American Troubadour John Batdorf Lands at Hey Nonny in April

With popular music, there is the melody, the lyrics, the performer, and oftentimes, the stories. They all come together on April 27 at Hey Nonny as the well-traveled John Batdorf plays a show for patrons who love all the above.

Batdorf's career reaches back to the late 60s and has traversed the decades intertwining with some of the biggest names in the music industry while periodically having his music turn up on pop charts, in blockbuster movies, and hit TV shows.

"John is an American singer-songwriter of the truest sort," said Hey Nonny co-owner Chip Brooks. "He's had success as a solo artist, as part of popular duos, and as a collaborator with people like Clive Davis, The Doobie Brothers, America, Rod Stewart, Linda Rondstat, Adele, and so many others. It's going to be really cool to see what he chooses to play from his catalogue and I'm hoping he shares a lot of stories along the way."

His works have hit the charts as part of bands, including Batdorf & Rodney and Silver with whom his song "Wham Bam" hit number 16 in the mid-70s. The song enjoyed a resurgence recently as it received 8 million plays on YouTube after appearing in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2. In addition to his collaboration with other artists, he's also added vocals on other chart hits, and composed music for numerous TV series.

"It's just so interesting to look at a career like his and be amazed at the longevity and variety and yet not have him be a household name," Brooks said. "Last year he released a song that kind of summed up his career - 'Famous Enough' - that I think captures the essence of someone who has been so deeply ingrained in popular music. I think the Hey Nonny gang is going to walk away really impressed with the show."

Remaining tickets are available at www.heynonny.com/shows/john-batdorf.

Hey Nonny is a bistro and music venue located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights. The bistro, helmed by Chef Noe, serves an array of fresh seasonal Midwestern comfort-food-with-a-twist and a seasonally changing menu. The music venue is one of the best new "listening rooms" in the country, and hosts live music six days a week, featuring the best Chicago and touring acts playing jazz, blues, country, folk, and rock.