Oscar Butler brings 'Smooth Like Gravy Gourmet Blues Show' to the Los Griegos Library

Albuquerque-based singer-songwriter Oscar Butler has created a one-man concert experience, the “Smooth Like Gravy Gourmet Blues Show,” which pairs his favorite original songs with the stories that inspired them. Butler will perform this lively, often humorous show at Los Griegos Library on Wednesday, July 23.

“I don’t call myself a singer-songwriter,” Butler said. “I call myself a performing songwriter. The reason is because, when I’m in front of the audience, I want them not only to enjoy hearing the music, but I want them to also enjoy watching me perform it.”

Since moving to New Mexico 34 years ago, Butler has been cultivating a unique sound, which blends elements of Delta blues, witty songwriting and smooth lyrical crooning.

“Before moving here, when I lived in Boston, I was actually making a living as a busker, playing on the streets and subways,” Butler said. “At the time, I was doing tons of covers. I had James Taylor down ridiculously well.”

Butler’s first album, “Crazy ’Bout You” from 1992, showed a strong James Taylor influence.

“I just loved his guitar playing,” Butler said. “They even called me the Black James Taylor.”

“Then, I started to hang around the Berklee College of Music’s library and bookstore, and I started studying songwriting,” he said.

Some of Butler’s early lyrical influences included Joni Mitchell, Carole King and the American folk musician David Wilcox. Musically, he said he admired the modern blues guitarists Taj Mahal and Eric Bibb.

“When I moved to Albuquerque, I taught songwriting for a semester at (the University of New Mexico),” Butler said. “I just wanted to challenge myself to teach it, and it made me a better songwriter.”

Butler sings about universal themes, like love and loss, but often with a wry perspective.

One of his most memorable songs, “Uranus Fudge Factory,” is full of double entendres.

“There’s a story behind that,” Butler said. “My sister was sick, and I was driving from here to New York to help her out for three months. On my way through Missouri, I saw this billboard that said Uranus Fudge Factory.”

“In fact, there’s a place called Uranus, Missouri. That’s why it’s called the Uranus Fudge Factory,” Butler continued. “The guy who owns the Fudge Factory actually ended up paying me to write the song.”

“It can’t really be played on the radio, though,” Butler said. “When I do it live, I usually substitute another city name.”

Another one of Butler’s favorite songs is called “Old Age Was Never Meant for Me.”

“It’s a great song. It’s hilarious,” Butler said. “You know, when I was young, I never really thought about being old, and then all of a sudden I’m sitting here, and I think, holy crap, I’m old!”

Although Butler is 65, he said he does what he can to stay young, physically and mentally.

“I’m a fitness professional, so I try to stay in shape,” he said. “But the other thing is not ‘thinking’ old, not thinking I’m over the hill or that things are going downhill. I just want to keep doing what I’m doing, trying to help people feel better. And that keeps me from thinking too much about myself.”

Butler has been getting more recognition lately. Just this month, he received the New Mexico Entertainment Award in the Jazz/Blues category. In 2023, he won a New Mexico Music Award for Songwriting.

Butler said his “Smooth Like Gravy Gourmet Blues Show” is all about connecting with audiences and helping them feel good.

“I want to get back to the grassroots of just being present for people,” he said.

Oscar Butler brings 'Smooth Like Gravy Gourmet Blues Show' to the Los Griegos Library