Dillon O'Brian

Although Dillon O'Brian is better known as a songwriter for other artists and a studio musician, his solo album, 1994's Scenes From My Last Confession, is a solidly heartfelt piece of piano-based singer/songwriter rock that bears comparison to the likes of Jackson Browne or Billy Joel. O'Brian was born in Baltimore, the youngest of seven children born to parents who had emigrated from Ireland, and a devout Catholic. A child prodigy on the piano, O'Brian pursued a career in music early, moving to Los Angeles and finding work as a studio musician and vocalist. A publishing deal with BMG Music led to a record deal with BMG's primary label at the time, RCA Records. Scenes From My Last Confession was released in 1994; while reviews were generally positive, the album's sound, a throwback to the days of the sensitive singer/songwriter, was out of step with the commercial climate and it didn't sell. O'Brian's stock rose considerably as a musician, songwriter, and producer, however. In the years since the album's release, O'Brian has worked extensively with artists like Jann Arden and Bonnie Raitt. His songs have been recorded by the likes of Adam Cohen, Curtis Stigers, Anne Murray, and the Neville Brothers. ~ Stewart Mason, Rovi