Blues Battalion

Blues Battalion, as a band, has been together for about 6 years with some changes in members over those years, but its current members come from a long history of experience in blues, jazz, and rock. The band is based in Gresham, Oregon, and gigs about one or two nights per week.

Fred Riedel (Lead Guitar & Vocals):
Fred is the founder/leader of Blues Battalion and has played for many years with different groups. He played bass for quite a while with a touring group called Questor playing various locations from Southern California to Northern Idaho. Fred now plays acoustic and electric guitar and enjoys blues, jazz and swing. He has studied jazz with jazz guitarist Scott McDevitt. Fred plays mostly finger-style, being influenced by Wes Montgomery, who played with just his thumb. Fred once played with a group that did the opening act at a Buck Owens concert in California. He has taught music in a high school in eastern Oregon. He recently retired as an educator, and if focusing more on his music now. Fred has written many songs, with many of his tunes on the Blues Battalion CD recorded a couple years ago called "A Smile From Kyle." Fred has taught a blues jam class through Mt. Hood Community College several times. Fred also plays for his worship group at his church, and writes many songs for them as well.

Shelley Lynn McKenney (Vocalist):
Shelley has been with the band a short time. She also sings with another local band. She has added a lot of style to our sound, and is a strong blues singer.

Cardo Bonjourno (drums):
Cardo has been with the band for about a year. He plays on a electric drum pad, easy to transport, but sounds like a full drum set, and he does an excellent job. He has played in many places, including south of the border and the Caribbean.

John McKenney (bass):
John has been with the band for a few years. He adds much to our style with his bass playing. John also plays in another band, as well as his church worship group.

John Johnston (Keyboards):
John is an excellent keyboard player. He has written a lot of his own music, and also plays with another group. John works a s a health care professional when not playing music.

Mike Amen (blues harp):
Mike, our blues harp player, is a military man and learned to play while in the service. Mike loves the blues. Mike only plays with us occasionally, but will be added more and more in future months.

ADDED NOTE: We played for the Cascade Blues Association meeting in December 2017, and got great reviews.