John Oates
Recording artist John Oates, a private pilot, will present a live concert at AOPA Aviation Summit, which takes place Nov. 5 through 7 in Tampa, Fla. Oates started flying in 1985. “I was always intrigued by flying,” the singer says. Touring as the band Hall and Oates, Oates often sat in the jumpseat of the charter aircraft the band flew and he says, “stuck my nose in the cockpit and asked questions.”
His first flight training was in a friend’s Cessna 172. “I flew left seat and at the end of the flight I said, ‘sign me up.’” He eventually soloed in 10 hours and acquired a Piper Dakota. Later he purchased a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, which he used to fly to concerts along with an instructor.
Currently Oates lives in Colorado and although he and partner Daryl Hall still tour (Hall has a King Air 200), Oates is no longer flying. “I married a farmer’s daughter and we have a rescue farm. I miss the flying but not the responsibility—I was always a conscientious pilot.”
Because of his love of flight and in support of AOPA’s GA Serves America campaign, Oates will perform his new concert tour, 1000 Miles of Life, at a limited seating concert Friday, Nov. 6 at the Tampa Convention Center. As a special bonus, Oates will include an unique twist to his concert—“1000 Miles of Flight”—for his AOPA audience members. Hall and Oates recently released its new four-pack CDs and continue to tour and entertain audiences more than 35 years after their initial success.
Blaine Larsen
For audience members who purchase a full ticket package, a special after-concert appearance of John Oates is included in the $85 ticket price—this includes private entrance to the Florida Aquarium, transportation from the aquarium to the convention center, Riverside buffet dinner, and the John Oates concert with complimentary John Oates 1000 Miles of Life CD.
Blaine Larsen, one of country music’s hottest young and rising stars, with a hit single on the Billboard charts, will be the opening act for John Oates. Larsen also is a passionate pilot and an AOPA member. He has produced continuous hits since the start of his career and has co-written songs for such music greats as country hall of fame legend George Strait.
Sign up for the concert today!
