O'Bryan
Encyclopedia
O'Bryan McCoy Burnette Jr. (born December 5, 1961) is an American
singer/songwriter
, usually credited simply as O'Bryan. Born to O’Bryan and Glenice Burnette at Pender County Memorial Hospital in Burgaw, North Carolina
, Burnette began his career in the music business at age 18. At the time, Burnette was doing vocals while fellow musician Melvin Lee Davis was playing bass in the Second Baptist Young Adult Choir in Santa Ana, California. A lady by the name Melanie, a friend of Davis, introduced Burnette to musician Ron Kersey
. Kersey, who had worked in Philadelphia with music groups such as the Trammps in the 1970s, was looking for members for a new group he was forming, called Hamercy. Kersey accepted O'Bryan into the group as lead singer. The group quickly fell apart, after which Kersey introduced O'Bryan to Soul Train
impresario Don Cornelius
.
, who signed him to the label. The following four years on Capitol Records, O'Bryan released four albums and nine singles, which all had slots on the R&B charts.
He released his debut album Doin' Alright in 1982. As a multi-instrumentalist, many listeners considered his uptempo tracks to bear subtle resemblances to Prince
, but he trod far closer to the urban contemporary mainstream on his ballads. Although the mid-paced title track proved the most enduring to many fans, the album yielded a big dance floor hit in the form of "The Gigolo" which reached number five on the R&B charts and number 57 on the pop charts (his only single to chart on the latter). It also contained what many fans considered an outstanding cover of the Four Tops
"Still Water (Love)".
In 1983, his second album You and I
was released, the title track being an excellent version of a beautiful love song penned by Stevie Wonder
. The instrumental "Soft Touch" also proved to be a popular choice from this second album. It also contained the track "Soul Train's A Coming" which was used as the theme song for the performance theme show Soul Train
from 1983 to 1987.
In 1984, O'Bryan released his third LP Be My Lover which included the hit balled "Lady I Love You". A major dance floor single release from the album was the funky groove "Lovelite
", a number one hit on Billboard
's R&B singles chart which many consider to be the equal to any of Prince's early funk.
He released his fourth and final album on Capitol, Surrender in 1986 which included the dance hit "Tenderoni". It reached the R&B Billboard top 40 and was considered a club hit in early 1987. After that, he parted ways with Capitol and went on a hiatus for two decades. Despite the apparent success that O'Bryan had experienced on Capitol Records during the middle of the 1980s, his tracks still received airplay on selected radio stations worldwide.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer/songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, usually credited simply as O'Bryan. Born to O’Bryan and Glenice Burnette at Pender County Memorial Hospital in Burgaw, North Carolina
Burgaw, North Carolina
Burgaw is a town in Pender County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,337 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pender County.Burgaw is part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, Burnette began his career in the music business at age 18. At the time, Burnette was doing vocals while fellow musician Melvin Lee Davis was playing bass in the Second Baptist Young Adult Choir in Santa Ana, California. A lady by the name Melanie, a friend of Davis, introduced Burnette to musician Ron Kersey
Ron Kersey
Tyrone Garfield "Ron " Kersey was an American keyboardist, songwriter, producer and arranger most known for writing the music to "Disco Inferno" by The Trammps....
. Kersey, who had worked in Philadelphia with music groups such as the Trammps in the 1970s, was looking for members for a new group he was forming, called Hamercy. Kersey accepted O'Bryan into the group as lead singer. The group quickly fell apart, after which Kersey introduced O'Bryan to Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
impresario Don Cornelius
Don Cornelius
Donald Cortez "Don" Cornelius is an American television show host and producer who is best known as the creator of the nationally syndicated dance/music franchise Soul Train, which he hosted from 1971-1993...
.
Early career
Following this introduction, Cornelius presented O'Bryan to Varnell Johnson of Capitol RecordsCapitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, who signed him to the label. The following four years on Capitol Records, O'Bryan released four albums and nine singles, which all had slots on the R&B charts.
He released his debut album Doin' Alright in 1982. As a multi-instrumentalist, many listeners considered his uptempo tracks to bear subtle resemblances to Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, but he trod far closer to the urban contemporary mainstream on his ballads. Although the mid-paced title track proved the most enduring to many fans, the album yielded a big dance floor hit in the form of "The Gigolo" which reached number five on the R&B charts and number 57 on the pop charts (his only single to chart on the latter). It also contained what many fans considered an outstanding cover of the Four Tops
Four Tops
The Four Tops are an American vocal quartet, whose repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul music, R&B, disco, adult contemporary, hard rock, and showtunes...
"Still Water (Love)".
In 1983, his second album You and I
You and I (O'Bryan album)
-Reception:The title track, originally penned and performed by Stevie Wonder, was a big hit on the R&B chart. The final track, "Soul Train's a 'Comin'" would briefly serve as the theme song to the R&B-flavored dance show, Soul Train...
was released, the title track being an excellent version of a beautiful love song penned by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
. The instrumental "Soft Touch" also proved to be a popular choice from this second album. It also contained the track "Soul Train's A Coming" which was used as the theme song for the performance theme show Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
from 1983 to 1987.
In 1984, O'Bryan released his third LP Be My Lover which included the hit balled "Lady I Love You". A major dance floor single release from the album was the funky groove "Lovelite
Lovelite
"Lovelite" is a 1984 single by R&B/funk artist, O'Bryan. The single was his fifth entry on the R&B chart and his only number-one hit, where it placed at the top spot for one week. "Lovelite" did not chart on the Hot 100....
", a number one hit on Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
's R&B singles chart which many consider to be the equal to any of Prince's early funk.
He released his fourth and final album on Capitol, Surrender in 1986 which included the dance hit "Tenderoni". It reached the R&B Billboard top 40 and was considered a club hit in early 1987. After that, he parted ways with Capitol and went on a hiatus for two decades. Despite the apparent success that O'Bryan had experienced on Capitol Records during the middle of the 1980s, his tracks still received airplay on selected radio stations worldwide.
Latter career
After a long hiatus, O’Bryan released a new album in February 2007, entitled F1RST.Studio Albums
- 1982: Doin' Alright
- 1983: You and IYou and I (O'Bryan album)-Reception:The title track, originally penned and performed by Stevie Wonder, was a big hit on the R&B chart. The final track, "Soul Train's a 'Comin'" would briefly serve as the theme song to the R&B-flavored dance show, Soul Train...
- 1984: Be My Lover
- 1986: Surrender
- 2007: F1RST