By P.A. Geddie
Singer songwriter Michael O’Neal of Paris, Texas, shares stories that resonate with listeners. With a new album out this year, and a full roster of show dates, his growing fan base continues to let him know they want to hear more.
Heavily influenced by the writing styles of Guy Clark and John Prine, O’neal’s songs are heartfelt and reminiscent, emotionally leading his audience back to their own memories, grief, laughter, and love.
He has shared the stage with some of the heaviest hitters in his genre like Fred Eaglesmith, Chris Knight, Steve Earle, and Ray Wiley Hubbard, to name a few.
His 2023 album, Still Try’n features 14 songs with a tapestry of titles that set the stage for what’s to come: “Counting My Steps,” “Kojack,” “21 South Plaza,” “Headin’ West,” “Just a Song,” “Still Try’n,” “Chasen Songs,” “Windows,” “I Remember,” “Juvenile,” “Bloodline,” “LLC,” “Talkin’ Easy,” and “Soul Shine.”
Opening song, “Counting My Steps,” dives right in to lament on aging and doing the same things and seeing no end to that.
“I used to be quicker than I am now / On my feet and in between my ears / And I been scared of things for my whole life / Now that I’m older, it’s like it’s a brand new bag of fears.”
One line in the song has him wishing for help with a heavy load.
“The road I’m on, it ain’t got no shoulders / And that’s a shame / Because I could use a shoulder sometimes to make it through.”
The chorus adds hope.
“The sun it rises, the sun it sets / And I keep moving but I started counting all my steps /Days are quick shadows long / You ain’t really lost if you can find your way back home.”
In “21 South Plaza,” listeners meet a friend, Terry “Boach” Halbert, who was a shoe shiner and peddled old Western goods at 21 South Plaza in Paris, Texas. After he passed away, O’Neal walked into his shop and wished that he could see him. He does that through this song.
“I smell leather, I smell dirt / I see boots that used to work / Wore out hats, western belts, and cowboy spurs / The floor still squeaks and the ceiling’s tall / It looks like junk, stuccoed wall to wall / But it was home to you / And you’d be shining some shoes / You’d be having a ball.
“Ain’t it funny how smell / Ain’t it funny how sound / Can make an old friend so easily found / Even though they’re gone / You’re no longer alone / When you’re walking around.”
Fellow songwriters weigh in on Still Try’n.
“Take note. In this hurried world, we have a lot thrown at us and it’s hard for some to filter what’s worth paying attention to. Michael O’Neal peels back the curtain for a glimpse into his world as he shoulders the burdens and blessings life lends us while we’re here. He has created yet another bridge from bone to soul to heart — truths about lyin’ sons-a-bitches, soldiers, heroes, rag tag drunks, friends, and fiends we can’t help but love… making it a welcome contender to the seemingly over-done, over- the- top, over-hyped, instant, rushed, sold but not bought “music” that’s been slathered on us like oil for an 80s suntan for much too long.
“‘Still Try’n’ is a peek through the blinds of a life that pays attention, ponders, and carefully pens it to paper with songs that leave enough room to bring you along…. These songs will resonate if you got a heartbeat. Never flashy, never in your face, and it’s not pop or quasi-anything. It’s pure, honest, handmade sketches from a heart and mind that puts all his chips on the underdog and sees the strength in people who seem to have none.” — Shad Blair
“Michael O’Neal’s work lives on the border of the everyday and the sublime. It’s real and honest, and gets at the big ideas — love, loss, death, and life — through specific characters and stories and places. Listening to his songs is like looking through a microscope and seeing these interesting little details and then coming away realizing you just saw the universe.” — Eric Schmitt
“I listened to Michael O’Neal’s song ‘Talkin’ Easy.’ There’s no catchy, repeating, singalong chorus…..no clever wordplay or flashy production…and no apparent attempt to impress anyone or prove anything. So is it even a song? Damn right it is. I hear sincerity in the words and feel comfort in the chords. I care about the characters and want to know more. I listen again. I’m moved. This is exactly what a song is supposed to do. Well done Michael.” — Verlon Thompson
“I love the simple production of these songs. Simple and pure and uncluttered. To let a listener really focus and meditate on the words. Which are everything and so worth pondering. The John Prine influence is unmistakable…in all the right ways. You can feel the grit and the gravel and the grind of the road that only gets grittier as you get more tired and realize you could actually be lonelier. I feel like the smell of leather is still in my clothes as I tag along behind Michael’s mind while it wanders through his old friend’s leather shop.” Max Stalling
Catch Michael O’Neal at The Forge in Ben Wheeler, November 18; The Rock Yard, Trenton, November 25; Magel’s Grill, Paris, December 2; The Celt Irish Pub, McKinney, December 23; and Heritage Hall Paris, December 29. Learn more about him and order his music on www.MichaelOnealMusic.com.