Ken Bateman was born in the Midwestern United States and studied musical composition at the University of Minnesota. With a strong background in classical composition he has branched far into the traditional music forms of folk and modern music. Ken writes and records his music at his remote country home in southern Minnesota. He utilizes a private recording facility as the medium for compositional explorations.

While he is writing music and lyrics he performs in recordings on a wide array of instruments; Piano, organ, percussion (of many forms), concertina, guitar and dobro, bass, violin, and vocal.

His lyrics are derived from real life experience, frequently revealing travels throughout the world, and specific adventures as skipper of sailing vessels while cruising.