The Early Years

Larry has roots in southwestern Pennsylvania where he grew up in the friendly, green, rolling hills of Pennsylvania. Early on he displayed an interest in music. He remembers receiving recognition in his elementary school years and was selected to sing in the county chorus. As a youngster he enjoyed singing acapella vocal harmonies with his dad and his siblings.

Larry recalls his aunt’s account about his father who played a practical joke on her while she was sitting in a sofa. His dad made a voice recording of a song, hid behind the sofa, and played his recording. As she listened to the song, she thought it was Bing Crosby crooning the tune. Suddenly he jumped up from behind the sofa, scared her silly and together, they laughed at the joke. Larry attributes genetics and natural gifts for any voice talent he may possess for singing.

For a brief time he took trumpet lessons at a local music shop, but quickly gave that up and gravitated towards the guitar. He then began his dream of becoming a Rock ‘n Roll Star. But, his music and guitar playing took an entirely different path. After completion of military Air Force service Larry travelled west, discovered San Diego, California, looked up in the sky and thought: “Sun or snow shovel? Sun or snow shovel?” Sun won! Larry said he never looked back except for visits with family and friends and occasional performances in the area before his hometown audience. Currently he resides in southern California with his wife.

Although his mother was not musically talented, Larry said she passed along other equally important gifts—a robust joy for life, good humor, generosity, compassion, love and respect for others. He recalls frequent family gatherings around a table of mounds of delicious, often garden-grown, homemade, meals. Friends were always welcomed. Larry remembers that while growing up, his mother, Grace, often passed along some of her wisdom statements for life. One of them was “Oh, don’t cry over spilled milk.” She also said, “There’s nothing new under the sun.” So years later, he wrote a song, Under The Sun. Hard workers at raising their family of six active and precocious children, his parents passed on a strong and vibrant work ethic.