GUESTBOOK

Hi Damon,
I apologize for taking so long to write to you … but I am just getting around to answering the comments in my guestbook.
Thanks for the kind words about my piano playing on “Feelin’ Al-Right.” They really do mean a lot. FYI I have been really busy working on a one man show based on my career. I have performed it a few times and the audiences have absolutely LOVED it.
I am mentioning it to you because you sound like a guy who is passionate about music. I will be performing it in Los Angeles on October 5th & 6th at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood. Should you be able to make it I would love to say hi.
Again thanks for your kind words Damon.
Warmest Regards,
Artie Butler

Hi Harry,
Please forgive me but I am just catching up on entries to my guestbook now … after the “LONGEST” period of time.
Thanks for your kind words about “Have You Met Miss Jones.” It was ages ago … but fun to make.
Warmest regards,
Artie Butler

Hi Dave,
Believe it or not, I am only catching up on entries to my guestbook now. Sorry it has taken me so long.
Thanks for your kind words they do mean a lot.
Warmest regards,
Artie Butler

Hi King Cormack,
Please forgive me writing to you so long after you wrote in my guestbook … but I just read it.
Thanks for your very kind words about my work. They really do mean a lot.
“Sally” was the beginning for me and it is still one of my favorites. It’s amazing to me how it stands
the test of time. Thanks again.
Warmest regards,
Artie Butler

Hi Martin,
Sorry to take so long to reply to you but I just saw you comment in my guestbook. Shirley was special. A one of a kind
artist in every way. We were friends and I truly miss her and what she brought to all of us.
Thanks for your very kind words about “Here’s To Life.” They do mean a lot.
Warmest regards,
Artie Butler

Hi Jayden,
Sorry to take so long to reply to you but I just saw you comment in my guestbook. Thanks for your kind words. Tiny Tim was a terrific Guy. I really liked him a lot. I think of him from time to time and always with a smile.
Again thanks for your kind words. They do mean a lot.
Best regards,
Artie Butler

Hi Deborah and Kurt,
Sorry that it has taken so long to answer your comment in my guest book, but I just read it.
I must say that after all these years whenever I hear “Feeling’ Al-Right” … I still want to get
up and dance, which is a sight you don’t want to see … believe me.
Thanks so much for your very kind words about my piano playing. They do mean a lot.
Warmest regards,

Artie Butler

Hey Artie,

My wife and were sitting around after dinner tonight here in Longmont, Colorado. A Joe Cocker record came on the stereo, and she asked me, “Is that Leon on the piano?”

I had the pleasure of attending Mad Dogs at the Filmore and in Tucson in, 1970? I don’t know anymore, one year from the next.

I said, “It sounds like his style, but this guy plays a lot more. It sounds like what Stevie Winwood played with Dave Mason, but this guy is so tight. I don’t know who this is.”

She whipped out her trusty Amazon tablet and in seconds, we had the answer. :#)

I’ve played a lot of piano, Hammond, and some guitar in my life, but I grew up with musicians — my parents. My Dad played clarinet in Big Bands before and after the war, and my earliest musical memories are of his band rehearsing his quartet downstairs with him on tenor sax. In the ’60s he had a piano trio, with my mother singing under her stage name, Chris Elliot. I played pop guitar with them for three summers before I left for school.

But I made the decision to follow a more stable career, and left music behind. I’ve played in a few cover bands after our kids were doing their thing after schooling, but I never lost my ear.

That piano part you played with Carol Kaye and the guys is very tasty. She asked if I played Feelin’ Alright and I had to confess that I never had the precision in my hands that you displayed on that tune. Man, you are the anchor that holds that fabulous groove down for Joe to sing his fantastic sounds.

We both wanted to say thank you for a track that still gives us a great deal of pleasure to listen to 50-something years later.

We hope that you’re still enjoying life, and send our best wishes.

Deborah and Kurt Matthies
Longmont, Colorado

i love your music and escpacially your work on god bless tiny tim!!!!!!

dear mr. butler,
i just wanted to thank you for Here’s to Life; I had the great honor of hearing shirley horn sing it at two back to back concerts in a small club in manhattan some years ago, shortly before she passed, it was one of the most meaningful creative experiences of my life.
i know you know, but i want to tell you again, and to thank you, you made a truly meaningful contribution to all of us with ears to hear.
thank you, sir.
m.

Just stopping by to say thank you for the lifetime of great music. I was on a pop music deep dive and was reminded of your extensive contributions! I still find “Sally” haunting. Happy 2022!
King Cormack

I’ve adored What A Wonderful World for years and only recently looked up the story behind its recording (hell of a good story, too). The song itself is beautiful anyway, but I don’t think it would have reached the heights it did without your help. The arrangement and orchestration is truly gorgeous and, though modern internet has led to lots of bad things, the ability to write and directly thank you for it is a good one. I’m definitely doing you disservice by only mentioning that one song, but it’s the one with the most nostalgia and meaning for me. That’s it, I won’t ramble on. Thanks again and I hope you’re well. best, Dave

In the past year, I’ve become aware of – and very fond of – Artie Butler’s HAVE YOU MET MISS JONES?, an album he did for A&M/CTi in the late 1960s. The album is just a delight.

Dear Mr. Butler,

Listening today to “Feelin’ Alright” (for perhaps the thousandth time in the past 50+ years), I was compelled find out who played piano on that seminal, iconic track. That led me to your name and website, and… what a freakin’ fabulous career you have had. Pretty much daily I imagine such a career for myself – which will have to be in my next lifetime. It’s awful good to finally “meet” you: those bangin’ piano riffs inspired hundreds of hours of practice time for me.

Love, regards, and awe-filled greetings,

Damon Schwartz
Sacramento CA

Hi Anita,
Of Course. I am swamped, but let’s see what happens. Hope you are well.
Best always,
Artie

Artie,
I’m currently working on a musical project related to Artie Shaw and it brought your name into my mind (at least the Artie part). Though I liked you a lot, you and I haven’t spoken in many, many, many years and I thought by now we were both probably dead.
But if this message gets to you please respond.
Thanks,
Sandy Krinski
(currently living in Encino)
310-308-7980

I really like your site!

Your site is just great. I send greetings.