• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Events
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • THE SPORTS CREDENTIAL
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Search
  • Menu

Tractors Member Jamie Oldaker Dies At 68

July 20, 2020/in Featured, Obituary /by Robert K Oermann

Drummer Jamie Oldaker, best known to country fans as a member of The Tractors, passed away on Thursday (July 16) at age 68.

He had been battling cancer for several years and died at home in Tulsa, Oklahoma surrounded by his family. Oldaker was regarded as the foundation of “The Tulsa Sound” and is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

His performing career began in the 1960s when he was still a teenager. He formed The Rogues Five, and the group had a local hit single with “Too Good for Love” in 1966. This led to opening concerts for such national acts as The Doors and Paul Revere & The Raiders.

After the group broke up, Jamie Oldaker became a member of Bob Seger’s band in 1971-73. He next joined Eric Clapton’s band, where he remained from 1974 to 1980. Oldaker played on Clapton’s “I Shot the Sheriff” (1974), “Wonderful Tonight” (1978),”Lay Down Sally” (1978) and several other big hits by the star.

He also forged a career as a Tulsa session musician. The drummer backed Leon Russell, New Grass Revival, The Bee Gees, The Bellamy Brothers, Stephen Stills, Asleep at the Wheel, Freddie King and Peter Frampton, among many others. He was briefly a member of the rock group Frehley’s Comet and also served a second stint in Clapton’s band (1983-86).

In 1988, Oldaker began collaborating with the musicians who became the country-rock band The Tractors. They played on demos by K.T. Oslin that led to her RCA recording contract. That same year, Oldaker encouraged fellow Oklahoman Ronnie Dunn to pursue a country recording career and entered him in the Marlboro Country Talent Search. Dunn won and recorded some solo singles. Tim DuBois, another Oklahoman, paired him with Kix Brooks and signed the duo to Arista Records.

In 1994, The Tractors signed with Arista, too. During the next five years, the group placed nine songs on the country hit parade, including ”Baby Likes to Rock It” (1994), “The Santa Claus Boogie” (1994), “The Last Time” (1997) and “Shortnin’ Bread” (1998). The group’s debut CD sold a million.
In recent years, Oldaker became active as a philanthropist. He spearheaded fund-raising efforts for museums and other cultural efforts. He founded his MOJO Festival in Tulsa to raise money for homeless causes.

Along the way, Oldaker learned about several areas of the music business, working in artist management and music publishing. He also became a record producer.

As a producer, he recorded an all-star album titled Mad Dogs & Okies. It featured songs written by his fellow Oklahomans. Participating on the record were Clapton, Vince Gill, J.J. Cale, Taj Mahal, Willie Nelson, Tony Joe White, Bonnie Branlett and more. It was issued on Oldaker’s own Mint Blue Island label in 2005. Since then, Oldaker has played percussion on albums by John Arthur Martinez, Phil Collins, Peter Rowan and others. The Rogues Five reunited for benefit shows in 2015.

Funeral arrangements are unknown at press time.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Robert K Oermann
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.
Latest posts by Robert K Oermann (see all)
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Darius Rucker Makes A ‘Soul Stirring’ Cover Of Rihanna Ballad - February 16, 2023
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kane & Katelyn Brown Get Us ‘Giddy’ With Love - February 9, 2023
  • Hit Songwriter Pat Bunch Passes - February 8, 2023
Tags: featured-2
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MR-Obit-Ratio.jpg 800 1200 Robert K Oermann https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Robert K Oermann2020-07-20 09:26:232020-07-23 16:04:35Tractors Member Jamie Oldaker Dies At 68
You might also like
Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The U.S.A." Earns Gold, Platinum Digital Sales
DISClaimer: Curing Country Radio's Dearth of Female Artists
DISClaimer: Using Country's Not-So-Secret Weapon
Capitol CMG Publishing Celebrates First No. 1 Pop Hit With Nashville Party
Exclusive: Reba's Ready For Anything With Brooks & Dunn
Weekly Chart Report (4/19/13)

RECENT NEWS

  • One Country Taps Chase Locke As CEO February 20, 2023
  • Joy Oladokun Announces New Album, ‘Proof of Life,’ Due Out This Spring February 20, 2023
  • Billy Gilman Joins Bluegrass World With Pinecastle Records Deal February 20, 2023
  • Morgan Wallen Hits No. 1 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart February 20, 2023
  • Kristian Bush Gears Up For Final Installment Of ’52’ Album Series In March February 20, 2023
  • Jelly Roll Announces 44-City Headlining ‘Backroad Baptism Tour’ February 20, 2023
  • Ashley McBryde Invites Audiences To ‘Lindeville’ At The Ryman For Two Nights February 20, 2023
  • Tripp Howell Signs Joint Pub Deal With Jimmie Allen, Endurance Music Group February 20, 2023
  • Chris Tomlin’s ‘Good Friday Nashville’ Celebration To Return April 7 February 20, 2023
  • Songwriter & Producer Kyle Jacobs Dies At 49 February 18, 2023
  • Opry To Celebrate Ronnie Milsap’s 80th Birthday With Special Tribute February 17, 2023
  • CTM Outlander & Young Guns Publishing Partner To Sign Michael Tyler February 17, 2023
  • Kelsea Ballerini To Make Debut On ‘Saturday Night Live’ February 17, 2023
  • Tractor Supply Co. Launches Emerging Artists Program With Lainey Wilson, Jimmie Allen, More February 17, 2023
  • Sara Evans To Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of ‘Restless’ With Special Ryman Show February 17, 2023

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2023 Music Row Enterprises, LLC – All rights reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Scroll to top