You can serve more than just ketchup with your french fries. Seasoning your homemade or restaurant fries before can open up a whole world of flavor.

Socialist leaders circumvent democratic process by appointing Lilian Seenoi-Barr of Kenya as Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council. The appointed Mayor of Derry‚ Ireland has pledged to go after Irish patriots who are protesting unfettered mass migration. Lilian Seenoi-Barr of Kenya‚ a councillor for the Social Democratic and Labour Party and director of the North West Migrant Forum‚ made the remarks during a TV appearance after she was elected to the Derry City and Strabane District Council in 2023. “Everyone is living on edge right now and we need to do something about it. We cannot continue ignoring that this is a small minority of far-right people‚ it is an organized terrorist group of people who want to harm immigrants in this country and we have to do take action now‚” Seenoi-Barr said. After the government flooded Derry Ireland with “refugees”‚ the “new” African mayor of Derry says Irish patriots are terrorists and she must take action now.Obama and now Biden are doing something similar in The States. pic.twitter.com/XkKGvNhSwJ— Dane (@UltraDane) April 28‚ 2024 “We can’t keep on calling them a small dangerous group of people because it is an organized group of people who are radicalizing young people and encouraging them to go and harm others who are just living peacefully‚ who want to live a peaceful life in this country‚” she added.Winter Sun Plus is NOW 25% off&;#33; Boost your natural defenses with this powerful vitamin D3 and K formula&;#33; Peacefully&;#63; Violent crime has risen across the board in Northern Ireland due to the flood of migrants into the country‚ which has resulted in mass protests against mass migration in recent months that are still ongoing. Contrary to Seenoi-Barr’s “small minority” talking point‚ recent protests show throngs of Irish peaceful people marching in the streets with banners that read‚ “Ireland is our homeland‚ we will not be replaced.” Ireland is waking up belatedly. Massive protests today against mass migration and population replacement. pic.twitter.com/FFCyvIopoO— Imtiaz Mahmood (@ImtiazMadmood) April 28‚ 2024 Another large protest in Coolock today as Ireland says no to mass immigration&;#33; #IrelandisFull pic.twitter.com/xrUtkxYLyb— MichaeloKeeffe (@Mick_O_Keeffe) April 21‚ 2024 Incredible scenes in Newtownmountkennedy today. The message is clear‚ “Ireland is our homeland‚ we will not be replaced”. pic.twitter.com/rfDWRl1V6y— MichaeloKeeffe (@Mick_O_Keeffe) April 28‚ 2024 🚨🇮🇪 Ballina‚ Ireland ProtestIn the small Irish town of Ballina (population 10‚000)‚ hundreds of residents take to the streets today in protest of the Irish Government continual dumping of asylum seekers across their community. Ireland is being destroyed by the Globalists. pic.twitter.com/jqmdPjeD6R— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) April 20‚ 2024 Ireland’s globalist leaders had condemned the concerned citizens as “organized far-right terrorists” in response and vowed to pass legislation criminalizing speech. Notably‚ Lilian Seenoi-Barr’s mayoral candidacy has created a rift among members of the SDLP’s Derry branch because rather than facing an election among party members‚ party leadership opted instead to nominate her outright‚ disenfranchising hundreds of party members. “This has occurred because the management committee/panel have decided earlier this week to reject Cllr Shauna Cusack and Cllr Jason Barr as candidates‚ removing us from the process and competition‚ in order to put only one candidate forward for the post‚” SDLP councillors Shauna Cusack‚ Jason Barr and Angela Dobbins said in a joint statement. Two SDLP councillors have questioned democratic processes within the party after they were removed from a competition to be selected as Mayor of Derry City and Strabane Council so that a single candidate could be put forward for the post.https://t.co/uYIOMmxn7x pic.twitter.com/GFVCoVPL87— Garrett Hargan (@GAHargan) April 26‚ 2024 “We were advised that this was the result of a retrospective‚ informal‚ online interview held on Monday‚ which we were told was a matter of procedure for constitutional purposes.” “Both myself and Jason are incredibly disappointed and frustrated that you‚ as members‚ will not be given the opportunity to vote for your candidate of choice to be the next SDLP first citizen.” “We have‚ like others‚ lodged our objections to this highly irregular‚ unfair and unprecedented process and appealed to the committee to immediately review their decision on the basis of fairness and transparency‚” they added. SDLP responded with their own short statement‚ claiming the party does not comment on internal selection processes. They added: “We are currently engaged in a process to appoint a new Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council and will make a formal announcement when that process is complete.” Seenoi-Barr will hence become Northern Irelands first black mayor without a single vote being cast by its citizens. From the Belfast Telegraph: Lilian Seenoi-Barr is now expected to be put forward for the role‚ and will make history as Northern Ireland’s first black mayor.However‚ there is internal dissent over how the process to choose the party’s candidate unfolded.Following a decision by Sinn F&;eacute;in‚ and in a break with recent tradition‚ there will not be a unionist mayor in the four-year council term.Sinn F&;eacute;in was entitled to nominate a mayor in three of the four years of the new council term.The SDLP as the next largest party is entitled to this position in the remaining year. This unusual move by the Democratic Socialists doesn’t sound very democratic. Follow Jamie White on X | Truth | Gab | Gettr | Minds

We'll also cover the latest World War III developments‚ the Trump show trials‚ the border crisis and much more -- tune in&;#33; Chase Geiser lays out how the stage is being set by the Deep State and globalists to launch a civil war to derail Trump’s reelection as polls show Biden floundering among even his own base. Tune in&;#33; 🌙#InfowarsSNL: Deep State Priming For Civil War as Trump Dominates Biden in the Polls Ahead of 2024 Election — Sunday Night Live » TUNE IN&;#33; https://t.co/MlH0SfPOnL— INFOWARS (@infowars) April 28‚ 2024 Tune into this live broadcast at MadMaxWorld.TV and spread the word&;#33;

What they are telling us about the bird flu just keeps changing.  At first‚ they told us that humans were at no risk.  But now the WHO says that there is “enormous concern” that H5N1 could potentially start spreading among humans.  And when dairy cows in the U.S. started catching bird flu‚ we were assured that milk from infected cows was being kept out of the supply chain.  So most Americans continued to buy milk‚ cheese and butter as usual.  But now two different rounds of testing have confirmed that massive amounts of milk from infected dairy cows is getting into the supply chain.  In fact‚ on Thursday an update that was posted on the official FDA website openly admitted that approximately one out of every five samples of grocery store milk that they tested had “viral fragments” in them… Today‚ the FDA received some initial results from its nationally representative commercial milk sampling study. The agency continues to analyze this information; however‚ the initial results show about 1 in 5 of the retail samples tested are quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-positive for HPAI viral fragments‚ with a greater proportion of positive results coming from milk in areas with infected herds. That is a bombshell. But they are not the only ones that have been doing such testing. A veterinary epidemiologist at Ohio State University tested “150 commercial milk products from around the Midwest”‚ and he found viral material in more than a third of them… Andrew Bowman‚ a veterinary epidemiologist at Ohio State University‚ had a hunch. He had been struck by the huge amounts of H5N1 virus he’d seen in milk from cows infected with the bird flu and thought that at least some virus was getting off of farms and going downstream — onto store shelves. He knew the Food and Drug Administration was working on its own national survey of the milk supply. But he was impatient. So he and a graduate student went on a road trip: They collected 150 commercial milk products from around the Midwest‚ representing dairy processing plants in 10 different states‚ including some where herds have tested positive for H5N1. Genetic testing found viral RNA in 58 samples‚ he told STAT. What these tests indicate is that H5N1 is far‚ far more widespread in dairy cows than we had been told. Originally‚ I wasn’t too concerned when I heard that there were a few dozen confirmed cases in herds across the country‚ because that was just a very small fraction of the total. But now experts are acknowledging that these latest tests clearly show that a very large proportion of U.S. dairy cows have been exposed to the virus… “The fact that you can go into a supermarket and 30% to 40% of those samples test positive‚ that suggests there’s more of the virus around than is currently being recognized‚” said Richard Webby‚ an influenza virologist who has been analyzing the samples at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis‚ Tenn.‚ where he heads the WHO Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals. The good news is that the FDA is reporting that “preliminary results” indicate that the pasteurization process kills off the bird flu that has been getting into our milk supply… Preliminary results of tests run by the Food and Drug Administration show that pasteurization is working to kill off bird flu in milk‚ the agency said Friday. “This additional testing did not detect any live‚ infectious virus. These results reaffirm our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe‚” the FDA said in a statement. Hopefully those “preliminary results” will be confirmed. Unfortunately‚ any milk that has not been pasteurized is at risk. In fact‚ the USDA is telling us that deaths and neurological disease have been “widely reported” among cats that had been drinking unpasteurized milk from dairy cows… Other animals have also not fared as well during the outbreak: the USDA said Friday that deaths and neurological disease had been “widely reported” in cats around dairy farms. Officials have said they suspect cats had been drinking leftover raw milk from infected cows. Why are we only hearing about this now&;#63; And what else are they not telling us&;#63; It appears that we have a major crisis on our hands. Sadly‚ more confirmed cases just keep rolling in.  At this point‚ Colorado has become the ninth state where dairy cows have officially tested positive… Avian influenza has been confirmed in dairy cows in Colorado‚ making the Centennial State the ninth in the U.S. to see the highly contagious virus jump from bird to cattle. According to the state Department of Agriculture‚ the Colorado State Veterinarian Office was alerted on April 22 that a dairy herd in northeastern Colorado was exhibiting symptoms of H5N1‚ or the bird flu. In cattle‚ bird flu symptoms include decreased feed intake‚ decreased milk production‚ and abnormal milk when it is produced. “Samples submitted to the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory tested presumptive positive for HPAI on April 24 and were confirmed by the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] National Veterinary Services Laboratory on April 25‚” the Colorado Department of Agriculture said. Many scientists are deeply concerned about the possibility that H5N1 could jump from dairy cows to dairy workers. So far‚ just one dairy worker in Texas has officially tested positive‚ but there may be a lot more cases out there.  The following comes from an NBC News article entitled “Bird flu cases are likely being missed in dairy workers‚ experts say”… During that same time‚ she said‚ dairy workers — including those who were never in close contact with the sick cows — also fell ill. “People had some classic flu-like symptoms‚ including high fever‚ sweating at night‚ chills‚ lower back pain‚” as well as upset stomach‚ vomiting and diarrhea‚ Petersen said. “They also tended to have “pretty severe conjunctivitis and swelling of their eyelids.” Petersen noted that the people were never tested for H5N1; it’s possible that their symptoms were the result of another illness. If H5N1 mutates into a form that spreads easily from human to human‚ that would be a nightmare. According to the official WHO website‚ more than 50 percent of all confirmed cases in humans since 2003 have resulted in death… From 2003 to 1 April 2024‚ a total of 889 cases and 463 deaths (CFR 52%) caused by influenza A(H5N1) virus have been reported worldwide from 23 countries. In my most recent book entitled “Chaos”‚ I warned that pestilences would be one of the major themes that we would be dealing with in 2024. The bird flu has already killed millions upon millions of birds all over the globe‚ and now it has made the jump into mammals such as dairy cows and cats. Many experts are convinced that it is just a matter of time before is starts spreading among humans on a widespread basis‚ and once that happens everything will change. Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com‚ and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here. About the Author: Michael Snyder’s extremely controversial new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com. He has also written seven other books that are available on Amazon.com including “End Times”‚ “7 Year Apocalypse”‚ “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”‚ “The Beginning Of The End”‚ and “Living A Life That Really Matters”.  When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing.  You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter.  Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog‚ End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News‚ and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites.  You can find Michael on social media on YouTube‚ Facebook and Twitter‚ and sharing his articles on your own social media accounts is definitely a great help.  These are such troubled times‚ and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world‚ that he gave his only begotten Son‚ that whosoever believeth in him should not perish‚ but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so‚ we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today. The post What Are They Not Telling Us About The Bird Flu&;#63; appeared first on End Of The American Dream.

Barbara Eden‚ born Barbara Jean Morehead on August 23‚ 1931‚ in Tucson‚ Arizona‚ remains an iconic figure in American entertainment. Rising to prominence in the 1950s‚ Eden captured the hearts of audiences with her acting and singing talents‚ marking a significant presence on both television and film. Her most memorable role was as the effervescent genie in the hit 1965 sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie.” Over five seasons‚ Eden’s portrayal of Jeannie‚ with her blend of charm and mischief‚ solidified her status as a television darling. The series‚ co-starring Larry Hagman‚ was not only a showcase of Eden’s comedic flair but also her ability to resonate warmth and playfulness‚ making the character a cultural staple. Beyond her iconic role‚ Eden’s career spanned a variety of projects‚ including notable appearances in “Harper Valley PTA‚” a film that underscored her versatility as an actress capable of handling both comedy and drama. The post Barbara Eden: Stunning photos of the timeless Hollywood beauty first appeared on History Defined.

This Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo is a creamy‚ cheesy family favorite that’s easy enough for a weeknight meal but delicious enough for guests. Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo with Broccoli is wonderfully creamy and perfectly cheesy. In This Article Video: Watch Us Make This RecipeWhy This Recipe Stands OutKey Recipe IngredientsSubstitutions And VariationsStep-By-Step Recipe InstructionsHow To Prep AheadWhat to serve with chicken fettuccini alfredoCommonly Asked QuestionsChicken Fettuccini Alfredo RecipeMore to cook and eat View more Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe Why This Recipe Stands Out Here’s why this recipe works Meal-in-One: This recipe combines starch‚ protein‚ and vegetables in a single dish. It reminds us of our Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage. Easy Weeknight Dinner: It’s easy enough for a busy weeknight‚ yet delicious enough for a weekend dinner. Creamy and Cheesy: The combination of Parmesan and white cheddar cheeses gives the sauce a rich‚ savory flavor. Family and Friends: Everyone will love the flavors this dish‚ making it a perfect family meal just like our White Cheddar Mac and Cheese. Key Recipe Ingredients Boneless Skinless Chicken – Simply cut into cubes‚ season‚ and saut&;eacute; for a lean and hearty protein choice. Cheeses – Sharp white cheddar cheese boasts a super tangy and more intense flavor profile than mild cheddar and also melts like a dream. Use fresh blocks of cheese and grate them yourself‚ for better flavor and texture. Fettuccini – It’s the ideal pasta for this recipe. Its long‚ flat shape is perfect for holding onto the creamy Alfredo sauce. Vegetables – We love broccoli florets here‚ as they’re accessible‚ they cook quickly‚ and lend both color and nutrition. Frozen or fresh florets may be used. Seasonings – Aside from kosher salt and freshly ground pepper‚ we drop an abundance of freshly minced garlic and onion powder into this dish. Salted butter is used to saut&;eacute; the garlic‚ which delivers an irresistible aroma and flavor. Substitutions And Variations This chicken fettucini alfredo recipe is a crowd-pleaser‚ but it’s also versatile. Here are a few substitution and variation ideas to spice things up: Protein:  Try using shrimp‚ as in our Shrimp Scampi Pasta. And if you’d like to keep your fettuccini alfredo meatless‚ omit the chicken. Cheese: If you prefer a different cheese‚ try using Pecorino Romano as we do in our White Cheddar Mac and Cheese. For a smokier flavor‚ a good quality smoked Gouda would also work well. Gluten-Free: You can swap the fettuccini for your favorite gluten-free pasta or even zucchini noodles. Vegetables: Try bell peppers‚ mushrooms‚ or even sun-dried tomatoes. Baby kale or spinach leaves can be used as well. Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions Dry chicken cubes with paper towels. Add half of the minced garlic‚ onion powder‚ salt‚ and pepper to the chicken‚ and mix well. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Saut&;eacute; the seasoned chicken until almost cooked through. Add broccoli florets and continue cooking until both the chicken and broccoli are fully cooked. Set aside. Bring a pot of salt water to a boil. Cook pasta until it’s al dente. Drain and set aside. In the same pot‚ saut&;eacute; the butter. Add the remaining garlic and cook for about a minute. Stir in the flour for 2 minutes or until it’s smooth. Add milk‚ half and half‚ and chicken broth. Stir constantly for about 5 minutes until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Stir in cheeses until they’re melted. Stir in sour cream and chicken and broccoli mixture to the sauce. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce and serve immediately. For full list of ingredients and instructions‚ see recipe card below. How To Prep Ahead This chicken fettucini alfredo recipe can be prepared ahead with these tips: Alfredo Sauce: The alfredo sauce itself can be made entirely ahead of time‚ kept in an airtight container in fridge‚ and gently reheated over the stovetop on low heat. Prep Cheese: It’s worth repeating to use fresh blocks of cheese that you grate yourself‚ for best texture and flavor. You can grate the cheeses well in advance and keep chilled in sealed containers until ready to use. Make Chicken Ahead of Time: You can prep and cook the chicken up to 2 days in advance. Simply cut into cubes‚ season‚ saut&;eacute; them‚ and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Serve fettuccini alfredo with freshly grated parmesan cheese for a family-favoite meal. What to serve with chicken fettuccini alfredo Bread Rosemary Garlic Bread or Olive Garden Breadsticks are classic options to pair with pasta. Garlic Cheese Bread is another great option that will pair beautifully with this fresh veggie pasta. Vegetables A simple green salad is a great way to round out your meal. Consider this Kale Brussel Sprouts Salad or an Easy Chopped Greek Salad. If you want to keep it all veggies‚ a side of Roasted Vegetables‚ Roasted Brussels Sprouts or saut&;eacute;ed spinach would be a great choice. Commonly Asked Questions What type of chicken is best for this recipe&;#63; We recommend using boneless‚ skinless chicken breasts or thighs for this chicken fettucini alfredo recipe. Chicken thighs are typically more tender than chicken breasts. What do I do if the sauce becomes too thick&;#63; If the alfredo sauce thickens too much‚ you can easily thin it out by adding a bit more milk or chicken broth. Simply stir in small amounts at a time until desired consistency is reached. Can I use pre-shredded cheese instead of grating it myself&;#63; While you can use pre-shredded cheese‚ we highly recommend using freshly grated Parmesan and white cheddar for the best texture and flavor in your Alfredo sauce. Pre-shredded bags of cheese often contain preservatives and additives that inhibit the cheese from becoming as creamy and smooth as freshly grated cheese. How long does Chicken Fettucini Alfredo keep&;#63; This chicken fettucini alfredo is best served immediately. However‚ if you have leftovers‚ keep it airtight in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop and stir well before serving. Print Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo You'll love the creamy‚ cheesy goodness of this Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo. It's a delicious meal in one. Course Main DishCuisine Italian AmericanMethod Stovetop Prep Time 25 minutes minutesCook Time 20 minutes minutesTotal Time 45 minutes minutes Servings 8 Calories 590kcal Author Amy Dong Ingredients1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs‚ cubed8 cloves garlic minced3 tsp onion powder divided1 tsp kosher salt½ tsp fresh ground black pepper2 TB olive oil2 cups broccoli florets1 lb fettuccine dry 6 TB salted butterâ…“ cup all purpose flour3 ½ cups whole milk1 cup half and half½ cup chicken broth6 oz Parmesan cheese wedge‚ freshly grated 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese white cheddar‚ block‚ freshly grated½ cup sour cream InstructionsDry cubes of chicken with paper towels. Add half of the minced garlic‚ 1 tsp onion powder‚ salt‚ and pepper into the chicken‚ and mix well.In a heavy large skillet‚ heat olive oil about 30 seconds‚ and add seasoned chicken. Saut&;eacute; until chicken is almost cooked through. Add broccoli florets to the chicken and continue cooking until chicken and broccoli are fully cooked. Set aside.Bring large heavy pot of well-salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook just until al dente‚ according to package instructions. Do not cook beyond al dente. Drain pasta and set aside.Saut&;eacute; the butter in now empty pot. Add remaining garlic and cook about 1 minute. Stir in flour and stir constantly for 2 minutes or until smooth.Carefully add the milk‚ half and half‚ chicken broth‚ and remaining onion powder. Continue to stir constantly until sauce is smooth and creamy‚ on medium-low heat‚ about 5 minutes. Take your time to ensure the sauce is not grainy. Sauce should become thickened and smooth.Stir in Parmesan and white cheddar cheeses‚ continuing to stir until cheeses are melted. Add any additional salt and pepper to taste. Stir in sour cream and chicken/broccoli mixture to the sauce‚ combining well.Toss cooked pasta with sauce and serve immediately. Video Notes This dish is best served immediately. If the dish sits out too long and becomes thick‚ loosen it with a bit more milk or chicken broth.  Feel free to swap the broccoli for baby kale or spinach leaves. Make it meatless by omitting chicken. For smooth and creamy texture‚ use good quality sharp cheddar and parmesan blocks and grate them yourself. Pre-shredded packaged cheeses contain additives that prevent it from being as smooth and creamy when melted.  Serve this alongside some Rosemary Garlic Bread or Olive Garden Breadsticks If you enjoyed this recipe‚ please come back and give it a rating. We hearing from you&;#33;    NutritionCalories: 590kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 763mg | Potassium: 658mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 848IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 414mg | Iron: 2mg More to cook and eat Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe – This is so much better than a jar; the sauce can be frozen for future use. Tortellini Pasta Salad with Pesto Sauce‚ Tomatoes‚ and Mozzarella – This pasta salad comes together quickly and is fresh and flavorful Perfect Pasta Primavera – Here’s a spring pasta that has plenty of fresh‚ vibrant vegetables you’ll feel great about. Penne with Sun-Dried Tomato Vodka Sauce – This recipe is a delicious way to use sun-dried tomatoes/ Cheesy Creamy Baked Ziti – You have got to try this baked pasta dish&;#33; It’s a cozy family favorite. The post Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo appeared first on Chew Out Loud.

By Chris Epting As has been widely covered in the media as of late‚ both John Oates and Daryl Hall find themselves embarking on solo endeavors‚ each carving out new musical paths in their respective careers. While the duo’s collaborative legacy continues to shine brightly‚ Oates’ solo journey has taken on a life of its own‚ revealing a depth and versatility that speak to his enduring passion for music. As he explained to me recently‚ “I’ve always felt compelled to write songs‚ and now I feel like my writing is getting better.  And the people I’m associating myself with are bringing out something new in me. I’m finding excitement by collaborating with new people. The mechanics of the songwriting has not changed one iota from the early days. It’s still the same approach. It’s just that my ideas are different. I’m more concerned with saying things that are appropriate for who I am and where I’m at in my life now‚ so that’s what I want to get across. I’m also able to tap into those ideas and those emotions and I’m able to actualize them in a way that I couldn’t or didn’t want to before. I think it’s a matter of maturity; personal maturity and so‚ in turn‚ songwriting maturity.” In the early 1960s‚ Oates was entranced by a diverse array of artists such as Doc Watson‚ Mississippi John Hurt‚ Sonny Terry‚ Brownie McGhee‚ and other folk‚ bluegrass and roots R&;B luminaries. His passion for the roots of American popular music has always been a driving force in his artistic exploration‚ a love that has only deepened over the years. The decision to move to Nashville in the early 2000s proved to be a pivotal moment for Oates‚ allowing him to reconnect with his musical roots and deeply explore the rich tapestry of Americana. Across seven solo albums‚ Oates has deftly blended these influences with his own signature style‚ creating a body of work that is both homage and innovation. For Oates‚ the new reality of pursuing solo endeavors has not slowed him down; rather‚ it has raised the creative stakes and pushed him to explore new musical spaces. His latest album‚ Reunion (available May 17)‚ stands as a testament to Oates’ artistic evolution and his unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of his craft. Oates is joined by a stellar lineup of musical friends including Sam Bush‚ Jerry Douglas‚ B&;eacute;la Fleck‚ Guthrie Trap‚ and Sierra Hull‚ among others‚ who contribute their talents to enrich the sonic landscape of the record. This collaborative spirit infuses the album with a dynamic energy that showcases Oates’ ability to adapt and evolve while staying true to his musical roots. One collaboration in particular that rose to the top was with singer and songwriter A.J. Croce‚ son of the late Jim Croce. Oates described for me how that came about. “I always knew that he had a really great reputation‚ and when we did the John Prine show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville‚ we found ourselves in the same dressing room. We had never met and hit it off immediately. Instant camaraderie. He’s a real music fanatic and he has his father’s amazing‚ extensive‚ and eclectic record collection. The music goes back to the 1920s; an incredible collection that has obviously taught him a lot. He has a real depth of knowledge‚ and he also has a real appreciation for this kind of arc of American popular music. So‚ I just sensed that we might be able to come up with something. “When I came up with the idea for ‘Reunion‚’ which was inspired by my 100-year-old father‚ I already had part of the chorus and the key phrase: ‘The lights at the party burn bright… I’m leaving early tonight’ and the general idea of what I wanted it to be about. When we got together to write‚ he immediately picked up on it and added a unique piano-style gospel feel to it. He has recorded his own version of the song and plans on putting it out on his album in the next year. But his version feels more like a traditional gospel song‚ which is really cool because it’s completely different from mine. I never met his dad‚ but we knew a lot of the same musicians back in the 1960s folk scene in Philadelphia‚ but Jim left Philadelphia very early on and went to live in New York in 1968. He’d return to Pennsylvania eventually‚ but in 1972‚ moved his family to San Diego‚ California.” “Reunion” is a deceptively simple ballad‚ exuding a lush and classic quality while examining deeper and darker adult themes. It serves as a poignant showcase of an artist who continues to evolve and grow‚ never resting on past laurels. And it’s just one of many compelling musical moments contained on Reunion. The front porch picking charm of the John Prine song  “Long Monday” and the contemplative sunset essence of “All I Am” highlight that “Oates the balladeer” is still very much alive and thriving. These tracks capture a sense of nostalgia and introspection‚ showcasing Oates’ ability to craft emotive and evocative narratives and original arrangements. In “Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee‚” inspired by the legendary blues duo‚ Oates weaves a tapestry of hope and optimism with a lilting melody that is quintessentially his own. This song not only pays homage to musical masters of the past but also stands as a personal reflection on unity and reconciliation‚ resonating as a standalone theme of coming together and bridging differences. Delving into the album further‚ tracks like “Dance Hall Girls‚” “When Carolina Comes Home Again‚” and “This Field Is Mine” showcase some of John Oates’s finest finger picking in recent memory‚ accompanied by deeper and darker textures that venture into uncharted territory for the artist. These songs exude a soulful essence‚ meticulously crafted with moments of serious edge‚ offering a glimpse into Oates’s personal reflections that are both deeply intimate and metaphorical‚ inviting listeners to read between the lines. To capture the wonderful playing of all the talented musicians‚ Oates’ long-time collaborator and co-producer David Kalmusky combined the best of vintage analog equipment and digital technology at Addiction Sound Studios in Nashville. Through this musical journey‚ Oates lays bare his emotions‚ revealing layers of his artistry that transcend the expected. Whether one interprets these tracks as introspective musings or poetic allegories‚ the undeniable quality of this collection shines through. Evolving from a place of reverence for legendary folk and blues musicians‚ Oates emerges as an authentic Americana artist in his own right‚ refusing to be confined by his past and embracing a musical narrative that is uniquely his own. As John Oates continues to chart his own musical course‚ Reunion serves as a compelling chapter in his ongoing journey through the diverse and rich landscape of Americana music. At this stage of the game‚ it’s exciting to see John Oates writing these new chapters in his musical journey‚ unencumbered‚ and with the focus‚ force‚ and passion that he brings to everything he does. I asked Oates if it’s fair to notice that artistically‚ he’s as free as he’s ever been. “It’s more than fair. It’s totally accurate. I feel it mentally‚ physically‚ emotionally…there’s never been a better time for me creatively.  I’ve been making solo albums for over 20 years‚ but I was squeezing these projects in based on an imposed schedule that always took precedent over everything and skewed my focus. I never felt that I could fully commit to the things I wanted to do in the way I wanted to do them. Now I am completely committed on every level‚ and as a result there’s something going on that feels truly authentic for me.” Photo: David McClister The post John Oates: Moving On With ‘Reunion’ first appeared on VintageRock.com.