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Spooner Oldham

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Spooner Oldham
Oldham in 2009 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Oldham in 2009 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Background information
Birth nameDewey Lindon Oldham, Jr.
Born(1943-06-14)June 14, 1943(age 81)
Center Star, Alabama
United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instrument(s)
  • Keyboards
Years active1960s–present
Websitespooneroldhammusic.com

Dewey Lindon Oldham, Jr. "Spooner Oldham"(born June 14, 1943)[1][2]is an Americansongwriterandsession musician.Anorganist,he recorded inMuscle Shoals, Alabama,atFAME Studiosas part of theMuscle Shoals Rhythm Sectionon such hitR&Bsongs asPercy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman",Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally",andAretha Franklin's "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)".As a songwriter, Oldham teamed withDan Pennto write such hits as "Cry Like a Baby"(theBox Tops), "I'm Your Puppet"(James and Bobby Purify), and "A Woman Left Lonely" and "It Tears Me Up" (Percy Sledge).[3]

Biography

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Oldham is a native ofCenter Star, Alabama,United States.[4]He was blinded in his right eye as a child; when reaching for a frying pan, he was hit in the eye by a spoon he knocked from a shelf. Schoolmates gave him the name "Spooner" as a result.[5]

Oldham started his career in music by playing piano in a Dixieland jazz band while atLauderdale County High School.[6]He then attended classes at theUniversity of North Alabamabut turned instead to playing at FAME Studios.[7]He moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1967 and teamed with Penn atChips Moman's American Studios.[8]

Oldham later moved to Los Angeles and has continued to be a sought-after backing musician, recording and performing with such artists asBob Dylan,Aretha Franklin,Delaney Bramlett,Willy DeVille,Joe Cocker,theHacienda Brothers,Linda Ronstadt,Jackson Browne,theEverly Brothers,Bob Seger,Dickey Betts,Cat Power,J.J. Cale,Frank Black,andThe Mountain Goats.[7]

Frequently a backing musician forNeil Young,[7]he played on Young's critically acclaimed 1992 albumHarvest Moon.Oldham also appeared in the concert filmNeil Young: Heart of Goldand backedCrosby Stills Nash & Youngon their 2006 Freedom of Speech tour.[9]

In 1993, he joined a host of Memphis soul music veterans to recordArthur Alexander's comeback and un-intended final studio recording, the albumLonely Just Like Me.[10][11][12]

In 2007, Oldham toured with theDrive-By Truckerson their The Dirt Underneath tour. In 2008, Oldham played onLast Days at the Lodge,the third album released by folk/soul singerAmos Lee.In May 2011, Oldham backedPegi Youngon a six-show tour of California.

Oldham worked with Scottish singer,Sharleen Spiterion an album.[13]

Awards

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Oldham was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein 2009 as a sideman. In 2014, he was inducted into theAlabama Music Hall of Fame.[14]

Solo album

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Pot Luck(Family Productions, 1972)[15]

Collaborations

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WithArthur Alexander

  • 1962:You Better Move On(Dot Records)
  • 1993:Lonely Just Like Me(Elektra)

WithShelby Lynne

WithSteve Cropper

  • Dedicated – A Salute to the 5 Royales(429 Records, 2011)

WithNeil Young

WithBilly Ray Cyrus

  • The SnakeDoctor Circus(BBR, 2019)

WithRita Coolidge

WithLinda Ronstadt

WithWilson Pickett

WithJohn Prine

WithJennifer Warnes

WithAretha Franklin

WithDan Penn

  • Nobody's Fool(Bell Records, 1973)
  • Do Right Man(Sire Records, 1994)
  • Moments From This Theatre(Proper American, 1999)[16]
  • Something About the Night(Dandy Records, 2016)

WithFrank Black

WithJewel

WithBob Seger

WithJackson Browne

WithTony Joe White

WithSheryl Crow

WithJ. J. Cale

WithAmos Lee

WithJosh Groban

WithMaria Muldaur

  • Maria Muldaur(Reprise Records, 1973)
  • Waitress in a Donut Shop(Reprise Records, 1974)

WithBob Dylan

  • Saved(Columbia Records, 1980)

WithKeith Richards

WithBoz Scaggs

WithPeter Parcek

  • Mississippi Suitcase(Lightnin' Records, 2020)[17]

WithTexas

  • The Muscle Shoals Sessions(PIAS, 2024)[18]

WithKate Campbell

  • For the Living of These Days(Fame Studios, 2006)[19]

References

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  1. ^"Spooner Oldham's Concert & Tour History | Concert Archives".Concertarchives.org.Retrieved2 October2021.
  2. ^"spooner oldham".Light In The Attic Records.Retrieved2 October2021.
  3. ^Kurutz, Steve."Spooner Oldham Biography".Allmusic.Rovi Corporation.Retrieved10 March2014.
  4. ^"Spooner Oldham".Encyclopedia of Alabama.Retrieved2 October2021.
  5. ^"Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham - Old souls".Nodepression.com.January 2006.
  6. ^Ells, Blake (22 August 2013)."Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Spooner Oldham relives" Muscle Shoals "".Al.com.Retrieved3 August2023.
  7. ^abcColin Larkin,ed. (1997).The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music(Concise ed.).Virgin Books.p. 918.ISBN1-85227-745-9.
  8. ^Hasted, Nick (5 November 1999)."Music: Good ol' boys in the hood".The Independent.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-05-24.
  9. ^"Spooner Oldham Biography".Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Retrieved10 March2014.
  10. ^"Arthur Alexander" Lonely Just Like Me "".Discogs.com.30 March 1993.Retrieved14 June2019.
  11. ^"Arthur Alexander" Lonely Just Like Me - The Final Chapter "".Discogs.com.Retrieved14 June2019.
  12. ^"Arthur Alexander" Lonely Just Like Me "".Stereophile.com.15 July 2017.Retrieved14 June2019.
  13. ^"Texas star Sharleen Spiteri finds magic in Muscle Shoals".2024-03-27.Retrieved2024-03-27.
  14. ^"6 slated for Alabama Music Hall of Fame".The Miami Herald.Associated Press.28 February 2014.
  15. ^"Spooner Oldham" Pot Luck "".Discogs.com.1972.Retrieved15 August2020.
  16. ^"Dan Penn And Spooner Oldham - Moments From This Theatre".Discogs.com.1999.RetrievedApril 6,2021.
  17. ^Gunther, Marty (11 November 2020)."Peter Parcek – Mississippi Suitcase | Album Review".Bluesblastmagazine.com.RetrievedApril 5,2021.
  18. ^"Texas announce brand new album 'The Muscle Shoals Sessions'".Planetradio.co.uk.
  19. ^"For The Living Of These Days".7 February 2016.RetrievedJuly 11,2024.
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