Today we’d like to introduce you to Sammi Butler.
Hi Sammi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in a musical family with my 3 brothers. We each picked an instrument to learn and I chose piano. Our parents introduced us to the music that we grew up with and would eventually inspire my writing style (The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Sheryl Crow, Genesis, Pink Floyd). I’ve been playing gigs, writing and releasing original music since for the last 15 years and have made some incredible friends and connections through it. Currently, I am playing shows across the Cleveland area with my band (The Shattered Stix) made up of Brant Novak, Rick Markosky and Ben Butler, my youngest brother. I also have a duo with Marina Strah. She and I are not only playing shows together, but are actively on the songwriting journey as well and looking to share some of those songs with you in the near future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always struggles with anything that is worthwhile, it seems. I certainly am no exception to that. As much as I adore music, writing it, playing live shows and being a part of the community; I haven’t been able to make a living off of it. I’ve had to hold down a career while doing music alongside. I’m thankful for the opportunity to do both and make a comfortable living for myself but it has also taken away from what feels like valuable years that I could’ve spent going on little tours and making an actual difference in my music career. I have a major regret about that now. I also spent many years recording my first original album with a friend of mine only to have him up and vanish and take all of those songs with him. I had taken about 3 to 4 years to record all of those songs and so this set me way back and I truly debated stopping all together until I met someone who believed enough in me to invest in helping me re-record those songs and debut my first album “For You” back in 2018.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a musician from the Cleveland area. I have been playing various venues across Ohio for the past 15 years and have had the sincere privilege of making some incredibly talented friends along the way. I mainly play guitar and sing, but also play piano when I have the opportunity to with my larger band. I started “The Shattered Stix” band about 12 years ago and I believe we have something very special and that’s a deep respect and love for one another, which comes through in our music. We are well-known for putting our songs in our own style and noticeably having a blast while we are with each other. Never taking ourselves too seriously, but also putting out great music. I am also doing the same with my newest project alongside local artist, Marina Strah. If you haven’t heard her music yet – you should. We played one or two shows together out of the fun of it and because we had such a blast, just couldn’t stop. We have an entire summer ahead completely booked up with live shows and will also start putting together an album of original songs. It’s an incredible thing, when you meet people that share a common interest but in the end are really just your best friends.
I think I’m known for my overall sound. I don’t play the normal music. You can catch me randomly playing some Patsy Cline, or The Doors, or Beach Boys. My style of music has an old sound to it, a hint a jazz, with a contemporary twist on it. If it’s anything I want to be known for though, its the feeling you get when you’re sitting back on a sunny day listening to my music. All I truly want to do is for a short time, make you forget about the outside world and enjoy the space we’ve created, fill it will music, love and laughs and perhaps bring some joy and happiness for the 3 hours we get to spend together. Spreading those feelings is truly all I want with anything I do in life, but especially with the music I play and write.
I think what sets me apart from others is that I am able to look out into the audience and recognize who I’m playing for. I can tell if you’re going to want to hear some older tunes, and hone in on that genre of music tailored for that specific day/audience/vibe. Or if it’s a younger crowd, I can also tailor my songs to fit that wild side as well. i am able to adjust quickly and it goes back to what I said above. Bringing joy and happiness is the ultimate goal, so I will do whatever I can to facilitate that experience.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson that I’ve learned and that I would tell any other musician growing up in this wild atmosphere is to stay humble, hold respect in your heart and never think of yourself any higher than anyone else you stand next to. I have seen so many musicians come and go with an attitude that could fill a room. Don’t get me wrong, confidence is one things – and you should HAVE so much of that, but cockiness, well that has no place here and I simply don’t have the patience for it. I think that if you go through life in general with a humble and grateful heart there’s no way you won’t succeed.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sammibutlermusic
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/sammibutlermusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5u1gylH86AFWmbwGMe9oYw?si=N57erfG9TuKMlJjtjSyqqg
