About Us
Jennifer Batten and Full Steam fired up in early 2019. The band dresses in classic Steampunk attire and encourage followers to do the same!. We offer an energetic fun time filled with top level 80’s cover music from Toto, Van Halen, Foreigner, Journey, Peter Gabriel and much more. We also add a grand helping of creativity and surprises that make us stand out. Many bookers have stated we are the best they’ve had! Please see our video promo on the home page.
Available for Galas, Corporate Events, Fundraisers, Holiday Parties, Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries, Festivals, Auctions, Community Events, Private Parties, and House Concerts as the full band or as the Duo with Jennifer Batten and Pat Yadon (+ film projection)
Bookings via Sterling Talent booking@SterlingTalent.com
Guitarist JENNIFER BATTEN
The buzz on Jennifer Batten rose from the guitar underground, and the guitar magazines promptly began chronicling her savvy musicianship and highly original approach to the electric guitar.
A major turning point came when she was selected from over one hundred guitarists to play in Michael Jackson’s highly skilled band which toured the world over a ten year period supporting his multi million record setting CD’s; Bad, Dangerous, and HIStory. She also appeared with Jackson in the Superbowl XXVI half time show airing to 80 nations (1.5 billion people). This was the largest TV viewing audience in history.
During the off time between Jackson’s tours Jennifer released two solo CD’s “Above, Below, and Beyond” and “Momentum”, both of which caught the ear of British guitar icon Jeff Beck who asked her to join his band shortly after the HIStory tour wrapped up in the spring of 1998. They joined forces for 3 years on the CD’s “Who Else”, and “You Had It Coming” which were both supported by world tours. A DVD is available of this collaboration entitled “Jeff Beck Live in Tokyo 1999”.
Jennifer has authored two music books, three instructional DVD’s, and has now released three solo CD’s venturing from world beat and rock n roll, to electronica. Her newest release is a collaboration with vocalist Marc Scherer for 2017’s “Scherer Batten – Battlezone”
She’s toured the globe with various formats, including performing a solo multimedia show in synch with films she’s made. She did a guitar residency for the Cirque Du Soleil show “Zumanity” in Las Vegas, and has also done thousands of music workshops.
In Jan 2016 she received the She Rocks “Icon” award and recently also was inducted into Guitar Player Magazine’s “Gallery of the Greats”. Her latest project in part as an effort to retire from constant international touring is Portland’s “Jennifer Batten & Full Steam band featuring some of Portland’s finest talent. This is a band offering a variety of genres of dance music from Michael Jackson, to Prince, Hall and Oats, Huey Lewis, Toto, and Van Halen.
Vocalist PAT YADON
PAT YADON started playing drums at age 12 and two years later was playing in local Southern Oregon clubs. Also singing background vocals in various bands he soon learned that he had a vocal gift which undeniably stood out. Throughout his journey as a drummer he was being asked to sing more and more until ultimately he became a front man. He holds an AA degree in Recording Engineering from the Audio/Video Institute in Hollywood California where he studied with Andy McKinzie (Megadeath,Lita ford, Bruce Hornsby) and Michael Flicker (Heart).
He is an accomplished songwriter with three original CD’s to his credit. His first solo CD “Sensible Nonsense”, featured a single “I’ll Always Love You” which received considerable airplay. As lead singer for Jennifer Batten and Full Steam Pat delivers a high energy powerful original tone, seasoned with years of experience and dedication. Graced with inspiring recognition from colleagues, clients, and fans alike, he’s often praised as a Top North West area talent.
Drummer NORM WHITEHURST
Norm Whitehurst, a native Oregonian, has been surrounded by music from the time he was born as he comes from a musical family. A guitar was always present at family gatherings. It was his maternal uncle, drummer for the Kingsmen, that sparked the fire for him to pick up a pair of drum sticks. He received his first drum set at age 10 and was in the school band at age 12. At 15 a friend introduced Norm to the band Rush. That was the catalyst that threw gas on the fire, igniting his passion and drive to become the best drummer he could be. Everything else in his life took a backseat.
In 1991, a member of the band “The Dumbwaiters” called Norm to sub for their drummer. With a tape of the bands setlist, and no rehearsals, Norm showed up and played the his first professional gig. At the end of the first set, the band leader told Norm the gig was his if he wanted it. Over the next several years, the Dumbwaiters performed all over the North West. Norm soon added vocals, band leader, and manager to his talents as the band became “The Hipwaiters”, and the set list changed to be exclusively danceable music.
In 2002, Norm co-founded “The Dung Beatles,” which was a Beatles, and Beatle related music, cover band. From 2008 to 2015, Norm was in “Random Pressure”, arguably the most popular and successful cover band in the area during its existence.
Norm was also a member of JILT, The Kooltones, and has performed numerous other bands including The Schweeng Daddies, Big Night Out, Hott Pursuit, and The Next Stepp.
Keyboardist KEVIN BURKHART
Kevin toured internationally full time in an 80’s pop band from ’87 to ’94. He then had a year long residency in Branson, MO. accompanying Roy Clark, Freddy Fender, Patty Loveless, and Shenandoah. He was then the founding member of the Portland Yes tribute “All Good People”. His other Portland projects include the bands FM, The Rush Collective, ARZ, and Kandy
He is a seasoned and accomplished programmer and vintage synth connoisseur.
Bassist Jim Beaty has been bringing the thunder to club and festival stages throughout the Pacific Northwest for over three decades. He’s also recorded and performed with Portland bands “Rust” and solo artist “Phankl”
Hannah DiMo is a soulful powerhouse vocalist currently living and making music in Portland, Oregon. After making the trek to the Pacific Northwest from California in late 2017, DiMo’s multi-genre style has melted and molded into an aural soundscape that is often described as heartwarming and relatable. With a rock, blues background that has been met with an r&b and jazz influence, her presence vocally and visually will keep you uplifted and engaged. She is currently working on her 3rd solo CD.