Pickin' on Bluegrass guy Jerry Butler

Last month I featured an interview with Knoxville's famous bluegrass Dobro player, Phil Leadbetter. This month I'm proud to feature one with another famous Knoxville bluegrass musician and singer, Jerry Butler. Just in case you aren't the bluegrass addict that I am, or for some unearthly reason you are not familiar with Jerry Butler, let me catch you up to speed.

Jerry Butler started in the bluegrass business in the mid 70's at the age of 12. He along with fellow Gibbs classmate, Phil Leadbetter, founded the wildly popular bluegrass band the Knoxville Newgrass Boys. These kids could out play and out sing most well established bands of the day. They played in venues all over East Tennessee and even played for President Ford at the White House!

Over the years, Butler has performed with Lynwood Lunsford and the Misty Valley Boys, the Joe Isaacs Band, the Blue Valley Boys, and Pine Mountain Railroad. He joined his current band, Lorraine Jordan and the Carolina Road Band, last year, and shares the lead vocal position with Jordan and also plays the guitar. So now that you are all caught up, enjoy the interview!
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Byron: You probably didn't know this, but back in the 70's when you were with the Knoxville Newgrass Boys, you actually had groupies. My friends and I used to follow you guys around to different venues that you sang at. We were the nuts screaming out requests for Salty Dog and Ugly Girl. What was it like for you, as a teenager, to all of a sudden be traveling and touring as one of the hottest bluegrass bands of the day?

Jerry: Wow...I guess I never really looked at it that way. The Knoxville Newgrass Boys were just havin a good time doin what we enjoyed and that we could make a little money at it was cool. We got to go places, meet people, and do things that our classmates (and adults for that matter) didn't get to. It was allot of fun and looking back on it now, I just have to shake my head.

Byron: Some of the best musicians and singers in country and bluegrass music have come out of Gibbs High School. What or who influenced you the most to become the picking and singing guy that you are?

Jerry: There have been several influences through the years. I'd have to say my Granddaddy and grandmother were the ones that got it started by answering the "need" for a new guitar. They kept me supplied with the toy ones and then bought me my first real guitar when I was in the second grade. Of course Mom and Dad took me to lessons for the next many years and made me practice when I didn't want to LOL. Wayne Goforth, my teacher was who got the KNB together, we were all students of his. I have always loved Flatt and Scruggs music, and since the Beverly Hillbillies were one of my favorite shows, I got to see Lester and Earl on occasion. On Saturday evening I could catch The Martha White Show just before HEE HAW came on. I've had other singing heroes too, Keith Whitley, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and one of my real favorites is Larry Sparks. He sings with such feeling it's awesome to me.

Byron: Over the past several years, your resume' has grown to include some really big names in Bluegrass music. What would you say has been the most exciting time thus far in your career?

Jerry: I'd have to say right now. I've been fortunate to have been in company of good people. I have enjoyed all the bands I've been with and tried to take each opportunity to learn and grow more professionally. Just in the past year alone I've gotten a guitar sponsorship from Mike Long Guitars in Nashville, that's something I thought would've never happened. With the new group Carolina Road (I joined in Nov 06) already we've been to the west coast, sailed through the Virgin Islands, and just released our new CD...and it's only April. We have a good number of concerts and approximately 65 festivals alone, including another trip to the west coast and Canada, left on the schedule. I've always dreamed of traveling on a bus, seeing the country and entertaining people, that's what Carolina Road is all about. So yes, this is an exciting time.

Byron: I've been looking over your upcoming shows schedule and I see that you are completely booked up for the rest of the year. How difficult is it for you to balance your home and family life with such a busy schedule?

Jerry: First of all God has blessed me in many ways. Secondly I have a supporting wife. Music is all I do. Well let me sidestep a little bit...my wife and I have a 3 year old that I stay home with when I'm home. We have allot fun together, she's a Daddy's girl and I love it, wrapped around her little finger she will tell you LOL. Another thing is, my Dad retired several years ago and has a rather large motorhome. If he sees we are playing somewhere for more than one day or within a reasonable drive, he loads up Mom, my wife and daughter and they come listen to music. The only real balancing act is tryin to keep the yard mowed during the summer without the neighbors complaining and staying familiar with the dogs so I don't get bit.

Byron: You've got some great pictures of when you performed during the 2003 UT vs SC football half-time show, how did that all come about?

Jerry: MAN that was awesome!! 100,000+ in attendance...probably the largest crowd I've ever played to or will again. My buddy Phil Leadbetter had a hand in that. His son Matt, Phil's brother Kent and myself had been playing some local pick-up things at the time so Phil actually booked that for us. It was in honor of Smokey's 50 years as mascot for the Vols and for Felice and Boudleaux Bryant who wrote the two songs we did with the band "Tennessee Hound Dog" and of course "Rocky Top".

Byron: I noticed that you are a fellow NASCAR fan. I won't hold it against you that you are flying Johnson and Gordon flags on your site and not a Tony Stewart, however, I noticed a Ward Burton endorsement on there. How exciting was it to see ol' Ward take home an 18th place finish at Bristol this year?

Jerry: HA-HA Hey at least you picked an orange car LOL. It was great to see him out there again. I started following NASCAR in the mid 80's. I've had several faves through the years, but when Tim Richmond went with Hendrick's I started pulling for them and have stuck with 'em. I think Ward is a cool character, seems to be laid back and what can you say about that South Boston, VA accent. I'd love to meet him someday and sit and talk with him.

Byron: I know that you endorse GHS strings and I noticed that you were on the big ETA Bluegrass cruise this past February and are already scheduled to perform in next years cruise. I also noticed that your old Dobro buddy, Phil Leadbetter, will be there with his new band Grasstowne. Do I foresee a "Battle of the Bands" on the cruise?

Jerry: Thanks for mentioning GHS. Ben Cole who is the sales director there is a good friend and a great guy too. I've known him for about the last 5-6 years and he supplies me with the best strings on the market. GHS is an underwriter for the ETA cruise and together they do an excellent job. Battle of the bands? Nah, I doubt it. These cruises are about the fans. It gives them a chance to spend time with their favorite bands and see us in "all our glory". From the private concerts each evening, workshops, meals, to sightseeing in port, fans have the opportunity to spend one on one time with everybody. Plus it's not a bad way to do a family vacation.

Byron: I absolutely love your latest song, "Carolina Road," and I'm predicting big things happening from this newly released Blue Circle Records project. Can you give me an "insiders" perspective into this project?

Jerry: Thank you. "Carolina Road" was written by Tom T. and Dixie Hall just for us. It's the title cut to our new CD on Blue Circle which also is Tom T. and Dixie's label. There are mostly original songs on the CD, a couple written by our sound man and one from the Flatt and Scruggs repertoire. We included some gospel, one written by my buddy Mark Brinkman and another brought to the band by our fiddle player Josh Goforth. Ms Dixie sent a ballad song she and Tom T. wrote that she says was just for me. It's a touching song that I think has a different meaning for allot of people. We are excited about it and hope folks will enjoy it.

Byron: Are there any future plans for a Jerry Butler solo project?

Jerry: Yes. I have one already but I would like to do another, maybe two. I'd love to have an all gospel recording. I've been gathering material but I'll just have to see what I can get ready.

Byron: Would you mind sharing something about yourself that most people probably don't know?

Jerry: I don't try to be somebody I'm not, I try to give everybody the same respect and courtesy that I want. It gets tiresome and yes its not always fun but the people work for their money and when they come to see us they deserve every bit of their ticket price. If not for the them I wouldn't have a job. God has given me a talent and a venue for which to use it. He opened my eyes and ears and has given me a chance to live a dream and two special people to share it with. I believe this, the Good Lord knows how much attention I give Larry Sparks when he is on stage that he spoke to me through him. From that night, I made some changes personally and things have been different in my life. I've had the opportunity to share the whole story with Larry and I'll never forget it.

Thank you for your interview request, I appreciate it and hope your readers enjoy it. Look forward to seeing you soon.

Byron: Thanks a bunch! I'll see ya at the Blue Plate Special in K-town on June 8th!
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Visit the links below for more information:

Jerry Butler's MySpace page

Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road's MySpace page.

Official Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road Website.