The new track features Devon Gilfillian
John Oates has released a new R&B soul single “Mending” featuring Devon Gilfillian.
“I became a fan of Devon Gillfillian the first time I heard him perform in Nashville and sensed the Philly soul right away…we became friends and this song is the first thing we wrote together,” Oates shares. “My wife wanted to help with some inspiration and pulled a random Tarot card that morning…it was ‘mending; and we both knew it would be our song title…so proud to be creating with him.”
“As a fellow Philly native, I’ve been such a huge fan of John Oates since I can remember,” Gilfillian adds. “Luckily, we’ve both landed in Nashville at this stage of our lives. I’ve known he’s in town for a while, but I was too shy to reach out. Thankfully, John hit me up a few months ago, and it was magic. The first time we got together to write we got this beautiful song that started from a tarot card that John’s wife Aimee pulled, and that turned into this beautiful story of love and repair. It’s so inspiring writing with John and I’m so honored to sing with such a legend. I hope “Mending” heals some hearts and makes some more lovin’ happen.”
The song highlights both singers’ incredible talent for blending rhythm and blues through their songwriting and vocal performances. Their seamless harmonies and expressive delivery create an engaging atmosphere that draws listeners in. Each artist brings a unique flair, enhancing the emotional depth of the lyrics while showcasing their styles. Together, they create a rich tapestry of sound that not only pays homage to the genre but also pushes its boundaries, making it a captivating experience from start to finish.
Recently, John Oates was honored with the BMI Troubadour Award, and he had the opportunity to perform alongside Devon at this special event.
In support of his new music, Oates will be touring throughout the rest of the year and all next year.
Oates, co-founder of the legendary group Hall & Oates, is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the American Songwriters Hall of Fame a BMI Icon award winner, and has won numerous American Music, MTV awards, and multiple Grammy nominations. As part of Hall & Oates, he has recorded 21 albums, scored ten No. 1 records, and over 20 Top 40 hits which have sold over 80 million units, making them the most successful duo in rock history.
Additionally, Oates is an accomplished solo artist who has recorded eight albums and released multiple singles since the early 2000s. In 2017 he released an autobiography Change of Season that became an Amazon Best Seller. Singing from the time he could talk and playing the guitar from the age of five, Oates was destined to be a musician. Born in New York City, his family moved to a small town outside of Philadelphia in the early 1950s. His earliest musical memories were formed by listening to his parents’ big band and swing music from the 1940s. Since the early 1950s, Oates’ life has paralleled the evolution of Rock and American Popular music. He draws influence from the beginnings of rock and roll and later the nascent roots music of the early 1960s folk revival as well as the classic soul and R&B of that same era. His solo work features all his early influences as a part of Nashville’s Americana Music community. His most recent recording “Reunion” showcases his songwriting, production and instrumental skills from his 50-plus years as a professional musician. Oates continues to tour worldwide with an intimate acoustic Evening of Songs and Stories style performance that has garnered rave reviews.
