Larry Dee started his career at the tender age of five (5) in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. He wrote and sang his first song "I'm a Lonely Boy" when his feet couldn't touch the floor as he played an upright piano. A child protégé, Larry was recruited to sing gospel with his sisters under the name "Little Larry Jones and the Jones Sisters". During this period his popularity grew and Little Larry Jones was booked to perform as an opening act for the famous, (Harmonizing Four) and the queen of gospel, (Mahalia Jackson). When he was only only fourteen years old, Larry D. Jones learned how to play the bass guitar and put his first soul band "Larry Dee and The Imperial Rockers" together. As a brilliant young music student he learned to play the trumpet in school and as a freshmen became Captain of the Southside High School Marching Band. While in high school Larry Dee formed another Soul and R&B Band called The Eldorado's, a group that became very popular on the club circuit in and around Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia. After graduating, Larry Dee married his high school sweetheart, a marriage that is still going strong, having lasted well over 40 years. Out in the real world, Larry Dee was recruited by one of the areas top club bands, the legendary "Mustangs". It was with the Mustangs that Larry played the proverbial "Chitterling Circuit" all over the south and it is where he developed his reputation as a solid musician and singer, who could stand toe to toe with anybody in R&B. As time moved on, he as a husband and father became aware that economically members of large soul bands didn't make a lot of money, so he made the decision to return to his first instrument; keyboards (a large organ with a built in rhythm machine and bass pedals.) Larry then recruited a guitarist to form what was to become the famous "Funky Two". Now, not only was the money easier to split two ways, but because of his talent and versatility, the "Funky Two" became one of the most popular bands in the area. So, Larry Dee, worked all the time, from small private functions to large clubs and concerts, while performing and taking care of his family. Larry continued to write soulful original compositions. Several of his compositions came to the attention of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's publishing arm Mighty Three Music Publishing, Mighty Three Music, subsequently licensed and published several of his compositions. Larry also recorded a rare 45" record entitled "It's No Wonder", which can be found floating around on the internet for a good deal of money. So, as the music industry changed and his responsibilities and family grew, Larry Dee turned to business to support his family. He has had a great deal of success in the Real Estate business, in the Insurance industry, and as General Manager and co-owner of several very successful urban radio stations. In 2015, Larry Dee has actively returned to his first love, "Music". The soulful, original composition "The Night Before Christmas" has the potential to become a big hit and a holiday classic. This song has everything that a Christmas song needs to become a part of everyone's holiday library. Along with classic songs by Mariah Carey, Charles Brown and Donnie Hathaway, Larry Dee's "The Night Before Christmas" is here to stay and will give you sing-along holiday joy for many years to come. Watch for his new CD, "Straight from the Heart" to be released spring 2016 on 804Soul.C P 2015/2016 Larry D Jones Music Pub., ASCAP – 804Music Group