Who Is Matt butler?
“Matt Butler is a brilliant singer songwriter and a deeply honest and honorable man”
“Redemption & hope through song sums it up when I think of Matt Butler.”
— Kevin Lyman, Founder of Vans Warped Tour/Kevin Lyman Group
Matt Butler shows have an organic and mysterious quality. There are tears, but there is also laughter. Whether he’s performing at a theater, a state prison or a conference, Butler delivers an experience that engages and transforms his audience. Everyone ends up feeling a little more whole, more human, and more connected – often with a changed view of the world around them.
Shortly after the release of his debut album Reckless Son in 2016, Butler wrote and performed ‘Just One’, the original song for the feature documentary Generation Found - a film about teens struggling with substance abuse and special schools supporting their path to recovery. While touring in support of the film and the album Butler was invited to play a concert for the incarcerated population “behind the walls” of Albany County Jail. Following a glowing reception, word of the show quickly spread and requests to perform at other facilities culminated in a ‘Behind the Walls’ Tour of state prisons across Ohio. Butler’s work was noticed by The National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) which recognized him as a ‘2017 Leader In Mental Health Awareness’. Deeply inspired by these experiences, Butler established the Art That Serves(501c3) in 2018 which brings art with a mission and a message into underserved communities.
Meanwhile, Butler’s mainstream success continued to flourish in another unlikely place – the final cross-country Vans Warped Tour. Having grown up in the punk rock clubs of downtown New York City, Butler thrived amongst the mosh pits despite being an acoustic act and was so well-received that he was invited to perform as a mainstage artist at the Vans Warped Tour 25th Anniversary show the following summer in Atlantic City, NJ. Shortly after, he was invited to be a feature performer at the ‘Beyond The Bars’ exhibit curated by the Columbia Center for Justice at Columbia University in the winter of 2019.
No less active during the 2020 quarantine when he released a short documentary film titled ‘Mother’s Day Miracle’ in conjunction with Art That Serves. The film reached thousands across social media and a fundraiser launched in conjunction with the film met its goal of $10k in only 4 days. Butler was also a featured performer for the livestreamed UnCancelled Music Festival as well the 320 Festival, the world’s first virtual mental health summit. Simultaneously, he created and contributed content for the NY Department of Corrections new tablet system for inmates on Rikers Island. To date, Butler has now performed over 150 shows at more than 30 correctional facilities across 11 states and plans to continue this work alongside his regular touring. He’s a staple figure at New York City’s famous ‘Rockwood Music Hall’ and performs in venues as diverse as high schools and spiritual retreats. He was recently named 'Activist In Residence' for December of 2021 at The Kripalu Center. In 2022 Butler made his first foray into the world of theater by writing and performing 'Reckless Son', a one-man-show inspired by his years traveling the country performing in jails and prisons. After a string of sellout performances, 'Reckless Son' will be back for a a fall residency at Rockwood Music Hall with new music from the show on the way.
Contact Matt: Matt@Mattbutlersongs.com
Management: Anna@Mattbutlersongs.com
Testimonials
“Matt Butler is one of the most insightful storytellers that I have ever had the pleasure to work with. His ability to turn personal trials or socially minded topics into compelling songs is a gift that he has worked hard to hone and master. I expect great things from him in the near future.”
— Bob Chiappardi, Founder, Concrete Marketing (Metallica, Guns’N’Roses)
“I can’t thank Matt enough for the time he spent here at the facility. His stories resonated and touched many hearts to the core. The way he connected with the students was magical, simply incredible. And the music, to say it was inspirational would be a gross understatement. Not only does he have the talent musically, but more importantly he has the ability to connect emotionally. That’s what makes him so special.” ”
“The impact created by Matt Butler and his music cannot be measured through these few penned words. Through his music, lyrics, and challenging life experiences, Matt has created an opportunity for those who are incarcerated to experience HOPE. During his concerts, Matt engages the soul of his listeners, offering a self-forgiving opportunity to those who like him have faced difficult times.”
— Warden Karen Taylor, Camden County Correctial Facility, NJ
“In a world that promotes self-branding and posturing, Matt uses his skillful storytelling to encourage our young boys to be their perfectly flawed and authentic selves. With the ability to breathe stillness into a room of high-energy adolescents, Matt uses his own life experiences and music to get our boys to step out of a world of superficial connections and to dig deeper. ”
— Samara Spielberg, Head of Advisory and Spanish Department, The Allen-Stevenson School
“Matt Butler can bring a tear to an eye, a smile to a lonely soul, hope for a broken heart, and promise for a better future all in a few words. A modern day musical impressionist. ”
— David Bendeth, Producer/A&R (Paramore, Bruce Hornsby, Cowboy Junkies)
“Matt Butler’s music and story inspired me to use my experience of traumatic events, addiction to the lifestyle of using and selling drugs and pain/guilt/shame to in turn write my own music. Since then I’ve written six songs and it’s the best coping skill I’ve developed to express my emotions and temporarily free my soul from these confined walls.”
— TeeJ, Detainee, Chesterfield County Jail
“I discovered you a couple of years ago and I want to let you know that your music has been one of the things that helped me survive while my son was away at prison due to a drug problem. I spent many nights listening to your songs crying my eyes out hoping and praying that he would find his way home healthy and safe. I’m happy to say he’s been home for about a week now and just last night I introduced him to your music and it really touched him. I looked over and there were tears in his eyes too.”
— Cristi J
“Matt Butler has been inspirational to hundreds of our Heroin Addiction Recovery Program participants over the last two years. The atmosphere of hope he creates when in any room is one the participants can quickly identify with, attach to, and use for their own personal motivation in their own recovery for years to come. Matt is saving lives at every turn, every visit, and with every chord he plays and note he sings.”
— Sheriff Karl Leonard, Chesterfield County Jail, VA
Notable Performances/awards
Selected Honors and Notable Performances
Honors/Awards:
- 2017 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Leader in Mental Health Awareness - Albany, NY
Venues/festivals:
- Rockwood Music Hall
o 2014 - 2020 Regular performer
o 2018 Residency
o 2020 15-Year Anniversary Concert Series
- 2018 Vans Warped Tour - National tour
- 2019 Mainstage performer at Vans Warped Tour 25th Anniversary Show - Atlantic City, NJ
- 2019/20 Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health - Stockbridge, MA
- 2020 American Folk Art Museum – New York, NY
- 2020 UnCancelled Music Festival - Virtual Festival during COVID 19
Featured Performer:
- 2014/15 Freedom Institute Annual Gala - Mandarin Hotel/St. Regis Hotel, New York, NY
- 2016 Caron Foundation Annual Gala - Cipriani, New York, NY
- 2016 David Lynch Foundation’s ‘Recovery, Meditation, and the Brain’ - Paley Center, New York, NY
- 2016/2017 Ashley Treatment Center Alumni Homecoming - Havre De Grace, MD
- 2017 David Lynch Foundation’s ‘Change Begins Within’ Gala - Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
- 2017 Facing Addiction In America Summit/Surgeon General’s Address - Paramount Studios, Los Angeles, CA
- 2018 Davis Direction Foundation Gala - Marietta, GA
- 2018 13th Judicial Recovery Court - Cookeville, TN
- 2019 Ohio Drug Summit (ASAP) Conference - Warren, OH
- 2019 Florida Behavioral Health Conference (BHCon) - Orlando, FL
- 2019 NAMI Denver ‘The Intersection of Mental Health and Criminal Justice - Making Music for a Cause’ - Denver, CO
- 2019 NAMI New York State Education Conference ‘ Building A Movement’ - Albany, NY
- 2020 BiPolar Rock’n’Bowler - Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn NY
- 2020 320 Festival – Featured speaker on ‘Criminalizing Mental Health’ Panel - Virtual Summit during COVID 19
- 2020 The Collective School Of Music - Featured performer for 2020 Graduation – Virtual Ceremony during COVID 19
Schools/Youth:
2017 Archway Academy - Houston, TX
2018 Pinckney High School - Pinckney, MI
2018 Albany Youth Summit - Albany Capitol Center, Albany, NY
2018 Instead Conference - Vivant Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
2018 Hope Academy - Indianapolis, IN
2019 Kolbe Academy Opening/Ribbon Cutting - Bethlehem, PA
2019 Allen-Stevenson School - New York, NY
2019 Averill Park High School - Albany, NY
2020 Emerald School Of Excellence - 'Winter Onederland' Gala - Charlotte, NC
2020 Beyond The Bars Art Exhibit - Columbia Center For Justice/Columbia University School Of Social Work
2020 The Collective School Of Music ‘Student Spotlight’ – New York City
Rallies:
- 2016/17 Ohio State House - Columbus, OH
- 2017 New York State Capitol Building - Albany, NY
- 2017/18 Michigan State Capitol Building - Lansing, MI
- 2018 Artful Advocacy/FED UP - Washington, DC
- 2018 Rally For Recovery - Huntington Park, Columbus, OH
- 2018/19 Recovery In The Park - Albany, NY
- 2019 Rally In The Valley - Bethlehem, PA
Treatment Centers
- 2016-19 Ashley Treatment Center - Havre De Grace, MD
- 2017 Buffalo Psychiatric Center
- 2018 Caron Foundation - Wernersville, PA
- 2018 The Sobering Center - Danbury, CT
- 2018 New Leaf Recovery Center - Cookeville, TN
- 2018 Caron Renaissance - Boca Raton, FL
- 2018 St. Christopher’s Inn - Garrison, NY
- 2018 The Other Side Academy - Salt Lake City, UT
Correctional Facilities:
- New York
o Rikers Island (GMDC and RMKC)
o Vernon C. Bain Center
o Manhattan Detention Complex
o Albany County Correctional
- New Jersey
o Camden County Correctional
- Virginia
o Chesterfield County Jail
o Pamunkey County Jail
o Henrico County Jail
o Fauquier County Detention Center
o Fairfax County Detention Center
- Maryland
o Harford County Jail
- Tennessee
o Grundy County Jail
o Franklin County Jail
o DeKalb County Jail
- Michigan
o Jackson/G Robert Cotton Prison
o Huron Valley Women’s Correctional
o Wayne County Jail
o Ingham County Jail
o Oakland County Jail
o Washtenaw County Jail
- Indiana
o Madison Women’s Correctional Facility
- Kentucky
o Kenton County Detention Center
o Kentucky River Regional Jail
- Utah
o Utah State Prison
o Central Utah Correctional Facility (Gunnison)
- Ohio
o Chillicothe Correctional
o Noble Correctional
o Madison Correctional
o Pickaway Correctional
o Grafton Correctional
o Ohio Reformatory for Women (Marysville)
o NEOCAP
- Colorado
o Larimer County Jail