Eddie Owen Presents Rhetta Butler & Company

Live at Red Clay Theatre in downtown Duluth
RHETTA BUTLER is a seasoned professional who has recorded with Atlantic Records in New York and Warner Bros. in Nashville. She has performed in concerts across most of the U.S. and has performed for two Presidents. She has also written, performed, produced commercial music for national TV and radio advertising campaigns. Rhetta is also a trained actress and has performed in a number of New York theatre productions. She's performed in concerts at Centennial Park, Chastain Park, Talladega Superspeedway and Citicorp Park in New York. Rhetta has a style all her own that ranges from rockin' blues, to country soul, with a touch of jazz and pop.

..."Rhetta Butler has more magic than Houdini"...Showbusiness, New York

..." the consummate performer/singer/songwriter/musician"...Variety, New York

..."this lady is one bundle of talent"...New York Post, New York 

After a lifetime of performing, Rhetta retired to devote herself to developing other artists. She provides mentor-ship to artists interested in singing, songwriting, guitar, piano, music theory and performance. All the artists performing tonight have studied with Rhetta. She is honored to perform tonite with her other artists and friends at the Red Clay Theatre. 

CHRIS GARNER W/ EASTERN STANDARD: Chris Garner wrote and produced his first CD in 2013 titled "Loss in the Moss." He recorded with Grammy winning engineer, Don McCollister. McCollister has worked with The Indigo Girls, Third Day and many other notables. His music style is country with a touch of southern rock and blues. He has worked professionally as lead singer for years in cover bands. He starred as an actor in the film, "Special Needs," where his songs were featured. Chris has performed at the Vinyl, Masquerade, Peachtree Tavern and other local spots. He performs tonight with his band, Eastern Standard. See more at www.chrisgarnermusic.com

Eastern Standard is a band composed of seasoned high level musicians. Each one of the musicians is also a singer/songwriter in their own right:

BRIAN MOLIN, guitarist/songwriter/producer, is the bandleader for Sweetwater Junction and The Billy Batts Jazz Quartet. He holds a degree from Berklee School of Music and also teaches private guitar lessons. Brian is an in-demand studio musician and has written and sold many songs for commercials and has had song placements for TV and sporting events. See more at www.atlantaguitarlessons.net

MARK LETALIEN on drums is also a singer. He is a founding member and performer with Colonel Bruce Hampton and the Quark Alliance. He currently is a member of the world music group Insomnia. Mark has performed with Grammy winner Shelby Lynne in London. He recently toured as a drummer and singer with Abbey Road Live. Mark is a studio musician as well as a teacher. He is working on a full length instructional DVD series. See more at www.learndrumslive.comWALT AUSTIN on keys is pianist extraordinaire. He plays everything from rock, blues, country and jazz. He has toured with many successful and notable artists including Prince. He gave up touring to raise a family and settle down in Atlanta. He has a degree from Miami School of Jazz. Walt is also a singer/songwriter and wrote and produced his own CD, "Middleshelf/Symmetry". 

HOLLY GENTRY released her album, So Much More, in 2011. She worked with producer, Brian Molin, and engineer, Don McCollister. McCollister has confirmed his platinum success with many top selling artists such as Sister Hazel, Shawn Mullins and Caedman's Call. Holly has been performing since she was a child in musicals and received a vocal scholarship to Wake Forest University. She has performed in Atlanta with multiple local bands ranging from small venues to large corporate events. Holly is currently working on her new album with engineer Bruce Bennett and Grammy winning producer Scott Patton, musical director for Sugarland. Holly's music is tinged with country, blues and southern rock. See more at www.hollygentry.com

HEATHER PETERO has served in music ministry for over 25 years as a worship clinician, worship leader and performer in churches, seminars, special events, and retreats throughout Georgia. She toured with Radical Praise for eight years. She was a music performance major at Union University in Jackson, TN. She has studied voice extensively and is a professional vocal coach herself. Heather worked in commercial radio as an on-air producer and continues to be voiceover talent for many popular Atlanta call-in talk shows. In 2013, she completed a Christian Ministries degree and plans to attend seminary. Heather just completed her first CD of original music. Her music is a blend of gospel/jazz and pop. see more at 222.facebook.com/singinsirengirl

LEXI STREET has a number of CD's and recordings to her credit. Her first was "The Girl I Used to Be" in 2002 with the Lexi Street Band. After that she released several singles including "Summer" and "The Room" which enjoyed a stay on satellite's XM radio. Her second CD, "Champagne Promises", was released in 2012. Her music can also be found on Pandora and on several online and college radio stations. She has played Variety Playhouse, Smith's Ole Bar, Eddie's Attic, The Earl and numerous other popular venues for singer/songwriters. Lexi writes silvery music and gritty lyrics about love, sex and the process of just being human. If you like Tom Waits, Shivaree, Fiona Apple or moody broody music with some playful attitude thrown in, you'll enjoy Lexi's music! For more see www.lexistreet.com.

JAY BUDD has been performing live since the early '90's. He has recorded in various studios across the country including Vibe Asylum in Honolulu recently. Jay started writing songs when he was in college at Notre Dame. His songs range from colorful story-telling to the resilience and redemption of the human spirit. He has also been performing with the duo, Bad LuLu, for the past few years around metropolitan Atlanta. He has his own recording studio called Alchemysky. See more at www.badlulu.com and www.alchemysky.comGLEN SMITH was born and raised in Georgia. He realized from his earliest memories that music can either be from reality or a direct line to it. His influences include Waylon Jennings to The Grateful Dead with many stops in between. His songs bridge the gap from an ornery plow horse to midnight in the mountains. Don't ask him what they mean though, because even he doesn't know. Glen has been volunteering at the Red Clay Theatre for almost two years, and his primary function now is running lights. He says a huge benefit is getting to experience so much great music and meeting so many great songwriters.