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O'Bryan

b. 1961

American musician, singer/songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist

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About O'Bryan

Born 1961. O'Bryan is an American singer-songwriter, composer, singer, record producer and singing.

Early life O'Bryan McCoy Burnette II began playing the piano at 6 years old and then began singing in the church and at local talent shows. In 1974, he and his family moved to Santa Ana, California. O’Bryan was singing in the Second Baptist Church young adult choir when his friend Melanee Kersey approached him about considering a career in music. Melanee Kersey introduced the young singer to her husband, producer Ron Kersey.

A former keyboardist for the Trammps and a veteran of the ’70s Philadelphia music scene, Kersey invited O’Bryan to join a group he was putting together. That group quickly folded, so Kersey later introduced O’Bryan to "Soul Train" television show creator and host Don Cornelius, with whom Kersey formed Friendship Producers Company. The success of “Lovelite” prompted Capitol to release “Breakin’ Together” as the next single. But it was O’Bryan's penchant for ballads — the quiet storm staple “Lady I Love You;” the lovelorn “You’re Always on My Mind;” and “Go on and Cry,” which was the third single — that shone as the album's highlights. The title track also became known as one of O'Bryan's better uptempo songs.

In 1986, O’Bryan released his fourth studio album, Surrender.

80 10

87 13

64 3

— 66

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2017

— — Headstorm

Compilation albums The Best of O'Bryan (1996, The Right Stuff)

Singles Year Title Peak chart positions US USR&B USDan 1982 "The Gigolo" 57 5 62 "Still Water (Love)" — 23 — 1983 "I'm Freaky" — 15 — "You and I" — 19 — "Soul Train's a 'Comin' (Party Down)" — — — 1984 "Lovelite" 101 1 37 "Breakin' Together" — 32 — "Go on and Cry" — 62 — 1986 "Tenderoni" — 35 — "Dreamin' About You" — — — 1987 "Driving Force" — 69 — "You Have Got to Come to Me" — — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
O'Bryan Burnette II, O'Bryan McCoy Burnette II

People in O'Bryan's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped O'Bryan's

Frequently asked questions

Who is O'Bryan?

American musician, singer/songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist

When was O'Bryan born?

O'Bryan was born on 5 December 1961 in Burgaw.

What is O'Bryan's occupation?

O'Bryan is a singer-songwriter, composer, singer, record producer and singing.

What nationality is O'Bryan?

O'Bryan is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: O'Bryan

· Wikidata: Q2043253

· DBpedia: O'Bryan

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). O'Bryan. https://biography.guide/o-bryan/

MLA: "O'Bryan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/o-bryan/.

Chicago: "O'Bryan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/o-bryan/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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