by Maggie Hoppel
On Thursday, January 30th, Indianapolis musician and radio host Herman “Butch” Slaughter contributed his expansive knowledge and experience to our class “Rhythm and Revolution: Music, Communication, and Social Change.” Discussions spanned from hip hop to film soundtracks, but as students continued to engage with his perspective, a common theme appeared: the life cycle of a song or movement in music. Slaughter prompted students to ask, “What makes a song live on?”
Slaughter entered the recording music world as a member of the soul group The Words of Wisdom, releasing the single “You Made Me Everything” in 1971. Now, he narrates for the WFYI radio program “Echoes of Indiana Avenue,” which celebrates the historic musical achievements of Black artists from central Indiana. Recent highlights include jazz legend Alonzo “Pookie” Johnson, gospel musician Reverend Dennis H. Friedman, and saxophonist Eddie Chamblee
Slaughter remembers walking down Indiana Avenue from building to building and hearing a new band, a new sound, in each one. Today, their legacy lives on through the interviews, research, and performances offered by “Echoes of Indiana Avenue.” Slaughter’s experience preserving the musical history of his hometown has shown him music’s powerful impact on its surrounding communities and cultures over time.
To Slaughter, music is connection—a message that initiates conversation between the artist and their audience. That message can call for change, inspire joy and hope, or sometimes it’s just the words, “I’m here.” Then, others have the opportunity to respond or expand upon that idea with their own creativity. Slaughter believes that many of our culture’s central ideas and beliefs are revitalized across musical genres to remain accessible to new generations, especially as hip hop gained popularity in the late 1980s and early ‘90s. “I’m an artist. If I see something I like, I recreate it,” he said. Slaughter referenced the Indianapolis funk band Manchild and James Brown’s “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” as examples of his own inspirations.
Furthermore, Slaughter suggested that the longevity of a song represents more opportunities for intergenerational connection. Part of being an artist, he suggested, is advocating to protect those chances. For the musicians of Indiana Avenue, self-publishing provided more control over the distribution and preservation of their music. He also emphasized the importance of preserving local spaces for music to be expressed, showing his appreciation for the Black-owned venues available to Indianapolis musicians today. For modern artists, Slaughter emphasized the cultivation of a strong personal brand. In a time where most new music gets its start on social media, it’s vital for new artists to innovate fresh angles on the craft. He encouraged all students to consider their current use of social media and how they might recalibrate those decisions to reflect their creative goals.
Today, Slaughter’s music continues to inspire generations of listeners. In 2019, The Words of Wisdom’s “You Made Me Everything” was rereleased by LAMP records, revitalizing it for new audiences. The following year, it was sampled in “Made Me Everything” by the Canadian rapper Tobi. This new version incorporated Word’s of Wisdom’s chorus into a new song celebrating success through hardship. Tobi told the Indianapolis Star he was struck by the depth of the singer’s voice in “You Made Me Everything” and that it “felt very spiritual” to listen to.
Additionally, Slaughter’s work with the radio program “Echoes of Indiana Avenue” introduces listeners to many other prominent voices from his historic hometown. His creativity acts as a point of connection for theirs, inviting new listeners to experience their musical legacy.
Every connection art builds is a miracle. Music can feel like a whisper on the wind sometimes, but through Slaughter’s creativity and advocacy, he makes songs live on—both locally and worldwide. The community of Indianapolis’s history is deepened by his work, and its character is enriched by his membership.