'What did I do to get to be the guy?' | Churchill Downs' bugler celebrates 30 years on the job

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- You know the sound. The iconic Call to the Post on the first Saturday in May that silences a crowd of tens of thousands of people. For a few seconds spectators forget this day is all about the horses. Because all eyes are on one man — Steve Buttleman.

“When I play the first four notes, that’s all it takes and the crowd just erupts, which is an incredible feeling,” Buttleman told WDRB.

It ignites a fire within. Gloried anticipation for the Kentucky Derby Race has been building more than all day, but in fact all year.

“Because it's the first jewel in the Triple Crown. And at this point, all dreams are still tangible,” Buttleman said.

The official bugler for Churchill Downs and the Derby knows a thing or two about dreams himself. Buttleman always wanted to make a career out of music, but the Derby was never on his radar until the bugler job opened up. He went to the audition simply to gain experience.

“And I almost didn't go. I was having my wife's car worked on that morning and so I warmed up outside of Midas just in case I had time to come,” Buttleman recalled. “I get there, everyone is in a coat and tie. I'm in tennis shoes, cut offs, and wind breaker.”

To the judges, that didn't matter. Buttleman became the new bugler for Churchill Downs.

In the WDRB archives, after his audition, a young Buttleman said, “I think the bugler position is as much a symbol of the Downs as the twin spires or a thorough bread horse.”

Thirty years later that still rings true.

“I'm very blessed to have the job. I always feel very lucky and very blessed to get to do what I do. I love sharing the Derby with people,” Buttleman said.

The Call to the Post is played before most races at the Downs, not just the Derby. Buttleman has played it thousands and thousands of times.

“Like 10 or 12 times a day, 5 days a week, for 30 years.”

And he still practices every day. So we asked him if it ever gets old?

“Nope. Never does. Because I figure there may be one fan out there that this is the first time they've heard it. And I want it to be perfect for them. And I want them to feel the excitement that comes with the Call to the Post and the Derby,” Buttleman said.

So what does the bugler do in his downtime between races? Lets step inside his office.

“It's the best view in sports, I believe,” Buttleman said as he looked out at the track and twin spires.

Inside the pagoda you'll find pictures of his family, celebs he's met over the years, and a plethora of beads in boxes and on a homemade wooden rack.

Buttleman makes jewelry and rosaries, encouraged by his wife and daughter and inspired by his Catholic faith. He uses beads that are all different shapes and sizes proving life isn't perfect, but still beautiful. And he draws a comparison between crystal beads and only truly being able to see a church’s stained glass windows when the light is shining through.

“People cant see God's love, except through us and through our actions. And so to kind of make that tangible, I like to use glass and crystal beads in my jewelry that the light can shine through.”

Buttleman says the pagoda is surprisingly silent, with just a dull roar of the crowds cheering on their horse as they round the track.

It’s in periods of silence, one can take in the depth of a moment. Whether that be just before the Kentucky Derby horses rush out of the starting gate or minutes before that when Buttleman takes a walk on the turf track before playing the iconic Call to the Post ahead of the most exciting two minutes in sports.

“When I get to the top I turn around and I see just everyone having a great time. All the hats and everyone is just having a ball. And the twin spires. And I just think, ‘What did I do to get to be the guy?’ Buttleman said. “And I'm very thankful and very blessed for that opportunity. And I always say, ‘Thank you, God. Please help me not screw up.’ That's my prayer.”

Then they're off! And the rest is history.