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Americana Fiddler & Entertainer Emerald Butler Releases New Song 

“Buckle Up Winsocki” From Sun Studio Sessions, Out June 5

Chattanooga, TN - Accomplished Americana Fiddler and Singer-Songwriter, Emerald Butler, announces the release of her new original song, “Buckle Up Winsocki” from her new EP “Emerald Butler Sun Studio Sessions” recorded at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, TN. The independently released single will be available DATE on all streaming services.

The song is a tribute to Emerald’s late grandfather, Charles (Charlie) D. Hudson. Emerald explains: “Growing up, whenever I got in the car with him, my Papaw would sing a song he made up to remind himself and us kids to buckle up. It went like ‘buckle up, Winsocki, buckle up. You can win Winsocki if you only buckle up.’ It wasn’t until after he passed away and I began writing this song that I realized he got that idea from a song from the 1943 film “Best Foot Forward” called “Buckle Down Winsoki”. My Papaw would always mix up lyrics of songs from old films and country artists like Little Jimmie Dickens and Tommy Collins.”

Emerald’s grandfather passed away from cancer on July 4, 2024. About the song, Emerald explains: “Along with the tune from the car rides, ‘Buckle Up Winsocki’ is a compilation of stories that my Papaw would tell about crazy events in his life. For example, one time he went to the county courthouse to pay a ticket, but he somehow ended up on the witness stand for a murder trial.”

The song begins with the lyrics “on the first day of summer, lightning struck a tree. There beside the river, out popped Charlie D.” Emerald explains: “He used to say that line about lightning striking a tree, and he was born on June 21st. He always said that D stands for ‘Deluxe’. He was like a folk hero. There’s no one else like him. My Papaw Charlie taught me how to be an entertainer.

I thought it would be very fitting to record this song at Sun because it’s honest with a flair of storytelling. There were so many story songs recorded at Sun like Johnny Cash’s ‘Ballad of a Teenage Queen’ and ‘Tennessee Flattop Box’.” Another influence was Jason D. Williams’ live version of “Drinkin’ Wine Spo-dee O’dee” with its call and response. Emerald has toured nationally with Sun Recording artist Jason D. Williams as his fiddle player, performing many Jerry Lee Lewis Sun Records classics.

Along with the Sun Session release, Emerald has been writing and producing a new history podcast titled “Site of Sound,” which features musical landmarks including Sun Studios. More details will be announced soon.