Butcher's tribute to unsung hero

Butcher's tribute to unsung hero

By Scott Heinrich

Butcher sings and plays guitar on the song he wrote for Ben Hollioake

Mark Butcher won't be bothered if the tribute song he wrote for Ben Hollioake does not sell one copy.

Of course, with proceeds going towards the children's charity fund named after the cricketer killed in a car crash last year, he hopes You're Never Gone goes triple platinum.

But in Butcher's eyes, the song is already a success as he grows accustomed to life without his friend and England and Surrey team-mate.

Butcher performed the ballad at Ben's Memorial service at London's Southwark Cathedral before deciding to record it and release it to the public.

BBC Sport caught up with Butcher at Westside Studios in west London on Saturday, where he was cutting the track with his band.

"Writing a song was the most obvious and best way for me to deal with Ben's passing," says Butcher, who sings and plays guitar on the song.

You're never gone, you're always there...
The perfect smile, you're everywhere...

Chorus of You're Never Gone

"It was very difficult for everyone to get their head around and it happened that I was able to voice feelings I and other people had through the song.

"The idea of it isn't to achieve fame or recognition for my musical ability.

"It's a tribute to Ben and hopefully we can help a few people along the way as far as the charity is concerned."

Butcher's exploits with the bat are well-known, but cricket fans may not be so familiar with his musical talents.

However, the left-hander - who plays the guitar right-handed, unlike another famous southpaw Jimmy Hendrix - is just as passionate about music as cricket.

"I've played music ever since I picked up the guitar when I was about 12 years old," he explains.

"I just taught myself by trying to play everything you hear on the radio, regular stuff like that."

Butcher has played a number of live gigs with his band

Butcher has assembled a quality group of musicians to record the track, all of whom he has played live with at venues like the Royal Albert Hall.

He says his status as one of the country's leading cricketers has opened doors for him in the world of music.

"Because of the cricket thing, I've been able to meet people that have been able to help me along the way musically.

"They're massively impressed with the fact I'm a cricketer and I'm massively impressed by the fact they're musicians, so it works out pretty well."

As the band trade jokes and production ideas in the final rehearsal, Butcher takes time to reflect the reason for the gathering.

"It's all about Ben, he's the reason I wrote the song and he's the reason we're here today."

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You're Never Gone is due to be released on 21 April, but will not be available in record stores.

Athletes1 sports management

Instead, people can buy the single at their local county ground or through Athletes1, Butcher's management group.