Page 31 - Digital Version - OCT - DEC 2022 4th Issue
P. 31
SINGER/SONGWRITER, LEGENDARY BLUES MAN
LARRY
MCCRAY
Larry McCray first emerged on the international Pain is important when writing about the blues.
stage with his debut release on Point Blank/Virgin How would you say your vast life experiences
in 1990. Through the 1990’s and behind 4 albums have influenced your music?
on that label, he quickly ascended the hierarchy of I think that the blues is the truth and in order to
the blues and roots world, not just as a guitarist have real songs, you have to have real life
who could slay but also as an impassioned singer experiences, whether good or bad.
who could knock out audiences with his soulful,
barrel-chested vocals.
You’re such a prolific composer and seem to have
Over the past three decades of nonstop touring a strong passion for songwriting. Have you
and recording, Larry has played and shared the written or considered writing for other artists?
stage with such blues and rock greats as BB King, Yes, I have definitely considered writing for other
Buddy Guy, Albert King, John Mayall, Johnny artists because sometimes when a song is written,
Winter, Robert Cray, Keb Mo, Jonny Lang, Joe the vocal key doesn't always work for the artist,
Walsh, Levon Helm, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, or the style doesn't fit the artist, but it doesn't
Bobby “Blue” Bland, Albert Collins, and Joe mean that you can't conceive an idea other than
Bonamassa. No stranger to the deep and endless what you see for yourself. Because you're a
world of the jam band universe either, Larry is performer of a particular genre, it doesn't mean
beloved by and has performed with many of the you can't write for a different one totally different
greats in that world, including touring with The than what you perform. Writing and performing
Allman Brothers Band, Warren Haynes, Gov’t are two different things.
Mule, Phil Lesh, Chris Robinson of the Black
Crowes, and countless others.
Your son seems to be following in your musical
Now, with the release of his new album Blues footsteps. You must’ve had a proud father
Without You (March 25, 2022), Larry McCray is moment when your son won the Signal Boost
poised to re-emerge as one our great American competition - a competition and concert for
roots and blues performers. The new album is a emerging artists. Are there any plans on
masterful, genre busting 12-track release that collaborating for a future project?
touches on country, jazz, gospel…and of course Of course I had a proud parent moment and I was
the blues. Recorded on famed guitarist very happy that I could be there to watch. My son
Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues Alive label with Bleau is already working on his first project with
producer Josh Smith, the breadth of McCray’s the band that he plays out with, a young artist by
songwriting talents are on full display, found on the name of Billy Gunther, and I was very happy
tracks such as the classic blues shuffle "Arkansas", and proud that I could be on that project with him
the retro soul of "Breaking News" and the as well. I tried to persuade him to lean more in my
poignant ballad "Down To The Bottom" (featuring direction sometimes, but I think he wants to do
Warren Haynes). things on his own and I'm cool with that also.
T H E S P I R E C E N T E R M A G A Z I N E | 3 1
