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Albuquerque-based singer-songwriter Oscar Butler has created a one-man concert experience, the 鈥淪mooth Like Gravy Gourmet Blues Show,鈥� 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.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 call myself a singer-songwriter,鈥� Butler said. 鈥淚 call myself a performing songwriter. The reason is because, when I鈥檓 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.鈥�

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.

鈥淏efore moving here, when I lived in Boston, I was actually making a living as a busker, playing on the streets and subways,鈥� Butler said. 鈥淎t the time, I was doing tons of covers. I had James Taylor down ridiculously well.鈥�

Butler鈥檚 first album, 鈥淐razy 鈥橞out You鈥� from 1992, showed a strong James Taylor influence.

鈥淚 just loved his guitar playing,鈥� Butler said. 鈥淭hey even called me the Black James Taylor.鈥�

鈥淭hen, I started to hang around the Berklee College of Music鈥檚 library and bookstore, and I started studying songwriting,鈥� he said.

Some of Butler鈥檚 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.

鈥淲hen I moved to sa国际传媒官网网页入口, I taught songwriting for a semester at (the University of New Mexico),鈥� Butler said. 鈥淚 just wanted to challenge myself to teach it, and it made me a better songwriter.鈥�

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

One of his most memorable songs, 鈥淯ranus Fudge Factory,鈥� is full of double entendres.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a story behind that,鈥� Butler said. 鈥淢y 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.鈥�

鈥淚n fact, there鈥檚 a place called Uranus, Missouri. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 called the Uranus Fudge Factory,鈥� Butler continued. 鈥淭he guy who owns the Fudge Factory actually ended up paying me to write the song.鈥�

鈥淚t can鈥檛 really be played on the radio, though,鈥� Butler said. 鈥淲hen I do it live, I usually substitute another city name.鈥�

Another one of Butler鈥檚 favorite songs is called 鈥淥ld Age Was Never Meant for Me.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great song. It鈥檚 hilarious,鈥� Butler said. 鈥淵ou know, when I was young, I never really thought about being old, and then all of a sudden I鈥檓 sitting here, and I think, holy crap, I鈥檓 old!鈥�

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

鈥淚鈥檓 a fitness professional, so I try to stay in shape,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut the other thing is not 鈥榯hinking鈥� old, not thinking I鈥檓 over the hill or that things are going downhill. I just want to keep doing what I鈥檓 doing, trying to help people feel better. And that keeps me from thinking too much about myself.鈥�

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 鈥淪mooth Like Gravy Gourmet Blues Show鈥� is all about connecting with audiences and helping them feel good.

鈥淚 want to get back to the grassroots of just being present for people,鈥� he said.

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