EVERYBODY’S RECOVERING FROM SOMETHING_Soundtrax 2 Recovery_The CD From John Batdorf and Michael McLean

by johnbatdorf

It’s just the truth. When we were younger we thought recovery was something “those people” needed to do… certainly not us. In fact, more often than not, a part of us took a certain amount of pride in the fact that whatever we were going through we weren’t as bad as “them”. Then we grew up, lived a few decades and discovered we’re all in the same boat. We’re all facing some sort of affliction or addiction that has shaken our world, or the world of someone we love, and the only way “our is “through”. This album is for those of us on the road to recovery.

In the spirit of full disclosure, we’re songwriters who’ve been around a while and grew up believing in the power of music to change lives. It isn’t arrogance that wrote these songs, our egos aren’t that big. We’re not pretending this collection of tunes will be all anyone needs to recover from whatever has broken in their lives and needs repair. We’ve learned that often the songs that “trigger” substance abuse (or any other addictive behavior) are easy to identify, though not always that easy to set aside. Unfortunately, upon re-entering. the world outside the clinic there isn’t a readily available “soundtrack to recovery” to help trigger the hope, the courage, the endurance or the faith to make it through the next few moments, hours, days or years. Everything we’ve written and recorded here has been done with the hope that this album might be part of your soundtrack to recovery. 

http://johnbatdorfmusic.com/soundtraxlyric.html

Soundtrax 2 Recovery
John Batdorf & Michael McLean

If the album SOUNDTRAX 2 RECOVERY does what we hope it can do and reaches beyond musical entertainment and dares to lay claim to beinginspirational, something may happen to you that has happened to us. As we've listened back to these recordings we've been working on for all these years, various names pop into our heads; the names of friends and family that might be ready to hear these songs. If that happens to you, we'd like to make it easier for you to get a few extra copies of the CD to pass along when you feel the moment is right. Let us know how many copies you think you'd like to share and we'll send them to you regardless of the size of donation you can afford to make. We'd like to become your partners in reaching out to those on the journey to recovery. This is our way of joining with you to "musically pay it forward" and maybe, just maybe, enriching someone's life for good. John Batdorf & Michael McLean http://johnbatdorfmusic.com/preorder.html

                                          http://www.allwoodandstones.com/

                                      The Making Of All Wood And Stones II

In 2004, James Lee Stanley and myself got together and recorded our first CD together, All Wood And Stones. The CD was released in the fall of that year and much to our surprise, became an instant radio hit for us.

This was going to be a one time thing and James and I would go back to doing what we did before the project was begun. We never never going to be an act, let alone a touring act but one thing led to another and by popular demand, off on the road we went.

Flash forward 8 years and lo and behold after 8 years of touring this CD, we decided to give it another try. We just didn't know what music direction to take. We kicked around doing California Gold, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, even a tribute to the great Motown hits but nothing seemed seemed to be right.

I was sitting with James in his studio and I said, "Hey, what about doing the Stones again?" James said, "Wow, I just got chills, let's do it!"

We worked so hard to find 11 songs that worked acoustically on the first CD, that it would be impossible to find another half dozen more that would work but we were wrong. There was a difference this time.

When we did the first CD, we just got together and worked on arrangements and recorded them. After touring off and on for 8 years, something had changed. There was a different synergy when we worked out arrangements for the new songs.

We weren't afraid to be more aggressive and even used drums on this CD where the first CD only had percussion and light at that. We chose raunchier songs like Honky Tonk Women, Jumpin' Jack Flash and they worked great.

The funny thing is, we tried those songs for the first CD but I just don't think we were ready for the challenge, but after eight years of playing together, these songs came easy. The CD is a natural progression from the first more laid back All Wood and Stones.

Unlike the first CD, where we made the decision to use several celebrity artists including Timothy B. Schmidt and Peter Tork to name a few, we only used a drummer Tom Walsh and two bass players, Bill Batstone and Chad Watson.

We were very confident in being able to accomplish what we wanted with just the two of us and the rhythm section mentioned above. We also recorded the CD differently. The first CD was recorded mostly at James' studio.

This time, once we had the arrangements, we recorded our individual basic guitar parts and lead vocals at our own studios to save time. Once we had the guitars and lead vocals done, we decided to record and mix everything else at my studio. I bought a great new Pearlman Microphone for this project and once James and I worked out the harmonies we decided to try something new.

We opened the mic up and sang our individual parts at the same time which really forces you sing your part great. Unlike recording your parts which can be doctored to work, this technique brought a whole new energy to the background vocals which was really great.

Both James and I really stretched our talents to new heights. I believe we sang and played better than we have ever done before. So in a nutshell, in our opinion, this is the best album either one of us has ever done and we think you will too!

John Batdorf & James Lee Stanley
 

Livin' The Dream!

This travel/touring stuff is way too much fun! Yesterday I got picked up by Primetime Shuttle at 10:30 AM for a 2 PM flight out of LAX. There is already one passenger in the van and we have two more to pick up. We drive to the an address in Van Nuys and the Russian driver can't find the address.We stop in thew middle of intersections, make wild u-turns and drive in circles for about ten minutes then he calls her. Turns out she's Russian too although the communication is not exactly working out. He keeps calling, and driving around and finally just as we we about to leave, a young woman comes walking down the street with a suitcase so I yelled for the driver to stop and she got in. They proceeded to yell at each other in Russian for about twenty minutes as we were off to pick up our last rider in Westwood. We get off the 405 freeway at Sunset and head over towards UCLA, possibly the most congested area in LA! Again the GPS isn't helping much and now it's getting close to 12 PM. We drive around the campus, stopping in the middle of the street, making wild u turns, cutting drivers off and now the other passenger in the van starts screaming at the driver to pay attention. His flight is much closer than mine and now he's worried because we can't find the last pick-up. As they are all spatting and yelling, I have to do a phone interview with a radio station in Rockford so I ducked down behind a seat so I could have some isolation. The interview went on for about twenty minutes and while I was talking on the phone, the driver finally found the last pick up sitting on a bus bench. Everyone is upset and yelling as I wrap up my interview. We finally get to the airport and I get through security around 12:30 and I am hungry. LAX is not known for fine dining so I tried out a Deli. $15.00 later I was doing my best to chew the toughest bread I had ever experienced but SW does not serve food so I managed. I finally board my flight which is direct but has two stops before Columbus. I don't like changing planes because once my guitar is in the overhead, I don't want to risk checking it. First stop Phoenix. A half an hour later we head for Chicago Midway. More peanuts and drinks. I am so glad I ate. We land safely in Chicago and 45 minutes later we head to my final destination, Columbus, Ohio except I am not staying there. It is now midnight on the east coast and I was in the van for two hours, the plane for seven and now I need to rent a car and drive an hour and a half to Fairborn where my sister lives. Driving at 1 AM is not the safest time to drive. Just after getting on the freeway a guy, presumedly drunk just started drifting into my lane which was the fast lane. I slammed on my breaks and hit the horn but he continued. I veered to the left and he missed me and then he proceeded to change over to the slow lane. I am wide awake now. I finally reach my sister's house at 2 AM and have to unload the car. She has a new dog that is barking ferociously at me as I bring in my stuff. Now it's time to unwind with a giant glass of wine and hit the sack. This going on the road stuff is great and there are hundreds of dollars to be made!!

Thoughts and Suggestions From A Fellow Veteran Musician

I have been making a living at music my whole adult life and had to learn on the fly. I grew up way before blogs and I thought I'd offer some of the little things I learned along the way.

What are our strengths and weaknesses as musicians? We all have correctable  tendencies and over time with lots of practice we can learn tricks of the trade to help mask our weaknesses. It's vital to remember that nobody does everything great, so as in life, each of us needs to discover and then improve upon what is needed to make us the very best that we can be. As a lifetime musician, I know of which I speak. There is always room to learn but but must first decide who and what we are so we can set our course. You will be refining and re-inventing that course your whole life but you must stay on course. 

There are three major skill sets we need to master if we want to be successful as a professional musician. First we need to write good songs. That will take a lifetime for sure! Secondly, we prepare for and execute our songs at live shows. It's really good preparation for the eventual recording. The third and arguably the most difficult is how do we become skilled and professional studio musicians and producer/arrangers?

Although we play and sing the same songs live and in the studio, these skill levels are miles apart. Most of us spend the majority of our careers performing. Performing live takes years to conquer and always keeps evolving. We all try to learn the best of our songs and rehearse them over and over until we feel great about our skill level. There is also the crowd rapport and how we set up and end our songs. That is every bit as important as the songs. We all are constantly honing our writing skills and learn to write as efficiently as possible, "don't bore us, get to the chorus" kind of thing as well as many other techniques as inner rhyming and on and on. Remember, listen to the songs that inspired you to want to write and try to understand why those songs are so great. Once our song is finally ready, we want to record it!

Nowadays, many of us have our own studios and we can make and release our own records with having a record deal! Because we usually have 0 budget, we must learn skills that we once paid others to do when we had a budget. I have been recording in my studio now going on 15 years give or take a few. Because I now engineer and produce myself, I have learned about my and other singers/players' tendencies. Becoming aware of sloppy work is the first step in correcting it. We all sound great in the shower but there is no "playback button" to hear how it really sounded! Here are a few tendencies that I have discovered and have worked hard to correct.

 First off, it becomes quite apparent when we lay down a guitar track or piano or whatever you play, most of us tend to rush. It feels like we are playing with the click track until we look at the bar lines and see how ahead we are. Our immediate reaction is that the click track must be slowing down! It's extremely difficult to play an exciting part and keep it laid back. Musicians that spend the majority of their time in the studio have great rhythmic time. Performers spend so much of our time playing live that floating time, flat/sharp notes and other flaws are very expectable because of the visual aspect of performing. Take that away and we have to sing and play great in order to make a professional recording. Rehearsing to a metronome is great practice. 

One of my other recording tendencies was to come in flat for the first note and by the second note I was locked in. I just didn't prepare properly for the entrance. Start focussing on the opening pitch that you need to hit before you start to sing. It's all about preparation and execution. Others I know will throw away pick up notes which is OK unless you plan to harmonize down the road. What note does the guy singing harmony sing when you ghost your note? Singing in tune the majority of the time takes practice and more importantly, it takes an enormous amount of concentration. Any drift away thoughts will affect your singing or your playing. Stay focussed as much as you can. Also, learn to be consistent with cut offs again so when and if you sing a harmony there aren't multiple cut offs with rouge consonants that become a mixing nightmare. Fix it now, not in the mix. Be consistent with your proximity to the mic. You would be amazed at how different your voice sounds if you are a little off axis when singing. Another mix nightmare. Take notes on your mic pre and compressor so that if and when you you have to re-record something, you won't spend hours trying to match the sound of the original recording. Another technique I like to use is when I am punching in an existing instrumental or vocal track, I always start recording before the punch spot just to get into the feel of the track. Digitally, you have the ability to peel back to the original track and just keep the new punch but it doesn't sound like one.

 Another tendency in players and I am guilty of it is that we tend to rush more right before a b-section or chorus change. I suppose it's because mentally we know a change is coming and start preparing for it before it actually gets there. Just try to lay back as much as you can and even though you may think you're lagging behind, more often you will be much closer to the pocket. 

Here are a few more things to ask yourself, "Do I do this". When you play guitar be aware of what strings actually fit into the chord. I have heard musician after musician for example play an D chord and include the low E string in the strumming. Not a good thing! Mute the strings that don't fit. If you were playing a piano, you wouldn't play those notes so be aware of that when you play guitar. You probably aren't even aware that you are doing it. 

Another live performance thought is how to sing harmony. Usually in the studio, we sing harmony to an existing lead vocal so all we need to focus on is singing our part correctly and with purpose. The mix will make the blend happen but when you sing harmony live, most of us don't have engineers mixing the performance. It is up to the singer and or player to mix themselves as they perform. Remember no matter how much you love your part, if you're not the lead then you need to sing and play your part so that the featured part takes the lead. If your secondary support track sticks out, then you need to refine your blending technique. Remember, it's not a contest rather a team effort where everyone performing needs to now just where they fit in and stay there!

This is my final suggestion but one technique that seems to be overlooked. When we record a guitar track, on the last chord of a song, we want it to ring out as long as the instrument still is making sound. It's much like when you throw a rock into a calm lake and we watch the circle get bigger and bigger until it's gone. Let the instrument do it's thing when you finish a song live. So many musicians I watch on stage are so anxious to tune up or get to the next song that they don't let the last chord ring out like we do when recording. Let the beauty of the instrument's final chord ring until it's no longer there. It's a beautiful thing to hear!

There are so many more but my fingers are getting tired!

John Batdorf

www.johnbatdorfmusic.com

What Reviewers Are Sayin' about OLD MAN DREAMIN' (an on-going blog)

from Jean-Jacques Corrio of Le Cri du Coyote, a french review about american music for the Oct/Nov 2010 issue (English Translation):
Fans of Crosby Stills Nash & Young, come closer and listen here. As you might remember, a few years ago John Batdorf was reviewed with his previous album 'Home Again'. Now he's back, with his course of action unchanged: reviving the spirit of the 70's, with vocal harmonies and folk-rock guitars. The long list of vocal efforts in the accompaniment contains a number of people he has worked together with in the past, like Michael McLean and James Lee Stanley. John has written all eleven songs himself and the album comes with a feeling of at least 40 years rejuvenation. Surely, that must be priceless!

- JJC / Le Cri Du Coyote -

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From Country Fried Rock
posted Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

John Batdorf, On His Own

Country Fried Rock usually chats with singers and songwriters at the beginning of their professional careers, and John Batdorf is there, too--after forty years in the music business.

Commercial publications often liken an artist with longevity as "reinventing" himself, but for Batdorf, he has lucked into several opportunities, with a lot of work and the vision to recognize an opening when it presents itself. From a Mid-Western teen seeking sunshine in California, to a one-hit wonder duo, to a great band whose label folded just before the release of their album, to a session musician, to TV theme/jingle/movie composer, to a reunion tour, and now finding his own voice, John Batdorf brings his history, but not his baggage, to today's CD, Old Man Dreamin'.

http://www.johnbatdorfmusic.com/

With overtly biographical songs, Batdorf manages to reminisce without being bitter, but clearly embraces where he is now without longing for the past. Many acoustic guiter-weilding singers faded from the public eye with the rise of disco and punk and then music television (like The Buggles "Video Killed the Radio Star") but technology has permanently altered music delivery, so that the "industrial machine" is not the only method of getting one's music to an audience.

Batdorf utilizes social networking and digital distribution like the professional that he is. He runs on the dual fuels of the drive to create and the boost from performing. Country Fried Rock is excited to share our chat with a musician of such depth.

Posted by Country Fried Rock at 9:58 AM Wed 2-17-2010

California, composer, John Batdorf, Las Vegas, Ohio, Old Man Dreamin, Old Man Dreamin', Old Man Dreaming, Promised Land, theme, themes, Touched by an Angel, TV, Wham Bam

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From Pär Winberg / Melodic Net
Sweden
Direct Link to Review

Do you like Billy Falcon? Because if you do, you should definitely check out this artist. His name is John Batdorf and plays really nice midwestrock. John is definitely no newcomer. He's been around since the early 1970s, and his career has included almost everything. Even to sing background vocals for Mötley Crües discs in the 80s ... His raspy voice sounds like a mixture of Brett Walker, Don Henley and Billy Falcon, and the songs fall somewhere between the sound of Billy Falcon, Mr. Reality and Don Henley. This is a really good CD in the genre you should check out if you like the American rock music from the southern United States mixed with classic midwestrock.

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Review of OLD MAN DREAMIN' from Indie Showcase in Australia
Posted 9/11/09
Direct Link

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OLD MAN DREAMIN' review by Michelle Williams
Michelle's Music Magazine

Just another WordPress.com weblog
Published Monday 24 August 2009
Direct Link

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From the Featured Musicians and Artists
Blog on Blogspot by Shannon Anderson
Published Friday, August 7, 2009
Direct Link

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From Wildy's World, 7/30/09

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Review: John Batdorf - Old Man Dreamin'

John Batdorf - Old Man Dreamin'
2009, BatMat Music

John Batdorf has been pleasing audiences since his early days with Batdorf & Rodney in the 1970's. Over the years Batdorf has refused to stand still musically. He's been a top-flight session singer in L.A., a composer for TV shows such as Touched By An Angel and Promised Land, and continued to write and record songs both as a solo performer and with folks such as Mark Rodney and Michael McLean. Batdorf has always had a touch for acoustic pop/rock songwriting but in recent years seems to have developed a deeper love of melody and harmonies and a penchant for story-driven songwriting. These qualities are omnipresent on Batdorf's latest CD, Old Man Dreamin'.

John Batdorf sounds like a cross between The Eagles and Shaw/Blades on much of Old Man Dreamin'. His voice is golden, and the vocal harmonies border on angelic at times. The CD opens with What D'Ya Got, a musical treatise on what love really means to each of us, particularly in tough times. If Batdorf had written this song thirty years ago he'd own half of California by now. Love: All I really Know About It sticks with a similar theme. The harmonies are amazing and the song is intelligently written without getting mushy or cliché. That Don't Seem Right To Me is an anthem for the days we are living in. Batdorf starts with the fact that the current fiscal crisis finds the banks and bankers who caused it getting rescued by the folks it most affects (all of us), while we struggle to make ends meet with disappearing jobs, falling wages and high prices; he goes on to detail a number of things about modern life that just don't fit together. The song is wonderfully written in a strong and steady pop style that could gain it some real attention.

Will I Love You Forever is an honest song about love and what it should be. Old Man Dreamin' is bluesy classic rock gone acoustic. The arrangement on this one is amazing, and the sound highly reminiscent of Shaw/Blades. I Thought I'd Try A Love Song is a cute tune that takes a darkly ironic turn in the closing moments. Ain't No Way turns out to be my personal favorite, with a vibrant bass line to the instrumental magic created by the violin and acoustic guitar. The vocals and harmonies here are gorgeous. Don't Tell Me Goodbye has a classic country heartbreaker sense to it as a plea from a man on the verge of losing all he wants. Sixteen changes pace and gears significantly in a disturbing but well-told bit social commentary. I don't know the specific premise behind the song but a few would apply quite well. I Will Rise closes out Old Man Dreamin' in a musical version of Jack Nicholson's line from As Good As It Gets, "You make me wanna be a better man". This is pure mix-tape material for the more mature crowd; a wonderfully well-written tune.

John Batdorf has always had a distinctive talent for songwriting and a golden voice to deliver those songs, but over time he's really grown into his songwriting in a fashion that borders on transcendental. Old Man Dreamin' is an incredibly vibrant set of songs based in honest thought, word- and song craft and some of the prettiest melodies you're likely to find in Folk or Pop music. Make sure you take some time to spend with John Batdorf's Old Man Dreamin'; it's quite an album.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5). You can learn more about John Batdorf at http://www.johnbatdorfmusic.com/ or www.myspace.com/johnbatdorf.

Old Man Dreamin’ is available for purchase through JohnBatdorfMusic.com
or download through ItsAboutMusic.com

Posted by Wildy at 5:20 AM

Click here to post a comment to the original post

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From RadioIndy, 7/9/09

"Old Man Dreamin'" Reviewed by RadioIndy.com!

POSTED BY: momof5pacs

POSTED ON: 09 Jul 2009 07:34 PM

No stranger to the music scene, John Batdorf has served up another outstanding CD, titled “Old Man Dreamin’,” with all the power and punch this artist has to offer. Batdorf uses his vocals, which are strong and possess a soothing quality, to create generous helpings of folk/rock music while he also laces this disc with his sweet acoustic guitar flair. This mixture of eleven songs is packed with energy and catchy lyrics, as you will hear on “What D’Ya Got” and “That Don’t Seem Right To Me.” The wonderful soft rock ballad, “Will I Love You Forever,” tugs at the heartstrings with its memorable lyrics and emotive vocals. The title track “Old Man Dreamin’” is an edgier rock song with country style and has a nice dynamic balance between vocals and instruments. Expressive lyrics, acoustic guitar, and a catchy bass line fuels the fire on “Ain’t No Way” with its country tonality and moving beat. Fans of the group Eagles will want to tune in to “Old Man Dreamin’” by John Batdorf, as it is fused with well-written gems of folk/country style. -Diane 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 Bob Lefsetz 7/8/09

Click to read the wonderful OLD MAN DREAMIN' Review by Bob Lefsetz

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From MIDWEST RECORD, 6/25/09

BATMAC MUSIC
JOHN BATDORF/Old Man Dreamin’: There’s a bunch of singer/songwriters, mostly focused in California, who never really grabbed the gold ring but never really went away either. In the last few years, maybe because of the net, these ‘old friends’ have been coming out of the woodwork with new stuff that simply connects. Without fear of failure or judgement, they’re playing from the heart and making music that makes sense to them. Batdorf is certainly one of the leaders of this pack. His latest set, which has the least to do with nostalgia than his recent run of indy releases, finds him back on the front lines like Nixon was still in office, but he’s looking at the problems of today. It’s not all a bitchfest, he just gets the problems of the common man off his chest with the fiery opening track. The rest deals with the changes we didn’t expect to be hitting at this point of life at this point in time. He’s on point throughout with a contemporary set on aging, whether he planned it that way or not. A great lion in winter singer/songwriter effort from someone that shows he did deserve the brass ring all along.

Volume 32/Number 237
June 25, 2009
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2009 Midwest Record

Testimonials from Venues and House Concerts for John Batdorf (an ongoing blog)

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John Batdorf KILLED at the Ghost Ranch Saturday night. (9/25/10). A smaller than usual turnout but a better than usual crowd. We had people that "get it". John caught their vibe and played his beautifully written songs better than I've heard him play... and he always plays great. John is not only a pro-entertainer, he is a gentleman, quick wit, and a great American. He is a thoughtful man and a good soul who gives out.

-Dave Chambers
Ghost Ranch House Concert Series, Lake Havasu City, AZ
http://www.davechambersazland.com/
posted 9-28-10

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The music of John Batdorf has always been a part of our lives. From the songs of the 70s with Batdorf & Rodney to his solo career in songwriting, his songs have always been special and always there, if only in the background. As a house concert presenter, I expected yet another great show, but I wasn't prepared for the polished soul-touching concert we had, and for days after I was somewhat awed and overwhelmed as I recalled it, and I thought maybe it was just me. As I spoke with more and more of friends who had been there, I realized that it was universal. We had all been completely blown away! I must warn you though, it is dangerous to see John play. One wants to forsake career and home life to become a John Batdorf groupie. God, I can't wait to see him again... For you who are thinking of having John play, think no more. He's a true pro not only musically, but at making everything run smoothly. John is so approachable, so talented, so warm and friendly...It's like like having your best friend visit...He really is one of the great ones...

-Ben Gangloff
Desert Stars House Concerts
posted 2-27-2010

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I'm going to force myself into very uncharacteristic brevity, because it would take volumes to include all the good things I'd otherwise say about John Batdorf. I was a big fan of Batdorf and Rodney -- a group that should have been a MAJOR act in their time -- and when I started my concert series, I hoped to be able to track John down and get him to play for it. He's now done so five times -- in addition to opening for a couple of other acts -- including a Batdorf & Rodney reunion show that, in spite of the many "bigger names" who've played for us, will always be one of THE most special nights of my life as a concert promoter.

And yet, as excellent as John is musically, he's probably ten times as nice a person. I'm proud and honored to have him as a friend.

-Carey Driscoll,
Acoustic Music San Diego

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I love John Batdorf. He got Boney Mountain House Concerts off the ground. When I started out, I wasn’t sure who to book. I heard about John and booked him not knowing what to expect. Not only did he put on a great show, but he also brought along James Lee Stanley. I booked James Lee for a future date. John also recommended other artists who I booked. Boney Mountain was off and running. John is a wonderful musician and also a very generous guy who makes a point of helping out his fellow artists. In the process he did our house concerts a big favor.

Steve Brandick

music@brandick.com

Boney Mountain House Concerts

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Summer 2009
John was a real pleasure to work with. A good entertainer, great songs, great voice, good musician. John played unplugged and projected very nicely. He connected with our audience and they really enjoyed his style and particularly his stories. Several commented they really enjoyed his stories about how music is now produced. John writes great lyrics and we encouraged the audience to take particular notice of them. He promptly responded to email. He arrived on time. It's really a plus for us to have John's booking to help establish the reputation for our series. People seem genuinely excited to find out what's next! I would not hesitate to recommend John or to invite him back again.

- B. & P. Hofbaue
Montpelier House Concerts via
the Concerts in Your Home website

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John Batdorf played at the Thousand Oaks Library as part of the “Bodie House Music at the Library” series. It was a co-bill with Dan Navarro. I had heard of John’s music since the days of Batdorf and Rodney but I hadn’t heard any of the material he’d written in recent years. It was a wonderful night at all levels. John’s writing, his vocals, and his guitar playing were nothing short of stellar. His song “Will I Love You Forever” is one of the most moving songs you will hear … anytime, anywhere. An added bonus that evening - and evidence of his musicianship - was his ability to harmonize with Dan even though they had never worked together on stage before.

John is a delight to work with. He is a pro in every sense of the word: cooperative, dedicated to his craft, and eager to put on the best show possible. John could very easily rest on his laurels but he is truly one of the hardest working musicians I’ve come to know. Look at his itinerary. He is constantly performing all over the country.

An added personal bonus for me is that in John I’ve found a fishing partner. We’ve been trying for months to find a day when our schedules and the weather will cooperate enough to let us get out and land a few bass or trout. It will happen. But in the meantime, if you have an opportunity to hear John Batdorf – or to book him in your venue – don’t hesitate. Go for it. You won’t be sorry. He’s one of the best.

Steve Brogden, Thousand Oaks, CA
Board member, FAR-West Chair, Best of the West Committee
www.FAR-West.org

"Bodie House Music at Thousand Oaks Library"
www.BodieHouse.com

LA Acoustic Music Festival
www.LAAcousticMusicFestival.com

Director, Thousand Oaks Library
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
www.toaks.org/library

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We were fortunate enough to have John Batdorf open our 2009 season of "musical gatherings" here at The Garage Ma Hall in Las Vegas. Two years ago, we booked John and ended up with Batdorf and Rodney! What a show! We have a tough time getting people together here due to the extreme competition we face, but when people began hearing that John Batdorf was playing in Vegas again, we received quite a few emails and phone calls about the show and many wonderful stories of how long they had been a fan and where they saw him perform. John has quite a history in Las Vegas and quite a loyal following!
The audience was taken back about 30 years with John's songs and the stories he had of those days, then he brought us all back to "now" with some of his newest songs. The man really knows how to put on a show! ( and write a song!)
We were thanking people for coming, and they all said, "no, thank YOU for getting him here, we loved every minute!"
John is one of the nicest and most hard working musicians we have met. We would love to have him every year!

Richard and Betty,
Garage-Ma-Hall

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We had the opportunity to host John to open our Fall 2008 House Concert series. We were struck with his warmth and professionalism. From the first note our crowd was enthralled. Most were not familiar with his work, but by the end of the show no one would ever forget him. We are strictly an acoustic venue and he has the gift to entertain a crowd in a living room type setting. We welcome him in our home anytime.

--Barbara and Jack,
Kerrville House Concerts

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"John Batdorf puts on a truly phenomenal show. You are brought way up and back again into your own heart, riding on the depth of his lyrics. His musicianship puts the final touch on an already amazing performance. The emails just kept coming in after his show here with accolades..."

--Renee Bodie,
Concerts at the Bodie House

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John Batdorf is a true professional. His great song writing and performing talents are matched by his professionalism and genuine warmth as a person. John put on a fabulous show here in June 2007. Our fully packed audience was definitely appreciative and couldn't get enough. We hope to be fortunate enough to have him return here someday and highly recommend him to others. Meanwhile, we'll try to catch his great shows whenever we have the chance.

--Russ & Julie,
Russ & Julie's House Concerts

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John Batdorf opened our 2008 season on February 2, here at Canyonfolk House Concerts. With an eager sold out crowd and folks in standing room only he put on two absoulutely incredible sets bringing everyone in the audiance to their feet! No one was going to let him leave without an encore and John was happy to give it to them. Our patrons were left feeling great and eager to see him in the future. No one was disappointed and he would be a wonderful addition to anyones venue Big or Small. Anyone who has a pleasure to work with him will find him a joy to be around and very proffesional and he cetainly makes a house concert host and hostess feel very special.
--Bill and Shirlee,
www.canyonfolkhouseconcerts.com

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John Batdorf is a rarity - an inherently honest songwriter with the ability to engage an audience from the first note, and embrace them through the last.

-- Greg Newlon,
TrueWind Music

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It has been my pleasure to host a couple of house concerts featuring John Batdorf, whose music I've personally loved for many years. Asking me to "review" his concerts is like asking the local golfer what he thinks of Tiger Woods game. A John Batdorf concert is full of "goose bump" moments. Shivers that run with the music, at a certain riff or phrase. Sometimes it is a old familiar song, and then it will be something brand new. It doesn't matter if it is John solo, or John with any one of his musical friends, the feeling always comes through. John is a craftsman at music, and a perfectionist, the combination of which is a guarantee of a remarkable performance.

--Pierre Marchal,
Marchal House Concerts

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"John is fantastic, dead-on, and always a warm presence to have around. He's had a long, distinguished career, which makes John perfectly suited for the tell-me-a-story setting of house concerts."

-- Fran Snyder,
ConcertsInYourHome.com

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James A. Froude once said, "You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one."

This is what John Batdorf has done.

John once told me that he didn't want to just be another folk singer. He definitely was not. He took the acoustic guitar to the limits of creativity. From early on with the open tunings and two part guitar overtones and harmony with Mark Rodney to his more resent solo and collaborating works, he has always marked the path for others to follow. I know because I have been following his musical path for over thirty years and I still learn something new each time I listen to his music. His haunting melodies and moving lyrics are visual and can take you into the song just like a painter takes you into his canvas. A perfect example of this is his song "Ain't It Like Home".

"Falling into water almost over my head, reaching for a branch so I can breath. Need an island to survive hoping soon she will arrive."

John has a true gift of describing human emotion weather it is of love, pain, hope or joy.

I think this is because he is such a down to earth person. He loves his family. He loves to fish and after weeks of touring on the road he is always so glad to be Home Again. Even when you are just hanging around John, he makes you feel at home. He puts all of his emotion and passion into every song. From the intricate finger picking on the guitar to the pounding of his foot, John becomes the song.

His stage presence is relaxed and his stories about the songs are as intriguing as his music. John does not need to resort to rude jokes or foul language to win over his audience. I know that is one of the reasons he is gaining great respect at the house concerts that I have had him perform at. His music is uplifting and I can certainly recommend John to perform for all ages.

John has forged his character, it didn't just happen. His music will continue to impress his fans and friends for years and years to come.

I feel so fortunate to have been able to have John touch my soul and make a difference in my life.

Thirty years ago as a fan, I never would have thought that I would meet John Batdorf and be able to perform with him and Mark Rodney on "All I Need"at the XM studios. I will always be grateful for that opportunity.

It has been one of the highlights of my life and definitely the highlight of my musical career.

In a world where "Something Is Slipping Away" John Batdorf is here to stay.

--Marty DeJarnette
Friend and Fan (and House Concert Presenter)
03/24/08

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"I just listened to "Summer of Love" from the new Batdorf & Rodney CD, "Still Burnin"...and it proves one more time, what a consistently great singer/songwriter John Batdorf is, in addition to being an absolute pleasure to work with!"

--Sandy Jacobson, Creator & Producer
BackStage:Los Angeles
"L.A.'s REAL Music Interview Show!"

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As a promoter of both house and small arena concerts, I would hire John Batdorf as a solo musical act for all the reasons I have experienced thus far, in dealing with John on this level. John is the consummate professional. His sole performance concern is to guarantee both the audience and promoter, the absolute finest evening of his wide and varied, musical talents, genius and demeanor, to the best of his ability--each and every time! John's efforts and work ethic surpasses even the most prolific of noted celebrity musicians I have ever known. No small detail is left unattended or considered. No matter if the venue is a large, well-known auditorium (such as opening for the well-know group, AMERICA-as he did recently), or playing in front of a smaller crowd at a local Coffee-House, Tavern or "House Concert", one can be assured that John will put his heart and soul into each and every performance, guaranteeing both the promoter and audience that they will enjoy a top-notched, musically entertaining evening. Couple this with the achievements of John's past and present song base and superior acoustical guitar playing techniques, he solidifies his niche as one of the most prolific, acoustical rock pioneers in history. As a promoter or as an avid existing, or "soon-be-be" fan or individual, listening to John for the first time, you will be thankful that there are still musicians out in the world today that play with the love and emotion as John takes so much pride in--the conviction that it is--"all about the music"--something John has never lost focus of, during his long, interesting and successful career.

--Mike Hays Promoter
RMJ Productions

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Hmm – I was asked to write something about John Batdorf – something about the qualities that set him apart from other excellent singer-songwriters…

I’d have to say it’s his vulnerability: his innocence, his complete opening the door to his heart. John invites the listener into his soul and shares a couple hours, open and trusting as he sings of love and hope: transforming despair to hope, hate to love and fear/ignorance to tolerance/acceptance. We share his understanding, forgiveness and are filled with compassion when the song is done.

I leave a John Batdorf concert feeling like a kid in a bubble bath with my favorite toys: unconditional curiosity about the world, focusing on the hope. Thanks John.

--Lani RichardsonPresident
Snapshotmusic Inc.

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John Batdorf, with special guest Mark Rodney, performed at my house concert on October 4, 2007 in Northville, Michigan. The performance was wonderful – strong vocals, outstanding instrumental work, and warm rapport with the audience.

All of our guests loved the show. It was a memorable evening of music and companionship.

Regards,
--Stan Garfield,
Garfield House Concerts

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There's a feeling that oldsters, aged baby boomers, can't recapture the greatness of their youth. I think Batdorf is now BETTER! ....the passion, the desire, IS STILL THERE!

I went to see Batdorf and Stanley for the Stones tunes. I wasn't eager to hear unfamiliar new stuff. But when John started strumming that Martin, when he got lost in the music, when the audience no longer mattered, when it was about the power of music to transform both the player AS WELL as the listener, that's when I got hooked.

If you were ever lonely, if you ever thought the world was unjust, if you ever listened to a record to get you through the night, you'll get this.

--Bob Lefsetz
in his radio interview blog from June 30th 2007
referencing Johns' appearance
at Russ & Julie's House Concerts on June 11th, 2007

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