The PDX PREACHERS a blues band
The Preachers Blues Band began in 1987 as a three piece blues and Rock-a-Billy band in Van Nuys, California. The original members we're Joe Westbrook on guitar, Kevin Huddleson (The Fixtures) on drums and vocals, and Brian Batchley on bass guitar. The band began to play out regularly at local Los Angeles venues. David Reo joined the band in 1992 when the band had a steady Friday night gig at The Beverly Hills Roadhouse on Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills, Ca. The band had continued to work regularly since that time up until 2015 when the Preachers went their separate ways . There have been several reunion shows since in SoCal about once a year . At present the band is fronted by original member Brian Batchley on blues harmonica and vocals and has taken on a new name and location as Brian has relocated to the Portland ,Oregon metro area. Also we are now known as : The PDX Preachers , Brian Batchley was born in Queens,New York City. He lived in New York until he was 20 years old and then relocated to Southern California where he had lived for thirty five years , he was uprooted by the Campfire in 2018 after losing all of his worldly possessions he landed in the Pacific North West . He began playing music at the age of 14 with the electric guitar.He spent many years playing the guitar. He received his first harmonica at the age 10 and fooled around with it a lot. In 1987 he auditioned for the Preachers on bass guitar and was quickly hired on and referred to as "Jack" for his playing similarity to Jack Bruce of Cream. Eventually Brian put down the bass to focus on his true calling the blues harmonica and has become a premier front man and a true entertainer. He is well known for his high energy style of harmonica playing as well as his gut wrenching blues singing style. These days he is flanked by guitarist/vocalist John Wesson , bassist Chuck Carey and drummers Joey Sullivan and Marcus Descartin . The PDX PREACHERS are some really cool dudes !