Biography

About Tim Oates

Tim Oates comes from a long line of singers and musicians. His grandmother, Rosemary Oates, was a pianist and singer who performed in Los Angles theaters in the 1940's. His uncle, Walter Oates, was the 1st-chair trumpeter for the Glendale Symphony Orchestra in the mid 1930's. His cousin, Richard "Dick" Baldwin, was a well-known singer and entertainer, and, at one time, a member of the popular 1950's vocal group, The Merry Macs.

But perhaps the biggest musical influence in Tim's life was his late father, Robert C. "Bob" Oates, a remarkably talented singer and entertainer.

A Family Legacy in Entertainment

Tim's father, Bob, began his career at a young age, winning multiple singing contests at the Hollywood Bowl in his 20s. He became a featured singing star on the 1950s KTTV television show Crash Corrigan's Ranch. Over the years, Bob built a successful career as a singer, whistler, and yodeler, performing at numerous concerts throughout the western United States.

Bob's whistling can be heard in the 1957 Academy Award-winning film Bridge on the River Kwai and the 1958 Jerry Lewis film The Geisha Boy. He also provided voice-over singing for Hollywood celebrities, including Tommy Noonan in The Girl Most Likely (1958). His yodeling was famously featured in the "Little Old Wine Maker, Me" ad campaign for Italian Swiss Colony Wine in the 1960s.

Tim's Early Musical Beginnings

Tim's venture into music began at the ripe old age of four when he made his first home recording singing The Ballad of Davy Crockett. His very first paid job was acting in a role as a movie extra (see picture on Photos page) in the Elvis Presley film "Kid Galahad" at the age of 9.

Performing Career

Tim passion for performing began in high school when he sang and played guitar at several of his father's concerts across Southern California. His vocals have been featured on radio KHPY in the Riverside area. He has performed at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, the CalNeva Hotel–once owned by Frank Sinatra–in North Lake Tahoe, and at the tropically themed Now Sapphire Riviera Resort in Cancun, Mexico.

Musical Projects and Albums

Tim was a featured musician on his father's record album "Bob Oates Presents" on Double Oh Records which they recorded together in 1972. As a tribute to his father, who had always encouraged Tim to pursue singing, Tim recorded an album of his own called "The Song's of My Life" which was released in 2008 on Double Oh Records. The album featured many of Tim's favorite Sinatra tunes.

Musical Styles and Influences

Tim stays very busy with his singing and entertaining and enjoys performing at weddings, clubs and events throughout Southern California. He loves all styles of music but especially swing/big band, Broadway show tunes, jazz and the Great American Standards. He is a regular vocalist with a couple of 17-piece big bands in Southern California. His musical influences were many but most importantly were his father Bob and, of course, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and more.

Community Involvement and Volunteer Work

When Tim is not busy singing, you'll typically find him playing golf. He and his wife Jackie are also very involved with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, where they enjoy volunteering as crew leaders at various MS fundraising events in Southern California. Tim also enjoys singing The Star-Spangled Banner at many of these events.

Awards and Recognition

In 2010, Tim and Jackie were honored to receive the 2010 Multiple Sclerosis Walk Volunteer of the Year award. Most recently they were the recipients of the 2013 Volunteer of the Year award presented by United Way's Combined Health Agencies (CHAD) organization in San Diego, California, for their work with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. They were also awarded the 2013 Chapter Star Volunteers of the Year for the MS Society's Pacific South Coast Chapter.

Family Life

Tim and Jackie have 3 grown children: Justin, Shanna and Michael. With their kids now living independently, they have embraced their love for travel. Most recently, they visited New York City to spend time with their new grandson. They also enjoyed river cruises along the Seine in France and the Rhine in Germany. They make their home in Orange County in Southern California.