Album Notes

BIO: Jack Grady O'Neil was born in San Francisco, California in 1951. A musician since the age of 11, Jack originally played drums but switched to guitar by his late teens so that he could better front and sing with bands. Over the last twenty-five years he has been in numerous cover bands. Jack also began playing mandola and piano.

Always a songwriter, Jack wrote the song "Ancestral Water" for his mother's family's reunion in 1999, celebrating 150 years in San Francisco. The song told the story of James and Mary Grady's immigration to Louisiana and eventual journey to the California Gold Rush. Over the next several years, Jack added more original material rounding out the entire story of his Great-Great Grandparent's lives.

In October of 2006, Jack, in partnership with musician, arranger and producer, Bryan Daley, began making the album ANCESTRAL WATER. The CD is a total of 16 tracks: two original instrumentals, nine original songs with vocals and five short instrumentals from the public domain.

Designed by fellow Grady family member, cousin Greg Skewis, the CD is available in a rich and beautiful CD package utilizing historic lithographs from 1850, and includes a 10 page lyric fold-out with historical references.

The musicians featured include over a dozen people, both family and friends, including life-long friend Tom Pehrson, Jack's son, Aaron O'Neil and Bay Area recording artist Benjamin Winter.

ANCESTRAL WATER by Jack Grady O'Neil is a worthy addition to your CD collection.