Musical family ‘bands’ together to fight Motor Neurone Disease

In April 2022, Dumfriesshire-based visual artist Anne Butler, 64, who has connections to Iona and Lismore, 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  February 4 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 more than 40 album releases between them. The line-up includes Anne’s son, renowned singer-songwriter Rory Butler (a favourite at Celtic Connections, who toured with Robert Plant in 2022), husband and Lies Damned Lies member Steve Butler, whose career spans 45 years as a musician, writer and producer, and Anne’s daughter-in-law Suzanne Butler, who takes a lead role in 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.