Todd O'Neill

Down in Louisiana, when they're cooking up something in the kitchen, they tend to throw a little bit of everything in the pot. Applying that same homegrown creative philosophy to his life and to his music, singer/songwriter Todd O'Neill has concocted his own recipe for some seriously soulful, heartfelt and rockin' country music. Perfected in countless honky tonks and dancehalls in the region around his hometown of Hammond, just north of New Orleans, O'Neill's all-inclusive country music vision embraces everything from tear-in-your-beer ballads to flat-out country rock anthems, wrapped up in a tall, good looking package and delivered in a pure-country voice that sounds at once instantly familiar and like nobody you've heard before. Growing up in a musical melting pot, O'Neill was surrounded by a dizzying array of musical styles. "My mom listened to country, my brother listened to rock 'n' roll, my sister liked pop music and my dad, oldies," O'Neill says with a laugh. "Everybody listened to something different. So when I was little, I really didn't have a favorite genre."While he was absorbing all of his musical influences – from the eclectic sounds around his house to the rhythms of the Big Easy to the south – O'Neill was busy being a typical kid, concentrating on everything but music. "I think I've always been that country singer, even when I was two or three years old," he says. "I always loved to sing, but I didn't know I was good at it until I got out of high school and my friends started telling me I was good." His singing may have been restricted to the shower and "the typical karaoke stuff kids do," but O'Neill invariably found other ways to express his creative soul. A self-avowed "ham," he was known among friends to break out in a particularly inspired dance when the spirit(s) moved him. Hitting the dance floor one night at a hometown club, his "Napoleon Dynamite" moves caught the attention of guitarist Scott Feske, who was onstage with his band, Big Cat Daddy. "Scott asked me where I'd ever learned to dance like that, and all my friends said, 'You ought to hear him sing!'" O'Neill recalls. "This was just a little club in Hammond on a Friday night. I got up and sang Travis Tritt's 'Here's a Quarter,' and I blew them away. That was the first time I was onstage, and I loved it. It was like an addiction." For O'Neill, that initial performance was the beginning of some important friendships, and, though he didn't quite know it at the time, the beginning of a great career in country music. Feske invited the young singer back, and O'Neill eventually joined the group on the road. Armed with the 110-proof power of their new singer's one-of-a-kind country voice and heartthrob appeal, Big Cat Daddy quickly morphed into Todd O'Neill and Big Cat Daddy, before the singer finally earned top billing as a solo artist. Feske left Big Cat Daddy a few years back, but he and O'Neill still regularly co-write songs together. Meanwhile, O'Neill and band have grown into one of the tightest, most compelling live acts in a region where the musical standards are high and the competition stiff. "A little south and west of here, the Cajun style of music is really big," O'Neill says. "It's hard to play in this area without an accordion, or a squeeze box as we call them. You've got to be on your A-game, so we keep things interesting and people keep coming out to hear us. I guess there's s a certain appeal, because, around here anyway, we are so different." Ask any of his growing legions of fans, the throngs of country music lovers who hit the dance floor every time Todd O'Neill and Big Cat Daddy crank things up on a Saturday night. The band – road-tight and ready to rock – always kicks ass, but it's O'Neill the country singer that makes it happen. In the tradition of his role models – Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley and especially Otis Redding – O'Neill is totally committed to any song he's singing. "Otis was unique," O'Neill says. "He wasn't scared to go out on a limb and do what he felt, no matter if it was corny. That's what I've always liked about him. And I love Merle and Keith, but I really don't sound like them. Out of all the songs we do, every time we break out the Haggard or the Conway Twitty stuff, that's what really grabs people's attention. I think there's still a big market for that stuff." As he built his regional reputation at home, O'Neill was making regular trips to Nashville, actually moving to Music City for a year back in 2003 to get a feel for the business and to work on his songwriting. It was an invaluable experience that sent the fledgling artist back home and back to the drawing board. "Nashville really showed me how unprepared I was," O'Neill says. "At the time, I didn't realize my guns weren't loaded, but I spent a lot of time networking and finding out what the deal was." Refueled, re-energized and armed with a world of experience and some world-class country songs, O'Neill is spending lots of time in Nashville these days, working with veteran producer Jim Allison on his forthcoming debut release for Aria Records Nashville. An artist at his creative peak, O'Neill draws on all of his influences once he gets in front of a microphone in the recording studio. "Country music today is like yesterday's rock n roll," he says. "Little Big Town with their harmonies, that's like the doo wop my dad used to listen to. And LeAnn Rimes' new single, 'Nothin' Better To Do,' is such a soulful tune, it reminds me of old R&B." His influences may be wide-ranging, but onstage and in the studio O'Neill's focus is unshakable, and whatever he sings is unmistakably, undeniably country. "On this album, we've got a little bit of everything – pop, rock, old country, new country, classic rock – and that's what my shows have always been," he says. "Everything from Otis Redding to Bon Jovi, everything and anything, and I think that's what country music has become. Any genre of music that welcomes Van Zant, the Eagles, and Bon Jovi, I'm proud of that and I'm embracing that."

Radio Request Lines

ALASKA
Anchorage - KRUP 99.1 FM Request Line: (907)842-2333
Anchorage - KBRJ 104.1 FM Request Line: (907)344-1041
ALABAMA
Birmingham - WDXB 102.5 the Bull FM Request Line: (205) 323-1025
Dothan - WTVY FM Request Line 800-342-3695
Mobile - WKSJ 94.9 FM Request Line: (334) 770-9536
Greenville - WQZX 94.3 FM Request Line: (334) 382-6633
Montgomery - WLWI 92.3 FM Request Line: (334)860-9200
ARIZONA
Phoenix - KMLE Country 108 FM Request Line: (602) 260-0108
Phoenix - KNIX 102.5 FM KNIX Country Request Line: (602) 260-5649
Tucson - KiiM FM 99.5 Request Line: (520) 880-KiiM (5446)
ARKANSAS
Little Rock - KSSN 96 FM Request Line: (501) 433-0960
CALIFORNIA
Bakersfield - KUZZ AM 55 FM 107.9 Request Line: (661) 842-5555
Fresno - KSKS 93.7 FM Request Line: (559) 247-5000 or 1-800-767-KISS (5477)
Los Angeles - KZLA 93.9 FM Request Line: (800) 977-1939
Modesto-Stockton - KATM FM 103 Cat Country Request Lines: Modesto: (209) 766-5103
Stockton: (209) 956-5103 Toll-Free: 1-800-499-5103
Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz - KTOM The New 92.7 Request Line: (800) 660-KTOM
Riverside, CA - KFRG 95.1FM Request Line: (909) 431-3764
Sacramento -KNCI 105.1 FM Request Line: (916) 766-5105
Sacramento- KNTY 101.9 FM Request Line: (916) 766-WOLF(9653)
San Diego - KSON FM 97.3 & 92.1 Request Line: (619) 570-1973 or (800) 243-1973
San Diego - KUSS 95.7 FM Request Line: (858) 570-1957
San Jose - KRTY 95.3 FM Request Line: (408) 575-5789
Visalia - KJUG FM 106.7 Request Line: (559) 627-KJUG
COLORADO
Colorado Springs - KCCY 96.9 FM Request Line:
Colorado Springs (719) 573-KCCY (5229);
Colorado Springs KATC 95.1 Request Line: (719) 528-8228
Pueblo (719) 544-KCCY (5229)
Denver - KYGO 98.5 FM Request Line: (303) 631-2985 or on your Sprint PCS Wireless phone
CONNECTICUT
Hartford - WWYZ - Country 92.5 FM Request Line: (860) 249-9250
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington - WMZQ FM 98.7 Request Line: (800) 505-0098
FLORIDA
Fort Myers - WWGR Request Line: 941-963-1019 877-787-1019
Fort Myers - WCKT FM 100 Request Line: (800) 827-1071
Gainesville/Ocala - WOGK 93.7 K-Country Request Line: (877) 937-7883
Jacksonville - WGNE 99.9 Gator Country Request Line: (800) 725-9990 or (904) 725-9990
Lakeland - WPCV 97.5 FM Request Lines: (863) 683-9797 or (863) 293-9797 or (800) 227-9797
Miami - WKIS 99.9 KISS Country Request Line: (954) 550-9999
Tampa - WQYK 99.5 FM Request Line: (813) 990-9999 or (800) 992-1099
West Palm Beach - WIRK The Country K 107.9 FM Request Line: (800) 919-1079
GEORGIA
Atlanta - WKHX KICKS 101.5 FM Request Line: (404) 741-0101
Columbus - WKCN Kissin' 99.3 FM Request Line: (706) 327-0993
Baxley - WBYZ Z-94 Request line: (912) 267-3000
Valdosta - WAAC 92.9 FM Request Line: (912) 242-4513
IDAHO
Boise - KIZN 92.3FM Request Line: (208) 424-9292
Boise - KQFC 98 FM Request Line: (208) 336-3298
ILLINOIS
Chicago -US -99 Request Line: (312) 591-8799
INDIANA
Fort Wayne - WQHK 105 FM Request Line: (260) 447-5105
Indianapolis - WFMS FM 95.5 Request Line: (317) 255-WFMS (9367)
Terre Haute - WTHI HI-99 Request Line: 1-800-686-9844 Tell Diane Hello
IOWA
Des Moines - KHKI FM 97.3 the Hawk Request Line: (515) 312-0973
Des Moines - KJJY 92.5 FM Request Line: (515) 312-0925
KANSAS
Wichita - KFDI FM 103.3 Request Line: (316) 436-1013
Wichita - KZSN 102.1 FM Request Line: (316) 436-1021
KENTUCKY Lexington - WBUL FM 98.1 The Bull Request Line: (859) 280-9898
Lexington - WLXX FM 92.9 The Bear Request Line: (859) 280-2929 or (877) 777-9929
Louisville - WAMZ 97.5 Request Line: (502) 571-9736 or (800) 866-9736
LOUISIANA
Baton Rouge - WYNK 101.5 FM Request Line: (225) 499-WYNK (9965)
Baton Rouge - WYPY New Country 100.7 FM Request Line: (225) 499-1007
Lafayette - KMDL 97.3 Request Line: (318) 261-9797
Lafayette - KXKC 99.1 Request Line: (337) 920-KXKC (5952) or (866) 539-KXKC (5952)
MAINE
Portland - WPOR FM 101.9 Request Line: (207) 792-9767
MARYLAND
Baltimore - WPOC 93.1 FM Request Line: (410) 481-9762
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston - WKLB 99.5 FM Request Line: (617)931-1150
Springfield - WPKX KIX 97.9 Request Line: (800) 345-9759 or (413) 736-9759
MICHIGAN
Detroit - WYCD 99.5 FM Request Line: (313) 298-1999
Flint - WFBE 95.1 FM Request Line: (877)-HIVE-B95 (877)-448-3295
Grand Rapids - WBCT B-93.7 FM Request Line: (616) 242-9393 or (800) 633-9393
Grand Rapids - WTNR Thunder 94.5 FM Request Line: (800) 968-9450 or (616) 774-9450
Lansing - WITL 100.7 FM Request Line: (517) 363-2233 or (800) 968-WITL (9485)
Muskegon - WMUS FM Request Line: (817) 222-WMUS (9687) Saginaw - WKCQ 98 FM Request Line: (989)835-4698
MISSISSIPPI
Biloxi - WZKX 107.9 FM Request Line: (228) 896-4530 or (888) 343-4530
MISSOURI
Branson - KRZK 106.3 FM Request Line: (417) 334-6003
Kansas City - WDAF Country 106.5 FM Request Line: (816) 576-7000
Kansas City - KBEQ FM 104 Request Line: (816) 576-7104 Request Fax: (816) 531-7327 or Verizon Cell: *104
St. Louis - KSD 93.7 the Bull Request Line: (314) 969-BULL (2855)
NEBRASKA
Omaha - KXKT Kat 103 Request Line: (402) 962-1037
Omaha - KHUS 93.3 FM Request Line: (402) 962-9333
Lincolin - KZKX 96.9 FM Request Line: (402) 488-9604
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Portsmouth/Dover - WOKQ 97.5 FM Request Line: (800) 370-0975
NEVADA
Las Vegas - KWNR 95.5 FM Request Line: (702) 798-9500
Reno - KBUL 98.1 FM Request Line: (775) 793-1098
NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque/Santa Fe - KBQI 107.9 FM Request Line: (505) 875-1079
Albuquerque KRST 92.3 FM Request Line: (505) 243-9292
NEW YORK
Albany - WGNA 107.7FM Request Line: (518) 476-1077 or (800) 476-1077
Rochester - WBEE Today's Country 92.5 FM Request Line: (585) 222-WBEE (9233)
Syracuse - WBBS FM B-104.7 Request Line: (315) 421-1047
NORTH CAROLINA
Charlotte - WKKT Request line:704-570-9690 800-570-9690
Greensboro - WTQR 104.1 FM Request Line: (336) 822-1041
Greenville - WRNS 95.1 FM Request Line: (888) 682-WRNS (9767)
Rocky Mount - WDWG The Big Dawg 98.5FM Request Line: (252) 985-3294
OHIO
Akron - WQMX FM 94.9 Request Line: (330) 370-2000
Cincinnati - WUBE B-105.1 FM Request Line: (513) 749-B105
Cleveland - WGAR 99.5 FM Request Line: (216) 578-0995 or (800) 222-WGAR (9427)
Columbus - WCOL 92.3 FM Request Line: (614) 821-WCOL (9265) or 1-800-899-WCOL (9265)
Toledo - WKKO K100 Country Request Line: (419) 240-1000
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma City - KKNG 93.3 FM Request Line: (405) 616-5500
Tulsa - KVOO 98.5 FM Request Line: (918) 460-9898
OREGON
Portland - KWJJ Request Line:503-226-5955 800-456-5955
PENNSYLVANIA
Allentown - WCTO 96.1 FM Request Line: (610) 720-9696
Harrisburg - WRBT BOB 94.9 FM Request Line: (717) 671-9949 or (800) 257-9949
Lancaster - WIOV FM105 Request Lines: Lancaster: (717) 626-1700 Reading:(610) 678-9260
Philadelphia - WXTU 92.5 FM Request Lines: (PA) (215) 263-6700 (NJ) (856) 964-4300
Pittsburgh - WDSY Y108 FM Request Line: (413) 333-9108 or (800) 336-9108
Wilkes Barre - WGGY Froggy 101.3 FM Request Line: (800) 570-1013
Wilkes Barre - WSJR 93.7 FM Request Line: (800) 351-8372
York - WGTY 107.7 FM Request Line: (800) 351-8372
RHODE ISLAND
Providence - WCTK Cat Country 98.1 FM Request Line: (401) 224-1285
SOUTH CAROLINA
Columbia - WCOS 97.5 FM Request Line: (803) 742-1098
Greenville - WESC 92.5 FM Request Line: (864) 291-9372 or (800) 845-9372
Greenville - WSSL 100.5 FM Request Line: (864) 291-9775 or (800) 522-9775
N. Charleston - WNKT Cat Country 107.5 FM Request Line: (843) 721-1075
SOUTH DAKOTA
Chamberlain - KPLO FM Request Line: (605) 734-4000
TENNESSEE
Chattanooga - WUSY US-101 FM Request Line: (423) 642-9101
Jackson - WWYN 106.9 FM Request Line ( Toll Free) 866-996-1069
Johnson City - WXBQ 96.9 FM Request Line: (540) 669-3697 or (800) 332-3697
Knoxville - WIVK 107.7 FM Request Line: (865) 656-9485
Memphis - WGKX 105.9 FM, KIX 106 Request Line: (901) 535-9106
Nashville - WKDF 103 FM Request Line: (615) 737-1033
Nashville - WSIX The Big 98 FM Request Line: (615) 737-9800
Nashville - WSM FM 95.5 The Wolf Request Line: (615) 737-9500
TEXAS
Austin - KASE 101 FM Request Line: (512) 390-5273
Corpus Christi - KFTX 97.5 FM Request Line: (361) 560-KFTX (5389) or (877) 560-REAL (7325)
Dallas - KPLX 99.5 The Wolf Request Line: (214) 787-1995 or (888) 462-1995
Dallas - KSCS 96.3 FM Request Line: (214) 787-1963 or (817) 640-1963
Dallas - KTYS FM 96.7 The Twister Request Line: (214) 787-1967
El Paso - KHEY 96.3 FM Request Line: (915) 880-9696
Houston - KILT the New 100.3 FM Request Line: (713) 390-KILT (5458)
McAllen/Brownsville - KTEX 106.1 FM Request Line: (800) 259-1061
UTAH
Salt Lake City - KEGA 101.5 The Eagle- Request Line:
Utah County - 470-1015, Salt Lake County - 570-1015,
Weber/Davis County - 670-1015 Toll Free - (866) 551-1015
Salt Lake City - KSOP - The Cowboy 104.3 FM Request & Contest Lines: FM
(801) 570-KSOP (5767) AM
(801) 972-1370
Salt Lake City - KUBL - K-Bull 93 FM Request Line: (801) 570-9393
VIRGINIA
Norfolk - WGH 97.3 The Eagle Request Line: (757) 490-9797
Roanoke - WSLC 94.9 FM Request Line: (540) 767-STAR (7827) or (800) 949-STAR (7827)
Roanoke - WYYD 108 FM Request Line: (800) 521-1108
WASHINGTON
Seattle - KKWF 100.7 FM - Request Line: (206) 421-WOLF (9653) (866) 328-WOLF (9653)
Seattle - KMPS 94.1 FM - Request Line: (206) 421-5677
Spokane - KDRK Cat Country 94 FM Request Line: (509) 241-0094
Spokane - KIXZ KIX 96 FM Request Line: (509) 441-3296
WISCONSIN
Fond Du Lac - WPKR 99.5 The Wolf Request Line: (866) 996-WOLF (9653)
Green Bay - WNCY Y100 FM Request Line: (920) 444-1003 or (800) 359-1003
Greenfield - WMIL FM 106.1 Request Line: (414) 799-1061
Sparta - WCOW FM Cow 97 Request Line: (888) COWCOW9 (888-269-2699)