Julie Simpson

Julie started singing in church when she was 4 or 5 years old. "When I was 8 or 9, my Mom started teaching me to hear and sing harmony parts. Singing and listening to Gospel music was really the majority of my musical upbringing. Religion and the church were a very big part of my life until adulthood. I even attended a Christian elementary and high school and it was a very strict religion." Julie says she didn't even have a television in her house until she was in high school! "Once in the 80's I had a Lionel Ritchie tape confiscated by school officials. How embarrassing!" "Secular music was not tolerated at school, church, or home and I wanted to listen to rock music so much! I had one of those alarm clock/radios and at night, I would put it under my pillow and turn the sound down very low so I could listen to whatever I wanted." Growing up, Julie took piano and voice lessons from a very talented lady at her church. "I never did much with the piano," says Julie, I guess singing came easier for me so I focused on that."

"I got married at 20 and kind of got out of the church. Because I wasn't going to church, I wasn't getting to do much singing and I missed that. After a few years I joined the local choir, the Columbia Community Chorale. I had such a blast with that group! It reminded me how much I missed singing so I started hanging out at the local music store. (You thought I went back to church, didn't you?) The owner of the music store told me that the local group "Cruzzen" was looking for a girl singer. I got a job with them in June of 2001 and still sing with them when I get the chance. I joined "Butch Wax & The Hollywoods" in September of 2004. I have learned so much from the musicians in both these groups. I have also made some great friends, too. I am really proud to be part of a band like "Butch Wax". I know we have many more fun gigs ahead." "Let the Good Times Roll!"

Julie can be emailed at:

Julie's Top 10 Favorite Songs:

"I Can't Make You Love Me" - Bonnie Raitt
"Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" - James Taylor
"Silent Legacy" - Melissa Etheridge
"Dancing Nancies" - Dave Matthews Band
"Anna Begins" - Counting Crows
"Lover Lay Down" - Dave Matthews Band
"Let's Stay Together" - Al Green
"Southern Cross" - Crosby, Stills and Nash
"Crash and Burn" - Sheryl Crow
"Galileo" - Indigo Girls

Butch Wax Highlight
Of course I had heard of the legendary piano player, Johnnie Johnson. When I started with Butchwax in the fall of 2004 I knew that he sometimes came out and played with the band for certain events. Hopes were high for the 2005 Cardinals baseball season - it was the last year to play in the "old" Busch Stadium. We played the home opener in Kiener Plaza. It was a warm, beautiful day in early April as we took the stage. I felt like I had the best seat in the house. From the stage of Kiener Plaza there is a great view of the Arch and the old courthouse. Below that was a "sea of red" where Cardinal Nation had gathered for the festivities. We had started with our first few songs when I noticed an elderly man sitting along the side of the stage - he was wearing one of those flat-brimmed caps and had a fat cigar in his hand. I knew it was him! Gene ran down the stage steps to help him up to the keyboards. Then I started wondering - how is he going to play the piano with that cigar in his hand? Maybe he will hand it to Gene to hold, or put it out to smoke later. I just kept watching him hold that cigar while he and the band decided what they should play. What is he going to do with that cigar? They decided to play "If You Want A Good Woman". I couldn't take my eyes off of him - as the band started to play I couldn't believe it - he put the cigar in his jacket pocket! I guess it wasn't lit! I found out later that he frequently held an unlit cigar. As I watched and listened to him that day, I had the feeling that this was something very special and I felt honored to be that close to a musical legend. He passed away only a few days later and then I really found out what an impact he had on so many people, especially the members of Butchwax and the Hollywoods. As many gigs as he played with them, they realized that each and every one of them were special. The times they shared with Johnnie are still the subject of many backstage conversations.

Favorite Butch Wax Story
Last year, we played Chateau on the Lake in Branson on a weeknight. I had just started a new job and could not take the day off. My husband picked me up from work and we raced down to Branson just to get there in time for the gig. I rushed in, changed clothes and found the band already had started with Steve Davis as Elvis. I was late! There was a great crowd and Elvis had them going. I literally ran up to the back of the stage. I was so unfocused and preoccupied from work, the frantic car ride and just trying to "get there" that I was so unprepared for what I saw. I ran up the back-stage steps and there was the band....and Barney Fife? I had the strangest disconnected feeling. Why was Barney Fife from The Andy Griffith Show at a Butchwax gig? Had I somehow found myself eavesdropping in one of Gene Ackmann's dreams? It took me a few minutes to adjust - then I saw Lucille Ball and Marilyn Monroe. The agency had hired impersonators for the show! They were great! Barney even sang "Hello Thelma Lou" with the band. Check out some great pictures of Gene and Barney on the Photo Gallery.