Jackopierce

All Music Guide:

One of the hardest-touring bands of the '90s, Jackopierce slipped under the mainstream's radar to earn a widespread following on college campuses with their pleasant acoustic folk-pop. Guitarists/singers Jack O'Neill and Cary Pierce founded the duo in 1988, while both were attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas as theater majors. Honing a charmingly simple, low-key sound centered around vocal harmonies and acoustic guitars, the two developed a strong local following around the Dallas area. In 1991, they self-released an eponymous first album on their own Rhythmic Records, and embarked on a grueling touring schedule that helped cultivate a national collegiate following. Two more self-released albums -- the 1992 fan favorite Woman as Salvation and 1993's partly new Live From the Americas -- helped expand that following, as did an extensive nationwide mailing list that kept their fan base well-informed (in the days just prior to the explosion of the Internet). Jackopierce's DIY spirit was rewarded with a major-label contract from A&M in 1994. Their debut album, Bringing on the Weather, was produced by T-Bone Burnett, who added extra instruments to flesh out their sound. Virtually ignored by the mainstream media, the album nonetheless sold over 100,000 copies. In its wake, O'Neill and Pierce added a full-time rhythm section in bassist Clay Pendergrass and drummer Earl Darling. Their next effort, 1996's Finest Hour, was a fully electrified break from their long-established acoustic sound. However, it failed to break the band into the mainstream. In late 1997, they decided to break up and move on, and embarked on a national farewell tour. They also issued the double-disc retrospective Decade, which featured a smattering of live performances and unreleased tracks. Both O'Neill and Pierce continued to write and record on their own; O'Neill also moved to New York and joined the Bat Theater Company. In late 2002, Jackopierce decided to reunite and hit the road once again, to the delight of their still-active fan base.

Wikipedia:

Jackopierce is an American alternative rock band formed by Jack O'Neill and Cary Pierce in Dallas, Texas in 1988. Their style is focused around vocal harmonies and acoustic guitars.

History

Jack O'Neill and Cary Pierce founded the duo in 1988 while both were attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas as theater majors. The name of the band was made up from O'Neill's first name and Pierce's last name.

Over the next ten years Jackopierce toured extensively, mainly in the USA but also other countries. Over the years they have shared the stage with artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Counting Crows, The Wallflowers, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Alanis Morissette and Semisonic. During that time, they sold over 400,000 records (four independent albums and two on A&M Records).

Breakup and solo work

Jackopierce ended their decade-long association in 1997 with a sold-out farewell tour and the release of Decade, a retrospective double-CD that included new and live material. The last show of the farewell tour was 31 December 1997.

After the breakup Jack O’Neill lived in New York performing as a member of the Bat Theater Company. In 1999 he released a self-titled EP with his band American Horse. Later he also released a solo CD entitled Halfway Around The World.

Cary Pierce started a solo career and continued to play across the United States. He released four solo records and created his own record label, Foreverything Records. Cary produced and co-write records for Graham Colton, Jack Ingram, Creede Williams and others.

The reunion

Jackopierce reunited for sold-out shows in Dallas, Austin and Houston in November 2002. Since then they have continued to play 15–20 shows a year.

A new studio CD, Promise of Summer, was released in September 2008. Several live albums were released in 2009 and 2010.

Members