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Name: Larry Stephenson
Group: Larry Stephenson Band
Date: Friday April 25th, 2008
Time: 1:00pm EDT
Website: www.larrystephensonband.com
Interviewer: Gracie Muldoon
Description:
Larry Stephenson began his musical career while in his early teens when he and his father, Ed Stephenson formed Larry Stephenson & The New Grass in Larry's hometown of King George, Virginia.
Honing his God-given talents, he began professionally with Bill Harrell & The Virginians during January, 1979, playing mandolin and singing high lead and tenor. In June, 1983, he moved to a similar role as a member of The Bluegrass Cardinals, remaining until October, 1988, when he organized THE LARRY STEPHENSON BAND while still residing in Virginia.
Increasing opportunities for appearances on national television made it advantageous to relocate to the epicenter of the country and bluegrass music industries, prompting his move to Nashville early in 1992. From this base he continues to make guest appearances on the legendary Grand Ole Opry as well as on Nashville-based TV productions.
Contrary to the norm on 'music row' in Nashville, where artists' record label affiliations are often notoriously short-lived, Larry continues to record for one of the country's preeminent independent record companies, as 2004 marked his 15th Anniversary of making records for the highly respected Pinecastle label family.
The once-cottage and now international bluegrass music industry has seemingly settled on an informal 'big tent' approach that broadens the parameters of any perceived conception of what constitutes bluegrass. Larry Stephenson remains one of the comparatively few headline artists whose solidly tradition-based, contemporary interpretations of the music have kept his recording on the cutting edge of the bluegrass charts, while gaining the respect along the way of first generation legends such as, Jimmy Martin, Mac Wiseman, Jim & Jesse, The Osborne Brothers and others.
During an illustrious career, he has performed for audiences throughout the U.S. and in Canada as well as for fans in a number of European countries. International appearances also include, U.S. State Department-sponsored concerts before dignitaries in eastern nations. As a true professional, Larry feels equally at ease on stage in environments such as these as at a bluegrass festival in California or Florida.
Well-regarded among musicians as an excellent mandolinist, a significant number of industry and media music critics regard Larry Stephenson as the premier high lead vocalist in bluegrass music today. His distinctive, crystal clear voice towers over the band vocals, delivering a strong message, whether an old folk song, a 'brush arbor' gospel quartet or one of his many top ten trios that have graced the national bluegrass song charts.
Stephenson has also been honored by his home state when he was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame. The Governor pronounced June 23, 1996, Larry Stephenson day and a ceremony in Crewe, VA was held to celebrate his induction. In February 2001, 2004, 2005 & 2006 he won the "Contemporary Male Vocalist Award" at the prestigious SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America) Convention. Also in 2004 the band clinched the "Song of the Year Award" for the same prestigious convention for the song & title track, Clinch Mountain Mystery.
In 1999, Stephenson married promoter and long time bluegrasser, Dreama Belcher who now works hard for the band on and off the road. Since May 2002, Larry has also endeavored as part of the Original Seldom Scene Reunion's that took place in 2003 - 2004, held across the U.S., which they began with a date playing Festival in the Pines. In 2003 he recorded, as one of the five mainstream, award winning artist, which all lived on the outskirts of Nashville in the small town of White House, TN making-up the bluegrass supergroup "WhiteHouse".
The CD Clinch Mountain Mystery was recognized as one of the Sweet 16 Off Music Row albums in the Tennessean Newspaper in Nashville, TN. It also stayed on the bluegrass charts for one solid year, which is almost unheard of, debuting at #18 and staying in the top 5 for seven months hitting #1 in December 2004.
Now to his acclaim, Stephenson has done it again with band mates, along with guests artist, Missy Raines, Shad Cobb, Rob Ickes & Jimmy VanCleve released Sept. 5, 2006 entitled "Life Stories". The new album is one discussing some of life’s strategies/tragedies, of today’s world and those of yester-year. The band’s overall quality and sound is yet again above and beyond anything the band has ever produced. There can not be enough said about this album of life songs. You’ll need to listen for yourself and request songs often, now being played at bluegrass radio stations. And, not only did September bring the new release but also an IBMA award for "Album of the Year" for his part in the Musicians Against Childhood Cancer project benefiting St. Jude Children’s Hospital. You may find Life Stories, along with the Cypress DVD and the 2008 gospel release "Thankful" among many others, available at Larry Stephenson Band shows and online at www.LarryStephensonBand.com. |
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