Publications & Sites 
DePatie to perform at Rolling Thunder
John DePatie
John DePatie, who grew up in Winnetka and attended Washburne Jr. High, New Trier High School and North Shore Country Day School, to play guitar behind Nancy Sinatra at Rolling Thunder in Washington, D.C. later this month. “I lived in Winnetka when I started playing guitar. I payed for my first guitar by working as a caddy at Indian Hill Country Club. When I think back now, that’s where it all began for me.” His first guitar teacher was Chicago area guitar legend Michael Angelo Batio.
Rolling Thunder is a demonstration that occurs annually the Sunday before Memorial Day to raise awareness and bring accountability for MIAs and POWs. The event begins with the thunderous arrival of many of the estimated 900,000 participants on motorcycle.
The association with Ms. Sinatra goes back to 2004 when DePatie joined her band to perform on and tour in support of the CD “Nancy Sinatra”, that was released that year. DePatie performed on the recording of “Two Shots Of Happy” which was written by Bono and The Edge of U2 and features Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, also of U2 on bass and drums, as well as keyboard session legend Don Randi of the Wrecking Crew.
DePatie will also be releasing a song under his own name in May. He won a B.C. Rich Mockingbird Pro X guitar in a Premier Guitar Magazine contest, which prompted him to write and record a song to express his thanks and showcase his ability. The title is Lt.Worf’s Shred Machine (AKA 7 BC) Fellow Star Trek fans will understand the allusion.
Also coming in May for Mr. DePatie will be the CD release of “Walking My Elephant” by Cathouse Thursday, a group from San Diego, CA whose leader is singer and keyboardist Will Faeber.
What’s next on the calendar? Two completely different recording projects for which DePatie will not only contribute his guitar playing but his compositions. One is an acoustic piano/nylon string guitar duo with Don Randi. The other is a dance/pop CD with Washington, D.C.- based artist Kim Cameron and Side FX.
