Awards / Honors
Songwriting contest wins and placements include the American Songwriter Magazine Lyrics contest, VH1 Song of the Year Contest, Austin Songwiters Contest, Dallas Songwriters Assn Lyric Contest and Write On Songwriters Contest. No Grammy.......yet.
Interviews Press
A little Americana, a twist of rock, some deep home grass roots country and add harmonies reminiscent of the Beatles with a blend of cajun music all rolled into one and that's what you have with Sean O'Keefe's cd "Moving to Memphis". Uplifting, spirited and just pleasing to the soul is the effect you experience with Sean's music. Written from the heart with lyrics easy to relate to, the music from this cd reaches in and grabs you with a wrenching hold making you beg for more. A C&W artist, songwriter, and composer, this young man brings traditional country back to the table but adds his influences of the The Beatles with a mix of the Doors all in one. The songs I Don't Know, Slide, Nicola and Moving to Memphis bring fun and make the feet want to hit the dance floor! Then there's the slow traditional belly rubbing brass tacks country tune Hopes Made of Diamonds. And to mix things up even more, the song The Arms of the Big Uneasy offers that cajun sound of harmonica, banjo and a harmony that even the audience can join in and sing.
Yes Sean O'Keefe brings back memories of down home country roots but enhances it with the sounds of the 60's with a twist of rock and a taste of Louisiana. And with his broad range of vocals and composition of music, Sean O'Keefe captures the heart and appeals to people no matter what music genre preference they may have. Additionally, Sean O'Keefe has signed with a publishing company out of Nashville to pitch songs to major artists. But then, with Sean's vocals, music composition and the fact his musician abilities are so versatile, there's no doubt this man will make a name and establish his own identity in the C&W local scene as well as the national market. MishayaPaige Pleuffer-Anderson, Edge Magazine, San Antonio, TX After three albums with Toronto's Freshwater Drum - he was principle songwriter - O'Keefe upped sticks and moved west to Vancouver to begin a solo career. That was back in 1995, and now it's time to welcome his debut solo album, "Moving to Memphis". Is it worth the wait? I think it is. O'Keefe has come up with a winning blend of radio friendly pop Leicester Bangs Magazine, Leisester UK |
East Vancouver singer and songwriter Sean O'Keefe doesn't see himself as a folkie. These days, folk music is envisioned as either Dylan or Celtic World Beat said O'Keefe. "But despite my name, there's little Celtic influence in what I'm doing.
Yet, O'Keefe's clear, acoustic melodies and bittersweet lyrics earned him a first place finish in the folk category of "Write On '98", a songwriting competition hosted by the Center for Digital Imaging and Sound. The prize was three days of studio time a Greenhouse Studios, an analog four track recorder, six microphones, a $1000 scholarship to CDIS and a web site. The winning song, "Carry Me Away" is just about two minutes long. It was written about eight years ago when O'Keefe was spending a summer in California. Some people have given the song a spiritual interpretation. He was once asked by the parents of a young woman who had died if they could play "Carry Me Away" at her funeral. O'Keefe had never met the woman but was moved by her request. "I'd always felt that Carry Me Away was a strong song." added O'Keefe. "I decided to enter it in the folk category". O'Keefe grew up on Toronto and formed his first band in high school. Freshwater Drum began performing professionally in 1987, and became well known in Toronto. The band performed with 54-40, The Barnaked Ladies, and Edie Brickell, and recorded three CD's before breaking up in 1995. It was a learning experience. "You just name it, we did it wrong." he said. O'Keefe came to Vancouver in 1995, seeking an escape from Toronto's winters. It meant starting all over again in the local music scene, finding musicians to play with making contacts, finding venues. But it paid off. He's recorded a solo CD and he's formed a new band (so new they have yet to call themselves anything other than the Sean O'Keefe Band) with bassist Kelly Melvin and drummer Greg Williams. They've played a few gigs around town and are in the process of recording a CD. "When you hear the music it tends to be an optimistic sound." said O'Keefe "but lyrically, it's the opposite. It's an interesting clash". Vancouver Echo, Vancouver, Canada |
arrangements and soulful Americana which is worth making the effort to check out. Of particular note are "Carry Me Away", a sub two minute folk rock blast, "Yours in Time" -if Elvis C. was signed to Stax- and "Nicola" ,which features some fine picking and a good song. The title track's pretty cool too. 
Sean Michael O'Keefe © SOCAN |