’Kanes, but also a number of other innovative acts, including Dwight Yoakum, Patty Loveless, Randy Travis, Foster & Lloyd (Radney Foster and Bill Lloyd), Lyle Lovett and Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Tanya Tucker recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Bidding America Goodbye (The Auction)’ and included the track on ‘What Do I Do With Me’ (Capitol Records, 1991).
Mark Collie recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘There Goes My Dream’ and included the track on ‘Born & Raised In Black & White’ (MCA Records, 1991).
Emmylou Harris & The Nash Ramblers – Sam Bush (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (double bass, vocals), Larry Atamanuik (drums), Al Perkins (banjo, guitar, resonator guitar, vocals) and John Randall Stewart (guitar, mandolin, vocals) – recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘If I Could Be There’ (co-written with Kieran Kane) and included the track on ‘Emmylou Harris & The Nash Ramblers: Live At The Ryman’ (Asylum Records, 1992); the track was also included on Emmylou Harris’ ‘Songbird: Rare Tracks & Forgotten Gems’ (Rhino Records, 2007).
Trisha Yearwood recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Oh, Lonesome You’ (co-written with Kieran Kane) and included the track on ‘Hearts In Armor’ (MCA Records, 1992); this track featured harmony vocals from Vince Gill.
Trisha Yearwood recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘For Reasons I’ve Forgotten’ and included the track on ‘Hearts In Armor’ (MCA Records, 1992); this track featured harmony vocals from Raul Malo (of The Mavericks).
Stacy Dean Campbell recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Baby Don’t You Know’ and included the track on ‘Lonesome Wins Again’ (Columbia Records, 1992).
Stacy Dean Campbell recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘That Blue Again’ and included the track on ‘Lonesome Wins Again’ (Columbia Records, 1992).
Tom Wopat recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Only When’ and included the track on ‘Learning To Love’ (Epic Records, 1992).
Shelby Lynne recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Temptation’ (co-written with Shelby Lynne and Brent Maher) and included the track on ‘Temptation’ (Morgan Creek Records / Mercury Records, 1993).
Shelby Lynne recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Feelin’ Kind of Lonely Tonight’ (co-written with Brent Maher) and included the track on ‘Temptation’ (Morgan Creek Records / Mercury Records, 1993).
Shelby Lynne recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Little Unlucky At Love’ (co-written with Brent Maher) and included the track on ‘Temptation’ (Morgan Creek Records / Mercury Records, 1993).
Shelby Lynne recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Some of That True Love’ (co-written with Shelby Lynne and Brent Maher) and included the track on ‘Temptation’ (Morgan Creek Records / Mercury Records, 1993).
Shelby Lynne recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Come A Little Closer’ (co-written with Shelby Lynne and Brent Maher) and included the track on ‘Temptation’ (Morgan Creek Records / Mercury Records, 1993).
The Chicks recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘There Goes My Dream’ and included the track on ‘Shouldn’t A Told You That’ (Crystal Clear Sound Records, 1993).
Randy Travis recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Gonna Walk That Line’ (co-written with Kieran Kane) and included the track on ‘This Is Me’ (Warner Bros. Nashville Records, 1994).
Following The O’Kanes’ split in 1990, Jamie O’Hara returned to solo songwriting, and saw the release, on Tuesday 12 April 1994, of his first solo album, ‘Rise Above It’ (RCA Nashville Records, 1994), which was produced by Garth Fundis, and included four tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘What’s A Good Ol’ Boy To Do’ (written by Jamie O’Hara) / this track was released as a single in 1993, but it did not charts
‘The Cold Hard Truth’ (written by Jamie O’Hara) / this track was released as a single in 1994, but it did not chart
‘It Ain’t Over (‘Til Your Heart Says It’s Over)’ (written by Jamie O’Hara) / this track was released as a single in 1994, but it did not chart
‘50,000 Names’ (written by Jamie O’Hara) / this track was released as a single in 1994, but it did not chart / this track, which became something of an anthem for Vietnam vets and their families, was described by Emmylou Harris as ‘about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, but totally apolitical and non-judgmental, a recital of all the things people leave at the wall’ / this track was also recorded by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), who included it on ‘The Rock: Stone Cold Country 2001’ (Bandit Records, 2001); George Jones‘ version of the track reached No.55 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2002
Jamie O’Hara’s first solo album, ‘Rise Above It’ (RCA Nashville Records, 1994), also included the following tracks:
‘Rise Above It’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘Miles of Heartache Yet To Go’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘Some People (Just Can’t Walk The Line)’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘My Little Lady (Ain’t My Little Lady No More)’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘For Reasons I’ve Forgotten’ (written by Jamie O’Hara) / this track was also recorded by Trisha Yearwood, who included it on ‘Hearts In Armor’ (MCA Records, 1992)
‘I’m Livin’ For You’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Personnel involved in the recording of Jamie O’Hara’s first solo album, ‘Rise Above It’ (RCA Nashville Records, 1994), included the following:
Dan Dugmore (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, steel guitar, Dobro)
Jamie O’Hara (lead vocals, acoustic guitar)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Steve Nathan (piano, electric keyboards)
Glenn Worf (bass)
Billy Sanford (tic tac bass, electric guitar)
Harry Stinson and Milton Sledge (drums)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Thom Flora (harmony vocals)
Joy Lynn White (harmony vocals on ‘For Reasons I’ve Forgotten’)
Jamie O’Hara’s first solo album, ‘Rise Above It’ (RCA Nashville Records, 1994), was a commercial success.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) & Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Will You Travel Down This Road With Me’ (co-written with Kieran Kane) and included the track on ‘One’ (MCA Records, 1995).
Shelby Lynne recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Talkin’ To Myself Again’ and included the track on ‘Restless’ (Magnatone Records / Curb Records, 1995).
Shelby Lynne recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Restless’ (co-written with Shelby Lynne and Brent Maher) and included the track on ‘Restless’ (Magnatone Records / Curb Records, 1995).
Shelby Lynne recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Just For The Touch of Your Hand’ (co-written with Shelby Lynne and Brent Maher) and included the track on ‘Restless’ (Magnatone Records / Curb Records, 1995).
Shelby Lynne recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Hey Now Little Darling’ (co-written with Shelby Lynne and Brent Maher) and included the track on ‘Restless’ (Magnatone Records / Curb Records, 1995).
Shelby Lynne recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Reach For The Rhythm’ (co-written with Shelby Lynne and Brent Maher) and included the track on ‘Restless’ (Magnatone Records/Curb Records, 1995).
Shelby Lynne recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Swingtown’ (co-written with Shelby Lynne and Brent Maher) and included the track on ‘Restless’ (Magnatone Records/Curb Records, 1995).
Stacy Dean Campbell recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘I Can Dream’ (co-written with Stacy Dean Campbell) and included the track on ‘Hurt City’ (Columbia Records, 1995).
Paddy O’Brien recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Baby Don’t You Know’ and included the track on ‘Golden Moments’ (A-One Music, 1995).
Mandy Barnett recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Baby Don’t You Know’ and included the track on ‘Mandy Barnett’ (Asylum Records, 1996).
Special Consensus – Greg Cahill (banjo, harmony vocals), Diana Philips (bass, lead vocals, backing vocals), Colby Maddox (mandolin, bass vocal) and Bobby Burns (guitar, lead vocals, harmony vocals), with special guest Aubrey Haynie (fiddle) – recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Gonna Walk That Line’ (co-written with Kieran Kane) and included the track on ‘Strong Enough To Bend’ (Pinecastle Records, 1996).
Trisha Yearwood recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘It’s Alright’ (co-written with Gary Nicholson) and included the track on ‘Everybody Knows’ (MCA Records, 1996).
Wynonna Judd recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘When Love Starts Talkin’ (co-written with Brent Maher and Gary Nicholson) and included the track on ‘The Other Side’ (Curb Records / Universal Records, 1997); the track reached No.13 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
Wynonna Judd recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Troubled Heart & A Troubled Mind’ (co-written with Wynonna Judd and Brent Maher) and included the track on ‘The Other Side’ (Curb Records / Universal Records, 1997).
The Rarely Herd – Jim Stack (lead vocals, baritone vocals, guitar), Jeff Weaver (tenor vocals, second tenor vocals, bass guitar), Calvin Leport (baritone vocals, banjo, acoustic guitar) and Alan Stack (lead vocals, baritone vocals, guitar, mandolin, fiddle) – recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘When We’re Gone, Long Gone’ (co-written with Kieran Kane) and included the track on ‘What About Him’ (Pinecastle Records, 1997); the track also featured Dave Hoffner (keyboard) and Gene Wooten (Dobro).
Greg Holland recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘What’s A Good Ol’ Boy To Do’ and included the track on ‘Exception To The Rule’ (Elektra Records, 1997).
Lee Ann Womack recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘You’ve Got To Talk To Me’ and included the track on ‘Lee Ann Womack’ (Decca Nashville Records, 1997); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1998.
Sara Evans recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Shame About That’ (co-written with Sara Evans) and included the track on ‘Three Chords & The Truth’ (RCA Nashville Records, 1997); the track reached No.48 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998.
Gary Allan recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘I Ain’t Runnin’ Yet’ (co-written with Gary Nicholson) and included the track on ‘It Would Be You’ (Decca Records, 1998).
Sara Evans recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Cryin’ Game’ and included the track on ‘No Place That Far’ (RCA Nashville Records, 1998); the track reached No.56 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998.
Trisha Yearwood recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘That’s Ain’t The Way I Heard It’ and included the track on ‘Where Your Road Leads’ (MCA Records, 1998).
Pam Tillis recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Let The Heartache Down’ and included the track on ‘Every Time’ (Arista Records, 1998).
Lee Ann Womack recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘I Keep Forgetting’ and included the track on ‘Some Things I Know’ (Decca Records, 1998); this track was a duet with Vince Gill.
Brady Seals recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Whole Lotta Hurt’ (co-written with Brady Seals) and included the track on ‘Brady Seals’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1998); the track reached No.66 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998.
Brady Seals recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Love You Too Much’ (co-written with Brady Seals) and included the track on ‘Brady Seals’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1998).
Brady Seals recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘All My Devotion’ (co-written with Brady Seals) and included the track on ‘Brady Seals’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1998).
Gary Allan recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Lovin’ You Against My Will’ and included the track on ‘Smoke Rings In The Dark’ (MCA Records, 1999); the track reached No.34 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1999.
Gary Allan recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘I’m The One’ (co-written with Odie Blackmon and Gary Allan) and included the track on ‘Smoke Rings In The Dark’ (MCA Records, 1999).
Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt & Dolly Parton recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘When We’re Gone, Long Gone’ (co-written with Kieran Kane) and included the track on ‘Trio II’ (Asylum Records, 1999); this track was also included on ‘Songbird: Rare Tracks & Forgotten Gems’ (Rhino Records, 2007).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘The Cold Hard Truth’ and included the track on ‘Cold Hard Truth’ (Asylum Records, 1999).
Stacy Dean Campbell recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Some People (Just Can’t Walk The Line)’ and included the track on ‘Ashes of Old Love’ (Paladin Records, 1999).
Stacy Dean Campbell recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Bidding America Goodbye’ and included the track on ‘Ashes of Old Love’ (Paladin Records, 1999).
On Tuesday 19 September 2000, The O’Kanes (Jamie O’Hara & Kieran Kane) saw the release of ‘The Only Years’ (Columbia Records / Sony Products, 2000), which included the following tracks:
‘Oh Darlin’ (Why Don’t You Care For Me No More)’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) (No.10, 1986) / this track also reached No.6 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1986
‘Bluegrass Blues’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) / this track was an album track from The O’Kanes’ self-titled debut album, ‘The O’Kanes’ (Columbia Records, 1986)
‘One True Love’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) (No.4, 1988) / this track also reached No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1987
‘Highway 55’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) / this track was an album track from The O’Kanes’ ‘Tired of The Running’ (Columbia Records, 1988)
‘All Because of You’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) / this track was an album track from The O’Kanes’ ‘Tired of The Running’ (Columbia Records, 1988)
‘When I Found You’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) / this track was an album track from The O’Kanes’ self-titled debut album, ‘The O’Kanes’ (Columbia Records, 1986)
‘Tired of The Runnin’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) / this track was an album track from The O’Kanes’ ‘Tired of The Running’ (Columbia Records, 1988)
‘Rocky Road’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) (No.71, 1988)
‘This Ain’t Love’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) / this track was an album track from The O’Kanes’ ‘Imagine That’ (Columbia Records, 1989)
‘When We’re Gone, Long Gone’ (written by Jamie O’Hara and Kieran Kane) / this track was an album track from The O’Kanes’ self-titled debut album, ‘The O’Kanes’ (Columbia Records, 1986)
Gina Jeffreys recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Break My Heart’ (co-written with Brent Maher) and included the track on ‘Angel’ (ABC Music Australia, 2001).
On Tuesday 25 September 2001, Jamie O’Hara saw the release of ‘Beautiful Obsession’ (Valley Entertainment Records, 2001), which Jamie O’Hara co-produced with Brent Maher, and which was a moody, vibe-filled, solo album featuring poetic lyrics and melodies which ranged from seductive to deeply spiritual.
Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Beautiful Obsession’ (Valley Entertainment Records, 2001) included the following tracks:
‘Come Swim The Rivers With Me’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Come Swim The Rivers With Me’ included the following:
Jamie O’Hara (lead vocals, electric guitar)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar)
‘Beautiful Obsession’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Beautiful Obsession’ included the following:
Jamie O’Hara (lead vocals, electric guitar)
Crystal Taliefero (backing vocals)
Glen Worf (bass)
Wayne Killius (drums, drum loops)
Kenny Greenburg (electric lead guitar)
John Jarvis (organ)
‘I Surrender’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘I Surrender’ included the following:
Jamie O’Hara (lead vocals, electric guitar)
Vicki Hampton (backing vocals)
Spencer Campbell (drums, drum loops, bass)
Reese Wynans (organ)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar, electric guitar)
‘Don’t Make Me Break Her Heart’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Don’t Make Me Break Her Heart’ included the following:
Jamie O’Hara (lead vocals, electric guitar)
Spencer Campbell (bass)
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Richard Bennett (electric lead guitar)
Emmylou Harris (guest vocals)
Reese Wynans (organ)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar, electric guitar)
‘Can’t Get You Out of My Mind’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Mind’ included the following:
Jamie O’Hara (lead vocals, electric guitar)
Vicki Hampton (backing vocals)
Spencer Campbell (bass, drums)
Mark Selby (electric guitar)
Reese Wynans (organ)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar, electric guitar)
‘Lovin’ You Against My Will’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Loving You Against My Will’ included the following:
Jamie O’Hara (lead vocals, electric guitar)
Vicki Hampton (backing vocals)
Spencer Campbell (bass)
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Kenny Greenburg (electric lead guitar)
Marc Harris (organ)
Dann Sherrill (percussion)
‘That Ain’t The Way I Heard It’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘That Ain’t The Way I Heard It’ included the following:
Jamie O’Hara (lead vocals, electric guitar)
Vicki Hampton (backing vocals)
Spencer Campbell (bass)
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Kenny Greenburg (electric lead guitar)
Lex Browning (mandolin, backing vocals)
Marc Harris (organ)
Dann Sherrill (percussion)
‘See If I Care’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘See If I Care’ included the following:
Jamie O’Hara (lead vocals, electric guitar)
Vicki Hampton (backing vocals)
Spencer Campbell (bass)
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Kenny Greenburg (electric lead guitar)
Lex Browning (mandolin, backing vocals)
Marc Harris (organ)
Dann Sherrill (percussion)
‘Pretend’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Pretend’ included the following:
Jamie O’Hara (lead vocals, electric guitar)
Thom Flora (backing vocals)
Spencer Campbell (bass)
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Mark Selby (electric guitar)
Richard Bennett (electric lead guitar)
Reese Wynans (organ)
‘The Blessing & The Curse’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘The Blessing & The Curse’ included the following:
Jamie O’Hara (lead vocals, electric guitar)
Crystal Taliefero (backing vocals)
Glen Word (bass)
Wayne Killius (drums, drum loops)
Kenny Greenberg (electric lead guitar)
John Jarvis (organ)
‘If It Will Make You Mine’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘If It Will Make You Mine’ included the following:
Jamie O’Hara (lead vocals, electric guitar)
Thom Flora (backing vocals)
Spencer Campbell (bass, drums)
Dan Dugmore (electric guitar, steel guitar)
Reese Wynans (organ)
‘Mantra’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Mantra’ included the following:
Jamie O’Hara (lead vocals, electric guitar)
Emmylou Harris (guest vocals)
Reese Wynans (organ)
Gary Allan recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Man To Man’ and included the track on ‘Alright Guy’ (MCA Records, 2001); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in March 2003, and reached No.25 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2003.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘50,000 Names’ and included the track on ‘The Rock: Stone Cold Country 2001’ (Bandit Records, 2001); the track reached No.55 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2002.
Josh Turner recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Unburn All Our Bridges’ and included the track on ‘Long Black Train’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2003).
Gary Allan recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘See If I Care’ and included the track on ‘See If I Care’ (MCA Records, 2003).
Gary Allan recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘You Don’t Know A Thing About Me’ (co-written with Odie Blackmon and Gary Allan) and included the track on ‘See If I Care’ (MCA Records, 2003).
Julie Roberts recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘You Ain’t Down Home’ and included the track on ‘Julie Roberts’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 2004).
Randy Travis recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Pick Up The Oars & Row’ and included the track on ‘Passing Through’ (Word Records / Warner Bros. Records / Curb Records, 2004).
Gary Allan recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Nickajack’s Cave (Johnny Cash’s Redemption)’ and included the track on ‘Tough All Over’ (MCA Records, 2005).
Gary Allan recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘What Kind of Fool’ and included the track on ‘Tough All Over’ (MCA Records, 2005).
Gary Allan recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘No Damn Good’ (co-written with Odie Blackmon and Gary Allan) and included the track on ‘Tough All Over’ (MCA Records, 2005).
In 2007, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt & Dolly Parton’s recording of Jamie O’Hara’s ‘When We’re Gone, Long Gone’ (co-written with Kieran Kane) was included on Emmylou Harris’ ‘Songbird: Rare Tracks & Forgotten Gems’ (Rhino Records, 2007); the track was previously included on Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt & Dolly Parton’s ‘Trio II’ (Asylum Records, 1999).
Tim McGraw recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Love You Goodbye’ (co-written with Thomas Stevenson Douglas) and included the track on ‘Southern Voice’ (Curb Records, 2009).
Gary Allan recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘We Fly By Night’ (co-written with Odie Blackmon and Gary Allan) and included the track on ‘Get Off On The Pain’ (MCA Records, 2010).
Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017) recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Imagine That’ (co-written with Kieran Kane) and included the track on ‘And So It Goes’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2012), featuring guest harmony vocals from Keith Urban; the original version of this track was included on The O’Kanes’ ‘Imagine That’ (Columbia Records, 1990).
On Thursday 5 July 2012, Jamie O’Hara saw the release of ‘Dream Hymns’ (18th Wave Records, 2012), an album in which he explored the rich mystical and religious imagery of his dreams: a crucified Christ in the ocean, a crown of thorns washed up on a beach, and a holy man with a face of fire. The songs are dark and deeply poetic, filled with the yearning of the spirit.
Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Dream Hymns’ (18th Wave Records, 2012) included the following tracks:
‘Hosanna In The Deepest’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘The Descension’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘The Howl’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘The Sacred You’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘How Broken’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘Orphan Child’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘Mary, Tell Your Son’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘For Mercy’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘Living Water’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘Something Ancient’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
‘My Beloved’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Melinda Schneider & Beccy Cole recorded Jamie O’Hara’s ‘Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Ol’ Days)’ and included the track on ‘Great Women of Country & The Songs That Made Them’ (Universal Music Australia, 2014).
On Monday 4 January 2021, it was announced that Jamie O’Hara had been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. According to a post on Facebook from his wife, Lola White, which was shared by Nashville music company, Moraine Music Group, Jamie O’Hara’s cancer is so far advanced that he could have only weeks.
‘It is with deep sorrow, dear friends, that I must tell you that my husband, Jamie, the love of my life, has been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, that has us measuring his life in weeks.
Something about making such an announcement in this format seems very wrong, but there are so many people who should know, and so little time to contact everyone individually. I apologize for that, but I did want you to know. My heart is shattered, and I’m spending every moment I can with him’
On Thursday 7 January 2021, the following statement was issued via Jamie O’Hara Music on Facebook:
‘Dear friends & fans, it is with a broken heart that I must tell you that my husband, friend and love of my life took his last breath this morning at 11:11 at Alive Hospice (1710 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203), as my son Brian sang him a plethora of Jesse Winchester (Wednesday 17 May 1944 – Friday 11 April 2014) songs, all stunningly appropriate, though we’d never thought of them in this context before, and Jamie’s own songs, including the earliest ones, which were shockingly sophisticated for a man as young as he was when he began his career, and those of other friends.
Jamie suffered tremendously in recent months. He’s no longer suffering, and for that, we can all be grateful. He will live in our hearts and in his songs.
With love and gratitude to all our friends, on and offline, Lola’
• Visit Jamie O’Hara‘s Memorial on Facebook