I wasn’t trying to find another passion, but it actually found me. I’m so at peace and calm when I’m out there and so relaxed after playing, which I never thought would be the case since I’ve never been a sports guy. I can go out on the golf course and have ‘guy time.’ I’m completely taken over by this little white ball. “I’m not sure how golf took over, but it attached itself to me. He’s only been playing slightly more than a year, but he’s smitten and plays almost daily, often with other musicians. The music and arts programs serving South African children ages 4-17 operate with the mission statement, “Purpose kills addiction.”Īnother aspect of Butler’s “season of me” is his blossoming love affair with golf. Last fall, he launched the Jonathan Butler Foundation in his native country to fund music education programs that give children the purpose to overcome a life of drugs and poverty just as he did. And I’m grateful, but this is the season of me.”īutler is still taking care of people back home. I’ve spent my whole life taking care of people ever since I was seven. “I don’t think I’ve ever really celebrated these moments in my life. Butler’s 2004 album, Surrender, went gold in South Africa where he remains a superstar. He received Grammy nominations for Best R&B Song for his R&B-pop vocal hit “Lies” and for Best Jazz Song for the instrumental “Going Home.” His genre-busting material earned songwriter’s awards and received abundant airplay in multiple radio formats: pop, urban, contemporary jazz, adult contemporary and gospel. The self-titled set went gold in 1987 in the United Kingdom and in the USA. More than a decade later, Butler moved to London, England after signing with Jive Records and released his first album internationally. He made history by being the first black artist played on white South African radio while earning three gold records (“Please Stay” went double gold and “I Love How You Love Me” went gold) in 1975 as he became a teenager. I’m a proud South African and I came from nothing.”īutler began his singing career at age 7, releasing his first album in 1973 and winning the Best New Artist Grammy in South Africa the following year at age 12. “I can’t dismiss where I’ve been or where I’ve come from. “I was born poor, but richly blessed with talent and the gift to make music,” he says. The youngest of 13 children, Butler grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, ruled by Apartheid and segregation. I just wanted to put the idea down on tape.Hey there, lovely readers! September 7th is a big day at The Madison Theatre! Jonathan Butler and Kirk Whalum will be gracing our stage for a beautiful evening of jazz music! A little about them: JONATHAN BUTLER As soon as I got home, I went to my studio and recorded what I was singing immediately. I kept singing the words in my car so that I wouldn't forget them. From the beginning of my hike until the middle, words kept flowing so I turned around and walked back to the car. So, one day, while hiking on the trail, I began to sing this song and it didn't take me long to realize that I was singing a hymn. In the picturesque streams, rivers, and rock formations, I found a place to just sit and be still. I used to love going to the Santa Monica mountains because the trails were so beautiful. Going for hikes was my favorite past time because it provided me with a place where I could pray and spend time with God without being distracted. I played that song so much that the melody almost rubbed off! (laughs) What was your experience with the Lord when you wrote that song? I have told this story over the years. The first time I heard it, I cried. The song is filled with such anointing. It's no secret that "falling in love with Jesus" is one of my favorite songs. That's beautiful and absolutely on point.
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