Acoustic rock duo Jackopierce has scheduled its first tour in 10 years with 18 shows booked from September 26 in New York City through November 22 in its home town of Dallas, TX. They will be playing two shows, an early and a late show, on both October 4 in Austin, TX and November 8 in Decatur, GA.
Jackopierce–Jack O’Neill and Cary Pierce–last performed on December 31, 1997. They will be promoting a new album, “Promise of Summer,” their first recorded work together in more than a decade, to be released on September 9. The 11-track CD contains 10 new songs and includes a remake of a Jackopierce classic, “March.”
In late 1997, after a decade-long run that produced six records (two for major label A&M), shows with the biggest acts of the day (Dave Matthews Band, Matchbox 20, Counting Crows, Sheryl Crow, etc), touring on three continents, and nearly 500,000 records sold; O’Neill and Pierce decided to amicably go their separate ways.
“I had just had enough,” recalled O’Neill in a statement. “I couldn’t just take a break. I needed it to be over. I needed to find myself – outside of being the guy from Jackopierce.” After a brief stint with his new band, American Horse, he moved to New York City, joined the critically acclaimed Bat Theater Company and did voiceover work.
Pierce took a year long break from music and then embarked on his solo career. Eventually, both would release solo records, but neither of them would reach a fraction of the success that they had achieved together. Rumors have circulated about a possible reunion for years.
“The timing could not have been better,” added Pierce. “I was in the middle of a painful divorce, and it seemed as though my life was falling apart.”
Older and wiser; both are now fathers and priorities have changed. “We both admit that we did not realize or appreciate what we had,” added O’Neill. “There is a lot more gratitude; for each other and for the gifts we have to write and play music.”
“We have been blessed with the ability to strap guitars on our backs, get on a plane, and go play a show anywhere in the country,” said Pierce. “That is the career I always hoped we would have.”
Jackopierce itinerary:
(Dates subject to change)
| September 26 | New York, NY | Highland Ballroom |
| September 27 | Alexandria, VA | Birchmere |
| October 3-4 | Austin, TX | Cactus Cafe (two shows on the 4th) |
| October 10 | Nashville, TN | Belcourt Theatre |
| October 11 | Houston, TX | Warehouse Live |
| October 16 | San Francisco, CA | Cafe Du Nord |
| October 17 | West Hollywood, CA | Key Club |
| October 18 | Denver, CO | The Soiled Dove |
| November 7 | Birmingham, AL | Workplay Theatre |
| November 8 | Decatur, GA | Eddie’s Attic (two shows) |
| November 13 | Ann Arbor, MI | The Ark |
| November 14 | Chicago, IL | Park West |
| November 15 | Kansas City, MO | The Beaumont |
| November 21-22 | Dallas, TX | House of Blues |
