Biography
Jamie O'Neal, born Jamie Murphy on June 3, 1968, in Sydney, Australia, grew up in a musical family as the daughter of professional musicians Jimmy and Julie Murphy. Alongside her parents and younger sister Samantha, she performed in The Murphy Family band during the 1970s, releasing three self-released albums before her parents' divorce led her to move to Los Angeles with her father. Dropping out of high school, O'Neal pursued music in Nashville, working as a demo singer and securing a songwriting contract with producer Harold Shedd in 1996, followed by an artist-development deal with EMI Music. Her songs were covered by artists like LeAnn Rimes and Chely Wright, and she provided backing vocals for acts including Clay Davidson and Ronnie Milsap.[1][2]
O'Neal's breakthrough came in 2000 when she signed with Mercury Nashville, releasing her debut album Shiver, which featured back-to-back No. 1 singles 'There Is No Arizona' and 'When I Think About Angels,' earning three Grammy nominations and a win for Top New Female Vocalist at the 2001 Academy of Country Music Awards. After parting with Mercury, she joined Capitol Nashville for her 2005 album Brave, highlighted by the Top 10 hit 'Somebody's Hero.' Known for her country-pop style blending heartfelt storytelling with emotive vocals, O'Neal later founded Momentum Label Group in 2012, signing artist Rachele Lynae, and released albums like Eternal (2014, Shanachie Records), Sometimes (2020), and Spirit & Joy (2023).[1][2][3]
Her career reflects resilience, from early backup singing on Kylie Minogue's 1990 Enjoy Yourself Tour and 1991 Let's Get To It Tour to independent ventures and ongoing tours, establishing her as a platinum-selling artist with a lasting presence in country music.[1][2]
Fun Facts
- O'Neal dropped out of high school to pursue music and initially performed in clubs and on street corners in Australia before breaking into Nashville.[2]
- Her family band, The Murphy Family, recorded three self-released albums in the 1970s before disbanding due to her parents' divorce.[1][2]
- She backed pop star Kylie Minogue on major international tours in 1990 and 1991, bridging her Australian roots with country aspirations.[1][9]
- In 2012, O'Neal launched her own label, Momentum Label Group, debuting with artist Rachele Lynae.[1]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Harold Shedd - Producer who offered songwriting contract (Early songwriting deal) [1996]
- Keith Stegall - Producer who led to recording contract (Audition for Mercury Nashville) [1998]
Key Collaborators
- Kylie Minogue - Backing vocalist on tours (Enjoy Yourself Tour (Australia, UK, Europe, Far East Asia); Let's Get To It Tour (UK, Ireland)) [1990-1991]
- Rodney Good - Duet partner ('Where We Belong' on Shiver) [2000]
- Mark Wills - Duet partner ('I'm Not Gonna Do Anything Without You' on Shiver) [2000]
- Rachele Lynae - Signed as flagship artist to her label ('Party 'Til the Cows Come Home' single) [2012]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Shiver | 2000-01-01 | Album |
| Brave | 2005-01-01 | Album |
| Sometimes | 2020-10-16 | Album |
| Spirit & Joy | 2022-10-21 | Album |
| Eternal | 2014-05-27 | Album |
| Spirit & Joy (Deluxe) | 2023-11-03 | Album |
| 12.25 | 2021-11-16 | Album |
| Eternal | 2014-05-27 | Album |
| Eternal | 2014-05-27 | Album |
| Ms. America | 2009-01-03 | Album |
| The Definitive Collection | 2007-01-01 | Album |
| The Definitive Collection | 2007-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- All By Myself
- There Is No Arizona (Shiver)
- When I Think About Angels (Shiver)
- Somebody's Hero (Brave)
- Trying To Find Atlantis (Brave)
- Shiver (Shiver)
- Please Come Home for Christmas
- I'm Not Gonna Do Anything Without You (Loving Every Minute)
- There Is No Arizona (25th Anniversary Edition)
- Straight Into Love (Life Is Like A Song (Deluxe Edition))
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Jamie O'Neal has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 14, 2025 | 14:35 | Gulf of Mexicofrom Spirit & Joy (Deluxe) | Homespun Americanaw/ Ol Man River |