About Me
Canadian-born, award-winning Songwriter/Composer/Producer Gerald O’Brien has successfully spent his career, spanning the past three decades, writing across all genres of music, including an extensive background in television. The versatile O’Brien has composed music for Entertainment Tonight, Current Affair, Hard Copy and many notable televised events including: the Tour De France, Calgary Stampede, the 1998 Winter Olympics, the Super Bowl, the World Series, ABC’s Wide World of Sports, the PGA Tour, as well as numerous animated TV series.
During his illustrious career as a songwriter, Gerald penned songs for Hall & Oates, Manhattan Transfer, Amanda Marshall, Deborah Harry, Loverboy, The Guess Who, Glass Tiger, Michelle Wright, Martina McBride, Trace Adkins, Ronnie Milsap, and many others. In 2010, he co-wrote five songs on the new Sons of Sylvia CD, entitled “Revelation,” on 19Recordings/Interscope. Three of those five songs were also co-produced by O’Brien, along with music partner, Catt Gravitt, in his Nashville studio.
In 2011, he cowrote the Debut single for the new Country band ‘Edens Edge’ on Big Machine Records, called AMEN, which reached #18 on Billboard and was on the charts for 11 months. In June 2012, he co-wrote and co-produced ‘What A Song Can Do’ for Rachel Crow’s (XFactor Finalist) Debut EP. Most recently, he has had a string of new cuts, including, RUST & RED by Tim Montana (co-written with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons), FIGHT by Gloriana (Warner Bros), XO by new artist Kelsea Ballerini (Black River Music), DRUNK, by Courtney Cole and 2 songs on the new Ashley Clark CD, produced by Mutt Lange (Capitol Records), including, TO THE MOON & ASS ON THE FLOOR.
O’Brien has also received awards for Song of Year by CMPA, SOCAN’s Classic Song Award while being nominated for two Juno awards (Canada’s version of the Grammy’s). Gerald comprises one half of the accomplished instrumental duo “Exchange” (along with Steve Sexton), which has achieved commercial success through the release of their seven albums together dating back to 1989.
He has also toured extensively as a keyboard player in several bands throughout North & South America including Klatuu, Zappacosta, Wrabit, Nightwinds, Expresso. Opened up for such acts as Black Sabbath, Rush, Joe Perry, and more
Currently living in Los Angeles, O’Brien also spends a lot of time working in Nashville as well.