moonwalker5885
Proud Member
In support of her latest album, guitarist Jennifer Batten will be performing in Portland (USA) today. In a phone interview last week, she spoke about her impressive career.
Jennifer Batten can already look back at quite a career in the music business. Until the age of 29 she had only toured with an Elvis Presley imitator - when suddenly she got the chance of a lifetime. Michael Jackson was looking for a guitarist for his 'BAD' world tour and was doing auditions. However, about 100 guitarists auditioned for the job, so Batten had no way to gauge her chances.
“I didn't even want to think about getting it."
"I didn't even tell anybody I went to audition."
Despite the huge competition, Jennifer Batten got the job. But even after she got called back to play with the band, she wasn't sure she'd landed the spot.
"When I got a plane ticket to Tokyo, I thought, 'There's a good sign,'" she said with a laugh. "That's when I told people."
Since then she has toured with Michael Jackson on his Bad, Dangerous and History World Tours. And this opened many other doors for her: She also worked with Jeff Beck, has written books and magazine columns about guitar playing and put out a number of solo records.
Jennifer Batten`s performance will take place at 7 p.m. at the Mississippi Studios (3939 N. Mississippi Ave). Tickets: $12 advance, $14 day of show; TicketWeb; 503-288-3895.
Jennifer Batten can already look back at quite a career in the music business. Until the age of 29 she had only toured with an Elvis Presley imitator - when suddenly she got the chance of a lifetime. Michael Jackson was looking for a guitarist for his 'BAD' world tour and was doing auditions. However, about 100 guitarists auditioned for the job, so Batten had no way to gauge her chances.
“I didn't even want to think about getting it."
"I didn't even tell anybody I went to audition."
Despite the huge competition, Jennifer Batten got the job. But even after she got called back to play with the band, she wasn't sure she'd landed the spot.
"When I got a plane ticket to Tokyo, I thought, 'There's a good sign,'" she said with a laugh. "That's when I told people."
Since then she has toured with Michael Jackson on his Bad, Dangerous and History World Tours. And this opened many other doors for her: She also worked with Jeff Beck, has written books and magazine columns about guitar playing and put out a number of solo records.
Jennifer Batten`s performance will take place at 7 p.m. at the Mississippi Studios (3939 N. Mississippi Ave). Tickets: $12 advance, $14 day of show; TicketWeb; 503-288-3895.
