11/07 - John Batdorf and Mark Rodney from one coast to another and back again

November 2007:
John Batdorf with Mark Rodney
from one coast to another
and back again...

Friday, 2-4 November 2007
John Batdorf and Mark Rodney
Far West Folk Alliance Conference
Hilton Hotel/Vancouver, Vancouver, Wa.
http://www.far-west.org/
John will be performing solo and with Mark Rodney at the Far West Folk Alliance November 2-4.
Not open to the public.

Sunday, 4 November 2007 @ 5:30pm
Batdorf & Rodney Private House Concert
Near Seattle, WA

Tuesday, 6 November 2007 @ 7:30pm
John Batdorf and Mark Rodney
Mainstreet Songwriters Showcase @ Cafe Bellissimo
22458 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364-1523
818-225-0026
http://www.cafebellissimo.com/
Price: donations
John and Mark will do a 30 minute set of originals.

Friday, 9 November 2007 @ 3:30pm
John Batdorf and Mark Rodney
Folk Scene Radio Pre-record
http://www.myspace.com/folkscene
Mark and I are recording a radio show for the legendary Folk Scene Radio Show hosted by Roz Larman to be broadcast at a later date TBD.

Saturday, 10 November 2007 @ 7:30pm
Meet Me In the Music Presents
John Batdorf with Mark Rodney and Bill Batstone
Opening: Andrew Jackson
Verity Room Gallery
7503 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park, CA 91303
paypal: http://www.myspace.com/meetmeinthemusicpresents
email meetmepresents@gmail.com for more info
Price: $20. advance reservations general admission
$25. cash/general admission/door
doors open at 6:45pm

Friday, 16 November 2007 @1pm
John Batdorf and Mark Rodney with Bill Batstone
XM Radio Live Concert
Washington, D.C.
http://xmradio.com/onxm/channelpage.xmc?ch=50
John, Mark and Bill will be recording a live concert with an audience this time at the fantastic studio of XM Radio. The show will air at a later date and will be part of a new live Batdorf and Rodney CD that will include two brand new studio recorded songs due out in the spring of 2008.

Saturday, 17 November 2007 @ 8pm
John Batdorf with special guest Mark Rodney
Paul Mannes House Concert
Arlington, Va 22205
703-868-6379
Price: $20.00
There will be limited seating at this show so to reserve a seat please email Paul Mannes at paulmannes@verizon.net

John Batdorf with Mark Rodney and Bill Batstone at the Verity Room on November 10th

For advance reservations,
email meetmepresents@gmail.com
or access the Paypal Buttons at
the Mother Hen Promotions myspace

John Batdorf Appearances at FAR-West 2007

:

John Batdorf Appearing at FAR-West
Friday, November 2nd
315 RMJ Productions - 4-5pm - solo/B&R
Oak Room - Room With a View - 10pm - B&R
315 RMJ Productions - 11pm-12am - solo/B&R
337 Concerts at the Bodie House 12:30am - solo
341 True Wind Music/Living Room - 1am - solo

Saturday, November 3rd
351 Concerts in Your Home.com - 2pm - solo
315 RMJ Productions - 4-5pm - solo/B&R
315 RMJ Productions - 11pm-12am - solo/B&R

Review 10/23/07: B & R in concert - Incredible

B & R in concert - Incredible
-Chris Abood, a music fan in Cleveland, OH-

October 2007 John Batdorf and Mark Rodney came to Northeast Ohio for the first time in over 30 years and those of us who had the opportunity to see them, not once but twice in one weekend, will forever have that glorious memory.

As good as the CD, "Home Again" is, the real treat was hearing the music of John Batdorf, and Batdorf and Rodney, presented acoustically. The guitars of these two musicians sang. The voices were perfect. And the joyful lyrics and music, first shared over 30 years ago, sounded as fresh and vibrant as if we were hearing for the first time.

Mark Rodney is back among the finest acoustic pickers in folk music. He skillfully played the lead notes heard on the B & R albums in the 70's without the fuzz of drums or bass to distract. "Me and My Guitar", Oh My Surprise," and so many other songs had new life as Mark's sweet, deliberate guitar playing took center stage. And John Batdorf's artful lead playing during the triumphant "Can you See Him," may have actually showcased the best licks of the night. That song is among the most powerful in any musical genre.

Yes, it was wonderful to hear the music, but we also took great pleasure in seeing the interplay between these two old friends. The stories shared about their early days, their meetings with Ahmet Ertegen, their partying lifestyle in LA and the life experiences which generated their songs were captivating and humorous. It was a totally satisfying experience.

"Music's here for us to love each day" has been a phrase I've kept in mind since the first time I heard it decades ago. And now, when I think of the line, "All my life, I've waited for this day," from "Home Again," I realize that my musical prayer has been answered. Their performance was superb!!

Review9/28/07: Dayton Daily News

Nontraditional radio helps ’70s duo break into mainstream

http://www.daytondailynews.com/e/content/oh/story/entertainment/music/2007/09/27/ddn092807gobatdorfrodney.html

Nontraditional radio helps '70s duo break into mainstream

By Don Thrasher
Contributing Writer
Friday, September 28, 2007

The rigidity of commercial radio playlists has made it possible for only certain old school acts to receive airplay.

However, the rise of satellite and Internet radio stations has given new life to once popular acts that managed to slip through the cracks of mainstream consciousness. That's the case with former Daytonian John Batdorf, who owes his recent career resurgence to the lasting popularity of '70s duo Batdorf & Rodney, which is in heavy rotation on a number of nontraditional radio stations.

"For maybe 25 years you couldn't hear any of that stuff, but the reality is radio is actually playing stuff from those days again," Batdorf said recently, speaking over the telephone from his California home. "When satellite radio came out, I didn't even know what it was, but people started telling me they were hearing Batdorf & Rodney on XM radio. ... At that point the records had not even been re-released. The DJs had taken the records and burned them onto CD."

The objects of fixation for these DJs were the three major label LPs Batdorf & Rodney released in the early to mid-'70s, which were loaded with a folksy blend of mellow, West Coast harmonies and intricate dual acoustic guitar interplay.

Batdorf and Rodney hadn't seen each other since 1985 when they reunited in 2006 to record three cuts for Batdorf's solo album "Home Again." The old friends found the spark still was there and decided to get back together for a brief Midwestern reunion tour, which stops at Canal Street Tavern tonight.

CONTACT contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.

Review(s) 10/6/07 from NWI.com

Popular ’70s singer comes full circle - from NWI Times Popular '70s singer comes full circle Saturday, October 6, 2007 12:05 AM CDT BY TOM LOUNGES Times Correspondent Like so many of those singing/songwriting troubadours of the 1970s that flooded the pop music scene, John Batdorf, was heavily influenced and inspired by those hippie-spirited, rebel souls who had come a decade earlier. One in particular, Stephen Stills, had a deep influence on Batdorf, which can be heard in his guitar playing, if not his vocalizing. When he opens his mouth to sing, Batdorf's high range recalls a slightly less soaring Jon Anderson (YES) with a touch of a less-shrill Geddy Lee (Rush). Perhaps his unique vocal style is what has made Batdorf such a popular session singer on countless radio and television commercial jingles and a guest vocalist on recording projects for other artists Batdorf's voice has been tapped over the years by a wide range of artists -- from pop act Jefferson Starship, to hard rockers Motley Crue, to Americana favorite James Lee Stanley -- the latter with whom Batdorf released a tasty 2005 acoustic album of Rolling Stones covers titled, "All Wood And Stones." His story began in 1971. That is when he partnered with Mark Rodney, signed to Atlantic Records and released their first album, "Off The Shelf." The two quickly became part of the enormous acoustic duo genre of the early-'70s that included acts like Seals & Crofts, Brewer & Shipley, Loggins & Messina, England Dan & John Ford Coley, and Hall & Oates. Batdorf & Rodney were wooed away by a young David Geffen to the fledgling Asylum Records for their self-titled second album, and later by Clive Davis, who released their third album on his Arista label. Batdorf & Rodney have been described by critics as the quintessential California acoustic folk-rock duo of the '70s. They released three albums and landed two singles on the charts -- "You Are A Song" and "Somewhere In The Night" -- before splitting up in 1975. Batdorf joined the group Silver in 1976, recorded one album, and toured with the Doobie Brothers, Poco, Hall & Oates and America. Extensive session work kept him busy during the 1980s, and in the mid-1990s, Batdorf expanded his musical resume by becoming resident composer for such hit television programs as "Promised Land" and "Touched By An Angel." After recording a pair of albums in the 1990s with fellow singer/songwriter Michael McLean, Batdorf spent most of this decade as an indie rocker and again has hit the concert trail. Earlier this year, he released his newest collection of original music, the aptly titled, "Home Again." Now performing again with Rodney, the duo will recreate the music and magic of a generation ago on stage tonight at Front Porch Music. Music samples at: www.johnbatdorf.com and www.MySpace.com/johnbatdorf. ifyougo John Batdorf with Mark Rodney When: 8 p.m. Saturday Where: Front Porch Music, 505 Lincolnway, Valparaiso Cost: $12, all ages FYI: (219) 464-4700 or www.frontporchmusic.com © Copyright 2007, The Times, Munster, IN direct article link 11:24 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

What’s old is new again for Batdorf & Rodney - NWI Interview Category: Music What's old is new again for Batdorf & Rodney Friday, October 5, 2007 12:07 AM CDT BY TIM SHELLBERG Times Correspondent John Batdorf, one half of the '70s singer-songwriter duo Batdorf & Rodney, was surprised to discover his audiences remembered his '70s songs after dusting the cobwebs off of them recently. "I played them not thinking at first that anyone would know them," he recalled. "And it was unbelievable to me how many people were Batdorf & Rodney fans. It was very humbling. It's really nice to know that people remember you from that time because it really was a long time ago." Scheduled to perform their first Chicagoland show together in more than three decades Saturday at Valparaiso's Front Porch Music, the duo, best known collectively as Batdorf & Rodney, released a trio of albums that found favor with fans of the Cali rock sound of the early and mid-'70s. They landed on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart in 1975 with the single "You are a Song" from their third album, "Life is You." But that album would prove to be their recorded swan song, and from there, Batdorf joined forces with pre-Grateful Dead Brent Mydland in the band Silver, which recorded a sole eponymous set in 1976. By 1980, Batdorf's musical concentrations were behind the scenes; he composed songs and lent his vocal and instrumental talents to acts varying from David Lee Roth to Rod Stewart to Berlin. In the late '90s and early '00s, he was best heard on the small screen, composing the scores for the CBS dramas "Promised Land" and "Touched by an Angel." After "Angel" ran its course in 2004, Batdorf was asked by fellow acoustic favorite James Lee Stanley to collaborate on "All Wood and Stones," a 2005 unplugged take on Rolling Stones '60s gems. While touring in support of "Stones," Batdorf reconnected with an audience who hadn't forgotten his songs from his '70s heyday when the duo included selections from Batdorf & Rodney's catalog. It may have helped that in 2004, the duo's albums were finally made available on CD. "I really thought that there was a 'been there, done that' kind of thing (with the Batdorf & Rodney songs)," he said. "But people just kept requesting the old songs." Earlier this year, Batdorf released "Home Again," which features a hearty helping of '70s selections alongside new songs. A stripped-down affair in the vein of "Stones," Batdorf called on his past partner Rodney, who appears on three songs on "Home." Almost every song on "Home," Batdorf said, has found a home on satellite radio. A small handful of acoustic and album cut-friendly stations on satellite provider XM, including "The Loft," "Deep Tracks" and "Fine Tuning," have played selections from "Home" since the album was released this spring. "I think there's more than 9 million people who are paying for radio when they can get it for free," Batdorf said. "It's great to know that there are people who still want to hear what's out there and what's not being played anymore on AM or FM radio." In November, Batdorf and Rodney will make their way to XM to record a live performance. The duo hope to release the show, augmented by a pair of new songs, for what will be their first album together in more than three decades. ifyougo John Batdorf with Mark Rodney When: 8 p.m. Saturday Where: Front Porch Music, 505 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso Cost: $12 FYI: (219) 464-4600 or www.frontporchmusic.com © Copyright 2007, The Times, Munster, IN direct article link

Review 9/8/7: Santa Barbara News-Press

from the Santa Barbara News-Press re: John Batdorf and Andrew Jackson 9/8 /07

IN CONCERT: Guitar at their centers - John Batdorf, Andrew Jackson couldn't stay away from performing By Ted Mills, NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT Although he's a forensic expert by day, Andrew Jackson, above, gets to showcase his guitar skills at night. For his performance at El Presidio Chapel, Jackson will be joined by one of his heroes, John Batdorf, below. COURTESY PHOTOS September 7, 2007 12:05 PM JOHN BATDORF, with ANDREW JACKSON, THERESA OGELLA When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday Where: El Presidio Chapel, 123 E. Canon Perdido St. Tickets: $15 day of event, $12 advance, members Information: 965-0093, www.sbthp.org "This is my first paying gig up in Santa Barbara," singer-songwriter John Batdorf jokes about his performance Saturday at El Presidio Chapel. He can thank the man who put the show together, Batdorf's opening act, guitarist Andrew Jackson. Both musicians know Batdorf isn't exactly correct about this being his first paying gig in Santa Barbara. For the early part of the 1970s, he was half of Batdorf & Rodney, a jazz-folk duo that made its way through a selection of major labels (Atlantic, Asylum, Arista) and gained a cult following. But after years away, Batdorf's return to Santa Barbara feels like a rebirth in some ways, as does Jackson's budding career. "We are two completely different guitarists," Batdorf says, "which means not in competition." But the two owe their current situations to shake-ups in the music industry. "We met on MySpace," Batdorf says. "Andrew was a fan, and I've been a fan of his kind of jazz-guitar playing." For years, Batdorf was making a living scoring for television, and had given up on the music business. "John is fairly new to ages 30 and below, and MIA for most of us who remember him," Jackson wrote in an e-mail. But that started to change for Batdorf a few years ago, when he heard a Batdorf & Rodney song on an Xfm station. Realizing things were changing, he got back in the game, and found the game had changed. Jackson's El Presidio concert -- and previous all-star benefit gigs at NorthStar Coffee Company and SOhO, the latter for the Environmental Defense Center -- is just one of many ways, aided by the Internet, today's acts are finding audiences. Sometimes, the audience has being waiting for years. Some, like Jackson's, have just started to grow. Jackson's album title "Hiatus" describes why he is entering the business late. He took a 14-year break due to "college, marriage, a child . . . and, eh, a divorce," and returned to music in 2002. "I was walking around in a kind of daze," he says. "And one night I borrowed a guitar and sat in on an open-mic night." Although he had been playing in the intervening years, he had not performed in public since college. The Santa Barbara native and self-described "Air Force brat" played rock in high school, but by college had moved toward the steel-string playing of Windham Hill's Michael Hedges, whose open tunings and harmonic slaps can still be heard in Jackson's playing. Jackson also cites William Ackerman and Alex de Grassi as influences. The latter, known for his finger-picking style, became Jackson's mentor after he sought out the artist when De Grassi played at SOhO. Jackson soon got the itch to get back in the spotlight. "Music is something I need in life, and not just at home," Jackson says he realized after that meeting. On his Web site (www.soundclick.com/hiatusandrewjackson), you can hear what he has been working on since 2002, including solo work and duets with violinist Barbara Coventry and percussionist Johnny Ornelas. A range of styles is presented, including Celtic folk, flamenco, classical and slack-key Hawaiian. There is a new album, "Expressions of Passion," in the works, but, being a perfectionist, Jackson keeps tweaking the tracks. He has found his ideal marketing format in online MP3s, and offers them on his SoundClick site (above) and on his MySpace site (www.myspace.com/fretnomore). "Every artist dreams about making that one song with the one hook," he says. "And MP3s help that happen. Why make people buy a whole album when I can get more people paying 60 cents for one song that they like. There's no language barrier, so it can be international." During the day, Jackson works as a forensic expert, the kind that takes the stand in court cases. At night, he plays. One of his regular gigs is at NorthStar Coffee. His musical friends are trying to get him to expand his venue choices. "I'm hesitant to play L.A., but they've convinced me," he says. For Jackson, the biggest change in returning to performing was realizing he could do it. "Not to sound vain, but I didn't realize at first that I was this good," he says. "But here I am opening for and playing with my heroes, and they're asking me to join them. So it must be true."