Townes Van Zandt, The Band, Jimi Hendrix, Guy Clark, Bob Dylan, Darrell Scott, Martha Scanlan, Grant Green, Tony Rice, Led Zepplin, Robert Johnson, Ryan Adams, the blues, bluegrass, jazz, and rock
Sounds Like
Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earl, Darrell Scott, Ernest Hemingway, Edward Abbey, or any other truth junky.
Michael Batdorf is a folk artist originally from Ohio. He was born in Mt. Vernon, but grew up in Grove City, Pennsylvania. Michael has been writing his own songs since he got his first guitar at age 12, but it wasn't until he moved to West Virginia after high school that he started making serious strides as a writer. He went on to graduate with a B.S. in Music Recording from Middle Tennessee State University. Michael's band, Easy Chair, had regional success and opened for the likes of The Larry Keel Experience at the Purple Fiddle in West Virginia. He then moved to Teton Valley Idaho with the sole intention of focusing on writing and that he has done. Three albums of original material ranging from bluegrass to folk-blues have come since. When the Mountain Calls (2005) Just a Word (2006) Remains (2007) It's obvious by his creativity and pace that the mountains and rivers of Idaho have been a huge inspirational catalyst for his work. He has always felt a need for civic aim in his songs and lyrics. "That is the essence of a folk musician and the only genre that truely fits what I'm doing," says Batdorf. What concerns Michael the most is the stories of people and places. Since coming to Idaho, he has performed with Lost Dogs Gathering, One Ton Pig, Lovin' Jug, and as a solo act with musicians from around the country. He has also shared the stage with the Drew Emmitt Band and Vince Herman's Great American Taxi (both of Leftover Salmon), Ben Winship (Brother Mule, Growling Old Men, Kane's River), Larry Keel, the Billy Pilgrims (Uncle Earl, Open Road) and was scheduled to open for John Prine and Los Lobos. Michael's band Lost Dogs Gathering closed the 2005 Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival at the world famous Trap Bar. The festival featured the legendary David Grisman. Although Michael still has little national notoriety it's hard to imagine that his regional work won't pay off.
Michael has recently put together a house concert series in Helena, Montana. Easy Chair House concerts is a low profile venue dedicated to bringing quality Acoustic Music to Montana's capital. Booking easychairmusic@gmail.com
Michael has also organized a 2008-2009 Teton Songwriter Tour that will feature different artists that have been inspired by the mountains of Western Wyoming and Eastern Idaho. For more info. and booking check out michaelgbatdorf.com
or email easychairmusic@gmail.com
"Love Just Love" is Michael's latest cd release. It will be available by shows in Sept. 2008. His music will be made available online and is available at Big Hole Music in Driggs, Idaho. The latest cd features Ben Winship, Eric Thorin, Margo Valiante, Kris Towles, and the songwriting of Michael Batdorf. The songs are a mix of folk-blues, bluegrass, swing, etc. contact michaelgbatdorf.com
The new True Margrit CD - The Juggler's Progress - is now available for pre-order, along with t-shirts and artwork, photo and drumheads, check it out here: http://bit.ly/7Cu8J
just wanted to recc. that you head out to Open Mic at Club Cafe on Monday nights (7pm). Its a great way to connect with local artists in Pittsburgh: http://www.myspace.com/acousticafeorg
hello michael, remember me? i don't go on this website too often anymore. . .anywho I am in Korea with no one to pick with. so sad. How's life? I might be back next year but I don't know yet. Pick some tunes for me!
Glad to see you will be hitting JH right when I get back into town! I will be sure to catch some good Pig shows in May. Hope the road is treating you kind :)
Tuesdays arent the same without ya bud. be nice to see you play in may.and thanks for goin to P.A. theres a chance Ill be there when you are.Keep on keepin on. peace
I can still clearly see his bright yellow puppy eyes when he stole our hearts in Glacier...some of my fondest memories are with the two of you. My heart breaks that he has moved on , but I will forever be grateful for his presence.
You should check out my pictures, just put one in there that I know you will like. Hope all is well, we are heading out to Oregon for the month of August, maybe we'll make it over to see you and the pups!
Yo...how's about putting me in your top friends again? I mean, just because I moved away doesn't mean I'm not your friend :) Just kidding...kind of. Tell Tana and the Paps hi.
Online Now!
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