You asked the questions, now we’ve got the answers. Check out our full “Twitterview” with John Oates and see if your question made the cut!
AmerSongwriter: I see you’ve played with @umphreysmcgee and @moeperiod. Who are some of your other favs to play with? (@mlhawth)
JohnOates: I have also played with @mattnathanson @dfrankenreiter @sam_bush Tab Benoit and Shawn Colvin
AmerSongwriter: Do you think the ’80s were a good decade for music? (@EvanSchlansky)
JohnOates: Yes, technology was changing from analog to digital and it was really exciting!
AmerSongwriter: What’s your all time favorite Philly Soul singer? Which P-soul singer gets overlooked & shouldn’t? (@SeanLMaloney)
JohnOates: Favorite would be Teddy Pendergrast Overlooked would be Philippe “Soul” Wynn (Lead singer of The Spinners)
AmerSongwriter: What inspired your transition from Maneater to Mississippi Mile? (@CMTRadioSam)
JohnOates: 30 years and a desire to get back to my pre-Hall & Oates roots.
AmerSongwriter: Congrats on the TV Land award! What will you be performing? Rich Girl?! (@FarewellDrifter)
JohnOates: “Rich Girl” “You Make My Dreams Come True” and “Kiss on My List.” Two will be on air, the other online.
AmerSongwriter: Has your approach to songwriting changed as you’ve moved from a duo mentality to that of a solo artist? (@JosephLemay)
JohnOates: I’m more aware of my vocal range when I’m writing songs for myself.
AmerSongwriter: If you could put a bluegrass/Americana spin on any Hall & Oates song, which one would you choose? (@CMTRadioSam)
JohnOates: I’ve done a Bluegrass version of “Maneater” with @sam_bush … and check out the Texas swing version of “You Make My Dreams Come True” on the new album
AmerSongwriter: How long have you been writing songs? (@Danheadlee)
JohnOates: Wrote my first song in 7th grade, so it’s been a loooooooooooong time!
AmerSongwriter: What are you going to do for your birthday? (@MandaraDesigns)
JohnOates: Playing a show tonight with @LFDHcom in New York!! And then afterwards, eat cake!
AmerSongwriter: Do you think we have more “Maneater”s now than in the ‘80s? (@CaineOrear)
JohnOates: Not sure…but I’ll let the single folks weigh in on that!!