(Dr. Thomas Edward Butt)
Dr. Thomas Edward Butt is a man of many talents, a gracious host who never met a stranger, and a multi-talented musician, singer, and song-writer who always has time to party and have a good time. He is always into something - either buying property, building houses, or restoring buildings he already owns.
Tom is unique to the Rockabilly Family because his musical ability in singing, song writing and playing the trumpet is all natural, with very little formal training. His first priority during his professional career, was dentistry, and his music was his outlet, his "golf", so to speak. But his talent has given him the most fun in his life. He has recorded numerous songs in Nashville with renowned studio musicians, and plans on recording many more.
His musical talent has taken him a long way, and yet, not so far away, from his hometown of Pocahontas, Virginia. Born March 13, 1936 he was the youngest son of two boys to Herbert and Frieda Butt. His father owned and operated a hardware store and his grandfather was a cabinet and coffin-maker in Pocahontas. One of Tom's long range projects is to restore his grandfather's coffin company to it's original condition. Tom's mother was a homemaker, and both parents shared in providing Tom (and brother Hal), a strong Christian influence in his life which he lives by today through his regular attendance at St. Paul's Methodist Church. He served as Chairman of the Board two years, taught Sunday School eleven years, and served on the Board of Directors of Birdmont Manor Retirement Home in Wytheville, VA.
Tom was married to Linda Sue Hunter Butt from July 13, 1963 to 1995. He has four children, Dianne, Thomas, Charles, and Susan, four grandchildren, Drew, Hunter, Holden and Jillian, and one step granddaughter, Heather. It wouldn't be right, when talking about Tom's family to leave out his dogs Ruby, and his most recent acquisition, a registered English Setter named Elle, his cat named Trouble, and his four llamas Sonny Boy, Rosie, Dolly, and the youngest one born just this spring named Augustine.
He and all his animals have plenty of room and are quite happy roaming over the mountains and through the ponds and fields on his 400 acre farm in Wytheville. He stays busy restoring and making repairs on his old, original log house owned by his grandmother's first cousins.
Tom's education includes his graduation from Pocahontas High School in 1953. In 1957 he received a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Roanoke College, Salem, VA. At Roanoke College, he was the captain of the swimming team and held two sprint records while there. He obtained the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1961 from Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA. His internship from 1961-1962 took him to Florida State Hospital at Chattahoochee, FL where his emphasis was on skills of dental and reconstructive surgery. He continued his professional education through continuing courses and acquired over 4,700 hours of post-graduate training with the Academy of General Dentistry between 1964 and 1992. While in dental school he developed the first known fluoride dental product and was almost dismissed by the dean, Harry Lyons, for "concocting a nostrum that had no value!"
Tom's military involvement included two years as Captain in the United States Army Dental Corp. The hearing aid he now wears can be traced back to his many hours spent at the artillery practice range at Ft. Stewart, GA. His military performance did not go unnoticed, however, and in 1961, he received an achievement award from the US Army Armor and Artillery Firing Center at Ft. Stewart, GA for outstanding performance as a captain of the US Army Dental Corp. After the service, in 1964, he moved to Wytheville to set up a dental practice.
His professional and civic activities are numerous. Dr. Tom had a successful dental practice in Wytheville from 1964 to 1994. He contributed to many charitable causes both in free dental care, time, and money during his dental career. As examples, in 1974, he received the Roanoke College Service Award, in 1968 he was elected president of the Appalachian Dental Study Club, in 1970 he became founder, professor and organizer of a fund raising award from the Wytheville County Rescue Squad. Tom's dental career ended abruptly with a horseback riding accident in which he was thrown and sustained a broken pelvis, dislocated shoulder and a concussion. If it hadn't been for this accident, he would probably still be practicing dentistry.
One of Dr. Tom's highest honors came in 1982 when he was awarded the Roanoke College Medal of Merit for Outstanding Professional Achievements and Public Service as an alumni. This medal was given in recognition of his innovations and creativity in his chosen profession of dentistry, for his recognized leadership in public service, for his talent as a performer and for his agricultural and environmental efforts.
Appointments leading up to this award included: in 1979, four year appointment by Governor John Dalton to the Board of Visitors, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond; in 1978 appointment by Governor Mills Godwin to the Urban Assistance Incentive Fund Advisory Committee of Virginia; and in 1976, appointment by President Gerald Ford to the Public Advisory Committee of the National Soil and Conservation Committee US Department of Agriculture, chaired by Earl Butz.
Tom's professional memberships both past and present, include the following:
Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry, 1972 to present
American Orthodontic Society
American Dental Association
Virginia Dental Association
Southwest Virginia Dental Assoiation
Chief of Dental Staff, Wytheville Community Hospital
Staff, Radford Community Hospital
Board Certified, Florida State Dental Board, 1962
National Board of Dental Examiners,
Other memberships in music, civic and sporting clubs include:
Member of Kazim Temple, Scottish Rite Shrine Club
Past President of New River Shrine Club (1980-1981)
Past President of Wythe County Heart Fund
Organizer and past president of Wythe Mental Health Association
Lions Club 1964-1988
Xi Psi Dental Fraternity
Kappa Alpha College Fraternity
Ducks Unlimited
National Grouse Association
National Wild Turkey Federation
National Quail Society
National Rifle Association
Wythe County Chamber of Commerce
B.M.I. Songwriters Association
Country Music Association
Rockabilly Music Foundation (Honorary Board Member and First Heritage Member)
Dr. Tom Butt Plays the Ryman
And Las Vegas in the Same Week
NASHVILLE - Dr. Tom Butt had a super week recently, one that any recording artist would
envy. On Thursday, April 5, 2001 he appeared on stage at the world famous "Mother Church of Country
Music," the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. The event was a benefit concert for the Rockabilly
Music Foundation.In keeping with the roots music theme "The Doc" sang a popular Elvis song "She's Not You." Yes, you could hear a hint of "the King" as Dr. Tom, backed by The Jordanaires, impressed the large crowd in attendance at the original home of the Grand Ol' Opry that night. Legendary sax man Boots Randolph accompanied Dr. Tom on his second number . The "Doc" belted out a bouncy version of "Bill Bailey" and, using his trumpet blowing skills, traded solos with Boots. Nashville's premiere bassist, Bob Moore, played bass behind Dr. Tom on both selections.
Other on stage performers at the Ryman that evening included: Brenda Lee, Crystal Gayle, Eric Heatherly, Jack Scott, Ronie Dawson, Billy Burnette, Wink Martindale, Jarry Naylor and many notable rockabilly/roots music artists.
Dr. Tom's latest CD, "Rockin' with the Doc" is on the Rockabilly Hall of Fame label (CD-112) and includes "Bill Bailey" along with 13 other swingin', rockin' tracks.
LAS VEGAS - Then it was on to Las Vegas where the annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly
Weekend was held April 12th - 15th. This major event attracts close to 5,000 traditional
music fans from every corner of the globe. Two main stages in the Gold Coast Hotel displayed
some the finest entertainers from the US and a dozen foreign countries.
Dr. Tom did his set on Friday, April 13th. "The Doc" was featured on West Lounge stage under the direction of the Rockabilly Hall Fame. Dr. Tom performed many of the cuts from his recent CD release and gave young and old audience members a true taste of how traditional country and roots music should sound.
Because "The Doc" blows a pretty mean trumpet, he was able to sit in with many other artists on stage during the entire weekend.
All in all, not a bad week for a retired dentist from Virginia.
During Tom's dental career he published two articles in the Dental Digest in 1962, one entitled "Impression Tray for Rubber Base Materials", the other entitled "Labial Frenectomy". Tom's inventions are numerous and include "Dr. Tom's Turkey Call", a wooden turkey caller in an original shape, herbal toothpaste, a toothpick with a special design, containing cavity fighting agents, and he is considered to be the father of topical dental fluoride, as already mentioned, by developing the first known commercial dental mouth rinse with fluoride while still a freshman at dental school and before the introduction of Crest toothpaste. Dr. Tom's hobbies include song writing, playing his trumpet everyday, golfing, boating and fishing, bicycling, bird hunting, snow and water skiing.
Dr. Tom wants to continue his involvement in music and performing, and would love to hear from you. Have a happy day, and God bless you!
Dr. Tom Appeared in Las Vegas, Easter Weekend, 2001
Viva Las Vegas 2001 Photos
