Michael Butkus

Michael began his guitar passion at the tender age of 10. By age 11, he had recruited, organized, and booked a four-piece band that included future greats such as studio musicians Sebastian Anzaldo, Tommy Cosantino, and Jazz great, Dave Stryker. Playing his first professional performance at age 12, he soon moved onto writing and recording original material before age 15. Organizing an Omaha-based band named Child’s Play, he broke the Omaha music scene wide open with an all original band that not only boasted the first band with all original material in Omaha, but also the first Midwestern-based band to record and release the album, “Second to None” on the Arista record label.

Playing his own brand of rock, Michael and his band opened and toured with bands such as the Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes, Head East, R.E.O. Speedwagon, John Nitzinger, and Bachman Turner Overdrive. You can hear his blistering guitar work on several albums released on Pat Mckeen’s Indie label, PM Music.

An avid fan of Blues and Fusion, Michael’s early influences include, John Maglaughlin, Carlos Santana, Ritchie Blackmore, and B.B. King. This soulful and Rock mix, finds a perfect fit in his contributions to “Moksha”. Michael lends not only solid backing electric guitar, but subtle acoustic prowess that makes itself prominent on such songs as Sayonee and Khamaj.

His 30 plus years on the guitar and recording/touring are obvious in his playing. He currently performs around the Baltimore, Northern Virginia and DC area as lead guitarist and singer for a five-piece band with rock influences. His organization and leadership of the “Moksha” musical side of production, allowed Michael to excel at what he loves, great music.

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