 Although Kottke did not release an album in 1977, he produced and played on "The Wylie Butler" by Cal Hand (Takoma TAK C-1056), a Minneapolis pedal steel and dobro player who had played on numerous Capitol releases for Leo.Writing for Allmusic, music critic Mark Allen wrote of the album "The subjects of death and betrayal permeate this understandably dark album... His always problematic singing assumes a prominent role, which might not be the best strategy.He showcases his string wizardry on 'A Dull [sic] Thud' and several other instrumentals."