SPIRE LOBBY SERIES: ONEAL ARMSTRONG

Presented by The Antonia and Vladimir Kulaev Cultural Heritage Fund.

This series showcases local and regional musicians in a relaxed and intimate setting. The lobby is transformed into a 70-seat showcase lounge!

Charlie O’Neal- (Guitar) 

Charlie O’Neal has been playing guitar since the age of 12. He is mainly a self-taught musician and has been recording and touring from coast to coast since his late teens. No genre of playing defines him as his versatility and interests touch on many different styles. He has played on a recording with Eric Clapton and Nathan East and has recorded and toured as sideman with a diverse range of musicians, from the late Benjamin Orr, formerly of The Cars(1993-1996), to Michael Sweet(Stryper/Boston). In 2001, Charlie joined the international rock band MusT(Wind Up/BMG). They toured the U.S. and Europe with Aerosmith, Stone Temple Pilots, Def Leppard, INXS and Kid Rock among others and played at many legendary venues including the Hollywood Bowl, MGM Grand Arena, Hammersmith Apollo in London, etc.. MusT also had a song in the Billboard top 20 Rock charts.

Charlie currently plays in the Roots band the Delta Generators. The Delta Generators formed in 2008. That year the band won the Boston Blues Challenge, which earned them a spot to compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2009. The band finished as a top ten finalist out of over a hundred bands in Memphis. The Delta Generators also won an Independent Music Award for their debut album, Devil In the Rhythm in 2009. The band has released four more albums since and won many more awards. They have also worked with Grammy winning producers David Z.(Prince, Jonny Lang, Buddy Guy) and Vance Powell(Chris Stapleton, Jack White, Sturgill Simpson). The band has opened for many great acts including Robert Cray, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Three Dog Night, Jimmy Vaughn, Sonny Landreth, among many others. Charlie currently also plays for include Barrence Whitfield, Henley Douglas band, O’Neal Armstrong and the Grits and Groceries Orchestra.

Rick O’Neal – (Bass) 

Rick O’Neal has been playing guitar since the age of 7. He switched to bass at 18 years old. He has played as sideman for the late Benjamin Orr, formerly of The Cars (1994-1996). In 2001, Rick toured and recorded a GRAMMY-NOMINATED album with guitar player extraordinaire Johnny A. (Favored Nations Records).  Johnny A. toured the U.S. and Canada for Festivals such as SF Jazz and Montreal Jazz Fest and opened for greats such as B.B. King, Robert Cray, Etta James, Peter Frampton and more. 

Other bands Rick currently plays for include, ONeal Armstrong, Delta Generators and Thread City Jazz Trio.

Jeff (J.J. )Armstrong- (Drums) 

It has been twenty-seven years since J.J. Armstrong was thrown into the river of life. All along, J.J. looks to music as his supreme guide. As he flows along with the river, he is empowered by his love of sound, and freedom of expression. Since graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2000, J.J. has played with many local artists. J.J. has enjoyed his tenure on the Boston music scene, but now heads downstream, following the great innovators and gurus that inspire him. Some of J.J.’s heroes are: Elvin Jones, Bob Moses, Tisziji Munoz, John Bonham, Tony Williams, Fela Kuti, Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, and the list goes on. As the river widens, J.J. continues his journey toward the ocean. J.J. would like to thank Kurt Armstrong for his songwriting “guru-ism”, and Karen Armstrong for her inspiration and support.

Jeff currently plays with Delta Generators, formed in 2008.