Bio
Joanna is a Halifax based songwriter and singer with a passion for finding hope in love and loss, and inspiration in troubled times.
2026 “That Last Goodbye” , her latest co-write with Henry Lees, is a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition 2025. A tender song about loss and moving on to be released this spring.
2025 “Nobody Knows” a confessional song, written and sung by Joanna Butler, about holding back emotions in public, a common experience for women of all ages.
2024 “Keep on Breathin”, Joanna's latest co-write graduated to the Top 30 East Coast Hall of Fame Radio (CIOE 97.5FM). It reflects how vulnerable we feel at times, yet how much we can help by being there for each other through the difficult moments. Sung by Abi Mack.
2024 “Won't Fit out the Door” (Haul away) co-written with Dave Gunning and Terra Spencer and a group of songwriters, and all songwriters performed in the Music Video. This popular video tells the fun-loving story of big dreams of lobster fisherman at the end of season.
2024 “My Old Man's Heart” co-written with Bruce Guthro and a small group of songwriters, it tells the heartwarming story of a young adult growing up with a father who worked in the coal mine.
2023 "It Takes Time", Joanna co-written with artist Mel Farrimond. Heartfelt folk song about hurting and healing.
2022-23: "It's Sunny Somewhere" , Joanna co-wrote with artist Allister Bradley (John LeBlanc and Tammy Fifield). Roadie Music wrote: “Light as a feather, so that your days of darkness do not last”. Received a "most pitchable song" award from SongStudio in Toronto.
2022-"Forevermore" performed by Joanna, and co-written with Melanie Donnelly. This song, with a classic east coast feel, was inspired by the notion that even in loss, our loved ones continue to guide us.
2021 : "In My Daydream" co-written with Juno award winning artist Meaghan Smith (& William Crowdis) made it as a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Contest 2020. Performed by Joanna at the Bluebird Cafe, Nashville in August 2019.
2020: "Under November Skies/Sous le ciel de novembre", a Remembrance Day song, Joanna co-wrote and performed with a cross Canada Virtual Choir. Embraced by community centres, schools and churches for Remembrance Day ceremonies. For the story of the song/video, and the sheet music for solo and concert band, see: https://HeroesNeverDie.ca
