Bush Balladeer Star Quest Winner 2011

KALESTI BUTLER

Born and raised on a cattle station in Queensland’s Gulf of Carpentaria, Kalesti Butler’s most vivid memories are of the downtime when she would listen to and perform country music with her family. These life-long experiences is where Kalesti draws from to create her brand of country music.

While most will know the 2011 CMAA Academy Of Country Music graduate for her bush ballads and traditional sound, over recent years Kalesti has wanted to explore the wider musical genre. When asked about her upcoming release, Kalesti says, “I love a challenge and achieving my dreams, I will be stepping out of my comfort zone. I’ll be flying.”

Working with Robert Mackay from Pacific International Music on her upcoming album, has only reinforced Kalesti’s decision to add to her musical range. Kalesti has fellow artist Michael Bryers to thank for suggesting recording at the award-winning studio during a discussion at the 2015 Mildura Country Music Festival.

After only the first meeting between artist and producer, Kalesti was thrilled to learn they had similar views about the industry, song choice, the direction and the kind of album she wanted to create. They quickly got to work on what would become her 2nd album “Airborne”, due for release at the 2017 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Kalesti has been working on the land and singing about it for as long as she can remember. At just three years of age, she made her stage debut at the Charters Towers Country Music Festival and by nine she was crowned the Queensland Champion of Champions.

Accolades have since presented themselves many times over including the 2011 Australian Bush Balladeer Star Quest in Tamworth, 2011 New Talent trophy at the Gidgee Coal Bush Ballad Awards in Pittsworth QLD, 2012 New Talent at the Stan Coster Memorial Australian Bush Ballad Awards at the Bungendore Country Music Muster and winning the 2013 APRA Tamworth Songwriters Association New Songwriter Award.

While working on the land is something Kalesti loves and will always enjoy, performing live will be her first choice every time. She has been honoured to grace the stages of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster, Adelaide Country Music Club, Nanango Muster, Mildura Country Music Festival, Camooweal Festival and the Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Week in Kempsey NSW.

When asked about her musical influences, Kalesti lists some of country music’s legends including Slim Dusty, Sara Storer, Tom T Hall, Charlie Pride, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Marty Stuart, George Jones, Terri Clark, and Graeme Connors. A little closer to home, Kalesti also cites her mum Val Butler, her Uncle Eddie and her Grandparent’s Cecie and Patsy, as musical inspirations.



Kalesti Butler – manager@kalestibutler.com| 0439 674 759