Neal Graeme Casal (November 2, 1968 – August 26, 2019)Neal Casal Dead: Circles Around the Sun Guitarist Dies at 50
''Heavy.com''. Retrieved August 27, 2019. was an American guitarist, singer, songwriter and photographer. First rising to prominence as lead guitar with

Rickey Medlocke Rickey Medlocke (born February 17, 1950) is an American musician, best known as the frontman/guitarist for the Southern rock band Blackfoot and a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. During his first stint with Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1971 to 1972, he played d ...

Blackfoot The Blackfoot Confederacy, ''Niitsitapi'' or ''Siksikaitsitapi'' (ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ, meaning "the people" or " Blackfoot-speaking real people"), is a historic collective name for linguistically related groups that make up the Blackfoot or Bla ...

from 1988 to 1993, he was also known as a member of

Ryan Adams David Ryan Adams (born November 5, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, artist, and poet. He has released 23 albums, as well as three studio albums as a former member of alt-country band Whiskeytown. In 2000, Adams left ...

' backing band

the Cardinals The Cardinals were an American R&B group of the 1950s. Sharing a legacy with the Orioles, The Cardinals are remembered as one of the best R&B ballad acts to come out of Baltimore. Origins The Cardinals’ career began in 1946 (one year before ...

from 2005 until 2009, with whom he recorded three studio albums. He played in several groups, including the

Chris Robinson Brotherhood Chris Robinson Brotherhood was an American blues rock band formed in 2011 by Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson while the Crowes were on hiatus. The original lineup consisted of Robinson (vocals, guitar), Neal Casal (lead guitar, backing voc ...

Hard Working Americans Hard Working Americans is an American rock supergroup formed in 2013. The band consists of singer Todd Snider, bassist Dave Schools from Widespread Panic, Chad Staehly of Great American Taxi on keyboards and Duane Trucks, also from Widespread Pan ...

, Beachwood Sparks, The Skiffle Players, GospelbeacH and Circles Around the Sun– and released twelve albums as a solo artist. He released his final solo album, ''

Sweeten the Distance ''Sweeten the Distance'' is the tenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Neal Casal, released on November 14, 2011, on Fargo Records. Produced by Thom Monahan, the album is Casal's first since the break-up of The Cardinals in 2009, and fe ...

'', in 2011. Born in

Denville, New Jersey Denville Township is a township in Morris County, New Jersey, located west of Manhattan. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the township's population was 16,635, reflecting an increase of 811 (+5.1%) from the 15,824 counted in the 2000 census. ...

and raised in nearby Rockaway Township, Casal attended

Morris Knolls High School Morris Knolls High School (MKHS) is a four-year comprehensive public high school serving students in ninth through twelfth grades from Denville Township and most of Rockaway Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States, operating as ...

Solo career

1990–1999

Casal began work on early solo demos from 1990 to 1993 at studios in Los Angeles, New York and New Jersey. During this period he teamed up with his manager Gary Waldman, keyboard player John Ginty and vocalist Angie McKenna. After signing a publishing deal with

Warner/Chappell Music Warner Chappell Music, Inc. is an American music publishing company and a subsidiary of the Warner Music Group. Warner Chappell Music's catalogue consists of over 1.4 million compositions and 65,000 composers, with offices in over 40 countries. ...

, he forged a long standing professional relationship with producer/engineer

Jim Scott Jim or Jimmy Scott may refer to: Music * Jimmy Scott (1925–2014), American jazz vocalist * Jim Scott (producer), music engineer and producer * Jim Scott (musician), acoustic guitar player and songwriter * Jimmy Scott (songwriter), British-born mu ...

. In 1994, Casal signed with Zoo Entertainment and recorded his debut album at Palacio del Rio, formerly owned by

James Stewart James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military pilot. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart's film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991. With the strong morality h ...

and

Dean Martin Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti; June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an American singer, actor and comedian. One of the most popular and enduring American entertainers of the mid-20th century, Martin was nicknamed "The King of Cool". M ...

in Santa Ynez, California, with producer Jim Scott. The album featured musicians Don Heffington,

Bob Glaub Bob Glaub (born May 10, 1952)Hageman, William (April 29, 2005)."The aces of bass: Five giants of an overshadowed instrument", Knight Ridder Tribune News Service. is an American bass player and session musician. He has played with such artists an ...

Greg Leisz Gregory Brian Leisz ( ; born September 18, 1949) is an American musician. He is a songwriter, recording artist, and producer. He plays guitar, dobro, mandolin, lap steel and pedal steel guitar. Biography Leisz grew up in the garage band cu ...

. Casal released ''Fade Away Diamond Time'' in September 1994 to critical acclaim and supported the album on a US tour with his band. Casal parted ways with Zoo Records in 1996 and recorded "Rain, Wind, and Speed" released by Buy or Die Records. In 1997, Casal signed with the

Glitterhouse Records Glitterhouse Records is a German independent record label and mail order company based in Beverungen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It was founded in the mid-1980s. From the late 1980s until the mid-1990s it was the European branch of the American la ...

label and went on to release five albums, including ''Field Recordings'' and ''The Sun Rises Here''. In 1998, Casal released the self-produced album ''Basement Dreams'', named Americana Album of the Year in ''

Mojo Mojo may refer to: * Mojo (African-American culture), a magical charm bag used in voodoo Arts, entertainment and media Film and television * MOJO HD, an American television network * ''Mojo'' (play), by Jez Butterworth, made into a 1997 film * ' ...

'' magazine. During the Spring of 1999, Casal teamed up with Six String Drag front man

Kenny Roby Kenny Roby is a North Carolina-based singer-songwriter. He's the former lead singer of 6 String Drag, which he formed with old friend bassist Rob Keller in the early 1990s and became one of the main bands of the era's so called Americana moveme ...

and toured Europe, later that summer recording the live album ''Black River Sides''.

2000–2009

Casal released his sixth solo album ''Anytime Tomorrow'' in 2000, produced by

. ''Anytime Tomorrow'' was the last album to be released by Glitterhouse in 2000 and prompted an extensive European tour into early 2001. In 2002, Casal co-wrote, produced and released the EP ''Ran On Pure Lightning'' collaborating with

Shannon McNally Shannon Maureen McNally (born March 17, 1973) is an American singer and songwriter. Biography McNally was born in Hempstead, New York, on Long Island. While studying anthropology at Franklin and Marshall College, she began singing and playing ...

and other musicians which included

Benmont Tench Benjamin Montmorency "Benmont" Tench III (born September 7, 1953) is an American musician and singer, and a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Early years Tench was born in Gainesville, Florida, the second child of Benjamin ...

James Hutchinson (musician) James Hutchinson (born January 24, 1953) is an American session bassist best known for his work with Bonnie Raitt. Though his work takes him nearly everywhere he primarily resides in Studio City, Los Angeles, CA and Haiku-Pauwela, Hawaii. ...

and Brent Rademaker. Around this time, Casal also started playing with bassist Jeff Hill and drummer Dan Fadel, forming Hazy Malaze.Hazy Malaz
"Hazy Malaze"
.

Railroad Earth Railroad Earth is a bluegrass-influenced Americana band formed in Stillwater, New Jersey in 2001. The band's music combines elements of progressive bluegrass, folk, rock, country, jazz, Celtic and other Americana influences. Recognized as " ...

’s 2002 album ''

Bird in a House ''Bird in a House'' is the second studio album by the bluegrass/jam band Railroad Earth Railroad Earth is a bluegrass-influenced Americana band formed in Stillwater, New Jersey in 2001. The band's music combines elements of progressive bl ...

'' featured a cover version of Casal’s song “Dandelion Wine”. Shortly after signing to Paris-based Fargo Records in 2003, Fargo released the compilation album ''Maybe California'' resulting in a European tour and Casal's first solo tour of Japan. The following year, Fargo released two compilation albums, ''Leaving Traces'', a selection of Casal’s original songs from 1994–2004, and ''Return in Kind'', a compilation of covers and he began recording his eighth solo album. Casal joined

and The Cardinals in 2005. In December of that year he embarked on his third Japanese tour, which featured his first photography exhibition and upon his return released ''No Wish to Reminisce'' in early 2006. The album, produced by Michael Deming (

Beachwood Sparks Beachwood Sparks are an American alternative country band from Los Angeles. An article in ''The Daily Telegraph'' on America's underground psychedelic pop scene described Beachwood Sparks as "country through a kaleidoscope". Biography The band ...

Lilys Lilys are an American indie rock band formed in Washington, D.C in 1988. The only constant member is Kurt Heasley, with the line-up changing regularly. Several of the band's tracks have been used in television advertisements, including the band' ...

), took his music in a different direction from his previous work, with a more layered, psychedelic production. ''All Directions'', a compilation album of live and unreleased songs, was released in 2007. In 2009, Casal teamed up with engineer Don Sternecker and recorded and produced '' Roots and Wings''. The album included musicians

Jon Graboff Jon is a shortened form of the common given name Jonathan, derived from "YHWH has given", and an alternate spelling of John, derived from "YHWH has pardoned".Johnathan Rice Johnathan Rice (born May 27, 1983) is a Scottish-American singer-songwriter. He used to frequently collaborate with Jenny Lewis. His first album, ''Trouble is Real'', was released on Reprise Records on April 26, 2005. His follow-up, ''Furthe ...

, Jeff Hill, Dan Fadel and Andy Goessling.

2010–2019

Casal began recording his tenth solo album in March 2010 with producer

Thom Monahan Thom Monahan is an American producer/engineer and musician who is best known for his work with the bands Pernice Brothers, Fruit Bats and Vetiver. He has also produced albums by Devendra Banhart, Wild Nothing, Beachwood Sparks, and the Chri ...

. While Casal toured Europe, Fargo re-released the albums ''Basement Dreams'' and ''Rain, Wind and Speed''. On March 6 it was announced that Casal had joined the

. Casal's tenth studio album, ''

'', was released in November 2011. In 2013, Casal joined

alongside

Todd Snider Todd Daniel Snider (born October 11, 1966) is an American singer-songwriter whose music incorporates elements of folk, rock, blues, alt country, and funk. Early career Todd Snider was born in Portland, Oregon, but was raised in nearby Beave ...

Dave Schools David Allen Schools (born December 11, 1964) is a bass player and founding member of American rock band Widespread Panic. He is also a record producer, songwriter and journalist with articles published in a wide variety of music magazines. Scho ...

, Chad Staehly and Duane Trucks. The

supergroup Supergroup or super group may refer to: * Supergroup (music), a music group formed by artists who are already notable or respected in their fields * Supergroup (physics), a generalization of groups, used in the study of supersymmetry * Supergroup ...

's debut album ''Hard Working Americans'' was recorded at

Bob Weir Robert Hall Weir ( ; né Parber, born October 16, 1947) is an American musician and songwriter best known as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. After the group disbanded in 1995, Weir performed with The Other Ones, later known as The Dead ...

TRI Studios Tamalpais Research Institute, also known as TRI Studios, is a virtual music venue in San Rafael, California; it is the brainchild of Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir, currently of Dead & Company as well as Bob Weir and Wolf Bros. TRI is a state-o ...

in 2013 and released on January 21, 2014. In 2015, Casal along with

Adam MacDougall Adam "Mad Dog" MacDougall (born 8 May 1975) is an Australian author, businessman and former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative ...

, Dan Horne and Mark Levy recorded five hours of music as Circles Around the Sun that was played as the pre-show and set break music at

The Grateful Dead The Grateful Dead was an American rock music, rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. The band is known for its eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, Folk music, folk, country music, country, jazz, bluegrass music, bluegrass, ...

's Fare Thee Well concerts in Santa Clara and Chicago. These compositions were released later that year as the album ''Interludes for the Dead''. Circles Around the Sun made its live debut at the 2016 Lockn' Festival at Oak Ridge Farm in Arrington, Virginia. In 2018, CATS released their second album ''Let It Wander''. In 2016, Casal joined three other

alums, Farmer Dave Scher, Dan Horne, and

Aaron Sperske Aaron Sperske is an American drummer who has played in several bands, including Beachwood Sparks, Josh Tillman, Father John Misty, Lilys, The Miracle Workers, Ariel Pink, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Chapin Sisters, The Chapin Sisters, and The ...

, and songwriter

Cass McCombs Cass McCombs (born November 13, 1977 in California) is an American musician and songwriter. Since 2002 he has released ten albums, an EP and a B-sides compilation under his own name. McCombs’ music blends elements of many styles including Ameri ...

to form The Skiffle Players. Their debut album ''Skifflin'' was released that year, followed by the ''Piffle Sayers EP'' and ''Skiff'' in 2018.

Hazy Malaze

In the summer of 2002, while touring with

, Casal formed Hazy Malaze with fellow band members Dan Fadel and Jeff Hill. Their debut album ''Hazy Malaze'' was recorded and mixed at Village Recorders in Los Angeles in eleven days. Later that year they toured opening for

Robert Randolph and the Family Band Robert Randolph and the Family Band is an American gospel band led by pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph (Robert Jermaine Randolph, born August 8, 1977, Irvington, New Jersey). NPR has described the band as one with an "irresistible rock ' ...

and during 2003 continued to tour the US, while beginning work on their second album ''Blackout Love''. In 2005, Hazy Malaze released their second album ''Blackout Love'', supported by a French tour. In 2009 Hazy Malaze released their third album ''Connections''.

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

Casal joined

The Cardinals The Cardinals were an American R&B group of the 1950s. Sharing a legacy with the Orioles, The Cardinals are remembered as one of the best R&B ballad acts to come out of Baltimore. Origins The Cardinals’ career began in 1946 (one year before ...

in 2005, shortly after the release of '' Jacksonville City Nights'', replacing J.P. Bowerstock, and toured the US in the summer of 2006, followed by a UK and European tour in the autumn. In 2007, the Ryan Adams album ''

Easy Tiger ''Easy Tiger'' is the ninth studio album by Ryan Adams David Ryan Adams (born November 5, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, artist, and poet. He has released 23 albums, as well as three studio albums as a former memb ...

'' was released and went to number seven. on

Billboard album chart The ''Billboard'' 200 is a record chart ranking the 200 most popular music albums and EPs in the United States. It is published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine and is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of art ...

, resulting in a yearlong world tour and the album's producer, Jamie Candiloro, added to the lineup on piano. Candiloro also produced the ''

Follow the Lights ''Follow the Lights'' (released in the UK as ''Everybody Knows'') is an EP by Ryan Adams and The Cardinals released on October 23, 2007. The EP contains three new songs and four live studio recordings, including a cover of the Alice in Chains' ...

'' EP, released in October 2007, and reaching number 40 on the US Billboard 200 chart.''Billboard'' "Charts" In 2008, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals released ''

Cardinology ''Cardinology'' is the tenth studio album by Ryan Adams, and fourth album with his backing band Ryan Adams and The Cardinals, The Cardinals, released on October 28, 2008. The album completed Adams' contract with Lost Highway Records, and marks his ...

'', recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York and produced by Tom Schick. The album reached number 11 on Billboard album chart and number 14 on ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...

''’s best albums of 2008 list. ''Rolling Stone'' magazine also placed "Magick" at No. 13 on the 100 Best Singles of 2008 list. In January 2009, Adams announced that he was leaving The Cardinals after their final show on March 20, 2009 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. The band has been on indefinite hiatus ever since. In December 2010, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals released their final album III/IV, a compilation of unreleased material. The album was recorded in 2006 during the same sessions that yielded ''Easy Tiger''. On April 16

released ''Class Mythology'', which is an EP of unreleased tracks recorded with the Cardinals during the ''Cardinology'' period. In an interview with

American Songwriter ''American Songwriter'' is a bimonthly magazine covering songwriting. Established in 1984, it features interviews, songwriting tips, news, reviews and lyric contest. The magazine is based in Nashville, Tennessee. History The ''American Songwri ...

Casal described his experience with the group positively. "It really was a great lineup... For a couple years there, man, we were on fire. We really were. We were playing some amazing shows and running through Ryan’s entire catalog, just burning those songs to the ground. We really felt confident for awhile . We had a lot of synergy, we were all really connected, and everyone believed in it. We were firing on all cylinders. It was a great thing to be a part of."

Session work/collaborations

Casal contributed guitar work on

Tift Merritt Tift may refer to: Places * Tift County, Georgia, a county in south-central Georgia, United States People with the given name * Tift Merritt (born 1975), American singer-songwriter People with the surname * Andrew Tift (born 1968), British portr ...

’s 2005 album ''

Tambourine The tambourine is a musical instrument in the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zills". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though ...

'', featuring Mike Campbell, which was nominated for a Country Album of the Year and three Americana Music Awards. Casal played on

Gin Wigmore Virginia Claire Wigmore (born 6 June 1986) is a New Zealand singer and songwriter. Featured on the Smashproof single "Brother" in 2009, Wigmore went on to release four albums '' Holy Smoke'' (2009), ''Gravel & Wine'' (2011), '' Blood to Bone'' ...

’s 2009 album ''Holy Smoke'' produced by

Mike Elizondo Mike Elizondo (born October 22, 1972) is an American producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. A protege of Dr. Dre, Elizondo has worked with 50 Cent, Eminem, Carrie Underwood, Fiona Apple, Mastodon, Ry Cooder, Skylar Grey, Twenty ...

, which won four of the six

New Zealand Music Awards The Aotearoa Music Awards (previously called the New Zealand Music Awards), conferred annually by Recorded Music NZ, honour outstanding artistic and technical achievements in the recording industry. The awards are among the most significant that ...

it was nominated for and went Quadruple Platinum.

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (197 ...

's 2007 album ''

Songbird A songbird is a bird belonging to the suborder Passeri of the perching birds (Passeriformes). Another name that is sometimes seen as the scientific or vernacular name is Oscines, from Latin ''oscen'', "songbird". The Passeriformes contains 500 ...

'' produced by

and released by Lost Highway Records. Adams, along with The Cardinals, performed on the album’s eleven tracks, featuring Casal on guitar and piano. ''Songbird'' peaked at No. 87 on the Billboard 200 on November 18, 2006. Other artists who featured Casal as a session musician include

Shooter Jennings Waylon Albright "Shooter" Jennings (born May 19, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He is the only son of country singers Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. In a career spanning over two decades, Shooter Jenn ...

, Phil Lesh,

Lucinda Williams Lucinda Gayle Williams (born January 26, 1953) is an American singer-songwriter and a solo guitarist. She recorded her first two albums: '' Ramblin' on My Mind'' (1979) and '' Happy Woman Blues'' (1980), in a traditional country and blues style ...

Vetiver (band) Vetiver is an American Folk music, folk band headed by songwriter Andy Cabic. History Vetiver was formed in San Francisco in 2002. The band released their self-titled debut album in 2004 in music, 2004 on the small indie folk label DiCristina ...

Sera Cahoone Sera Cahoone (born August 4, 1975) is an American singer-songwriter from Seattle, Washington. Cahoone's music combines elements of classic country-western and modern indie rock and lo-fi music. She works as a drummer, especially with the bands C ...

, Vision Explored,

Minnie Driver Amelia Fiona Jessica "Minnie" Driver (born 31 January 1970) is an English actress. She rose to prominence with her break-out role in 1995's '' Circle of Friends''. She went on to star in a wide range of films including the cult classic ''Grosse ...

Duncan Sheik Duncan Sheik (born November 18, 1969) is an American singer-songwriter and composer. Sheik is known for his 1996 debut single " Barely Breathing", which earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. He has composed ...

, Dr. Zwig,

The Jayhawks The Jayhawks are an American alternative country and country rock band that emerged from the Twin Cities music scene in the mid-1980s. Led by vocalists/guitarists/songwriters Gary Louris and Mark Olson (musician), Mark Olson, their country rock ...

, and Amanda Shires.

Photography

Casal was an avid photographer and provided photos for several albums which he appeared on as a musician. He shot the album cover photos for ''

'' and ''

'' and provided photos for ''Cardinology'', ''Cardinals III/IV'' and ''Class Mythology''. In 2010, Abrams Image published the

photo book A photo book or photobook is a book in which photographs make a significant contribution to the overall content. A photo book is related to and also often used as a coffee table book. Early Early photo books are characterized by their use o ...

, '' Ryan Adams & the Cardinals: A View of Other Windows''. The book is a photographic documentary of life playing and touring with the band. Casal shot the album cover and all photos for the artwork for

Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion Sarah Lee Guthrie (born February 17, 1979) and Johnny Irion (born John Phillip Irion; February 3, 1969) are a musical duo. Guthrie and Irion were married on October 16, 1999, and began performing together as an acoustic duo in late 2000. Their m ...

’s album ''Bright Examples'', the album cover for Courtney Jaye's ''The Exotic Sounds of Courtney Jaye'', provided photographs for

Danny and the Champions of the World Danny and the Champions of the World are a heartland rock and soul band. Formed in London during the summer of 2007 by Danny George Wilson, the band have since released six studio albums and one live album. The band's name is an allusion to t ...

album ''Streets of Our Time'', the Hard Working Americans record "Rest In Chaos" and

’s ''Tambourine''. In January 2008 Casal exhibited his photography at the Bauhaus Gallery in Tokyo. His photographs have appeared in publications such as ''Mojo'', ''Rolling Stone'', ''Spin'', ''Harp'', ''USA Today''.

Films and television

Director Ray Foley made a documentary about Casal's influences and inspirations during the making of his sixth album in 2001 entitled ''Neal Casal: Anytime Tomorrow''. In 2009, two Hazy Malaze songs were featured on ''

Private Practice Private practice may refer to: *Private sector practice **Practice of law In its most general sense, the practice of law involves giving legal advice to clients, drafting legal documents for clients, and representing clients in legal negotiati ...

'' season three, episode seven “The Hard Part” and Casal’s single “The Losing End Again” appeared in ''

Fringe Fringe may refer to: Arts * Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest arts festival, known as "the Fringe" * Adelaide Fringe, the world's second-largest annual arts festival * Fringe theatre, a name for alternative theatre * The Fringe, the ...

'' season two, episode seventeen “Olivia. In The Lab. With The Revolver.”. Casal was

Owen Wilson Owen Cunningham Wilson (born November 18, 1968) is an American actor. He has had a long association with filmmaker Wes Anderson with whom he shared writing and acting credits for '' Bottle Rocket'' (1996), '' Rushmore'' (1998), and '' The Royal ...

and

Vince Vaughn Vincent Anthony Vaughn (born March 28, 1970) is an American actor. Vaughn began acting in the late 1980s, appearing in minor television roles before attaining wider recognition with the 1996 comedy-drama film '' Swingers''. He has appeared in ...

's voice coach for the 2004 movie '' Starsky & Hutch'' and played guitar on Owen Wilson's performance of " Don't Give Up On Us" which was also featured on the soundtrack. Casal sang the lead vocals on “The Game” on “The Music of Jason Crigler”, released on Rudy Records. Casal co-wrote and sang backing vocals on “The Truest Kind”, on the album ''Danny and The Champions of The World''. In 2011, Casal worked as

Garrett Hedlund Garrett John Hedlund (born September 3, 1984) is an American actor. His films include ''Troy'' (2004), '' Friday Night Lights'' (2004), '' Four Brothers'' (2005), ''Eragon'' (2006), ''Death Sentence'' (2007), '' Tron: Legacy'' (2010), ''Country ...

’s guitar instructor for the movie ''

Country Strong ''Country Strong'' is a 2010 American drama film starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Garrett Hedlund, and Leighton Meester. The film, about an emotionally unstable country music star who attempts to resurrect her career, was directed and written ...

'' and also appears in the film as

Gwyneth Paltrow Gwyneth Kate Paltrow (; born ) is an American actress and businesswoman. She is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. Paltrow gained notice for her early work in films ...

’s guitar player.

Death

Casal died by suicide on August 26, 2019, at age 50.

Legacy

On July 20, 2021, ''Highway Butterfly: The Songs of Neal Casal'', a 3-CD tribute compilation of cover versions by various performers, was released through the Neal Casal Music Foundation. Contributing artists included

Marcus King Marcus King (born March 11, 1996) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the frontman, lead singer and guitarist for The Marcus King Band. His 2020 album ''El Dorado'' received a nomination for Grammy Aw ...

Eric Krasno Soulive is a funk/jazz trio that originated in Woodstock, New York, and is known for its solos and catchy, upbeat songs. The band consists of Eric Krasno (guitar), Alan Evans (drums) and Neal Evans ( Hammond B3 organ, bass keys, clavinet). Alth ...

, Phil Lesh,

Susan Tedeschi Susan Tedeschi (; born November 9, 1970) is an American singer and guitarist. A multiple Grammy Award nominee, she is a member of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, a conglomeration of her band, her husband Derek Trucks’ and other musicians. Early li ...

Derek Trucks Derek Trucks (born June 8, 1979) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and founder of The Derek Trucks Band. He became an official member of The Allman Brothers Band in 1999. In 2010, he formed the Tedeschi Trucks Band with his wife, blues sing ...

Jimmy Herring Jimmy Herring (born January 22, 1962) is the lead guitarist for the band Widespread Panic. He is a founding member of Aquarium Rescue Unit and Jazz Is Dead and has played with The Allman Brothers Band, Project Z, Derek Trucks Band, Phil Lesh a ...

Oteil Burbridge Oteil Burbridge is an American multi-instrumentalist, specializing on the bass guitar, trained in playing jazz and classical music from an early age. He has achieved fame primarily on bass guitar during the resurgence of the Allman Brothers Ban ...

Warren Haynes Warren Haynes (born April 6, 1960) is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his work as longtime guitarist with the Allman Brothers Band and as founding member of the jam band Gov't Mule. Early in his career he was a ...

Steve Earle Stephen Fain Earle (; born January 17, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, author, and actor. Earle began his career as a songwriter in Nashville and released his first EP in 1982. Initially working in the country music g ...

, and

The Allman Betts Band The Allman Betts Band is an American rock group. Formed in November 2018, it includes the sons of three founding members of the Allman Brothers Band – Devon Allman (son of Gregg Allman), Duane Betts (son of Dickey Betts), and Berry Duane Oakle ...

. On March 4, 2022, the collection was re-released on vinyl as a 5-LP box set.

Discography

Solo

Studio albums *''Fade Away Diamond Time'' (1995) *''Rain, Wind and Speed'' (1996) *''Field Recordings'' (1997) *''The Sun Rises Here'' (1998) *''Basement Dreams'' (1999) *''Black River Sides'' (with

) (1999) *''Anytime Tomorrow'' (2000) *''Ran on Pure Lightning'' (with

) (2002) *''Return in Kind'' (2004) *''No Wish to Reminisce'' (2006) *'' Roots and Wings'' (2009) *''

'' (2011)

Compilations

*''An introduction to Neal Casal - maybe California'' (2003) *''Leaving Traces'' (2004) *''All Directions'' (2008)

With Hazy Malaze

*''Hazy Malaze'' (2003) *''Blackout Love'' (2004) *''Connections'' (2009)

With Ryan Adams and the Cardinals

*''

'' (2007) *''

'' (2008) *'' III/IV'' (2010) *''

Class Mythology ''Class Mythology'' is an EP by American alt-country band Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, released on April 16, 2011 on PAX AM. Limited to 2500 copies, the EP was released in celebration of Record Store Day, and consists of unreleased tracks recor ...

'' (2011)

With Chris Robinson Brotherhood

*''

Big Moon Ritual ''Big Moon Ritual'' is the debut studio album by American blues rock band Chris Robinson Brotherhood. It was released on June 5, 2012, and was recorded during the same sessions as the band's second album, ''The Magic Door,'' which would be releas ...

'' (2012) *''

The Magic Door ''The Magic Door'' (also known as ''The Magic Door Television Theatre'') was a Jewish educational television series, aimed at providing kiruv (outreach) to Jewish children in the Chicago metropolitan area but intended to appeal to all children ...

'' (2012) * ''Betty's SF Blends Vol 1'' (2013) *''Phosphorescent Harvest'' (2014) * ''Try Rock N' Roll'', EP (2014) * ''Betty's Blends Vol 2: Best from the West'' (2015) * ''Anyway You Love, We Know How You Feel'' (2016) * ''If You Lived Here You Would Be Home by Now'' (2016) * ''Betty's Blends Vol 3: Self Rising Southern Blends'' (2017) * ''Barefoot in the Head'' (2017) * ''Raven's Reels Vol 1'' (2018) * ''Servants of the Sun'' (2019)

With Hard Working Americans

* ''Hard Working Americans'' (2014) * ''Rest in Chaos'' (2016) * ''We're All in This Together'' (2017)

With GospelbeacH

* ''Pacific Surf Line'' (2015) * ''Let it Burn'' (2019)

With Circles Around The Sun

* '' Interludes For The Dead'' (2015) * ''Let It Wander'' (2018) * ''Circles Around The Sun Meets Joe Russo (2019) * ''Circles Around The Sun'' (2020)

Album collaborations

* Blackfoot - ''Medicine Man'' (1991) - Guitar, vocals * Various artists - ''Piss & Vinegar: The Songs of Graham Parker - Black Honey'' (1996) - Guitar, vocals *

James Iha (born March 26, 1968) is an American rock musician. He is best known as a guitarist and co-founder of the alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. He was a member until the initial breakup in 2000. Among his musical projects of recent years ...

— '' Let It Come Down'' (1998) — Guitar and harmonies * Various artists - ''A Christmas to Remember'' — ''Cora Jones'' (1998) — Casal's original song, vocals, guitar and percussion * Angie Mckenna - ''Looking East'' (1999) - Production, guitar, piano, vocals * Todd Thibaud — ''Little Mystery'' (1999) — Guitar * Bill Kelly - ''Jumbo'' (2000) - Guitar *

— ''Caravan of Dreams'' (2001) — Guitar * Amy Allison - ''Sad Girl'' (2001)- Guitar *

— ''Daylight'' (2002) — Sang harmonies * Ileen - ''Bride Pt.2'' (2002) - Guitar * Dayna Manning — ''Shades'' (2002) — Guitar *

— ''

Unclassified Classified information is material that a government body deems to be sensitive information that must be protected. Access is restricted by law or regulation to particular groups of people with the necessary security clearance and need to know, ...

'' (2004) — Sang harmonies *

— ''

'' (2004) — Guitar and harmonies *

Mia Doi Todd Mia Doi Todd (born June 30, 1975) is an American singer-songwriter. She was described by ''Dusted Magazine'' as "one of those artists that seem to function not just as creators in their own right, but as connecting links between other musicians." ...

— ''

Manzanita Manzanita is a common name for many species of the genus ''Arctostaphylos''. They are evergreen shrubs or small trees present in the chaparral biome of western North America, where they occur from Southern British Columbia and Washington to Or ...

'' (2005) — Guitar *Emily Loizeau - L'Autre Bout du Monde (2005) - Guitar *

— ''

'' (2006) — Guitar *

— '' Seastories'' (2007) — Guitar * Jason Crigler - ''The Music Of Jason Crigler'' - (2008) Guitar *

- ''Danny and the Champions of the World'' (2008)- Harmonies * Clarence Bucaro - ''Til Spring'' (2009)- Guitar *

— '' Holy Smoke'' (2009) — Guitar * Mark Olson — ''Many Colored Kite'' (2010) — Guitar and bass *

Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion Sarah Lee Guthrie (born February 17, 1979) and Johnny Irion (born John Phillip Irion; February 3, 1969) are a musical duo. Guthrie and Irion were married on October 16, 1999, and began performing together as an acoustic duo in late 2000. Their m ...

— ''Bright Examples'' (2011) — Guitar and piano *

Bryan Greenberg Bryan Greenberg (born May 24, 1978) is an American actor and singer, known for his starring role as Ben Epstein in the HBO original series ''How to Make It in America'' as well as a recurring role as Jake Jagielski in the WB series ''One Tree H ...

— ''We Don't Have Forever'' (2011) — Guitar and bass * Levi Strom - The Lone Wolf (2011) - Piano * Amanda Shires — ''Carrying Lightning'' (2011) — Guitar and harmonies *

— ''

Ashes & Fire ''Ashes & Fire'' is the 13th studio album by Ryan Adams, released on October 11, 2011, on PAX AM and Capitol. Recorded with producer Glyn Johns, ''Ashes & Fire'' marks Adams' return to recording following the disbandment of his band the Cardin ...

'' (2011) — Backing vocals, acoustic guitar * Vetiver - ''The Errant Charm'' (2011) - Guitar *

- ''The Tarnished Gold'' (2012)- Guitar, vocals * Music Is Love - ''A Singer Songwriter's Tribute to the Music Of CSN&Y'' (2012) *

— ''

Look to the Sky ''Look to the Sky'' is the second solo album of James Iha, guitarist of The Smashing Pumpkins and A Perfect Circle. It was released on 14 March 2012 in Japan, with a worldwide release in September 2012. The album has many collaborations, includin ...

'' (2012) — Vocals/harmonies * Fruit Bats - ''Tripper'' (2012) - Guitar * Dan Grimm - ''Average Savage'' (2014) - Guitar * Matt Waldon - ''Learn to Love'' (2014) - Guitar * Mark Olson - ''Good-bye Lizelle'' (2014) - Guitar, Bass *Medicine Hat - Whiskey and Waves (2015) - Guitar * Vetiver - ''Complete Strangers'' (2015) - Guitar * J.E. Borgen - ''Roots Down Deep'' (2016) - Guitar *

The Tyde The Tyde are an American indie rock group. Tracing their roots to early 1990s LA indie band Further, formed by Darren Rademaker and brother Brent. The Tyde cite Felt, the Beach Boys and the Byrds as major influences. They are not to be confused w ...

- ''Darren 4'' (2016) - Guitar * The Orchard - ''The Great Unknown'' (2017) - Guitar, harmonica * Jeff Grimes - ''More Than Memory'' (2017) - Guitar * Danielle Hicks and the Resistance - ''Honey'' (2017) - Guitar * Dori Freeman - ''Letters Never Read'' (2017) - Guitar * Johnny Irion - ''Driving Friend'' (2018) - Guitar * Emma Scott - ''It Was Worth It'' (2018) - Harmonies * Fruit Bats - ''Gold Past Life'' (2019) - Guitar * Little Wings - ''Ropes'' (2019) - Guitar

Song collaborations

Shelby Starner Shelby E. Starner (January 3, 1984June 22, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. She signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records in 1997, releasing her official debut single, "Don't Let Them" two years later. Starner released ...

single — “Don’t Let Them” (1999) * ''

Zoolander ''Zoolander'' is a 2001 American comedy film directed by and starring Ben Stiller. The film contains elements from a pair of short films directed by Russell Bates and written by Drake Sather and Stiller for the '' VH1 Fashion Awards'' television ...

'' soundtrack —

Rufus Wainwright Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright (born July 22, 1973) is a Canadian-American singer, songwriter, and composer. He has recorded 10 studio albums and numerous tracks on compilations and film soundtracks. He has also written two classical operas and set ...

song "

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" is a ballad written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Originally recorded by Kelly Gordon in 1969, the song became a worldwide hit for the Hollies later that year and also a hit for Neil Diamond in 1970. It ...

"Casal, Nea
"Collaborations"
.(2001) — Guitar * The Sun Records Tribute album — ''Good Rockin' Tonight, The Legacy of Sun Records'' —

Sheryl Crow Sheryl Suzanne Crow (born February 11, 1962) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, pop, country, folk, and blues. She has released eleven studio albums, five compilations and three li ...

song “Who Will the Next Fool Be” (2001) — Guitar *

Badly Drawn Boy Damon Michael Gough (born 2 October 1969), known by the stage name Badly Drawn Boy, is an English indie singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Gough chose his stage name from a character in the show ''Sam and his Magic Ball'', which he saw ...

single — “Spitting in the Wind” (2001) * '' Starsky & Hutch'' soundtrack — song " Don't Give Up on Us" (2004) — Guitar * “More Townes Van Zant” by The Great Unknown (2010)

References

External links

Neal Casal's official website

Neal Casal Music Foundation

Chris Robinson Brotherhood News, Reviews and More
{{DEFAULTSORT:Casal, Neal 1968 births 2019 suicides People from Denville, New Jersey People from Rockaway Township, New Jersey American male singer-songwriters The Cardinals (rock band) members Photographers from New Jersey Singer-songwriters from New Jersey Blackfoot (band) members Place of death missing Chris Robinson Brotherhood members Zoo Records artists Hard Working Americans members Guitarists from New Jersey Glitterhouse Records artists Living people Suicides in the United States