Below is a recent write up in the Henley Standard for The Kenton show on 13th December 2008:
"Area's best kept secret is finally unveiled:
Lynne Butler is only 43 years old but she's lived every one of them if her music is any guide.
Lynne is one of the Henley area's undiscovered secrets. She's a local-born girl who has had her self-penned, cleverly phrased and emotionally literate songs played on the radio and internet stations from Australia to Canada but not many outside of the villages of Highmoor, Nettlebed, Woodcote and Stoke Row know her work.
She started to put that right at The Kenton this weekend when she appeared with her band for a two-hour celebration of her life and music.
Lynne travelled to the USA in her 20s to learn more about her favoured country and bluegrass music.
She was married and widowed in her 30s, then became a single mother before forging ahead with a dual career as children's entertainer and adult - very adult at times - singer.
Lynne has a clear, warm full voice which can be powerful but never loses sight of her song. She brings nuance and understanding to her ballads - some of which are heart-rending.
Perhaps her more strident material can be in-your-face - she has an anabashed openness about her attitude to men and their uses.
One particular song called 'Talk to the Face' is an appeal for men to look her in the eye instead of ten inches further south, but then she'll admit she enjoyes the attention no matter where the gaze falls.
This was a good night with a tight band and near faultless performance from Lynne despite having a cold.
She's hoping to repeat the gig next year by which time maybe a few more will know who she is - because they probably ought to; she's oe of our own, perhaps we should celebrate that."
Three members of the original Lynne Butler Band are playing on all three albums. They are Gary and Sherryl Payne and Richard Holland.
Myself on guitar and lead vocals, Gary on guitar, mandolin, fiddle and harmony vocals, Sherryl on Double Bass and harmony vocals and Richard on guitar, banjo and harmony vocals.
The latest album Talk to the Face is now available.
YOU CAN PURCHASE MY ALBUMS FROM HERE
Talk To The Face
Price = £10 (inc p&p)
A Little Country, A Little Bluegrass and a Whole Lot Of Me
Price = £10 (inc p&p)
Music Makers Bluegrass Style - Nursery Rhymes and fun original Songs for Pre-School Children with Bluegrass Instrumentation
Price = £8 (inc p&p)
You can also purchase the Alzheimer's Ireland charity CD 'FORGET ME NOT' from here to - just click on the album cover. All proceeds go to the charity.
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Many musicians have donated their songs and their time so please support this wonderful charity if you can.
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This lovely video for "Thinkin' bout Love" was created by Tony Hayes www.myspace.com/tonyhayesguitarist - an instrumental guitarist from Manchester. Thanks Tony xx
YOU CAN HEAR ME BEING PLAYED ON THE FOLLOWING RADIO STATIONS:
LOCM on American Network Radio has now begun. Be sure to tune in!
If you need a great agent or promoter look no further than MIST TALENT ENTERPRISES:
For a wonderful, professional and friendly Studio Experience contact Chris and Fiona Braclik at Soundtrack Productions - many special offers and packages available:
I was very fortunate last year to be made Spotlight Artist on www.UKcountryradio.com for the weekend of 16th-18th May 2008 and the interview from that can be heard on my website and more recently 5 of my songs have been nominated for the UKcountryradio Listener's Award whereby the listeners to www.ukcountryradio.com get to vote for their favourite song and the award presented to the winning artist in September at the UK Country Music Hall of Fame awards. See blog for more details.
I have worked with various covers and country music bands over the years in the UK, the Caribbean and the US and my last band, The Lynne Butler Band, was a six piece Bluegrass band based here in the UK for which I was the lead vocalist.
I left the LB Band shortly after having my son George as commitment to the band was difficult and instead started to build a business entertaining children and setting up the local pre-school music group Music Makers. Being a single mum, this allowed me to adapt a working life in music around bringing up George and of course still managing to find some time for performing occasionally as a solo artist mainly at private functions e.g., garden parties and weddings, performing a varied selection of songs from originals to covers, from country to popular, blues to bluegrass. I also provides regular weekly music session for adults and children with learning difficulties either on a one to one basis or as a group.
Recently the band and I played a ‘launch’ gig at the Kenton Theatre, Henley on Thames and I'm now intending to head back out on the road and to festivals with the band and/or with the duo (myself - guitar/vocals/banjo and Ilbert Martin on Double Bass/vocals). The gig was so successful that the we'll be back at the Kenton in December 2009 and 2010.
During the last few years I have written or co-written material (Peter Fallowell co-wrote four songs with me) and recorded three albums with bluegrass instrumentation, one of which is a children’s one – which has proved to be very popular. All my albums have been recorded using a local based studio – Soundtrack Productions www.soundtrackproductions
The last album Talk to the Face is a “blend of light-hearted, humourous songs and soulful ballads with bluegrass instrumentation”. The title song for example, is based on the fact that men always talk to my boobs and not my face. The album has been very successful and I am using that same blend of humour and ballads on the forthcoming album “Banjos, Beer and Boys” – due to be released in the Summer. Also, the album will feature some exciting mixtures of music – Bluegrass with Gypsy Jazz, Calypso and African style infusions - very exciting and different due to having just recently teamed up with composer and banjo player Douglas Hamilton to form a writing partnership. Doug is the banjo player for Scottish bluegrass band The Shed Inspectors – www.myspace.com/shedinspectors. He will also be joining me as the band’s banjo player whenever the full band line up is required. I have also recently teamed up with a bass player of mine in a former covers band from 14 years ago to go out as a duo so, I also welcome on board - Ilbert Martin.
My two previous albums are “A Little Country, A Little Bluegrass and a Whole Lot of Me” and “Music Makers Bluegrass Style” The Music Makers Bluegrass Style CD is “A delightful mix of nursery rhymes and original fun songs for pre-school children with Bluegrass Instrumentation”.
Music Makers is my pre-school music group that I set up in 2004 and the children get to enjoy music and dance, instruments and nursery rhymes and generally have lots of fun in a safe and relaxed atmosphere. I also get them doing the limbo (amazingly that is a great confidence builder and lots of fun).
The classes are on a ‘drop-in’ basis and are run weekly all through the year, including during school holidays, on a Wednesday morning in Stoke Row Village Hall, Stoke Row (where complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits are also served afterwards) and Thursday mornings at the Christchurch Centre, Reading Road, Henley on Thames. Sessions on both days start at 10am and last for 45 minutes.
I play the guitar although I'm no wizard on it and have recently started to learn the banjo.
The next 18 months look to be quite exciting for me but nothing's quite confirmed so I shall keep you posted as and when I know more, via my blogs.
Last but not least, as I have mentioned previously, I have a delightful 9 year old son called George who is quite literally my life and my buddy and he is very tolerant of ‘mummy’s musical whims’ lol! Together we have a beautiful Black Labrador bitch called Finney with whom we enjoy our walks in the woods.
When I'm not working I like to spend time with George and Finney and generally just like to chill, practice my instruments and spend time with my friends .
If you wish to purchase my albums you can do so by visiting my shop at www.lynnebutler.co.uk or directly from here where you can purchase online through a secure site.
For Bookings please e-mail: lynnebutler99@hotmail.com or contact me through myspace. I am also available for session work.
Please also visit the following sites:
For some great acts in the US please visit www.myspace.com/misttalententerprisesllc.com This company has sole represententation for me in the USA. So for all US bookings please contact Pamela Morgan.
www.soundtrackproductions.com - a great studio situated in Henley on Thames with superb hospitality thrown in and where I recorded my albums and;
www.ukcountryradio.com
- a great UK based internet country radio station and from which you can hear my music being played regularly.
www.bluegrassmix.com - a US bluegrass/country internet radio station for which I'll soon be hosting a regular show bringing British and European Bluegrass and Country music to its audience - keep an eye out for my blogs and bulletins on this.
Jackie Storrars - The Country Cafe show every Saturday morning from 10am on www.cmrnashville.net
Terry Ferdinand's folk show every Monday night from 9pm on www.bishopfm.com
Hi Lynne, Arrived home late Tuesday...wading my way through my inbox! We had a lovely time in London with you...too short as always. Just clicked on and had a listen to your new recording...your vocal is beautiful, so dreamy and romantic! Works very well. Lots of love Jackie x PS: Steve says to tell you the harmonies work well too!
Hi. I was having a listen to your very nice track The Older Women. Now me being a young person, but I am a male not a female, well not on a Friday anyway, so is this the sort of behaviour I can look forward to in a few years! Hope so... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Before you moan!
Hi Lynne, lovely to hear from you. We are all good thanks and looking forward to spending the summer hols with John. We have loads planned and hope for a better summer weatherwise than last year. This weekend we are wedding dress shopping for Dee and start to decorate Haylies room.
Have a lovely weekend and yes, fingers crossed the weathermen are wrong again : )
Hi Lynne! Thanks!! I'm doing fine and the weather has been bad the last days with much thunderstorms...but I haven't work so I could relax anyway!!! Happy Weekend ! Many hugs to you! LoTTa
HI LYNNE, THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE SWEET COMMENT. IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HEAR FROM YOU. ALL IS WELL HERE SO FAR - THANK YOU. I HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU ALSO !!! JUST TRYING TO GET THINGS DONE AND READY IN CASE WE GET SOME BAD STORMS TODAY AND ON SATURDAY. I HOPE YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND. TAKE CARE AND ENJOY !!! LOVE & HUGGSSS......BONNIE
Hi Lynn, you have a fantastic weekend as well.. we have sun! Havn't see that for a long time! Beach in Grafton is on the menu for Sunday. Enjoy!!! love to you and yours, JoAnne
Hey Lynne, have a great day tomorrow, yes it's the 4th of July and seeing as you've got Bluegrass running thru your veins, we think it's definitely time to celebrate . . . think they should make you an honorary American lol! Have a lovely weekend, hope to catch up real soon, yeehah! Hugs, Carolyn and Mark xxx
Hi Lynne, Thank you for your friendship here in myspace. You have a very beautifull voice. I enjoyed listening to your music! Very well done! Dave Marko
hello Lynne i know i am far away but closer all the time .I reckon i am paddeling 10 miles a day .I recken in 8½ years i should reach you . hugs Teddy xxxxxxxx
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