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Crossroads Music Company hosts guitar virtuoso Rhett Butler

The Crossroads Music Company along with Grocery Supply has brought another great musical performance to the Council Chambers Listening Room at the new renovated City Hall in Sulphur Springs this past Saturday with multi-guitar player Rhett Butler.

“Rhett Butler really outdid himself last night at the Crossroads Music Company performance,” said Gus Gustafson, owner/operator. “He is a very talented musician.”

Butler has been trained in the prestigious jazz program at the University of North Texas. He has developed a trademark hammer-on style allowing him to play two guitars at once by fingering each of their fret boards, coaxing melodies without the need to strum. Butler has performed with Joe Satriani, Tommy Emmanuel, Larry Carlton and many others. He fills the room with spirited instrumental sounds from his own collection and artists like Eric Clapton and Van Halen.

“I started playing on two guitars just as a gimmick to get attention,” confessed Butler, trying to impress the famous artists. His acoustic renditions have been heard worldwide. 

The quaint venue made for a very personable experience for music enthusiasts as Butler described inspiration as his brother Ashley, who lost his battle with cancer in 2010. After losing his beloved brother, Butler changed his focus. His sights are set on delivering a new message to others in similar situations. He has returned to medical school with hopes of becoming an oncologist.

His family struggled for 28 years in a battle with cancer. This motivated Rhett to counsel other patients and caregivers, creating a touching documentary chronicling the years that changed his life.

The night’s concert included instrumental songs on his guitars like The Kid from Kilkenny (written in honor of his brother), Good and Evil, and even some on his ukulele.

More on his endeavor to enlighten cancer patients and their caregivers through his books and documentary can be found on his website at www.rhettbutler.org.

Crossroads Music Company has hosted many renowned bands. Recently performances included Slaid Cleaves and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band. Gustafson often wears two hats as he is the Events Specialist for the Community Development Department for the City of Sulphur Springs. He has helped bring musical talents to Celebration Stage on the Plaza downtown on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Next on the agenda is Emily Elbert coming to City Hall on Saturday, Oct. 18.  According to her website Elbert’s music, which is fuses old-school Rhythm and Blues style, has also garnered accolades from publications including The Dallas Morning News, The Washington Post, and Glamour Magazine, and YouTube videos of her performances have attracted more than 1.5 million views from music lovers of all ages and nationalities. She is a 2011 Berklee graduate and has played over 700 shows, won awards on both sides of the Atlantic. More on her youthful talent can be found at her website www.emilyelbert.com.

Crossroads Music Company was established in 2005 in Winnsboro and has been hosting a wide variety of performers in its new location in Sulphur Springs. For more on upcoming performances, tickets, photos and videos visit the website at www.CrossroadsMusicCompany.com or contact Gustafson at 903.342.1854.

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