John Oates is one half of the best-selling duo of all time, Hall & Oates, as well as an accomplished solo artist. Singing from the time he could talk and playing the guitar since the age of five, John Oates was destined to be a musician. Born in New York City, his family moved to a small town outside of Philadelphia, PA in the early 1950s, a move that would change the course of his life.
Soaking up the sounds of the 60s, John was influenced by the nascent folk scene, bluegrass, delta blues, and ragtime guitar styles, while also immersing himself in R&B legends such as Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, The Temptations, Curtis Mayfield, and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. One of his biggest mentors was his guitar teacher, Jerry Ricks, who had spent time on the road with Mississippi John Hurt and Son House, and introduced John to the music of Doc Watson and Reverend Gary Davis, passing down their signature finger and flatpicking styles.
John Oates met Daryl Hall while attending Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. The two began collaborating and playing music together, marking the beginning of their historic partnership. Since their formation in the early 70s, Daryl Hall & John Oates have gone on to record 21 albums, which have sold over 80 million units, making them the most successful duo in rock history. They have scored 10 number one records, over 20 Top 40 hits, and have toured the world for decades. Their involvement in the original Live Aid concert and the groundbreaking “We Are The World” charity recording have further established them as legendary artists, who have personally and through their music, stood the test of time.
In addition to their numerous American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and multiple Grammy nominations, in 2005 they were inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame and in May of 2008 were presented the prestigious BMI Icon Award for their outstanding career achievement in songwriting. In April 2014, Hall & Oates were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Since embarking on a long awaited solo career in 1999, John has recorded eight solo projects: Phunk Shui, 1000 Miles of Life, Mississippi Mile, The Bluesville Sessions, Good Road To Follow (which featured collaborations with Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, Vince Gill, Nathan Chapman, Jim Lauderdale, and Jerry Douglas), the highly acclaimed 30 Tigers release Arkansas, and in 2020 John Oates and the Good Road Band Live in Nashville as well as the Christmas single “Santa Be Good To Me” featuring the Time Jumpers .
In January 2015, John released Another Good Road (Warner/Elektra), a DVD docu-concert that premiered on Palladia Music Channel. Recorded live in a Nashville studio in one session, the video featured some of Music City’s finest musicians and singers as well as rare, seldom seen footage of John’s family ranch in Colorado; a glimpse into his world behind the music.
In April 2017, John released his memoir Change of Seasons, co-written with Chris Epting and published by St. Martin’s Press. The acclaimed title was an Amazon best seller and has been received with both outstanding critical and fan reviews. After completing an extensive book promotion tour in the spring of 2017, Oates resumed work on an important music project that represents the next exciting phase in his burgeoning solo roots music career. The paperback version of Change of Seasons was released in May of 2018, with added content .
John is a diverse musician and songwriter active in the Nashville community and beyond. In 2013, John teamed up with Jim James (My Morning Jacket) to curate the Bonnaroo SuperJam with special guests Britney Howard, Billy Idol, Larry Graham and the Preservation Hall Jazz band. In 2010, he was the creator and executive producer for the “7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival” at the historic Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, CO. which, in 2021 evolved into a national streaming charity fundraising event called Oates Song Fest 7908, which he produced with his wife, Aimee, and Drive Entertainment group. Partnering with FEEDINGAMERICA.ORG, the show featured Dave Grohl, Bob Weir, Sara Bareilles, Daryl Hall, Keb’ Mo’, Dan+Shay, Darius Rucker, Sheila E., Lyle Lovett, Jewel and many more. The contributions to the event resulted in the organization providing 450,000 meals to America’s families in need.
John continues to tour around the world with Daryl Hall, appearing at high end corporate events as both a musician and public speaker. He is currently writing songs for a feature film called Halfway to Somewhere that will be released soon, as well as writing and producing new artists. John and his wife Aimee reside in Nashville, Tennessee and Aspen, Colorado.
