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548 entries.
Brian Handyside Brian Handyside from Sterling Heights wrote on August 28, 2023 at 9:41 am
John, I won't bore you with my story. I have posted it many, many times over the decades. Here is an Abridged Version - Date Night, looking for something to do. "Bread" Concert. (Never a fan but something to do) Warm up Act, Two super Long Hair Dudes with Acoustics and a perfect, interesting New Sound, complete with Great Vocals, Great Songwriting and even Greater Jamming within the Songs. I gave up electric that night.
Dave Madden Dave Madden from Plainfied wrote on April 23, 2022 at 11:34 am
Hi John. I don’t know how you and Mark never achieved more commercial success. Your albums released in the 70’s formed the soundtrack of my life. With all due respect to other singer/songwriting groups of that time Batdorf and Rodney were the best. I continue to listen today and share with everyone I can. Thanks for the creative genius and all the special memories you have given me through your music.
Mike Hays Mike Hays wrote on February 8, 2022 at 7:26 am
John Batdorf’s newest “magical” song, off is brand new EP, SIDE II, “Daddy Doesn’t Love You….” has, after 50-years of me following this good friend of mine and whom I have Idolized the entirety of those #50-Years writing songs and making albums, has at 70-yrs. old (just shy) …continued to find the musical symmetry of tugging at my heart strings about a Father and his Family (Melanie his wife, Brett and Matt (twins) and their Grandkids, on a family vacation they took in Hawaii a few months back. The song encapsulates a Father’s lifetime of being one of the best musical artists still around, and all those #50-yrs. writing and sing songs, putting out somewhere along #20-LP’s, Albums, Disk, EPs’. He just kept up with the changing times and hit a “homerun” of a tune that brought tears to my eyes, doing the same thing with wife, children (#2), now grandkids, John has proven the point that you are as only as strong as you allow yourself to never get discouraged, never give-up, and followed the work ethic of never getting discouraged or giving -up to still raise his entire family as a Father most of all! “DADDY DOESN’T LOVE YOU…” hits the keynote worthiness of life and taking care of his family. John once told me, “It was never about the money, Mike, it was always the music and following my heart to seek it’s magic I was born with! This song, on SIDE II EP captures the humility and heartfelt reason John has succeeded in everything he does, musically. Happiness can only exist in accepting one’s inner soul. I cannot wait until the next #5-#10 EP’s he puts out, which I believe he is bound to do. Anyone who has followed him from the beginning (Batdorf and Rodney, 1971), I hope can humbly accept my love of this song as a 70-Yr. old Father and a lifetime of Love, Peace and Happiness and like the stars, you don’t always see them but with songs of this nature, you know they are always there.—-Mike Hays
Brian Handyside Brian Handyside wrote on January 27, 2022 at 10:48 am
"Well last night, January 26, 2022, John sent out the Master to his new EP. CD to follow in about a month. So I'm limited as to knowing the actual name of the EP or even the Song titles. However, I listened to all of his new Songs this morning twice so far. And I have to say, John's Magic still continues in this EP. Every Song Very Melodic and Interesting. I do not know how he does it ! His Songwriting Creativity is Never Ending. Thanks John, for all your Hard Work. You Inspire Me every time I hear a new Song by You. You are truly Gifted in Songwriting, Vocals and Guitar."
JOHN J GRAPPONE JOHN J GRAPPONE from Portland wrote on August 31, 2021 at 12:47 pm
I grew up listening to WNEW-FM in NYC and that is where I heard your music. While I was at KINK in Portland, Oregon we communicated via e-mail and you sent me some live CDs. Thanks for the music. P.S. my website needs to be updated as I am no longer at KINK. Retired!
Brian Handyside Brian Handyside from Sterling Heights, Michigan wrote on August 31, 2021 at 11:51 am
Batdorf and Rodney Duo, Was very special. Together they put Rock/Folk/Jazz all together for a very unique sound, that has yet to be repeated. Interesting Songs with great vocals and those Fantastic Acoustic Jams !
Brian Handyside Brian Handyside from Sterling Heights, Michigan wrote on August 31, 2021 at 11:45 am
Detroit Masonic Temple 1972 The Bread Tour. Batdorf and Rodney overshadowed Bread, without a doubt. I became a new Fan and switched from Electric Guitar to Acoustic that night. Decades later, John Batdorf resurfaces. He gets back on the Road. Saw him a a small Venue outside of Detroit (The Trinity House) I believe that was 2009. (Got a photo) Went back approx. one year later, that time he brought Rodney! Then saw him approx. Then approx. One year later he was with another guitarist (the were featuring "All Wood and Stones". One year after that saw him performing at a Ann Arbor Library Venue. (Got to talk to him for awhile) Few years after that saw him on a Live Internet Show Kulaks Woodshed. Since then, just keeping up with his CD's. Even though I'm older than John, and I have been playing longer that John, He is my main Acoustic/Songwriting Inspiration. John is Special. ExtraOrdinary.
William Baker William Baker from Irvine wrote on August 31, 2021 at 11:45 am
I have been following Johns music since 1975 in Reno. My kids grew up hearing those three B&R albums which I still have the vinyl. My daughter and I have been able to meet up with John and his wife at Far-West Folk and Kulaks Woodshed.
phil allen phil allen from Berkeley wrote on July 7, 2020 at 1:46 pm
I'm sure glad I met Debby Gonzalez at the plant where we worked. This was in oh '76-7! Besides giving me an all-time quote, she turned me on to the red-cover B&D album. John's name came to mind the other day, so here I see he's still performing. Wonderful! I'll be snooping around some ..
Al Huether Al Huether from Henderson, NV wrote on November 9, 2019 at 10:51 pm
Thanks, John, so much for performing in Las Vegas at Debbie’s house party on November 8. Fantastic show, acoustic solo act of the highest proficiency, with those super songs! Stunning guitar work! Was a great pleasure meeting and conversing with you! Al
Lowell Tebbetts Lowell Tebbetts from Batesville wrote on October 16, 2019 at 3:22 pm
Really enjoyed your show in Alton Sat. Great finally meeting ya, wish crowd woulda been bigger, but was so awesome I’m still recovering. Well worth the trip from Arkansas. Looking forward to another sometime. I will see your face again!
Ben Gangloff Ben Gangloff from Yucca wrote on September 4, 2019 at 9:21 am
We're all looking forward to your fabulous return to beautiful Yucca AZ, where Grand Mohave desert meet blue Sonoran skies. Thanks John! We can't wait...
Chris Green Chris Green from Sisters wrote on May 25, 2019 at 12:52 am
John, your May 4th concert at the Tower Theater in Bend was a fabulous success. They sold over 300 tickets and brought in a new level of local fans. I have asked for feedback from family and friends that attended, and they all loved your music, your guitar work, your voice, just the whole package. Some of your songs take me back to the Troubadour in Hollywood in the early 1970's,
Jim Dawson Jim Dawson from Portland wrote on February 22, 2019 at 10:27 am
I remember sitting in the car at the beach watching the swells and preparing to surf. My friend says check out this band my girlfriend turned me on to ( B&R Off The Shelf). Pushed in the 8 track and ...."This is interesting". Being an aspiring guitar player I thought this was totally awesome. He then says they're going to playing at McCabe's (Santa Monica) in a couple of weeks. Saw them there 3 times, last time with a bass player. The music has such a magical quality. You can feel their heart and soul in every tune! Thank you.
gavin gavin from London England wrote on November 2, 2018 at 7:44 am
I first heard B&R in the long hot summer of 1973 when I was just out of English boarding school. Off the shelf shelf conjures up so many memories (freedom, youth, love), so nice to hear those sounds again. Its rare to say that re-work of old songs is better than the original but "still burning" is amazing. If you ever felt like venturing to the UK I will be there, esp with Rodney.. Thanks for the sounds.
Lauri Lauri from Dallas wrote on March 6, 2018 at 6:35 am
I am a fan of you from the 70's and my kids are a fan from your Wham Bam in the Guardians movie. We will be seeing you in Dallas and hope to hear that song if you would grace us with it.
Randy Randy wrote on October 22, 2017 at 7:01 pm
Caught your concert at The Loft in Camarillo a few nights ago, and it was really stellar! Great playing, singing, and writing, with some funny between-songs stories... Would love to buy you a beverage of your choice when we're up in the Bend area this Christmas!
Brian Handyside Brian Handyside from Sterling Heights wrote on February 17, 2017 at 5:55 am
B&R = Underrated Rock Stars. After being Drafted and overseas for 730 straight days, I came back to Detroit to hear B&R in Concert in my first month back. The Bar/Goal was set and I was converted to Acoustic. Over the Top Duo with great song, guitar, singing and Jamming.
Chris Abood Chris Abood from Cleveland, OH wrote on January 3, 2017 at 11:11 am
John, love the new website look!! And looking forward to your upcoming Spring CD!! Happy new year and best wishes for a great and prosperous 2017!
gary erickson gary erickson from gary erickson wrote on November 29, 2016 at 8:57 am
Saw your name on Dave Mason's Misty Morning track. Knew I had heard it from 70's. Like the bio. Best of life to you