News Clips
May 2013
Balsam Lake an inspiration for musician –
Kenny Butterill credits serenity of Balsam Lake cottage as inspiration behind many of his best songs. Click here to read the article.
February 2013
With this month marking the fifth anniversary of the passing of our close friend Willie P Bennett, we unveiled “Willie We Miss Ya” – my tribute song to Willie P at KPIG Radio. The legendary Washboard Hank flew in from the Great White North to play it with me. For those of you unfamiliar with Willie, he was a highly acclaimed Canadian singer songwriter who was beloved by music lovers all over the world. Willie played on my last CD release. He would come to my house when he was touring here in Northern California and up in Canada, when he came to visit me at my Balsam Lake cottage north of Toronto he surprised me by giving me one of his Harmony guitars as house warming gift. He won a Juno award in Canada (equivalent to a Grammy in the States) and a super group called Blackie and the Rodeo Kings was formed to just do Willie P songs. Willie was one of my biggest supporters in music and we had plans to write together and play out – and then he died. Very sad. Willie We Miss Ya. To listen to the song click here.
Masters of the Laid Back Grove, March 2005
Amazon puts Butterill in good company
The Best Kept Secret of Canada: By Della Casa Dino
December 2004
Canada has always been a very generous country in giving us important talent that, in some cases (such as Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Cockburn, etc.) are at the head of the class that determines trends for songwriters. Now comes Canadian Kenny Butterill with his (2000) debut No One You Know CD (NOYK), a recording of fresh surprising character, no doubt the best of the products that have been represented by so much MOORE media. ItalianreviewofKennyButterillsCDs for the full review.
Kenny Butterill: The Road Less Travelled: Penguin Eggs Magazine (Canada)
Spring 2004
Kenny Butterill set his own course through the modern minefield that passes for the music industry. While he has enjoyed success, he has also gained the respect of such peers as Willie P. Bennett and Ray Bonneville. Barry Hammond sets the stage. Click here for the full for the interview.
Brent’s “Disc”overies: by Brent Jeffries (Georgian Bay Folk Society), SummerFolk Soundwaves
March 2004
KENNY BUTTERILL “Just A Songwriter” is the newest CD from one of North America’s best-kept secrets. Kenny Butterill is that secret. SummerFolk Review for the full article.
Juno Worthy! By Mike Westerfield, SisyphusTracks.com
January 2004
Over the past year, Sisyphus Tracks – the community-style web radio operation for which I serve as Program Director – has played many outstanding 2003 roots/folk releases from some of Canada’s biggest names, including Neil Young, Fred Eaglesmith, Kathleen Edwards, and the Be Good Tanyas, as well as the excellent Gordon Lightfoot tribute from Borealis/Northern Blues that includes covers by the Cowboy Junkies, Jesse Winchester, Bruce Cockburn and Ron Sexsmith. However, a lesser-known artist from the Great White North – Kenny Butterill – picked up a lot of new fans in 2003 with his Just A Songwriter CD, and deserves consideration along with his more famous countrymen when awards time rolls around. Click on JAS Juno Worthy Review for the full review
Butterill Sets All-Time Chart Record in Europe
December 2003
Canadian Alt-Country/Folk/Roots songwriter producer Kenny Butterill closed out the year in winning style when his #1 hit song “Is There More?” set an all-time chart record during his five week reign at the top of the European Media Services (EMS) chart now known as the Hotdisc Chart. Butterill’s #1 single, taken from his latest album “Just A Songwriter”, received the highest rating ever for a song in the history of the chart, which tracks Europe’s Most Popular Indie Songs. This is Butterill’s second #1 hit in Europe – last year when his single “How Far Can We Go?” became the first Americana format song in two years to crossover genres and go to the top of the EMS Country chart, Hot Country News editor Stuart Cameron commented, “Kenny Butterill has certainly kicked down a few doors for the Americana acts at Country Radio in Europe.”
Butterill’s “Just A Songwriter” CD named “Best Alt-Country/Americana CD for 2003: True West Magazine October-December 2003
Who were North America’s “Best Alt-Country Americana Artists” for 2003? According to widely regarded True West Magazine, the nod goes to Steve Earle for male artist and to Lucinda Williams for female artist. But who made the Best Alt-Country Americana Album ? That award went to No Bull Songs songwriter/producer Kenny Butterill for his “Just A Songwriter” CD. For a list/review of the “Best of the West” winners including Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Tom Russell, Slaid Cleaves … TrueWest
Butterill’s Music Featured on Voice of America
September 2003
During August, Kenny’s song “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” from his “No One You Know” CD was highlighted as part of the Peggy Klaus’ Women And Bragging interview on Voice of America’s Global Radio Network which goes to over 150 countries. Released in 2000, Butterill’s “No One You Know” CD charted globally and in 2002 generated the first Americana format song in two years to crossover and become a #1 Country Hit in Europe.
Success Chased Butterill, Not Vice Versa By Peter North, Edmonton Journal (Canada)
July 2003
Read the entire EdmontonJournal071503 here
Well Produced with a Cool Feel: Folkwax
June 2003
Read the entire review at Folkwax 10 03 PDF
Sweet Success on the Road Less Traveled!
June 2003
Roots/Alt-Country’s KENNY BUTTERILL Read the entire release
No Bull Songs and Kenny Butterill Sign Americana Media Productions for Media Relations
May 2003
Read the entire release
Matthew Permar, The Islander, St. Simons Island, GA
May 2003
“… Butterill combines the Americana flavors of Texas country, blues, soft jazz, folk and modern country to serve up a very tasty roots mélange that is attracting him a larger and larger following of music lovers who are disenfranchised by the watered down 80s pop rock that Nashville calls country.” Read the entire review at TheIslander
No Bull Songs & M3: Music Norway Signs Licensing Deal For Scandinavian/Nordic Markets (Oslo, Norway)
May 2003
M3: Music AS announced that they have signed a licensing deal with US-based No Bull Songs for distribution of the new Kenny Butterill “JUST A SONGWRITER” CD throughout all Scandinavian and Nordic markets. Click here for news story.
CDs: Music Mania North: Forever YOUNG Magazine (Canada)
April 2003
As the Juno Awards loom on the horizon (April 6, 8 p.m. from the Corel Centre in Kanata, Ont.), attention turns to the burgeoning roster of Canadian musicians – old and new – who are making a mark on the world stage. While anticipating the successes of favourite Juno nominees including the likes of fan-choice nominees Celine Dion, Diana Krall, Avril Lavigne, Nickleback and Shania Twain – music lovers might want to keep an eye out for a couple of new CDs, one by a Canadian icon and another featuring a lesser-known artist whose star seems to be on the rise. Click here for the article.
Marq’s Lonestar Web Station Review of the new CD (Dallas, Texas)
April 2003
Lone Star Web Station
Canadian Country Music News Interview
March 2003
Country Music News Canada – Read the featured interview here
JUST A SONGWRITER In Stores April 22 by Nashville Business Journal
February 2003
No Bull Songs Aligns with Hayden’s Ferry Records for USA Release of New CD by Celebrated Songwriter/Producer KENNY BUTTERILL. Read the entire release here
New USA Distribution/Licensing Deal Announced at MIDEM for Roots/Alt-Country’s KENNY BUTTERILL (Cannes, France)
January 2003
No Bull Songs announced today that its Roots/Alt-Country songwriter/producer, Kenny Butterill, has secured a USA licensing and distribution agreement for his new “JUST A SONGWRITER” CDwith Hayden’s Ferry Records. The CD will be distributed by City Hall Records Distribution. Read the entire release here
Country Review by George Peden (Australia)
January 2003
“Simply put, this album is a tempered and insightful delight. This is pure Americana with splashes of blues, jazzy riffs, and alt-country fusions for equal measure. There is no Nashville bravado here. No big hats and oversized belt buckles, no glamour shots holding the promise of a CMT special from a cowboy clothes horse. No. What is on offer is a tuneful palette of blended artistry.”
Nashville Report – Country Music News by Walt Trott (Canada)
July 2002
Kudos to Canadian born, California-based recording artist, producer and songwriter Kenny Butterill, celebrating a #1 hit on the European Charts with his single How Far Can We Go? Stateside, Butterill’s single, The Townes You Left Behind, a tribute to the late Townes Van Zandt, has critics and radio request lines buzzing; and he is busy putting finishing touches to a new album, entitled Just A Songwriter, which will feature special contributions from top musicians from across the U.S. and Canada, including Canuck artists Ray Bonneville and Willie P. Bennett.
Kenny Butterill Releases First “Virtual Single” in Europe and Australia, Country News
September 2001
Read the article here
Virtual Success at His Fingertips: Ireland’s Country Music Plus
October 2001
An Interview with PeeBea Mac. Kenny Butterill Talks to Ireland’s Country Music Plus Magazine. Read the Interview here
Kenny Butterill: Getting to Know “No One You Know”, Country Music News (Canada)
January 2001
Read the Interview here
Global Airplay
January 2001
Update on Radio Airplay for Kenny Butterill’s “No One You Know” CD
Kenny Butterill’s Debut Country/Folk CD, “No One You Know” Striking a Responsive Chord in Canada
October 2000
Read the Press Release here
Balsam Lake Melodies: California Musician Discovers Inspiration is as Near as the Edge of His Cottage Dock, Lindsay Daily Post
September 2000
Read the article by Catherine Whitnall
Butterill offers sexy grooves by Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Sun
August 2000
Read the article Reprinted from www.canoe.ca
Gavin Americana Music Notes
July 2000
Here’s the line-up for Songlines first CD sampler: Jimmie Dale Gilmore, The Kentucky Headhunters, Slaid Cleaves, The Brooklyn Cowboys, Ray Price, Joe Ely, Tish Hinojosa, Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer, Sleepy LaBeef, Peter Bruntnell, Kenny Butterill, Emmylou Harris and Doug Sahm. Reprinted from Gavin Magazine
More on the Songlines Sampler CD: Sonicnet.com News
May 2000
Sonicnet.com News
Americana Fans Get Their Kicks With New Compilation
May 2000
Read the article
Snap Shot Review of Kenny Butterill: Gavin Magazine
May 2000
“Butterill’s insightful, sensitive songwriting speaks volumes with words used sparingly to good effect. His inviting, minimalist style puts you in a comfortable groove while his mellow, distinctive delivery is as smooth as fine Scotch. Butterill gives us the kind of Americana music that connects with listeners. You can’t go wrong with this one.” Reprinted from Gavin magazine
Kenny Butterill’s “Balsam Lake” included on Debut AFIM Americana Sampler
April 2000
Read the Press Release here
Web Promotes Canadian: Interview with Kenny Butterill by Walt Trott: The Nashville Musician
April 2000
Read the article here
Songwriter/Producer Kenny Butterill Debuts His Americana/Country CD,
“No One You Know” Stateside April 25, 2000
March 2000
Read the Press Release here
KKUP Features Kenny Butterill as “Artist of the Month”
February 2000
Read the article here
“No One You Know” Warmly Received in Europe
January 2000
Read the Press Release here