b. Omar Cunningham, 1969, Gadsden, Alabama, U.S.A.
Born and raised in Gadsden, Alabama, Omar Cunningham developed a love for music early in his childhood.
His first opportunity to sing came in 1976 at the age of 7 in church, a performance he still has to this day.
As a young kid, Omar spent much of his youth surrounded by music.
His mother dated a bass player for a band in Tuskegee, Alabama, a band that went on to become the Commodores.
His grandmother ran a boarding house that played host to the likes of Fats Domino in his touring heyday.
Others, such as blues great Jerry ‘Boogie’ McCain, would even record in the basement of the boarding house.
Omar’s desires to take his talents to the world started taking shape shortly after.
He lived across the street from a club that featured many local bands.
Although he was too young to get in the club, he would sit outside and listen to each night’s performance.
One night he approached a popular local band named Daybreak after a show and showed them a small sample of his vocal abilities.
The band was impressed but already had a singer; still, they kept him in mind.
Not long after, the band lost its singer and it was Omar’s time to take the microphone.
While touring with the band every weekend, he quickly honed his entertainer skills.
Following his years of performing with the band, Omar moved on to the recording studio.
There, he collaborated with former band mates on projects such as the triple-platinum song ‘Dazzey Duks’ by Duice in 1992 and Cameo’s 1994 album, ‘In The Face of Funk’.
It was while working the latter project that he joined the singing group Small Town Boys opening up for several Cameo shows and later played trumpet in Cameo’s horn section.
After this gig ended, he continued solo and opened for such national acts as B.Angie B. and Silk in the late 90’s.
After a brief hiatus, Omar has focused on his roots and the blues legends that influenced him.
Returning to the studio, he has worked to bring a fresh sound to the blues world, a sound that blends soul and gospel with honest situations and playful lyrics.
'Hell At The House' was released on the On Top imprint in 2003 and featured artistic input from Sir Charles Jones amongst others.
I would like to thank Bever-Leigh @ Leighala J Entertainment for sending me Omar's biography.
Albums:
Hell at the House (On Top Records 2003)
Omar Cunningham (US Endzone Records 2005)
Worth The Wait (US Endzone Records 2006)
Time Served (Soul 1st Records 2008)
Growing Pains (Soul 1st Records 2011)
