Special guest blog by JB Eanes, LFC Band Member
The first time I heard Larry McCray's name was in a radio ad on a Rock Island, IL radio station. I think that must’ve been 1993. It didn’t take much encouragement to get me go for a live blues show….especially if the headliner was known as a powerful guitar player. I found my way to this club which was in a newly revitalized downtown section of Rock Island on the Mississippi river.
After a local opening act Larry McCray and his band took the stage. The shift in energy level from the opener to Larry McCray was incredible. The music coming from this guy demanded your ears. Every note from his guitar was emotional and drenched with soul. He played with blistering speed or slow and deliberate, but unlike a large population of guitar acrobats, Larry always maintained this melodic phrasing that complimented his songs. He never had that ratty, thin, over-compressed distortion that so many axmen fall victim to. As a guitar player I know these are the things all players want to accomplish in a live mix.
Larry sings with that same power and soul. He’s a massive barrel-chested soul man with big pipes. His voice made me think of what Barry White may sound like singing instead of talking. The music was blues, sure…but it was not typical. The flavor was more like a mix of high-energy blues, soul, rock, jazz and funk. All of these were combined in a perfect combination while still paying homage to the early generations of Albert, Freddy, and BB King. The other element that put this show over-the-top were his accompanying musicians. Larry’s brother Steve on drums, Noelle Neal on bass and Tony Zamagni on the keys, all have a long resume.
When the band played that last song of the first set they walked off the back of the stage….but Larry walked off the front. He was obviously looking around for someone to engage with and he spoke to me first. I think he picked up on my enthusiasm for the music. He was very humble. In the middle of all my questions about him and his music, he actually redirected our conversation to me answering questions about myself; where I was from, what’s a southern boy doing up in the mid-west, and so on. We just cut up and talked about anything and everything for the entire 30 minute break. I don’t know how that happens but it seemed like we already knew each other and were just catchin’ up. We somehow stayed in touch and have kept up with one another ever since that night.
I’ve been lucky enough to call Larry McCray my friend. We cross paths when we can. Over the years he’s invited to me sit in with his band when the opportunity came about. One time in Chicago at Buddy Guy’s Legends he called me up on stage. Now that’s at big club, and I’m not that strong on the guitar but Larry took off his Les Paul and handed it to me. Another time in Virginia, in my hometown, Larry had me sit in with his band the entire second set. The coolest thing about this guy when it comes to sharing the stage is this; he can mop the floor with about anyone that dares step up there with him - but he never exercises that right. He makes everybody look good. That’s a rare find.Since the early 90’s Larry has gained recognition from a lot of other great players. He’s opened for the Robert Cray Band and the Allman Brothers Band just to name a few. Just a few weeks ago, Larry was playing a show in Chicago (at Legends again). The ABB played a concert nearby. After their show Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes and Oteil Burnbridge all showed up at Legends to see Larry. Of course Larry invited them all onstage to play “Soulshine”. That’s some pretty hot company in the music world. Everybody likes Larry and likes to make music with him.
When Kyle Dillard (LFC Worship Director) started talking about bringing in talent for our Hope in a House of Blues series, I instinctively thought of Larry. When I called and asked if he would come and play at Lake Forest with our band – he never hesitated. He said he was hoping we would have an excuse to get together sometime to play music anyway – and just to catch up.
I went to an unfamiliar club in an unfamiliar town to see an unfamiliar bluesman. When I left that club that night I had a new friend. Now Lake Forest will have a new friend.
Larry McCray will join the church band at LFC this Sunday, Nov. 1 during all three services - 8am, 9:30am and 11am.
