Jerry Butler & The Blu-J's are bluegrass festival favorites. Their repertoire consists of original and traditional bluegrass songs, familiar classic country songs and heartfelt gospel. Fans will enjoy the energy, fresh sound and entertaining show this group brings to the stage. “We just want the folks in attendance to have a good time with us, laugh, cry, sing along, whatever they’re feeling at the time. When we’re done we want them to be able to say ‘now that was fun’.”
Jerry Butler began playing and singing bluegrass music at the age of twelve 12. His first band The Knoxville Newgrass Boys, included classmate (bluegrass virtuoso) Phil Leadbetter on dobro. As child musicians they performed at high schools and at the top bluegrass festivals and country music shows in the south. They also performed at the White House in Washington, DC during the Nation's Bicentennial. Jerry solidified his bluegrass resume singing lead with Lynwood Lunsford & the Misty Valley Boys and The Joes Isaacs Band. To quote Ms. Dixie Hall, “Without a doubt, Jerry is among the most unacknowledged singers in the business. He has lent his flawless and peerless vocals to Pine Mountain Railroad and held the featured lead singer position in Carolina Road.”
Jerry was the featured lead vocalist on the single BEYOND THE RAIN by Pine Mountain Railroad, which won Front Porch Singing News Bluegrass Gospel Song of the Year at the National Quartet Convention in 2008. Jerry has an Associate of Music Degree from Cumberland College, Lebanon, TN. He is married to Tami Butler, the couple resides in Knoxville, TN with their daughter. During the summer months, when not on the road, you may find Jerry in Pigeon Forge, TN with The Blue Valley Boys where he spent several years at The Ernest Tubb Record Store.
Jerry proudly endorses Mike Long Guitars.
Justin Clark grew up in Oklahoma City. He began playing violin at the age of 9. Around the age of 11, Justin Began playing Mandolin in his Grandpa Charlie Clark's Bluegrass band, THE BLUEGRASS WOODCUTTERS . Justin played in several bands and shows in the Oklahoma area until he moved to Tennessee in 1994. He now makes his home outside Nashville where he teaches banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin. Justin has performed with Jim Lauderdale, Jamie O'Neal, Daryl "Mark Wills" Williams, Dierks Bentley, The Jim Hurst Band, Charlie Hall, James Monroe and the Midnight Ramblers, Paul Brandt, Sammy Kershaw, George Canyon, and SHeDAISY.
Tim Goins plays both banjo and resonator guitar and is an accomplished song writer. He makes his home in Mt Airy, NC and has performed with The Easter Brothers, Mark Templeton and Pocket Change and Lynwood Lunsford and The Misty Valley Boys. Tim's sense of humor and always unexpected funny business adds an element of entertainment that very few can match.
Tim proudly endorses Hobie Resonator Guitars.
Bobby Davis originally from Wheatfield Indiana and makes his home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He began his career with Audie Blalock and RedLine before becoming bassist with Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike. He later went on to play with Michael Cleveland and Flame Keeper and most recently The James King Band. Known primarily for his bass playing, Bobby also enjoys playing fiddle and mandolin. His bass playing can be heard on the Stelling Banjo Anthology.
Derek Vaden began playing banjo at age 12, after playing the mandolin and guitar for a couple of years. He played for nearly five years with his family's band in south central Kansas before branching out and working with many regional groups, including two that he co-founded (and played guitar in). After graduating with his AA in Music, Derek attended Glenville State College and obtained a Bluegrass Music Certificate under the tutelage of Buddy Griffin. Aside from his regional Kansas work, he has appeared on stage as part of the "Mayberry Ochestra," with Ronnie Reno, Melvin Goins, and his hero, Mr. Earl Scruggs. He carries his picks everywhere, and is always looking for an excuse to play.