“It’s important to keep music education alive at any age,” said Butler. “Music has the power to transcend hardships and generations. It allows the voiceless to create their own song, their own narrative, and it provides a source of solace and inspiration all in one. D’Angelico Guitars are generous in partnering with us to give their incredible instruments to musicians across the country that are committed to music education and preservation.”
Recipients of the guitars include the Gospel Music Association’s GMA Academy, W.O. Smith Music School, Praise Charts, HBCU school students, and church musicians. The dream guitars will be presented to recipients in October, including at events hosted by Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards on October 11 and the W.O. Smith Music School in Nashville, Tenn. where Butler is speaking to students.
“Music Education is extremely close to our hearts,” says Brenden Cohen, CEO of D’Angelico Guitars. “We are honored to be a part of philanthropic opportunities such as these. Schools that uphold the importance of music education and inspire the youth deserve access to the best resources, and we are proud to provide our instruments.”
With a genuine and immense philanthropic heart, Butler actively supports causes he is passionate about including the Still Hope Foundation which equips single mothers with parenting tools that will enable them to become self-sufficient leaders of their households, The Grammy Foundation which cultivates the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture, and initiatives that encourage and equip musicians committed to excellence in their craft. As a youth growing up in South Africa that followed his dreams and became a worldwide musical success, Butler stands as a beacon of hope of just what can be achieved if you put your mind to it.
Hands-on wherever he happens to be in the world, Butler is as passionate and committed to encouraging musicians to be persistent their craft as he is about his own music. In partnership with D’Angelico Guitars, he will recognize and honor musicians and students across the country that are committed to this same ambition and goal.
ABOUT Jonathan Butler
Born and raised in Cape Town during Apartheid, Jonathan Butler started singing and playing acoustic guitar as a child. Racial segregation and poverty during Apartheid has been the subject of many of his records. His first single was the first by a black artist played by white radio stations in racially segregated South Africa and earned a Sarie Award, South Africa’s equivalent to the Grammy Awards. Butler is known for achieving chart-topping success, Grammy ® nominations and other accolades for his recordings. His self-titled debut album put him on the map internationally and garnered two Grammy ® nominations, which include the R&B-pop vocal statement “Lies” and the poignant instrumental, “Going Home.” Butler, a multi-talented musician, produces, arranges, and plays guitar, bass and keyboards. He has released several best-selling Gospel CDs, most notably “Gospel Goes Classical” and “Brand New Day.”
ABOUT D’Angelico Guitars
Founded in 1932 by master-luthier John D’Angelico, D’Angelico Guitars is a New York City-based luxury guitar brand. Revered for making some of the finest archtop and semi-hollow guitars in the world, D’Angelico is in the midst of a modern resurgence. Reissues and new designs broaden its line every year, while brand presence grows rapidly. Committed to maintaining the legacy of its original founder, D’Angelico’s intentions are to honor its roots while building ambitiously toward the future.