Grammy Award-winning songwriter and guitarist John Oates has announced three UK/Eire shows in October in support of his recently released album, Arkansas (Thirty Tigers). The New York-born, Philidelphia-raised Oates, who alongside Daryl Hall makes up the multi-million selling duo Hall & Oates, will play Dublin’s Vicar Street on Oct 15th, the RNCM, Manchester on October 17th, and Cadogan Hall, London on October 19th.
In his review of Arkansas, a Featured Album of the Month here on Folk Radio, Ken Abrams explained how Oates had “put together a solid set, a survey of traditional Americana from deep blues to classic country-western. In fact, Oates designed “Arkansas” around a theme – American pop hits in 1920’s and 30’s, with a special focus on his hero, Mississippi John Hurt, whose songs are widely covered on the album.”
A month before the review Ken was able to interview John about Arkansas in which Oates explained about his early love for folk music:
“My prior life to Hall and Oates, I was a folk and blues guitarist. I did that for many years before I met Daryl Hall. I had the unique opportunity in the 60’s to be a part of the Philadelphia folk scene, the Philadelphia Folk Festival and the coffeehouses and got to see many of the seminal performers as they were being rediscovered in the folk boom of the early 60’s.
“I also met a guy named Jerry Ricks who became my guitar teacher and mentor. A lot of these great performers would sleep on Jerry’s couch when they came up to Philly, so I got the chance to meet them and watch them play. This became an important part of my musical DNA.” Read the full interview here.
The album featured an impressive lineup consisting of legendary mandolin player Sam Bush, pedal steel innovator Russ Pahl, world-famous electric guitar picker Guthrie Trapp, bass veteran Steve Mackey, cello virtuoso Nat Smith, and percussionist Josh Day.
These UK/Eire days are sure to sell out fast so don’t hang about.
John Oates UK/Eire Dates
October 15th – Vicar Street, Dublin
ticketmaster.ie/promo/n34t76
October 17th – RNCM, Manchester
www.myticket.co.uk/artists/john-oates
October 19th – Cadogan Hall, London
www.myticket.co.uk/artists/john-oates