Take a Bow

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Well it’s not often that the face of the child is such a dead-giveaway to the grown version, but I dare say in this case that little fellow in the middle may look older today, but not a heck of a lot different.

Okay, perhaps he was cuter and more innocent - and certainly more so than in the following photo – but the resemblance is so strong I shouldn’t have to give hints.

But, I shall.

Here we go.

He ranks among the community’s most talented. He’s multi talented; acts like crazy, sings like the gods and can accompany himself on a number of instruments like nobody’s business.

Thoughts yet?

How about this, he sang with great passion and perfect pitch while hanging from a bar doing repeated, one-arm pull-ups throughout. – Not too many can claim that feat. And if you saw it, you wouldn’t have forgotten it.

Almost a giveaway: he recently wrote a new musical with Dane E Leeman, workshopped at the Players Ring. Still nothing? Oh please! For thirty years this guy wows the crowds and you can’t come up with a name?

Dead giveaway: He’s hosting the Spotlight Award Ceremony’s at the Music Hall on April 16. Nothing? Well, just hang your head in shame!

See that’s what gets me riled. We have a talent like this in our backyard and you don’t know about him. Sigh. Just breaks G. Lady’s heart.

Well folks, it’s Mr. Billy Butler, who recently left us for the Big Apple. But, he’s coming home to host the Spotlight Awards (the TOTALLY free event). He’ll also hit the studio with Tim McCoy and the Paper Cuts to work its next CD. Then on Monday, April, 20, along with the workshop band and actors, he’ll perform a concert version of “Gay Bride of Frankenstein.”

Billy will perform a selection from “Gay Bride” at the Spotlight Awards as well. Other performers: Musical Theater Acts: “The Primary, Primary!” New Hampshire Theatre Project and “8-Track: The Sounds of the ‘70s,” Seacoast Repertory Theatre. Music performances: The Lonesome State; One Hand Free and The Molenes.

Of course I’ll be there – it’s a celebration of area arts after all. And did I mention this great night of entertainment is FREE? No? Well, hey, it’s free. So, see you there!

For the love of art,

Gossip Lady


Photo: Top: L to R Kenny Butler, Billy, and their mom
L to R, Butler, Jamie Perkins, Jon McCormack & Tim McCoy
Bottom photo, by Don Clark, Portsmouth Herald, taken at last year's "Spotlight Awards"