[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1328-E1329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MR. RON OATES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB CLEMENT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2002

  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Phelps and I rise today to 
recognize Ron Oates and his accomplishments in the music industry.
  Ron Oates' name is a familiar one to anyone who has ever read the 
back of an album cover, or a CD insert. His list of friends and artists 
with whom he's recorded, sounds like a page from ``Lifestyles of the 
Rich and Famous.'' He is referred to by many in Nashville as 
``Oatesart'' because of his incomparable style, arrangements and 
original interpretations of every music category.
  A 32-year veteran of the music industry, his contributions as a 
keyboard player, arranger, producer, and writer are often referred to 
as ``Impeccable'' by his peers. He has worked with such greats as 
Gladys Knight, Olivia Newton-John, Anita Pointer, Dolly Parton, The Oak 
Ridge Boys, Eddy Arnold, Lefty Frizzell, The Judds, Keith Whitley, 
Marty Robbins, Bobby Goldsboro, Dottie West, Linda Davis, Sawyer Brown, 
and the list goes on. His credits as a producer include such diverse 
artists as Engelbert Humperdink, Vern Gosdin, Cristy Lane, Doug 
Supernaw, Maurice Williams, and the Zodiacs, Dobie Gray, and many 
others.
  Ron was born in Washington D.C. Following College and a five-year 
stint with the Navy Band, Ron and his son made the move to Nashville in 
late October 1969. In November of 1969, Ron played on his first hit 
record, with singer Bobby Goldsboro. From that point on, his music 
career has spanned from records, to jingles, to motion picture sound 
tracks.
  His talents brought America's famous jingles to life, such as 
McDonalds, Burger King, RC Cola, 7-UP, Kraft, Miller Beer, Coors, 
United Airlines, and we cannot forget the most notable commercials of 
all, the famous, ``Where's The Beef.'' His film credits include such 
hit titles as ``The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,'' ``Nine To 
Five,'' ``Sesame Street-Follow That Bird,'' (which won a Grammy in 1985 
for best children's album), ``Smokey And The Bandit,'' and the themes 
from ``The Exterminator'' and ``The Buddy System'' (entitled ``Here's 
That Rainy Day,'' performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips).
  Ron Oates is indeed one of the most talented and gifted all around 
musicians of our time. He truly knows how to bring a song to life, and 
has been a major part of the formula of success for many careers over 
the past 32 years. He is indeed one of ``. . . the boys who make the 
noise on 16th Avenue'' in Nashville, Tennessee.
  Ron Oates is referred to by many in Nashville as ``Oatesart'' because 
of his incomparable style, arrangements and original interpretations of 
every music category.

[[Page E1329]]

  Phelps said, ``Whether it is true-form country, contemporary, rock, 
children's music, classical, rhythm and blues or even Southern Gospel, 
he's the very best at bringing the best in music of any class.''
  When the new $37 million Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened 
May 17, 2001, Ron was honored to be the first recording pianist/
arranger to be included in the museum's permanent tribute to studio 
musicians. One of his famous keyboards and some of his hit arrangements 
are on display there. He is . . . ``One of the major creative forces 
behind an amazing list of hit records and millions of record sales.''

                          ____________________