North Country Fare
With a passion for classic country music and a voice embracing the greatness of his home state –Alaska – Butch Leman’s singing/songwriting talent makes an ear-pleasing combination.
Before he could see over the side of a fishing boat, he was swimming in a sea of musical influences. Guitar melodies played in the Russian style. Chants in the Russian Orthodox Church. Sunday school songs taught by missionaries. Homebrew celebrations in the caledor – entry way. And the static-filled broadcasts of the Grand Old Opry.
Before long, Butch’s young voice was harmonizing with his musical idols and he dreamed of being discovered.
On rare occasions when he visited his mother’s hometown of Modesto, Calif., small-town Butch felt like a fish out of water. But music provided an important connection and, ultimately, the defining spark. A stunned silence, then a burst of applause followed his audition for the lead in an all-state choral performance his junior year of high school, the teacher announced the part belonged to Butch, and suddenly, he recalls “it was everything I could imagine that could happen.”
Back in Alaska, he formed a couple of rock and roll bands while still in high school. Within a couple of years, that led to country-rock bands, trios and duos, which led to Butch singing solo. It was, he says, “a simple progression… falling in love with country again.”
And the love affair continues, as his velvety smooth baritone has become well known across the biggest state in the union.
During the summer, Butch maintains the family tradition of commercial fishing, captains a charter fishing vessel, and sandwiches musical dates between Cook Inlet tides. In the winter, he ranges farther from home. You may have seen him thrilling visitors at the Kenai Peninsula State Fair. Entertaining crowds at music festivals. Singing celebrations to tourists and their fish that didn’t get away. Rockin’, then soothing rowdy pipeline construction crews. Showing his softer side at weddings and private gatherings. Creating a songful moment of prayer for the 2003 Alaska gubernatorial inauguration.
Butch’s gentle humor and comfortable phrasing of a song puts him at ease on any stage, and he appeals to music lovers of all ages.
With Butch’s debut CD, North Country Fare, a collection of 10 original songs, the singing fisherman from Ninilchik is no longer waiting to be discovered. He has arrived.