Heart, Soul, and Heavy Strings – How Larry McCray Brought the Blues Back to My Bones
I still remember the first time I heard Larry McCray—it was like someone had melted Albert King, Allman Brothers, and 1970s Detroit soul into a single voice and plugged it straight into my chest.
It wasn’t flashy.
It wasn’t trying to impress.
It just felt true.
That’s what McCray does—he plays the truth.
Every solo sounds like it’s being pulled out of the dirt, the sweat, and the struggles of real life.
Who Is Larry McCray?
Larry McCray is a bluesman’s bluesman.
Born in Arkansas and raised in Michigan, he’s been pouring his heart into every note since the late ’80s.
A powerhouse guitarist and soulful vocalist, McCray blends the raw edge of the Delta with the urban punch of Detroit.
His sound lives somewhere between Bobby “Blue” Bland and Gov’t Mule, with just enough gospel grit to raise the roof and heal the wounds.
Over the years, he’s shared stages with legends like Buddy Guy, Albert King, B.B. King, and Koko Taylor—and they knew they were standing next to greatness.
What Makes Larry McCray So Special?
Let’s start with the guitar:
Big, bold, Gibson tone. Clean when it needs to be, biting when the moment calls for it. He’s got that Albert King phrasing, but with the muscle of a rock player and the sensitivity of a soul singer.
Now the voice:
McCray doesn’t sing the blues. He lives them. His voice is warm, worn, and full of life. He can growl or glide, often in the same line.
And then there’s the songs:
He writes about real stuff—love, pain, race, hope, survival. There’s no ego in it. Just honesty.
The Albums That Made Me a McCray Believer
If you’re just now discovering Larry McCray, welcome to one of the best-kept secrets in modern blues. Here’s where I started, and where you should too:
- 🎸 Delta Hurricane (1993) – A must-listen. Produced by Mike Vernon (of John Mayall fame). Full of fire and feeling.
- 💿 Believe It (2000) – Underrated gem. Deep groove, killer tone, and raw emotion.
- 🔥 Live on Interstate 75 (2006) – Proof that McCray is even better live. His solos on this one? Ridiculous.
- 🎶 Blues Without You (2022) – His comeback album, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. Easily one of the best blues albums of the last decade. Every track is tight, heartfelt, and electric with soul.
Seeing Him Live: Undeniable, Unforgettable
I had the chance to see Larry McCray at a small club in 2023—intimate venue, maybe 100 people—and I swear to you, it was one of the best live shows I’ve seen in 20 years.
He walked onstage without fanfare, grinned, and lit into “Arkansas.” Within seconds, the place was hooked.
He didn’t just play the guitar—he worked it, like it owed him something.
But the moment that got me?
When he sang “Breaking News” from Blues Without You…
The whole room went still. Eyes closed. Hands over hearts.
That’s not entertainment—that’s connection.
Why Larry McCray Deserves More Love
Larry McCray should be a household name. Period.
He’s the bridge between old-school blues tradition and modern power and polish.
He’s stayed humble, kept touring, and kept making music that actually matters—even when the industry looked the other way.
And now, with Bonamassa and Keeping The Blues Alive pushing his music back into the spotlight, it finally feels like he’s getting his due.
If you love guitar tone, honest songwriting, and blues with depth, you owe it to yourself to hear Larry McCray.
Where to Start If You’re New
Your Larry McCray starter pack:
- 🎧 Blues Without You – Start here. It’s that good.
- 🔥 Delta Hurricane – For raw blues power.
- 🎙️ Believe It – Underrated soul-blues masterpiece.
- 📺 YouTube: Search “Larry McCray live,” “Larry McCray Arkansas,” or “Blues Without You acoustic” to watch the soul unfold.
Visit larrymccray.net for tour dates, merch, and more.
Larry McCray doesn’t play for applause—he plays for truth.
And if you’ve ever loved the blues, even just a little, you’ll find something of yourself in his music. 🎸💙🔥
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