John "Picayune" Butler

John "Picayune" Butler (died 1864) was a black French singer and banjo player who lived in New Orleans, Louisiana.

[3] One of his influences was Old Corn Meal, a street vendor who had gained fame as a singer and dancer at the St. Charles Theatre in 1837.

[4] In 1857, Butler participated in the first banjo tournament in the United States held at New York City's Chinese Hall, but due to inebriation, he only placed second.

[2] He paid attention and later used his observations of Butler in formulating a standard system to teach the stroke or clawhammer style of playing.

[11] The name was also listed in November 1845 for a possible second performer with the "Eagle Circus," touring in Louisville, Kentucky, Indiana and Cincinnati, Ohio.

The oldest known banjo, c. 1770–1777 , from the Surinamese Creole culture. Gourd body, carved stick or plank for a neck, three strings.