Aspen, CO: This month, the Wheeler Opera House is thrilled to be presenting a once in-a-lifetime intimate musical concert by John Oates along with Nashville super guitarist Guthrie Trapp. An Evening of Songs & Stories with John Oates featuring Guthrie Trapp will be on Friday, March 10 at 7:30 PM. Tickets range $35-$65 and are on sale now at the Wheeler Opera House Box Office (970.920.5770/ aspenshowtix.com). The Wheeler Opera House is located at 320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, CO.
“Guthrie and I wanted to create a show in which the audience feels like they are sitting alongside us…in a setting that feels as comfortable as a living room,” commented Oates. “It’s a true joy to performing alongside the amazing Guthrie Trapp…and bring the stories behind the songs to the concert stage.”
John Oates John Oates is one half of the best-selling duo of all time, Hall & Oates, as well as an accomplished solo artist. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The American Songwriters Hall of Fame, recipient of the prestigious BMI Icon Award as well as numerous American Music, MTV awards, and multiple Grammy nominations.
Since forming his creative partnership with Daryl Hall in the early 1970s, they 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 groundbreaking “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.
Since embarking on a solo career in 1999, John has recorded seven solo albums: Phunk Shui, 100 Miles of Life, Mississippi Mile, The Bluesville Sessions, Good Road To Follow, Arkansas and most recently Live from Nashville with the Good Road Band. In addition, his 2017 autobiography “Change of Season” released by St. Martin’s press became an Amazon best seller.
This year John and his wife Aimee have partnered with the streaming broadcast service NugsTV and co-producer Drive Entertainment Group to create a virtual celebration of stories and songs called “OATES SONG FEST 7908“. Inspired by a live series of shows that they created in 2010 at the historic Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, CO.
“OATES SONG FEST 7908” will be a free streaming concert with all donations and proceeds going to FEEDINGAMERICA.ORG. The broadcast will feature an all-star roster of artists all of whom have volunteered their songs and performances to help families without food across the nation.
“My wife Aimee and I are committed to Feeding America’s mission to feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage us all in the fight to end hunger. In a country like ours…no family should have to go without food,” said Oates.
John continues to tour the world with Daryl Hall and perform solo as both a musician and public speaker. He also produces, collaborates, and develops new artists and has recently completed a series of songs for the upcoming feature film “Gringa” to be released soon.
John and his wife Aimee reside in Nashville, Tennessee, and Aspen Colorado.
Guthrie Trapp is one of Nashville’s preeminent guitar talents. He’s currently finishing work on a follow-up to his successful solo album, Pick Peace, a 2012 showcase for Trapp’s stellar talent that long supported the careers of superstar artists and his own bands. Pick Peace served as a perfect template for Trapp’s brilliant mix of musical influences, exploring country, blues, Latin, reggae, jazz, rock, and experimental music. The innovative guitarist worked with long-time collaborators on Pick Peace, including bassist Michael Rhodes, percussionist Dann Sherrill, drummers Pete Abbott and Doug Belote, and Reese Wynans, former keyboard player for Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, on B-3 organ, most of whom perform regularly with Trapp in live performances throughout Nashville with the Guthrie Trapp Trio, TAR (Trapp, Abbott & Rhodes) and the Nashville supergroup 18 South.
As a member of dobro legend Jerry Douglas’ band for five years, Trapp played on two of recordings of the “Muhammad Ali of Dobro”, including “Jerry Christmas” and the Grammy-nominated album Glide, and toured extensively throughout North America and the UK, taking the stage at New York City’s Blue Note, Radio City Music Hall, Celtic Connections and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Trapp is a versatile musician who crosses many genres with ease, taste, and authenticity. Prior to joining Douglas’ crew, he spent several years with revered country artist Patty Loveless, appearing on two studio albums with her including the Grammy-winning Mountain Soul 2. Onstage or in the studio, Trapp has supported the world’s most talented and best-selling artists including Garth Brooks, John Oates, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, Dolly Parton, Tim O’Brien, Delbert McClinton, Randy Travis, George Jones, Alison Krauss, Sam Bush, Tony Rice, Earl Scruggs, Lyle Lovett, Rosanne Cash, “Cowboy” Jack Clement and many others.
Trapp was surrounded by music during his youth on the Florida/Alabama coast. His family exposed him to numerous genres. By age seven, Trapp had taken up harmonica, by age 10, he had graduated to guitar, later adding mandolin to his musical resume. Joining his first band at age 13, he was a regular performer at the clubs, festivals, and events throughout the Gulf Coast region. At ages 15 and 16, Trapp won consecutive statewide guitar and mandolin competitions in Alabama. At age 18, Trapp travelled to Nashville to record on Gove Scrivenor’s album, Shine On, which also featured John Prine, Nanci Griffith, Lari White, and Ray Flacke. Also, a young adult, he teamed up with Nick Branch to form the popular band Filthy Rich, touring throughout the US and France.
Trapp eventually settled in Nashville in 2001, paying early dues with the heralded Don Kelley Band at the famed honky-tonk Robert’s Western World. He made his way to Music Row, where one of his first master sessions was playing mandolin alongside industry staples Willie Weeks, Ian Wallace and Tim Hinkley. He’s never looked back, expanding his resume to include participation as one of the most in-demand performers on the popular Artist Works instructional website, serving as music consultant got the “Nashville” television show, record-producing (singer Rylie Bourne’s debut album) and hosting weekly both a talk-show on Acme Radio and a live-music evening at Acme Feed & Seed, one of Nashville’s hottest venues.