New Castle’s Butch Burke brings blues and classic rock to Muncie’s Elm Street Brewing Company.

New Castle’s Butch Burke brings blues and classic rock to Muncie’s Elm Street Brewing Company.

By: Kevin Vickery

On Saturday, February 3rd, I made my first trip to Muncie’s Elm Street Brewing Company for some great food and locally made beer, and more importantly, to see my friend, Butch Burke playing the blues along with his band mate, Tom Chester.

I’ve known Butch for several years now as our daughters are friends and classmates, and we’ve talked music at least a hundred times, but this was my first opportunity to actually hear him perform. He didn’t disappoint as he and his Fender Stratocaster delivered all the tasty licks you’d expect from a seasoned blues man.

The duo billed themselves as “The TomKat Brothers” for the night as they belted out classic rock and blues numbers like; Marshall Tucker’s, “Can’t You See”, Bob Dylan’s, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and “All Along the Watchtower” as well as Jimi Hendrix’s, “Red House and many other great classics.

The full version of their band, “The Tomkats” was co-founded by the duo twenty-three years ago and also features Tom’s Cousin, Brian Carden on bass, and Aaron Fischer as drummer. As with many local bands, scheduling issues causes them to have a host of other rhythm section players on the ready to make a given gig happen. Who knows, with any luck, maybe someday I’ll get the call.

The Tomkats are based out of Muncie but originally formed in New Castle and have recorded two EPs at Flood Stage Studio located in the part of Indianapolis commonly referred to as “Rocky Ripple”. They have intentions to return for more recording sometime soon, although there’s no official date at this time.

My personal favorite was hearing them play a song of their own entitled, “Eschatology Blues”. For those like me who were not familiar with this term, Eschatology is the study of the end of the world and according to Butch, “It’s kinda lyrically a dark love song.” I thought it was great and hope they record it sometime soon.

When asked about some of the best things that have happened in the band’s twenty-three year history, Butch said, “Getting to open for such acts as BB King’s daughter, Shirley King and Duke Tumatoe were both real highlights as well as getting respect from guitarists he admires like Governor Davis, Mike Milligan, and Duke”.

If you’re not familiar with Elm Street Brewing Company, you should most definitely check it out if you have the chance. They’re located at 519 North Elm Street, near downtown Muncie. The food was great, their locally crafted beers are delicious and the atmosphere is just what you’d hope for while hanging out with friends and enjoying some great local music. They also have an amazing selection of local art hanging on their walls that is worth the trip just to view even if there wasn’t musical accompaniment.

I look forward to returning there for more great food, great tunes and great times in the future, and who knows, with any luck maybe my own band will book a gig there sometime in the future.

Henry County resident and Ball State alum, Kevin Vickery, is bassist and lead vocalist for The Cousin Brothers. He spent several years working in Nashville for some of the biggest names in Country Music before taking over the reins at his family business. If you have a story idea or an event that you think Kevin should cover, contact him at kevin.makesomenoise@yahoo.com