Gates & Goodell  play their original acoustic songs, in a style they call "West Coast Folk Rock", at live performances in pubs, restaurants and coffeehouses around the LA, Ventura and Santa Barbara areas of the California coast. Their music is filled with rich harmonies and layered acoustic instrumentation, influenced by many artists including Loggins and Messina, America, the Eagles, James Taylor, and the Beatles.

Singer/Songwriters John Gates and Bill Goodell, met in 2002 at a 4-day Jim Messina (Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Loggins & Messina) songwriter performance workshop.

Sharing musical backgrounds and tastes, they began playing local festivals, showcases and open-mics in the music-rich Santa Barbara area ,and quickly gained notice and booking in the region. Their original acoustic songs range from haunting ballads to rollicking tongue-in-cheek novelties. Their shows are distinguished by the amount of richness in harmony and arrangement they accomplish with only two performers.

John and Bill have shared the stage with some legendary musicians including Jim Messina, Kenny Edwards, Freebo, John Batdorf, Crosby Loggins, Jack Hardy, Kate Wallace and a veritable who's who of local Santa Barbara musicians. They have received eight "honorable mention" awards in the Billboard World Song Contest, and their songs have received radio airplay and movie placements.