William Lawson

Meet the Band

Lead guitar, mandolin, mandola, & vocals

William Lawson started playing mandolin around 5 years old, after being inspired by the sounds of bluegrass music since before he could speak. He began playing guitar and singing at age 12. By age 13 years old, William had already played on stage alongside such greats as Bobby Osborne and Ricky Skaggs. He has won several mandolin and guitar competitions throughout the country. He mostly plays mandolin & guitar but also enjoys playing banjo as well as the dobro. William can be found playing various festivals and events throughout the midwest. When not on stage he enjoys spending time with nature, usually hunting or fishing.

Johnny Butten

banjo, fiddle, vocals

Johnny Butten, originally from Somerset, England, but now he calls Springview, Nebraska his home where he’s become a real Old-West, Cattle Ropin’ and Chasin’, Gardenin’, Jack of All Trades, Midwesterner. Johnny is an amazing talent on fiddle, guitar, anything else with strings and does some mighty fine singing too. He’s a true master at the five string banjo and is honored to have the World’s Fastest Banjo record at 260 beats per minute as awarded by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2009. A record that stands to this day. Johnny also creates custom recordings for people all over the world, depending on their needs, he adds his musical and production skills to all different genres of musical compilations.

The Music Barn

Vanessa Kenaston

rhythm guitar, bass, & vocals

Vanessa Kenaston Butten is one of the most awarded vocalists in Nebraska, having won dozens of International, National, Regional and Local Country Music contests beginning in the 70’s. Besides being a powerful singer, she’s also been awarded for her guitar and mandolin picking. She mostly plays rhythm guitar for the band but can occasionally be seen playing the upright bass or drums. She’s a member of the NTCMA Hall of Fame, a Nashville recording artist and is often seen on RFD-TV’s Midwest Country Show. She is best known for her performances with her family the Kenastons. Her full time work is as a cattle rancher on the Kenaston home place in North Central Nebraska.

Addie Lawson

bass, fiddle, piano, & Vocals

Addie Lawson has played bass for since she was 13 years old. She is no stranger to playing on stage, she has been performing with her younger brother, William Lawson, for years. Addie says one of her fondest musical memories was getting to meet and study bass playing under the great Todd Phillips & Missy Raines. She also plays the piano and fiddle and has dabbled in playing the guitar, banjo, and mandolin. She enjoys playing old-time country and bluegrass tunes and has a special fondness for playing jazz/swing music. Addie also teaches bass, piano, and violin/fiddle lessons at Let's Make Treble Music. Visit her website for more information: www.addielawson.com.

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