Suzie McNeil
{{Short description|Canadian musician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{BLP sources|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Suzie McNeil
| image = Suzie McNeil cropped.jpg
| caption = Suzie McNeil in April 2011
| image_size =
| landscape =
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Susan Jane McNeil
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1976|10|15}}
|birth_place = Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| death_date =
| genre = Pop rock
| instrument = Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Harmonica, Accordion
| occupation = Singer, songwriter, television singing competition judge
| years_active = 2005–present
| label = Curve
Universal Music Canada
604 Records
| associated_acts = Loving Mary, Jerome Godboo, INXS, Marti Frederiksen, Steven Tyler
| website = [http://www.suziemcneil.com/ suziemcneil.com]
}}
Susan Jane "Suzie" McNeil is a Canadian pop rock singer and songwriter. After garnering attention as a contestant on Rock Star: INXS in 2005, McNeil began pursuing a musical career and released her debut album, Broken & Beautiful, on April 10, 2007.{{cite web|last1=Chisling|first1=Matthew|title=Broken and Beautiful – Suzie McNeil|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/broken-and-beautiful-mw0000584565|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=December 15, 2014}} Its second single, "Believe" was re-recorded with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in support of Canada's Own the Podium campaign, and served as the official anthem of the Canadian team for the 2010 Winter Olympics.{{cite news|last1=Stevenson|first1=Jane|title=McNeil excited for Grey Cup gig|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/M/McNeil_Suzie/2008/11/20/7470911-sun.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141215041937/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/M/McNeil_Suzie/2008/11/20/7470911-sun.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 15, 2014|accessdate=December 15, 2014|work=Canoe.ca|date=November 20, 2008}} McNeil performed alongside Theory of a Deadman and Andrée Watters at the halftime show during the 96th Grey Cup.{{cite news|title=Theory, Suzie McNeil, Andrée Watters to play Grey Cup show|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/theory-suzie-mcneil-andr%C3%A9e-watters-to-play-grey-cup-show-1.747386|accessdate=December 15, 2014|publisher=CBC News|date=October 14, 2008}} Her second studio album, Rock-n-Roller (2008), spawned the successful single "Supergirl", a cover of the Saving Jane song. In 2011, McNeil signed with Canadian label 604 Records and enjoyed mainstream success with the songs "Drama Queen" and "Merry Go Round". They preceded the release of her third studio album, Dear Love, which came out on August 7, 2012.
In 2014, after a two-year hiatus from her solo career, McNeil teamed up with Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Marti Frederiksen to form the country rock quartet Loving Mary.{{cite news|last1=Kennedy|first1=John R.|title=Canadian singer Suzie McNeil launches new band Loving Mary|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1224047/canadian-singer-suzie-mcneil-launches-new-band-loving-mary/|accessdate=December 15, 2014|work=Global News|date=March 21, 2014}} They have recorded an EP released in 2015, and have reportedly written enough songs for a full-length album to follow shortly thereafter.
Biography
=Early life=
Suzie McNeil was born Susan Jane McNeil on October 15, 1976, in Mississauga, Ontario. She has two sisters, Laura Norris and Sarah McNeil, and a brother, Andrew McNeil.
=Personal life=
McNeil dated bandmate, Canadian musician Sean Cotton, while competing on Rockstar INXS. They were exclusive for several years before she moved to pursue her musical career. McNeil briefly dated stage actor Scott Walters in 2007 after the pair met working on We Will Rock You; they got engaged that summer, but ended up separating. On October 14, 2013, McNeil became engaged to musician Andrew McTaggart while in Las Vegas celebrating her birthday.{{cite news|last1=Kennedy|first1=John R.|title=Canadian singer Suzie McNeil engaged|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/912233/canadian-singer-suzie-mcneil-engaged/|accessdate=December 15, 2014|work=Global News|date=October 18, 2013}} The pair moved to Nashville, Tennessee in early 2014 and married on June 7, 2014. McNeil had a son named Findlay born November 17, 2017.{{cite news|last1=Kennedy|first1=John R.|title=PICS: Singer Suzie McNeil marries musician Andrew Mactaggart|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1380642/pics-singer-suzie-mcneil-marries-musician-andrew-mactaggart/|accessdate=December 15, 2014|work=Global News|date=June 7, 2014}}
Career
=2002—2007: Career beginnings and ''Broken and Beautiful''=
McNeil began performing on the late 1990s by working as a backing vocalists for a number of Canadian artists including Jeff Healey, Ronnie Hawkins, and Glass Tiger's Alan Frew.{{cite web |author1=Mark Deming |title=Artist Biography by Mark Deming |website=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/suzie-mcneil-mn0000248383/biography |access-date=3 December 2020}} In 1999 she was hired to perform as part of ABBA-Mania, an ABBA cover band{{cite web |title=ABBA-Mania, the rock musical |url=https://www.merrittherald.com/abba-mania-the-rock-musical/ |publisher=Merritt Herald |access-date=3 December 2020 |date=2002-07-17}} where she performed the parts originated by Agnetha Fältskog.{{cite web |last1=Cherry |first1=Nanciann |title=ABBA-Mania aims to re-create an icon |url=https://www.toledoblade.com/Music-Theater-Dance/2003/10/10/ABBA-Mania-aims-to-re-create-an-icon/stories/ |publisher=Toledo Blade |access-date=3 December 2020 |date=2003-10-10}}
In 2005, McNeil was a contestant on Rock Star: INXS, finishing fourth overall in the competition.{{cite web | url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/rock-star-inxs-cuts-suzie-mcneil-selects-its-three-finalists-3701.php | title='Rock Star: INXS' cuts Suzie McNeil, selects its three finalists | publisher=Reality TV World | accessdate=February 1, 2016}} In January 2006, McNeil moved to Los Angeles, to develop her music career. On January 26, 2006, she announced plans to record her first CD with Executive Producer John Kalodner and Producer Marti Frederiksen. In the summer of 2006, McNeil performed as a backup singer for Pink on her North American tour.{{cite web | url=https://www.thestar.com/news/2007/05/19/last_woman_standing.html | title=Last woman standing | work=Toronto Star | date=May 19, 2007 | accessdate=February 1, 2016}}
McNeil's single "Hung Up" gained significant radio airplay, especially in Canada. The music video was released to MuchMoreMusic on the week of February 19, 2007, and was uploaded to YouTube on March 29, 2007.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnvpePY8BKU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/QnvpePY8BKU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live| title=Hung Up | via=YouTube | accessdate=February 2, 2016}}{{cbignore}}
McNeil's song "Believe" was originally recorded on her debut studio album, Broken & Beautiful, released on April 10, 2007.{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/broken-and-beautiful-mw0000584565 | title=Broken and Beautiful | publisher=AllMusic, a division of All Media Network, LLC. | accessdate=February 1, 2016}} It was featured on NBC's promo for the reality weight-loss show The Biggest Loser,{{cite web | url=http://daystune.com/2013/10/basic-vacation-release-believe-video-song-plays-biggest-loser/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018022318/http://daystune.com/2013/10/basic-vacation-release-believe-video-song-plays-biggest-loser/ | url-status=usurped | archive-date=October 18, 2013 | title=Basic Vacation Release 'I Believe' Video and Song Plays for Biggest Loser | publisher=DaysTune | accessdate=February 1, 2016}} as well as throughout season four of Beauty and the Geek.{{cite web | url=http://musicfromfilm.com/tvshows/beautyandthegeek.php | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604051825/http://musicfromfilm.com/tvshows/beautyandthegeek.php | url-status=usurped | archive-date=June 4, 2011 | title=Music from Beauty and the Geek | publisher=Music from Film | accessdate=February 1, 2016}} The song had debuted exclusively on "King Ben's Injection of Perfection" radio programme on 2RRR in Sydney, Australia, on September 9, 2006, to positive reaction. The single was also used as a fundraiser for Own the Podium for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.{{cite web | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/suzie-mcneil-song-aims-to-boost-canadian-olympians-1.633776 | title=Suzie McNeil song aims to boost Canadian Olympians | publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada | accessdate=February 1, 2016}} The Olympic inspired video for "Believe" was recorded with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and released on September 17, 2007. The video stars Canadian Olympians Steve Omischl (freestyle skiing – aerials), Joannie Rochette (figure skating), and Clara Hughes (speed skating).{{cite web|title=Suzie McNeil song aims to boost Canadian Olympians|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/suzie-mcneil-song-aims-to-boost-canadian-olympians-1.633776|publisher=CBC News|accessdate=December 15, 2014|date=September 18, 2007}}
McNeil appeared on Matt Nathanson's album Some Mad Hope singing background vocals on the songs "Sooner Surrender" and "Bulletproof Weeks",{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/some-mad-hope-mw0000577223/credits | title=Some Mad Hope | publisher=AllMusic, a division of All Media Network, LLC.|accessdate=February 1, 2016}} and on Clay Aiken's album A Thousand Different Ways as guest vocalist on "I Want to Know What Love Is", a cover of the Foreigner song.{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-thousand-different-ways-mw0000445275 | title=A Thousand Different Ways | publisher=AllMusic, a division of All Media Network, LLC. | accessdate=February 1, 2016}}
McNeil appeared as the character Oz in the Canadian production of "We Will Rock You" at the Canon Theater in Toronto until August 4, 2007.{{cite web | url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2007/07/10/suzie_is_rockin_on.html | title=Suzie is rockin' on | work=Toronto Star | date=July 10, 2007 | accessdate=February 1, 2016}}
=2008—2010: ''Rock-N-Roller'' and Grey Cup=
In March 2008, prior to her April tour, she held a contest for her fans across Canada to sing her hit single "Believe" and post it on her website; viewers then voted for the winner.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oNgbMG7Y9U |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/3oNgbMG7Y9U |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live| title=Suzie McNeil "Do You Believe? contest | via=YouTube | accessdate=February 2, 2016}}{{cbignore}} In May 2008, McNeil released her third music video, "Lonely (Are You Coming Home?)". McNeil was one of the judges on the first four seasons of the children's Canadian reality TV show, The Next Star, on YTV, which premiered on July 18, 2008,{{cite web | url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/TV/judge-brings-reality-show-experience-to-the-next-star-121374384.html | title=Judge brings reality-show experience to The Next Star | work=Winnipeg Free Press | date=May 5, 2011 | accessdate=February 1, 2016}} and also recorded the theme song for the show, "Let's Go"{{cite web | url=http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2010/03/30/marineland-jingle-mcneils-biggest-hit | title=Marineland jingle McNeil's biggest hit | publisher=Niagara Falls Review | accessdate=February 2, 2016}} which she performed on the show's first-season finale at Canada's Wonderland in Toronto on September 28, 2008.{{cite web | url=http://www.tv-eh.com/2008/09/09/the-next-star-finale-sept-28/ | title=The Next Star finale Sept. 28 | publisher=Tv,eh? | accessdate=February 2, 2016}}
On November 4, 2008, McNeil released her second solo album Rock-n-Roller which featured her latest Top 20 hit "Let's Go".{{cite web | url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2008/08/01/she-believed-in-herself | title=She Believed in herself | publisher=St. Catharines Standard. | accessdate=February 2, 2016}} Re-released as a deluxe edition in 2009, Rock n Roller: Reloaded spawned two singles, "Supergirl" and "Help Me Out".{{cite web | url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/rock-n-roller-reloaded/316759493 | title=Rock-n-Roller – Reloaded Suzie McNeil | publisher=iTunes Store | access-date=February 2, 2016}} She performed during 96th Grey Cup halftime show broadcast live on November 23, 2008, along with Theory of a Deadman and Andrée Watters.{{cite web| title = CFL names Grey Cup halftime entertainment| date = October 13, 2008| publisher = OurSportsCentral.com| url = http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3727957| accessdate =October 13, 2008}}
On March 28, 2009, McNeil headlined a concert held at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto to celebrate WWF's Earth Hour.{{cite web | url=http://www.wwf.ca/?3340/Eco-Toys-A-Christmas-Gift-to-welcome-in-the-International-Year-of-Forests-2011 | title=The World VOTES Earth! | publisher=WWF-Canada | accessdate=February 2, 2016}}
In 2010, McNeil, an ex-smoker, appeared in commercials for Thrive lozenges a smoking cessation aid.{{cite web | url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2010/03/30/everyone-loves-suzie-mcneil | title=Everyone loves Suzie McNeil | publisher=St. Catharines Standard | accessdate=February 2, 2016}} She also appeared on Canadian Idol winner Brian Melo's second album The Truth in the duet "Story of Us" released in 2010.{{cite web | url=http://www.maplemusic.com/artists/brm/bio.asp | title=Brian Melo Biography | publisher=MapleMusic Ltd | accessdate=February 2, 2016}}
=2011—2013: ''Dear Love'' and ''This Is Christmas''=
McNeil began the Dear Love era on November 7, 2010, by releasing the first video Drama Queen Intervention 1 on her YouTube account.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcPZIpCDnKI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/PcPZIpCDnKI |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live| title=Suzie McNeil – Drama Queen Intervention 1 | via=YouTube | accessdate=February 2, 2016}}{{cbignore}} She released the Drama Queen lyric video on iTunes on March 15, 2011{{cite web | url=https://music.apple.com/us/music-video/drama-queen-regular/426776908 | title=Drama Queen (Regular) Preview Suzie McNeil | publisher=iTunes Store | access-date=February 2, 2016}} and the official music video release on March 17 on YouTube.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaRjlzCOK78 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/VaRjlzCOK78 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live| title=Suzie McNeil – Drama Queen | via=YouTube | accessdate=February 2, 2016}}{{cbignore}} Nearly five months later, in July 2011, McNeil released the Merry Go Round lyric video on her YouTube account.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvzLJI03M6M |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/IvzLJI03M6M |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live| title=Merry Go Round | via=YouTube | accessdate=February 2, 2016}}{{cbignore}}
In February 2012 the album's third single "Tough Love" was released on radio. The single was released on iTunes On May 8.{{cite web | url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/tough-love-single/525822864 | title=Tough Love – Single Suzie McNeil | publisher=iTunes Store | access-date=February 2, 2016}} Dear Love, her third studio album was released August 7, 2012.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqNZLTd3Lrw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/zqNZLTd3Lrw |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live| title=Suzie McNeil new album 'Dear Love' released August 7th! | via=YouTube | accessdate=February 2, 2016}}{{cbignore}} On November 20, 2012, McNeil released a collection of Christmas songs, both covers and originals, on her album This is Christmas.{{cite web | url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/this-is-christmas/578647743 | title=This Is Christmas Suzie McNeil | publisher=iTunes Store | access-date=February 2, 2016}} During the promo tour, McNeil officially confirmed "Love Can't Save Us Now" as the official fourth single from the album Dear Love.
=2014—present: Fourth solo album and Loving Mary=
In 2013, McNeil began working on a duo project with previous songwriting collaborator Marti Frederiksen, which was reportedly intended to follow in the style of American country trio Lady Antebellum. Instead, they teamed up with Grammy-winning country singer Rebecca Lynn Howard and songwriter Elisha Hoffman to form the band Loving Mary, which they envisioned as a sort of modern-day Fleetwood Mac. The group's sound has been described as a combination of Americana, country, and rock n' roll. An EP, Loving Mary – Live, was recorded and released in early 2015,{{cite web | url=http://lovingmaryband.com/release/loving-mary-live-ep/ | title=Loving Mary Live – EP | publisher=Loving Mary | accessdate=January 31, 2016}} while a full-length album is in the final stages of recording.
In addition to her work with the band, McNeil confirmed{{when|date=January 2019}} through her Twitter account that she is also working on a fourth solo album, which is "already written".{{cite web|last1=McNeil|first1=Suzie|title=Suzie McNeil on Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/SuzieMcNeil/status/447380537284374528|accessdate=December 15, 2014|date=March 22, 2014}}{{Primary source inline|date=December 2019}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| style="width:10em;"| Title
! style="width:18em;"| Details |
|---|
| scope="row"| Broken & Beautiful
|
|
| scope="row"| Rock-n-Roller
|
|
| scope="row"| Dear Love
|
|
=EPs=
- Live Acoustic (2010)
- This is Christmas (2012)
=Singles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | |||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Single ! colspan="4"| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2"| Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| style="font-size:smaller;"
! style="width:4em;"| CAN ! style="width:4em;"| CAN AC ! style="width:4em;"| CAN CHR ! style="width:4em;"| CAN Hot AC | |||
| rowspan="3"| 2007
! scope="row"| "Hung Up" | 55 | — | 36 | 14
| rowspan="4" align="left"| Broken & Beautiful |
| scope="row"| "Believe"
| 61 || 20 || — || 12 | |||
| scope="row"| "Broken & Beautiful"
| — || — || — || 50 | |||
| rowspan="2"| 2008
! scope="row"| "Lonely (Are You Coming Home?)" | — | — | — | — |
| scope="row"| "Let's Go"
| — || — || — || 23 | rowspan="3" align="left"| Rock-n-Roller | |||
| rowspan="2"| 2009
! scope="row"| "Supergirl" | 26 | — | 29 | 3 |
| scope="row"| "Help Me Out"
| — || — || 44 || 13 | |||
| rowspan="2"| 2011
! scope="row"| "Drama Queen" | 96 | — | — | 23
| rowspan="4" align="left"| Dear Love |
| scope="row"| "Merry Go Round"
| 75 || 7 || — || 37 | |||
| rowspan="2"| 2012
! scope="row"| "Tough Love" | — | 23 | — | 34 |
| scope="row"| "Love Can't Save Us Now" (featuring Faber Drive) | — || 25 || — || — | |||
| 2015
! scope="row"| "The Best is Yet to Come" | — | 34 | — | —
| {{N/A|Non-album single}} |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart |
=Other charted songs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | |
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Single ! colspan="2"| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2"| Album | |
|---|---|
| style="font-size:smaller;"
! style="width:4em;"| CAN AC ! style="width:4em;"| CAN Hot AC | |
| 2007
! scope="row"| "Il Suffit D'y Croire" | 49 | —
| {{N/A|Non-album song}} |
| 2008
! scope="row"| "It's Christmas Time" | 26 | —
| align="left"| A Canadian Christmas, Vol. 4 |
| 2009
! scope="row"| "Don't Tell Me Goodbye" | — | 34
| align="left"| Rock-n-Roller |
| 2011
! scope="row"| "For Christmas Time" | 22 | 46
| align="left"| A 604 Records Christmas |
| rowspan="3"| 2012
! scope="row"| "This Is Christmas" | 4 | —
| align="left" rowspan="3"| This Is Christmas |
| scope="row"| "Santa (I'm Waiting for You)"
| 13 || — | |
| scope="row"| "Silent Night"
| 17 || — |
=Other appearances=
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website}}
- [http://myspace.com/suziemcneilmusic Suzie's MySpace]
- [http://www.icebergradio.com/suziemcneil Audio Interview] recorded April 2007 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- [http://excoboard.com/Suzie_McNeil_Fan_Forum Suzie McNeil Official Fan Site]
{{Suzie McNeil|state=autocollapse}} {{Rock Star: INXS}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McNeil, Suzie}}
Category:Canadian women singer-songwriters
Category:Canadian people of Irish descent
Category:Canadian women rock singers
Category:Musicians from Mississauga
Category:Participants in American reality television series