A Scottish family of professional musicians are performing together publicly for the first time ever in February 2024, to raise funds for MND Scotland following their mum’s diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease.
In April 2022, Dumfriesshire-based visual artist Anne Butler (64) was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). With support from MND Scotland, she was determined to face this incurable and frightening disease with a positive attitude. In gratitude for the support it provides to those with the condition, Anne had the idea that her family – who are professional musicians but have never performed in public together – could perform a benefit concert to help the charity. Her idea was enthusiastically received, and the concert date was set for Sunday 4th February 2024 at iconic venue The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh. A night of joy, sensational music-making, and of vital importance to support the ongoing work of MND Scotland.
The Butler Family band is made up of six family members: all professional touring musicians with over 40 album releases between them. The line-up includes Anne’s son, renowned singer-songwriter Rory Butler (a favourite at Celtic Connections festival who toured with Robert Plant in 2022), husband Lies Damned Lies member Steve Butler (with a career spanning 45 years as a musician, writer and producer), and Anne’s daughter-in-law Suzanne Butler, who takes a lead role in Edinburgh children’s music charity Fischy Music. The band is completed by her son Sandy, daughter Fay, and Rory’s partner Katherine Stewart, a classical and folk violinist in demand all over the UK.
The concert will feature heartfelt interpretations of music from stellar songwriters such as Bonnie Raitt and Bruce Cockburn, plus original material from the Butlers. Anne’s granddaughter Sylvie (13), a promising young singer, will also be on stage to add to the vocal blend. Anne plans to add to the fundraising total by auctioning one of her popular landscape paintings on the night.
MND Scotland is a charity trying to find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease. Their vision is a world without MND and they say they are here to make time count for everyone affected by MND in Scotland. They fund ground-breaking research and world-class clinical trials, whilst campaigning to secure lasting change.
Julie Macdonald, Head of Fundraising, MND Scotland said: “We are extremely grateful to the Butler Family for organising a benefit concert in support of MND Scotland. We feel privileged to support Anne and the family’s commitment to help others impacted by this brutal disease.”
Anne Butler said: “Since my diagnosis hearing my family singing has become even more special to me. I am delighted that they are all going to perform at the Queen’s Hall to raise money for MND Scotland who are an invaluable support to me.”
https://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/fundraising-concert-mnd-scotland-featuring-butler-family
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
