The cover of Tim Butler’s latest album showcases a fun personality with its comic book artwork. One listen to the album and it is evident that this is a serious songwriter growing into his craft.
With this album, Tim wanted to highlight the pop flair in his songs. He found an interesting a partner – his longtime friend and pop-songsmith, Cliff Hillis. The result is Tim’s most mature recording to date, That’s The Way You Want Me to Be.
The album, released this spring, showcases Tim’s knack for pop songwriting. The highlights are: That’s The Way You Want Me To Be, Tryin, and Christine. The latter two showcase Tim’s pop prowess and his talent for harmonies. Other highlights on the album include: Will You Be Calling and One More Try, which reflect a little more intensity for Tim.
“This album really highlights the pop flavor of my music and Cliff helped bring that out. I am really proud at the variety of music on the album and its potential broad appeal,” said Tim. “It’s a bit more mature than my last record, but it still has the general lightness of my songwriting. This record reflects me a lot more.”
That reflection has been shaped by a journey through the Philadelphia music scene that began in 1995. Tim entered the Philadelphia music scene as frontman for the now defunct Hoppers 13. He began his music career in the 5th grade choir and from there he joined his high school music program. By college, Tim wanted to take music more seriously.
"I didn't start writing music or playing guitar until I was in college. It just took off from there and I continued to learn. I tried out for bands and I was told that my voice was too trained, I sounded too nice," he said.
Tim, however, decided to continue on and continued to learn and develop his craft.
What appeals to many of his fans is his easy-going manner. They have enjoyed his energetic performances and the conversational nature of his songs.
"I love to perform and be interactive. Many of my shows have a conversational feel to them, and I love talking and joking with the audience," says Tim of his onstage persona.
In the end, however, Tim is just trying to be himself. "I don’t want to be cookie-cutter. I try to be myself. I want to be honest and true to me, and I tried to show that in my music."
Tim currently plays music venues and colleges throughout the tri-state area. He has also appeared as a featured musician at several community events throughout the region. His music has also been played on several stations throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
VENUES PLAYED 3 Bean Coffeehouse, NJ / Adrienne Theatre, PA / Barrington Coffeehouse, NJ / Bootleg Bootlegger Bucks, PA / Brownies 23 East, PA / Border’s Bookstores, NJ / Border’s Bookstores, PA / Brenner’s Brew, NJ / Brewed Attitude, NJ / Brownies 38th Street, PA / Cabrini College, PA / Chestnut Hill College, PA / East Stroudsburg University, PA / Connie’s Cafe, NJ / Cornerstone Coffeehouse, PA / Dawson Street Pub, PA / Double Shots Café, PA / Doylestown First Friday / East End Café, DE / Eleven East Café, NJ / Havana, PA / Holy Family University, PA / John and Peter’s, PA / LaSalle University, PA Lickety Split, PA / Manayunk Music Exchange, PA / Max Cremas Café, PA / Max’s Taphouse, MD / Milkboy Coffeehouse, PA / MillCreek Tavern, PA / Millersville University, PA / Neena's Brickoven Pizza, NJ / Neumann College, PA / Old Pine Community Center, PA / Philadelphia University, PA / Phoenixville First Friday / PUCK Live, PA / Rosemont College, PA / Sparky and Clark’s, PA / Steel City Coffee Company, PA / Street Road Bar and Grill, PA / Teavolve , MD / Temple University, PA / The Burlap & Bean, PA / The Chestnut Room, PA / The Daily Grind, PA / The Drake Tavern, PA / The Fire, PA / The GoldHawk, NJ / The Grape Street Philadelphia, PA / The Hinge, PA / The Khyber, PA / The Mad Donkey Coffeehouse, PA / The Point, PA / The Rusty Nail, PA / The Tin Angel, PA / The Treehouse Coffeeshop, NJ / The Well, PA / The West End Café’, PA / The Wildflower Café, PA / The Wilma Theatre, PA / Threshold Café, NJ / Triumph Brew Co., NJ / Valanni, PA / The Gryphon Cafe, PA / Studio LuLoo, NJ / Country Creek Winery, PA / Coffee Works, NJ / Auburn Rd. Vinyards, NJ / Bus Stop Music Cafe, NJ / Blinkin Lincoln, PA / Channel 6 ABC "Tuned In" / NBC 10! Show / Riverside Bar and Grille, PA
RADIO WHHS, PA / WSTW, DE / Y100, PA / WRFT, PA / WMMR, PA / WGLS, NJ
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Hey big daddy! Hope to see you at our first show of '09 with our drummer Tom! IKE is doing a special acoustic show at BLINKIN LINCOLN on Fri. 3/27 with Shovelhook (also acoustic), Susan Steen, and Amanda Thorpe! We start recording our new CD two days after that, so we'll be playing a lot of the new songs along with some old faves. It would be great to see you if you can make it!! Gray
Good to see you last night too, Tim, sausage fingers and all! :-) Hope you can make the Coffee Works shows a regular thing. I like the long sets with all the songs you never get to play!
Hey it was great to finally make it to a show!! Man it's been forever since I've been to any shows...lol! I really enjoyed the new stuff too. I will hold you to it to get that song ready for next time!! And I am sure the twins will love their own...lol!! Don't worry, not many people who don't know his middle name made the connection either so you're not alone!
I will upload the photos to myspace. Someone also gave us his e-mail to Bruce. I think it was the guy who announced you all. Either way I think I got some good shots. I am going to upload both cameras and see what's there. Maybe play with them a little on photo shop. Anyhow, I will get them up hopefully by the end of this weekend!! =P
