Larry Pancake is slowly becoming a household name. The singer/songwriter was raised in Flatwoods, a small eastern Kentucky town running along the famed "Country Music Highway" where Billy Ray Cyrus, Loretta Lynn, Ricky Scaggs, The Judds and many more hail. His style of music has been described as country/rock, saturated with musical influences from Kiss, Paul Rogers, Eddie Money, and Elvis to local artists like Billy Ray Cyrus, Steve French, and Mike Murphy. He has created his own style of singing and performing that includes an extremely wide vocal range and has been reviewed as original and very energetic. “ A family friendly show that leaves the audience with a positive experience”
From childhood Larry was exposed to a variety of music. His mother was a member of The Potters Clay Singers, a gospel group who had short-lived success with a release in the early 80s. His father sang and his sister played piano. Singing in church and being raised on gospel music set the foundation for his character. When Larry was a sophomore in high school he entered the Beta Variety Show, a talent show where he received a standing ovation after winning the contest. This opened the door to music for him.
After high school, Larry decided to put a band together. With a few friends and an ad in the paper, he formed what became the band Aftershock. They played their first gigs at The Country Music Highway Cafe in Ashland, KY for exposure and a free meal. When the crowds were getting too big for the Café the local club owners soon took notice. After playing different clubs in the tri-state (KY, OH, WV), they soon became a fixture at The 1896 Club in Huntington, WV, in the early 90s. He later joined a well established local band in 2000, as lead singer. The band then became known as Larry Pancake and the Pride.
In the summer of 2004, recording began at the Legendary Hilltop Studios in Nashville. His first CD entitled “Lonely” was produced by Nashville’s John Nicholson. John has produced such artist as Loretta Lynn, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill and Dolly Parton, just to name a few. Larry has played a variety of venues, large and small, along with locally and nationally know recording artists as well as headlining. He has had the chance to share the stage with many different superstars of music. He has also appeared in a number of regional TV and radio commercials. Larry’s music is being played in several different countries on Indie stations as well as top 40 stations and a national commercial for VAM ,a company that endorses Larry.
Today, Larry stays busy playing year around mainly in fairs and festivals. He is a Nashville published songwriter, many which appeared on his second album "Everyday" released in 2009. Larry Pancake’s fan base continues to grow with each performance with no signs of stopping! Come see why!!!
About Everyday
The new album from Larry Pancake ~
Behind the songs: the few that have heard the finished CD thought that it would be a good idea to explain the songs before you hear them. I could write a lot more about them than this but this is it in a nutshell…
“We have been working on this project since Oct. of 2008. I wrote all of them this time. Lonely was a great learning experience for me. I don’t regret any of it. I only wrote a little on that CD. This time it’s all me. Every song on Everyday has some kind of story behind it. I know that people will listen and relate to each and every song. I’ve taken my years of playing and put it into song, although some may think I haven’t paid my dues. The music speaks! I had called Greg and told him that I had written some new tunes and I needed a new record. He said "lets make it happen". The guys and me got together at my house maybe 3 times and rehearsed these songs. We then walked into Smash Hits studios on Oct 4th and started laying it down. It was great and we all had the same mind set. We were all on the same page. It rolled out like a live gig. Greg counted off and we played. It seemed so easy and stress free. Everyone would throw out ideas and if I liked it, we would do it. If they didn’t like something I would do, they would tell me. It was very cool, like magic.
Everyday has 10 new songs never heard before. Some of these tunes I have been writing on for some time. Some came to me while writing the others or while I was sleeping, lol When I write, it’s not like I can make myself, it just happens.
Track 1 – Years ago I would play Portsmouth, Ohio a lot. There was a group of women that would come every weekend. All these chicks rode motorcycles, alone! I would often think about those “Harley ridin’ women” Track one is just that. “Harley Ridin’ Woman”.
Track 2 - is Hometown. When I was at Russell High School, Billy Ray had not been famous very long. He showed up one day at the school for an ABC special that he was filming. He and Slydog (three of them who are on this CD) were traveling the world, winning Grammys, and making music history. He stood and told the whole student body to “follow your dreams”. It sticks with me to this day. Anyway, where ever they went, he would always plug Flatwoods, Ky. There is more to the story but that is where the song originated. Hometown is based on that.
Track 3 is Stupid Things. I had my girlfriend write down all the stupid things I do, and well, no need to explain the rest…
Track 4 is a killer…Just Remember. A friend of mine’s Dad passed away. I ran into him maybe 3 weeks or so after the funeral. I told him I was sorry and asked how everyone was doing in the family. He told me that he was worried about his Mom, and how he was trying to explain it to his young child. He said, “something weird happened the other day”. He said he had called his parent’s house and the answering machine came on. It was his Dad’s voice. The first time he had heard it since his death. He said he heard “hello you’ve reached the…” and then he just sat there and listened. When we were done talking and throughout the day, he and that story stayed on my mind. It ate at me until I got out this song. The message that his Dad wanted his family to know…
Track 5 is Standing Alone. It’s a message to some. You all will know someone like this. I know I do…
Track 6 is Shake Loose. I wanted a fist pumping anthem that people can scream with me while we play. It is an 80’s rock tribute.
Track 7 is Everyday. I was 19 when I became a Dad. I was young and reckless. Back then I had no idea what I was going to do. Things don’t always work out the way they have for me. I have been blessed. I have been a single parent for a long time. He is with me full time. This song is that story. I really hope you like it.
Track 8 is Stay. I have a cousin that had a hard time for a while with a divorce. Seeing him like he was (brieflylol) made for this song.
Track 9 is Friend of Mine. Over the years, I have played a lot of clubs. This song describes those days. I had started writing and got stuck up on it. I got with my friend Jeff Frasure whom I had written a few songs with, we wrote Lonely together. Anyway, we got together and finished the song. He was there for a lot of the gigs and saw this stuff first hand. One club the juke box would come on while we were playing. I’d get in trouble for standing on tables and chairs, fights, beer, women, you get the picture.
Track 10 is This Home. A wise man once said “that was cold blooded”. I had a buddy that was in and out of this relationship. She would leave then come back, then would retaliate. You get it right?. I never thought I would write something Bluegrassish…
I hope you all enjoy it, I can’t wait for it to come out. Everyone is invited to the release party June 5th. If you have any questions about any of the songs when you hear them, just mail. Thanks….Lp
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