The Editor interviewed and photographed Tre Oates on Monday, March 6, 2017, on E. Main Street, Morrison, IL. Pastor Michael Selburg submitted the following article the next day.
I smiled the moment I spotted the young man playing guitar about 4:00 p.m., to no one in particular and anyone who cared to listen. He was on the southwest corner of E. Main and Cherry Streets, Morrison, IL. With three errands to do in 20 minutes, all I had time for was a smile and a thumbs-up. However, when returning to thecity1.com office via E. Market Street, I noticed him on the opposite side of Cherry Street. I had to stop for an interview with Tre (tray) Oates, Morrison’s strolling troubadour.
He lives in Morrison and stated he has lived in Whiteside County since 2000. “Last summer,” he said, “I busked in Sterling, and Rock Falls[, IL]. I [had permission to] play at County Market cookouts” in Sterling. He played this week in front of Baked by Liz, 119 E. Main Street, in Morrison.
“I’ll play almost anywhere,” Oates noted.
It is fun to ask a musician to describe his favorite genre. He offered, “folksy, bluesy, rock and roll”–and named Peter Gabriel (from Genesis) and The Beatles as examples.
Stop and have a listen. Tre Oates plans to perform three times a week in Morrison and twice a week in Rock Falls, IL.
Local Musician Takes to the Streets by M. S. Selburg
As you stroll down Main Street in Morrison, keep your ears open for an acoustic guitar. No, it’s not some random guy looking for a handout. He’s one of our talented local musicians, Tre Oates. Tre is taking his talent to the streets of Morrison, Rock Falls, and Sterling, IL. He made his first Morrison “street appearance” in front of Baked by Liz on March 6, 2017, and plans to be a regular on our streets. [There] he will play his acoustic guitar to add more vibrancy to our town.
Tre hopes to become a professional street musician, where he will play in Morrison, Rock Falls, Sterling, and anywhere he is called. He began testing out this new calling last spring and summer in Sterling/Rock Falls, where it became a passion for him. He has spent the winter getting ready for the weather to warm up, so he can publicly share his talent again. Tre is working for tips, so if you see him, consider supporting the arts and one of our very own.
Tre is already a well-known musician in Morrison, where he has lived and performed since 2000. Among other local performances, Tre held a main presence at First Presbyterian Church’s Acoustic Open Mics, and has also performed for their Free Community Meals and in worship service.
When asked how often we might be able to hear him play, Tre responded, “I do plan on playing in Morrison, if possible, two to three times a week, usually starting around 11:00 in the morning until perhaps 5:00 in the evening on some days. Weekends, when the local businesses are busy or there are a lot of people, I would more than likely randomly show up and play some tunes for passersby.” Tre sought a permit from the City, but only needs to obtain permission from the business owners in front of which he plans to perform.
Tre has a long background of playing guitar with a wide variety of influences. “I have been playing guitar since I was a freshman in high school, so since about 1999,” commented Oates. “Some of my musical influences are Rush, They Might Be Giants, Bright Eyes, Pink Floyd, Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles, Peter Gabriel, and Neutral Milk Hotel, to name a small fraction of what I enjoy playing and listening to.”
Tre is also for hire if you are looking for a musician. “I am happy to perform live at local events, private parties, birthday parties, weddings, etc.” He is also willing to help churches by providing special music. “I take requests, learn them, and can usually play them pretty verbatim within a week.”
Contact Tre Oates at 1-815-564-7375.