Although many people still think of him as the “And Oates” in the extraordinarily successful Hall & Oates, one of the best-selling duos of all time, John Oates stands on his own as a prolific singer, songwriter, producer, and solo artist. Not only was he responsible for writing or co-writing any number of the pair’s major hits — “Sara Smile,” “She’s Gone,” “Out of Touch,” “You Make My Dreams,” “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do),” and “Maneater,” among them — but he’s a an assured solo artist all on his own. Over the course of the past twenty years or so, he’s released a steady succession of individual albums that have helped broaden his parameters while also bringing him back to his roots in seminal Americana. A member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he continues to make his name all on his own, given that his prolific prowess continues to carry him from past to present.

Oates’ new album Reunion finds him reconnecting with his past precepts and rediscovering his roots in the sounds that influenced him early on and continue to inspire him as he continues his remarkable journey as defined in his 2017 memoir, Change of Seasons. He graciously took time to speak about the new album and his remarkable backstory with Lee and Billy for another enlightening edition of My Backstage Pass. Learn more about John Oats at https://johnoates.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored the book "Thirty Years Behind The Glass" about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains.

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group  and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's new album was released on Spectra Records 10/2023 on all major outlets! Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

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