Dear friends,

On Sunday, My girlfriend and I took a trip to Flea World in Sanford FL, where we were going to do a scavenger hunt for a list of ridiculous items like American flag bandanas, fake machine guns, swords with dragon handles, etc. It would have been a really fun day if we hadn't discovered something really depressing: Dondi, a beautiful Asian elephant being forced to perform with a carriage on her back in a small caged-in area.

As children and their parents watched and laughed, Dondi's owner, Phil Schacht, yelled at the crying elephant to "pick up the garden hose" to fill her own water bowl. Moriah and I were severely affected by what we saw, and immediately left the market. Not knowing exactly what to do and whether this practice was legal, we e-mailed PETA, and this was their response:

"Dear Moriah and Matt,

 

Thank you for contacting us about Dondi, the elephant who is forced to perform and give rides at Flea World in Sanford, Florida.

Dondi’s life in captivity is a sharp contrast to what she would be experiencing in nature or even in a sanctuary. Elephants are highly social animals who live in matriarchal herds, protect one another, share mothering responsibilities for the herds’ babies, and travel many miles a day. Captive elephants like Dondi are trained to perform through fear and punishment. Sharp metal bullhooks (a rod with a sharp metal hook in the end) is the standard training tool of the industry. Dondi’s “owners,” Phil and Francine Schacht, have been exploiting Dondi since 1975. This is totally legal.

The best tool we have is to educate people about the suffering for animals in captivity, and to encourage them to stop patronizing any place that uses or displays animals. As long as people continue to spend money doing so, these displays will continue to exist and the animals will continue to suffer.

 

1. Contact Flea World and tell them you’ll be shopping elsewhere until the animal displays are eliminated permanently: http://www.fleaworld.com/contactus.html.

 

2. Write to Sanford officials to tell them that you are appalled that this cruel and dangerous display is allowed to set up. Ask them to put an end to it.

 

3. Spread the word! Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to encourage readers to stop patronizing any place that uses or displays animals. This is an excellent way to educate countless readers about the grim life for animals in captivity. Use PETA’s “Guide to Letter-Writing” to help draft an effective letter: http://www.peta.org/alert/tkit.html. Message boards on tripadvisor.com, yahoo.travel.com and Frommers.com are also great ways to reach a lot of people.

 

4. Please consider holding periodic demonstrations outside the flea market. We can help with the arrangements and send you all the free materials you will need. We can also put you in touch with other PETA activists in the area.

 

Please visit www.WildlifePimps.com and www.Circuses.com for more ways you can help elephants and other animals used for entertainment.  Thank you for caring.

 

Sincerely,

Jennifer O'Connor

Animals in Entertainment Campaign Writer"

We are now working on a letter to the Orlando Sentinel, requesting an article on the subject. We are also working on addressing the other suggestions that Jennifer O'Connor provided to help Dondi. I'm sending this out to you guys because I have faith in the power of like-minded people to stop this cruelty. Please write a letter or send an email to help this beautiful creature!

Sanford's County Commissioner is Brenda Carey, and her e-mail address is: 

alockhart@seminolecountyfl.gov

Much love to you all!

For random ramblings, a myriad of musings, and a lot of alliteration... visit Matt's new diary "From a '53 Smith-Corona" at http://mattbutchermusic.tumblr.com/.

Also, be sure to check out the new website at www.mattbutchermusic.com.

All the best!

to everyone that came out to the Florida shows this weekend. It was a pleasure to play for such gracious crowds. I am hitting the road on Monday for a string of solo dates throughout the Southeast. For more information, you can visit www.mattbutchermusic.com. Much love from myself and the boys! We hope to see you soon.
Take care,
mb

Hello Friends.

The good men and woman of the band Kingsbury
recently recorded a gorgeous version of Tom Petty's "Southern Accent."
I was honored when they approached me to sing it. It was a really
enjoyable collaboration and I would not be surprised if it happens
again. To download the song for free from their website, please visit...

www.kingsburymusic.net/audio/unreleased_audio.html

You can also download their wonderful new ep for free!
Check them out at...

www.kingsburymusic.net

and

www.myspace.com/kingsbury

Love to all!

mb

Track Listing-
Me and My Friends
On My Mind
Giving My Sadness a Name
Grey Skies, Green Shoes
Paper Dolls
A Famous Country Singer
The Company I Keep
Woman Left Waiting
Keep It Together
Grace on a  Greyhound Bus
Sinking Ships

The record is done! After several months of hard work and good times we have sewn together eleven songs into one cosy audio quilt. Our fingers are cramping, but our spirits are high...
I can't say enough about the people who worked on this album. Justin Beckler produced. A genius and a gentleman. The kind of guy you want with you in the trenches, and in our case... behind the board. The cast of musicians are some of the most talented and attractive people I have worked with to date... Daniel Berry on drums; a heart holding a pair of drumsticks. His timing and soul are the foundation. Gus Ramage on bass; an early seventies stax player magically transported to Orlando in the 21st century. Matt Mendel played all the keys; hammond b3, fender rhodes, grand piano. A young man whose boundless enthusiasm for music is matched only by his god given talent. Dave Chiml and Joshua Jove contributed electric guitar. The best guitarists I know. Tasteful, elegant, and both on my record. I am blessed. Tom Cooper is our secret weapon. Give him an instrument and he will make it sing. On this outing he plays pedal steel, dobro, and acoustic guitar. We were honored by the presence of Olivia Wynn. She sings harmony on several songs and generally raises the bar in all areas. The band always plays better when she is in the room. Finally, were joined by Eric Christian on sax, and from the Legendary Jaycees; Nathan Anderson, Clay Watson, and Matt McCarthy. I am honoured and blessed to have worked with such fine musicians and people. I am so proud of this record. After a month and a half of mixing and endless repeated listenings, I still like it. I think you might too. Expect some new songs to appear on this very myspace within the next few weeks. Thanks for your time. Don't forget to vote.

Hello friend. Here are some stories from my time on the road with the wonderful Avett Brothers. Might be interesting. Might bore you to death. Either way, you're reading. And that's a lot better for you then sitting around in your underwear watching "Scrubs" reruns. How do I begin? I've got it.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...

April 26th & 27th-Played a strong set tonight at one of my favorite venues, Cafe Davinci's. It was a beautiful evening; perfect weather and a great crowd. I remember looking around in the middle of our set and thinking how lucky I am to play with such amazing musicians and people. It truly is a blessing. A bell started ringing right as we finished, "Me and My Friends." Synchronicity? Dish played and they were amazing as always. Those doods have soul out the ears. Dave Schiml, our guitar player, joined them for a smoking version of "Little Wing." The perfect end to a great night. Tom Cooper, my good friend and pedal steel player, dropped me off at the greyhound bus station on the way back from the gig. I met the sweetest old lady; Norma Hinch. She had the kindest eyes. We talked for a while about music, god, death... It was one of the deeper conversations I've had at a bus stop in the middle of the night. Got on board around two am. Fell asleep as the bus was rolling north. Happier than I've been in years.



April 27th-Woke up in Pensacola, FL. Felt like I slept with my neck in a vice. Although it is not the lap of luxury, I really like the greyhound bus. Specifically its customers; runaways, vagabonds, junkies, families, babies, old folks. These are my people. There is a variety of funny smells, and a healthy amount of cursing. I fit right in. Got into Mobile, AL just after one in the afternoon. Met a man named Aaron as I was waiting for a taxi. We decided to share cab fare. Aaron is retired military and has travelled all over the world. He told me some amazing stories. He likes all kinds of music and his favorite city is London. We are best friends now. After grabbing some lunch (the greasiest grilled cheese ever to see the inside of someone's stomach), and singing some songs to a man and his dog (Dan and Toby), I met up with the Avett Brothers at the Soul Kitchen. I was excited to see them as I was their tour bus. I'd never been in one before. It was everything I hoped it would be and more; widescreen tvs, a buffet of drugs, a gold plated hot tub, supermodels everywhere. There was even a door to a mystical land where it is always winter. Amazing stuff! I got to meet the fantastic photography duo known as Crackerfarm. We took some photos and had some laughs. They are good people. Played a solid set tonight to a really friendly crowd. They were so nice to me. They clapped during, "Grey Skies Green Shoes," and my heart grew three times larger. Got to see an awesome band from Muscle Schoals, AL. The Sons of Roswell! I haven't seen that much hair on stage in a long time. It was badass. The drummer might just be Keith Moon's illegitimate child. Kid hit so hard. The whole damn stage was shaking. Finally, the Avetts took the stage and were incredible as usual. Seth is playing piano on this tour and its really adding a lot to the sound. "Salina" and "Living of Love" were a couple highlights. Just gorgeous. And I get to see this every night for a week. Jealous? Checked into the hotel after the show. Dane (tour manager) and Joe (cello) let me crash in their room on a pull out bed. I haven't been sleeping on beds much this year so it was a real treat. Dreamt I was in a punk band with Tom Waits. It ruled.


April 28th-Woke up early to take advantage of the continental breakfast. What does that even mean? Continental breakfast. I've never understood that. Oh well. The important part is that it's free. I ate a bowl of cereal while CNN updated me to the sad world in which we live; fifty dead in a fire in Morocco, a woman held as a sex slave in Austria for twenty-four years. These harbingers of bad news could really take a few cues from the Fox team. Less is more. Show me some pictures of a dog wearing a scuba suit and lets get on with our day. I'm trying to enjoy my raisin bran here. Said a sad goodbye to the Crackerfarm kids. They had to fly to nyc to take Jay-Z and Beyonce's wedding pics. Such is the life for a jet set photography duo. No show today. We are set to stay at a house on the ? river outside of Mobile. A doctor friend of the Avetts has allowed us the use of his home and it is, needless to say, a classy joint. I spent most the day reading, laying in a hammock, and playing piano. I wrote a new song! It came very quick. A real gift. Scott later informed me that the piano dates back to the civil war. That explained why I kept searching for a word to rhyme with Appomattox. Joe made a delicious meal for all of us. That guys is pure class. After dinner Seth, Dane, Joe, and I watched the sun set over the water. This whole trip is a dream. I fell asleep in my bunk on the bus with an arm bruised from pinching myself.

April 29th-Took a shower this morning for the first time in three days. I was beginning to smell a bit.... pungent? Thirteen hours on a greyhound will really leave its mark on you. The bus headed west as I lay in my bunk watching the "Planet Earth" series on my personal tv. This really is the lap of luxury. I have to continually remind myself that this is just a glimpse. Still, it's something to work towards. Stopped into a truck stop and had a nice conversation with a woman named Sharifa. She noticed the Jay-Z button on my denim jacket. I informed her that I had recently seen Young HOV and Mary J Blige on the Heart Of The City tour. We shared a moment. Got into Baton Rouge around three in afternoon. It is a beautiful city right on the water. The Manship Theatre, where we are performing, is a gorgeous room usually reserved for musicals, plays, and jazz bands. Not quite sure how a bunch of longhairs got on the bill. It is a testament to the Avetts wide appeal. I knew this was going to be a special show when one of the staff walked up to me and asked, "are you the vegetarian?" Amazing, as I don't remember sending in a rider. And if I did it mostly dealt with brown m&ms. I'll consider it another blessing. After being served a delicious meal I was shown to my own dressing room. Star treatment! I think they had me confused with a successful musician. Went on stage at eight to a wonderful introduction from the theatre manager. The set went well. I forgot both the chords and words to "301." It's something that's been happening a lot lately. There was a time I could blame it on my state of mind, but now I have no excuses. Got to join the Avetts in their preshow ritual. Moments like that make me feel like the dorky kid in "Almost Famous." No Elton John singalongs yet, but the trip is far from over. I'm writing this from the side of the stage as Scott's singing "November Blue." I am one lucky S.O.B.


April 30th-Spent most of the morning and early afternoon hibernating in my bunk bed. Pulled into Dallas around three. I went exploring, as the guys loaded out. They wouldn't let me help with the equipment. Maybe they think I'm a liability. They might be onto something... Walked across the street to find a couple bbq joints. No surprise there. I also stumbled across a store called, "Condom Sense." Just when I thought American ingenuity was dead. My faith has been restored! Headed back to the venue, the Granada Theatre, and hung out backstage with the crew. Super cool guys! We sat around telling dirty jokes, I won't go into detail as my mother might read this. They told me some funny tales about different artists. Gretchen Wilson and Kid Rock had blown through the week before, bringing with them nine tour busses! Apparently, several members of their entourage had enquired as to the whereabouts of some coke (not the pepsi competitor). I, on the other hand, was perfectly happy with the A&W root beer supplied back stage. Once again, I had been confused with a successful musician. I was given my own dressing room with my name on the door. I sat in it by myself for about ten minutes. It quickly lost its charm. This star treatment is lonely business. The venue is a beautiful old theatre. It's rare to find a room the size of this, that still has a great vibe. I went on at eight and played an hour set to a big crowd. They responded enthusiastically; clapping during "Grey Skies." I played the new song, and even made it through "301" without so much as a stumble. I was a little nervous coming out on the road without my band. I really have been spoiled by the wonderful musicians I get to play with back home. It's nice to see that, band or no band, people are responding to the tunes. Folk are real generous. Saw the best Avett show yet! The room sounded amazing and the lads were in top form. Seth had the crowd in the palm of his hand for, "Ballad of Love and Hate." Awesome stuff. I got to hang out with my old friend Jen, whom I hadn't seen i years. Met some cool Texans after the show. Everyone was super friendly. Grabbed a few A&Ws for the road and hit my bunk for some more "Planet Earth." But not before taking a dip in the hot tub. Those supermodels get so lonely.

May 1st-Another day off. More hibernating, more "Planet Earth." Got a hotel in Jackson, Tennessee. This cannot possibly be the same city Johnny and June sang about in that famous song. It is in the middle of nowhere and there is absolutely nothing to mess around with. Had a damn good salad for dinner. Although, it did make me miss the Dandelion cafe' back home. Seth and I had a half hour conversation about Queens of the Stone Age. Specifically Dave Grohl's drumming on "Songs For the Dear." That is one dark and sexy record. It makes me want to drive though a dessert at night in a Trans Am with a beautiful chain-smoking stripper in the passenger seat. In reality though, I'm about to go hop in my bunk and watch "March of the Penguins." But hey, a kid can dream can't he?

May 2nd- Today the Avetts played Freedman-Hardeman University in  Hendersonville, Tennessee. There was a local opener, so I sat around eating little debbie snacks. Free swiss cake rolls! What a life.

May 3rd- Arrived in Little Rock today, the birthplace of Bill Clinton. And they certaintly won't let you forget that. Bill Clinton boulevard, park etc... The man is everywhere. Regardless, it's a beautiful city. Found an awesome used book store where I picked up three books for under $12. Including Tom Robbins' "Even  Cowgirls get the Blues."  I'm excited about that one. Played the Revolution  Music Room; a nice sized club with an adjoining restaurant. It proved to be an interesting night. The crowd was attentive for my set, but as the night progressed and the liquor flowed more freely the crowd became more animated. One man was thrown out by security. He had been flipping Seth off through five straight songs. I sort of had to admire his commitment. Allthough he was, undoubtdedly, an asshole. As we were loading out, the restaurant next door descended into karaoke hell. We pulled out just as some tone-deaf-jager-chugging-good-timer was doing his best Steven Perry. I really hate Journey. I stopped believing a long time ago.

May 4th- Got into Tulsa, OK in the early afternoon. Walked around the downtown area for an hour. It was an absolute ghost town. Very "Seven Day Later." No zombies unfortunately. One possible sighting... but I think he was just drunk. Got back to the venue just in time for soundcheck and dinner. Tonight we are playing Cain's ballroom; a beautiful old venue with a lot of history. It was the home of  Bob Wills (the originator of "texas swing"), and has played host to a wide variety of Country-Western stars. Bob Dylan performed here in 2004! At long last we share the stage!  Four years apart I know, but  that's probably as close as I'll get. After dinner Seth, Justin, and I played soccer behind the venue. I was called away from a spirited game of horse to take the stage for my opening set. I arrived visibly dishoveled and out of breath, and delivered a somewhat lackluster performance. Seth later told me it sounded great, but I was not convinced. Although I have come to realize that I judge my performances not by the quality of the music, but by the strength of the between songs banter. I could play Green Day covers with a kazoo for an hour, and as long as I felt the jokes were well received I would consider it a great success. I guess at heart I'm more Bob Saget than Bob Dylan. After the show I got to meet the local Oklahoman singer/songwriter Samantha Crain. I had recently discoverd her music, and pretty much fell head over heels. Her music and voice has a timeless quality, and the depth of her lyrics belie her nineteen years. If you are not  familiar with her music, I highly suggest you change that. She was very sweet; entertaining my bad jokes and poor puns longer than most would. The Avett's played a wonderful show tonight. I am continually impressed by their consistency as musicians. They put so much into every performance and truly deserve all their success. The encore was bittersweet as it was the last one I would be seeing for awhile. Tommorow I fly back to Orlando. It has been an amazing trip; great rooms, nice crowds, a lot of laughter, and great music. Truly, a blessing from start to finish. See you soon friends! Im off for one more dip in the hot tub...