Jamie O'Hara

James Paul O'Hara (August 8, 1950 – January 7, 2021) was an American country music artist. Between 1986 and 1990, he and Kieran Kane comprised The O'Kanes, a duo that charted seven singles on the Billboard Hot 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, including The Judds' 1986 hit "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)" which earned him a Grammy Award.

Biography O'Hara was born in Toledo, Ohio, where he attended Ottawa Hills High School (Ohio) and played Varsity Football. He had initially planned to pursue a career in American football, but after a career-ending knee injury, O'Hara shifted his focus to singing and songwriting. 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 were "Older Women" and "Wandering Eyes" a number one and number two single, both for Ronnie McDowell.

Signed to Columbia Nashville 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 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 Nashville in 1994. His only album for the label, Rise Above It, was issued that year, followed by a second album titled 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 Albums Title Details Rise Above It Release date: April 12, 1994 Label: RCA Nashville Beautiful Obsession Release date: September 25, 2001 Label: Valley Records Dream Hymns Release Date: July 5, 2012 Label: The 18th Wave

Singles 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"

Music videos Year Video Director 1993 "What's a Good Ol' Boy to Do" Bubba Crigler 1994 "The Cold Hard Truth" Brent Hedgecock "It Ain't Over (Til Your Heart Says It's Over)" "50,000 Names"