O'Shea (band)
Encyclopedia
O’Shea is a country music
duo formed by husband and wife team Mark O’Shea (born Feb 16,1977) and Jay O’Shea (Nee Smith). Since relocating to Nashville, TN in 2007, the duo has seen success not only as artists, but also as songwriters, and finalists in the Country Music Television series "Can You Duet
".
Mark had began his musical career at an early age by winning the Gympie Music Muster talent competition which led to a record deal he signed at age 17. His debut album earned Mark two Golden Guitar awards from the CMAA for Best New Talent of the Year (1996) for the track “The Swimming Song” and Best Video (1997) for video “The Dreamer”. Eventually Mark left his solo career to form rock/pop group Zinc
that signed with Los Angeles based label, Trauma. The band’s first single released in Australia “The Morning After” (co-written with Mark Hudson) reached #22 on the ARIA
charts (2004). In 2006, Mark toured as a guitarist for artist Ronn Moss
and also had his own song “When We Kissed” recorded and released on Moss’ “Uncovered” album in 2005.
In addition to her musical endeavors, Jay also toured the UK and Europe with the Australian Dance-Drill team at age 15. In 2003 Jay signed her first publishing deal with Warner Chappell London. While working in London, Jay co-wrote “Rutinas” with Wendy Page and Jim Marr. It became the hit single on Chenoa
's album Nada Es Igual
and reached #1 on the Spanish Charts in 2005.
, Jimmy Wayne
, Sara Evans
, and the Oak Ridge Boys.
While working with Nashville- based Australian producer, Mark Moffat the duo recorded hit single “Old School”. The video for the single reached #7 on Australia’s Country Music Channel
2010. The next single released, “Smash,” co-written with Kim Carnes
, reached #1 on CMC’s Top 50 Video Countdown. In 2011, O’Shea performed at 'CMC Rocks the Hunter' and hosted the DVD coverage of the event.
In 2010, the pair began hosting their own TV show called “O’Shea USA” which currently airs on Australia’s Country Music Channel (CMC).
In 2011, the duo signed to Sony Australia to release their debut album "Mr. and Mrs." The album featured 11 tracks written/ co-written by the duo alongside Nashville co-writers Dave Berg
, Josh Leo
, and Georgia Middleman
, and debuted at #9 on the ARIA
charts.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
duo formed by husband and wife team Mark O’Shea (born Feb 16,1977) and Jay O’Shea (Nee Smith). Since relocating to Nashville, TN in 2007, the duo has seen success not only as artists, but also as songwriters, and finalists in the Country Music Television series "Can You Duet
Can You Duet
Can You Duet is an American reality-competition show airing on CMT. The show is produced by FremantleMedia, the same company that produced American Idol.The show premiered on April 14, 2008 and the first season ended on June 13, 2008....
".
Early Careers
Individually Mark and Jay have both seen success as independent artists as their career has taken them across the globe. Originally from Dalby, QueenslandDalby, Queensland
Dalby is a town in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia, and is located approximately west of the state capital, Brisbane, at the junction of the Warrego, Moonie and Bunya Highways. Dalby is the administrative centre of the Western Downs Region and the centre of Australia's richest...
Mark had began his musical career at an early age by winning the Gympie Music Muster talent competition which led to a record deal he signed at age 17. His debut album earned Mark two Golden Guitar awards from the CMAA for Best New Talent of the Year (1996) for the track “The Swimming Song” and Best Video (1997) for video “The Dreamer”. Eventually Mark left his solo career to form rock/pop group Zinc
Zinc (band)
Zinc are an Australian three piece band. The band is made up of Adam Ray and brothers John and Mark O'Shea. Their debut single "The Morning After" reached #22 on the ARIA charts...
that signed with Los Angeles based label, Trauma. The band’s first single released in Australia “The Morning After” (co-written with Mark Hudson) reached #22 on the ARIA
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
charts (2004). In 2006, Mark toured as a guitarist for artist Ronn Moss
Ronn Moss
Ronald Montague "Ronn" Moss is an American actor, musician and singer/songwriter, a member of the band Player, and best known for portraying Ridge Forrester, the dynamic fashion magnate on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful since 1987.- Early life and music career :Ronn Moss was born...
and also had his own song “When We Kissed” recorded and released on Moss’ “Uncovered” album in 2005.
In addition to her musical endeavors, Jay also toured the UK and Europe with the Australian Dance-Drill team at age 15. In 2003 Jay signed her first publishing deal with Warner Chappell London. While working in London, Jay co-wrote “Rutinas” with Wendy Page and Jim Marr. It became the hit single on Chenoa
Chenoa
María Laura Corradini Falomir, popularly known as Chenoa is a famous Argentine-Spanish female music artist who became successful after appearing on the TV contest Operación Triunfo. Her music style could be described in the United States as pop...
's album Nada Es Igual
Nada Es Igual
Nada Es Igual may refer to :* Nada Es Igual , by Mexican artist Luis Miguel* Nada Es Igual , by Venezuelan artist Franco De Vita]* Nada Es Igual , by Spanish artist Chenoa...
and reached #1 on the Spanish Charts in 2005.
Forming O’Shea
It wasn’t until 2007, when the pair moved to Nashville, TN that the couple ever considered making music together. O’Shea was soon travelling across the U.S. to open for artists Phil VassarPhil Vassar
Phil Vassar is an American country music artist. Vassar made his debut on the country music scene in the late 1990s, co-writing singles for several country artists, including Tim McGraw , Jo Dee Messina , Collin Raye , and Alan Jackson Phil Vassar (born May 28, 1964 in Lynchburg, Virginia) is an...
, Jimmy Wayne
Jimmy Wayne
Jimmy Wayne Barber is an American country music singer and songwriter. He released his self-titled debut album in 2003 on the DreamWorks Records label. Four singles were released from it, including "Stay Gone" and "I Love You This Much", which both reached Top Ten on the Billboard country charts...
, Sara Evans
Sara Evans
Sara Lynn Evans is an American country singer and songwriter.Evans was one of the few traditional-styled singers to emerge from Nashville in the late 1990s, according to Allmusic. Since emerging in the late 1990s, Evans has made five No. 1 Country hits and Gold and Platinum-certified albums by...
, and the Oak Ridge Boys.
While working with Nashville- based Australian producer, Mark Moffat the duo recorded hit single “Old School”. The video for the single reached #7 on Australia’s Country Music Channel
Country Music Channel
Country Music Channel is an Australian cable and satellite music television channel owned and operated by XYZnetworks. It airs on Foxtel and Austar...
2010. The next single released, “Smash,” co-written with Kim Carnes
Kim Carnes
Kim Carnes is an American singer-songwriter. She is a two-time Grammy Award winner noted for her distinctive raspy vocal style. Some people have called her "The Female Rod Stewart" due to her raspy voice....
, reached #1 on CMC’s Top 50 Video Countdown. In 2011, O’Shea performed at 'CMC Rocks the Hunter' and hosted the DVD coverage of the event.
In 2010, the pair began hosting their own TV show called “O’Shea USA” which currently airs on Australia’s Country Music Channel (CMC).
In 2011, the duo signed to Sony Australia to release their debut album "Mr. and Mrs." The album featured 11 tracks written/ co-written by the duo alongside Nashville co-writers Dave Berg
Dave Berg (songwriter)
Dave Berg is an American country music songwriter. His credits include the Number One country hits "Somebody" by Reba McEntire, "If You're Going Through Hell " and "These Are My People" by Rodney Atkins, and "Moments" by Emerson Drive...
, Josh Leo
Josh Leo
Josh Leo is an American guitarist, songwriter, and record producer active in Nashville, Tennessee.Leo was born in Des Moines, Iowa, but was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1973, he moved to Chicago, Illinois and subsequently became a guitarist of the short-lived Eddie Boy Band...
, and Georgia Middleman
Georgia Middleman
Georgia Leigh Middleman is an American country singer. Middleman sang from age ten at the Texas Star Inn in San Antonio, and began writing songs shortly thereafter. She sold recordings of her first song, There's a Rainbow in Everybody's Heart, on her elementary school playground...
, and debuted at #9 on the ARIA
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
charts.
Awards
| Award | Category | Artist | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Guitar | Best New Talent | Mark O'Shea | 1996 |
| Golden Guitar | Best Video | Mark O'Shea | 1997 |
Songwriting Cuts
| Song Title | Recording Artist | Album | Songwriter | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutinas | Chenoa Chenoa María Laura Corradini Falomir, popularly known as Chenoa is a famous Argentine-Spanish female music artist who became successful after appearing on the TV contest Operación Triunfo. Her music style could be described in the United States as pop... |
Nada Is Egual | Jay O'Shea | 2005 |
| When We Kissed | Ronn Moss Ronn Moss Ronald Montague "Ronn" Moss is an American actor, musician and singer/songwriter, a member of the band Player, and best known for portraying Ridge Forrester, the dynamic fashion magnate on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful since 1987.- Early life and music career :Ronn Moss was born... |
Uncovered | Mark O'Shea | 2005 |
| Good Thing Gone | Dan Evans | Goin' All Out | Mark O'Shea | 2008 |
Videos
| Video | Rank | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Old School | #7 on CMC | 2010 |
| Smash | #1 on CMC | 2011 |