An Interview with Larry.
Q. Larry you have been playing your blues all over the world for quite some time now, so will you tell us is there a favorite place that you like to play?
R. Well, I can’t give you a favorite place because there are so many places that treat us great but I can give you a less favorite place.
Q And where is that?
R. The Funky Blues Shack in San Destin Florida.
Q. And why is that?
R. Well…..all I will say is that you should make sure you get your money before you play because honoring contracts is not something they did the last time we were there.
Q. How many guys do you usually travel with?
R. In the states, Two and sometimes three because I’m the driver and tour manager but in Europe it’s up to six if Teddy Bear decides to come along.
Q. You seem to play in Europe a lot. Do you find the audiences there different from the states?
R. Of course. It’s a different culture so the audiences will be different. I love playing in Europe because of the difference. Vive la difference!
Q. Have the higher energy prices effected you any?
R. Of course! It’s affecting everyone, especially people who work on the highway. Everyone is hurting bad now and at this rate I think the real traveling blues bands won't be traveling to your town much longer… well except the silver spooner's and they are starting to feel the pinch too.
Q. I love your new cd “Here Today Gone Tomorrow” and I’m happy that you are still writing great songs. What inspired you most lately?
R. My fathers death and three months later my close call with death. Open heart surgery changed my thinking a lot.
Q. I heard you went to Russia only three weeks after your surgery. Did your doctors ok this trip?
R. No. In fact they couldn’t believe that I was serious about going. I said, “ Doc, thank you guys for what you did for me but I have to do this, I don’t have a trust fund to fall back on and American express don’t care that I’ve had open heart surgery…they want their money!”.
Q. Is that why they call you Larry “Ironman” Garner?
R. Only in Russia and Sharrie Williams started that. God bless her.
Q. One last question for you. There are lots of new players out there, what advice can you give them?
R. Always shoot straight and when ever possible get a good nights sleep!
Influences
Anyone who writes the songs, play the music and paint the pictures that are rooted in the spirit of love for universal oneness. Every now and then there's someone who reminds you that you have a meaningful part in the big picture. I hope those kind of people influence everyone at some point because these are the kind of people we want as friends
. Some say nothing is what it seems...
*********As the recipient of the 1988 BB King Lucille Award in Memphis, the 1995 MO Better Blues award in Atlanta, a 2002 Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame inductee, The BBC Jazz Fm Bluesman Of the Year award, three time recipient of Blues Songwriter of the Year award in Paris, five time nominee for WC Handy award in Memphis, 2004 Slim Harpo Ambassador for the Blues award in Baton Rouge, 2005 Recipient of the coveted Muddy's Club Bluebird award, Wienhiem Germany and two time recipient of The Bluesman of the Year award for Real Blues Magazine, Canada there's no wonder its been said over and over that Larry is one of contemporary blues finest. Larry is always looking for new talent to introduce to the world. To get us in your area contact Pat Gebhart with G&G Productions patg@locl.net or andy@concertbueroloesche.de ..................................................... We thank ever so kindly the photographers who shared their talents with us over ther years: David Horwitz, Leeu Wouters, Dianna Mestman, Monica Estermann, Ursula Haspel, Bert Lek, Robert Barkley, Chuck Winnans, Dr. Amanda Martin Palmer, Chuck Siler, Jim Mills, David M. Tannen, Evie Quarles, Jane Morley, Lauri Lawson, The Firefish, Gerwa, Kim Pabel, Matthew Schlenker, Karin Burner, Aigars Lapsa, C.P. Periloux, Steve Spoulos, Elif Nayman, Brian from England, Boogie King Steve (continuedupdates)
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Cd's to look for: Double Dues & Too Blues on JSP Records: You Need To Live A Little on Gitanes/Verve, Baton Rouge on Gitanes/Verve/Evidence, Standing Room Only, Once Upon The Blues & Embarrasment to the Blues on Ruf Records, "Here Today Gone Tomorrow" on Dixie Frog Records
Hey Larry Hey friend, I am collecting Banners with codes for my little Blues corner and I would like to place a couple of your banners on my site if you would please send me a few. If you have a picture of you with a code that would link anyone back to your site can you send me one also please? Whatever little goodies you'd like to send as long as it will link anyone back to you, can you please send to me? That'd be cool.. Thank You Very Much My Friend!!!