We had the good fortune of connecting with Joey Buttler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joey, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
That show business really is a business. When you go see a band play at a bar or even a park, you often don’t think about the phone calls, emails, and negotiations that went in to making that event happen. It takes some work getting from the living room to the stage. But, once we’re on stage, the work is over and it’s time to play. And it really is playtime – I feel like a little kid jumping around on stage. Behind the scenes, we rehearse a lot and work up tight arrangements. But within that framework, we give ourselves room to make it fresh and fun.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
One thing I’m told over and over is that nobody plays hillbilly boogie or sounds quite like we do. We do a lot of 3 part harmonies and I am privileged to play with top quality musicians. I never really had any aspirations of playing in a band for real. I would occasionally get together with friends and jam, but I always felt a little left out because I didn’t know to play any of the “classic rock” songs. I could play every Johnny Cash or Buddy Holly song, though. Eventually, I hooked up with some like-minded musicians in Portland, OR, where I lived (I grew up in Lebanon, about 90 minutes south of Portland) and formed a rockabilly band. After I moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career (check out my imdb page under Joseph Buttler!), I decided I wanted to put together another rockabilly band. I say “rockabilly” but we are definitely on the “billy” side! The Stardust Ramblers formed in 2004 as a drumless 3 piece. We played a lot for a couple of years, then our guitar player moved to Texas and we didn’t really do much for a few years. Then about 12 years ago, I was asked to play a Carl Perkins tribute show. So, I called up Sally Jo, who was the bass player for the Ramblers, and a couple of friends, Mike and Johnny, I knew from playing in a church band and we formed a new version of The Stardust Ramblers. Recruiting my friend, Edie, on fiddle, this version of the band played all over LA for about 3 years. Edie left to pursue a solo career, so we brought in Joel on pedal steel and we have had this lineup for 8 or 9 years now. Check us out on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or our website, www.thestardustramblers.com

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It’s been pre-pandemic since I’ve been to a lot of my favorite haunts, but definite must-sees are, in no particular order:

The Getty, LACMA, Dockweiler Beach in the morning, Hugo’s restaurant in Hollywood. Swanya Thai in Culver City. We work a lot with Lola Boutée, who hosts The TRiPTease Burlesque show every Wednesday night in Santa Monica. That’s super fun. Gotta go to the Grove/Original Farmer’s Market, too!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I need to recognize my parents, Delton and Mary Buttler, whose record collection was my oasis as a child. They gave me the love of music, particularly country and western, rockabilly, and everything 1950s. My high school choir teacher, Pete Butler, who encourages to me this day, and my fiancée, Rebecca Burnside, who is my rock and guiding light.

Website: https://www.thestardustramblers.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_stardust_ramblers/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestardustramblers

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYKPkZPzd0RkY1sVtli2R8A

Other: (Album Sampler) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJU9HgMSwU0

Image Credits
Douglas Coulter

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