Johnny Butten sets new World Record...

Banjo/ Guitar (Electric/Acoustic)/ Mandolin/ Fiddle/ Dobro/ Viola/ Bass (Electric & Upright) Taunton born Johnny Butten started playing banjo (bluegrass) at the tender age of 9. By the time he was 14, he had won every major competition (adult class) in Europe. When he was 16, he started playing guitar (acoustic and electric) and later studied fiddle, mandolin, viola, cello, bass (electric and upright) dobro and even ukulele. He began his professional career at 16 yrs old, playing most styles, though he seemed to find a niche for his natural talent in the ever growing field of modern country music. His dexterity and inventiveness on all instruments soon earned him an unrivalled reputation, as did his breathtaking speed & clarity - on the banjo in particular. Johnny has worked with some of the finest musicians in his field, including such great names as Bill Keith, Kenny Baker, Josh Graves, Bob Black and Peter Rowan to name but a few. He has won many international awards for his playing - on all instruments, (many of which were when he lived in the U.S.A) and has experience in all areas of the music industry at international level, from roadie to manager and everything in between. In 1989 he put together the award winning country band 'Hard Cash' taking the BCMA award. He is rated as one of the top bluegrass banjo players in the world and one of the best multi - instrumentalists in Europe. In 1998, he was one of three nominees for the European fiddle player of the year award - in Vienna.A highly proficient guitar player (both fingerstyle & flatpicking) his electric playing has a style reminiscent of Albert Lee/Ricky Skaggs - though he has never studied either in any detail. Indeed Johnny Butten has his own unmistakable style on everything he plays. He has a wonderful feel for everything he plays, be it a breathtakingly fast solo, or a gentle love song.He is just as at home playing bluegrass as blues, jazz or rock - on any instrument. While he can play music with a more traditional flavour, he is also a progressive player utilizing banjo, fiddle, dobro etc in rock/indie/funk/blues/jazz and has experimented with numerous drum & bass/techno dance projects - Take a minute to listen to 'Cosmic Country'... for more info and to see the range of Kel Kroydon banjos please take a moment to look at www.johnnybutten.com Purchase Johnny's music at www.amazingtunes.com Myspace Scrolling Text CreatorJohnny continues to teach, tour, gig, record and is currently a technical adviser on the CBA website/forumJohnny proudly endorses all products of the 'American Made Banjo Co' (TM). Fine hand crafted instruments, strings and fittings "Simply The Best!" JB.CONTRAST OF MY IMAGINATION. Recorded at the Bijou Suite, Taunton, Somerset,UK. All instruments and vocals by Johnny Butten, Banjo/Fiddle/Mandolin/Guitar/Bass/Viola/Cello Cosmic Country A track based on Johnnys rendition of Duke Ellingtons 'Caravan' with a trance flavour Salty Dog Another old standard from 'Contrasts of my imagination' album. I'll be on that good road someday Another old standard from 'Contrasts of my imagination' album. Dill Pickle Rag 'Contrasts of my imagination' album. Hornpipe medley A selection of fiddle tunes, including Devils Dream/Sailors Hoirnpipe/Fishers Hornpipe...'Contrasts of my imagination' album. Dear Old Dixie Johnnys arrangement of an Earl Scruggs tune. Valeries Waltz A beautiful waltz written by Johnny in memory of his Mum x Here's a track you don't hear much these days..its Johnny on banjo with the guys from 3 Tuns of Grass... Flint Hill SpecialJamming in a bar with some locals while on tour with Peter Rowan img src="http://members.aol.com/JandSButten/JBhardCashgrass2.bmp "