The Preachers Blues Band

David Reo - Guitar, dobro and vocals Brian Batchley - Harmonica and vocals Evan Grossworth - Bass Pete Gallagher - Drums 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.

Brian Batchley - Harmonica and vocals
Evan Grossworth - Bass
Pete Gallagher - Drums

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 has continued to work regularly since that time. At present the band is fronted by original member Brian Batchley on blues harmonica and vocals, David Reo AKA "Rhode Island Red" on guitar and vocals.

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 has lived ever since. 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 alot.

In 1987 he auditioned for the Preachers on bass guitar and was quickly hired on and refered 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.

David Reo is a blues guitarist songwriter with a fine catalog of tunes out there in the blues, pop blues, country hybrid, easy listening modes. David Reo also was an apprentice writer for 26 Happy Days Television episodes. Wrote the Potsie Quits School episode that has been in syndication since the beginning of time. ? Wrote and sold a script for Quinn Martin Productions entitled, A Rock & A Hard Place Episode entitled, The Treasure. ? Wrote a one half hour situation comedy for the television show Double Trouble ?

Wrote a one half hours situation comedy for the television show Blossom. Episode ..63 PARIS. ? Wrote a one half-hour situation comedy for the television show Blossom Episode ..71 -38 SPECIAL ? Wrote e a one half-hour situation comedy for the television show, The Laroquette Show. ? Wrote and published music for the situation comedy Blossom entitled, I've got my ticket ? Also performed the song on the show. ? Has played in live performance in Los Angeles weekly steady for many years. Currently he is playing with The Preachers Blues Band out of Ventura, CA.

Evan Grossworth was born in Brooklyn N. Y. After a few years living in Chicago in the mid 60's he moved back to NY and then came out to Southern California in 1980. Evan started playing Bass guitar at age 14 when after "feeling" the Bass through some powerful speakers he went home and promptly removed the two "wire strings" from his sisters electric guitar and started trying to play.

From then on it was Bass and only Bass. Soon after he got a real Bass guitar and started jamming with his friends to the music of the Allman Brothers, Rolling Stones, and other Blues oriented bands of the time. Evan has played in several local Ventura bands before joining The Preachers in Dec. of 2008. You can hear Evan's background in his style of play while holding down the bottom for The Preachers Blues Band.


Influences:
Howlin Wolf,Muddy Waters,Eric Clapton ,Koko Taylor , Big Momma Thornton , The Rolling Stones, Sonnyboy Williamson, Little Walter ,Big Walter , Texas and Chicago and New York City.