Let me introduce to you Like Butta’:
Robert (Morty) Mortenson, the heart of the trio, studied guitar with Dr. James Greeson at UA in Fayetteville. He has played with the UA Jazz Band & Concert Choirs, Chelsea’s House Band, Opal Fly & the Swatters, The Skinny Gypsies, Flashback, and many others. He plays guitar, mandolin and banjo and has a knack for picking tunes that tug at your heart strings and recall fond memories.
Melody Mortenson has been singing most of her life, beginning with grade school, high school and church choirs. She studied voice at the UMKC Conservatory before moving to the Ozarks. She has sung with Martin & Melody, Flashback and Gayle de la Kruse, among others. Her venues have included The Crescent & Basin Park Hotels, and the Eureka Springs Auditorium Christmas Concerts, Fine Arts & Folk Festivals. Melody adds a little cajon and melodica to Morty and Jim’s excellent musicianship.
Jim Jernigan, clarinet and vocals, is a true local gem and has been a popular performer for NW Arkansas audiences since 1978. He has played with many of the top names in the area including Mike Sumler, Claudia Burson, Jim Greeson, Ben Harris, Jack Martin, and Lee Tomboulian. Known as a versatile musician, Jim applies his lyrical and rhythmic style to various musical genres, from Jazz to Rhythm and Blues, to Dixieland and Bluegrass. His smooth clarinet playing was the inspiration for the name of the Trio.
Morty and Melody have been harmonizing for years and their vocals form the foundation for the Like Butta’s sound. In reviewing Melody & Morty’s debut CD, Nightflying Magazine calls it “an excellent collection of tunes…Melody is aptly named. Her vocals are sweet as honey.”
They have performed together at the Eureka Springs Concert in The Park Series, Fayetteville Roots Festival and several Northwest Arkansas coffee houses and clubs.