Friday, December 19, 2008

Holiday Greetings

To All Friends and Fans --

John Batdorf has sent you Holiday Greetings

and good wishes for the New Year

via MP3MusicGram.

To view (and hear!) your MP3MusicGram,

please click on the link below.

View My MP3MusicGram

If the above link does not work,

please copy and paste the following URL to your browser:

http://www.MP3Musicgrams.com/viewMP3Gram.aspx?egID=C5CD062FE5621B6CEFAA971F3FEF4AD0A8BE4150

-John Batdorf


"The greening of John Batdorf done by PhotographicsByKelpie"

Friday, December 5, 2008

John Batdorf @ Boney Mtn House Concerts Sat 12/13 @ 8pm

Saturday 13 December 2008 @ 8pm
John Batdorf
Boney Mountain House Concerts
Newbury Park, California
music@brandick.com
http://www.brandick.com/Boney-Mountain-Home.htm
Price: $15.00
This will be Johns' last appearance for several months because he is recording his new CD. Come support the music!
Info About the Venue: The concert will take place at the Brandick residence in Newbury Park, California which is located in excellent proximity to major media centers, about 50 miles north of Los Angeles and 25 miles south of Ventura.
Concerts take place in a newly remodeled great room equipped for excellent sound. The capacity is about 60 people. The host is a songwriter and blues artist who will play a short set, 15-20 minutes to open the show. For more information or to join the mailing list, contact music@brandick.com.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

"See Us Shine" featured on The Original Christmas Song 2008 site

SEE US SHINE
John Batdorf
West Hills, California

Original Christmas Songs 2008 site on myspace
John Batdorfs' feature page on the Original Christmas Songs 2008 site at Soundclick

john300

Background on the Song from John Batdorf
"SEE US SHINE" was one of the first songs I wrote with [Michael] McLean around the time of the LA riots. We were approached by the advertising agency which represents Coca Cola, because they were looking for a heart felt anthem-like song for a new Coke campaign. They heard our brand new song " See Us Shine" and told us it was perfect! The agency gave us a little money to make a musical presentation piece. Unfortunately, the commercial campaign didn't work out but we loved the song so much we threw the song onto the our first CD together "You've Always Been There For Me", using the arrangement we had done for Coke since our budget was so small. I always regretted that decision and for years had wanted to do a real arrangement of the song with acoustic guitars, etc. and finally I have done just that!


















John Batdorf/Biography
John Batdorfs' uniquely passionate vocals and guitar playing landed him his first major record deal back in the 70s with Atlantic Records, and he's continued to develop and grow as an artist to this day. As the song writing and lead vocal half of Batdorf and Rodney, John began honing his craft and developing his own style back in the early 70s. After the breakup with Rodney, John did an album with a group called Silver and toured the country promoting their album at venues with the likes of America, Doobie Brothers, Poco and Hall and Oats. Fans devoted to his sound recognized Johns voice on several radio and television projects in the 80s when he worked as a top LA studio session singer. When he wasn't touring with bands, or producing music for a variety of clients, he never stopped writing songs. In the early 90s he partnered with fellow songwriter Michael McLean and released a handful of albums that captured a personal resonance John found with his universal songs of hope and inspiration. It's as if with each stage in his artistic journey, he developed a greater understanding of the power of music to impact our daily lives. Never one to stagnate creatively, John expanded his artistic palette from acoustic driven pop/rock to story driven melodies. From 1996 to 2002 he worked as a TV composer for the hit series Touched by an Angel and Promised Land. Now into the second half of the new millennium, John has recorded a new CD with James Lee Stanley "All Wood And Stones" (a highly original take on early Rolling Stones songs, done acoustically with tight harmonies) along with his first solo EP, "Side One." Johns' first full-length solo CD, "Home Again", is comprised of seven new originals and three songs from the Batdorf and Rodney days. "Home Again" is an acoustic guitar and vocal enthusiasts dream come true! John's latest CD, "Still Burnin'", teams him up again with Mark Rodney. The duo recorded a live show at XM Studios in Washington D.C. revisiting many of their great songs from the 70s. Also, John and Mark have recorded two brand new songs in LA that are also included in the package. This marks the first new Batdorf and Rodney recording since 1975!

When you listen to John sing songs about things that really matter to him, you'll understand why they mean so much to his fans that have spanned three decades.

See my profile at All Music Guide.

Discography
Batdorf and Rodney "Off The Shelf" 1971
Batdorf and Rodney "Batdorf and Rodney" 1972
Batdorf and Rodney "Life Is You" 1975
Silver "Silver" 1976
Batdorf and McLean "Look Inside" 1992
Batdorf and McLean "Don't You Know" 1997
Batdorf and Stanley "All Wood and Stones" 2005
John Batdorf "Side One" EP 2005
John Batdorf "Home Again" 2007
Batdorf and Rodney "Still Burnin'" 2008

Pertinent John Batdorf Sites
http://johnbatdorfmusic.com/
http://johnbatdorf.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/johnbatdorf
http://www.airplaydirect.com/JohnBatdorf
http://www.sonicbids.com/JohnBatdorf
http://www.reverbnation.com/johnbatdorf
http://www.sonicbids.com/BatdorfandRodney
http://www.allwoodandstones.com/
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/JohnBatdorf/join

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

John Batdorf @ Mama Hillybeans/Tehachapi CA SAT 11/22 @ 7pm

Saturday, 22 November 2008 @ 7pm
John Batdorf @ Mama Hillybeans
426 E. Tehachapi Blvd., Tehachapi, CA 93561
661.822.BEAN
http://mamahillybeans.com/calendar.html#112208
Price: $12. advance/$15. door
Come listen to John sing songs about things that really matter to him, and you'll understand why they mean so much to his fans
that have spanned three decades.
THIS SHOW WILL BE RECORDED LIVE FOR FOLK SCENE www.folkscene.com




Sunday, November 9, 2008

John Batdorf appears exclusively in the Mother Hen Promotions Room at NERFA

For Immediate Release:
John Batdorf appears exclusively in the Mother Hen Promotions Room at NERFA

In addition to aiding selected artists in getting their name and wares known on the internet via radio and social media, Mother Hen Promotions is also becoming known for presenting artists of the highest quality at the various Folk Alliance conferences including FAR-West, the International Conference in Memphis and now NERFA!

"Mom Hen" is pleased to be presenting Claudia Nygaard, Lauren Sheehan, Andrew McKnight, Randall Williams, James Lee Stanley, "All Wood & Stones", and K.C. Clifford in the Mother Hen Promotions guerrilla showcase room (#1517) at the forthcoming NERFA conference.

Additionally, "Mom Hen" is very proud to be exclusively presenting John Batdorf to the conference at large.

From being the vocal and songwriting force behind Batdorf & Rodney in the '70s, to being a recognized vocal (and writer!) on commercials and cartoons in the '80s, to creating the source music and scores for "Touched by an Angel" and "Promised Land" in the '90s/early 2000s, to being part of the dual force behind "All Wood & Stones", and now - finally - branching out solo - John Batdorf is one of those rare musical finds. His influences include the Beatles and Beethoven, Stephen Stills, Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel (among others) ... but the music he gives us is purely his own. He started writing music at an early age and some of those songs still bear weight 40 years later. It is Mom Hens' opinion that he had no business having the knowledge to write some of those songs at the age of 14 ... but it is also Mom Hens' experience that such is the transcendent knowledge of genius..... Johns' vocals are sincere and distinct with an amazing range that reaches deep inside you, his meaningful themes encompass the power of love and helping people in all walks of life ... and he consistently challenges himself to create intricate acoustic melodies with difficult guitar licks that will knock your socks off when you watch him play them live on that beloved Martin D-28.
In sum, John Batdorf is an acoustic powerhouse.

Please come visit the Mother Hen Promotions Guerrilla showcase room #1517 at NERFA, scheduled as follows:

Friday, 14 November 2008/Room #1517:
3 - 4pm - John Batdorf
11:30pm - Andrew McKnight
12 Midnight to 1am - John Batdorf
1am - "All Wood & Stones": John Batdorf and James Lee Stanley
1:30am - Randall Williams

Saturday, 15 November 2008/Room #1517:
2-2:45pm - John Batdorf
2:45 - 4:30pm - "Meet Me In The Music" in-the-round peer group showcase with John Batdorf, Randall Williams, Claudia Nygaard, Andrew McKnight, and Lauren Sheehan
11:30pm - James Lee Stanley
12 Midnight to 1am - John Batdorf
1am - Lauren Sheehan
1:30am - K.C. Clifford


Mother Hen Promotions handles booking and radio and media submissions for John Batdorf should you wish to follow-up during or after the conference.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Batdorf & Fowler: The Half & Half Tour 11/11 & 12/08 NY!!!

Batdorf & Fowler
The Half & Half Tour
Tuesday Nov 11, 2008 7:30 pm
The Cutting Room
19 W. 24th St, NYC
Tickets: $20
(212) 691-1900 or www.thecuttingroomnyc.com
AND
Wednesday Nov 12, 2008 8:00 pm
The Turning Point Café
468 Piermont Ave,
Piermont, NY
Tickets: $20(845) 359-1089 or www.turningpointcafe.com

For immediate release: Batdorf & Fowler: The Half & Half Tour

New York, NY, October 20, 2008 - Remember all the acoustic duos of the 1970's known by their last names like Simon & Garfunkel, Seals & Crofts, Loggins & Messina, Brewer & Shipley, and Batdorf & Rodney? Well Rex Fowler, the lead singer and songwriter of the critically acclaimed folk/rock duo Aztec Two-Step is teaming up with his counterpart in Batdorf & Rodney for the Half & Half Tour, performing two shows on either side of the Hudson River next month.

John Batdorf and Rex Fowler will sneak away from their musical counterparts just long enough to engage in an extra marital tryst at The Cutting Room in NYC and The Turning Point across the river in Piermont, NY on November 11th & 12th respectively.

Batdorf & Fowler will perform separate sets but will be adding a harmony or two on some of their bands classics as well as selections from their individual solo recording projects. This will be a guaranteed inspirational evening of harmony, merriment and song by two very seasoned and sensational singer/songwriters.

John Batdorf East Coast Tour: 11/8-16 CT & NY!


Saturday, 8 November 2008 @ 8pm
John Batdorf Opening For Aztek Two Step
JCC of Greater New Haven, CT

360 Amity Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525
1-203-397-3000
Price: $40 in advance/45 at the door
For tickets call 1-866-55-TICKETS

Tuesday, 11 November 2008 @ 8pm
John Batdorf / Rex Fowler Co-Bill
The Cutting Room

19 West 24th Street, NYC, NY
(212) 691-1900
http://www.thecuttingroomnyc.com/index.html
Price: $20.00
John Batdorf and Rex Fowler (Aztek Two Step) will be co-headline this show.
This will be Johns first trip to NYC since 1975!

Wednesday, 12 November 2008 @ 8pm
John Batdorf / Rex Fowler Co-Bill
The Turning Point

468 Piermont Ave., Piermont, NY 10968
(845) 359-1089
http://www.turningpointcafe.com/
Price: $20..
John Batdorf will again co-headline with Rex Fowler (Aztek Two Step)

from Friday, 14 November till Sunday 16 November 2008
John Batdorf @ NorthEast Region Folk Alliance Conference

Hudson Valley Resort, Kerhonkson, NY 12446
http://www.nerfa.org/
private music conference
John will be appearing at the NERFA Folk Alliance conference
November 14-16.

Monday, October 6, 2008

"Home Again" featured on WLSO.FM's Longtown Sound 455 Monday Monday Power Hour

Longtown Sound 455 Monday, Monday Power Hour Featuring- Lynn Langham, John Batdorf, Kelly Dees, Romantica, Lisa Coppola, Lionel Neykov, Reid Maclean, Taylor Hicks, Lee Maddeford, Copper Box, Jamie Marshall, Jimmy Catlett, Rich Hopkins and Lisa Novak, Noush Skaugen, Joey Elkins

Longtown Sound 455
The New Monday, Monday Power Hour! Check this out - the new Pancake Wednesday Flour Power Hour and the new Finally Friday Weekend Power Hour! Catching a little fish between now and December so Uncleshag and co-horts are moving to a three day work week, a perfect storm weekly. Why it’s a Trifecta of Tunage.
So please pass the word along with the buzz of the internet as you meet and greet your friends, former Wall St. brokers or the local banker. Bless ‘em all, Lord! Bless US everyone!
Enter, forgetting the world of politics! Err, ev’n the Whole World is left behind, pushed aside or excused for the day.
Enjoy the mellow blues sounds and all the artists!
-unc.

Today’s Featured Artists-
Lynn Langham - I’ll Be Seeing You
John Batdorf - Home Again
Kelly Dees - Blues on a Tuesday
Romantica - How to Live in a Modern World
Lisa Coppola - Make This Moment
Lionel Neykov - Freeze My Senses
Reid Maclean - Full Time Job
Taylor Hicks - Heart And Soul
Lee Maddeford - If This is Life
Copper Box - Hopeless Lover
Jamie Marshall - Vagabond Heart
Jimmy Catlett -Everybody Says
Rich Hopkins and Lisa Novak - Matthew Sweet
Noush Skaugen - Gone
Joey Elkins - Looking Straight Back

Longtown Sound 455 [60:00m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download (68)

Saturday, October 4, 2008

John Batdorf at "BackStage: OnStage" Launch Monday 10/6 @ 8pm


BackStage:Los Angeles, "L.A.'s REAL Music-Interview T.V. Show!" launches it's Screening/Concert Series
"BackStage: OnStage"
on Monday, October 6th
@ The Bungalow Club @ 8:00 PM, featuring interview segments
with Peter Tork, and John Batdorf.

Please note, there will be no concert on this launch night, but John Batdorf will be our special guest for the evening!
7174 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Sandy Jacobson, Creator & Producer
Backstage: Los Angeles
“L.A.’s REAL Music Show” http://www.backstagelosangeles.net/
Show Merchandise:
http://www.cafepress.com/backstagela

Thursday, October 2, 2008

John Batdorf at RedHare Astoria OR Sat 10-4 @ 8pm

Saturday, 4 October 2008 @ 8pm
Redhare Astoria
260 10th Street
Astoria, Oregon 97103
Price: $10.00
http://www.myspace.com/redharegallery2

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Thurs 10/2 @ 8pm John Batdorf @ Matrix Coffeehouse in Chehalis, WA!


Thursday, 2 October 2008 @ 8pm
John Batdorf
The Matrix Coffee House
434 NW Prindle St
Chehalis, WA 98532
360-740-0492
Price: $7.00
http://www.matrixcoffeehouse.com/
www.myspace.com/thematrixcoffeehouse

Monday, September 15, 2008

John Batdorf: PacNW Tour 9/26 - 10/5/08

Friday, 26 September 2008 @ 4pm
Portland Music Co. "On Broadway"
2502 NE Broadway St.
Portland, OR 97232
503-228-8437
http://www.myspace.com/pmcbroadway
John will be performing in store and signing CDs
to help promote the 9 Muses Acoustic Tavern gig on the 27th.

Saturday, 27 September 2008 @ 9pm
Nine Muses Acoustic Tavern
2715 SE Belmont Street
Portland, OR 97214
503-236-3848
Price: $12.00
http://www.myspace.com/ninemusestavern

Tuesday,30 September 2008 @ 9:30pm
Green Frog Cafe Acoustic Tavern
902 N. State St. #104
Bellingham, Wa 98225
360-920-7983
Price: $7.00
http://www.acoustictavern.com
www.myspace.com/acoustictavern

Thursday, 2 October 2008 @ 8pm
The Matrix Coffee House
434 NW Prindle St
Chehalis, WA 98532
360-740-0492
Price: $7.00
http://www.matrixcoffeehouse.com/

Friday, 3 October 2008 @ 3pm
KMUN interview Astoria
http://www.coastradio.org/artslive.html
Live Interview with Carol Newman at KMUN "Arts Live & Local"

Saturday, 4 October 2008 @ 8pm
Redhare Astoria
260 10th Street
Astoria, Oregon 97103
Price: $10.00
http://www.myspace.com/redharegallery2

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

John Batdorf Texas Weekend: 9/12-13-14/08

Friday, 12 September 2008 @ 7:30pm
John Batdorf @ Kerrville House Concerts
Hosted by Jack & Barbara Fields

1025 High Pointe Dr., Kerrville, Texas
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=259738479
Price: $15.00 Suggested Donation
For reservations please write: sunbeam@hctc.net
Notes: The music starts around 7:30, we take a break around 8:30 for a pot-luck supper (please bring a covered dish or dessert). There will be a second set after the break that should end around 11:00. We ask for a $15.00 donation per person with all funds going to the performer. Advance reservations are suggested as we are setting up for only 40.

Saturday, 13 September 2008 @ 7pm
John Batdorf @ Urban Campfires House Concerts
San Antonio, Texas
http://www.urbancampfires.com/
Price: $15.00_$12.00 in advance
Notes: URBAN CAMPFIRES is a monthly acoustic house concert series featuring the finest singer/songwriters from around the country performing in the beautiful and cozy Lion's Field facility. This new venue has an easy access parking lot, comfortable seating, a kitchen, large area for the potluck dinner and plenty of seats--all good ones. Starting at 7:00 pm, and always nonsmoking, URBAN CAMPFIRES is a wonderful way to enjoy live music without the hassles of going to a club. Between sets we enjoy a potluck dinner and URBAN CAMPFIRES always provides the coffee, iced tea, plates, etc.

Sunday, 14 September 2008 @ 7:45pm
John Batdorf @ Clubhouse Concerts
"Upstairs at the White Elephant"
106 E. Exchange in the Ft. Worth Stockyards
Ft. Worth, Tx
(817) 501-2027
http://www.clubhouseconcerts.com/
Price: $8.00
Notes: Clubhouse Concerts shows are held at the "Upstairs at The White Elephant" private party room above the White Elephant Saloon in the historic Stockyards of Fort Worth.
Doors open at 6:30pm. Openers play from 7pm-7:30pm and the headliners go on at 7:45pm.
The "Clubhouse Concerts Acoustic Series" began in 2002 as a venue for listening to the music and hearing the stories behind the songs.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

STILL BURNIN' wins a RadioIndy Grindy Award!!

"Still Burnin'" by John Batdorf and Mark Rodney (Folk Artist from Los Angeles, California(CA))

RadioIndy is pleased to present John Batdorf and Mark Rodney with a GrIndie Award for their CD "Still Burnin'"
"Still Burnin" is an enjoyable acoustic rock album brought to you by John Batdorf and Mark Rodney. These guys have a long history in the music world and their experience is evident with this collection of upbeat tunes. John has a great rock voice, a great range and his performances are noteworthy. Mark is the ideal partner for John. He is a wonderful player, great arranger and adds dimension to the vocals. Together they give you a great bunch of catchy, acoustic songs with a timeless quality. Highlights include "Me and my Guitar," with a beautiful melody, nice guitar changes and a standout chorus. "One Day" is a jazzy little number featuring more great performances and a hopeful message. "Oh Can You Tell Me" is an intimate number with a nice guitar progression and a warm vibe. If you enjoy outstanding singer/songwriters and acoustic pop/rock, you'll love this wonderful CD.
-William and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out John Batdorf's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

Friday, September 5, 2008

John Batdorf Airplay Alert: Radio Crystal Blue 9/7/08

One of John Batdorfs' songs will air during the next edition of Radio Crystal Blue!

Here's how to tune in:
Live show is Sunday 9/7/08 7pm-12am or so EDT

Note: On this show specifically I will air from older CDs as well as new ones, where applicable.

(1)LIVE on LIVE365 INTERNET RADIO
www.live365.com/stations/142950.
*Click the yellow 'mic' button on the station page during the time the show airs live. This opens the listening window. Radio Crystal Blue is a 4-5 hour show.
*Please ignore the "this station is currently not available" statement on this
page.
*Turn off all pop-up-blocker software NEW: Remember you can listen to Live365 with your favorite audio player. Live365 now features mobile streaming!

(2) ARCHIVED shows are at http://cblue.lunarpages.com
*Click the .ram streams or the .mp3 downloads at the beginnings of each playlist.
*Listen with the free (basic) RealOneplayer www.real.com
*Both shows will be uploaded just hours after its completion.
*All archived shows are being kept for several weeks after the live ones.

(3) PODCASTS :
Stream shows after-the-fact in my FeedPlayer at http://cblue.lunarpages.com
Click the different glyphs to hear earlier shows, get the mp3 and RSS feeds.
RSS http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu/rss
www.bigcontact.com has other ways to make the audio accessible.
*As with the archives, the shows from the last several weeks are always
available.
One song will be spun sometime during my show. Due to FCC regulations I cannot reveal when it will air or which song.

Please spread the word, and thanks for reading.

Dan


Dan Herman/Radio Crystal Blue....Indie freeform internet radio since October
2000
.
cblue456@optonline.net www.radiocrystalblue.com www.myspace.com/4668691
Live365 live show: Sundays 7pm-1am or so ET www.live365.com/stations/142950
RCB Novus Ordo show (for CD debuts): Sundays 545pm-645pm EDT, & syndicated
thru Moozikoo Radio, Tuesdays 6pm ET, & Fridays noon ET
www.moozikooradio.com
Archives/ Field Recordings/Podcasts: http://cblue.lunarpages.com & the
FeedPlayer at www.radiocrystalblue.com
Sponsored by District Records www.districtrecords.com Ariel Publicity
www.arielpublicity.net and Miles High Productions
www.mileshighproductions.com

Sunday, August 31, 2008

"Ain't It Like Home" @ #2 on Acoustic Pie Radio for 8/08

"Ain't It Like Home" from HOME AGAIN is at #2 on Acoustic Pie radio for the month of August '08. Check it Out at the link below:
Top 20 Songs on Acoustic Pie Radio, August 2008

Batdorf & Rodney 2008 - A Fan Review from Wildwood - MO

Go here to read an (excellent) review of the Wildwood Springs Lodge Resort Batdorf & Rodney Concert that took place the evening of Saturday, 30 August in Steelville, Missouri: The review comes complete with a slideshow and some memorable music!

Batdorf & Rodney 2008

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Batdorf & Rodney @ Wildwood Springs Lodge, MO Sat 8/30

Saturday, 30 August 2008 @ 8pm
John Batdorf and Mark Rodney
Wildwood Springs Lodge Concert Series
Steelville, Missouri
573-775-2400
http://www.wildwoodspringslodge.com/concert/Batdorf_Rodney.html
This will be Johns' first time playing at Wildwood Springs Lodge.
John and Mark played in the St. Louis area

several times in the seventies and are very excited about returning!
Concert only: Saturday $45.00 per person
Dinner and Concert: Saturday $74.00 per person
Upstairs Lodging, Meals, and Concert: Saturday $138.00 person

Friday, August 22, 2008

SoCal Fans - All Wood & Stones Double Header 8/24

ALL WOOD & STONES
~John Batdorf
and James Lee Stanley ~
DOUBLE-HEADER
SUNDAY 24 AUGUST

Sunday, 24 August 2008 @ 6pm
John Batdorf and James Lee Stanley
Lou Bredlow Pavilion in Warner Center Park
Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Oxnard, Woodland Hills, CA
http://www.valleycultural.org/concerts_august08.php
At 6pm John and James will do a 30-minute abbreviated set opening for Starship starring Mickey Thomas.
Price: free

Sunday, 24 August 2008 @ 8pm
John Batdorf ~ James Lee Stanley ~ Bill Batstone
Coffee Gallery Backstage
2029 N. Lake Altadena, CA 91001
(626) 398-7917
http://www.coffeegallery.com/home.html
Price: $20.00
John, James and Bill will do a full show of AW&S plus solo material from each of the artists.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

John Batdorf is a "New Artist" on 102.7 KIIS.FM in Los Angeles

KIIS.FM did a short interview for a spot on their webpage entitled 24/Seven which follows: http://www.kiisfm.com/cc-common/losangeles/247/newmusic/nm_johnbatdorf.html

VERY COOL!!!!


Also, over on the ClearChannel site, Johns' song "Summer of Love" from STILL BURNIN' is moving up close to the top of page two. Yesterday, mid-afternoon, "Summer of Love" was at 1911 plays and at around midnight last night, we were at 1989 plays. This morning at around 8:30, we were just leaving #113 to move into the #112 spot with 2043 plays. Currently, with this post, we're at 2074 plays. Here's the link for fans to listen and help to keep "Summer of Love" climbing:
http://www.clearchannelmusic.com/cc-common/artist_submission/all.html?page=2&gen=2

Friday, July 25, 2008

WLSO.FM Longtown Scound #411 - Weekend Edition features "Me and You" and "Summer of Love"

Longtown Sound 410 Jim Armstrong, John Batdorf, Bill Kahler, Amy Regan, The Stone Coyotes, Michael Twitty, Pete Wernick and Flexigrass, EverBlue, Fools For April, Sea Dragons, Antiqcool, Kiss, SwampdaWamp

Longtown Sound 410

Friday and the Weekend Edition is within reach and could not have come at a better time. WLSO and Longtown offer best birthday wishes to Jim Armstrong today with many more CDs in his future! We all might just enjoy the cooler and calmer weather. Take the iPod or Creative player outside and away filled with Longtown Sound tunage and take a hike, if in a plane, take a flying leap! If going fishing, for goodness sakes, take a kid! Enjoy the Friday chosen and ear picked tunage like you never have before!

Have a great weekend everyone!
-unc.

Today’s Featured Artists
Jim Armstrong - Angel in Our Corner
From the CD, “Brown Bag Lunch”
Jim Armstrong - Rhythm of the Moon

From the CD, “Mudtown

Happy Birthday, JIM!

John Batdorf - Me and You
John Batdorf and Mark Rodney - Summer Of Love
Bill Kahler - Walkin’ Around the World
Amy Regan - I Love NY
The Stone Coyotes - Kern River
Michael Twitty - Between An Old Memory and Me

Pete Wernick and Flexigrass - Blue Train
EverBlue - Baby’s’ Lullaby
Fools For April - Better Place
Sea Dragons - Come September
Antiqcool - When You’re Down
Kiss - Beth (unplugged)
SwampdaWamp - Sunday Southern Tradition

Longtown Sound 410 [60:35m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download (127)

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

WLSO.FM Longtown Sound #408 Pancake Wed 1-Hr Home Special

Longtown Sound 408 Pancake Wednesday One Hour Home Special!

Longtown Sound 408

Pancake Wednesday One Hour Home Special!

Wednesday’s Pancake Special is just that. Special. Y’all come in and find a seat. The coffee pots are full and bottomless. Please serve yourself! It’s all about Home, wherever that is for you. Home is where the best pancakes are found, home is where the strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe and watermelon grow fresh in the garden for our breakfast. Where the buckwheat and maple roam free. Home.
Today, the artists all have different takes on home. Some are descriptive and detailed, others more subtle with thought and mood self evident. Home can be a sanctuary, or a prison cell. Home can be where you are from, or where you are going.
Thanks for taking the road home with Longtown Sound. I have room for all riders and I leave now and later C’mon, you know you want to go! Listen as you ride!
-unc.

Today’s Featured Artists-
Jim Armstrong - I’m Coming Home
Chris DeMarco - You Can’t Go Home Again
Goose Creek Symphony - Old Kentucky Home
Denver Harbor - Way Back Home
Lost Dogs
- If You Loved Here, You’d Be Home By Now
Doc Roberts - Amarillo by Morning
Jeff Otwell - Bring It On Home
John Batdorf - Home Again
Nathan Wiley - Home
Neal Fox - Is Anybody Home
Pete Wernick & Flexigrass - Traveling Home
The Stone Coyotes - The Lights of Home
SPIN - Home
Thomas Lee - Crawl My Way Back Home
Taylor Hicks - Georgia

Pancake Wednesday! [62:39m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download (148)
23 Jul 08 | Longtown Sound, WLSO NEWS | Comments (9)
© WLSO.FM

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

John Batdorf via Pandora on your iPhone!!

Listen to "John Batdorf & James Lee Stanley Radio", and all your Pandora Stations for FREE on Your iPhone

Pandora is now
available for
FREE on all
models of the
iPhone and
iPod touch!


Learn More

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Down Jersey Radio plays John Batdorf Wed 7-16 @ 7:30pm Eastern Time

!! LISTEN IN !!

Radio DJ Jim Albertson will be playing a selection of music by John Batdorf this coming Wednesday (7-16-08) evening at 7:30pm (eastern time) on the Down Jersey Radio Program heard locally in Southern New Jersey on two radio stations -- WSNJ AM 1240 Bridgeton and WMVB AM 1440 Millville/Vineland
as well as over the internet at WSNJAM.com

Here's a little bit about Down Jersey Jim, your host for that evening: http://members.aol.com/downjerseyjim/

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

What the Reviewers are saying about STILL BURNIN' (an ongoing blog)




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Posted Monday, June 16, 2008

CD Review: Batdorf & Rodney - Still Burnin'Batdorf & Rodney - Still Burnin'

2008, John Batdorf

Direct Link to the Review

Sometimes I hear a band and wonder how I missed out on them for so many years. Batdorf & Rodney are such a duo, with amazing guitar-oriented songs, velvet vocals, an innate sense of melody and music and great songwriting: They should be superstars. John Batdorf is a singer-songwriter unlike many others. He displays a real talent for the turn of a phrase - for storytelling that is more than just relating events. The guitar work here is intricate and beautiful and inevitably a perfect vehicle for each of the stories on Still Burnin'.

Picking song favorites on Still Burnin' is like trying to decide which Monet to hang in the living room. There really isn't any way to say "this is better". The quality and musicality of the songs here is at such a high level that distinctions lose their significance. That being said, I particularly enjoyed Summer Of Love, Home Again and One Day. The primarily acoustic-based sound is a welcome unplug from the electric and electronic ways of much of pop music, creating an aural treat nearly unaccustomed by contemporaries.

Batdorf & Rodney have been writing/performing great material for many years, whether apart {or} together. Still Burnin' is a fine example of their art, and very much worth getting to know.

Rating: 4.5 Stars
(Out of 5)

You can learn more about Batdorf & Rodney at www.myspace.com/johnbatdorf. You can purchase a copy of Still Burnin’ at www.cdbaby.com/batdorfrodney.
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Posted 6-13-08


RadioIndy Review of "Still Burnin"
"Still Burnin" is an enjoyable acoustic rock album brought to you by John Batdorf and Mark Rodney. These guys have a long history in the music world and their experience is evident with this collection of upbeat tunes. John has a great rock voice, a great range and his performances are noteworthy. Mark is the ideal partner for John. He is a wonderful player, great arranger and adds dimension to the vocals. Together they give you a great bunch of catchy, acoustic songs with a timeless quality. Highlights include "Me and my Guitar," with a beautiful melody, nice guitar changes and a standout chorus. "One Day" is a jazzy little number featuring more great performances and a hopeful message. "Oh Can You Tell Me" is an intimate number with a nice guitar progression and a warm vibe. If you enjoy outstanding singer/songwriters and acoustic pop/rock, you’ll love this wonderful CD.
-William and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out John Batdorf's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

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from Eartaste

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Batdorf & Rodney - Four Days Runnin'

“I don’t know what spell I’m under, feels like something’s chasing after me.” That’s actually how this fun new album ends, and exactly how I feel as it fades out. Batdorf & Rodney were some of the albums I digitized myself back in the 90’s when it felt like there were some albums that would never come out on CD. These are guys who had a bright light shining on them for awhile, but 30 years go by and I only hear them when I pull my “old records off the shelf”. That’s actually the title of the first Batdorf & Rodney album – from 1971. A wonderfully mixed up time for me, with Vietnam looming over society as cities were burning (I lived in Asbury Park in this era, which burned due to lots of anxiety over racism). I understand the place I’m living now was even worse because they were quietly hanging blacks and Jewish people in the name of freedom. The hangings made the front pages of the local weekly, but never made the news outside of the area. A sad era that has never been publically talked about. Where some of the cities were pushing for integration, the countryside was killing people making sure segregation was permanent. Why do I bring this up? Nothing really to do with Batdorf & Rodney, except that one of my favorite jams of theirs was simply called Farm. Their albums were pleasant acoustic jams, with the flavors of America and Seals and Crofts. Not political in the least, but they were definitely acres removed from the inner-city plights. “From the dark side of the great divide where hope is buried with dreams that died, there’s no escaping from the mountainside.”

This album starts with the wonderfully sunny Summer Of Love, performed in a much different manner than Fogerty’s song of the same name; but recalling the innocence with the same emotion. “It was a time of change, and it was so beautiful and strange. And nothing’s been quite the same since the summer of love.” I still live there, in many ways, mostly musically.”You can never forget that sound that moves you still, it was state of the art. And it beats in your heart, and it always will. It was a time to sing. It was a time we began to dream. And music meant everything in the summer of love.” John Batdorf has lyrically caught my inner being fully.

The rest of the new album is a collection of some of their best songs re-recorded in the studio sounding just great. The digital recordings I made were off records that were 25 years old when I was making the transition, so I am very glad to hear them this clear. Not sure I ever heard them this clear – ever. You’ll know several of these songs because they were played on what we used to call “underground radio”. Weird, that thought. Everyone was listening to underground radio, so what made it underground? No commercials, and super-cool music. One Day recalls the emotions going through all of us during those days of turmoil and hoping for a peace none of us felt but wanted to feel really bad. “One day I’m sure we’ll all be happy. Peace will soon find every one. One day we’ll wake up in the morning, all our troubles will be gone.” Explains why there’s so much censorship today – people really have no sense that a war is killing off young Americans until a family member or immediate neighbor comes home. We don’t see the thousands, just the few. The government and large businesses running the war have learned how to control our emotions so people don’t have the same anger over what the government is doing to all the innocents overseas. But this album reminds me deeply of all those emotions. “Today should be my best day, all my best days are burning” is a brilliant line that cuts deeper in me today than it did 30 years ago, from the jam song Let Me Go.

Home Again bursts with the same power of joy it always had, with guitar interplays that inspire thoughts of deep understanding of why we are even here. “The daylight found me sitting underneath an oak tree clearing up what once was cloudy, knowing most of all I’m happy.” And alive, feeling alive, truly alive. A quick shoutout for a dear old friends, Where Were You And I, and Can You See Him? I hope it does not take 33 years for another album from these guys. The two new songs create an anticipation that these guys still have many eartastable moments left to share.



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from Midwest Record, published 4/20/08
JOHN BATDORF MUSIC
BATDORF & RODNEY/Still Burnin’: And we see once again that the deconstruction of everything does have it’s advantages. Spurred by Collectors Choice reissues of the original sessions, John Batdorf came out of behind the scenes hiding and made a from the heart set that really touched the nerves of old fans that missed the sound. So this led to the group reuniting to record the old songs live at XM with a few new ones tossed in. And now, you have access to a live greatest hits journey though the past that makes the lived in aspect of these songs welcoming and comforting. A delightful new look at great stuff that flew a little too low under the radar originally but obviously had legs that kept it from ever being held down.
(www.johnbatdorfmusic.com)

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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

"4 Days Runnin'" from STILL BURNIN' featured on WLSO.FM's Longtown Sound 379 TODAY 6/17/08

"4 Days Runnin'" from John Batdorfs' new CD, STILL BURNIN', is one of the featured songs on WLSO.FM's Longtown Sound 379
TODAY - Tuesday 6/17/08.

Here's a Link to the Blog and the actual show:
http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1097

Today's Featured Artists:
Career Club - Hold A Candle
Jackson Cage - White Line
The Dan Sheehan Conspiracy - Before You Wake Up
John Batdorf - 4 Four Days Runnin’
Jay McCarrol - So Tired
Twilight Dementia - Lullaby
The V- Project - You Don’t Care
Sean Faust - Inside Again
Jimmy Lloyd - Something’s Got to Give
Citizens Of Contrary Knowledge - House of Cards
Eric Church - Sinners Like Me
Tenth Avenue North - Lovesick
Hall and Oates - She’s Gone
The Black Crowes - Cut From The Shadow

Monday, June 16, 2008

TODAY 6/16/08 "Summer of Love" from STILL BURNIN' featured on Longtown Sound 378 on WLSO.FM

"Summer Of Love" from John Batdorfs' new CD, STILL BURNIN', is included in Longtown Sound 378 on WLSO.FM Today!!!!

Here's the link to the website and the show:
http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1096

Today's featured artists and songs:
Jackson Cage - I Ain’t Gonna Waste My Time
John Batdorf - Summer Of Love****
Alyssa Hendrix - Good Summer Rain
Causeway - Endless Summer
The Little Women Band - Sweet Summer Kiss
Fun Lovin’ Criminals - The Summer Wind
David Williams - Carolina Summer Nights
Wil Maring - Land of Beulah

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Summer of Love and Four Days Runnin' on The Open Mike Cafe Show

The Open Mike Cafe Show 107

On this show:
Turtle Race Turtle Power - Rose Red
Love Like A Mule - Stoll Vaughan
Unfailing Love - Lori Citro
Bones - Holly Long
A Little Thought - Bobby Pennock
Folk It Promo
The Ring - Annie Capps
Summer of Love - John Batdorf
Hallelujah - The Band of Heathens
Dinosaur - Chris Belden
Taco Stand Blues - Mike Stephens
Crossroads - Jamie-Sue Seal
I Want To Hold Your Ear - Special Ed & The Short Bus
Leaving Home - Judy Insley
Follow The Leader - Dan Hazlett
Brave Little Darling - Dave Boutette
Four Days Running - John Batdorf
Into The Mystic - Robin Lee Berry
Leatherwing Bat - Stonecross
Mother's Hair Medley - The Rhythm Billies
You can listen to the show at: http://theopenmikecafe.com
Have a great week, folks.
Mike Stephens

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Listen to the Open Mike Cafe at http://theopenmikecafe.com
And visit our bookstore at http://mmreadingroom.com

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

What the Fans are saying about STILL BURNIN' (an ongoing blog)

from Amazon.com, posted here 5-28-08
5.0 out of 5 stars Just as good as it was back in the day, May 27, 2008
By R. Kyle (Knoxville, TN) -
When XM started their vintage radio programs, some of the announcers were using their old vinyl to play the original music. There were so many requests to XM to find out who Batdorf and Rodney were, they were invited into the studio to record this live CD.

"Still Burnin'" sounds like the best of the 70's, John Batdorf really could be related to Graham Nash and he admits to paying homage to Stephen Stills in his guitar arrangements.

The CD is a mix of old and new. "Summer of Love" is a great example of new, written on the 40th anniversary of the summer of love to commemorate the feeling. "Home Again" was written in 1972 and its fresh beautiful mix of vocals and orchestration would still stand up to airplay today. This CD is classic and hopefully will not be listed as an overlooked gem.

If you lived in the 70s and want to remember, if you didn't and want to hear what the music sounded like, if you just plain like great vocals and instrumentation with mostly a happy and hopeful sound, give this CD a listen. It's timeless.

Rebecca Kyle, May 2008

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from Amazon.com, posted here 5-7-08
5.0 out of 5 stars B & R are back and terrific!, May 7, 2008
By The Soft Needle (University Heights, Ohio) -
Their "Music's here for us to love each day..." as John & Mark sang many years ago. I'm overjoyed to report that the new CD reaffirms the high place that John Batdorf & Mark Rodney hold in the world of acoustic rock and folk music. Along with two great new songs, the CD has so many of the timeless tunes by John and Mark we first experienced as youngsters or teens in the Vinyl days. These recent versions of their classics showcase once again the beautiful, intricate guitar work and the fine voices that have mellowed but stayed true over these many years.

What's certain is that, a long time ago, when we fell in love with these songs, we were RIGHT! They WERE great!! They've stood the test of time - in fact, they resonate even more now, because we're better able to appreciate the superb musicianship and also what John was saying within the tunes. These days, with the benefit of some thirty years down the road, John and Mark have experiences to make these tunes sound and feel more real - you'll hear it in the urgency of John's vocals in many of these songs. Once you hear the disc you'll agree that the lyrics and messages of love, spirituality and the joy music can bring to us originally composed by an 18 year-old mean much more now. And here's the very best part- as good as this CD is (I'd do 6 stars out of 5), John and Mark were even better in their recent concert in Kent, OH! Their guitar playing was flawless, the voices strong and harmonious, and their humor, making fun at themselves and the time they spent together, as well as beating on Tom, their great bass player, made their show so special. Enough gushing. This CD is great. If you are a fan you'll want to have this so you know you weren't dreaming when you first heard B & R in the 70s. They're back, they're fabulous, and I hope you have a chance to see them at some point, before they choose not to hit the road again.
-Chris Abood

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from Amazon.com, posted here 4/19/08
5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome Back, John and Mark!, April 19, 2008
By Michael L. Pasqua "Mike Pasqua" (Southern Cal)
I was a major fan of this duo in the 1970s and wore out the vinyl copies of the three albums released by them. Since then, John Batdorf and Mark Rodney have moved in separate directions but have, after too many years, provided us with less a return to the past but more proof that excellent singing and playing is timeless. There are live versions of old favorites and two new songs and it brings a smile to me to know that neither John or Mark have lost any skills as time passed by. Buy this and give a great listen as to what great songwriting, singing and amazing playing are all about-"Can You See Him" still gives me goosebumps to listen to the guitar interplay.

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CD Review posted on the John Batdorf Yahoo Group on April 12th, 2008 (posted with author permission):
I got the cd yesterday and listened to it never hearing any Batdorf & Rodney except for what was on Home Again. All I can say is wow. I can't wait to see this live this coming Thursday in Columbus.
-Coop (i.e. Joe Cooper)

Follow-up Concert Review posted on the John Batdorf Yahoo Group on April 18th, 2008 (review posted with author permission):

Show last night (edit: regarding the show at Spruce Street Studios in Cleveland Ohio on 17 April '08)
I can honestly say that last nights show far exceeded the expectations I had for it.

John and Marc added a bassist for the show, Tom Lightwood (edit - Leatherwood) I think, and for being his first show, well, you couldn't tell except of the mention of it. The music was on and the vocals were tremendous. I also got to meet Jackie which was a plus.

At this point, I need to brag about how tremendous of a person John is. First of all, he remembered my face from a show last year, maybe two years ago. Second, Last week, I asked him to play I Found You from his EP and never heard anything and was okay with that. After all, how many artists take requests, let alone from email? He told me he has never done that live.

To my surprise, during the show, he did play She's the One and said it was for me and of course that scored huge points with the girlfriend. Later on, he said he was chickening out if it was okay with me, who am I to disagree with him? He also said he would play it privately for Amy and I after the show, and he did!

John (and Marc) has a new fan at the very least. I owe John big time for last night. Besides the two songs, the concert was fabulous and I can't wait to see them again. If I wasn't booked up the rest of the weekend, I would definitely follow them around Ohio.
-Joe

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from Scott Seavers, first posted to the John Batdorf YahooGroup 4-9-08
(used with author permission)
I received my Still Burnin' CD today and all I can say is WOW! It so amazes me how a song can freeze you in time to the moment that you first heard it. It brings back the memories and the feelings and you remember where you were and what you were doing. Like John said, these songs are so familiar but it's like hearing them for the first time. John and Mark have never been in better form. For those who do not know Batdorf & Rodney, this is a great starting point to introduce them. This CD needs to be shared. This CD needs to be listened to often. This CD captures the moment and just makes you feel good. Another masterpiece by John Batdorf & Mark Rodney. We've been patiently waiting for this to happen. It was a long time coming, but so worth the wait. Thank you once again for sharing and making it a reality.
-Scott Seavers

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from Mother Hen Promotions, posted here 4-24-08

STILL BURNIN' - still the best music ever
Jeanette A Lundgren, 4-23-08

Why is this CD my favorite? Well, everything from John Batdorf is my favorite. I have different reasons for each CD and each song. Presently, STILL BURNIN' is my favorite CD.

"The Summer of Love" sets the stage for this CD - pretty much saying: "this is where and when it all started." I was 10 years old during the summer of love. It was the very first summer I spent away from home at camp and it was traumatic in many ways; but it was also a time when I found out about music. Some of the counselors who took me under their wing played guitar and coaxed a pretty good voice out of me. It wasn't till much later on that I found out about the pheomenon that occured that summer as well as the music that emerged from it.

Unfortunately for me, I never heard of Batdorf & Rodney until I met John Batdorf just after ALL WOOD AND STONES was made a few years back. Some of his songs from the 1970s have always felt vaguely familiar and resonated with me. What I *do* know is that I have always been behind the idea that I wanted to be able to listen to the songs he created back then NOW. So, STILL BURNIN' is very special to me in that one specific regard.

I love all the songs of course -- all of the B&R tracks on this CD are the beloved signature tracks appreciated by B&R fans right from the beginning. Some of what I love about these B&R old tracks made new again is that it's relaxing to me to hear this music that I've come to love over the last few years. While listening, I wait for specific moments in each song that touch a specific chord with me. In some cases, it's the guitar I wait for; sometimes a jam, sometimes the simultaneous sound of two guitars sounding like one twelve-string, sometimes it's little subtle guitar notes sprinkled throughout, sometimes it's a difficult chord progression. At the same time, there's Johns' voice -- it's the same voice we heard on the original tracks on OFF THE SHELF and BATDORF & RODNEY and LIFE IS YOU but with the conviction of maturity. I hear the youth in his voice in the original recordings; I hear a voice I like much better on STILL BURNIN' - a voice that has learned over the years to reach and maintain and enunciate and just be a voice that gets the message across completely and convincingly.

What John does on the guitar is amazing to me because he's playing every single string with two hands rather than chording with one and strumming or picking with the other. He's not any one style but all of the styles hashed together -- but acoustic. Pure acoustic ... he doesn't need bells or whistles or electronics or anything to make that guitar sing along with his own vast vocal ranges. Hearing him sing is a pleasure in and of itself; watching him play a difficult chord progression ... watching him lose himself inside the groove of a song ... is a whole different pleasure. Every song has its own dramatic personna conveyed by Johns' voice and sort of brings a music lover closer to that music - whether we witness it live or via his recordings.

Out of all the standard B&R tracks included in STILL BURNIN', I have my top favorites (of course). "Don't You Hear Me Callin'", "Oh Can You Tell Me," "Let Me Go,"and "Can You See Him." It's restful for me to listen to these tracks - I know what to expect with each song, the subtle guitar parts and the jams, the vocals and the harmonies and some of the other recently added intricacies that fit like a glove.

My favorite song on this CD by far? "Four Days Runnin'". The first time I heard it - it just blew me away. This is the kind of song you want to sit down with and listen to over and over because you hear something different every single time. At first I heard a similarity to Van Halen but it's only just one vocal line and that's where the similarity ends. I've heard some say they hear Eagles or CSN influences. I hear nothing of the kind -- what I hear is an awesome musical talent that has taken all of the influences from the best of the best that went before and digested it and came up with an amazingly driving rock song. A song that changes the rules. A song that pushes the bar upwards another notch and asks other acoustic rockers to run to catch up. Beyond the music and guitar work, there is very viable content ... there is not one person on this planet who has not been a victim of depression - either experiencing it first-hand or via a loved one. So this song works on all levels and every time I hear it, I get a small thrill. It ends the record, and I always wind up going back to listen to "Four Days Runnin'" at least once if not twice more.

So STILL BURNIN' is currently my favorite CD to listen to -- it sort of brings it all together for me: the B&R music John introduced me to when I first became acquainted with his music together with how far he's taken his talent and the trajectory he's on.

What this CD does ultimately? STILL BURNIN' introduces us to where and when it all started in the "Summer of Love". It takes us on a tour of the heydey of B&R with all of their standards. And then it leaves us with where John Batdorf is now -- challenging acoustic music and himself to reach further and higher as composer, singer, acoustic guitarist. I can't wait to see what's next.
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see the lyrics and the why's and wherefores for each song here.

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Note - if you are a Fan and own this CD and want to review it and have your review posted here and on Johns' answering blog on myspace, please send your review together with your name and any URL's you might want linked to your name to meetmepresents@gmail.com.
Thank you