Larry McCray:
Lead Guitar and Vocals
Steve McCray:
Drums and Vocals
S. Devernet:
Bass Guitar
Shawn McDonald:
Hammond Organ/Piano
..
Influences
McCray's first influence on guitar was none other than his sister, Clara, who toured regionally around Arkansas with her own combo, the Rockets. Clara never got to record her Freddie King-styled blues for posterity -- but her little brother has at least partially made up for that omission. Larry followed Clara up to Saginaw, MI, in 1972. She turned him on to the joys of the three Kings (B.B., Freddie, and Albert), Albert Collins, and Magic Sam, and Larry added superheated rock licks (à la Jimi Hendrix and the Allman Brothers) to his arsenal as he began playing the local circuit with his brothers Carl on bass and Steve on drums.
Sounds Like
Some of the greatest blues and blues-based guitarists, like Jimi Hendrix or Albert King, have created classic sounds on a Gibson Flying V. Other greats, like Clapton or Beck, have found it in a Les Paul. With bluesman Larry McCray you get the best of both worlds.
Larry McCray is one of a handful of talented young blues performers leading the genre across boundaries and into the new century. McCray's savage blues-rock guitar and warm, soulful vocals have drawn attention worldwide.
McCray's hard work paid off when he became the first artist signed by Virgin Records' blues division - Pointblank Records. In 1990, they released his debut, "Ambition," which was well received by the U.S. and European press.
1993 saw the release of McCray's second album, Delta Hurricane, which was recorded in Memphis with the notoriously funky Uptown Horns. The guitarist's gut wrenching rendition of Warren Haynes' power ballad, "Soul Shine," opened many ears to McCray's talent and diversity.
In 1998, Born To Play The Blues moved the story of McCray's broadly appealing music forward another giant step. Bold, brawny, often dazzling guitar lines are matched with confident, soul-drenched vocals. Understated funk rhythms and crunchy rock riffs meet searing slow blues and booty-bumping shuffles.
The year 2000 found the guitarist co-establishing his own independent record company together with Koch, forming Magnolia Records. The release Believe It kicked it off, putting McCray on chart to continue to release albums on his own dime and time, without the business or rules of a pressing-type of label.
McCray also sights a career highlight as being honored as the Orville Gibson 2000 Male Blues Guitarist of the Year. "Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, like seven or eight other people were nominated, as well" stated McCray.
With Magnolia Records his new home and a young son to raise, McCray was able to pull back into his personal life for a while. McCray keeps busy on the road trying to find the time to write music.
Magnolia Records released the McCray's first live album, Live On 75, on December 6, 2005. In November of 2006, Larry's latest studio record, simply self titled - Larry Mccray, was released and is gaining popularity in the U.S. from coast to coast and is also making a splash in Europe.
Hi Larry! We miss seeing you around here......The new pics of you playing with Derek Trucks are awesome!!! We hope you'll stop in some Tuesday and Jam with us again! Take Care, Heather & Jones'n
Ciao,Larry & band... Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, Band, and stupendous voice. compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis, I feel great admiration for you, be really one whom is worth rather a lot! I hope to listen soon to you, in italy .. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music all the best.. from italy.. and good life.. every day neal
I just left the show here in Atlanta at Smith's Olde Bar. Fantastic my friend! I gave you my card, I will be sending some pics your way soon. I also would like to talk about your next show in Atlanta :-)
All right Larry my friend with the Bluesalicious licks. Sweet n Sour n Blue as Blue can get. I heard business was good. Yet I thought I would check it out for myself. How bout Like a Bronze String Magical Rainbow of Jammin Soul Frettin Goose bump making Floating Note crazed Kewlness. Thanks brotha for the gift of your music and friendship. Carry on my Michigan brotha. Born Detroit! CHOLEY
Hey Larry, Thanks so much for your support..... I appreciate it! I'll try to see you and your band playing whenever I get back to the Michigan area....sounding great! Until then, keep on rockin' and kickin' out them tunes! Peace, Rick.
GREETINGS LARRY,THIS PASS SATURDAY NIGHT MICHAEL BURKS BLUES BAND ROCK COZY'S HERE IN LOS ANGELES,CA.THE ONLY THING THAT WAS WRONG WAS YOU AND YOUR BAND WAS NOT HERE.BEST REGARDS,JORONOMO BURKS AND THE VOODOO BLUES BAND.
hey larry thanks for coming to the funeral an singing for us. an it was nice meeting you an hanging out with us.. come visit me down in san antonio some time. -josiah
Ciao,The Larry McCray Band Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, Band, and stupendous voice. compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis, I feel great admiration for you, be really one whom is worth rather a lot! I hope to listen soon to you, in italy .. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music all the best.. from italy.. and good life.. every day neal
man yall would be playing 45 mins away to bad ill be in texas. ive been waiting all summer to see you guys again to yall need to come back. let me know when yall are in memphis the brick house is awsome yall love it
