Jamie Oldaker Biography

Jamie Oldaker Biography

Jamie Oldaker began playing drums at the age of nine after hearing a recording by jazz great Gene Krupa. By the time he was in high school, Oldaker was gigging regularly in the Tulsa area, and in 1971 he joined Bob Seger's band, working with Seger through 1973. In 1974 he joined Eric Clapton's band during the 461 Ocean Boulevard sessions and remained through 1980, with a second stint from 1983 to 1986. Oldaker has also worked with the Bellamy Brothers, Asleep at the Wheel, Peter Frampton, Stephen Stills, Leon Russell, Ace Frehley, Freddie King, the Bee Gees, and many others as both a session and touring drummer. He was a founding member of the Tractors, who hit platinum out of the gate with their self-titled debut album on Arista Records in 1994. Along the way Oldaker learned about all facets of the music business, working in artist management, music publishing, and as a producer, putting together an all-star album, Mad Dogs & Okies, centered around songs written by Oklahoma natives and featuring performances by Vince Gill, Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal, J.J. Cale, Peter Frampton, Tony Joe White, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Bramlett, and others. Mad Dogs & Okies was released on Oldaker's own Mint Blue Island label, in conjunction with Concord Records, in 2005.