I do admit, it's tough to put a band from my college years into the oldies category.

However, I'm hearing a lot of 1980s songs on the oldies radio stations.

And while I have to give the Gear Daddies credit for turning a song about a Zamboni into a hit, they do fit the oldies criteria:

* No albums (as a group) for years.

* Almost one generation between their peak and now.

* Performing together only as a "reunion" band.

For example:

If Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr got together for a concert, it would be an oldies band.

If the Rolling Stones got together for a concert, it wouldn't necessarily be an oldies band, because they've continued to perform and create a body of music - even though they do perform their classics.

Does anyone else have any "oldies" criteria to add to the list?

ReneeF makes a good point. I think "Oldies" should be reserved for music that was made before 1970 (most of the 70's music should not be played at all). "Classic" is a better word for the Gear Daddies. I just heard "Stupid Boy" on Drive105 - I doubt I'd hear that song on Kool108. "Oldies" brings to mind Buddy Hollie, the Kingston Trio, the Beach Boys, Billie Holiday, Elvis, etc. All great musicians that should be played on an oldies radio station. I can't imagine a Gear Daddies song stuck in the middle of these artists. It just wouldn't sound right.

Calling old rock music "Classic" instead of "Oldies" is just a way to soften the realization that the music of your youth is now dated and old. It is also a reflection of one's own taste, with "classic" being songs you appreciated , and "Oldies" being songs you didn't care for (but someone else did like), or songs that were hits before your time.

Chuck Berry, the Beatles, and ABBA are all oldies to some people and classic to others.

Music has the power to remind you of a specific place and time in your life, evoking powerful memories of good times and bad.

And, jennyjean4, I could put together a catalog of 70's music together that you couldn't touch with the 80's and 90's combined. Of course that's just the opinion of someone who had the music of the 70's as the soundtrack of my youth.

I think that "Classic" rock is just a name that some baby boomer marketing/ad person came up with to make "oldies" easier to sell as a radio format. I agree with jennyjean4, categorizing music should be as simple as "music I like and music I don't."

Who, exactly, are the Gear Daddies?

Just wondering. ;)

-Katie

Gear is Still Good! Although i am now living 260 miles away, when i can make it to a Gear Daddies reunion show, or a Martin Zellar show, i come down.
The atmosphere at the shows is so upbeat. Positive. It is always a happy place. The lyrics still speak to me; back when i was Bored and 18 through today, busy and 39.
I have made probably 20 shows in the last 6 years, whether it has been O'Garas, Fineline, Majors, or a street dance in Rochester, or Fargo, and yes, Red Carpet in St.Cloud.
They are a great reason for me to visit the cities. I have turned many people on to them, and continue to do so. Many cd's i have not had returned. That is o.k. I know they are being listened to. I will buy more.
And yes, at every show, they KNOW you want to hear "ZAMBONI".

The Gear Daddies are playing another rare set of shows Dec. 26 and Dec. 27 at the Fine Line Music Cafe, whose Web site (www.finelinemusic.com) describes them as "legendary country rockers" (but not "classic" or "oldies" rockers).