Sharon O'Neill ::NEWS::

24.12.09 - Sharon's Xmas Message and NZ News!

Huge Happy Christmas and New Year wishes.

Seem to be hopping back and forth to New Zealand lately....the GIAG gigs in September were fantastic.....and off I go again......January 30th at Harvest Hawkes Bay.....all the usual suspects....Debbie Harwood, Shona Laing, Annie Crummer and yours truly....then March 7th my home town Nelson NZ for Taste Tasman.....would love to see you!

Must say thank you to Michelle who posts these blurbs and runs the website...she's a doll.......
love her and she's so helpful.

Please have a safe and peaceful Season.......don't stress!!!

Luv
Sharon

23.11.09 - Sharon's blog on the "GIAG" shows in NZ!

"Okay....we're nearly at the end of the decade...hope you're winding down a good one and ready for 2010....this year....my highlight was the Give It A Girl shows in Auckland NZ.....what a blast it was but how quickly it was all over. We did four shows at the Casino in Auckland in what was a very cool theatre with a really nice vibe. It was great to catch up with Debbie Harwood, Margaret Urlich and Annie Crummer as I've toured with them twice before guesting on their 'When the Cat's Away' tours around NZ. We had a lot of laughs to catch up on. Give It a Girl was the brain child of Debbie Harwood and man she pulled it off amazingly. No mean feat I can tell you!

After much water under the bridge it was awesome to finally sing alongside Shona Laing and hear her iconic songs that laid quite a foundation for singer/songwriters like myself. Then there were the new babes.....Julia Deans (Fur Patrol) and Lisa Crawley. Such refreshing and quirky songs that spelt out how far we've all come over the years.

Backstage... it was a room filled with eight of us gals in various stages of make-up and outfits....(I'm including our brilliant background vocalist Gail Tipene....wow she has an amazing voice!).....all very civilised.....tons of laughs and such mutual support. Onstage.....just the best feeling to share our music together and enjoy each other performing the songs we're known for.

As for the band......brilliant! So many diversified songs to cover and it sounded amazing. Have to share with you a funny moment during rehearsals when it got to lunch time....well actually there's no such thing as lunch time when you rehearse....it's just a fancy name for having to take a break when you're starting to fade and your ears need a rest. Debbie had things catered nicely but it was a 'help yourself' situation......still.....we had to laugh when one of the guys said "Geeze....with this many women around you'd think they'd make us a sandwich!!!" Yes it was Give It a Girl, but not Give 'em a Sandwich....Ha Ha!

Will blurb some more before Christmas......not that many more sleeps!"

Take Care.....Sharon x

The GIAG band backstage - NZ 09.

Some pics from the GIAG shows in NZ - Sept '09.
Left: The boys in the band backstage (inc. Alan Mansfield second from the left).
Right: The entire ensemble - GIAG live onstage!
**Kind thanks to Sharon for supplying the photos!**

13.7.09 - Sharon to perform in "Give It A Girl" at Sky City Casino, Auckland in September!

‘Give It A Girl’ - 2009

SKYCITY Auckland is proud to present a rare opportunity to celebrate some of New Zealand’s most successful singer/songwriters whose voices and songs have impacted the history of New Zealand music. Top New Zealand artists Margaret Urlich, Sharon O’Neill, Debbie Harwood, Annie Crummer, Shona Laing, Julia Deans and new talent Lisa Crawley are coming together in September for ‘Give It A Girl’ at SKYCITY Theatre.

"Give It A Girl" brings together the amazing talents of these women on one stage at one time for a night packed with classic hits including ‘Glad I’m Not a Kennedy’ Shona Laing, ‘Escaping’ Margaret Urlich, ‘See What Love Can Do’ Annie Crummer, ‘Maxine’ Sharon O’Neill plus the current singles and songwriting of these enduring and remarkable women. A two-hour show with a full six-piece band featuring the talents of Alan Mansfield – acclaimed producer and keyboard player for Dragon, Robert Palmer, Bette Midler, Pat Benetar and Doc Neeson. The six shows, from 2nd – 5th September at the Auckland SKYCITY Theatre are expected to sell-out.

One of the featured artists, Debbie Harwood is helping bring the show to Auckland, “I have taken it upon myself to put these talented women together so they can perform their iconic songs to the people of New Zealand. This is a unique opportunity and I can’t wait!”

Kevin Clayton, SKYCITY Group General Manager Marketing and Events is expecting a sell-out series, “This calibre of artists taking to the stage together is a rare treat for New Zealanders. SKYCITY are pleased to be presenting the show and bringing to Auckland the very best in popular entertainment. These women are New Zealand’s musical icons and we look forward to celebrating their work. We suggest customers book early to avoid disappointment.”

Tickets are $65.00 and are on sale now from Ticketek NZ. For more info please see Sharon's LIVE page.
You can also visit the official website: www.giveitagirl.com

30.6.09 - Sharon pays tribute to the legend that was Michael Jackson.

"I just felt I needed to share with you the sadness I feel too that such an incredible talent has left our presence but never never our memories...when I was recording 'foreign affairs' in Los Angeles we needed extra studio time to record the vocal of 'take the fall' and booked in to Westlake studios where Michael was recording/mixing 'off the wall' with the wonderful Quincy Jones. We met up in the little kitchenette....I was wearing a fake raccoon's tail hanging off the belt of my skirt and he asked in his very polite gentle voice.....
"I like your belt....where did you get it". I would have loved to have replied "Gucci in Beverly hills" but had to say "the Beverly centre" which is pretty much like your 'run of the mill' mall in those parts. He was very sweet. I also had the opportunity to meet with a friend who was his personal assistant who invited me to his family house in the valley. My name was on the gate and in I went.....I was very nervous. Michael wasn't there but there was much memorabilia....a wonderful studio....and as I recall....a llama trotting around in a little paddock next to the office! Michael was an awesome artist despite any peripheral negativity and that's what I will personally remember. I just wanted to share my thoughts with you all and let's rock on....enjoy the thrills and walk the moon whenever we can." - Sharon O.

30.5.09 - NZ Top 100 Classic Kiwi Clips winner to be announced tonight!
Sharon's clip of "Maxine" has managed to hold on to the number one position on the NZ Film Archive's "Ready To Roll" Classic Clips Poll, right up until voting closed on May 24th.
By all accounts it appears that Sharon will well and truly take out the winners prize!
However, we will have to wait for 'official' confirmation from the hosts, when the announcement is made in NZ tonight!
So fingers crossed that Sharon will be the out right winner of the NZ classic music clip poll.

Meanwhile, the piece below was posted on the NZ Film Archive page during the week.

Thank You Voters
Monday, 25 May 2009

The Film Archive extends a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Ready to Roll online voting for their favourite music video. In early December 2008 we launched Ready to Roll? 100 Classic Kiwi Clips and asked viewers to vote for their favourite.

The 100 music videos are representative - across genre, style and time - of the many thousands of music videos the Archive holds. Viewers were asked to vote from 1 to 5 stars (tino pai to tumeke) for their favourite. Official results of the poll will be announced at a special Music Video evening this Saturday, however, initial indications are that Maxine by Sharon O'Neill is a strong favourite.

23.2.09 - NEWSFLASH!! - Maxine is now Number #1 on the Top 100 Classic Kiwi Clips Chart!!!
Thanks so much to all those people who voted for it, Sharon really appreciates your fantastic support!
Now all we have to do it keep it up there at Number #1!
Voting is open until the end of April, so please keep voting for it if you possibly can. Thanks again to everyone!

20.2.09 - Vote for "Maxine" to hit Number #1 in the Top 100 NZ Classic Clips!

The NZ Film Archive page - "Ready To Roll" has listed their Top 100 Classic Kiwi Music Video Clips of all time.
Currently, Sharon's 1983 mega hit "Maxine" is sitting in the Number 2 position.

We want to help 'Maxine' get to the get to NUMBER ONE !
Here's what you can do... To vote for Sharon's clip, simply click the link below to visit the Film Archives Top 100 page.
Click Sharon's clip 'Maxine" on the right hand side of the page (currently at #2) and view the clip.
(here's the most important bit)... after you have watched the clip, you need to VOTE by rating the clip to the right hand side, using their star-rating system 1 through to 5.



		24.12.09 - Sharon's Xmas Message and NZ News! Huge Happy Christmas and New Year wishes. Seem to be hopping back and forth to New Zealand lately....the GIAG gigs in September were fantastic.....and off I go again......January 30th at Harvest Hawkes Bay.....all the usual suspects....Debbie Harwood, Shona Laing, Annie Crummer and yours truly....then March 7th my home town Nelson NZ for Taste Tasman.....would love to see you! Must say thank you to Michelle who posts these blurbs and runs the website...she's a doll....... love her and she's so helpful. Please have a safe and peaceful Season.......don't stress!!! Luv Sharon 23.11.09 - Sharon's blog on the "GIAG" shows in NZ! "Okay....we're nearly at the end of the decade...hope you're winding down a good one and ready for 2010....this year....my highlight was the Give It A Girl shows in Auckland NZ.....what a blast it was but how quickly it was all over. We did four shows at the Casino in Auckland in what was a very cool theatre with a really nice vibe. It was great to catch up with Debbie Harwood, Margaret Urlich and Annie Crummer as I've toured with them twice before guesting on their 'When the Cat's Away' tours around NZ. We had a lot of laughs to catch up on. Give It a Girl was the brain child of Debbie Harwood and man she pulled it off amazingly. No mean feat I can tell you! After much water under the bridge it was awesome to finally sing alongside Shona Laing and hear her iconic songs that laid quite a foundation for singer/songwriters like myself. Then there were the new babes.....Julia Deans (Fur Patrol) and Lisa Crawley. Such refreshing and quirky songs that spelt out how far we've all come over the years. Backstage... it was a room filled with eight of us gals in various stages of make-up and outfits....(I'm including our brilliant background vocalist Gail Tipene....wow she has an amazing voice!).....all very civilised.....tons of laughs and such mutual support. Onstage.....just the best feeling to share our music together and enjoy each other performing the songs we're known for. As for the band......brilliant! So many diversified songs to cover and it sounded amazing. Have to share with you a funny moment during rehearsals when it got to lunch time....well actually there's no such thing as lunch time when you rehearse....it's just a fancy name for having to take a break when you're starting to fade and your ears need a rest. Debbie had things catered nicely but it was a 'help yourself' situation......still.....we had to laugh when one of the guys said "Geeze....with this many women around you'd think they'd make us a sandwich!!!" Yes it was Give It a Girl, but not Give 'em a Sandwich....Ha Ha! Will blurb some more before Christmas......not that many more sleeps!" Take Care.....Sharon x Some pics from the GIAG shows in NZ - Sept '09. Left: The boys in the band backstage (inc. Alan Mansfield second from the left). Right: The entire ensemble - GIAG live onstage! Kind thanks to Sharon for supplying the photos! 13.7.09 - Sharon to perform in "Give It A Girl" at Sky City Casino, Auckland in September! ‘Give It A Girl’ - 2009 SKYCITY Auckland is proud to present a rare opportunity to celebrate some of New Zealand’s most successful singer/songwriters whose voices and songs have impacted the history of New Zealand music. Top New Zealand artists Margaret Urlich, Sharon O’Neill, Debbie Harwood, Annie Crummer, Shona Laing, Julia Deans and new talent Lisa Crawley are coming together in September for ‘Give It A Girl’ at SKYCITY Theatre. "Give It A Girl" brings together the amazing talents of these women on one stage at one time for a night packed with classic hits including ‘Glad I’m Not a Kennedy’ Shona Laing, ‘Escaping’ Margaret Urlich, ‘See What Love Can Do’ Annie Crummer, ‘Maxine’ Sharon O’Neill plus the current singles and songwriting of these enduring and remarkable women. A two-hour show with a full six-piece band featuring the talents of Alan Mansfield – acclaimed producer and keyboard player for Dragon, Robert Palmer, Bette Midler, Pat Benetar and Doc Neeson. The six shows, from 2nd – 5th September at the Auckland SKYCITY Theatre are expected to sell-out. One of the featured artists, Debbie Harwood is helping bring the show to Auckland, “I have taken it upon myself to put these talented women together so they can perform their iconic songs to the people of New Zealand. This is a unique opportunity and I can’t wait!” Kevin Clayton, SKYCITY Group General Manager Marketing and Events is expecting a sell-out series, “This calibre of artists taking to the stage together is a rare treat for New Zealanders. SKYCITY are pleased to be presenting the show and bringing to Auckland the very best in popular entertainment. These women are New Zealand’s musical icons and we look forward to celebrating their work. We suggest customers book early to avoid disappointment.” Tickets are $65.00 and are on sale now from Ticketek NZ. For more info please see Sharon's LIVE page. You can also visit the official website: www.giveitagirl.com 30.6.09 - Sharon pays tribute to the legend that was Michael Jackson. "I just felt I needed to share with you the sadness I feel too that such an incredible talent has left our presence but never never our memories...when I was recording 'foreign affairs' in Los Angeles we needed extra studio time to record the vocal of 'take the fall' and booked in to Westlake studios where Michael was recording/mixing 'off the wall' with the wonderful Quincy Jones. We met up in the little kitchenette....I was wearing a fake raccoon's tail hanging off the belt of my skirt and he asked in his very polite gentle voice..... "I like your belt....where did you get it". I would have loved to have replied "Gucci in Beverly hills" but had to say "the Beverly centre" which is pretty much like your 'run of the mill' mall in those parts. He was very sweet. I also had the opportunity to meet with a friend who was his personal assistant who invited me to his family house in the valley. My name was on the gate and in I went.....I was very nervous. Michael wasn't there but there was much memorabilia....a wonderful studio....and as I recall....a llama trotting around in a little paddock next to the office! Michael was an awesome artist despite any peripheral negativity and that's what I will personally remember. I just wanted to share my thoughts with you all and let's rock on....enjoy the thrills and walk the moon whenever we can." - Sharon O. 30.5.09 - NZ Top 100 Classic Kiwi Clips winner to be announced tonight! Sharon's clip of "Maxine" has managed to hold on to the number one position on the NZ Film Archive's "Ready To Roll" Classic Clips Poll, right up until voting closed on May 24th. By all accounts it appears that Sharon will well and truly take out the winners prize! However, we will have to wait for 'official' confirmation from the hosts, when the announcement is made in NZ tonight! So fingers crossed that Sharon will be the out right winner of the NZ classic music clip poll. Meanwhile, the piece below was posted on the NZ Film Archive page during the week. Thank You Voters Monday, 25 May 2009 The Film Archive extends a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Ready to Roll online voting for their favourite music video. In early December 2008 we launched Ready to Roll? 100 Classic Kiwi Clips and asked viewers to vote for their favourite. The 100 music videos are representative - across genre, style and time - of the many thousands of music videos the Archive holds. Viewers were asked to vote from 1 to 5 stars (tino pai to tumeke) for their favourite. Official results of the poll will be announced at a special Music Video evening this Saturday, however, initial indications are that Maxine by Sharon O'Neill is a strong favourite. 23.2.09 - NEWSFLASH!! - Maxine is now Number #1 on the Top 100 Classic Kiwi Clips Chart!!! Thanks so much to all those people who voted for it, Sharon really appreciates your fantastic support! Now all we have to do it keep it up there at Number #1! Voting is open until the end of April, so please keep voting for it if you possibly can. Thanks again to everyone! 20.2.09 - Vote for "Maxine" to hit Number #1 in the Top 100 NZ Classic Clips! The NZ Film Archive page - "Ready To Roll" has listed their Top 100 Classic Kiwi Music Video Clips of all time. Currently, Sharon's 1983 mega hit "Maxine" is sitting in the Number 2 position. We want to help 'Maxine' get to the get to NUMBER ONE ! Here's what you can do... To vote for Sharon's clip, simply click the link below to visit the Film Archives Top 100 page. Click Sharon's clip 'Maxine" on the right hand side of the page (currently at #2) and view the clip. (here's the most important bit)... after you have watched the clip, you need to VOTE by rating the clip to the right hand side, using their star-rating system 1 through to 5. For your info, you are allowed one vote per session, but of course you may return again and vote for it further if you would like to. So far Maxine has had 35,000 views and NZ music month is coming up in May so you can keep the votes coming in until then! As an added bonus especially for Sharon's Aussie fans, the clip is in fact the New Zealand version of 'Maxine' produced especially for NZ TV way back in the early 80's and unseen in Australia! Sharon would love it if everyone could vote for the clip at least once if possible and help push it up the chart just that one notch! So all you need to do is follow the link below, enjoy the clip and THANKS for voting! http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/readytoroll
		8.1.09 - Sharon to perform live as a 'special guest'! Sharon has just confirmed she will be a 'special guest' for two shows only with guitar whiz Peter Northcote later this month. Sharon will join Peter and his band, "Poindexter's Lab Assistants" on stage to perform two of her hit songs. The shows are Jan 27th at The Basement in Sydney and Jan 28th at the Brass Monkey in Cronulla. Tickets to both shows are on sale now. For further details and info, please visit Sharon's "Live" page. Be sure not to miss these shows if you are in Sydney! For venue info, please visit: www.brassmonkey.com.au www.thebasement.com.au
		21.12.08 - A Christmas Message from Sharon - It's that time of year again!! To read Sharon's Message for the 2008 festive season...please click [HERE]
		13.10.08 - Sharon to tour with 80's Icons! On October 22nd, Sharon will kick off a tour of Australia and New Zealand with 80's icons, Paul Young and Tony Hadley (of Spandau Ballet fame). Sharon will tour as a backing vocalist alongside Chloe West. Sharon's partner, Alan Mansfield, will be one of two MD's on the tour as well as a keyboardist in the band. For more information, you can read Sharon's blog on how it all came about [HERE] Make sure to visit the 'Live' page for all the Australian & New Zealand show dates for October and November.
		1.5.08 - Sharon Rocks NZ TV! Greetings one and all! Some news just in for the NZ folk who visit the site. Sharon has recorded an interview for the New Zealand Music Documentary show called; "Rocked The Nation; 100 NZ Music Moments". The six part series will screen on NZ TV only, starting Monday May 12th 2008 at 8:30pm (NZ time) on C4. So be sure to tune in if you can! For more info about the show go [HERE]
	For Aug-Dec 2007 NEWS: click HERE For Feb-July 2007 NEWS: click HERE For 2005 / 2006 NEWS: click HERE sharononeill.com.au © 2005-2010

Thank You Voters Monday, 25 May 2009

Thank You Voters
Monday, 25 May 2009