Michael Butler isn’t what you think. He isn’t what anyone thinks, for that matter. When playing at his regular gig at an Irish Pub in New York City’s Times Square, bar employees were often met with the refrain, “That was a live musician back there? I thought it was the juke box!”

Upon seeing him, patrons were even further befuddled, “That was YOU? YOU were the guy playing the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and James Taylor??”

Growing up in one of the few African American families in Great Neck, Long Island, Michael Butler often surprised people. From the age of 5, he knew he wanted to play music. Although he loved and imitated James Brown with the neighborhood kids, he preferred the sounds and “mop top” styles coming out of England in the 1960’s.  

For over 40 years, Michael has been entertaining crowds and defying their expectations. And while they were often astonished, trying to connect his “look” with his sound, one thing remained constant. His music has always brought people joy.

In 1981, legendary owner of the famed CBGB’s, Hilly Kristal, offered to manage Michael’s band and referred to them in Billboard magazine as a “band to watch for.”

Traveling back and forth to Europe gave Michael the audiences that helped him define his craft. The regular gigs at O’Flaherty’s Ale House put him in front of a variety of artists like Pete Townshend, Liza Minnelli, both Cassidy brothers and Nathan Lane, all as his appreciative audience.