Char’s appreciation for the fine arts began through the influence of her father’s artistic talents. She was identified as having a gift of voice and started singing at local church services by the age of six. She started private vocal training and playing clarinet at an early age. Her first live radio singing broadcast was at the age of eleven on a local channel in Oklahoma. She broadened her classical training by studying opera, singing as a colatura soprano at the age of thirteen. Formal music competitions were second nature for Char, singing favorite aria’s Die Fledermaus, and Je veux vivre. Char decided to change genre’s in her late teens and bought her first guitar at the age of seventeen. She started performing folk songs as a self taught guitarist for local entertainment, following the style of Joan Baez and Carol King. She sang with the Christian Dimensions who made one recording “Oh Happy Day”. The group consisted of individuals who sang Christian music and made a couple of summer tours in the United States.
After attaining her Masters degree in counseling from Oklahoma State University, she began in depth study on guitar at Phillips University. In 1989 she started teaching as a guitar instructor for the Fine Arts Department at Phillips University. While living in Enid, Oklahoma she was the music director for Christian Church of the Covenant, a vocal judge for the Tri-State Music Festival and also taught guitar in a private studio. She sang in the Enid Symphonic Choir performances, “The Messiah”, “Carmina Burana”, and “Christmas Pops” which were accompanied by the Enid Symphony.
Over the years she has worked with many children’s programs in Oklahoma and Arizona. Her most recent work with children has been as the music director and movement choreographer for “Crosstown” a local children’s church theater. Char began working on her debut album in March of 2007 and finished recording in August and release the CD in November of 2007. She continues to work in the field of social sciences as a psychometrist in Arizona and sings and plays at local churches, schools, banquets, festivals and private parties. She feels that the Lord has blessed her with the gift of music. Char feels that the quote, “Be Still and Know God” is very significant in her own life. Char and daughter Amber perform songs with stellar harmony. Amber Lacey comes with a solid performance background with a degree from Arizona State University. Amber’s focus while acquiring her interdiscplinary degree was voice and acting. She also has an extensive dance background.
The sound of the duo is a contemporary style with occasional soft rock. Our sound is a cross between Sheryl Crow and Jewell and for older listeners Stevie Nicks and Olivia Newton John. We are marketing our debut CD on Sonicbids but a recorded acoustic version is available upon request. The songs that are sung are uplifting and express love, hope, peace, loss and healing. Some of the songs are about the invisible realm and mystic qualities thereof. Radio Airplay on 29 small stations and also music is available on www.airplayaccess.com for radio download and the musicreps.com based in the Netherlands.
Instrumentation
Char Butler plays acoustic guitar and sings lead vocals. Amber Lacey sings harmony vocals and secondary lead. If a venue prefers we can use an accompaniment CD and sing and play with full sound backgrorund including electric lead guitar, keyboard, bass and drums. Recording band members: The renowned Ken Mary previous drummer for “House of Lords” played Drums, Percussion and Strings; Mike Kaminski-Keyboards; Krys Van Slyke-Bass; Joe Rusinek-Electric guitar and additional acoustic; Char Butler-Clarinet; Jim Korakis,and Ken Mary-Programming.
Discography
“Secrets of the Heart” was released on November 10th, 2007. It does have radio airplay and streaming. The CD has a single out called “Tonight” that is ranked #1 on the Top 30 Mainstream Countdown/IMN; #4 AC40 Indie Char/NMW;#8 AC40
Chart/NMW;#18 Top 100 Tracks/NMW; Top 200 Chart/FMQB/ACQB; #9 Top40 Indie
Chart/NMW;#13 AC/Hot AC Top 20 Eastern U.S. Region Chart and #4 AC/Hot AC Top 20 Western U.S. Region Chart.
Radio Stations with airplay include:
KDAA/Rolla, MO
WCMT/Martin, TN
QYK/Prattville, AL
KEHK/Eugene, OR
KGWL/Grand Junction, CO
KFLS/Springfield, OR
KDEL/Arkadelphia, AR
KZBQ/Pocatello, ID
KQCR/Hampton, IA
KLMJ/Parkersburg, OH
KGY/Olympia, WA
KIXR/Ponca City, OK
KAYW/Craig, CO
WMUT/Granada, MS
KKRB/Klamath Falls, OR
WOCO/Green Bay, WI
WMOA/Marietta, OH
WLEX/Loxington, KY
WEAI/Jacksonville, IL
WTGA/Thomaston, GA
WJTW/Connersville, OH
KLBQ/El Dorado, AR
KTRN/Pine Bluff, AR
WJER/Dover, OH
WWIS/Black River Falls, WI
WJDR/New Philadelphia, OH
Links
http://www.charbutler.com
http://www.themusicreps.com