“The vocals are superb, the backing musicians are spot on…” raves BLUES BLAST MAGAZINE. “The Chris O’Leary Band offer a virtual encyclopedia of entertaining roadhouse blues styles, from boogie woogie to Southside Chicago to Louisiana stompers,” states the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. “O’Leary’s voice contains startling emotion…reaching an intensity and emotional rawness [that’s] primal. The performances practically vibrate with an authenticity that stays with you,” states NO DEPRESSION. “O’Leary is a forceful harp player, a powerful singer and a natural frontman,” says BLUES MUSIC MAGAZINE.
Blues Music Award Nominated and Soulful Vocalist, Harmonica Player & Songwriter CHRIS O’LEARY and his band debut on Alligator Records with their album ‘The Hard Line’ in 2024. O’Leary is among the blues & roots world’s most talented unsung heroes. The Marine veteran, ex-Federal police officer and former lead singer of The Barn Burners (featuring Levon Helm on drums) has walked a hard line from his upstate New York home to stages all over the world. O’Leary commands attention, singing his indelible original songs with pure, unadulterated soul & playing harmonica with urgent locomotive power. A disciple and friend of both The Band’s legendary drummer/vocalist Levon Helm and iconic blues harmonica giant James Cotton, O’Leary has been playing professionally since the 1990s, with five previous solo albums to his credit. “Chris O’Leary rocks relentlessly with assurance and a clear sense of passion and purpose. He is a potent, raging tour-de-force,” raves LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE.