Larry McCray’s road to success in the blues world has been long and winding. There have been some detours and flat tires, but he’s also released 11 fine albums and played with the likes of Albert King, B.B. King, Albert Collins, and Buddy Guy. He spent the first 12 years out of high school working on the assembly line at General Motors before deciding he would pursue music full-time. He’s weathered management problems, divorce, cancer, and other personal issues. Yet here he is. At age 65, McCray has released perhaps the finest record of his career, Heartbreak City, and he also plays on the terrific new album by Devon Allman entitled The Blues Summit.
Between working with Allman’s top-notch crew (including Jimmy Hall and Sierra Green) and the production team on his solo record (Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith), McCray has gotten by with a little help from his friends. Allman handles many of the lead vocals on The Blues Summit, but McCray certainly makes his presence felt in multiple ways. It’s on Heartbreak City where the singer/songwriter really gets personal and cuts loose. Bonamassa leans on some of his usual running mates, including Smith (guitar), Reese Wynans (keys), Lemar Carter (drums), Kirk Fletcher (guitar), and Calvin Turner (bass), plus an elite horn section and backup singers to provide a worthy backdrop for this excellent crop of songs. McCray co-wrote seven of the songs, including the soulful first single “Bye Bye Blues”. He’s found love again and it’s been the rising tide for his life and career.
Outside my window this morning birds are singing their song. It took a long, long time to get back, back where I belong.
You came along when I needed a friend, you came along now I’m happy again.
When I said hello to you, I said goodbye to the blues.
When I said hello to you, I said Bye Bye Blues.
McCray’s deep voice is truly blue and is reminiscent of some of the great soul and blues singers like Levi Stubbs, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Johnny Taylor, and Little Milton. Even if you didn’t know his backstory, you could surmise these lyrics and their delivery come from real experience. He comes from a musical family in Arkansas, taught by his older sister and joined by two of his brothers in his first band. He often plays an Albert King-esque Gibson Flying V guitar as a nod to one of his heroes and his stinging leads on it prove he’s a worthy successor to that tradition. The affable McCray has paid his dues through years of ups and downs and is now reaping some rewards for his prodigious talents and determination.
You can SEE Dave Popkin's entire interview with Larry McCray below.
In some breaking news, McCray will appear with a who’s who of blues stars on a forthcoming tribute album this year to B.B. King, produced by Bonamassa and Smith. 2025 is the centennial of King’s birth.
While one of his favorite old New Jersey haunts, the late, great Lake Como jazz club Jason’s is no longer with us, McCray will be blitzing through the area with Devon Allman for an August 19 show at The Vogel at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank and at Mardi Gras AC on the boardwalk in Atlantic City on August 20. With any luck, he’ll add more dates to support the solo album that is garnering positive reviews, airplay, and new fans.
Larry McCray “Bye Bye Blues”:
Larry McCray “Heartbreak City”:
Larry McCray with Joe Bonamassa “Blues Without You (For Paul)” live:
Larry McCray “Soulshine” live:
