The Band

We get asked quite a bit about where we came up with the name "The Jack Butler Society". The 1986 movie Crossroads starring Ralph Maccio follows a young blues guitarist by the name of Eugene Martone as he tracks down Blues Legend Blind Dog Willie Brown in a search for a legendary lost song by famed Bluesman Robert Johnson.

Legend has it that Robert Johnson made a deal with the devil down at the crossroads in Mississippi to become a famous bluesman. So Eugune and Blind Dog Willie Brown set off to find the Crossroads.

When they reach a rural crossroads in the middle of nowhere in Mississippi, Willie reveals the ultimate secret: his ability on the harmonica came about because of a deal with the devil made at this very location. The Devil, "Scratch", formerly known as "Legba", shows up and says that the contract for Willie's soul is still valid, even if Willie is ultimately dissatisfied with how his life turned out.

Eugene, believing the other two are joking around, steps into the conversation. The Devil offers a challenge: If Eugene can come to a special concert and win a guitar battle against his ringer guitarist, then Willie gets his soul back. If Eugene loses, then Eugene also forfeits his soul. Despite Willie's protests, Eugene agrees to the deal. Willie and Eugene are transported to a music hall, where metal-blues guitar master Jack Butler (played by Steve Vai), who also sold his soul for musical ability, is wowing the crowd with his prowess. 

Jack Butler is the Devil's Guitar Player.