Bill Butler

Few people are as immersed in Philly's diverse music scene as much as Bill Butler. During the course of any given weekend night he might stop into three or four different music venues, sometimes on opposite sides of the city, just to show his support for bands he believes in. His passion for local music is as boundless as his love for Philadelphia, where he was brought up in a musical household; Bill and his sister Brandy, herself a Philly ex-pat now making a name for herself as a singer in Europe, were playing music and singing from an early age. A consummate performer and promoter, Bill has played everywhere from the Stone Pony to World Café Live, and promoted everything from Dawson St. Pub's open mic to the "Best of Philly Female Singer Songwriter Showcase."

For the last nine years, Bill has managed Caring People Alliance in West Philadelphia, one of the city's largest nonprofits. Recently, he decided to combine his nonprofit experience and his passion for music by forming The Philadelphia Sessions, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting Philadelphia through its music. Teaming up with his sister in Europe, he has been working to establish relationships with other international cities and raise funds to send Philly musicians to perform abroad as ambassadors of the city. In its first year, the Philadelphia Sessions sent local two local musicians on international tours, playing 24 shows in six countries.