John Oates: Blog

Back in Nashville - 2010

Posted on May 18, 2010 with 47 comments

Well after 2 years of sneaking in new ...or should I say new / old material into my solo shows I've finally carved out some time to return to Nashville to start recording a new solo album. I have to say that after "1000 Miles of Life" I've got the bug and I got it bad ! I just love working down here among such gifted and talented musicans and in a community that lives and breaths music.

The theme of this recording is " the songs I loved when I was a kid " ... by that I mean stuff by Chuck Berry, Elvis, Curtis Mayfield, Ray Charles, Mississippi John Hurt and more... there will of course be a few origninal squeezed in there or I wouldn't feel right. One of the originals will be a nice surprise for all you hard core H&O fans.

The band, as usual, is stellar. I'm co - producing this with Big Mike Henderson, a legend among hard core blues fans and currently playing with the Steel Drivers ( one of my favorite bands ). Mike is one of the baddest slide guitar players on the planet, his roots are deep and his style is completly unique. On drums we have the very funky John Gardiner, on bass, sessions star, Michael Rhodes ( who some have described as the T Bone of Nashville and I don't think he would mind ) and on upright bass, Dennis Crouch, who played on the Grammy winning Robert Plant and Allison Krauss' "Rasing Sand" album as well as with Elvis Costello and Johnny Cash. In between touring with his own band and pretty much everybody else...the legendary mandolin and fiddle maestro, Sam Bush was nice enough to come down and share his dynamic playing and vibe. Carving some time out of his busy schedual, playing with Elvis Costello and Allison Krauss and Union station is the amazing Jerry Douglas the undisputed master of the dobro and lap steel. In addition, Peter Huttlinger, who has been playing with me live lately, brings his hot fingerpicking style to the mix.

Believe it on not, I get to play a litte as well... its a dream come true to be surrounded by these guys who just make recording such a joy. Well that's it for now we're just getting started and will have some updates for you at the end of the week. ~J.O.

Patty

June 8, 2010

John, I absolutely loved the song you did for the tribute to T-Bone in LFDH. Brought back lots of memories. And, thank you for the autographed CD that a friend got for me from the MI show. I had been ill and it really cheered me up. Thanks again for sharing your amazing talents. Hope to see you and hear you soon.

Jeannette, The Italian Girl from Brooklyn

May 28, 2010

Hey John: Can't wait to hear this album and hopefully a tour will follow and I can not only hear your smooth voice but see your fabulous face. Love you forever, Jeannette X0

Lori

May 22, 2010

Hi John looking forward to hearing your next album.The tribute to t-bone was absoutly beautiful. much luv to you and yours Lori you rock!!

Chuck

May 21, 2010

Thanks for revisiting Music City, John. You were made for this place. We of Nashville could also use a dose of your live material while you're in town. How about it? The Ryman, the War Memorial Auditorium, TPAC, and any number of local classic honky tonks could have a stage waiting. Please!

gail marcello

May 21, 2010

Excited for you John and will look forward to the new CD....how about a concert DVD? And as a "hard core" H&O fan will welcome your "surprise" Loved you on the LFDH T-Bone tribute...Gail

mike shelley

May 20, 2010

cant wait to hear it your the best your number 1 fan

Jeff Brock (Brock Music)

May 20, 2010

Hi John,
Dennis Crouch told me you'd be here this week, but didn't tell me which studio. Would like to see you while you're here. I have a neat project I may lay on you that Elvis Costello and others have already sung on and which includes players like Tommy Emmanuel, Stuart Duncan, Jeff Taylor and a bunch more. Write me a note and I'll send my numbers; however, they're all still the same in case you have them with you. Blessings!

Mary M.

May 20, 2010

Hi! Thank you so much about letting us know about your new music Projects. That's so awesome! Play on! Can;t wait to hear next Solo Album! Take care***Hugs. Peace.

Jan

May 19, 2010

Hi!

Thank you for your blog! I really appreciate you keeping us in the loop on what you are doing musically!

I'm looking forward to this album! Best Wishes always!

Type to you later! God Bless!
Jan in VA

Jan in VA

May 19, 2010

Hi!

Thank you first for taking the time to let us know about your new project. It sounds exciting, but more importantly, YOU sound as much, if not more excited about this as you were about "1000 Miles of Life"! I didn't think that was POSSIBLE! GRIN!

I'm looking forward to this album! Best Wishes always!

Type to you later! God Bless!
Jan in VA

Jan

May 19, 2010

Wonderful news for us fans! We are just as excited as you are John for this next masterpiece!

Susan B. Indiana

May 19, 2010

Well what took you so long *S*, I loved (1000 Miles of Life), I know this one will be as good or better, be careful on the road..

Jerry Karli

May 19, 2010

Hi John, I live in Charlotte & caught your show with Jerry D. last December, that was awesome, a lot of Nashville artists come to Charlotte, when you come back again, bring Darryl & Band too, I think H&O played Charlotte together last was in the mid 1980's, way too long, keep the tumes coming, a long time fan, Jerry.

Irene

May 19, 2010

Can't wait for the new album. Hope this will mean lots of SOLO shows in the near future!

Irene

May 19, 2010

Can't wait to hear the music and for you to get back on the road SOLO. I feel a road trip to Nashville may be at hand.

jon macvean

May 19, 2010

does this mean hall and oates are over being a dou and we will never see a hall and oates studio album thanks jon macvean

Liberty Godshall

May 19, 2010

This new album sounds fantastic - and a heck of a lot of fun in the making. Always good to go back to your roots! Much love and please let us know next time you are in LA! --Liberty and Edward

Carol

May 18, 2010

Hi John, hope you come to the mid-west...last time We got to see you was in Woodstock Il...Looking forward to enjoying your music soon....CP

stephanie e

May 18, 2010

i enjoy reading your blog. i think it great that you are coming out with a new cd. if you can not think of a great name for your new you should let you fan try naming it.

pat Huseman

May 18, 2010

Can't wait to hear the new album! You seem so happy, I'm happy for you, good luck!

Rick Umali

May 18, 2010

I enjoyed "1000 Miles of Life", and look forward to a new album. You were mentioned fondly in Doug Glanville's baseball memoir. Awesome!

Liz

May 18, 2010

can't wait for another solo appearance. John, you may need to buy a house down South! Everybody loves Nashville, everybody

Penny

May 18, 2010

Congratulations John! I'm eagerly awaiting this CD's arrival just as I did 1000 Miles of Life (which was sensational)! I must say I'm intrigued by the inclusion for we H&O Diehards. Can't wait to hear more!

JAMES MARIO PIZZO

May 18, 2010

Your enthusiasm sounds as up as your last collection "1000 miles of life". As always, I'm still a fan. Jim

Mary

May 18, 2010

Can't wait to hear the new cd! Saw John a few months ago in Ann Arbor, MI.....great show...had a wonderful time. Lots of fun. Come back soon!!

Cece

May 18, 2010

Hope to see you on the west coast or in Denver, again!!!

Love, CeCe

Kim

May 18, 2010

So very cool! And even better now that I know what a dobro is.....remember some of us diehards were wondering when Jerry Douglas was going to turn his instrument right side up? Hilarious....

kelly mc

May 18, 2010

personally im on my third copy of 1000 miles of life and i can not wait for the new project! love your great idea! god bless!

Karen S.

May 18, 2010

Loved your other albums so I can hardly wait for a new one. So when are you doing a show in Oklahoma?????

Maryann

May 18, 2010

So glad to hear you're back in the studio. It's good that you're doing this. Love everything you do! The tribute to T-Bone was such a testament to that man.

Tom

May 18, 2010

How about using part of the proceeds to help Nashville? Just because Obama forgot, doesn't mean anyone else has to.

Don

May 18, 2010

If it is only half as good as 1000 Miles of Life...we are in for a special treat!

Missy

May 18, 2010

Okay, John. Since you are back in Nashville, why couldn't you book a show at the Ryman? This fan would absolutely LOVE it!!! There's no better place to hear good live music ... hands-down. Come on, John, you have the connections to make it happen, don't you ? :)!!!

Saif

May 18, 2010

Glad you are doing another album.

You say one of the original will be a surprise for the hardcore H&O fan?

Will it be "Keep on Pushin' Love"? "Maneater"? "Lady Rain"? "Italian Girls"? "Electric Blue"? Endless possibilities.

Hope we can get this cd this fall.

Oh- you really need to release another concert DVD. You'll have 3 cds plus H&O music to draw from.

Laura B.

May 18, 2010

This is very good news! I can't wait to hear the new album and better yet, see you perform it live!!!

Jenifer K.

May 18, 2010

I loved hearing you play these songs live and am excited they are being recorded! I'm also looking forward to the new material and the surprise. : )

Chuck

May 18, 2010

Glad to hear you're recording again already. I really enjoyed 1,000 Miles of Life and can't wait to hear what you do next.

Joe

May 18, 2010

Looking forward to the new album.
BTW, have you ever considered releasing on cd to us "hard core" hall & oates fans your demos from the 80's that didn't make it on H&O albums?
I remember really anticipating a solo album from you when you did "Shape Of Things To Come" on the soundtrack, but sadly it didn't come!
"Don't Go Out", from the box set, was a wonderful window into that time and I would LOVE to hear more from that period!

Rod Ford

May 18, 2010

John, It was so great to read your blog about a "new" album !!! Your 1000 miles of Life was just phenominal !!!
I think I gave away 50 copies as gifts to friends just to turn them on to this work ! Thank you sooooo much for doing this again !!!! I love you Man !!! Rod "the Roofer"

Dan

May 18, 2010

John, I'm so glad to hear you're doing another solo project. Can't wait to buy it and I'm really excited to see you and Daryl in Sept. at the Puyallup Fair! A whole 5 miles from where I live! Stop by and say hi!

CSR

May 18, 2010

Here's hoping you bring this band to South Florida!

Leigh

May 18, 2010

I saw you play with Jerry Douglas at the Newberry Opera House. Please tell us that you will include that fabulous version of Maneater that was performed that evening! It was so touching to see that T-Bone came to see you perform as well and offer you such words of encouragement. Can't wait for the new CD!

Tillie Jones

May 18, 2010

John, I can't wait to hear your new CD. I'm sure the result will be great. I'm sure it's a lot of work but you do it well. What a blessing. Good luck in all you do.

Linda

May 18, 2010

YAHOO for 'the bug' John! Can't wait to hear the finished product.

Erica

May 18, 2010

Loved this blog and also love that so many musicians are returning to many of the southern birthplaces of music
It's a blessing to be able to watch Nashville come back to life after the flooding and to hear the music again.
Much love and tons of sweet ice tea :)

PATRICK JOHNSON

May 18, 2010

After the Live from Daryl's House tribute to T-Bone I was hopign for more of that collaboration. It would have been cool to have like a Travewling Wilsbury type of project wit hthe players on that show. Good luck with this project. I did not buy 1,000 miles and I probably won't purchase this project either.

Kerri

May 18, 2010

This is SO beyond cool!!! I am thrilled over this album!! Can't wait to hear it!! Good luck, John! See you on the road!!!