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Anthem for the Damned

Why is this album called ANTHEM FOR THE DAMNED? Why is the cover art so mysteriously melancholy and yet on this inner page the art offers a feeling of hope. The truth is, the opening cut and title of the album is reaching out to those who find their world so hopeless that they are contemplating putting an end to the race they’ve been running…and sadly there are far too many trapped in that place…but the anthem cries out to those who have judged themselves as worthless also rans. It is to you I sing “It’s not your time, it’s not this place, just wait cause the rescue is coming. And I’ll be damned if I don’t sing: Your time’s gonna come BUT IT’S NOT TODAY”

As a singer/songwriter who has been transformed my entire life by the power of song, I wish this “anthem for the damned” could start a healing of a shattered life and convince anyone counting down to oblivion to just wait five minutes. Don’t surrender just yet. This moment may seem like it will last forever, but it won’t. Give the title song a chance to speak to your broken heart and then give the rest of the album a chance. The songs that follow represent so much that’s worth living for. The many, many things we can learn about ourselves that we never knew we never knew; our responsibilities and opportunities to reach beyond ourselves to help others find a state of grace that keeps them holding on; and the stewardship of what Mother Nature has blessed us with and is calling us to do; the magic of precious innocent children we can protect and inspire; and the reflection of 50 years with the partner who has given life and love a thousand albums worth of meaning; and then concluding with one of the greatest truths about life itself:

This is a place we need to honor, this is a place that we should save, this is a place we must not alter, this is a place we cannot trade!

To every one who listens to this collection of songs I hope they find you at the right time in the right place.

John Batdorf is an American singer-songwriter, solo artist, and one half of Las Vegas Rock and Roll Hall Of Famers, folk-rock duo Batdorf & Rodney. He’s also a successful film and TV composer, session vocalist, and inspirational musician in the substance recovery community.

johnbatdorfmusic.com/about/bio-long/

1. johnbatdorfmusic.com