The Players
The Players themselves are a mixture of some of the finest musicians in the DC area.
Chelsea Mitchell-Reynolds: Lyrics, Vocals
From soul and funk to opera and beyond. Chelsea’s amazingly soulful voice is both powerful and inspiring. With success as the vocalist for Big/Brite et al. Chelsea brings both chops, talent and class to Blonde Butterfly. It is an honor to breathe the same air in such a small practice space.
Matt Fleming: Keys, Percussion and Vocals
Playing Keyboards, Drums, Percussion and singing can be a lot of hats to wear during a show. Matt, through determination and that very rare gift of a great ear, has made such a feat possible. His distinctive warm and plaintive voice is a crucial part of the vocal line up. In the studio Matt handles the beats, grooves, tones and is basically an ‘everyman’. He studied at VCU ultimately choosing to get his degree in audio engineering here locally at Omega. Matt is the epitome of chill and is a very intuitive musician and kind person. He is very approachable, though as you get closer he keeps getting taller.
Billy Toti Drummer hailing from Honolulu, Billy Toti has been playing drums professionally since the age of 15. His first regular gig was in 2004 with the Hawaii-based cover band, Mixed Nutz, a favorite with the Waikiki tourist crowd. Mixed Nutz opened for several national acts including Slightly Stoopid and Flogging Molly, and one of their tracks was selected by Jack Johnson for incorporation into a compilation album of Hawaii-based bands. Billy’s next musical venture was with the Virginia Beach-based Until Next Time, recording “Things I Wish I Said,” as well as an unreleased EP. In 2008, Billy began touring nearly full time with Minneapolis-based Linden, where he recorded multiple EPs, worked in studio with Motion City Soundtrack on a full length-record, and opened for several national acts including Owl City and Paramore. One of Linden’s tracks was featured on Paris Hilton’s “The World According To Paris.” In 2009, he joined Sail by the Stars, recording “A Sunshine State of Mind,” with one track featured on an episode of MTV’s “The Real World.” In 2010, Billy moved to New York to join Weatherstar, recording several EPs and co-writing many of the band’s tracks. Repped by Working Group Management out of Manhattan, Weatherstar was a Pure Volume Top 10 band two years running (2010 and 2011) and toured with Atlantic’s Plug In Stereo, The Ready Set, Burnham, and Before You Exit. On one tour Billy also provided percussions for Plug In Stereo. Billy then went onto play with rising Doghouse Records rap artist Mason opening up for Lupe Fiaso at The Patriot Center and Snoop Dogg to name a few. Over the years Billy’s bands have been featured in numerous media outlets, including MTV.com, Seventeen Magazine, AP Magazine, and Substream Magazine. He has played The Vans Warped Tour, Summerfest, South-by-Southwest (twice), the Launch Music Festival, and the Florida Music Festival. 
Zach Liggett: Percussion
Zach started in Percussion and Jazz Ensemble in high school later moving on to play with Flight of the Lemming at numerous gigs including Nomadic Roots and The Untitled Music Festival. Zach is a lover of funk, soul, jazz, go-go and latino. Intertwining grooves from bossa nova to afro-cuban rhythms, Zach consistently intertwines the intricate rhythms of civilization’s oldest instrument section with the progressive clarity of the modern form.
Jake has paid his dues as a gigging musician by both touring nationally and keeping the low end amazing with countless local acts. His personality comes thru his playing in an amazingly interesting way. He is a tremendously original and tight musician able to play both Rock and Soul like a master. He is also tremendously shy and due to his impeccable manners and understated demeanor people constantly inquire if he is from England. He is not. He is thoroughly French.
Salty James: Guitar and Vocals
Mr. James has been writing and recording since the age of 14. The relentless obsession of making words and sounds mesh together has simply not ceased since he first heard The Beatles in the back seat of a station wagon headed to Silver Dollar City. “My father was a traveling jazz player in the 30’s and 40’s. I grew up on the old jazz stuff and when I heard rock I was appalled!! Then I heard the Beatles (some early stuff). The real turning point was hearing Michael Jackson for the first time. My Father respected him as a showman, but I loved the music. My first band was a punk thing. But I always preferred to write privately, sometimes with a friend. Especially if that friend had a great ear! I prefer to write in bed, slowly meditating on the material thru the night. This gets the material deeply laid in my mind. Most vocals are then completed when I wake up or in the shower repeating important lines over and over. The shower provides a time constraint I guess and it sounds good. I love writing for someone once I know their voice.”
Auxiliary / Back Up Players:
Robert “Mousey” Thompson: Drums
Globally respected soul great Robert Mousey Thompson’s smooth spent 15 years with the late “Godfather of Soul”, James Brown. With James Brown’s Soul Generals, Thompson has circled the globe countless times, performing for millions upon millions of die-hard fans. He was also drummer for the late, great Wilson Pickett, has performed on more stages than anyone can count. From Woodstock 99, Live 8 to the American Music Awards. He can also be heard on tracks by groups like The Black Eyed Peas, in blockbuster movies, and on various major record labels, including his A&M solo release Give It A Try (a true R&B gem of the smoothest quality). Mousey has recently completed a number of collaborations with artists ranging from Bootsy Collins to Jab’o Starks and Clyde Stubblefield, Peaches and Herb, Rick Derringer and on and on and on….
Above all this Mousey is a humble and kind man with abilities that add to any situation.
Dan Charette: Audio Engineering, Drums and Percussion
Around here you will often hear it said: “Huh…? I have no idea. Ask Dan.”
Curious putting Dan last here as he not only did the website but managed / solved every and any aspect of the label, studio build, audio mixing and engineering issue imaginable. He has the dual distinction of being the best audio engineer and the most knowledgable person I have ever known. He is also a hell of a nice guy.
Audio Engineering, Mixing, “Textbook perfect” drumming, Production, Mastering, Website, Code, Technical blah blah blah…,
“Huh…? I have no idea. Ask Dan.”