Background
O'Neal, Winston James was born on November 25, 1948 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States. Son of Winston James and Mary Margaret (Burns) O'N.
editor writer record producer magazine publisher
O'Neal, Winston James was born on November 25, 1948 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States. Son of Winston James and Mary Margaret (Burns) O'N.
Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Northwestern University, 1970, Master of Science in Journalism, 1974. Co-founder Living Blues magazine, Chicago, 1970, co-editor, 1970-1987. Founding editor, 1987.
Co-owner Rooster Blues Records, 1979, Drop Top Music, 1980, Rooster Reggae Records, 1983, Stackhouse Delta Record District, 1988, Okra-Tone Records, 1994. Board advisors Center for Study Southern Culture, U. Mississippi, publications editor, 1986-1987. Board advisors Blues Foundation, Delta Blues Museum, Mississippi Delta Arts Council, Miss Blues Commission.
National Academy Blues. Consultant for television series American Broadcasting Company, National Broadcasting Company, Columbia Broadcasting System (United States, Canadian Broadcasting Company, Canada), Public Broadcasting Service, Turner Broadcasting System, Cable News Network, Mississippi ETV, Alabama ETV, Indiana ETV, Auburn television, British Broadcasting Corporation, WDR (Federal Republic Germany), Fuji Telecasting (Japan), Veronica television (Netherlands), Videofilmes (Brazil). Member artist-in residence program Illinois Arts Council, Orgns.
American Historians, Philadelphia, World Music Institute, New York City. Member concert program Museum Contemporary Art, Field Museum Natural History. Made American Blues Legends tour, England, American Living Blues tour, France, Blues Festivals tours, Mexico.
With Berlin Jazz Festival. Consultant Maxwell Street Blues film University of Illinois-Chicago, University of Chicago Folk Festival, Chicago Blues Festival/Mayor' General’ s Office Special Events, Sunflower Riverbank Blues Festival, Clarksdale, Mississippi, Miami-Dade Community College, King Biscuit Blues Festival, Helena, Arkansas, Chunky Rhythm and Blues Festival, Mississippi, various programs Chicago History Society, Chicago Cultural Center, Smithsonian Institute, Memphis State University, Jazz Institute Chicago, U. Liege, Belgium, also other institutions, university and radio stations. Teacher Loop College, Chicago, 1974.
Co-founder Living Blues Magazine, Chicago, since 1970, co-editor, 1970—1987, founding editor, since 1987. Co-owner Rooster Blues Records, since 1979, Drop Top Music, since 1980, Rooster Reggae Records, 1983, Stackhouse Delta Record District, since 1988, Okra-Tone Records, since 1994. Board advisors, publications editor Center Study Southern Culture, University Mississippi, 1986—1987.
Board advisors Blues Foundation, Delta Blues Museum, Mississippi Delta Arts Council, Miss Blues Commission, National Academy Blues. Consultant television series ABC, NBC, Columbia Broadcasting System United States and Canada, Public Broadcasting Service, Turner Broadcasting System, numerous channels over the world. Member artist-in residence program Illinois Arts Council, Organizations American Historians, Philadelphia, World Music Institute, New York City.
Member concert program Museum Contemporary Art, Field Museum Natural History. Tour conductor American Blues Legends tour, England, American Living Blues tour, France, Blues Festivals tours, Mexico. With Berlin Jazz Festival.
Consultant Maxwell St. Blues film University Illinois, Chicago. Consultant University Chicago Folk Festival, Blues Festival/Mayor' General’ s Office Special Events, Sunflower Riverbank Blues Festival, Clarksdale, Mississippi, Miami-Dade Community College, King Biscuit Blues Festival, Helena, Arkansas, Chunky Rhythm and Blues Festival, Mississippi. Consultant various programs Chicago History Society, Chicago Cultural Center, Smithsonian Institute, Memphis State University, Jazz Institute Chicago, University Liege, Belgium.
Other institutions, university and radio stations. Teacher Loop College, Chicago, 1974.
Served alt.service at Chicago-Read Mental Health Center, 1971-1973. Member American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, National Academy Recording Arts and Sciences, National Association Indiana Record Distbrs., Blues Foundation (Classics of Blues Literature award 1982), National Academy Blues (Best Blues Publication award 1981), Broadcast Music Inc., Mississippi Delta Arts Council, Miss Blues Commission, Sunflower River Blues Association.
Married Amelia van Singel, July 11, 1970 (divorced August 1987). Married Selina Estelle Basey, November 4, 1995.