Myron Butler
Encyclopedia
Myron Butler is a Grammy award winning record producer
, singer-songwriter
, music director
, vocalist, organist
, and pianist
. Most notably, he is known as the leader of the gospel choir, Myron Butler & Levi
. Since 1997, he's worked as a vocal director
and backup singer for several notable artists to include Kirk Franklin
, Smokie Norful
, Donald Lawrence
, and Yolanda Adams
.
.
During his last two years of high-school, Myron formed a community choir of his teen-aged peers in Dallas, but, upon graduation, he left them to pursue a degree in psychology
at Morehouse College
in Atlanta, Georgia
. After completing his freshman year, Butler decided not to return to school. He remained in Atlanta for a year before deciding to return to Dallas, where his choir had continued to grow, in spite of changes in personnel. The group, which had become popular in the area began calling itself God's Property
and welcomed Myron as their main choral director.
Returning to Dallas allowed Myron Butler to renew his friendship with Franklin, and
God’s Property offered backup vocals for Franklin and The Family on occasional dates in and around Dallas. He would later join Franklin's group One Nation Crew
for that group's short existence.
He also did a song with a Dallas based youth choir called Total Praise on their CD "Faithfulness".
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, music director
Music director
A music director may be the director of an orchestra, the director of music for a film, the director of music at a radio station, the head of the music department in a school, the co-ordinator of the musical ensembles in a university or college , the head bandmaster of a military band, the head...
, vocalist, organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, and pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
. Most notably, he is known as the leader of the gospel choir, Myron Butler & Levi
Myron Butler & Levi
Levi is the four time Stellar Award reincarnate of the gospel choir, God's Property of the 1997 Kirk Franklin hit Stomp. Under the direction of singer-songwriter and music producer Myron Butler, the group has gained a Grammy nomination for its debut release Set Me Free and critical acclaim for its...
. Since 1997, he's worked as a vocal director
Music director
A music director may be the director of an orchestra, the director of music for a film, the director of music at a radio station, the head of the music department in a school, the co-ordinator of the musical ensembles in a university or college , the head bandmaster of a military band, the head...
and backup singer for several notable artists to include Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin
Kirk Dwayne Franklin is an American Gospel music musician, choir director, and author, and is most notably known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God's Property and One Nation Crew .- Early years :...
, Smokie Norful
Smokie Norful
Rev. W.R. "Smokie" Norful, Jr. is an American gospel singer and pianist, best known for his 2002 album, I Need You Now and his 2004 release, Nothing Without You, which won a Grammy at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album in 2004.-Early life:Norful, a minister who...
, Donald Lawrence
Donald Lawrence
Donald Lawrence is an American gospel music songwriter, record producer and artist.-Early years:Donald Lawrence was born on May 4, 1961. He studied at Cincinnati Conservatory, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in music. While in Cincinnati, he was also the Minister of Music at the...
, and Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams is an American Grammy- and Dove-award-winning Yolanda Adams is an American [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]]- and [[Dove Awards|Dove]]-award-winning...
.
Biography
At an early age, Myron Butler developed an appreciation for music and, at 17, his first song, "Lift Him Up", was recorded by Dallas’ DFW Mass Choir. While working on the recording, Butler became good friends with the choir's director Kirk FranklinKirk Franklin
Kirk Dwayne Franklin is an American Gospel music musician, choir director, and author, and is most notably known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God's Property and One Nation Crew .- Early years :...
.
During his last two years of high-school, Myron formed a community choir of his teen-aged peers in Dallas, but, upon graduation, he left them to pursue a degree in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
at Morehouse College
Morehouse College
Morehouse College is a private, all-male, liberal arts, historically black college located in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Wabash College, Morehouse is one of three remaining traditional men's colleges in the United States....
in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. After completing his freshman year, Butler decided not to return to school. He remained in Atlanta for a year before deciding to return to Dallas, where his choir had continued to grow, in spite of changes in personnel. The group, which had become popular in the area began calling itself God's Property
God's Property
God's Property is a gospel choir, most notably known for its collaborations with Kirk Franklin and other recording artists.-Musical career:The choir began to collaborate with Kirk Franklin in 1993 and sang backup on his 1995 album, Whatcha Lookin' 4...
and welcomed Myron as their main choral director.
Returning to Dallas allowed Myron Butler to renew his friendship with Franklin, and
God’s Property offered backup vocals for Franklin and The Family on occasional dates in and around Dallas. He would later join Franklin's group One Nation Crew
One Nation Crew
One Nation Crew was a gospel vocal group assembled by Kirk Franklin for a full-length album and tour. The group had ten members of various musical backgrounds and remained an outfit for only one album. That album, Kirk Franklin Presents 1NC , was produced by Franklin and Al West, and reached #58...
for that group's short existence.
He also did a song with a Dallas based youth choir called Total Praise on their CD "Faithfulness".
Albums
- Set Me Free
November 8, 2005
#18 (US) - StrongerStronger (Myron Butler & Levi album)Stronger is the second album from Myron Butler & Levi, released on August 28, 2007.-Track listing:...
August 28, 2007 - Revealed - Live In Dallas
March 30, 2010
Singles
- "Set Me Free"
October 25, 2005 - "Set Me Free"
(3-Track Single)
June 6, 2006
*Set Me Free
*Redeemed
*That Place - "Stronger"
July 19, 2007
Filmography
- Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers Finalé DVD April 4, 2006
- Stronger DVD October 2, 2007