Each time the Lettermen visit Utah, local fans view their visit as a homecoming.
And it is -- to a degree."They do lay claim to us in Utah," said Tony Butala, whose breathy voice can be heard on most Lettermen hits. "Several early members of the group came from BYU."
But Butala is quick to point out that the Lettermen have kept up with the times. They're not a nostalgia group. They're out to carve a niche for themselves in the '90s.
Still, when the threesome shows up here, fans can expect some nostalgia, of course. But they'd better be ready for a good share of new work as well.
The Lettermen will be in concert at the Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan on Friday, Jan. 15, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.50 and can be reserved by calling 435-752-0026.
"We've maintained the name and we've maintained the reputation, but we've survived because we do an up-to-date show," said Butala. "We do medleys of our hits -- we've had 25. But more than that, we give the people who come to see the old Lettermen -- the people who get a baby sitter, fill the car with gas, buck the snow and ice and buy tickets -- something they couldn't get by staying at home and listening to records. They're not going to get three old coots singing songs from the '60s."
Among the offerings in the stage show are new versions of popular Broadway songs and Top 40 hits, some impersonations of Elvis, Michael Bolton and others from new member Darren Dowler and some flashy outfits that have little in common with those lettermen sweaters of yesteryear.
As for Butala -- considered the founding father -- he also brings a lifetime of show-biz savvy to his work. He got his start in movies, appearing in "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby. The voice of the Lost Boys in Disney's "Peter Pan" is Butala at work as well.
Over the years the Lettermen have had several incarnations, with Butala keeping the name and his soloist spot. Seven members have come and gone in all -- many leaving to form spin-off groups such as Reunion.
But the Lettermen have continued to record. Today, the trio boasts 70 albums and still books 150 dates a year. They'll be doing a show with Bill Cosby soon. Butala has visions of a Lettermen version of "Forever Plaid," with John Davidson or some other star supplying the fourth voice and the comic relief.
What hasn't changed over the years, Butala said, is the Lettermen sound (three high voices all sounding harmony notes while the band sounds the "root" of each chord). And, of course, the squeaky clean Lettermen image.
"We can't be what we're not," said Butala. "We were clean-cut guys in the 60s, we're clean-cut guys now. We've kept it very straight. We never did drugs or booze. It's one reason we're still around."
And those other groups that former Lettermen have formed to do nostalgia shows? Butala wishes them well.
"It seems to only be a conflict in Utah," he said. "But I have nothing but good thoughts in my heart about our history."
He's hoping fans will leave the Logan show with similar feelings.