John Oates was destined to be a musician. Singing from the time he could talk and playing the guitar since the age of five, his calling in life was never in question. Born in New York City, his family moved to a small town outside of Philadelphia Pennsylvania in the early 50's.... a move that would change the course of his life. Like most kids at that time, the impact of the early days of rock left an lasting impression on John. At the age of four he witnessed his first live concert: Bill Haley and the Comets playing their classic rockabilly hits at a local amusement park. Then there were the records...

He began to collect 45 rpm singles ...treasures from Little Richard, Chuck Berry, the Everly Brothers, Gary U.S. Bonds and of course, Elvis Presley. He spent countless hours twisting the dial on his AM transistor radio trying to tune in the local R&B stations and listening to DJs like Jerry Blavat spinning obscure Doo Wop records and B sides.

In the late 60's John moved to Philadelphia to attend Temple University and check out the city's music scene. In 1966 he wrote and recorded his first single "I Need Your Love" which was released on the label owned by a local music store called the Record Museum. The song was arranged by Bobby Martin who at the time was producing and arranging for Gamble and Huff. The single received airplay on Philly's R&B radio stations and John began to divide his time between being a student and a professional musician.

Around the same time he met an influential guitar player/ teacher named Jerry Ricks who had spent time on the road with Mississippi John Hurt and Son House. Jerry took John under his wing and introduced him to many of the newly rediscover folk performers, such as Doc Watson, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee and Mississippi John for whom Philadelphia's folk venues, like the Second Fret and Main Point, were frequent stops in their concert schedules.

John had the unique opportunity to play alongside some of these seminal musicians learning first hand, their finger picking and flat picking styles.

When John 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 sound.

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 were presented the prestigious BMI Icon Award for their outstanding career achievement in song writing.

John continues to support many national and local charities. He has recorded three solo albums, the most recent entitled “Mississippi Mile”, in Nashville featuring an amazing collection of some of the world's top musicians.

In 2009, in association with the Historic Wheeler Opera House in Aspen Colorado, John created a singer/songwriter series entitled: The Stories Behind the Songs". Performing with Patty Griffin, Tift Merritt, Jimmy Wayne and other well known songwriters in an acoustic setting. The series was such an overwhelming success that it has been expanded into an annual event called:

7908 THE ASPEN SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL

The festival, now in its third year, takes place in Aspen Colorado and has featured songwriters such as: Keb Mo, Shawn Colvin, Allen Toussaint, Matt Nathenson, Jim Lauderdale, Kenny Loggins, Gary Burr and many others.

When, not touring with his solo show or with Daryl Hall, he divides his time between Nashville and his ranch in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, with his wife and son 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.