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His Eye is on the Sparrow While the snow covered Lake Shore Drive and we talked about going to war, Studs sang me Eye on the Sparrow—Mahalia’s song. “You should sing that.” (from Jamie’s blog 11.1.2008) I had an animated discussion with some of my family last weekend, initiated by my asking what some of […]

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A Note from MichaelI was born on the same day of the month as Peter Lawford, which means I will never feel quite as handsome, suave and well-dressed as I might be, and Buddy Holly, which makes me feel grateful every year that I am not more talented and prematurely dead. There is a beautiful […]

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Pictured “Eileen Dhu’- Dorothy (Nell) O’Reilly TuckerPublished early 1900s JOLIETA child came fresh from the prairies Where the clean-faced sun comes leaping o’er the mesas, Drawing a veil of mystery over the sage-brush And gilding the horns of the cattle; Came to live, for a while, in a mill-town. This was the town; First were […]

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“I dreamed I was eating a giant marshmallow. And when I woke up, my pillow was gone.” WE WANT A REVOLUTION, NOW! Last night’s final dream was brought to me by my eldest daughter, who’d organized a zealous and fierce troupe of Millennials to come to my place: part ground level home, like my old […]

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Come hear us! Givins Castle Concert in Beverly, Sat. July 20 and Woodstock Festival Sunday, July 21, honoring Anne Hills. Read this as Enews here:https://mailchi.mp/3f184b85f867/jamie-o-july-enews-writing-radio-gigs-2339245 Please come this Sat. July 20!  Jamie sings a whole set, at a benefit for the Concerts at the Castle series in Chicago’s historic Beverly neighborhood!  The setting is a castle, […]

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Michael P. Smith July Gigs WisconsinDoor County, WISun July 7 at 7 PMFishstock Concert Music Series3127 County Road FFish Creek, WI 54212PH 414.659.1521http://www.fishstockmusic.com/door-county-concerts.shtml Wisconsin32nd annual Black Hawk Folk FestivalSat July 13 at 3:30 PMMt. Morris Town ParkCTH GMount Morris, WI 54982https://www.blackhawkfolk.org/festivalFACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/blackhawkfolk/ Chicago area Sat July 20 at 7:00 pmGivins Beverly Castle10244 S. Longwood Drive, […]

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Found Objects, a Blog series. A Poem. A Picture. A List.From whence comes my love of things. “Spend all you have for loveliness,Buy it and never count the cost;” (from Barter, by Sara Teasdale) La vérité est verte (The truth is green*)I think that I shall never seea hue quite like this verdigris.Used by all […]

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The singer’s life: folly or fairytale? “All the intelligence and talent in the world can’t make a singer. The voice is a wild thing. It can’t be bred in captivity. It is a sport, like the silver fox. It happens.” (Willa Cather, Song of the Lark) I came to my Summer Solstice concert last Friday […]

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I am a singer. “When we look back, the only things we cherish are those which in some way met our original want; the desire which formed in us in early youth, undirected, and of its own accord.” (Willa Cather, Song of the Lark) The Early Years: The Fine Arts BuildingMy first job in Chicago […]

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Jamie O’Reilly’s Blog. An Introduction. Give me this sunny morning, light on the leaves of the sturdy geraniums, a soprano singing Franz Lehár on the radio, and the taste of summer-fresh strawberries. This brilliantly pleasing summer morning, I’ve set myself up at a white lace covered table, bleached in sunlight, on my newly redecorated porch. […]

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Center Portion Arts Space presents a Summer Solstice Salon on Friday, June 21 at 8:00 PM. Vocalist Jamie O’Reilly performs an evening of songs and stories honoring summer in the city. Writer, and space curator Sheila Donohue hosts. This Logan Square gem is located at 2850 1/2 W. Fullerton Ave in Chicago. Admission is $20. […]

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2019! I am thrilled to revisit the lovely songs I first sang when I was coming up as a voice student, and went on to sing for concerts, tributes and special cultural series throughout the Chicago area!  I’m calling these the SONGBIRD songs. Accompanied by piano. More. Jamie presents music is by folk and art […]

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Moby Dick 9/7 concert, and more. All events on the events pages, too.Michael appears early fall at Fox Valley, Folk Festival on WFMT, at Wishbone North, Edgar’s Place, and Fitzgerald’s, and does Lamb’s Songwriter’s Retreat Halloween weekend. Read more about Michael Peter Smith’s Fifteen Songs from Moby Dick. https://www.jamieoreilly.com/recordings/fifteen-songs-from-moby-dick/ RADIO CONCERTSat Aug 31, 2019 8 […]