The John Butler Trio (“JBT”) are one of the most respected and successful bands on the world music scene. Over the years, JBT have been fortunate enough to open shows for several international artists at the incredible Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. In June, 2010, John and his band mates Nicky Bomba and Byron Luiters were elated to perform their biggest headlining concert to date with 8,000 adoring fans at this remarkably iconic and internationally renowned venue in what was a mind blowing concert event.
The John Butler Trio just launched Live at Red Rocks, their first live CD and DVD release in five years. This spectacular two and one-half hour show was captured in its entirety and is now presented in a two CD/DVD package.
Reflecting on the Red Rocks concert experience the American-born but Aussie-raised John Butler said, “As an Australian band, it’s hard to explain what it feels like to pull off a gig like this, we played hard and fast, like our lives depended on it. We gave it everything we had and everything this special place and its people deserved.”

One of things that make John Butler such an engaging guitarist is his unorthodox use of an acoustic guitar. John uses a Seymour Duncan SA-6 Mag Mic in the soundhole of his Australian-made Maton 12 string guitar (with the high-G string removed). He can deliver pristine acoustic tones. But when he wants to get heavy, he sends the Mag Mic’s signal to a Marshall JMP Super Lead Head and 4×12 cabinet colored by a pedal board filled with effects.
Says John about his choice of pickup, “I’ve been using the Seymour Duncan Mag Mic pickup for quite a few years now. They’re clear, have lots of gain and head room, and give me everything I wanna hear from my guitars, both acoustically and through my screaming Marshall.”
If you’d like a sneak preview of the new DVD, check out this video.


The John Butler Trio returned to Red Rocks in August 2011 for a wonderful night of entertainment. Evan Skopp, Seymour Duncan’s head of Artist Relations was there to catch the show and catch up with John backstage. “What an amazing experience,” said Evan. “To hear the band grooving under the stars in such a beautiful venue and to hear such amazing tones come from John’s guitar and to know that Seymour Duncan is a part of it… Well, it’s just something that really makes one take pride in their work.” John continues, “The team at Seymour Duncan have always been great supporters of the JBT and we’re stoked to be working with them.”
If you like what you see, pick up Live at Red Rocks and experience the amazing music of the John Butler Trio in a beautiful outdoor setting.