The Ballad of Katie John

Whiskey Jacks perform an original song written by guitarist and singer Bruce Batten and singing banjo man Roy Corral. The song is a tribute to the late Athabascan Indian elder Katie John, of Mentasta. It commemorates her struggle to establish recognition of the the subsistence fishing rights of the indigenous people of the area at Batzulnetas, their fish camp.

This song has its roots in a decades-old visit Roy made to the John family. We'll have to get Roy to tell you the story some time, but it ends with him staying up all night playing banjo, picking guitar and singing to the Johns after they picked him up while he was hitch hiking in the middle of nowhere, Alaska. 
If you can't see the video, here's a version embedded from YouTube.



 

Bruce Batten: Lead singing, guitar
Roy Corral: Banjo, Harmony singing
Toni London: Bass
Pam Dunlap-Shohl: Fiddle
Peter Dunlap-Shohl: Dobro

Produced by Evan Phillips










 

Whiskey Jacks Whipping up a Frenzy at Dave McMahan's Farewell to Work, April 27

Photo by Mark Morrison

Whiskey Jacks Southern-most Appearance of the Summer!

 

Fresh from our figurative arson of the Gakona Roadhouse, we're prepared to incinerate the Hatcher Pass Music Fest! See Whiskey Jacks LIVE at the Chowder House THIS SATURDAY, August 18, 9351 N Palmer Fishhook Rd, in Palmer. We are on at 9:00 p.m. 

Black and Tans, A sample from Whiskey Jacks Practice Session

Whiskey Jacks are back, Band triumphantly returns after extensive rehab, etc. etc.

Interior Thunder: Whiskey Jacks swing the hammer in Mendeltna

Photo by Kada. Whiskey Jacks would like to thank Pat, Willa, and the unflappable Sound Wench.

The Jacks at Equifest the 21st of May

Live Whiskey this weekend. More songs about horses, cowboys and croppy boys than you can shake a branding iron at.

Like Swallows to Capistrano, Whiskey Jacks Return to McGinley's for St. Pats

Meanwhile, back at Alice's...

Whiskey Jacks on the Ball Dec. 4

Birds in the Bar, Whiskey Jacks at Alice's in Homer playing a benefit for Kachemak Heriatage Land Trust

A horse walks into Alice's Champagne Palace and says to the bartender, "Whiskey, Jack".


Tom, Bruce, Toni, Pam And Peter


Toni Bruce Pam


The Birds rock the Palace


The Rooster will crow tonight!

(All photos courtesy Mary Batten, except top photo, courtesy Peter Dunlap-Shohl)

Bright Lights, Small City

Whikey Jacks at Alice's Champagne Palace in Homer. The crowd was lively. We had dancers that lasted until midnight!

The Champagne Palace, in quieter times, awaits the return of the birds.


Mary "Hail Mary" Batten battles with the lyrics display so the crowd can sing along. With dogged pluck and skill, she pulled out a victory right before sudden death overtime started!

Looking forward to being back to Homer in May!

Whiskey Jacks Uncork Homer Return

The Great Guinness Toast

Pam, the disembodied arm of Bruce, and Tom Wholforth on stage at Mcginley's

Whiskey Jacks, as We Know Them

The current Whiskey Jacks lineup (left to right) Pamela Dunlap-Shohl (fiddle, vocals) Tom Wolforth (banjo, bodhran, vocals) Peter Dunlap-Shohl (Dobro, mandolin) Bruce Batten (Guitar, banjo, vocals) Toni London (bass)

New Gig

Birds LIVE at McGinley's, Saturday Nov. 28

Our Name up in Lights

Homertrek 2009 went like gangbusters, whatever those are. The crowd danced and sang, clapped and carried on, and we were even able to hear one another. Another highlight: Seeing Homer friends. In the words of Paddy Schwarzenegger, "We'll be back". And next time Roy'll have that banjo in a more cooperative mood. See you again, Homer!


Photo above courtesy of Tom "The Bomb" Wohlforth

Homeric Odyssy

Whiskey Jacks Homer-ward Bound