Poised to become a genre-shaping
staple with the release of two major label albums in the 90’s, rustbelt Blues
singer and guitarist Larry McCray proves he’s been
hiding in plain sight with today’s announcement of his first album in nearly
seven years, Blues Without You, set for release on March 25, 2022.
Produced by blues-rock titan Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith,
the 12-track collection will be released via Bonamassa’s Keeping the
Blues Alive Records (KTBA Records).
The album also features performances by Joe Bonamassa, Warren Haynes, Joanna Connor,
and Reese Wynans.
Pre-order the album from https://shop.jbonamassa.com/collections/larry-mccray.
Throughout his career, McCray’s life has imitated the rags-to-riches stories
of the blues.mLarry’s musical journey took him through many twists and turns,
personal hardships, and dark moments. After meeting his current companion and
collaborator, Peggy Smith, Larry found peace and was rediscovered by kindred
spirits Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith.
“Writing this album made me feel proud, as it allows others to see me as more
than a blues musician,” shares McCray. “The songs are reflective of my broad
taste in music styles and the subject matter, although personal at times, is
relatable to anyone’s life. Hopefully, the words and message of the songs
will help others express their feelings in a similar synopsis.
“I feel totally reborn, with a whole new career, and I'm optimistic about
what the future holds,” McCray continues. “But truthfully speaking, sometimes
I do wish it would have happened 30 years ago. I would have been much more
qualified for the job at that age than at 62,” he laughs.
“Larry McCray is a legend,” praises Bonamassa. “We have known that for 30
years. He is the last of the great blues shouters from the rust belt. In the
spirit of BB King, Luther Allison and Little Milton, Larry is among the
greats. It’s now up to the world to rediscover him. He has been here all
along.”
“Working with Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith as producers was an opportunity of
a lifetime,” credits McCray. “Having known and respected them as accomplished
musicians first, it allowed me to trust their opinions even more and made
this an incredibly fulfilling project.”
Along with today’s album announcement McCray releases lead single “Arkansas,”
a charging ode to McCray’s childhood in his home state and an anthem for
those who grew up similarly.
Listen to the song at https://ktbarecords.com/streaming/larrymccray/arkansas/
Watch the Arkansas
music video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zq0RZKz3tI&t=287s
“This song is a reminder of my
childhood, growing up in rural Arkansas in the 60’s,” elaborates McCray.
“Feeding hogs, bailing straw, amongst all the other chores that a kid of that
generation had to perform, and still, we found a way to find the joy and make
it seem as though it was no work at all. I hope the people can feel that
spirit when they listen to this music that was born from a generation whose
prime has long come to pass.”
McCray was named the Orville H. Gibson (in honour of the vaunted Gibson
Guitar founder) Male Blues Guitarist of the Year in 2000, won the Top
Guitarist prize in the International Blues Matters 2014 writer’s poll and was
awarded the “Sunshine” Sonny Payne Award for Blues Excellence in 2015. Over
the years, Larry has performed and toured with such blues greats as BB King,
Buddy Guy, Albert King, John Mayall, Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, Keb Mo,
Jimmie Vaughan, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Joe Bonamassa, as well as rock
legends the Allman Brothers, Phil Lesh, Jonny Lang, Joe Walsh, Levon Helm,
Chris Robinson, Dickey Betts, and countless others.
Blues Without You Track List:
1.
Arkansas
2.
Without Love It Doesn't Matter
3.
Good Die Young
4.
Down To The Bottom feat. Warren Haynes
5.
Breaking News
6.
Roadhouse Blues
7.
Drinkin’ Liquor And Chasin’ Women feat. Joanna Connor
8.
Blues Without You (For Paul)
9.
Mr. Easy feat. Joe Bonamassa
10.
No More Crying
11.
Don’t Put Your Dreams To Bed
12.
I Play The Blues
About
Larry McCray
Rust belt blues guitarist and singer Larry McCray was born in 1960 in
Magnolia, Arkansas as one of nine siblings. Early on, his sister, Clara,
introduced him to the guitar and the transformative music of the three Kings
of the blues. In 1972, 12-year-old Larry followed Clara to Saginaw, Mich.,
where he honed his guitar skills, adding rock riffs to the traditional blues
style he loved. After high school, Larry began playing the local circuit, and
by the late ’80s, he had attracted the attention of the head of Virgin
Records’ blues label, who signed Larry as Point Blank Records’ inaugural
artist. His debut album, Ambition—aptly named for fusing elements of blues,
rock and soul to create a contemporary blues sound—was released in 1990 to
critical acclaim. Throughout the ’90s, Larry continued to help define blues
rock, releasing Delta Hurricane (1993), Meet Me at the Lake (1996) and Born
to Play the Blues (1998). In 2000, Larry started his own label, Magnolia
Records, releasing Believe It (2000), Blues Is My Business (2001), Live on
Interstate 75 (2006), Larry McCray (2007) and The Gibson Sessions (2015).
Throughout those years, Larry played with such blues greats as BB King, Buddy
Guy, Albert King, John Mayall, Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, Keb Mo, Jimmie
Vaughan, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Joe Bonamassa, as well as rock legends the
Allman Brothers, Phil Lesh, Jonny Lang, Joe Walsh, Levon Helm, Chris
Robinson, Dickie Betts and countless others. Blues Without You, Larry’s
latest, a 12-track release, was recorded on Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues
Alive non-profit label.
About
Keeping the Blues Alive Records
Joe Bonamassa and his long-time manager, Roy Weisman, have put their decades
of expertise to use with their new venture, Keeping the Blues Alive (KTBA)
Records. The independent record label is an offshoot of Keeping The Blues
Alive Foundation, Joe Bonamassa’s non-profit that aims to conserve the art of
music in schools and preserve the rich culture and history of the blues.
Since its inception in 2020, KTBA Records has proven to be a driving force in
the music industry, taking on talented artists and propelling them into the
spotlight. The label has released albums for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Inductee Dion, Chicago blues queen Joanna Connor, and blues rock sensation Joanne
Shaw Taylor. Each album has received worldwide critical acclaim as well as
the coveted #1 spot on the Billboard Blues Album Chart. This is only the
beginning for KTBA Records. With its roster of talented musicians and success
in the industry, the label has many new projects on the horizon, working
synergistically with the non-profit’s mission of supporting musicians. 10% of
all profits from KTBA Records are donated to the foundation.
KTBA Records represents Bonamassa’s continuing efforts over the last 25 years
in support the artistic community and reflects the philosophy of paying it
forward just as so many did for him in the hope of paving the way for
musicians for years to come. To support KTBA Records mission and its talented
artists, visit https://bit.ly/shopktbarecords
now.
# # #
LARRY MCCRAY
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