Podcast Summary: Takin' A Walk – Music History with Buzz Knight

Episode: John Oates – Co-Creator of the Iconic Pop Duo Hall & Oates (Encore Musician Interview)
Release Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: John Oates

Overview

This special Valentine's Week episode of "Takin’ A Walk" features an in-depth conversation with John Oates, legendary songwriter, guitarist, and half of Hall & Oates. Host Buzz Knight explores the emotional roots of love songs, the creative process behind Oates’s new solo project "Reunion," and Oates’ journey through music history. The episode blends stories of iconic hits, deep dives into musical influences, and personal reflections, offering listeners a fresh lens on Oates’ artistry beyond romantic music.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. The Creative Process Behind "Reunion"

Timestamp: 04:30–06:38

• Oates describes "Reunion" as the culmination of his Nashvillian and Americana influences.
  • “In a way I think this record really kind of crystallizes all those things… kind of an all-star cast.” (John Oates, 05:19)
• The album features Nashville luminaries (Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Béla Fleck, Jim Lauderdale, Sierra Hull, Russ Pahl, Tom Bukovac, Guthrie Trapp, more).
• Many tracks originated as unreleased material dating back to the early ’90s, making this a "retrospective" of Oates’s folk/acoustic side.

2. Tribute to John Prine – Covering "Long Monday"

Timestamp: 06:38–08:34

• Oates details his connection to John Prine and Atlantic Records in the ’70s.
• Covering "Long Monday" was his tribute for Prine’s Ryman birthday celebration.
  • “The only way I can make this my own is in terms of the arrangement… when I played it live, everyone seemed to really like it.” (John Oates, 07:39)
• The rendition was warmly received live, prompting its inclusion on "Reunion."

3. Collaborating with A.J. Croce & The Inspiration Behind “Reunion”

Timestamp: 08:38–10:15

• Oates met A.J. Croce (son of Jim Croce) backstage at the Prine tribute.
• The pair wrote "Reunion" in a few hours, resonating on the theme of understanding one’s essence and connecting over their fathers’ legacies.
  • “We talked about it. I told him about my 100-year-old father who gave me the inspiration for this song.” (John Oates, 09:20)

4. Albums & Artists That Shaped Oates

Timestamp: 11:02–14:13

• Influences include:
  • Ray Charles Greatest Hits (first LP he ever heard)
  • Dave Van Ronk ("gritty" folk)
  • Doc Watson (“virtuosic acoustic guitar playing”)
  • The Temptations (live record)
  • James Brown Live at the Apollo (“most kinetic and exciting recording”)
  • The Band
  • Joni Mitchell’s Blue (“the perfect album”)
  • “Her singing, her playing, the production, the engineering, the songs themselves, even down to the album cover. ... It’s the perfect combination of sensitivity, sensibility, music, lyrics, creativity— all wrapped into one perfect album.” (John Oates, 13:50)

5. First Concert & Early Music Memories

Timestamp: 15:40–16:45

• At age 4, saw Bill Haley & The Comets—his first live music experience.
  • “I remember standing right in front of the upright bass player. ... He put it on its side and rode it like a horse while he was playing, and, of course, to a four-year-old, that was the apogee of show business right there.” (John Oates, 16:10)
• Oates’ earliest recordings: “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” (age 3–4), “All Shook Up” by Elvis.

6. Mentors and Early Songwriting

Timestamp: 17:36–21:17

• Seventh-grade English teacher encouraged him to set a poem (written during the Cuban Missile Crisis) to music.
• Guitar mentor Jerry Ricks:
  • Helped Oates develop authentic fingerpicking blues/folk styles.
  • Led to connection with prominent blues musicians and access to Mississippi John Hurt’s guitar:
  • “The guitar I’m playing on the first two Hall and Oates albums is Mississippi John Hurt’s acoustic guitar, which I now own.” (John Oates, 21:12)

7. Working with New Talent: Supporting Annalée

Timestamp: 25:44–28:14

• Oates’s niece, Annalée, is forging her own path in Nashville and beyond.
  • “She really worked hard. ... I didn’t help her very much, to be honest with you, but I did help her when she needed it. … I’m so proud of her for really doing it herself.” (John Oates, 27:15)

8. The Nashville Community’s Impact

Timestamp: 28:30–29:48

• Oates praises Nashville’s musical caliber and how it pushed him to “up [his] game.”
  • “I couldn’t make it on my reputation; I had to up my game … it’s been an incredible incentive to really realize my full potential.” (John Oates, 29:30)

9. Reflections on Live Aid & We Are The World

Timestamp: 29:48–33:34

• Hall & Oates were asked to close the U.S. Live Aid show in Philadelphia; invited Eddie Kendrick, David Ruffin, and backed Mick Jagger (with surprise Tina Turner).
  • “I didn’t expect [Mick Jagger] to literally jump on stage… doing his full routine in rehearsal with nobody in the room except us.” (John Oates, 30:55)
• “We Are The World” session: Oates stood next to Dylan and Ray Charles, whom he admired; he collected autographs on his sheet music, now one of his prized possessions.

10. The Enduring Legacy of Hall & Oates

Timestamp: 33:34–34:49

• Believes their songs are “timeless” and have stood the test of generations.
  • “I think it's pretty timeless. ... I’m proud of it, and at the same time, I feel like I’ve moved beyond it now.” (John Oates, 33:41)

11. Stories from Colorado & Hunter S. Thompson

Timestamp: 34:49–38:14

• Oates recounts moving to Woody Creek, Colorado, and being neighbors with Hunter S. Thompson.
  • Anecdotes include stray shotgun blasts, moving Hunter’s famous car, and Thompson’s singular lifestyle.
  • Attended Thompson’s funeral, played with Lyle Lovett, Johnny Depp:
    “He loved being Hunter Thompson. He loved the image of himself.” (John Oates, 37:38)

12. Track-by-Track Insights from "Reunion"

Timestamp: 38:14–42:08

• “Sunny Terry and Brownie McGhee”:
  • Inspired by their complex relationship—story used as a broader metaphor for mutual support.
  • “As their career went on, they began to really dislike each other ... but they needed each other to get on stage.” (John Oates, 39:15)
• “All I Am” (with Adam Ezra):
  • Oates’s favorite collaboration with Ezra: “It just worked. And I love that song.” (40:37)
• “This Field is Mine” (with Sam Bush & Jeff Black):
  • Inspired by his wife's family farm and the idea of land stewardship. Written with Sam Bush and Jeff Black.

13. Continuing Curiosity & New Directions

Timestamp: 42:26–43:35

• Oates isn’t tied to one sound, continues to write with new artists like Devon Gilfillian (vintage soul vibe).
• Also recently collaborated with Robert Jon & the Wreck; “just open to interesting ideas.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the longevity of the Hall & Oates catalog:
  • “Great songs endure and I’m very proud… to know I was part of something that will endure.” (33:41)
• On Joni Mitchell’s Blue:
  • “It’s the perfect album … I’ve never heard anything better.” (13:50)
• On mentoring:
  • “That was the incentive to try it. So I would have to out that English teacher as an early mentor. But my real mentor was a guy named Jerry Ricks…” (17:36)
• On Live Aid:
  • “He did it as if he was playing Madison Square Garden… that was an amazing night.” (31:13)
• On creative growth:
  • “I couldn’t make it on my reputation; I really had to up my game.” (29:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:30 – Oates on the "Reunion" project & Nashville
• 06:38 – Tribute to John Prine; covering "Long Monday"
• 08:38 – Collaborating & writing "Reunion" with A.J. Croce
• 11:02 – Five quintessential albums/artists that shaped Oates
• 15:40 – First concert: Bill Haley & The Comets
• 17:36 – Early mentors: Jerry Ricks and his impact
• 25:44 – On working with his niece Annalée
• 28:30 – On the Nashville music community
• 29:48 – Live Aid & We Are The World reflections
• 33:34 – The legacy of Hall & Oates
• 34:49 – Stories of Hunter S. Thompson
• 38:14 – Song inspirations on "Reunion"
• 42:26 – Exploring new influences and collaborations

Tone & Language

The episode maintains a conversational, reflective, and warm tone. Oates is genuine, often self-effacing, and deeply respectful of his mentors, collaborators, and musical influences. The stories blend humility with a clear sense of gratitude for a long and storied career.

In Summary

This episode is a treat for fans of Hall & Oates, songwriters, or music history aficionados. John Oates reveals not only the personal and creative roots behind his newest work, but also a lifetime of musical influences, relationships, and stories from the heart of American musical culture. The conversation is informal yet emotionally resonant, offering both nostalgia and insight into creative longevity.