Most widely known as a writer, Kentucky native Larry Cordle has had songs recorded by Ricky Skaggs, Garth Brooks, Alison Krauss, Alan Jackson, George Strait, The Osborne Brothers, Rhonda Vincent, Trisha Yearwood and many others. At last count, Cordle's songs had appeared on projects that had sold a combined total of more than 55 million records.
Equally as impressive is Cordle’s performing career. Founded in 1990, Lonesome Standard time began as a joint venture between long-time friends Larry Cordle and Glen Duncan. Success came quickly for the band, yielding a Grammy nomination for the group’s debut album, and IBMA song of the year in 1993 for 'Lonesome Standard Time' and both vocal group and instrumental group nominations.
In 1995, Larry’s songwriting commitments and Nashville’s increasing demand for Glen’s fiddle talents in the studio led the duo to take a hiatus from their bluegrass touring and focus on these other aspects of their careers.
In 1999, Larry decided to reform the band and with the newly assimilated Lonesome Standard Time, released Murder of Music Row, in 2000. The project was nominated for another Grammy, reached #1 on both the Americana and Bluegrass charts, and the title track was named song of the Year by the Country Music Association the International Bluegrass Music Association, SPBGMA and The Nashville Network. The band also enjoyed attention from major media, including reviews in USA Today and People magazines, as well as many country and bluegrass music publications.
With Songs from the Workbench, Cordle continued the trend that had proven successful. Record heart-felt, original songs that feature his trademark singing, while spotlighting the impressive contributions of his band. The album’s first track, Anything Southbound was a solid #1 record in Bluegrass Unlimited and was nominated for IBMA's prestigious song of the year.
Lonesome Skynyrd Time released in 2004 on California label CMH, offered a unique opportunity to pay tribute to rock n’ roll giant, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Cordle, being a long-time fan of the southern rock band, approached the project with a sense duty, to respectfully represent this legendary material in a bluegrass context, while maintaining the integrity of the original recordings. The result is a powerful homage to the endurance and influence of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s music.
Lonesome Standard Time now includes: Larry Cordle lead vocals & guitar, Chris Harris mandolin & tenor vocals, Kim Gardner dobro & baritone vocals, Jody King banjo and James Doncsecz bass, Each musician is established and respected in the bluegrass community, offering a sense of professionalism that is easily recognized on and off the stage. Larry simply states, They are just some of the finest players I’ve ever heard. A band of this caliber opens up all sorts of musical possibilities and Cordle is eager to explore them.
Larry's last cd 'Took Down & Put Up' featured chart toppers 'First Train Robbery' as well as miner's tribute" Hole in the Ground'. It was released on Kentucky indie label Lonesome Day Records and also featured the duet pairing of Cord with country music superstar Travis Tritt on a song Larry, JP Pennington & Les Taylor's co-wrote titled 'Rough Around the Edges', first recorded by Tritt a few years earlier on his cd title No More Looking Over My Shoulder.
Cord's newest cd 'Pud Marcum's Hangin' is more of a singer/songwriter oriented cd & features great guest performances by: Bluegrass great Del McCoury, Ronnie Bowman, Garnet Imes Bowman, Carl Jacson, Jerry Salley, Randy Kohrs, Oak Ridge Boy Richard Sterban, Jenee Fleenor, Steve Thomas, Clay Hess. It is the first release on Cord's newly launched MightyCord Records. Larry co-wrote all 12 of the selections on the new cd, something he had not done since his first recording with fiddle great Glen Duncan in 1992.
The new cd will be available on March 15, 2011 thru cord's website www.larrycordle.com and at various retail outlets.
Larry continues to write for his own publishing company Wandachord Musiic & lives with his wife in Hendersonville, TN.
