Carl and Pearl Butler

CARL BUTLER

(Singer, Songwriter, Guitar)

Given Name: Carl Roberts Butler
Date of Birth: June 2, 1927
Place of Birth: Knoxville, Tennessee
Date of Death: September 4, 1992

PEARL BUTLER

(Singer, Songwriter)

Given Name: Pearl Dee Jones
Date of Birth: September 30, 1927 Place of Birth: Nashville, Tennessee
Children: Carla, Robin
Date of Death: March 3, 1989

Carl Butler produced influential records for years on the Capitol and Columbia labels, yet had few chart hits. He is mostly remembered for the duet with his wife, Pearl, Don’t Let Me Cross Over, in 1962. However, Carl was one of the finest singers of the Honky-Tonk and Bluegrass style, merging Old-Time "open" mountain harmony with the newer drinking and cheating songs. He and Pearl worked with a young Dolly Parton for years in Knoxville and were among her first supporters.

In 1939, Carl was playing Country dances and started to sing informally. Growing up, he was influenced from the west, Nashville, by Roy Acuff and from the east, the mountain sounds of Knoxville stations and later, the pre-Bluegrass of the Tri-Cities. After serving in WWII, Carl took a job with the Bailey Brothers and in 1947, made his recording debut with them.

By 1950, he was working as a soloist on a Knoxville station and signed a contract with Capitol. His first recordings on the label were in the Bluegrass style, but by 1951 had moved to a sound more like that of current-rage Lefty Frizzell--electric guitar, barroom piano and steel.

In 1952, Carl signed with Columbia to become one of their most steady and dependable performers for two decades. For a time Carl and Pearl were the most popular male-female team in Country music. They joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1962, became regular members of TV shows like that of Porter Wagoner and even appeared in a feature film. Through the 1960’s, they had 12 chart hits.

Carl was also a gifted songwriter, whose songs were recorded by many other singers, including Roy Acuff, Rosemary Clooney, Carl Smith and Bill Monroe. In their later years, Pearl and Carl pretty much retired to their Crossover Acres ranch near Franklin, Tennessee, although Carl did attempt a comeback after Pearl’s death.

Recordings include: