Ronnie Dunn Mourns The Loss Of “Key Figure In Success” & Friend Jamie Oldaker

Ronnie Dunn got sentimental on Monday, July 20, 2020, while mourning the loss of his good friend and original bandmate of The Tractors, Jamie Oldaker.

Posting on social media, Dunn shared a memorial photo of Oldaker, with a little history of their friendship, saying:

“Jamie randomly entered my name in the Marlboro National Talent Roundup in 1988. We called up some local Tulsa friends and musicians and formed a backup band that years later became the Tractors. We won the National contest. Ricky Skaggs, June Carter Cash among others were judges. I performed three songs, “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”, “You Don’t Know Me” and a Dean Dillon song titled “Hold Up In Some Honky Tonk”. Although nothing immediately evolved from the Marlboro win, Jamie actively encouraged me to pursue a career in Country music. Three long years later I was offered the opportunity to form a duo partnership with Kix Brooks by another Oklahoma musician and songwriter who was starting a country record label in Nashville with Clive Davis. The label was Arista Records, the duo became @brooksanddunn and the rest is history. Jamie will always hold a special place in my heart as a dear friend and key figure in my success and life. Musically, he was a bigger than life figure to many of us. In life he was my friend. He was taken too soon. Rest in peace Jamie. Ronnie Dunn”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CC16_qYAHTk/

Jamie Oldaker passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at the age of 68.

He was an influential drummer and best known to country music fans as an original member of The Tractors. 

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

In 1988, Oldaker collaborated with country-rock musicians who later formed the band known as The Tractors. Working with a multitude of artists along the way, The Tractors signed with Arista Records in 1994. Over the next 5 years, the band created country hits like “Baby Likes To Rock It,” “The Santa Claus Boogie,” “The Last Time,” and “Shortnin’ Bread.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jamie Oldaker’s loved ones during this difficult time.

Watch Oldaker and the rest of The Tractors in their video for “Baby Likes To Rock It” below.