 As a songwriter, Oldham teamed with Dan Penn to write such hits as "Cry Like a Baby" (the Box Tops), "I'm Your Puppet" (James and Bobby Purify), and "A Woman Left Lonely" and "It Tears Me Up" (Percy Sledge).A native of Center Star, Alabama, United states, Oldham started by playing piano in bands during high school.He then attended classes at the University of North Alabama but turned instead to playing at FAME Studios.