The Sons of the American Legion Post 238 in Hughesville will have the 2nd Bluegrass show of the season with The Larry Stephenson Band from Nashville tomorrow, Saturday December 2.  Opening the show will be host, Jay Armsworthy along with Joey Tippett and Friends.  The hall is located in Hughesville, MD off of Rt. 231 and Rt. 381.

 

 
Larry Stephenson
– Photo by Richard Boyd

Over a decade and “still on fire”, The Larry Stephenson Band is celebrating the 17th year of his band & the same record label, Pinecastle Records.  He is known as a constant great in the biz & he’s headed to the next level!

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 to his advantage to relocate to the epicenter of the country and bluegrass music industries, prompting his move to Nashville, Tennessee 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.

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 a