Larry Richardson

Last updated

Larry Richardson (August 9, 1927- June 17, 2007) [1] was an American bluegrass and old time banjoist and guitarist from Galax, Virginia. [2] He is known for his work with the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys, and the Blue Ridge Boys.

Larry Richardson began his bluegrass career with the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers alongside mandolin player Bobby Osborne of Osborne Brothers fame. These two musicians are credited for transforming the band from western swing to bluegrass music in 1949. [3] Larry and Bobby left the band after only a year and were replaced by Jimmy and Paul Williams. [4] After Larry's brief time with the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, he joined Bill Monroe as a banjo player from 1950 to 1951. He never made a recording as a "Bluegrass Boy". Larry then went on to work for Carl and J.P. Sauceman who ran a bluegrass show on WREN (AM). [5]

In 1956, Larry was featured on a record that changed the way many people hear and play the banjo. "American Banjo Scruggs Style" which showcased the many banjo players who had adopted Earl Scruggs' famous "three finger roll" style of picking. [6] On the record, Richardson played a rousing and inventive version of "Little Maggie" that influenced any number of up-and-coming banjo players in the late 1950s. Soon after the release of this record, Larry relocated to Low Gap, North Carolina. [7] From the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s Larry recorded with the Blue Ridge Boys [8] who focused on a traditional bluegrass sound.

In the latter 30 years of his life, Larry became an evangelist and spent the rest of his life preaching and singing bluegrass gospel. He lived in Lake Butler, Florida until he died of colon cancer. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Monroe</span> American bluegrass musician, songwriter

William Smith Monroe was an American mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, who created the bluegrass music genre. Because of this, he is often called the "Father of Bluegrass".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bluegrass music</span> Genre of American roots music and sub-genre of country music

Bluegrass music is a genre of American roots music that developed in the 1940s in the Appalachian region of the United States. The genre derives its name from the band Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys. Like mainstream country music, it largely developed out of old-time string music, though in contrast, bluegrass is traditionally played exclusively on acoustic instruments and also has roots in traditional English, Scottish, and Irish ballads and dance tunes as well as in blues and jazz. Bluegrass was further developed by musicians who played with Monroe, including 5-string banjo player Earl Scruggs and guitarist Lester Flatt. Monroe characterized the genre as, "Scottish bagpipes and ole-time fiddlin'." It's a part of Methodist, Holiness and Baptist traditions. It's blues and jazz, and it has a high lonesome sound."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Scruggs</span> American musician (1924–2012)

Earl Eugene Scruggs was an American musician noted for popularizing a three-finger banjo picking style, now called "Scruggs style", which is a defining characteristic of bluegrass music. His three-finger style of playing was radically different from the traditional way the five-string banjo had previously been played. This new style of playing became popular and elevated the banjo from its previous role as a background rhythm instrument to featured solo status. He popularized the instrument across several genres of music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Stanley Brothers</span> American bluegrass duo

The Stanley Brothers were an American bluegrass duo of singer-songwriters and musicians, made up of brothers Carter Stanley and Ralph Stanley. Ralph and Carter performed as The Stanley Brothers with their band, The Clinch Mountain Boys, from 1946 to 1966. Ralph kept the band name when he continued as a solo artist after Carter's death, from 1967 until his own death in 2016.

Benny Edward Martin, was an American bluegrass fiddler who invented the eight-string fiddle. Throughout his musical career he performed with artists such as the Bluegrass Boys, Don Reno, the Smoky Mountain Boys and Flatt and Scruggs, and later performed and recorded with the Stanley Brothers, Hylo Brown, Jimmy Martin, Johnnie and Jack, and the Stonemans, among others. He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Martin</span> American bluegrass singer and musician (1927–2005)

James Henry Martin was an American bluegrass singer and musician, known as the "King of Bluegrass".

Induction to the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, called the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor from its creation in 1991 through 2006, is managed by the International Bluegrass Music Association, and the Hall itself is maintained at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Owensboro, Kentucky.

The International Bluegrass Music Association, or IBMA, is a trade association to promote bluegrass music.

Josh Graves, born Burkett Howard Graves, was an American bluegrass musician. Also known by the nicknames "Buck," and "Uncle Josh," he is credited with introducing the resonator guitar into bluegrass music shortly after joining Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys in 1955. He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Baker (fiddler)</span> American fiddle player

Kenneth Clayton Baker was an American fiddle player best known for his 25-year tenure with Bill Monroe and his group The Blue Grass Boys.

Sonny Osborne was an American bluegrass musician and founding member of the Osborne Brothers.

Charles Cline, was an American bluegrass fiddler and multi-instrumentalist, known for being the sideman of several legendary bluegrass groups from the 1950s and well into the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rual Yarbrough</span> Musical artist

Rual Holt Yarbrough was an American five-string banjo player who worked with some of the most famous bluegrass musicians.

The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers were an early bluegrass band. Throughout their formations, they included notable "first generation" bluegrass musicians such as Ezra Cline, Bobby Osborne, Paul Williams, Melvin Goins, Charlie Cline, Curly Ray Cline, and Larry Richardson. The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame in 2009.

Bluegrass fiddling is a distinctive style of American fiddle playing which is characterized by bold, bluesy improvisation, off-beat "chopping", and sophisticated use of both double-stops and old-time bowing patterns.

Vernon Crawford (Jack) Cooke was a bluegrass music vocalist and instrumentalist, known for playing the guitar and bass with artists such as Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. He was one of nine siblings and was a native of Norton, Virginia.

Wilene "Sally Ann" Forrester, also known as Billie Forrester, was an American musician considered to be "the first woman in bluegrass", having been employed by Bill Monroe and his band, the Blue Grass Boys, from 1943 to 1946.

William "Dave" Evans was a tenor singer, banjo player, composer, and bluegrass band leader. He was noted for his powerful tenor vocal range and for his style which bridged traditional and contemporary bluegrass. Notable songs written by Evans include "One Loaf of Bread," "Highway 52," "99 Years is Almost for Life," and "Be Proud of the Grey in Your Hair."

Ron Stewart is an American multi-instrumentalist in the bluegrass tradition. He plays fiddle, guitar, banjo, and mandolin, and has won the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award for Fiddle Player of the Year in 2000 and Banjo Player of the Year in 2011.

References

  1. ↑ Lawless, John (July 18, 2007). "Larry Richardson Tribute: 1927-2007". Bluegrass Today.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  2. ↑ Goldsmith, Thomas (2004). Bluegrass Reader. University of Illinois Press. p. 160.
  3. ↑ Rosenberg, Neil V. (1985). Bluegrass: A History. Ubana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press. p. 146.
  4. ↑ Erlewine, Michael (1997). All Music Guide to Country: The Experts Guide to the Best Recordings In Country Music. San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books. p. 276.
  5. ↑ Bluegrass Unlimited. 42 (1–6). 2007.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ Rosenberg, Neil V. (1985). Bluegrass: A History. Ubana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press. p. 146.
  7. ↑ Bluegrass Unlimited. 42 (1–6). 2007.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ↑ Baggelaar, Kristin (1976). Folk Music: More Than a Song . Crowell. pp.  313. ISBN   9780690011593.
  9. ↑ Lawless, John (July 18, 2007). "Larry Richardson Tribute: 1927-2007". Bluegrass Today.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.