.....Charles began playing the 5-string banjo in 1993, absorbing influences of the local Burlington, Vermont music scene. With two friends, he formed an experimental electric banjo trio named Bubble Tribe, which played around the area for a few years. After high school, he decided to pursue music and left Vermont to study jazz performance and composition at SUNY Purchase College. Purchase was one of the few schools to consider a banjo applicant, and it was in close proximity to banjo great, Tony Trischka. Butler studied with Trischka for a couple of years, then completed his time at Purchase with vibist Ted Piltzecker and pianist Charlie Blenzig. After finishing with a degree in composition, he spent time in Brooklyn playing with various musicians from the area, including The Ruffians and Langhorne Slim. Charles now resides in the city of Nashville, and at age 28, has performed and recorded with notable musicians such as Jim Lauderdale, Kenny Vaughn, Brent Mason, Bucky Baxter, Leslie Satcher and Rachel Warwick. Current projects include Jimmy Barret, Langhorne Slim and the Charles Butler Trio.

Discography: Public Domain (2000 Purchase Records) acoustic banjo on "Featherbed" CalArts Jazz 2000 (2000 Capitol Records) co-writer on "Dancin' Butler" The Blues Tribute to the Grateful Dead (2001 CMH Records) banjo, dobro and guitar on "It Must Have Been the Roses" banjo on "Ripple" The Ruffians - Together For Christmas (2001 self released) acoustic banjo Rachel Warwick - Anglo-Americana (2003 Impressive Records) acoustic banjo on "Lovin'" electric banjo on "Mistake (acoustic remix)" Bee Speed (2004 self released) electric banjo, guitar and vocals Langhorne Slim - When the Sun's Gone Down (2005 Narnack Records) acoustic banjo Introducing Jimmy Barret (2005 Green Truck Records) dobro Christian Grizzard - Life On the Dot (2007 independent) acoustic & electric banjo