Storm Lake Pilot Tribune: Entertainment: No Hall, all Oates in first area gig Bolin in Jazz&Blues Fest (12/29/11)

The John Oates Band, the new project from one half of the prolific duo Hall and Oates, will make its first appearance in northwest Iowa at the Wild Rose Casino in Emmetsburg. Tickets are now on sale for the March 10 show, at $15.

Oates penned or co-wrote some of the biggest hits of the '80s, such as "Sara Smile," "Maneater," "She's Gone," "You make My Dreams (Come True)," "I Can't Go for That," "Electric Blue" and "Adult Education."

Now 62 but hardly showing his age, the Philadelphia product is living in Aspen, Colorado, and recently pressed his fourth solo album, the well-received "Mississippi Mile," recapturing his Delta blues Americana roots that pre-date the vast success of Hall and Oates. Oates' original inspiration is found in the music of Mississippi John Hurt, Elvis Presley, Curtis Mayfield and Chuck Berry.

When John Oates first met Daryl Hall it was their mutual love for urban rhythm and blues blended with the more rural roots of American music that created their unique pop sound.

Singing from the time he could talk and playing the guitar since the age of five, John witnessed his first live concert at age 4: Bill Haley and the Comets at a local amusement park. He began to collect 45 rpm singles...treasures from Little Richard, Chuck Berry, the Everly Brothers, Gary U.S. Bonds and of course, Elvis. He spent countless hours twisting the dial on his AM transistor radio trying to tune in the local R&B stations. He found inspiration in the rediscovered bluesmen who began to make appearances at the Newport and Philadelphia folk festivals.

In the late 60's John attended Temple University and recorded his first single, studying under blues guitarist Jerry Ricks. At every opportunity, he sat in with the older blues players, learning first hand, their finger picking and flat picking styles.

Oates was a freshman at Temple when he met Hall (actual name Daryl Hohl), a senior, as the two were fleeing a fight that broke out at a dance where each of their bands were playing. They later became roommates, and their mailbox read, Hall & Oates, which they chose for their name when their mutual love for urban rhythm and blues brought them back together two years later, and they signed their first recording contract in 1972.

They had lean years in the later '70s, fighting the disco wave, but hit big with half a dozen albums in the early '80s that made them the best-selling duo in rock history. Hall & Oates released 21 albums which have sold over 80 million units and produced 10 number one songs. Their involvement in the original "Live Aid" concert and the ground breaking "We Are The World" charity recording further established them as legendary artists. Their influence has been cited by numerous contemporary bands, like the Gym Class Heroes and the Killers. In 2005 they were inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The two remain friends, and last year did a tour together and played on the "American Idol" finale. "We've been together since we've been teenagers. I can go away and disappear for two years, and when we get back together, it's like nothing ever has changed," Oates says.

These days, music is a part of his life, not his whole life. "I do a lot of things behind the scenes. I do a lot of things that don't hit the headlines. I have a great family, I live an amazing life... If you look over the years, the styles have changed - the clothes, the hair, the production, the approach to the songs. The icing to the cake has changed flavors. But if you really look at the cake itself, it's really the same."

John Oates

I just like playing with the band and doing what I do.

In 2009, John created a singer/songwriter series that has become the Aspen Songwriters Festival.

Since the formation of their partnership in the early 70's Hall & 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 ground breaking "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. Their influence on modern pop music has been cited by numerous contemporary bands, like the Gym Class Heroes and the Killers, who have credited and acknowledged H&O's considerable contribution to American music.

In addition to their numerous American Music and MTV awards, in 2005 they were inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame and in May of 2008 will be presented the prestigious BMI Icon Award for their outstanding career achievement in song writing.

When, not touring with his solo show or Hall & Oates, he resides with his wife and son in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado on their ranch along with 3 dogs, a flock of Emus, Llamas and Alpacas. In his free time he enjoys driving his tractor, riding his mountain bike, hiking the backcountry and telemark skiing.

The Johnnie Bolin Band will be among the must-see acts for the 12th annual Cherokee Jazz & Blues Fest January 13 and 14. Tickets for the events are on sale now. On Saturday, they appear at The Other Place, 9 p.m.-midnight. Joining in for this show will be Iowa Rock 'N Roll Hall of Famers Sam Irish and Terry Brooks, and John Bartle..

Johnnie Bolin is a self-taught drummer, who has been refining his art for the past 30 years. Growing up in the heart of the Midwest, where a basement was found in every home, gave him a place to play at any given opportunity. He toured widely over the years with his own band and several others, playing guitar as well as drums, and is still known to sit in with bands all over the Midwest.

You could say he's played everything from Motown to Metal, and then some! He is basically a funky drummer at heart, with an emphasis on Rock and Fusion.

His personal view about drumming in this day and age is to perform in a pleasing variety of musical styles, and at the same time be persistent. Johnnie always keeps his attitude positive and never loses sight of his goals.

The diversity of influences and artists such as, Buddy Rich, Ian Paice, Narada Michael Walden, Billy Cobham, and Charlie Watts have helped Johnnie to maintain a balanced approach to drumming. Johnnie has played with acts such as Sugar Cane Harris, Tommy Bolin Band, Richard T Bear, D.V.C., Dare Force, Chill Factor, and is currently touring and recording with Jim Dandy and Black Oak Arkansas, who he also played with during the late 80's.

As Vice President of the Tommy Bolin Archives, Inc. and President of the The Bolin Foundation, he is involved in projects releasing his brother, Tommy Bolin's unreleased material and sponsoring tribute concerts and festivals.

Tommy Bolin played guitar for Zephyr, The James Gang, Deep Purple and his own bands. He died of a drug overdose in December, 1976, after opening for Peter Frampton and Jeff Beck. Tommy was only 25, and his btother has worked ever since to help keep his music alive.