Americana guitarist and singer-songwriter Neal Casal has died at age 50
by Luke Taylor
August 27, 2019
Neal Casal, a singer-songwriter, guitarist and photographer whose multitude of credits includes working with artists like Willie Nelson, Amanda Shires, Tift Merritt and Shooter Jennings, has died at age 50.
A post on Casal's Facebook page reads, "It's with great sadness that we tell you our brother Neal Casal has passed away. As so many of you know, Neal was a gentle, introspective, deeply soulful human being who lived his life through artistry and kindness. His family, friends and fans will always remember him for the light that he brought to the world. Rest easy Neal, we love you."
Casal grew up in New Jersey, and he cited the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead as his key influences as a teenager. As a musician, Casal's career got off to a strong start in the early 1990s, when he signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music, and he began working with producer and engineer Jim Scott, best known for his work with Wilco and the Tedeschi Trucks Band.
Casal released a number of solo albums, including 1996's acclaimed Fade Away Diamond Time. The record landed at a pivotal time for Americana, hard on the heels of other luminaries like the Jayhawks, Wilco and Son Volt. Of the album, No Depression wrote at the time, "It's doubtful that [label] Zoo Records will drop the promotional bucks on this release that American did with [Pete] Droge and the Jayhawks, and he won't enjoy the instant media fawning exhibited over recent debuts by ex-Tupeloers Wilco and Son Volt. But don't let that stop you from taking a chance on this promising new songwriter."
Over the course of his career, Casal would release 12 solo albums, his last being 2011's Sweeten the Distance, which contains the tune "White Fence Round House," a moving song that was inspired by Casal's near-drowning during a surfing mishap near San Diego.
Befitting the hard-working musician he was, Casal provided music consultation and performance in the films Starsky & Hutch (2004) and Country Strong (2011). And film wasn't Casal's only foray into the visual arts; he was also an accomplished photographer whose work graces the cover of many albums. Casal enjoyed exhibitions of his photographs (including at the Bauhaus Gallery in Tokyo), and his photos have appeared in the publications Rolling Stone, Mojo, USA Today, Spin and others.
In 2018, Casal told the website Live and Listen, "I've definitely had an amazing life in music. That's for sure. I've gotten to make so many records, tour, take photographs, write songs, meet new friends, and all of that."
Update: Aug. 28, 12:39 p.m. CDT
Neal Casal died by suicide. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), text 741-741 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.
External Link
Neal Casal - official site
