FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2002
By Austin Owen/Schreiner University student and THMF intern
From the moment she stepped foot into Dr. Kathleen Hudson’s 2:30 Mythology classroom, dressed in all black, with her hair pulled back in a pony tail, Bett Butler offered us a chance to learn something new not only about music, but about life. As we all formed a circle, Bett began to address us with casual conversation about the expression of music, slowly unfolding layers of her personality, experience, and motivation. "As a songwriter, I am basically a storyteller," said Bett. "We define ourselves by the stories we tell." Bett’s words and music honestly recreate meaningful events of her own life. She definitely has something to say, but why through jazz? Butler quoted, "A famous musician once said, Jazz is freedom! It is definitely a less structured form of expression that allows the musician to improvise and become more involved." Open forum style, Bett allowed us to ask questions and interact during the workshop. One student asked, "What types of music do you personally like and what can’t you listen to?" Bett responded saying, "I listen to all kinds of music. All music affects me in different ways. The key is staying open-minded and discarding any pre-conceived notion I might have about something. Sometimes before we have even heard a note, we have already decided whether we like something or don’t. [If you can] distance yourself emotionally from music, you can then ask yourself why you react to it certain ways. There is so much you can learn." What a life lesson! The idea of resigning in the premeditation of decisions about what something is or isn’t, is something I think this campus needs to hear. Bett also talked a lot about "connecting emotionally with the listener," explaining that, "In every gig I play, the sole purpose is to connect emotionally. That is the real power of music. All art is about evoking emotional reactions."
Bett’s most recently released CD titled, Short Stories, is a compilation of easy-listening, but emotionally stirring jazz accompanied by a three-piece band, one member Joel Dilley, her husband and an incredibly talented bassist who is also a professional musician. Bett has been immersed in the music scene for as long as she can remember. After receiving a B.A. in Music, she quickly jumped into the business of performing.
Currently residing in San Antonio, Butler graces the stages of clubs and live music venues with her lush, poignant, and clever tunes. It is fair to say that Butler is quite the seasoned musician with a solid grasp on the art of entertaining. With a smile that say’s a thousand words, lyrics that speak right through the clamors of the day, and style that offers a sense of relief from the rush of life, Bett’s music reaches to the center of our being. As I listened, I found myself lost in the verdant harmonies of the dissonant chords played artfully on her Kurzweil piano. Equally talented and armed with a custom made six-string, stand-up bass, her husband Joel Dilly soulfully fingerpicked his way into the creative duo. It really was magical to see.
In one of her songs "Secrets," Bett sings of healing from a family tragedy that was kept secret for three generations. It is a beautiful piece that deals with the suicide of her great-grandfather. Bett stated, "I believe that it is necessary to acknowledge the dark side of life in order to come to the light inside of you. When you bring darkness to light, it loses its power. Through music, I can foster more empathy, foster more connection between human beings."
Something that really hit home for me was that during the class workshop, Bett shared that she missed her grandmother’s funeral to do the coffee house gig. "Choosing to be a professional musician means that you’ve got to be a musician 365 days a year. It’s very hard, but I really love it. I couldn’t do anything else." After witnessing her unforgettable performance at the October 2nd Coffee House, I’m sure I can speak for many when I say, we hope she doesn’t.
Coming from a student’s perspective, if you haven’t taken advantage of the wonderful opportunity that this monthly event offers, you’re missing out big. The Schreiner Coffee House is not just a performance – it is a way to learn, to expand your knowledge and experience music on a personal level. The November 6th Coffee House will showcase Gary "Mex" Glazner, and offer an evening dedicated to the power of spoken word. Justin Harper and Texas Attitude will also play some original country music that evening. If you put any event on your calendar for November, be sure to include this chance to connect to art in a new way.
Austin Owen
Schreiner
Freshman
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