Local Sounds, a singer/songwriter performance series at CEPA in Pell City, is kicking off 2019 with a bang. The first show of the year features the biggest ensemble to appear on stage for the series and a favorite face returning for an encore show.

CJ O’Neal is a well-known name in the Pell City. Since the age of 4, he’s been in love with drums. He started playing in church at the age of 10 and soon became the full time drummer at Greater New Destiny.

His father, Duran South Principal Dr. Cory O’Neal, helped keep him motivated through his graduation from Pell City High in 2018. CJ O’Neal is now attending Jacksonville State University and plays for two artists, Carson Bruce and Nathaniel Burch. He also works as a drum instructor at World of Music in Pell City.

O’Neal’s first studio album, “A Sound of Funk,” will be released the day before he appears at CEPA – Jan. 25. He’ll be performing the show with a full band that includes Tre Robinson, Benji Bess, Aakarl Jones, Chris Brown Jr., Derrick Mcelderry, and the legendary Sion Bruson.

Returning to the CEPA Local Sounds series is Ingrid Marie. She has an internationally released album with Ken Watters on the Summit label with their jazz sextet, Watters Felts Project. Her regional performances throughout Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia include Huntsville’s Big Spring Jam, Microwave Dave Day, Folk Off, and Rally Together Birmingham.

She currently has a full-length solo album, “Manna”, produced by Wet Willie’s Rick Hirsch, and she recorded recently in Los Angeles with Smashing Pumpkins’ producer Kevin Dippold on several pop co-writes.

Her songs are influenced by Carly Simon and Burt Bacharach, with a modernized feel in the vein of Brandi Carlisle, Susan Tedeschi, and Fiona Apple. Originally from Rochester, NY, she studied cello, piano and flute at the Eastman School of Music before attending Virginia Tech. Having found warmer weather and Southern cooking, she now considers Alabama her forever home.

The Local Sounds series provides residents of St. Clair County with a music series that’s affordable for families. Tickets online are only $7 for adults, and kids always attend Local Sounds shows for free at CEPA, the Center for Education and Performing Arts in Pell City.

“Our aim is simply to provide a place where these performers can share their craft with the people of our community,” said CEPA Executive Director Jeff Thompson. “We feel like this series is important both for residents and for the artists who take the stage. It gives us all an incredible opportunity to enjoy the diverse talents that exist in our backyard.”

Tickets are available now at pellcitycepa.com/tickets. They will also be available at the facility, located at 25 Williamson Drive, Pell City, AL 35125, beginning at 6 p.m. on Jan. 26.

For more information, call the CEPA office at 205-338-1974 and leave a message or email director@pellcitycepa.com.