Larry Stephenson began his musical career while in his early teens when he
and his father, Ed Stephenson formed Larry Stephenson & The New Grass in
Larry's hometown of King George, Virginia.
Honing his God-given talents, he began professionally
with Bill Harrell & The Virginians during January, 1979, playing mandolin
and singing high lead and tenor. In June, 1983, he moved to a similar role
as a member of The Bluegrass Cardinals, remaining until October, 1988,
when he organized THE LARRY STEPHENSON BAND while still residing in
Virginia.
Increasing opportunities for appearances on national
television made it advantageous to relocate to the epicenter of the
country and bluegrass music industries, prompting his move to Nashville
early in 1992. From this base he continues to make guest appearances on
the legendary Grand Ole Opry as well as on Nashville-based TV productions.
Contrary to the norm on 'music row' in Nashville, where
artists' record label affiliations are often notoriously short-lived,
Larry continues to record for one of the country's preeminent independent
record companies, as 2004 marked his 15th Anniversary of making records
for the highly respected Pinecastle label family.
The once-cottage and now international bluegrass music
industry has seemingly settled on an informal 'big tent' approach that
broadens the parameters of any perceived conception of what constitutes
bluegrass. LARRY STEPHENSON remains one of the comparatively few headline
artists whose solidly tradition-based, contemporary interpretations of the
music have kept his recording on the cutting edge of the bluegrass charts,
while gaining the respect along the way of first generation legends such
as, Jimmy Martin, Mac Wiseman, Jim & Jesse, The Osborne Brothers and
others.
During an illustrious career, he has performed for
audiences throughout the U.S. and in Canada as well as for fans in a
number of European countries. International appearances also include, U.S.
State Department-sponsored concerts before dignitaries in eastern nations.
As a true professional, Larry feels equally at ease on stage in
environments such as these as at a bluegrass festival in California or
Florida.
Well-regarded among musicians as an excellent
mandolinist, a significant number of industry and media music critics
regard LARRY STEPHENSON as the premier high lead vocalist in bluegrass
music today. His distinctive, crystal clear voice towers over the band
vocals, delivering a strong message, whether an old folk song, a 'brush
arbor' gospel quartet or one of his many top ten trios that have graced
the national bluegrass song charts.
Stephenson has also been honored by his home state when
he was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame. The Governor
pronounced June 23, 1996, Larry Stephenson day and a ceremony in Crewe, VA
was held to celebrate his induction. In February 2001, 2004, 2005 & 2006
he won the "Contemporary Male Vocalist Award" at the prestigious SPBGMA
(Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America) Convention.
Also in 2004 the band clinched the "Song of the Year Award" for the same
prestigious convention for the song & title track, Clinch Mountain
Mystery.
In 1999, Stephenson married promoter and long time
bluegrasser, Dreama Belcher who now works hard for the band on and off the
road. Since May 2002, Larry has also endeavored as part of the Original
Seldom Scene Reunion's that took place in 2003 - 2004, held across the
U.S., which they began with a date playing Festival in the Pines. In 2003
he recorded, as one of the five mainstream, award winning artist, which
all lived on the outskirts of Nashville in the small town of White House,
TN making-up the bluegrass supergroup "WhiteHouse".
The last CD" Clinch Mountain Mystery was recognized as
one of the Sweet 16 Off Music Row albums in the Tennessean Newspaper in
Nashville, TN. It also stayed on the bluegrass charts for one solid year,
which is almost unheard of, debuting at #18 and staying in the top 5 for
seven months hitting #1 in December 2004.
Now to his acclaim, Stephenson has done it again with
band mates, along with guests artist, Missy Raines, Shad Cobb, Rob Ickes &
Jimmy VanCleve released Sept. 5, 2006 entitled "Life Stories". The new
album is one discussing some of life’s strategies/tragedies, of today’s
world and those of yester-year. The band’s overall quality and sound is
yet again above and beyond anything the band has ever produced. There can
not be enough said about this album of life songs. You’ll need to listen
for yourself and request songs often, now being played at bluegrass radio
stations. And, not only did September bring the new release but also an
IBMA award for "Album of the Year" for his part in the Musicians Against
Childhood Cancer project benefiting St. Jude Children’s Hospital. You may
find Life Stories, along with the new Cypress DVD
and the 2008 gospel release "Thankful" among many
others, available at Larry Stephenson Band shows and online at
www.LarryStephensonBand.com.