Herman “Butch” Slaughter Oral History

Interview Highlight

In this Interview Highlight, Herman “Butch” Slaughter reflects on touring with Words of Wisdom alongside Jackie Moore, Solomon Burke, Bettye Swann and James Brown. He recalls life on the road during soul music’s golden era and explains how Words of Wisdom and the Truth Revue became a valuable touring ensemble capable of supplying both vocalists and a complete backing band.

Complete Interview

In this Complete Interview, Herman “Butch” Slaughter traces his musical journey from growing up near Indiana Avenue and singing in church to founding Words of Wisdom and leading the group through Indianapolis’s vibrant soul and R&B scene of the 1970s. He reflects on the influence of his cousin, Reverend Dennis H. Freeman, and pianist and vocalist Flo Garvin, as well as the impact of local performers including Rodney Stepp and The Diplomats.

Slaughter also recalls forming Words of Wisdom, working with manager and WTLC radio personality Ricki Clark, performing in Indianapolis clubs and recording for Herb Miller’s Lamp Records. He shares stories of the Superfly Revue, touring with nationally known artists and developing the Truth Revue as the group’s backing band. The conversation also explores his later work as a songwriter, producer, educator, narrator and advocate for preserving the history of Indiana Avenue.

Biography

Herman “Butch” Slaughter is an Indianapolis vocalist, songwriter, bandleader, producer, educator and music historian whose career connects the musical legacy of Indiana Avenue with the city’s soul and R&B scene of the 1970s.

Slaughter grew up near Indiana Avenue and Crispus Attucks High School in a family and community deeply connected to music. He began singing in church and school as a child, developing an ear for harmony and arrangement long before beginning his professional career.

One of his earliest musical influences was his cousin, Reverend Dennis H. Freeman, a gospel musician, choir director, songwriter and recording artist. Slaughter watched Freeman rehearse choirs, practice keyboards and study conducting. Although Slaughter did not pursue an instrument, those experiences helped him develop the ability to hear arrangements internally and recognize when singers or musicians were out of key.

Another major influence was pianist, vocalist and nightclub entertainer Flo Garvin, the mother of Slaughter’s first wife, Karen Garvin. Through Garvin, Slaughter was exposed to professional musicians and entertainers who performed in Indianapolis clubs and visited her home. Her career offered him an early view of the discipline and lifestyle required of a working musician.

Slaughter was also inspired by Indianapolis soul and R&B performers including Rodney Stepp and The Diplomats. Seeing a large local band perform with horns, guitars, bass and rhythm section convinced him that Indianapolis musicians could create the same powerful sound he heard on nationally released recordings.

In the early 1970s, Slaughter founded Words of Wisdom, a mixed male-and-female vocal group. The original lineup included Herman “Butch” Slaughter, Robert Vaughn, Rosa Hart, Mabel Hart and Karen Garvin. The group distinguished itself through strong vocal harmonies, choreography and a polished live presentation.

Words of Wisdom developed into one of Indianapolis’s leading soul acts. The group performed regularly in clubs including Function Junction, the In Crowd, Nettles and the End Zone, while also appearing at concerts, community events and regional venues.

WTLC radio personality Ricki Clark became an important figure in the group’s development. After Slaughter approached him about becoming their manager, Clark helped Words of Wisdom gain exposure, secure performances and build relationships within the entertainment business.

The group later expanded into a second phase and performed with a backing band known as the Truth Revue. Together, the singers and musicians could reproduce the sound of a complete record onstage, making them especially valuable to touring artists who needed both background vocalists and instrumental accompaniment.

Words of Wisdom recorded for Herb Miller’s Lamp Records, an Indianapolis label that documented important local soul, funk and R&B artists. Although the group’s recordings received limited distribution during their original release, they later became sought-after by collectors and listeners interested in rare regional soul music.

One of the group’s most notable Indianapolis appearances was the Superfly Revue at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum. The event featured Curtis Mayfield and other prominent performers and placed Words of Wisdom on one of the city’s largest soul concert stages.

Words of Wisdom and the Truth Revue also toured or performed with nationally known artists including Jackie Moore, Solomon Burke, Bettye Swann, Brook Benton, Les McCann and James Brown. Because the group included singers and a complete band, it could recreate the vocal and instrumental arrangements heard on the artists’ recordings.

Slaughter remembered James Brown as an extraordinarily talented bandleader who could hear every part of an arrangement in his head and communicate musical ideas directly to his musicians. Words of Wisdom performed several dates connected with Brown’s touring organization before the engagement ended after the group received too many encores from an enthusiastic audience.

As the group evolved, Slaughter continued writing, arranging, producing and directing musicians. Members of the second phase of Words of Wisdom and the first Truth Revue lineup included Eric Jones, Ricki Clark, Kevin Franklin, Leroy Seats, Gary Amos, Karen Slaughter, Herman Slaughter, Steve Odle and Sharon Harrison.

Slaughter’s work eventually expanded beyond performing. He remained involved in songwriting, production, artist development and music education while also becoming an important source of knowledge about Indiana Avenue and Indianapolis music history.

He served as narrator for the WFYI documentary Echoes of Indiana Avenue, helping share the stories of the musicians, clubs and cultural institutions that made the Avenue one of the Midwest’s most important Black entertainment districts.

In 2023, the Jazz Journalists Association honored Slaughter as the Indianapolis Jazz Hero in recognition of his work as an educator, historian and advocate for the city’s musical heritage.

Slaughter has also participated in public programs and panel discussions focused on Indianapolis soul, jazz and funk history. His work has helped preserve the stories of performers whose contributions were often overlooked by the mainstream music industry.

Through Words of Wisdom, the Truth Revue, his production work and his commitment to education and historical preservation, Herman “Butch” Slaughter has remained an important link between Indiana Avenue’s earlier musical traditions and the generations of Indianapolis artists who followed.

Image Gallery

Explore photographs from Herman “Butch” Slaughter’s remarkable career as a vocalist, songwriter, producer, educator, music historian, and leader of Words of Wisdom and the Truth Revue.