Chris Buttleman’s musical life was sparked by his older brothers’ influence on him as they introduced him to great albums by The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and much more at around the age of 7. However, his first musical instrument was a harmonica, then a ukulele, and then after a few years of piano lessons and playing drums in the school band, he developed a passion for the guitar at age 14.

Chris was playing [semi] professionally with backyard/garage bands within twelve months, which progressed to packing clubs and halls throughout his high school years. At 17, Chris spent a summer at the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) in Hollywood on a scholarship. Returning to his home state of Iowa to finish high school, he then packed his belongings for a more permanent move to Los Angeles to pursue his music career. Shortly after arrival, he formed the group RiverDogs, which, after a few lineup changes, included the addition of Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard, Whitesnake, Dio) and was a group that later signed a deal with Epic Records in 1989. Concurrently, Chris was not only honing his skills as a player, but as a guitar builder and repairman while employed by Valley Arts Guitar [N. Hollywood, CA], where Eddie Van Halen, Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather and many others were patrons. This experience led to starting his own guitar shop in North Hollywood, GuitarWorks.

 As a technician, Chris went on to do several world tours and worked directly with the Eagles, Elton John, Beach Boys, Ozzy Osbourne, Night Ranger and many others. Subsequently, as tour manager, he played an important role in the platinum success of Semisonic, the Verve Pipe, Five For Fighting and Remy Zero in the 1990’s. For the last eight years, while continuing to study guitar, Chris created his own artist development company, Machine, Inc., which includes an independent record label, recording studio, music publishing and artist management services.

He’s developed, recorded and released several independent albums from bands and singer/ songwriters to worldwide acclaim and as well has enjoyed success licensing music to corporations Phillip-Morris, Adidas and Domino’s Pizza, and popular television shows as So You Think You Can Dance, The O.C., MTV’s Real World, Road Rules, Kardashians, and The Hills, and ABC’s Six Degrees among others. Chris Buttleman, has been playing guitar and working in the music industry for over 25 years and offers a unique opportunity for students to receive not only expert guitar lessons but also gain keen insight from his broad range of experience. Whether considering a career or vocation in music, Chris can teach all styles, but specializes in blues influenced rock guitar.