John Batley is a mandolin player/multi-instrumentalist from Central Queensland, Australia. His passion for music started at an early age when he would smuggle a harmonica to school with which he would harass teachers and fellow students. The penny dropped at the age of 12 when his mother decided she had had enough of him tooting the harmonica, and organised guitar lessons with a local teacher. From there he learnt mandolin, banjo, bass guitar, lap steel, bottleneck slide, and jaw harp. John is a graduate of the CMAA Academy of Country Music in Tamworth.

John’s musical influences include The Rice Brothers, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Eric Bibb, Bill Monroe, Doyle Lawson, The Seldom Scene, and Ricky Skaggs. John has played his unique blend of Roots/Country/Bluegrass style mandolin in various locations including major festivals, churches, schools, islands, gorges, and at home with his family.

Over the course of the last few years, John has performed with various recording artists (including Bec Ellen), co-founded a Bluegrass band (Palm Creek Ramblers), and is the mandolin player in Australian Country Music artist Tony Cook’s band- The Peacemakers https://www.tonycook.com.au/

Whether it’s on stage or just having fun, John is often found picking with his great mate Chris Buenen on guitar. Chris’ guitar playing is amazing.

For up-to-date information on John’s music, please also like and follow his Facebook page…..
https://www.facebook.com/johnjbbatley