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John Batley is a multi-instrumentalist from Rockhampton, Central Queensland. 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, vocals, and the Jews Harp. John's musical influences are vast; ranging from Johnny Cash, Dock Boggs, Neil Young, and Mississippi Fred McDowell....to Ry Cooder, Duane Eddy, Jens Kruger, José Feliciano, and Phil Keaggy. John has played his unique blend of Roots/ Blues/ Country at various festivals including the Q150 Shed Tour, The Village Festival, and Easterfest; as well as being a contestant in the Telstra Road to Tamworth in 2010.