1. Neal Graeme Casal was an American guitarist, singer, songwriter and photographer.
24 Facts About Neal Casal
1. 2.
Neal Casal released his final solo album, Sweeten the Distance, in 2011.
3.
Neal Casal began work on early solo demos from 1990 to 1993 at studios in Los Angeles, New York and New Jersey.
4.
In 1994, Neal Casal signed with Zoo Entertainment and recorded his debut album at Palacio del Rio, formerly owned by James Stewart and Dean Martin in Santa Ynez, California, with producer Jim Scott.
5.
Neal Casal released Fade Away Diamond Time in September 1994 to critical acclaim and supported the album on a US tour with his band.
6.
Neal Casal parted ways with Zoo Records in 1996 and recorded "Rain, Wind, and Speed" released by Buy or Die Records.
7.
In 1997, Neal Casal signed with the Glitterhouse Records label and went on to release five albums, including Field Recordings and The Sun Rises Here which features Greg Leisz, drummer Don Heffington and longtime Bonnie Raitt bassist James "Hutch" Hutchinson on bass and backing vocals.
8.
In 1998, Neal Casal released the self-produced album Basement Dreams, named Americana Album of the Year in Mojo magazine.
9.
Neal Casal released his sixth solo album Anytime Tomorrow in 2000, produced by Jim Scott.
10.
In 2002, Neal Casal co-wrote, produced and released the EP Ran On Pure Lightning collaborating with Shannon McNally and other musicians which included Benmont Tench, Greg Leisz, bassist James "Hutch" Hutchinson and Brent Rademaker.
11.
Around this time, Neal Casal started playing with bassist Jeff Hill and drummer Dan Fadel, forming Hazy Malaze.
12.
In 2009, Neal Casal teamed up with engineer Don Sternecker and recorded and produced Roots and Wings.
13.
Neal Casal began recording his tenth solo album in March 2010 with producer Thom Monahan.
14.
In 2013, Neal Casal joined Hard Working Americans alongside Todd Snider, Dave Schools, Chad Staehly and Duane Trucks.
15.
In 2016, Neal Casal joined three other Beachwood Sparks alums, Farmer Dave Scher, Dan Horne, and Aaron Sperske, and songwriter Cass McCombs to form The Skiffle Players.
16.
Neal Casal contributed guitar work on Tift Merritt's 2005 album Tambourine, featuring Mike Campbell, which was nominated for a Country Album of the Year and three Americana Music Awards.
17.
Neal Casal played on Gin Wigmore's 2009 album Holy Smoke produced by Mike Elizondo, which won four of the six New Zealand Music Awards it was nominated for and went Quadruple Platinum.
18.
Neal Casal was an avid photographer and provided photos for several albums which he appeared on as a musician.
19.
In January 2008 Neal Casal exhibited his photography at the Bauhaus Gallery in Tokyo.
20.
Neal Casal's photographs have appeared in publications such as Mojo, Rolling Stone, Spin, Harp, USA Today.
21.
Neal Casal sang the lead vocals on "The Game" on "The Music of Jason Crigler", released on Rudy Records.
22.
Neal Casal co-wrote and sang backing vocals on "The Truest Kind", on the album Danny and The Champions of The World.
23.
In 2011, Neal Casal worked as Garrett Hedlund's guitar instructor for the movie Country Strong and appears in the film as Gwyneth Paltrow's guitar player.
24.
Neal Casal died by suicide on August 26,2019, at age 50.