John Boutte
Biography
John Boutte earned a business degree in college, but his heart always turned toward music. He'd watched his sister, Lillian Boutte, star in a musical theater production of One Mo' Time before she left their hometown of New Orleans to make a career in music for herself in Europe. But despite his own love of music, he took a job with a credit union after serving four years in the U.S. Army. It wasn't until he met Stevie Wonder and the superstar told him he had a definite shot at making it as a singer, that Boutte gave any serious thought to his own musical journey. The word Wonder used to describe Boutte's voice was "incredible." Still, after meeting the superstar, Boutte went back to his office job. Less than a month later, however, sister Lillian mailed him a plane ticket to Europe and asked that he go on tour with her. With Wonder's encouragement fresh in his mind, Boutte took off to start the career he had always wanted and he never looked back.
Growing up in New Orleans, Boutte was exposed to music as part of the city's daily life. From his Creole family's home, not far from where he lives today in the French Quarter, he could easily hear the music of weddings and funerals coming from the church out back.
Selected Discography
Portions of content provided by All Music Guide © 2006 All Media Guide, LLC.