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Bonus story we didn’t get to chat about:
Ron played piano on Dolly’s master recording of her now-classic song ‘I Will All Ways Love You’. They were doing a simul session with players and Dolly performing at the same time. On the first pass in the studio, Dolly missed coming in on her recitation because she was listening to the music Ron and the other musicians were playing. Yep. The power of music and a good song can even overwhelm the Songstress/writer of THAT song!
More About Ron:
Ron Oates is a 60-plus-year veteran of the Nashville music industry as a revered session piano/keyboard player, arranger, producer and songwriter. Ron was the first pianist/arranger included in the Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum’s tribute to studio musicians. He was recognized and placed in the Congressional Record by US Congressmen Bob Clement of Tennessee and David Phelps of Illinois. In part, the honorarium states that…
Ron Oates is one of the major creative forces behind an amazing list of hit records, and millions of record sales.
Among the legends he’s worked with are Gladys Knight, Dolly Parton, The Oak Ridge Boys, Olivia Newton-John, Anita Pointer, Eddy Arnold, Lefty Frizzell, The Judds, Vern Gosdin, Keith Whitley, Lynn Anderson, Marty Robbins, Bobby Goldsboro, Dottie West, Billy Joe Royal, Earl Thomas Conley, and tons more. Artists he’s produced include Engelbert Humperdinck, Vern Gosdin, Doug Supernaw, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, Dobie Gray and far too many more to list.
He also played on tons of national jingles including ‘Where’s the Beef, and worked on several movies including Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, 9 to 5, and Sesame Street – Follow that bird, the Exterminator and ‘The Buddy System. Ron has orchestrated the sound of decades of country music.
- Ron’s website: https://ronoates.com/
- More of Ron’s credits: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ron-oates-mn0000664052/credits
Anonymous says
This was one of the first interviews I've heard in a long time where the interver didn't interrupt the flow of the person being interviewed. I felt like I was in the room with two friends who allowed me to sit in and learn. Nailed it! Thank you for sharing.
Ron Calabrese says
Hi Judy. I just finished listening to this very interesting interview of Ron Oates. He’s obviously had a fabulous career because a fellow who has listened mainly to classical music was acquainted with his name! His start in the business seems to have been one of those “meant to be situations” in which unexpected elements congealed to start such a long career. It’s remarkable how he could listen to spoken lyrics and weave music around them, although he wasn’t a singer. And he seems unique, working with singers to determine the “sweet spots” in their voice and altering keys to take advantage of the best section of their range. Masters like Verdi did this with famous arias, not forcing a singer to sing through countless passagios. What an interesting and obviously nice man. It’s not surprising he’s still in demand.