- 歌曲
- 时长
简介
Highly regarded as one of Bluegrass Music's finest High Lead and Tenor vocalist, Larry Stephenson has been a headliner for over twenty years. Larry formed his band in 1989 while living in his home state of Virginia. Stephenson has been a touring bluegrass musician since he played with his Dad beginning in the middle seventies. Born in Harrisonburg, VA and raised in King George, his Dad started him on the mandolin at age five, cutting his first record at age 13. He credits the rich music scene of Virginia for much of his musical success, having seen and heard the first generation bluegrass performers at festivals, shows, and on the radio. After high school graduation, he worked and recorded with Cliff Waldron and Leon Morris while soaking up the Washington, D.C. rich musical scene, which included cutting edge bands like The Country Gentlemen and The Seldom Scene as well as traditional bluegrass and old-time music. Moving onward in 1979 Larry spent 4 ½ years with Bill Harrell & The Virginians. And in 1983 joined the famed Bluegrass Cardinals for 5 ½ years. This combination has been called "...one of the classic lineups of the Bluegrass Cardinals". Recording with both groups. In 1992 Larry moved to Nashville, Tennessee and since then, The Larry Stephenson Band has toured widely, recorded frequently, nurturing it’s own sound, based on Larry’s crystal clear, easily recognizable tenor voice, while providing a musical home for some of the finest sidemen in contemporary bluegrass history. Many appearance's on the Grand Ole Opry and RFD TV have made The Larry Stephenson Band a fan favorite all across the US and Canada. In 1996, Stephenson was made a member of the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame by the Virginia Folk Music Association. While Larry Stephenson is best known as a touring musician whose voice sets a standard of melody, clarity, and storytelling, he has had an active and well-awarded recording career. He recorded with Webco Records and then spent eighteen years with Pinecastle Records, releasing eighteen CD's during that period. Signature songs in Larry Stephenson's vast catalog include "Patches," "Yes, I See God," "Clinch Mountain Mystery," "Many Hills Of Time", "The Knoxville Girl", "The Knoxville Boy," The Pretty Blue Dress" and "The Violet and the Rose." Another Stephenson fan favorite is his version of Bill Monroe's classic "Mule Skinner Blues," often performed as an encore and showcasing his flexible and reliable tenor voice. These songs, always delivered with commitment and conviction are often requested in his live performances at festivals, concerts, and other appearances. While many other Stephenson’s songs from most of his recordings have charted, 2004 brought a hi-light as "Clinch Mountain Mystery" reached #1 on the bluegrass charts. This veteran performer continues to deliver new and fresh material while never straying far from his deep traditional roots. Throughout his now over twenty-year career fronting his own band, and almost forty years as a major, touring performer, Larry Stephenson has been well-recognized and awarded by fans and his peers in the recording industry. He's been named Male Vocalist of the Year at SPBGMA (The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America) five times. His 2010 award winning release "20th Anniversary" on his own label Whysper Dream Music, included guest performers like Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart, Del McCoury, Dale Ann Bradley, Dudley Connell, and Sonny Osborne. "Give This Message to Your Heart" with Dailey and Vincent won Recorded Event of the Year from IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) in the same year. In 2011, he signed a recording contract with Nashville based, premier label Compass Records. Larry lives on the outskirts of Nashville, TN with his wife Dreama, an accomplished child photographer and hairdresser, and their long-awaited and much-loved daughter.