He began playing the piano by ear at the age of 3 and gave his first professional recital at the age of 4.

Kerrick A. R. Butler has a Ph.D. in sacred music and heads the Butler Conservatory of Music in Fayetteville.

His older brother and sister were given piano lessons and one day his sister got up from the piano and Butler sat down and played what he had heard when only 3 years old. When his mother saw who was playing, lessons began for him also. He has studied classical music for a total of 13 years.

Butler was born and reared in Detroit, and his family was always active in the church. His brother, Bishop Keith A. Butler, is the senior pastor at a church in Detroit and Butler had served as the minister of music there for many years.

Seven years ago it was decided to start a church in Georgia and the “Faith Christian Center” was begun in Fayette County. Butler came to help steer its growth and to oversee the music ministry. Due to rapid growth, the church has since moved to Smyrna.

Serving the church has always been the top priority for the family. No matter what else was going on, everyone in the family went to worship services each week and participated in various capacities. Currently his sister, Kym McAllister, serves the Detroit church as head of print operations.

“I'm happy to share God's gift to me with everyone,” he said. “I am always perfecting how to be better at my craft. God expects no less from me than perfection and by showing His place in my life to others, I am also showing my gratitude for His blessings.”

Besides playing and teaching piano, Butler also plays the oboe, flute, trumpet and violin as well as teaching these instruments.

“I believe parents would do well to have children take music lessons,” he said. “It teaches discipline and stretches another part of their mind. It has been shown that 43 percent of those children taking music lessons also reflect a higher standing in their learning ability.”

He is a graduate of the University of Michigan with degrees in electrical engineering and information technology. Though he works in the computer industry during the day his evenings and weekends are devoted to church and teaching piano.

There is one item on his wish list, though. It is to write the score for a major movie.

He and wife, Pat, whom he met in church, are the parents of Kerrick Jr., 13, Robert, 10, and Kristopher, age 5. He can be reached at 770-772-9287.

He has served on the Fayette County Board of Education's Race Relations Committee, having been appointed by former school superintendent Dr. Dave Brotherton as its first chairman.

Serving his God, his family and his community is the epitome of his life.

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