The O'Kanes
| Company type | Duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder | Jamie O'Hara, Kieran Kane |
| Defunct | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Nashville , United States |
| Products | Country music albums and singles |
| Parent | Columbia Records Nashville |
The O'Kanes were a duo in the American country music scene, featuring vocalists and guitarists Jamie O'Hara and Kieran Kane. Their active years spanned from 1986 to 1990, during which they released three albums under Columbia Records and achieved seven charting singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, notably including "Can't Stop My Heart from Loving You".
Biography
Comprising singer-songwriters Jamie O'Hara and Kieran Kane, The O'Kanes brought together two seasoned musicians. Kane, born October 7, 1949, in Queens, New York, began his musical journey at age nine. His career took him to Los Angeles, California for professional engagements before country artist Deborah Allen encouraged his move to Nashville, Tennessee. By 1980, Kane had secured a solo contract with Elektra Records, releasing an album and placing eight singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. He earned a nomination for the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Male Vocalist award in 1983.
O'Hara (August 8, 1950 – January 7, 2021), originally from Toledo, Ohio, initially aimed for a football career but shifted to music following an injury. He performed extensively in Midwestern clubs before relocating to Nashville in the late 1970s.
Their paths crossed while both held publishing deals with Tree International Publishing in Nashville. O'Hara had already found success penning hits such as "Older Women" and "Wandering Eyes" for Ronnie McDowell and "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)" for The Judds. Encouraged by these achievements, he partnered with Kane; their composition "Bluegrass Blues" was recorded by The Judds and Southern Pacific. Although initially recording demos without intentions of forming a group, the favorable reception to their sound prompted them to establish a formal duo.
Musical career
In 1986, O'Hara and Kane officially formed The O'Kanes and signed with Columbia Records Nashville that same year. Their debut album was released under their own creative direction, featuring original demos that they wrote, performed, and produced independently. Between 1986 and 1987, the duo charted four singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: "Oh Darlin' (Why Don't You Care for Me No More)", "Can't Stop My Heart from Loving You", "Daddies Need to Grow Up Too", and "Just Lovin' You". Among these, "Can't Stop My Heart from Loving You" reached number one, while the others secured spots within the top ten. Their follow-up album in 1988, Tired of the Runnin'’', included top ten hits like "One True Love" and "Blue Love"; however, "Rocky Road" did not enter the top 40. Their last release with Columbia, Imagine That (1990), failed to produce charting singles, which contributed to their eventual split.
After disbanding, both artists pursued individual careers; Kane went on to establish Dead Reckoning Records. Jamie O'Hara passed away at age 70 on January 7, 2021, due to cancer.
Discography
Albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Peak Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Country | ||
| The O'Kanes |
|
9 |
| Tired of the Runnin' |
|
21 |
| Imagine That |
|
63 |
Singles
| Year Issued | Single Title | Highest Chart Rankings | Corresponding Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country |
CAN Country | |||
| 1986 | "Oh Darlin' (Why Don't You Care for Me No More)" | 10 | 6 | The O'Kanes |
| 1987 | "Can't Stop My Heart from Loving You" | 1 | 1 | |
| "Daddies Need to Grow Up Too" | 9 | 12 | ||
| "Just Lovin' You" | 5 | 9 | ||
| 1988 | "One True Love" | 4 | 5 | Tired of the Runnin' |
| "Blue Love" | 10 | 18 | ||
| "Rocky Road" | 71 | 79 | ||
| 1990 | "Why Should I" | —A | 75 | Imagine That |
| "Diddy All Night Long" | —A | 73 | ||
| "Tell Me I Was Dreaming" | — | — | ||
Notes:
- A Neither "Why Should I?" nor "Diddy All Night Long" appeared on Hot Country Songs but both reached No. 7 on Hot Country Radio Breakouts.
Music videos
| Year Released | Video Title | Director Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | "Oh Darlin'" | |
| 1988 | "One True Love" |